Fort Smith

Fort Smith metro home sales down 16.2% through June

There were 1,641 homes sold in the Fort Smith metro between January and June, down 16.2% compared with the same period in 2022. The value of the sales was down…

‘Ironclad’ agreement returned to FCRA seeking golf course property conveyance

Members of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) Board of Trustees asked for better terms before donating Deer Trails Golf Course to the City of Fort Smith. They got what…

ACME declines to donate property, forcing Fort Smith officials to negotiate a price

The Fort Smith Board of Directors (BOD) during a special meeting following the board’s study session Tuesday (Aug. 22) approved two resolutions to allow Fort Smith City Administrator Carl Geffken…

Downtown Fort Smith ambassador program fully staffed

Fort Smith’s Downtown Ambassadors program is now fully staffed and ambassadors are hoping to make a difference for both business owners and visitors to Fort Smith downtown. The Fort Smith…

Largest Fort Smith area public schools not offering AP African American history course

The four largest school districts in the Fort Smith metro have no plans to offer an AP (advanced placement) course on African American history, but the Fort Smith and Van…

FCRA Trustees reject golf course conveyance plan from the City of Fort Smith

The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) Board of Trustees on Thursday (Aug. 17) rejected a an agreement with the City of Fort Smith that would protect the future of golf…

Levitt AMP Fort Smith music lineup for September announced

The 2023 Levitt AMP Fort Smith music series will return in September with a fall lineup of artists performing live concerts at the Riverfront Park Amphitheatre. 64.6 Downtown announced the…

Fort Smith airport traffic declines through July; runway work to be complete in September

Fort Smith Regional Airport enplanements totaled 34,456 between January and July, down 2.7% compared with the same period in 2022. Reduced flight frequency by American Airlines is one reason for…

Study approved for downtown Fort Smith multi-use stadium

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved a resolution at its regular meeting Tuesday (Aug. 15) to fund a study of the possible development of a baseball or multi-use stadium…

Olivia Walton champions arts, empowerment and health at NWABJ’s Forty Under 40 luncheon

Olivia Walton, an advocate for the arts, women’s economic empowerment and maternal health, spoke to about 400 attendees Tuesday (Aug. 15) at the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s Forty Under 40…

Peak Center flooding investigation request garners no responses

With no submissions on an advertised search for a request for qualification (RFQ) concerning an investigation into the flooding at Fort Smith Public Schools’ Peak Innovation Center, the FSPS Board…

City of Fort Smith sends Deer Trails Golf Course donation agreement to FCRA

The City of Fort Smith sent a donation agreement to the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority Board of Trustees in hopes that the FCRA will put the item on its Thursday…

Kayak rental coming to Carol Ann Cross Park in Fort Smith

Kayaks will be available for rent at Carol Ann Cross Park starting in September, bringing what city officials hope will be considered an affordable, family-friendly amenity to Fort Smith parks….

Meet the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s 2023 Forty Under 40 class

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal proudly introduces our 27th class of Forty Under 40 honorees. Our annual list recognizes emerging leaders for achievements in their professional lives and the community….

O’Hern to face Terry in Sebastian County District Court, Division 1 race

Voters will have a choice in the March 5, 2024, election for Sebastian County District Court, Division 1 race. Former Judge Jim O’Hern has entered the race and will face…

Fort Kids museum kicks off capital campaign with $15,000 donation

The Fort Kids Children’s Museum in Fort Smith kicked off its capital campaign Thursday (Aug. 10) with a $15,000 donation from Fort Smith Mayor George McGill. The proceeds were raised…

Addressing water leaks continues to be a struggle in Fort Smith

The City of Fort Smith repaired 182 leaks in the second quarter of the year, bringing the total number of leaks down to 426 throughout the city. However, that is…

Voters renew Sebastian County sales tax for another 10 years

Sebastian County voters on Tuesday (Aug. 8) approved by a wide margin another 10-year run for the county’s 1% sales tax. The tax, which generated almost $34 million in 2022,…

New livestream designed to improve viewing of City of Fort Smith board meetings

The City of Fort Smith has improved livestreaming the Board of Directors meetings. Beginning with the Aug. 15 regular board meeting, meetings will be livestreamed through the city’s newly launched…

Construction delays requires relocation of around 245 Fort Smith elementary students

Because of construction delays at Ballman Elementary School in Fort Smith, Ballman students will begin the school year at Fairview Elementary School when they return to the classroom Aug. 14….