🌱 I-49 Project + Bentonville Teen Earns Congressional Medal

Hello again, Bentonville! Important update: You all, as readers, have made the Bentonville Daily so successful that it is my honor to announce the next stage of the newsletter. Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Bentonville Daily. Although I have loved getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Bentonville long term. So if you're interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

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First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 53 Low: 38.

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Here are the top three stories today in Bentonville:

1. A proposed project to build an interchange on Interstate 49 drew interest from Bentonville residents during a public input session Thursday evening. The project would construct an interchange on I-49 and extend Northeast J Street northward from Tiger Boulevard for approximately 1.1 miles More information about the project, including a place to submit online comments, are available on the project website. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
2. On Feb. 17, a local teenager received the Congressional Silver Medal, one of the highest honors Congress gives to young Americans. Bentonville High School junior Anish Leekkala earned the medal for completing over 200 hours of volunteer work, 200 hours of personal development, and 100 hours of physical fitness. Leekkala stated he is "really thankful" Congressman Womack took the time to give the award; he plans to work toward the Congressional Gold Medal in 2023. (KNWA)
3. The Scott Family Amazeum invites guests to "reimagine the possible" at the museum during Engineers Weekend from Feb. 25 through Feb. 27. Visitors can enjoy a variety of pop-up engineering activities over the weekend, including one that demonstrates how minor aerodynamic changes create lift. Other ongoing events include "Tinkering Hub: Tiny Drawings" and a t-shirt contest for the Amazeum's seventh birthday. (KNWA)

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Today in Bentonville:

• American Patchwork Quartet - Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce (7:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Check out pictures from Bentonville West High School's pep rally, where students from the special education program hosted a go-kart fundraiser to benefit the Special Olympics of Arkansas. (Facebook)
• In recent weeks, the Bentonville Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation, planted 200 new trees throughout the city. (Facebook)
• For the third year in a row, The Museum of Native American History (MONAH) in Bentonville is nominated for USA Today's Best History Museum. (KNWA)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.