Fort Smith

CEO for U.S. Marshals Museum could be hired in August

The search for a new president and CEO of the Fort Smith-based U.S. Marshals Museum is “going well,” and the board hopes a new CEO will be named by end…

Fred Williams retires after 46 years of a ‘lucky’ and ‘off-the-wall’ career

Fred Williams says any book about his life and career should be titled “Colors Outside The Lines.” The longtime marketing and advertising agency owner credits his business success to “being…

Hanna named Jack White Award recipient; 2022 Leadership Fort Smith grads announced

Bill Hanna has been selected as the 2022 Jack White Leadership Award recipient. The award has for more than 30 years recognized community and business leaders who have had a…

Fort Smith metro building activity rebounds in June

After a slower month in May, building activity in the Fort Smith region rebounded in June. Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren had a combined $22.549 million in permit values,…

Popular Fort Smith business Neumeier’s Nursery to close after 54 years

After 54 years, Bill and “Jody” Neumeier will on July 31 retire and close the nursery on the north side of Fort Smith that has provided generations in the region…

Stephanie Stipins, head of Fort Smith homebuilders group, has died

Stephanie Stipins, executive director of the Greater Fort Smith Association of Homebuilders (GFSHBA), died early Tuesday morning (July 5) following complications from a recent surgery. She was 47. “I am…

Fort Smith sales tax revenue up 11% in May report

Fort Smith’s sales tax revenue shows consumer spending rebounded, putting more in the city’s accounts than predicted. The city’s share of the Sebastian County sales totaled $1.871 million, up 11.13%…

Legislative candidate faces financial troubles, denies domestic disturbance details

Ongoing financial and past personal issues have emerged for Max Avery, the Republican candidate in the Arkansas House District 49 race, which represents the northern part of Fort Smith. Avery…

Fort Smith school officials discuss Peak flooding

The Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education learned at its regular meeting Monday (June 27) that water came into the district’s Peak Innovation Center during record rainfall June 7…

Former Sebastian County JPs sentenced to prison for social security fraud

Two former Republican members of the Sebastian County Quorum Court were sentenced Monday (June 27) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas at Fort Smith to…

USA Truck to be acquired in a $435 million deal

Van Buren-based USA Truck is being bought by Germany-based DB Schenker in a $435 million deal expected to close by the end of the year. The deal is for $31.72…

‘The Bricks’ to expand residential living space in downtown Fort Smith

More residential living will open in downtown Fort Smith as early as January 2023, with Ghan & Cooper Commercial Properties beginning a $6.5 million renovation of a former hotel into…

Gentry hired as Fort Smith IT chief, joins other new department heads

The city of Fort Smith’s new director of information technology is set to start his new job in July, when he will join two other new faces in the city…

Fort Smith International Film Festival receives works from more than 50 countries

The Fort Smith International Film Festival, now in its second year, received 364 submissions from more than 50 countries and the Cherokee and Choctaw Nations. The festival received submissions from…

Key county elected posts set in Crawford, Sebastian, Washington counties

Run off elections in Crawford, Sebastian and Washington counties resulted in a new judge and sheriff in Crawford County, and a tight race between Republicans Patrick Deakins and Mark Scales…

Fort Smith Board approves temporary residential building moratorium

The Fort Smith Board of Directors passed an ordinance at its regular board meeting Tuesday (June 21) to enact a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new residential housing permits…

Chipotle to open a Fort Smith location

A Chipotle Mexican Grill will open in Fort Smith later this year, and will be part of a multi-tenant redevelopment of the former Logan’s Roadhouse restaurant in the northeast corner…

Permit issued, demolition to begin by July 1 on St. Scholastica Monastery

A permit was issued Tuesday (June 21) by the city of Fort Smith to Catoosa, Okla.-based DT Specialized Services for the demolition of the historic St. Scholastica Monastery. Demolition of…

CBID votes to send downtown Fort Smith assessment plan to Fort Smith city clerk

The Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District (CBID) Commission agreed Tuesday (June 21) to send its petition to levy a supplemental annual assessment for operations to the Fort Smith City…

Terms set for members, officers elected on Fort Smith Public School Board

Terms were set for all members of the Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education, and Dee Blackwell was selected as the board president. The new board members were sworn…