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On Tuesday, the Bentonville City Council postponed a vote to double water rates, citing a need for more public communication on the issue.

The city has been discussing adopting the water rate increase for several months after a third-party consultant recommended the steep increase to keep up with expenses.

The rate increase would apply only to the water portion of city utility bills, which also include electricity, sewer, trash and recycling. A typical household would see about a 12% increase in their total monthly utility bill. For the average water user, this amounts to around $25 more a month.

The Butcher’s Larder, a student-run butcher shop, opened to the public Thursday inside Brightwater culinary school. The shop is currently open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Staffed by students in the school’s new artisanal butchery certificate program, the shop currently offers lamb, beef and pork products sourced directly from local farmers.

Students learn whole-animal butchery, charcuterie and retail shop management.

The certificate program kicked off in January and has four students currently enrolled.

“I was ready to do this with just one student, but we can take up to 16,” said Travis McConnell, NWACC’s butchery instructor.

While the shop is currently open two days a week, McConnell said they plan to expand hours as program enrollment grows.

Bentonville School District is offering a new training program for students interested in maternal health.

Eleven students are participating in the Ignite Professional Studies Doula Training, which began in January. The program allows students to gain practical skills that align with health care careers.

Doulas offer physical, emotional and informational support before, during and shortly after childbirth. Maternal health has recently become a key topic of discussion across the state. Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, making it one of the riskiest places to have a baby.

Last week, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed two education-related bills into law. The new laws will provide free breakfast to all students beginning with the 2025-26 school year, and require districts to ban student access to cellphones while school is in session.

While school leaders are waiting on further direction from state officials regarding the new laws, the district doesn’t expect much to change.

What’s going on in Springdale? Rogers? Fayetteville?

Hey, buddy, don’t ask us! Here at The Bentonville Bulletin, we only cover the Bentonville area.

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