Author: Michael Tilley

Michael Tilley

Saudi Arabia fighter pilots not likely to soon train in Fort Smith

It is unlikely military pilots from Saudi Arabia will soon be in Fort Smith to train with the F-35 fighter jet. An announced deal to sell the advanced jet to…

Some Fort Smith sanitation, landfill rates to rise in January

Fort Smith rates for some commercial use of the city’s landfill will rise in 2026, generating an estimated $3.753 million in new revenue for the city’s solid waste department. Board…

Fort Smith board approves capital project ordinance, adjusts business license fee

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Nov. 18) approved an ordinance that forces non-budgeted capital projects of $100,000 or more to first be considered in a study session…

Fort Smith school board approves ‘phase 4’ design work to address Peak Center flooding

A $204,313 contract with Fort Smith-based Mickle Griffin was approved Monday (Nov. 17) by the Fort Smith Public School (FSPS) Board to provide engineering analysis, bid preparation, and other work…

UAMS program reaching out to postpartum moms in the state

Eight nurses working with the Arkansas Center for Women and Infants’ Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have started calling postpartum moms in Arkansas to check…

Mayor, director push back against defunding Miss Laura’s Museum

There appears to be little interest by the Fort Smith Board of Directors in a plan to cut funding for Miss Laura’s Museum as part of an overall effort to…

‘Forever cuts,’ deficit trends focus of Fort Smith board’s 2026 budget review

Working to address a “structurally imbalanced general fund budget” was the focus Monday (Nov. 17) of an around six-hour discussion by the Fort Smith Board of Directors and city staff…

More, better and ‘intentional’ downtown Fort Smith growth focus of panel discussion

There is growth in downtown Fort Smith, but more needs to be done to support small business investment, add quality residential space, and create “intentional collaboration” between public and private…

Gov. Sanders abides by court orders, sets new dates in two legislative special elections

Gov. Sarah Sanders on Sunday (Nov. 16) begrudgingly relented to two court orders requiring her to set new special election dates for Arkansas Senate District 26 in western Arkansas and…

Mickle Griffin firm marks 70 years, touts Fort Smith regional infrastructure work

More than 150 gathered Wednesday (Nov. 12) at the Fort Smith office of Mickle Griffin Engineers & Surveyors to mark the company’s 70th anniversary and recognize Pat Mickle and others…

Fort Smith Board to consider sanitation charges, capital project plan

Proposed rate changes in some sanitation services and a proposed ordinance to create a process to review large capital projects are two items the Fort Smith Board of Directors will…

Arkansas River tonnage down 34.5% in October

High water levels, river system maintenance, and tariff uncertainty are key factors in an almost 19% drop in tonnage shipped on the Arkansas River system in the first 10 months…

Potential negative budget impacts noted by Fort Smith police chief

Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker recently emailed members of the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) informing them of his concerns that potential budget cuts jeopardize planned raises, staffing, vehicle…

Arkansas Senate, House district races shape up in the Fort Smith metro

All three of the Arkansas Senate districts in the Fort Smith metro will have either a contested primary or general election, and six of the 11 Arkansas House districts in…

Arkansas Supreme Court denies stay of ruling in Senate District 26 special election

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Wednesday (Nov. 13) denied an effort by the office of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin to stay a lower court’s ruling requiring a new special…

Time expired fast in the process to give away downtown Fort Smith parking meters

The city of Fort Smith had planned a 25-day period for people to reserve through an online form a parking meter that once stood in downtown Fort Smith. It only…

Farm-to-school coordinator says program has positive impact on students, communities

You can’t organically grow pillars of support for farm-to-school programs, but Leslee Tell believes such pillars are as important as seeds for meaningful and sustained success in efforts to educate…

US Attorney Fowlkes nominated for Western District of Arkansas federal judge

In an unusual move by the Trump administration, David Clay Fowlkes, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, has been nominated to be a federal judge in the…

Fort Smith sewer system projects again tabled to a study session

It didn’t take the Fort Smith Board of Directors very long Monday night (Nov. 10) to push back again on two almost $27 million sewer system projects that they voted…

More candidates enter Senate District 26 special election

The special election for Arkansas Senate District 26 will have at least five GOP candidates and one independent candidate. Wade Dunn of Greenwood will run as a Republican, and Franklin…

Fort Smith sales tax revenue beats budget estimates in May report

Prime Day events fueled 9.3% growth in online sales

UA receives $350,000, names property manager

JBU expands career learning to area high school students