Local News

Scene by Carson: Civic Matters

This inaugural post, focusing on the Downtown Optimist Club, begins a once-a-month look at the work of civic clubs in the Fort Smith region.

Fort Smith board to seek 1% prepared food tax option

With a 5-2 vote, the Fort Smith Board of Directors decided Tuesday night (Jan. 26) to first seek voter approval of a 1% prepared food tax to shore up the…

Light issues dominate Fort Smith airport meeting

story by Marla Cantrell [email protected] The bulk of January’s meeting of the Fort Smith Airport Commission on Tuesday (Jan. 26) consisted of a show-and-tell presentation by airport director John Parker….

Fort Smith, state closer to interstate median/interchange maintenance plan

Fort Smith city and Arkansas highway officials will meet within the next few weeks to develop a plan on how to better maintain the medians and interchanges of Interstate 540…

Fort Smith directors ready to pursue water park plan

Fort Smith city directors appear unanimous and excited in their support of further investigating a partnership with Sebastian County to develop a water park at Ben Geren Regional Park. The…

Fort Smith board set for quality-of-place special session

Tonight’s (Jan. 26) special session by the Fort Smith Board of Directors to study an extensive list of possible taxpayer funded tourism and recreational projects will also include funding consideration…

Fort Smith, Sebastian County officials to review water park plans

The Fort Smith Board of Directors and the Sebastian County Quorum Court will review Tuesday (Jan. 26) two concepts — with the larger proposal having a $7.5 million price tag…

Profiles with Clay: Jason Parks

Jason has proven he can beat terrible odds. Now he’s applying that same energy to community service.

Gov. Mike Beebe urges support of education, economic development

Fort Smith Chamber officials celebrate struggles of a year that began without a chamber president.

The City Wire Person of the Month: Terry Flanagan

Flanagan combines his cooking skills with his passion for bowling to help area youth access college scholarships.

Gov. Beebe, area citizens gather for Martin Luther King celebrations

story and photos by Ruby Dean [email protected] Hundreds of citizens in the Fort Smith area joined with Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe to celebrate the Martin Luther King holiday with a…

$30,000 in scholarships announced at MLK banquet

Planners already gearing up for silver anniversary event in 2011 with move to UAFS Stubblefield Center.

Booneville still struggling with Cargill loss, recession

story by Marla Cantrell [email protected] People in Booneville still talk about the days when getting a job at Cargill Meat Solutions plant meant good wages, job security and the hope…

Bass Reeves lecture draws crowd, money for statue

story and photos by Ruby Dean [email protected] Exactly 100 years ago yesterday (Jan. 12), Bass Reeves was pronounced dead and yet his legend still lives. To mark this event, the…

Northside, Southside students pitch business plans to Rotary

Students at Northside and Southside High Schools in Fort Smith are getting a taste of what it’s like to start a business in a tough economy. Craig Pair, president of…

Sam Houston, Wyatt Earp draw Fred Williams to historic building renovation

feature story and photos by Marla Cantrell [email protected] Ad man Fred Williams drives across three cattle guards, one low-water bridge and a herd of cows just to get to his…

Van Buren officials push Rena Road widening, library opening

story by Marla Cantrell [email protected] The Van Buren city council voted Monday night (Jan. 11) to take over the Rena Road right-of-way acquisition, which is the first move in the…

Profiles with Clay: Lea Taylor

The Fort Smith native has a simple message for those wanting to lead: Go do something!

Christmas Honors finishes first year with successful collection effort

Volunteers brave brutally cold temps to pick up, clean and package 12,000 wreaths from the Fort Smith National Cemetery.

2010 chamber agenda includes raising job recruitment funds

That Baldor Electric Co. Chairman and CEO John McFarland would agree to serve a year as the volunteer chairman of the board for the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce…