Arkansas

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Another local city is looking to revamp the way buildings are constructed there to bring a more urban feel to future development.Bentonville To Revamp Building CodesTuesday night, the Bentonville city council approved a plan to form a committee to examine current building codes and to propose a few changes. The new rules would center on building form, a type of building code that is secondary to zoning regulations.The goal is to give Bentonville a more urban look, with possibilities including reshaping the way retail and commercial companies share building space, officials said. (Read the full post about ‘Bentonville To Revamp Building Codes’…)

BELLA VISTA, Ark. — Several people suffered minor injuries after a school bus rolled onto its side Tuesday in Bella Vista.Benjamin Owings, 73, was driving the bus when he lost control and drove off the road on Chelsea Road in Bella Vista.The bus landed on its side, officials said. The road was slick at the time, and officials said the bus may have hydroplaned.The driver and two students on board suffered minor injuries, officials said. (Read the full post about ‘School Bus Rolls Over In Accident In Bella Vista’…)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — An organization that focuses on serving seniors is running out of money and cutting back even more, leaving many elderly residents wondering where they’ll get their next meal.Needy Seniors Face Meals On Wheels CutbacksLocal senior centers do get some state and federal funding, but only about 49 percent of their funding, and they have to raise the rest. (Read the full post about ‘Needy Seniors Face Meals On Wheels Cutbacks’…)

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — High gas prices have hybrid cars high on many drivers’ wish lists, but the popularity of the energy efficient cars has many emergency crews going back to the classroom.Crashed Hybrid Cars Can Pose Risks To Emergency CrewsHybrid cars are excellent when it comes to fuel efficiency, but they run on a combination of gas and electricity and can pose a danger to emergency crews. If the hybrid car is in an accident, there is a possibility that the car can be charged and dangerous to emergency crews, emergency officials said.Across the area, fire departments are educating firefighters about safety issues involving hybrid cars when they are in accidents.Almost all of the hybrids have a high voltage battery in the back. (Read the full post about ‘Crashed Hybrid Cars Can Pose Risks To Emergency Crews’…)

FORT SMITH, Ark. — Rescue crews rushed to the scene of a boater caught in swift water Friday afternoon on the Arkansas River between Van Buren and Fort Smith.Jet-Skier Rescued From Arkansas RiverLuke Forsgren took a jet ski out on the water but he soon found himself screaming for help. With it being such a beautiful day, Forsgren planned to go for a nice cool ride, but he ended up almost losing his life.Luke put his jet ski into the Arkansas River so he could take it for a test drive.”Except the problem was that I never got to my point. I actually went down river underneath the bridge,” Forsgren said.And before he knew it, he was caught in swift water that kept pulling him under.”I was screaming out, ‘help!’” Forsgren said.Luke then remembered he had a cell phone, so he pulled it out and called his father. (Read the full post about ‘Jet-Skier Rescued From Arkansas River Near Fort Smith Friday’…)

CLEVELAND — A coroner has ruled that R&B singer Sean Levert died of natural causes following a jail medical emergency in Cleveland. The 39-year-old Levert died March 31 at a hospital after he was taken from the Cuyahoga County jail. He was serving one year and 10 months for failure to pay $89,025 in child support. County Coroner Frank Miller said that Levert died from complications of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease. Miller ruled out foul play or trauma. Attorneys for Levert’s widow said sheriff’s department records they reviewed show he wasn’t given his anti-anxiety medication while in jail or seen by a doctor, which might have prevented his death. (Read the full post about ‘Coroner: Levert, 39, Died Of Natural Causes’…)

Listen up!Class is in session.Well, after a Memorial Day break (I was sunning in Bimini), it’s time to get back to work. Ready for WWE’s “One Night Stand?” That’s right, just when you thought it was safe to pay your cable bill, Vince McMahon wants more of your money. Does he deserve it? Judge for yourself, as we run down a card that features a gimmick in every match:Podcast: ‘Old School, New School’ — Episode 77Singapore Cane Match: Big Show vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. C.M. Punk vs. John Morrison vs. Chavo Guerrero What Should Happen: The dreaded Kendo stick! How about a steel pipe match instead? You know, something that actually might hurt if you get hit with it? (Read the full post about ‘Professor Wrestling: ‘One Night Stand’ Picks’…)

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Patrick Swayze, 55, star of “Ghost,” “Dirty Dancing” and numerous other films, said in a statement this week to People magazine that he is responding well to his chemotherapy treatment at Stanford University.”Lisa and I have been back and forth from New Mexico enjoying the arrival of spring and new baby calves,” he wrote in a statement. “This past weekend we spent a fun time with friends in Reno for Lisa’s birthday. In the meantime I am continuing treatment at Stanford and the great news is, I continue to respond well.”News broke in March that Swayze had been diagnosed with a painful and deadly form of pancreatic cancer. “This took everyone by surprise,” said J.D. (Read the full post about ‘Report: Swayze ‘Responding Well’ To Chemo’…)

Bill Murray’s wife has filed for divorce, claiming the comedy actor uses drugs, has been unfaithful, and has abandoned and physically abused her for more than 10 years, according to The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C.According to the paper, Jennifer Butler Murray made the allegations in a complaint filed with the court May 12. The Post Courier added that court records were subsequently sealed on Friday.Bill Murray, who doesn’t have a publicist or agent, didn’t return calls from the paper made to the offices of the Charleston RiverDogs — a minor league baseball team co-owned by the actor. (Read the full post about ‘Murray Accused Of Abuse In Divorce Papers’…)

Supermodel Naomi Campbell is facing five charges stemming from her alleged “luggage rage” incident with police at London’s Heathrow airport last month, according to TMZ.com.The Web site said Campbell was charged Thursday in London with three counts of assaulting a constable, a count of disorderly conduct and a count of using threatening words.Campbell faces up to six months in jail if convicted, TMZ said. The site quoted Campbell’s UK lawyer, who said the supermodel is “bitterly disappointed” about being charged. Campbell, 38, is due back in court June 20.According to witnesses, Campbell was aboard a British Airways plane due to take off for Los Angeles when she allegedly became involved in a dispute over her luggage. (Read the full post about ‘Naomi Campbell Charged In Airport Fracas’…)