Opening Thoughts: What is happening in Pulaski County should be a warning sign for every county government in Arkansas. Recent reports described serious financial problems there, including emergency measures needed to stabilize county operations and payroll. That should cause all of us to think carefully about the long-term financial decisions being made here in Washington County. To be clear, I am not suggesting Washington County is in that position. We are not. But responsi

🔍 TRANSPARENCY CORNER Washington County Building & Grounds is currently working with an architectural firm to assess county property, including—how it is being used---what maintenance needs exist, and how space can be better utilized. This includes early discussions about the potential addition of a “spare courtroom” to help address space needs. This effort is still in the planning stage, and community input and feedback will be important as ideas begin to take shape. 🧭 W

____________________________________________________________ I needed a photo for this week’s newsletter—and this one felt too good not to share. This is my dog, Louie, who discovered a very real strawberry cake sitting in the street during our morning walk. He was quite determined… but ultimately unsuccessful. Before someone points out that this is unprofessional to share in my newsletter, I do not care. ______________________________________________________________________

📅 Week of: April 19, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas 🏛️ This Week in Washington County No county meetings are currently scheduled for the week of April 19, 2026. 📅 Coming Up Next Week Washington County Planning Board 🗓️ Thursday, April 30, 2026 ⏰ 5:00 PM 📍 Quorum Court Room, 280 N. College Ave., Fayetteville In Two Weeks County Services Committee (Quorum Court) 🗓️ Monday, May 4, 2026 ⏰ 6:00 PM 📍 Quorum Court Room, 280 N. College Ave., Fayetteville...

📅 Week of: April 12, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas If you are on my subscriber list, you will receive two newsletters this week. That’s by design—some issues require more focused attention and transparency. I want to continue to keep updates clear and focused so you can stay informed without being overwhelmed. Sometimes there's just too much going on for one update. ____________________________________________________________ Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition (AJR

Former Crisis Stabilization Unit Building I have prepared this “Special Report” separate from my regular newsletter because what I am covering here warrants focused attention. The community—and particularly those with expertise in criminal justice reform—should be aware of what the county has applied for and evidently plans to do. That includes incarcerated and previously incarcerated individuals. What is the Community Rebuilding Initiative? a/k/a CRI: The CRI is a jail-ba

📅 Week of: April 5, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY This week’s County Services meeting made something clear: when processes are unclear or inconsistently applied, it creates real consequences—for businesses, for residents, and for the county as a whole. Some agenda items highlighted gaps in enforcement, communication, and transparency. I’ve outlined the key takeaways below so you can see exactly what’s happening and why it

📅 Week of: March 29, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas Last week, I sat down with Conduit News to discuss key issues facing Washington County — including transparency, accountability, and the direction of county leadership. ▶️ I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16ncRkYH83/ In this interview, I discuss: ✔️ The importance of open and transparent government ✔️ Concerns about decisions being made without full public discussion ✔

📅 Week of: March 22, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas _________________________________________________________ 🏛️ Community & Civic Engagement 🗳 Republican Primary Runoff – March 31 Secretary of State: Hammer • Norris County Judge: Shepard • Deakins ✔ Eligible voters: Republican ballot • Nonpartisan ballot • Did not vote March 3 📍 Early Voting: Washington County Clerk’S Office March 24– March 30 | 8:00–4:30 (No Saturday voting) Citizen Complaint Raises Question

📅 Week of: March 15, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas _________________________________________________________ 🏛️ Community & Civic Engagement 🗳 Republican Primary Runoff – March 31 Secretary of State: Hammer • Norris County Judge: Shepard • Deakins ✔ Eligible voters: Republican ballot • Nonpartisan ballot • Did not vote March 3 📍 Early Voting: Washington County Clerk Mar 24–30 | 8:00–4:30 (No Saturday voting) ______________________________________________________

