Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: ArcBest goes electric, Baptist Health nurse receives national award
Following are recent news brief items from the Fort Smith metro.
ArcBest Tesla Trucks
Fort Smith-based ArcBest, through its ABF Freight subsidiary, has purchased to Class 8 Tesla semi trucks. The move follows testing of the trucks in 2025, according to ArcBest.
The new equipment will primarily support linehaul operations within California, with planned extension into Reno, Nev., and potentially other locations. Compared with the 2025 pilot, which focused mainly on the Reno–Sacramento corridor, this deployment significantly expands lane coverage to evaluate performance across a broader segment of the ABF network, according to ArcBest.
“Our 2025 pilot gave us valuable insight into how electric Class 8 equipment can perform in real-world LTL operations,” said Matt Godfrey, ABF Freight president. “Adding Tesla Semis to our lineup allows us to expand that across more lanes and operating conditions to evaluate whether heavy-duty electric vehicles meet the same standards for safety, reliability and performance across our existing fleet.”
ABF will continue evaluating the Tesla semi before making additional purchases of electric vehicles. The company plans to benchmark the electric trucks against its diesel fleet “using the same disciplined approach to total cost of ownership, operational efficiency, safety and employee experience that guides fleet investments across the business,” ArcBest noted in a press release.
The company also said driver feedback from the pilot was positive. Operators highlighted strong visibility, comfort and overall performance, including reliable operation on demanding routes such as the 7,200-foot climb over Donner Pass.
“Initial feedback during orientation on the new units has also been encouraging, with drivers noting the combination of comfort and ease of operation while maintaining the capability expected of a Class 8 tractor in a demanding LTL environment,” ArcBest noted in the press release.
History Celebration
Officials with the Drennen-Scott Historic Site in Van Buren celebrated Arkansas’ 190th birthday on June 13 with historical interpretation, and a cannon salute.
Arkansas was the 25th state to be admitted to the union, with statehood made official on June 15, 1836. The state’s first governor was James Sevier Conway.
The event’s featured presentation, “John Drennen in the Context of Statehood,” was presented by Tom Wing, assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.
“While we are all caught up in the 250th birthday of the United States, our own Arkansas celebrates it’s 190th this year,” Wing said. “Since John Drennen represented the people of Crawford County (then Fort Smith and Van Buren) by voting yea to statehood, it is fitting and proper to have a party for the 25th state at his house.”
The Drennen-Scott Historic Site is located at 221 N. Fifth St. in Van Buren.
Cashless Ticketing
The Fort Smith Public School (FSPS) district plans to implement a fully cashless ticketing system for all athletics and activity events starting July 1, 2026.
All event tickets will be sold digitally through GoFan. Attendees may purchase tickets in advance at GoFan.co or via the GoFan mobile app. Event tickets can be purchased at the gate via a point-of-sale (POS) system or a QR code, allowing guests to purchase tickets directly from their phones.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, admission to regular-season FSPS athletics events will be $6 per person, including a $5 ticket price and a $1 service fee. This pricing applies to all school-age children and adults. Any tournaments and post-season events will continue to follow separate pricing structures as they have in previous years. FSPS will continue to offer free passes to Fort Smith and Barling senior residents who are aged 60 and older.
“We are excited to modernize the way our community accesses athletic and activity events. This transition to digital ticketing provides a faster, more secure, and convenient experience while allowing us to better serve our students, families, and fans,” said Rusty Bush, director of Athletics and Activities.
According to the district, additional information regarding ticketing, season passes, and event access will be shared through district communication channels and on the Fort Smith Public Schools website in the coming months.
Nurse Award
Nycole Oliver, who holds a doctor of nurse practicing degree and is a nurse practitioner at Baptist Health-Fort Smith, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Judith C. Kelleher Award, the Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) highest individual honor.
The award, named for one of the ENA’s co-founders, is presented annually to an ENA member who has consistently demonstrated excellence and made significant, lasting contributions to the field of emergency nursing. For Oliver, the award marks a pinnacle achievement in her 25-year career.
“I’m one of those people that when I set my mind to something, it’s absolutely going to happen,” Dr. Oliver said. “We don’t do this to get accolades or any recognition. We get into this to help people. This is a reflection of persistence, and I think everyone possesses that inside themselves.”
Oliver will be recognized during the Emergency Nursing 2026 conference, held Sept- 28-Oct. 1, in Phoenix.