Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: UAFS publication award, Fort Smith police issue speed warning

Following are recent news brief items from the Fort Smith metro.

UAFS Publication Award
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith has earned a Silver Circle of Excellence Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), receiving international recognition for its Intrepid Ambition campaign publication.

The award places UAFS among the world’s leading educational institutions recognized for excellence in advancement, marketing, communications, and fundraising. In 2026, teams from 628 institutions across 33 countries submitted 4,185 entries, with volunteer judges selecting just 493 entries for bronze, silver, gold, and grand gold honors.

Published as part of UAFS’s Intrepid Ambition fundraising campaign, Intrepid Ambition tells the story of the university’s mission to expand opportunity, strengthen the regional workforce, and transform lives through education. In recognizing the publication, CASE judges praised both its storytelling and execution.

“This standout piece effectively illuminates the University of Arkansas Fort Smith’s impact on its students and the region. The publication features beautiful photography. Strong writing is easy to follow, culminating in a particularly powerful and moving final page. By successfully weaving together interviews and compelling quotes, the team created a cohesive narrative that feels both deeply rooted in the local community and highly effective for its primary audience.”

Link here to find the publication.

Speed Warning
The Fort Smith Police Department will participate in the National Speed Mobilization from July 10 through July 31, 2026. During this enforcement period, officers will actively enforce speed limits in the city with the goal of reducing crashes, preventing injuries, and saving lives, according to the department.

The department noted in a press release that speeding is one of the most dangerous behaviors on our roadways. It reduces a driver’s ability to react to unexpected hazards, safely navigate curves, and avoid collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians. Speed limits are established to protect everyone who uses our streets.

“Every mile per hour over the posted speed limit increases both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of injuries when one occurs,” the department noted. “Driving too fast for road or weather conditions puts not only you at risk, but also your passengers and everyone else on the road. No excuse – whether you’re running late, frustrated by traffic, or in a hurry – justifies unsafe driving.”

ATU-Ozark Grant
Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus was awarded a grant for more than $29,000 from the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission to enhance its automotive service technology and collision repair programs.

The funding will be used to purchase a Road Force WalkAway Balancer, an advanced tire balancing system commonly found in automotive dealerships. The equipment will allow students to learn road force balancing, a specialized process that measures the amount of force a tire places on the road to identify vibration and performance issues that traditional balancing methods cannot detect.

Because many dealerships rely on this technology, students will graduate with experience using the same equipment and techniques expected in today’s automotive service industry.

“We appreciate the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission’s investment in workforce education,” said Dr. Tina Smith, ATU-Ozark vice chancellor for academic affairs and workforce advancement. “This grant will provide our students with hands-on experience using the same advanced technology found in today’s automotive industry, ensuring they graduate prepared to meet the needs of employers across our region.”

Cherokee Nation Hospital Expansion
The Cherokee Nation completed its $470 Million state-of-the-art W.W. Hastings Hospital on the tribe’s health campus in Tahlequah, Okla. The six-story facility at 19780 E. Ross St. in Tahlequah officially opened to patients on Saturday (July 11).

The 400,000-square-foot hospital includes 127 beds and adds a NICU, hospice, surgical center and more. It replaces the existing Hastings Hospital, which was built in the mid-1980s and spanned just 180,000 square feet.

“For years, we envisioned a hospital that was worthy of the staff and the patients they care for, and today that vision is a reality,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “This new hospital stands as a testament to what we can accomplish when we invest in the health and future of our citizens, building towards a world class system of wellness.”

The new hospital connects to the Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center via a bridge on the second floor of the facility. The building offers a wide range of services, including an emergency room, an intensive care unit, imaging services and rooftop helipad. The building also features a pharmacy, laboratory, neonatal intensive care unit and hospice care, along with dietary services, acute care and other medical offerings to serve the tribe and community’s healthcare needs keeping citizens closer to home.

W.W. Hastings Hospital employs nearly 700 healthcare staff. An additional 200 employees will be added in fiscal year 2027.