Winter Weather Causes School Closings
The winter weather that hit Northwest Arkansas yesterday froze through the night and caused the roads to be icy — causing most area schools to be closed. Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville are all closed. The University of Arkansas is on a delayed start schedule today — all classes before 10 a.m. are cancelled. Buses start running at 9 a.m. and faculty must report before 10 a.m. The area is not expected to get any more precipitation today and the roads should start clearing up as the sun comes out. Highs in the upper 20s and lows in the teens — partly cloudy through the day. Stay tuned to UATV and UATVOnline.net for up-to-date weather information.
Wanted Sex Offender Arrested in Benton County
Police arrested a wanted sex offender for a parole violation and drug charges after tracking him from Watts, Okla., to Siloam Springs. Officials say that when they arrested Jack Wilder they found a meth lab in the home. Wilder is wanted for a paole violation and a misdemeanor warrant.
Rogers Mayor Delays Announcement
Rogers Mayor Steve Womack was set to make an announcement Monday concerning his race for Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District. Womack postponed the meeting due to weather — the announcement is scheduled for later in the week. Womack said the announcement can wait until after the winter weather. He is making his announcement in Rogers, Fort Smith and his childhood home of Russelleville.
Plane Crash Investigation Could Take A Year
Investigators announced yesterday that the investigation of the Fayetteville plane crash could take a year or longer. The plan crash killed the four passengers — flying to Fayetteville for Saturdays basketball game. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.
National News Update
Toyota’s president apologized today as he he announced a global recall of more than 400,000 of automaker’s 2010 hybrid models for problems with their anti-lock brake systems.
Health authorities say more than 1,000 people in New Jersey and New York have been sickened with mumps since August.
Employers are getting hit with a massive tax hike at a time when they can least afford it.
The National Association of State Workforce Agencies say companies in at least 35 states will have to fork over more in unemployment insurance taxes this year.
With high unemployment — now at 9.7 percent — and polls showing Americans desperate for economic relief, the White House and the Democratic leadership are looking for ways to quell fears and get legislation passed as the midterm elections near. The hope in the Senate is to pass a jobs bill by Presidents Day.
President Barack Obama signed a memorandum today establishing a new federal task force to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity. First Lady Michelle Obama will spearhead this effort.
Three Taliban sources say Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is dead. Mehsud died near the city of Multan while on his way to a treatment center in Karachi.
Iran began enriching uranium today to the threshold at which it could set off a nuclear reaction, following through on a warning it had issued a day before, state media said.