Author: Michael Tilley

Michael Tilley

City engineer says ‘tough decisions’ needed with Fort Smith street work plans

Ben Marts has told the Fort Smith Board of Directors that reduced funding for streets, bridge and drainage work will in the future require “some tough decisions” and changes in…

Fort Smith Board to consider big-budget ‘guardrail’ ordinance

The Fort Smith Board of Directors is set to vote Nov. 18 on an ordinance advanced by Director Christina Catsavis that she says will provide “guardrails” to help avoid another…

Parrot Island Waterpark posts a loss in 2025, gain of more than $1.1 million since 2015

Parrot Island Waterpark (PIWP) is estimated to have a net operating loss of $255,789 in 2025, thanks in large part to an unusual number of rain days. However, the park…

Director Settle says board should ‘do something very special’ and fund water slides

Fort Smith Director Kevin Settle is not backing away from his support of a Parrot Island Waterpark expansion even with news of budget-busting water slide installation costs. But he may…

City of Fort Smith announces new organizational structure

The city of Fort Smith on Friday (Oct. 24) announced organizational structure changes implemented Sept. 29. The changes, according to the city statement, were designed to “improve efficiency and customer…

Court rules against Gov. Sanders in Senate District 26 special election

Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Patricia James said Wednesday (Oct. 22) that Gov. Sarah Sanders’ date for a special election in Senate District 26 violates the constitutional rights of residents…

Fort Smith board approves next steps in search for city administrator

Of the 43 applications received online for Fort Smith city administrator, eight have top municipal leadership experience. Of those, two have experience in a city the size of Fort Smith,…

Cost to install Parrot Island Waterpark slides will push the project over budget

The water slides planned for Parrot Island Waterpark in Fort Smith that initially were to cost the city $2.1 million for acquisition and installation could now cost more than $6.3…

Organizers ready to again push for Fort Smith indoor sports facility

Ashleigh Bachert and other supporters of a proposed indoor sports facility plan to soon renew the push for city of Fort Smith support of a facility they believe will be…

CBID, Main Street Fort Smith to share employee for downtown programs, support

Commissioners with the Central Business Improvement District (CBID) on Thursday (Oct. 16) approved a plan to support Main Street Fort Smith efforts that align with their goals of boosting business…

Fort Smith financial director says confidence in balanced budget ‘not very high’

“Hard choices” will be required to balance the city of Fort Smith’s general fund budget, which has posted a deficit in recent years. That was the message Tuesday (Oct. 14)…

Attorney General seeks to dismiss Senate District 26 special election lawsuit

A lawsuit filed to force a December special election to fill the vacant Arkansas Senate District 26 seat should be dismissed because it “failed to state a claim” that requires…

Whirlpool responds to ADEQ issues with Fort Smith pollution-mitigation efforts

Whirlpool has agreed to some of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requests to do more to monitor and mitigate cancer-causing pollutants around the former Whirlpool Fort Smith plant….

Few Fort Smith city administrator applicants have top municipal admin experience

A review of applications for the open Fort Smith city administrator job shows that 38 people applied online between Sept. 2 and Oct. 6, with only seven of the applicants…

City of Fort Smith to spend around $177,000 on federal lobbying, travel in 2025

A recent lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., by seven city of Fort Smith officials and employees cost just under $15,000, but the city spends considerably more than that with a…

Hearing set for Senate District 26 special election lawsuit

Attorney Jen Standerfer hopes for a “fair and reasoned” result with the Oct. 15 hearing on a lawsuit seeking to expedite a special election in Senate District 26. Pulaski County…

Andrew Meyer hired as Fort Smith Regional Airport director

After a nationwide search, the Fort Smith Regional Airport Commission hired airport employee Andrew Meyer as airport director. He succeeds Michael Griffin who resigned April 22, and Meyer’s first day…

Finland ambassador: It’s important to create ‘people-to-people connections’

Speaking to several hundred people Tuesday (Oct. 7) at the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, Finland Ambassador Leena-Kaisa Mikkola dropped a bit of holiday humor into a…

Lawsuit seeks to expedite special election for Senate District 26

Franklin County resident Colt Shelby has filed a lawsuit in Pulaski County Circuit Court with the hope of forcing a special election in December for the Senate District 26 seat…

Taliano’s building has sold, other assets set for Oct. 9 auction

Fort Smith attorney Kevin Hickey has acquired the historic Sparks mansion building that for 55 years was home to Taliano’s restaurant. But an auction will be held to sell items…