Fort Smith

New attorney hired by the Crawford County Library Board

The Crawford County Library System Board has hired former Arkansas senator Bob Ballinger, the director of law and policy for the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL), as its new…

UAFS seeking to rename Family Enterprise Center after the late Jim Walcott

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) is working to get the university’s Family Enterprise Center (FEC) named for the late Jim Walcott. Walcott, a business and community leader…

Roundabout idea at dangerous intersection shot down by Fort Smith Board

The Fort Smith Board of Directors effectively shut down discussion of the possibility of a roundabout at the intersection of Albert Pike Avenue and Free Ferry Road during its study…

Congressman Womack to seek 8th term

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, announced Wednesday (Sept. 13) that he will seek an eighth term in Congress. The Republican primary is schedule for March 5, 2024. The former mayor…

AOG wins $18 million lawsuit against BP

Arkansas Oklahoma Gas (AOG), a subsidiary of Summit Utilities, Inc., won $18 million in a civil lawsuit against BP Energy Company (BP) that the company says will reduce natural gas…

Arkansas Real Estate Commission to investigate FCRA director over 2% merit pay

The Arkansas Real Estate Commission is investigating Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) real estate transactions following a complaint filed against FCRA Executive Director Daniel Mann and FCRA. In a letter…

UAFS new student enrollment up almost 7%, total enrollment up 2.5%

Preliminary numbers show enrollment at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith totaled 5,521, up 2.5% compared with the same period in fall 2022. Enrollment of first time students totaled…

Fort Smith Board overturns Planning Commission and blocks cell tower permit

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Sept. 5) approved the appeal of a conditional use application to build a more than 15-story commercial communication (cell) tower near the…

Sebastian County tax election documents received by state officials

Making certain to avoid the risk of the state not collecting sales tax revenues in future months, Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz has double checked to make certain all necessary…

Fort Smith agrees to $800,000 settlement offer on consent decree penalties

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Sept. 5) approved a resolution accepting consent decree stipulated penalties settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Environmental Protection Agency…

Rep. Crawford seeks re-election to district that includes parts of Fort Smith, Barling

Rep. Cindy Crawford, R-Fort Smith, announced Tuesday (Sept. 5) she will seek a fourth term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Crawford was first elected to the House in 2018….

Fort Smith metro building permits up almost 30% through August

As temperatures soared in August, construction stayed steady in the Fort Smith metro area. Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren combined for $34.442 million in August permit values, up 20.8%…

Inaugural Equal Justice Symposium to be held in Fort Smith on Sept. 9

Lois Ensey, 23, a married mother of two arrived at J’s Nite Owl convenience store in Fort Smith at 6 p.m. on July 19, 1979, to work the night shift….

Fewer funds to be available for 2024 Van Buren street and drainage work

A three-month gap in sales tax revenues is likely to cost Van Buren close to $1 million, but Mayor Joe Hurst said the lost revenue won’t impact capital improvement projects…

Tax election reporting error likely to cost Crawford County more than $3.5 million

A reporting error on the part of Crawford County officials could cost the county more than $3.5 million in sales tax revenue during the last quarter of the year. The…

Ashleigh Bachert hired as Fort Smith tourism director

Ashleigh Bachert of Tulsa was named the new executive director of Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), according to the Fort Smith Advertising & Promotion Commission, which oversees CVB…

Fort Smith convenience store sale the top Sebastian County property deal in July

The $2.2 million sale of the Oakcrest Market gas station and convenience store at 2000 Phoenix Ave., in Fort Smith was the largest July property deal in Sebastian County, according…

Grant money approved for Alma Public Library after ‘beholden’ concerns addressed

A week after voting to put off approving a $10,000 grant for the Alma Public Library because there might be strings attached concerning controversial books, the Crawford County Quorum Court…

ArcBest reports gains in per day shipments, better revenue

Third and fourth quarter financial results will not be as healthy as they were in what was a record-setting 2022, but officials with Fort Smith-based ArcBest say market realities are…

Safety, hiring more officers discussed at Fort Smith Public School Board meeting

With two weapon-related incidents at Fort Smith Public Schools in the first two weeks of the school year, FSPS administration is looking for ways to make sure students and staff…