Author: Aric Mitchell

Aric Mitchell

Fired Fort Smith sanitation director says he tried to find recycling solution in October 2016

As the Fort Smith Board of Directors and city staff gear up for a Tuesday (May 23) study session to discuss solutions to the ongoing recycling problem, former Fort Smith…

OG&E CEO says Fort Smith is ‘well-positioned’ for economic development

Fort Smith is “well-positioned” for the future in spite of recent challenges, said Sean Trauschke, chairman, president, and CEO of OGE Energy at the utility company’s 115th annual shareholders meeting…

Fort Smith sent more than 87% of its total recycling collections to landfill from October 2014-present

The city of Fort Smith collected 6,073.46 tons of recycling from October 2014 through June 2016, but more than 5,300 tons (87.63%) were disposed of at the Fort Smith Landfill….

Fort Smith attorney announces intent to run for At-Large School Board post, incumbent Deanie Mehl will not seek re-election

Fort Smith native Greg Magness has announced his candidacy for the Fort Smith Public School (FSPS) Board of Directors, At-Large position held by Board President Dr. Deanie Mehl, who is…

Fort Smith Board says no to temporary recycling fix, sets May 23 study session to discuss options

The Fort Smith Board of Directors decided not to follow through on a late-added agenda item to store the city’s recycled materials at the Fort Smith Landfill in their own…

‘Firecracker’ password breaker service could roll out to businesses ‘in the next 60 days’

The Firecracker program unveiled at the recent ProHakathon sponsored by Fort Smith-based Propak on May 11 drew heavy attention from onlookers, who expressed conflicting emotions at what they were seeing…

Sen. Files to not seek re-election, Rep. Mat Pitsch to run for the Senate seat

Rep. Mat Pitsch, R-Fort Smith, announced on Tuesday (May 16) his intent to run for the District 8 Senate seat occupied by fellow Republican Sen. Jake Files. The general election…

Fired Fort Smith sanitation director indicates recycling went to landfill going back to 2014

Fired Fort Smith Sanitation Director Mark Schlievert has provided documents through Fort Smith attorney Joey McCutchen suggesting the city’s landfilling of recycled materials may have originated in October 2014 instead…

Inaugural ‘ProHak’ unveils new charity, password cracking softwares

Propak’s first annual “ProHak” hackathon event concluded Thursday night (May 11) with demonstrations from three teams from the company’s information technology (IT) departments. Projects included community food services, different ways…

Fort Smith city boss refuses to provide reason for sanitation director’s termination

Questions remain after the termination of Fort Smith Sanitation Director Mark Schlievert on Wednesday (May 10). City Administrator Carl Geffken informed the city’s Board of Directors of the action via…

Fort Smith sanitation director fired by city administrator

Fort Smith Sanitation Director Mark Schlievert has been terminated. While no reason was given, it likely relates to recent controversy over the city sending recyclables to the landfill. On Wednesday…

Fort Smith Police Department may add lieutenants, grant writer in restructuring proposal

The Fort Smith Police Department could soon add seven lieutenant positions while removing four sergeant and captain positions. The department also hopes to acquire an administrative position to help with…

Fort Smith costs to dispose of recycling at landfill continue to climb, new estimate above $680,000

The cost to run recycling routes in Fort Smith during the 10-months – and counting – that recyclables have been going to the landfill is significantly higher than an initial…

UAFS students tackle awareness gap with financial aid, student debt

When it comes to student debt and the resources available to combat it, there is an undeniable awareness gap. That was a key takeaway from a recent presentation by students…

Fort Smith spent an estimated $182,000 running recycling routes while not recycling

The Fort Smith Sanitation Department ran approximately $182,000 worth of unnecessary recycling routes from late June 2016 to around May 1, 2017, while the recyclables collected were disposed of at…

Strategist: Fort Smith economy still ‘at risk,’ new approach to job training needed

Fort Smith’s economy is underperforming when compared to state and national levels, and its manufacturing-heavy job sector is putting it at further risk. Those were two of the many takeaways…

Fort Smith official admits recycling issue began in June, questions arise about funding support for program

Fort Smith Deputy City Administrator Jeff Dingman admitted in an email sent out Thursday evening (May 4) that the city’s disposal of recyclables at Fort Smith Landfill goes back further…

Recycling claims made by Fort Smith officials different from recycling company info

Key claims about stoppage of the city’s recycling efforts made by Fort Smith City Administrator Carl Geffken and supported by Mayor Sandy Sanders are in conflict with information from the…

Fort Smith metro building activity through April 36% ahead of 2016

Fort Smith, Van Buren, and Greenwood added $76.955 million in permits against 2016’s $56.506 million valuation through April, a gain of 36.2%. Fort Smith led the way – not to…

Fort Smith City Administrator admits city should have told citizens about recycling problem

Fallout from the city of Fort Smith’s decision to landfill close to 1,500 tons of curbside recyclables continued to play out during the abbreviated regular meeting and in the town…

USDA awards funding for 21 solar projects, more in Arkansas

PRSA names 2025 board of directors and officers

BSR REIT acquires Texas apartment property for $61 million

Prioritizing entrepreneurship in the new year