🌱 Animal Services Manager Resigns + Walmart Must Pay For Sanitizer

Hey, Bentonville! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Clouds giving way to some sun. High: 75 Low: 60.
• Thursday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 80 Low: 63.

Here are the three top stories in Bentonville today:

1. Bentonville's animal services manager, Alison O'Neill, resigned last week after an internal investigation, the city's director of administration, Debbie Griffin, said on Tuesday. Details about the investigation were not released, nor was O'Neill's resignation letter. She was hired in March of 2021 and had a final ending salary of $66,352, according to the city. The position is open to applications online. (Arkansas Online - Subscription)
2. Walmart Inc. must pay $19.3 million to K2 Distribution Co., a California company they had entered into a contract with, for hand sanitizer supply during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Allegedly, during the initial phases of the pandemic, a retailer based in Bentonville unexpectedly terminated the supplier's agreement to provide hand sanitizer to its stores nationwide. The company sued Walmart, claiming that they spent $35 million to supply stores with much-needed sanitizer. Despite Walmart's denial, a jury agreed that their abrupt cancellation of the contract and then keeping around 44,000 sanitizer dispensers warranted compensation. (Arkansas Business - Subscription)
3. County officials are debating whether the Benton County Jail should receive around $885 thousand for an HVAC upgrade. The discussion started as an air quality and ventilation check due to COVID-19 concerns, but the company that conducted the check said the ventilation system in place is at least 25 years old and not being maintained well. "Most everything there was past its usable life," said Beau Reynolds with Trane Technology. The full quorum court was expected to vote on the issue at a Tuesday meeting. (KFSM 5Newsonline)

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Today and tomorrow in Bentonville:

Wednesday, May 17

• Pauly Shore At The Grove Comedy Club (7:30 PM)

Thursday, May 18

• 2023 Fly Fishing Film Tour At Thaden Fieldhouse (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Have you ever wondered how Moberly Lane got its name? What about all the relations to apples in Bentonville? The city is getting some answers to some of your burning questions as part of the 150th-anniversary celebration. (The City of Bentonville, Arkansas Government via Facebook)
• Razorback Greenway Trail users should be aware that the trail will be partially closed at the Compton Gardens parking lot and the All-American Trailhead starting today (May 17) through Friday, depending on the weather. Check the link for detours if you were planning to use the trail this week. (Friends of Bentonville Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
• Actor John Cusack, the star of films like "Say Anything" and "High Fidelity," will be down in Fayetteville in October for an evening of conversation and a movie at the Walton Arts Center. Tickets go on sale this Friday, so if you want to spend some time with Cusack, make sure to buy early. (KFSM 5Newsonline)

That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with another update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.