Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a two-year Rainbow Lane closure could change your daily drive

Spotted on the Bentonville calendar: Made in America

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Wednesday September 9th Patch AM
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Good morning Bentonville! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a two-year Rainbow Lane closure could change your daily drive
  • How Bentonville teens are expanding affordable STEM opportunities for local kids
  • What AI trends did leaders spotlight at Bentonville's packed Tech Summit?

Also on today's calendar: Morning Mobility and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the burglar wear blue gloves? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 101 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm, temps: high: 82, low: 69.
  • Friday: Humid with variable clouds, with a high of 93 and low of 72 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Road closure scheduled for Bentonville street as part of long-term project (nwahomepage.com) — Drivers in south Bentonville should prepare for a long disruption: a one-block stretch of SW Rainbow Lane between Walton Boulevard and SW Regional Airport Boulevard is now closed through April 1, 2028 for the city's Rainbow Curve improvement project. The work will widen Rainbow Lane, add a new traffic signal, and eventually remove the curved section of Walton to ease heavy congestion.
   

2. Bentonville High School seniors create STEM opportunities through new nonprofit (arkansasonline.com) — Bentonville High School seniors have launched a new nonprofit, Building Arkansas STEM Experiences, to bring affordable science and technology activities to local kids, including a recent festival at the Rogers-Bentonville LISA Academy campus. They plan more events and low-cost STEM kits for children who might otherwise miss out, aiming to boost confidence and early interest in STEM across Bentonville and Arkansas.
   

3. Northwest Arkansas' Tech Summit Returns With a Focus on AI (arkansasbusiness.com) — Bentonville just hosted the returning NWA Tech Summit at The Ledger, drawing a sold-out crowd to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping work. Local business leaders, including Walmart's technology leadership and the Greater Bentonville Chamber CEO, highlighted the region as a real-world laboratory for AI-driven changes in everyday jobs and company operations.
   

4. Ex-Arkansas State Rep. Austin McCollum pleads not guilty to felony charges (kark.com) — A former Arkansas state representative is accused of assaulting his wife at a Bentonville residence and has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault and false imprisonment. Despite resigning his legislative seat after the August arrest, he remains on the ballot for Benton County judge, now running unopposed while a protection order and divorce case proceed.
   

5. Springdale man pleads not guilty to kidnapping and raping girl (nwaonline.com) — A serious criminal case tied to the Benton County portion of Springdale is moving through Bentonville's courts after a 23-year-old man pleaded not guilty to charges including rape and kidnapping. Police say video evidence shows a juvenile victim being dragged into a park and later fleeing, and the suspect is being held in the Benton County Jail on a $1 million bond.
   

📸 Around Bentonville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Indigo Road Hospitality Group - IR Management, LLC posted a job opening for Housekeeping Attendant in Bentonville. Apply here.
  • Accor North America, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeping - Houseperson in Bentonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bentonville here.

Ok Bentonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he wouldn't get caught red handed. (Thank you Vicki B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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