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Statues erected in Gateway Park, dedication set for Thursday
Judge Isaac Parker returned to Fort Smith Tuesday (Oct. 15) sitting in his chair, reading a law book, waiting to welcome visitors to downtown Fort Smith. A bronze statue of…
Tourism / Heritage
by - October 13, 2019 3:58 pm
Exhibit notes history of ArcBest, from 10 employees to more than 13,000
The history of one of Fort Smith’s top companies will be on display through late summer 2020 at the Fort Smith Museum of History. The exhibit showcases the history of…
by - October 10, 2019 6:23 pm
Van Buren, Crawford County receive grants for downtown projects, park improvements
Van Buren has received a $492,000 boost for its downtown streetscape project thanks to a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The 80/20 split granted…
by - October 8, 2019 3:54 pm
Year-to-date travel out of Fort Smith Regional Airport up almost 5%
Business and tourism travel out of the Fort Smith Regional Airport continues to grow, with enplanements up almost 5% through the first nine months of 2019. September enplanements grew at…
by - October 8, 2019 12:49 pm
2019 Artlinks conference focuses on the arts as an economic engine
The arts are a powerful economic engine and create “a sense of place” for local communities, Patrick Ralston, director of the Arkansas Arts Council, told artists, arts organizations and community…
by - October 8, 2019 6:32 am
Ten new sites added to National Register of Historic Places
The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) added 10 new sites to the National Register of Historic Places sites. The register, administered by the National Park Service, is the country’s official…
by - October 6, 2019 10:06 am
Harriet and Warren Stephens looking for ‘wow factor’ with Arkansas Arts Center overhaul
Through decades of financial support, volunteer work and leadership with the Arkansas Arts Center, Harriet and Warren Stephens knew it was time for the premier central Arkansas arts touchstone to…
by - October 1, 2019 8:45 pm
Hardscrabble Country Club to again host golf tournament
Hardscrabble Country Club in Fort Smith will once again be home to a golf tournament that attracts professional golfers. The All Pro Tour and the United Way of Fort Smith…
by - September 30, 2019 6:23 pm
Simmons Bank to assume naming rights to Verizon Arena on Thursday
Pine Bluff-based Simmons Bank will assume the naming rights to Verizon Arena on Thursday (Oct. 3). Last November, Simmons secured the naming rights for the downtown North Little Rock entertainment…
by - September 26, 2019 5:22 pm
Fort Smith metro travel and tourism sector improves in first half of 2019
Travel and tourism business in the Fort Smith metro has rebounded in the first six months of 2019 compared with what was a down year in 2018. Hospitality tax revenue…
by - September 25, 2019 4:06 pm
Arkansas tourism officials say sector impact reached $7.37 billion in 2018
Stacy Hurst, the newly named secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, on Wednesday (Sept. 25) unveiled the latest economic report on how the tourism and hospitality…
by - September 24, 2019 6:07 pm
U.S. Marshals Service Director notes ‘We are home’ at museum building dedication
In 2006, more than 1,000 gathered, chanting “Bring it home” in hopes of convincing those with the decision making powers to choose Fort Smith as the home of the U.S….
by - September 24, 2019 5:22 pm
Players from 1969 Arkansas-Texas game recall ‘vivid’ memories
Arkansas lost to Texas, 15-14, in the “Big Shootout” 50 years ago this December, and linebacker Mike Boschetti still hasn’t gotten over it. “I wake up regularly at night, maybe…
by - September 23, 2019 9:03 pm
Oaklawn raising minimum wage for non-tip employees to $13 per hour
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort will be increasing minimum wage for non-tipped staff from $9.25 per hour to $13.00 per hour starting at the end of September, it announced on Monday…
by - September 23, 2019 2:45 pm
Mayors say boosting infrastructure, regional collaboration key to economic growth
Regional mayors joined in a panel discussion on collaborating to improve the Fort Smith metro, including doing more to improve regional infrastructure. The discussion was part of the second annual…
by - September 19, 2019 9:17 pm
Summit panel discusses operating in downtown Fort Smith, need for more retail
A panel of developers and business owners who have been there, done that shared Thursday (Sept. 19) the experience and advice on how to invest, develop or operate a business…
by - September 19, 2019 3:22 pm
Statewide ArtLinks conference to offer focus on economic contribution of the arts
Artists, arts organizations and community leaders will have a chance to learn about the importance of the arts to their communities at ArtLinks 2019, according to Jess Anthony, grant programs…
by - September 17, 2019 2:34 pm
Bentonville Butcher & Pint closing this weekend; owners hope to re-open by early 2020
The owners of Bentonville Butcher & Pint said Tuesday (Sept. 17) in a social media post the restaurant at 1201 S. Walton Blvd. will close this weekend. According to a…
by - September 16, 2019 11:14 am
Arkansas Tourism Ticker: Tourism tax revenue up 5.7% in first six months of 2019
There is no recession in Arkansas’ travel and tourism industry. The sector continues to see gains in growth, with the state’s 2% tourism tax revenue between January and June up…
by - September 12, 2019 7:18 pm
64.6 director seeks focus on ‘sustainability,’ hopes for a new brand for the city
A goal of Talicia Richardson is to not only foster near-term growth and improvements in downtown Fort Smith, but include a “sustainability” focus so the momentum of recent years continues….