Local News

Marshals coin legislation still alive in Congress

A bill that could raise up to $5 million to fund the U.S. Marshals Museum is expected to have 56 U.S. Senate co-sponsors when Congress reconvenes, according to an update…

Fort Smith hires new clerk, approves street plan

Hiring a new city clerk and approving the 2011 work as part of the city’s 5-year street and drainage plan were highlights of the Tuesday (Oct. 5) meeting of the…

Van Buren students spend Saturday in a cemetery

story and photos by Marla Cantrell [email protected] Forty-five Kiwanis Kids from six Van Buren elementary schools arrived at Fairview Cemetery on Saturday (Oct. 2) to learn a little about the…

Bass Reeves River Valley Marshal Riders help raise money for Reeves statue

The riders were “robbed” during the event, with Reeves and others coming to the rescue.

Celebrity Classic delivers support to many area charities

Young Benjamin Ross receives a Grand Canyon train trip from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Van Buren ‘shines’ for second consecutive year

story by Marla Cantrell [email protected] One year and two weeks ago, Robert Phelps, director of Keep Arkansas Beautiful, came to Van Buren to present the city with the 2009 Arkansas…

The City Wire special report: Jesus on the 6th floor

Editor’s note: This is another story in a series of stories on mental illness issues. Throughout 2010 The City Wire will attempt to post at least one story a month…

Area bikers gather for 9th annual BACA fundraiser

Group works to help children “to not feel afraid of the world in which they live.”

Board to review $116 million five-year streets, drainage budget

The Fort Smith board of directors will on Tuesday (Sept. 28) review a $116 million five-year capital improvement program for streets, bridges and drainage, with a little more than $36…

Fort Smith chamber revisiting young leaders effort

Ben Quintana says a young professionals group will best boost a region’s economic development program by working effectively and through many partnerships to recruit and retain professional talent. Quintana, head…

CBID hears proposal for small downtown Fort Smith park

story by Aric Mitchell [email protected] Jayne Hughes has proposed a family-friendly “splash pad” in downtown Fort Smith similar to a park concept in Nashville, Tenn. Hughes, downtown development coordinator for…

Fort Smith fair housing report released; citizen input sought

A draft report on “Analysis of Impediments” to fair housing in Fort Smith suggests that American Indian, black and Hispanic applicants experienced higher rates of loan denials than white applicants,…

Civilized Tribes on Marshals Museum board; Reeves revolver and badge donated

The U.S. Marshals Museum board of directors voted Tuesday (Sept. 14) to keep open a slot for a representative from the Five Civilized Tribes. Also, Sebastian County Circuit Court Judge…

New website launched for city of Fort Smith

Fort Smith has a new look. The city turned on its new website Tuesday (Sept. 14), and presented the new look to the Fort Smith board of directors during their…

Fort Smith board hears solutions for flooding, levee certification

On a rainy Tuesday, the Fort Smith board of directors discussed multi-million dollar projects necessary in the near future to best usher water out of the city and to best…

‘Total Recall’ focus of regional student robotics contest

story submitted by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Sixteen teams will compete Oct. 16 in the 2010 River Valley BEST Robotics Competition, slated for 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in…

Arkansas students score better on AP exams

Arkansas students performed better overall on Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, according to a statement from the Arkansas Department of Education. The report was generated by the College Board, which provides…

Barbara Harvel named LFS director (Updated)

Barbara Harvel will begin Oct. 1 as director of the Leadership Fort Smith program. Harvel, who moved to Fort Smith when her husband, Paul, was named president and CEO of…

Bass Reeves statue initiative launches $100,000 campaign

The Bass Reeves Legacy Initiative formally launched Thursday night (Sept. 9) its “$100,000 in 100 days” campaign to raise money to fund a large statue of the legendary U.S. Marshal….

I-49 funding uncertain in new Obama infrastructure plan (Updated)

An announced economic stimulus plan by President Obama to push billions of dollars into the nation’s transportation infrastructure has stimulated mixed reactions among state and Fort Smith area officials —…