Tourism / Heritage

Annmarie Kelly-Harbaugh selected as writer-in-residence at Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum

Annmarie Kelly-Harbaugh, a Cleveland, Ohio native, has been selected as the writer-in-residence at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center (HPMEC) in Piggott. “The residency will allow Kelly-Harbaugh the opportunity to…

Survey: Consumers reduce restaurant visits, eat more meals at home

The Vericast 2024 Restaurant TrendWatch Survey found that 68% of respondents are trading down from restaurant meals to food from grocery stores to avoid rising costs. The survey found restaurant…

Van Buren tax revenue up almost 5% in 2023, county revenue down in early 2024

Crawford County sales tax revenues restarted for the county and its municipalities in March, with collections down from last year. Van Buren Mayor Joe Hurst said March funds were down…

NLR Chamber to launch Arkansas Latino Hall of Fame

The North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce announced it will launch the Arkansas Latino Hall of Fame (ALHOF), a statewide initiative whose mission is “to foster unity, honor cultural richness,…

Officials say Arkansas’ tourism strategy should play to its outdoors strength

Arkansas should focus on its strengths, particularly its easily accessible and affordable outdoor spaces, the state’s first gentleman said Wednesday (April 24) at Power Up Little Rock, an economic development…

Downtown Fort Smith parking meters could be history

Anyone in the market for used parking meters may want to contact the City of Fort Smith. But don’t get the checkbook out too soon. The city isn’t expected to…

Arkansas Pie Festival returns April 27

The Arkansas Pie Festival is set to return to Cherokee Village, Ark., on Saturday (April 27) as a partner of the World Food Championship, the biggest Food Sport event in…

Inaugural Darby Challenge set for late April, more than 100 participants expected

The inaugural Fort Smith General Darby Challenge, a ruck march and half marathon dedicated to honoring General William O. Darby and Fort Smith’s twin cities, Cisterna, Italy and Nago-Torbole, Italy,…

CBID agrees on two downtown Fort Smith improvement projects

Commissioners with the Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District have decided to take on two projects presented to the public to help better downtown Fort Smith. The two projects have…

USDA to invest $4 million in Arkansas’ migratory bird resurgence

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it is now accepting applications from agricultural producers for enrollment in a special Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-up. USDA’s Natural…

LR Convention and Visitors Bureau hires new marketing director

The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) announced Tuesday (April 16) the hiring of Olumide Yerokun as Director of Marketing. Bringing more than a decade of experience to the…

Fort Smith airport traffic up 7% in first two months of 2024

Fort Smith Regional Airport traffic is up in the first two months of 2024, reversing a traffic trend that saw enplanements dip almost 2% in 2023. It’s a trend improvement…

FCRA donates $500,000 to planned expansion of River Valley Nature Center

The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) has contributed $500,000 to a reimagined Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center (JHRVC). A fundraising campaign to help the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission…

BLS: Year-over-year inflation up 3.5% in March

Prices of goods and services were higher than expected in March with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 0.4% for the month and 3.5% higher year over year, according to…

CALS receives $500,000 grant from Mellon Foundation

The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) Foundation announced Wednesday (April 9) it received a grant of $500,000 from the Mellon Foundation’s Public Knowledge program. The grant – one of the…

Fort Smith begins on trail that will connect river trail to Kelley Park Ballfields

The Fort Smith Board of Directors has authorized $1.3 million for construction of more trails in the city. A funding resolution includes using city funds, grants and private donations to…

AMFA, Few earn Webby award nomination

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) and Little Rock-based digital design firm Few have received international recognition as a Webby award nominee for the “The Story Project,” an immersive…

Rosanne Cash to headline Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle

For the second year in a row the Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle will be held at Riceland Hall at Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus. The event, presented…

A-State Heritage Sites to host Great American Eclipse activities

Two of Arkansas State University’s Heritage Sites will host several activities on the day of and the days leading up to the Great American Ellipse on April 8. The Arkansas…

Fort Smith Board OKs land for police precinct, maintenance facility; Creekmore Pool plan approved

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (March 26) unanimously approved spending $2.85 million to buy a former Crain-Kia dealership in south Fort Smith to be used for a…