Robert J. Smith
Northwest reporter, Gridlock Guru columnist
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Northwest reporter, Gridlock Guru columnist
Recent Stories by Robert J. Smith
More river developing spurs need to fix dams
posted: 07/11/2011 4:52 a.m. Discuss
Water plunged through Bob Kidd Lake’s principal spillway after persistent heavy rain over several days in April.
State evaluates risks of keeping highway markers
posted: 06/27/2011 4:45 a.m. Discuss
Private attorneys say it’s a calculated risk if the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department doesn’t pay to remove so-called plowable pavement markers from highways.
Mayor shot; lawmen jail parolee he tried to help
updated: 06/17/2011 8:28 a.m. Comments 2
In 2006, Bill Gerdes, the mayor of Everton in Boone County, asked the Arkansas Parole Board to release a convicted murderer he had known for years. On Wednesday, parolee Justin Bates shot Gerdes in the back and left hand with a.30-30 rifle, Boone County Sheriff Danny Hickman said Thursday.
Agency studies cost to remove road markers
posted: 06/17/2011 5:21 a.m. Discuss
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department said Thursday that it will develop a cost estimate for removing the type of pavement markers that have come loose and struck vehicles four times since 2009.
Pavement-marker removal costs uncertain
posted: 06/16/2011 4:23 a.m. Comment 1
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department hasn’t explored what it would cost to remove 75,000 to 80,000 steel pavement markers from state highways, despite four of the markers coming loose and striking vehicles since 2009, a department spokesman said.
State builders see opportunity in Joplin
posted: 06/12/2011 4:56 a.m. Discuss
Three of Northwest Arkansas’ largest home builders are headed to tornado-ravaged Joplin, Mo., where they aim to play a role in rebuilding the city.
Safety marker slams into car
posted: 06/11/2011 5:31 a.m. Discuss
An Ozark woman escaped injury Thursday when a pavement marker from Interstate 40 slammed through her car windshield.
Fertilizer monitor focuses on lawn-care providers
posted: 06/06/2011 4:08 a.m. Discuss
The state agency tasked with monitoring the use of fertilizer in certain watersheds has for the first time turned its attention to lawn-care businesses.
To house Joplin victims, FEMA scouts state rentals
posted: 06/05/2011 5:48 a.m. Discuss
In the wake of the Joplin tornado that destroyed or damaged 8,000 homes and apartments last month, many residents of the southwest Missouri town are in need of places to live.
Obama tours Joplin, vows to help rebuild
posted: 05/30/2011 6:01 a.m.
Discuss
President Barack Obama made an impassioned promise Sunday to the homeless and bereaved in Joplin, Mo., that the federal government will remain in support of the city devastated by a killer tornado only a week ago.
