Month: May 2009

Crawford, Sebastian counties see decline in homes sold

There were 182 homes sold during April in Crawford and Sebastian Counties, down 3.7% from April 2008. The news was mixed on home sales during the April, with the 65…

‘The Compass’ is the first ever comprehensive economic analysis of Fort Smith metro area

story by Michael Tilley; artwork by Jake McTyre The Fort Smith regional economy is struggling and the near-term outlook is mixed at best, according to The Compass — the first-ever…

‘Blue Ribbon’ group to study highway finance

The newly created “Arkansas Blue Ribbon Committee on Highway Finance” will hold its first meeting May 21 as part of its legislative mandate to study the best ways the state…

Fort Smith boss seeks hire/fire authority

Fort Smith City Administrator Dennis Kelly has requested the authority to hire and fire “department heads and other various officers within the city’s organization.” The request is part of a…

State opens employment office in Ozark

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services is now providing unemployment assistance at the Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus Adult Education center. The office opened May 5. Residents of Franklin County may…

Salary cuts deep at USA Truck, Arkansas Best

Recent federal filings show big drops in operating expenses by two trucking companies based in the Fort Smith region. That the national trucking sector is in a more than 3-year…

Baldor execs miss stock gains enjoyed by employees, shareholders

Baldor CEO John McFarland quipped after the company’s recent shareholders’ meeting that Baldor is one company with which employees and non-executive shareholders get the best deals on company stock. McFarland’s…

Fort Smith high school students noted for artistic efforts

story by Dylan Beschoner, Southside High School journalism student The presentation of the annual Mayor’s Young Artists’ Achievement Awards took place on April 27 at a luncheon in the lobby…

Tax the weed?

A growing chorus of folks say legalizing and taxing marijuana could help state and federal budgets.

Fortunate son

A lot has changed in Mom’s world. The world in 1949, the year of her birth, was a crazy place. Europe was rebuilding its continental economy, the Soviets were rattling…

Good grief!

David Kinkade notes that ‘High-end journalist’ John Brummett is very sad.

Arkansas to get more worker training funds

Arkansas will get another $1.77 million in funds to provide help to people who lose their jobs for trade-related reasons, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The department’s Trade…

SPEECH – “AMERICA’S ECONOMIC MELTDOWN”

John McManus,author, president of THE JOHN BIRCH SOCIETY and publisher of THE NEW AMERICAN MAGAZINE. Tickets available -Call 461 2019 or available at the door, Hot Springs Room, Holiday Inn…

Perspective on employment

Kiplinger editor suggests bright spots mask dark national employment outlook.

Group says Ben Geren Park gun rules are illegal (updated)

Editor’s note: Updated with comment from the office of Arkansas Attorney General. Comment noted at the end of this story. Arkansas Carry has contacted Sebastian County Judge David Hudson, asking…

Arkansas Best execs remain calm in the storm

Editor’s note: The following story appears in the newest edition of TBQ, a magazine about Arkansas business and political news produced by Little Rock-based journalist Roby Brock. Brock will soon…

Housing market details show stable trends

The days-on-market of an average-price home sold in during the first quarter of 2009 in Crawford County and Sebastian County was 132 days and 118 days, respectively. Both figures represent…

Mac Computer Club Meeting

Mac Computer Club Meeting: This month we’ll cover “Dropzone”, a scriptable application that resides in the dock and performs various functions with drag ‘n’ drop ease. Also a look at “EvenBox” seamlessly integrates many…