Regions

Fort Smith jobless rate dips in September

Jobless figures, released Wednesday (Nov. 3) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, show that the Pine Bluff area was the only one of eight Arkansas metro areas that saw…

Arkansas Best posts another quarterly income loss

Quarterly earnings for Arkansas Best Corp. continue to be in the red, but a market watcher expects the “positive earnings momentum” to continue for the financially beleaguered transportation holding company….

Beebe reelected Governor; Republicans winning other top spots

Gov. Mike Beebe (D) was approved by Arkansas voters for a second term, but trends in a close election have the Lt. Gov. and Secretary of State races moving to…

Republicans win most area legislative seats

Republicans will constitute the majority of legislators representing the Fort Smith region in the next Arkansas General Assembly, based on unofficial results posted by the Arkansas Secretary of State as…

Sanders wins Fort Smith mayoral race; Settle reelected

For the first time in 20 years, Fort Smith will soon have a new mayor. Mr. Sandy Sanders defeated longtime Mayor Ray Baker in what was a relatively quiet race…

Freeman reelected as Van Buren mayor; Deffenbaugh wins District 66 seat

story by Marla Cantrell [email protected] Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman survived a election challenge, and Gary Deffenbaugh handily won the right to represent the Van Buren area in the Arkansas…

Hollenbeck wins Sheriff race; Republicans sweep other top county posts

Bill Hollenbeck will be the next Sebastian County Sheriff. Hollenbeck (D) captured more than 57% of the vote in the race against Tommy Young (R). The first ever professional survey…

Boozman wins Senate; Womack wins 3rd District seat

U.S. Rep. John Boozman (R) will soon take a seat in the U.S. Senate, and Rogers Mayor Steve Womack (R) will replace Boozman as the next 3rd District Congressman. Arkansas…

Fort Smith board fires city administrator

The Fort Smith board of directors voted 4-3 Tuesday night (Nov. 2) to fire City Administrator Dennis Kelly. Kelly was dismissed effective immediately. Voting to fire Kelly were City Directors…

Fort Smith board rejects job cut proposal

A proposal by Fort Smith City Administrator Dennis Kelly to cut at least 20 jobs to cover the convention center cost was the proverbial lead balloon at Tuesday’s (Nov. 2)…

State tax receipts show gains in consumer, business spending

A resurgence in consumer and business spending has helped boost Arkansas tax collections 7% above the same fiscal period in 2009. The Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration reported Tuesday…

American Cancer Society Relay for Life Kick Off

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE American Cancer Society After Hours Gathering to KICK OFF the 2011 Relay For Life Season CALICO COUNTY 2401 South 56th Tuesday November 9th Drop In…

Lawsuit-induced relief uncertain for Arkansas Best (Updated)

The markets and at least one analyst are not convinced a lawsuit against the Teamsters will provide near- or long-term relief for Fort Smith-based Arkansas Best Corp. Updated info: However,…

National GDP, wage reports show flat economy

Recent GDP numbers and personal income reports provide more proof of an economy that is flat or limping toward recovery. According to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, real GDP…

New business owners must be careful with relationships

Stockman says blurring the line between employee and friend may result in problems down the line.

Arkansas Supreme Court: Fite ineligible for District 83 race

Tom Fite remains ineligible to be a candidate for Arkansas House District 83. The Arkansas Supreme Court on Monday (Nov. 1) upheld a Pulaski County Circuit ruling that Fite is…

Early voting tallies up in Crawford, Sebastian counties

The number of early voters in Crawford and Sebastian counties during the 2010 election cycle is likely to surpass the total in the comparative 2006 election. Early voting began statewide…

ABF Freight sues Teamsters (Updated)

The management at Fort Smith-based Arkansas Best Corp. has decided to seek up to $750 million in financial damages from alleged violations of a National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) by…

Building permit values down 23% in Fort Smith

Comparative declines in building activity during October in Fort Smith and Van Buren pushed regional permit values down almost 3%. The value of building permits issued during October in Fort…

Fort Smith Little Theatre Presents “Twentieth Century”

Twentieth Century by Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur. Adaptation by Ken Ludwig directed by Matt Ortega In the 1930s, streamliner trains became the king of cross-country travel when wealthy…