📅 Week of: March 8, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas 🗳️ Thank You to Voters ✨ 2,190 Votes of Confidence Although I was unopposed in this year’s primary election, 2,190 voters took the time to cast their vote for my continued service as your Justice of the Peace. I am deeply grateful for your support and trust. It is an honor to serve Washington County, and I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and thoughtful leadership on behalf of our community. — Beth

📅 Week of: March 1, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas _________________________________________________________ 🏛️ Community & Civic Engagement On Thursday, February 26, 2026, Fayetteville Council Member Sarah Moore and I toured the “ Covid Mitigation Project ” (CMP) at the Washington County Detention Center (WCDC). (Note: Yes, I have always, and still do, believe that using ARPA funds for jail expansion is not legal under U. S. Treasury Rules and Regulations. See

📅 Week of: February 22, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas 🔎 Equity Doesn’t Wait for a Budget Cycle _________________________________________________________ 🏛️ Community & Civic Engagement UA Journalism Students & Me On the first day of early voting, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by seventeen journalism students from the University of Arkansas, alongside Fayetteville Council Member Sarah Moore and Sheriff Jay Cantrell . The students posed thoughtful questio

📅 Week of: February 15, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas 🔎 Equity Doesn’t Wait for a Budget Cycle _________________________________________________________ 🏛️ Community & Civic Engagement This Week This week I had the honor of officiating multiple weddings, including two at the jail, speaking to the Leadership Fayetteville Class about the quorum court and what it does, and updating my OLLI group about SB361 (Industrial Development Authorities). I was also honored

📅 Week of: February 8, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas 🔎 Equity Doesn’t Wait for a Budget Cycle All meetings, with the exception of the Washington County Election Commission, are at the WC Courthouse, 280 N. College, Fayetteville, Arkansas. _________________________________________________________ 🟠 Finance & Budget Committee Tuesday, February 10, 2026 — 6:00 PM 📍 Read the agenda HERE . Livestream/Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/wash

🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records 📌 Washington County’s 2023 Federal Audit Report . Apparently this audit was completed last summer, but the Quorum Court (at least this JP) did not receive a copy. It may have been posted on the county website, but it has not been seen or discussed in a public meeting. This federal report sheds some light on the 2023 Audit Report with reference to problems in the county’s reporting of ARPA spending. ( See Note 7: P. 16 ) 🗳️ ELEC

Transparency • Accountability • Fiscal Responsibility - We have to do better. 📅 Week of: January 25, 2026 📍 Washington County, Arkansas 🔎 As of publication, no county meetings are posted. I will update if that changes. _________________________________________________________ 🏘️ LAND USE & ZONING WATCH 📅 Thursday, 2/12/26, immediately following the 5:00 PM Planning Board meeting : 📍 Project / Location: Special Quorum Court Meeting - Appeal of O’Brien Ready Mix Facil

Week of January 18, 2026 📅 This Week’s County Meetings – NONE (As of this Publication) O'BRIEN READY MIX APPEAL O'BRIEN READY MIX APPEAL RESET INFORMATION FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION Here is a Review of Candidates and Candidate Review of Ballot Content furnished by the Washington County Election Commission. Re: March 3, 2026 Primary Election Check your voter registration HERE . 🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records 📜 What the Law Requires: Legislati

Week of January 11, 2026 _________________________________________________________________________ 🏛️ Transparency Corner: Public Records The audit of Washington County for the year 2023 was published on the Arkansas Legislative Auditor website Friday 1/9/26 and is now public record. Some notes I made of concerns: First page of Legislative Audit Cover Letter . “We have identified the following significant risk: “...management override of controls as a significant risk.”

📅 This Week’s County Meetings – FOUR (4) 🟠 County Services Committee Tuesday, January 6, 2026 — 6:00 PM 📍 Quorum Court Room, Washington County Courthouse 280 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas Read the agenda here . Livestream/Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/washcoar What to Expect: ▫️ Juvenile Detention Report - Chris Tinsley ▫️ Sheriff’s Report - Jay Cantrell. This report format contains limited information compared to the detailed monthly reports