FAYETTEVILLE The Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization unit closed on April 11, and some people in the community say they re disappointed in the decision to close and what they say is a lack of public notice.
Columbia County produced the only Arkansas horse owner with a Kentucky Derby winner: Lil E. Tee in 1992 for the late Magnolia oilman Cal Partee, with the late Lynn Whiting saddling and Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day aboard. Stephen and Keeley DeSalvo of Hot Springs raced 2011 winner Animal Kingdom (trained by Graham Motion) in the Team Valor partnership of majority owner Barry Irwin.
The Washington County Crisis Stabilization Unit was set to close, permanently, at the end of June after it was announced state funding would decrease, but on April 29, the doors were already locked.