Author: Aric Mitchell

Aric Mitchell

Mayor Sanders: Hopes in 2016 to build on ‘better self image of the city’

A new year is a time to look ahead, but it’s also a time for reflection, and Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders is doing a bit of both. In recent…

Fort Smith Board critical of convention center costs, delays talk on prepared food tax

The Fort Smith Board of Directors took aim at the Fort Smith Convention Center during Tuesday’s (Jan. 12) study session. The pointed questioning forced postponing talk of enacting a prepared…

Fort Smith Board approves process to interview city administrator candidates

The Fort Smith Board of Directors moved one step closer to hiring a city administrator Tuesday night (Jan. 5) at its meeting from the Fort Smith Public Schools Service Center,…

Large crowds expected for Star Wars movie raise issue of theater security

“Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens “opens in theaters Thursday night (Dec. 17), and is already poised to break long-standing box office records. But with that distinction comes concerns…

Fort Smith Board approves small budget reductions in mandated wastewater work

The Fort Smith Board of Directors closed 2015 by revisiting and approving two previously rejected proposals from Utilities Director Steve Parke at Tuesday night’s (Dec. 15) meeting. The first authorized…

Minority hiring also an issue at the Fort Smith Fire Department

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Perhaps no one knows the literal implications of this saying better than a firefighter, but Fort Smith residents questioning the city’s lack of diversity could…

More details emerge on sudden firing of Fort Smith sanitation boss, City Directors react

Five of seven Fort Smith City Directors reacted to the abrupt termination of Sanitation Director T. Baridi Nkokheli on Tuesday(Dec. 8) in comments exclusive to Talk Business & Politics. Additionally,…

Rebel mascot issue likely a top issue in 2016 Fort Smith school board election

A victory lap on the new Southside High School Mavericks name and logo may be premature. Two Fort Smith School Board positions will be up for reelection on Sept. 20,…

Fort Smith Board approves 2016 budget of $47 million, projects a $700,000 surplus

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved the 2016 operating budget of more than $47 million at Tuesday night’s (Dec. 1) meeting – with two small changes – that one…

Fort Smith Brewing Company to locate at Chaffee Crossing, new Chaffee retail center planned

Fort Smith Brewing Company (FSBC) has a new home at Chaffee Crossing after the Fort Smith Board of Directors earlier this month rejected an ordinance that would have allowed the…

Fort Smith Board changes course on microbrewery issue, media blamed for misunderstanding

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Nov. 17) backtracked on its controversial decision to disallow microbreweries, microwineries, and microdistilleries from commercial-heavy (C-5) zones. At a Nov. 3 meeting,…

Fort Smith Board does not make police department cuts, but lowers overall budget 6.5%

The Fort Smith Board of Directors added approximately $416,000 in expenses to the city’s 2016 budget on Monday night (Nov. 16) in a marathon review that involved more than four…

Fort Smith police chief, city director debate proposed police budget cuts

Fort Smith Police Chief Kevin Lindsey and City Director Tracy Pennartz dueled over the elimination of personnel incentive pay at Thursday night’s (Nov. 12) budget meeting held in the Police…

Microbrewery owners look for options after Fort Smith Board rejects business plan, pleased with community reaction

Quentin Willard is learning to take the good with the bad. The military veteran and young entrepreneur pushing for inclusion of microbreweries into commercial-heavy (C-5) zones within Fort Smith’s Unified…

Proposal would raise Fort Smith landfill rates for third-party haulers

The Fort Smith Regional Sanitary Landfill could see a significant increase in “gate rate” charges if the city’s Board of Directors approve a proposal from Fort Smith Sanitation Director T….

Fort Smith Board nixes microbrewery plan, approves utility department auditor

The Fort Smith Board of Directors bowed to pressure from religious groups to deny commercial zoning for a proposed microbrewery in the Ninth Street area at Tuesday night’s (Nov. 3)…

Southside mascot committee selects logo that mimics Dallas Desperados logo (Updated)

Editor’s note: Story updated with info about logo connection to the Dallas Desperados. Less than one month removed from the Southside High School Mascot Committee’s selection of Mavericks to replace…

Asa Hutchinson Talks Guns, Governor’s Race

Former Third District Congressman Asa Hutchinson discussed placing “an armed presence” in schools on Tuesday (Jan. 8), but stopped short of endorsing the idea of armed teachers in the wake…