Fort Smith

Job gains, job losses, hail, wind and fire were the big stories in 2008

story by Michael Tilley At The City Wire, we’d like to think one of the top stories of 2008 was the Nov. 3 launch of The City Wire. But that…

Media misses

Please indulge, Kind Reader, and read the following list of top 2008 Arkansas news stories from the vaunted news professionals around the state. It goes like this: The Top 10…

Potential for personality conflicts increases with new hires

It’s wise to pluck a bad apple from a good bushel. The sooner the better.

Big deals coming to central Arkansas

Two big economic events are expected to happen in central Arkansas next week, according to Roby Rock, our content partner at Talk Business. Verizon Wireless has announced it will close…

Tinsel & Tails draws large New Year’s crowd, raises money for Alzheimer’s research

Midnight revelers dance, gamble, eat, drink and smooch. Well, we’re just guessing at least a few of them locked lips when the New Year turned.

Federal bailout mess untangled by innovative web sites

Just because Congress can’t keep track of federal bailout dollars doesn’t mean you also have to be in the dark.

2009 trucking industry expected to be as tough as 2008

With problems in the national housing sector and manufacturing dominating much of national and local news, the trucking and transportation sector is an often overlooked but important element of the…

Beebe appoints Bradford as state insurance chief

Gov. Mike Beebe has appointed Jay Bradford of Pine Bluff as Commissioner of the Arkansas Insurance Department. The appointment will take effect on January 15. Bradford has served as director of…

12 reasons to be optimistic about 2009

The economy might still suck, but there are always opportunities in downturns.

Average days-on-market of area homes stays steady in 2008

The days on market of the average price home sold in Crawford and Sebastian counties during the first 11 months of 2008 remained steady despite a significant decline in the…

Review of business news from the region, state and world

A few business notes from around the region, state and world. Good Job NewsVan Buren-based Consolidated Printing is in the midst of a $1.5 million expansion that should increase employment…

BRAC Commissioner @ 188th FW/Fort Chaffee Community Council meeting

Gen. Lloyd "Fig" Newton was instrumental in retaining the flying mission of the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Fighter Wing during the 2005 BRAC. Gen. Newton will be in Fort…

Fort Smith sales tax revenue posts impressive gain

Sales tax collections on October transactions in Fort Smith were $1.68 million, up an impressive 11.18% over the same period in 2007. (Sales taxes are remitted by the state on…

January-November regional home sales see double-digit decline

Regional real estate sales for the first 11 months of the year show a 12% decline in the number of homes sold in Sebastian County and a 19.8% decline in…

Fort Smith bakery operation to close; 82 jobs lost (Updated)

Flowers Foods is closing Jan. 3 its Fort Smith baking plant in downtown Fort Smith, a move that will eliminate 48 full-time jobs and 34 “outsourced workers,” according to a…

Report: Hospitals get it right only half the time

Prominent critical care specialist cites concerns with patient safety in U.S. hospitals.

Orthodox Christian Blessing of the Arkansas River

Ss. George and Alexandra Orthodox Church of the Orthodox Church in America will celebrate the annual blessing of the Arkansas River, Sunday, January 11 at 12 noon, at Harry Kelly…

Blessing of the Arkansas River–Orthodox Christian custom

Ss. George and Alexandra Orthodox Church of the Orthodox Church in America will celebrate the annual blessing of the Arkansas River, Sunday, January 11 at 12 noon, at Harry…

National wind report good news for state, local economies

A report released Monday (Dec. 29) by the American Wind Energy Association represents good news for the Arkansas economy and, possibly, for the economic future of western Arkansas. The association…