by - August 16, 2018 5:14 pm
FOIA in Fort Smith is almost DOA, Part II
We noted a few days ago in Part I of this essay the city of Fort Smith’s regard – or disregard – for the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)….
Author: Michael Tilley
by - August 14, 2018 9:25 pm
Glidewell wins special Senate election, to serve until Jan. 14
Former Rep. Frank Glidewell won Tuesday’s (Aug. 14) special election to serve out the remainder of the term of Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith. Glidewell captured 70.9% of the vote,…
by - August 14, 2018 3:49 pm
McDonald’s to invest $69 million in Arkansas to modernize stores
McDonald’s on Tuesday (Aug. 14) announced plans to invest $69 million in 100 of the more than 170 stores in Arkansas by 2019. The work is part of a $6…
by - August 13, 2018 6:02 pm
Riff Raff: FOIA in Fort Smith is almost DOA, Part I
One may need a healthy dose of that still unavailable medical marijuana if hoping for a timely, cooperative and convenient response from Fort Smith city government to a Freedom of…
by - August 7, 2018 5:12 pm
Arkansas Valley Electric to invest more than $27 million in fiber optic network
Ozark, Ark.-based Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation (AVECC) is embarking upon its Advance Smart Grid Project, a more than $27 million investment that will provide data on the coop’s electric…
by - August 1, 2018 5:36 pm
Peachtree Hospice in Fort Smith sold to South Carolina company
Charleston, S.C.-based EPI Group has acquired Fort Smith-based Peachtree Hospice and will pull Peachtree under its Heart of Hospice operations in eastern Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Terms of the deal…
by - July 18, 2018 3:36 pm
Sparks Health in Fort Smith, Van Buren sold to Little Rock-based Baptist Health
For the third time in less than 10 years, Sparks Health System will have a new owner. Little Rock-based Baptist Health System has agreed to acquire the Fort Smith hospital…
by - July 10, 2018 4:16 pm
Almost 20% of alcohol establishments in ABC sweep fined for serving to minors
Several underage Arkansans volunteered over the July 4th holiday to try and buy alcohol. Many were successful. Who solicited them to volunteer? The state of Arkansas. Arkansas’ Alcohol Beverage Control…
by - July 5, 2018 4:53 pm
Caterpillar to add 250-plus jobs at North Little Rock plant
Caterpillar officials announced Thursday (July 5) plans to invest $40 million in the company’s North Little Rock plant and add more than 250 jobs as part of an expansion to…
by - July 4, 2018 1:24 pm
Riff Raff: Comets and Cash and Guthrie and conscience
Halley’s Comet came around in 1986 and is estimated to make another Earthly pass in 2061. There is a 50% chance Arkansas officials will have by then made progress on…
by - June 28, 2018 4:22 pm
Commissioner: Older voters dominate turnout in Sebastian County elections
While they may be more politically active and vocal on social media, Millennials and other generations below the age of 55 post low voter turnout numbers in Sebastian County. Of…
by - June 27, 2018 4:36 pm
Justice Kennedy retirement could reopen abortion ruling, may factor into November elections
The retirement of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy could open the door to revisiting the high court’s controversial Roe v. Wade abortion ruling, but President Donald Trump may have…
by - June 26, 2018 11:05 am
ABB closing gearmotor plant in Clarksville, ends former Baldor presence in the city
ABB, the company which bought Fort Smith-based Baldor Electric, is closing its plant in Clarksville, a move that will eliminate 140 full-time and 30 part-time jobs. It’s the second loss…
by - June 18, 2018 6:14 pm
Riff Raff: What kind of monsters are we?
A new Pew Research Center survey suggests that 68% of us have “news fatigue.” It’s 77% with Republicans and 61% with Democrats. The survey results are great news for Republicans,…
by - June 18, 2018 11:45 am
Former Sen. Jake Files sentenced to 18 months in prison, judge calls violations ‘egregious’ (Updated)
Editor’s note: Story updated with additions and changes throughout. –––––––––––––––––– Former Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, was sentenced Monday (June 18) to 18 months in federal prison by U.S. District…
by - June 15, 2018 5:39 pm
Glatfelter provides public a view of $90 million investment in Fort Smith plant
It took a little longer than they expected and cost a little more than planned, but Glatfelter officials publicly opened their new $90 million manufacturing operation in Fort Smith with…
by - June 14, 2018 4:57 pm
‘High-quality prospects’ interested in space in former Whirlpool plant in Fort Smith
Part of the more than $3.65 million in ongoing work by Phoenix Investors to further renovate the former Whirlpool manufacturing plant in Fort Smith could make way for a warehouse/distribution…
by - June 12, 2018 7:13 pm
Budget reduced for U.S. Marshals Museum, awaiting word on ‘major grant applications’
Staff leaders with the U.S. Marshals Museum told the museum’s board they were able to reduce the budget for the planned facility and the amount to raise is now down…
by - June 11, 2018 6:04 pm
Feds say Sen. Files’ ‘deliberate fashion’ to commit fraud warrants more prison time
Federal prosecutors are asking for up to 24 months of prison time for former Sen. Jake Files, R-Fort Smith, more than the 12 to 18 months that may have been…
by - June 7, 2018 11:40 am
Northeast Arkansas travel and tourism tax revenue a mixed bag in 2017
The travel and tourism industry in Northeast Arkansas sent mixed signals in 2017, with the state’s 2% tourism tax posting gains in most of the key counties, but Jonesboro hotel…