crawford county
Judge denies motions in suit over Arkansas county’s library practices
A lawsuit against Crawford County officials over the placement of library books with LGBTQ+ themes remained active Tuesday after a federal judge in Fayetteville denied motions from both the plaintiffs and the county. Crawford County residents and library patrons Rebecka Virden, Nina Prater, Samantha Rowlett and their minor children sued the county judge, quorum court, […]
Arkansas county asks judge to change portions of ruling that blocked library censorship law
Crawford County, entangled in two library censorship lawsuits, asked a federal judge on Monday to amend his July order that blocked a new state library law from taking effect and declining to dismiss the county from that lawsuit. Crawford County’s Monday motion argued U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks wrongfully relied on evidence and facts in […]
Ruling against Arkansas library law supports separate case in Crawford County, plaintiffs say
A federal judge’s ruling against Arkansas’ library censorship law supports three Crawford County parents’ legal case against their local library system, the plaintiffs said in two court filings Wednesday. Rebecka Virden, Nina Prater, Samantha Rowlett and their minor children are all Crawford County residents and library patrons. They sued the county judge, quorum court, library […]
Federal judge temporarily blocks two sections of Arkansas’ library obscenity law
A federal judge temporarily blocked portions of the law that would have changed how Arkansas libraries handle controversial material and put the availability of certain books in the hands of elected officials. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks granted plaintiffs’ request to enjoin two of the five sections of Act 372 of 2023, which would alter […]
Federal judge will rule this week on imminent application of Arkansas’ library obscenity law
A federal judge will decide later this week whether to temporarily block the law that changes how Arkansas libraries handle controversial material or let it go into effect next week as scheduled. Act 372 of 2023 alters libraries’ material reconsideration processes and creates criminal liability for librarians who distribute content that some consider “obscene” or […]
Arkansas libraries revise policies in anticipation of law on ‘obscene’ content taking effect
Librarians across Arkansas are preparing in different ways for a new state law that is set to take effect next week and changes how libraries handle controversial material. Some library systems have altered their existing material reconsideration forms in hopes of handling future book challenges smoothly and in compliance with the law. Others have come […]
State of Arkansas and Crawford County sued over library obscenity law
The Central Arkansas Library System and 17 other plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit Friday against both the state and Crawford County, alleging that two sections of a new law that directly affects library operations are unconstitutional. Act 372 of 2023 alters libraries’ material reconsideration processes and creates criminal liability for librarians who distribute content that […]
Northwest Arkansas sheriff’s office criticized for baptisms of 38 inmates
A Crawford County church’s baptism ceremony for more than three dozen inmates at the county jail in April drew the attention of a national nonprofit that advocates for the separation of church and state, according to a news release. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which has an Arkansas chapter, asked the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office […]
Crawford County parents sue library system over relocation of LGBTQ+ children’s books
Three Crawford County parents have sued the county judge, quorum court, library board and interim library director, alleging “unlawful censorship of materials,” specifically children’s books with LGBTQ+ topics, in the county’s five library branches. Rebecka Virden, Nina Prater, Samantha Rowlett and their minor children are all Crawford County residents and library patrons, according to the […]
Employment records show past problems, successes of 3 Arkansas officers in viral arrest
One of the officers involved in the now-viral beating of a suspect in northwest Arkansas was fired or forced to resign from two nearby law enforcement agencies over domestic problems. Another was counseled on two occasions for being too aggressive with inmates at the Crawford County jail, including a reprimand for striking an inmate in […]
Crawford County sheriff says deputy received concussion in melee
Crawford County Sheriff Jimmy Damante on Thursday said one of his deputies suffered a concussion Sunday during the arrest of a suspect that was filmed by a bystander. The citizen video doesn’t show deputy Levi White being injured, but it did capture White, deputy Zack King and Mulberry police officer Thell Riddle striking the suspect […]
Crawford County residents say deputy in beating video attacked them
Two Crawford County residents on Tuesday shared details of beatings they say they received at the hands of a sheriff’s deputy who can be seen in a video taken Sunday morning of officers subduing a man at a Mulberry convenience store. During a live televised press conference, Teddy Wallace and Tammy Nelson of Rudy identified […]