Regions

Sounds of retreat

The Fort Smith Board of Directors held a 2009 planning retreat Jan. 10 that lasted more than seven hours. Such meetings are analogous to buying an impressive arrangement of flowers….

Weekly economic review includes downtown development, job cuts

The City Wire economic review for the week of Jan. 12 – Jan. 16: REGIONAL/STATE• A Fort Smith-based company that develops and manages apartment complexes around the state will invest…

Sales tax reduction on food, partial birth abortion bills filed in Little Rock

Bills filed Friday (Jan. 16) in the 87th General Assembly include the following: SB 88This bill, filed by State Sen. Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, is the much anticipated legislation that would…

Infrastructure funding ‘overlap’ a concern to some; I-49 in that mix

Doug Thomas and David Olive aren’t too concerned about the possibility the proposed federal stimulus plan could reduce the scope, budget or near-term consideration of the upcoming federal highway reauthorization…

Info on horrors related to terrorism now in handy calendar form

Keep tabs on terrorism with the National Counterterrorism Center calendar. As Dave Barry might say, WE ARE NOT MAKING THIS UP.

Party tricks and baseball stars part of scheduled UAFS lectures

Mathematical party tricks, a Barling baseball star and the basics on how to start a business in Arkansas are just a few of the topics to be addressed in the…

Brave Combo offers geography lesson with 2-hour concert

It takes a Brave Combo to put a little funk into Bach. And, yes, Virginia, you can do The Twist to, “Let it snow.”

Legislation filed concerning bingo fees and doctor referrals

Bills filed Thursday (Jan. 15) in the 87th General Assembly include the following: SB 87The proposed bill would appropriate $667,968 to fund the Arkansas Ethics Commission. HB 1111This proposed bill,…

Bank of the Ozarks takes hit on loan loss provision

Little Rock-based Bank of the Ozarks announced today (Jan. 15) 2008 fiscal year net income of $34.47 million, up 8.6% over 2007 net income of $31.74 million. Also, the company…

Busby of Alma gets state committee reappointment

Dr. David Busby of Alma was one of 12 Arkansans appointed/reappointed to state boards and commissions Thursday (Jan. 15) by Gov. Mike Beebe. Busby was reappointed to the Tobacco Prevention…

CBID Commissioners eager to support development incentive bill

Discussion of proposed legislation to incentivize development in downtown Fort Smith garnered much discussion at Thursday’s (Jan. 15) meeting of the Central Business Improvement District Commission. Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort…

Fort Smith area sees 84% jump in foreclosure filings

The number of Arkansas properties facing foreclosure activity in 2008 was more than the number of properties in 2007 and 2006 combined. According to figures from Irvine, Calif-based RealtyTrac, Arkansas…

Peter offers an itinerary that takes it easy on the coin

Pizza, blues, bourbon and karaoke. Our St. Peter has whipped up a heavenly treat of options. Praise the Lord and pass the menu.

Notes on tax prep and the profit and loss statement

It should be no surprise that the government will want some of your earnings. And your profit and loss statement is essential to understanding the “story” of your business activity.

Animal cruelty rules, stricter seat belt law sought in proposed legislation

Bills filed Wednesday (Jan. 14) in the 87th General Assembly include the following: SB 77The proposed bill would make certain acts of cruelty to a dog, cat or horse a…

Apartments, restaurant planned for downtown Fort Smith building

A Fort Smith-based company that develops and manages apartment complexes around the state will invest “at least $1 million” in renovating the former Davis Furniture building in downtown Fort Smith….

Lancaster predicts multiple marriages for Huckabee

The funniest writer in Arkansas offers his predictions of ‘likelihoods and inevitabilities” for 2009.

Economists offer insight into ‘misleading’ government statistics

John Tamny believes that many key economic statistics compiled and released by the federal government are misleading. Tamny, editor of RealClearMarkets, a senior economist with H.C. Wainwright Economics, and a…

New AOG fees approved by Public Service Commission

The Arkansas Public Service Commission formally approved Tuesday (Jan. 13) a new fee structure for certain services provided by Fort Smith-based Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corp. On Oct. 22, AOG proposed…

Handguns, illegal immigrants focuses of proposed legislation

Bills filed Tuesday (Jan. 13) in the 87th General Assembly include the following: HB 1097An act concerning places where a person is prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun SB 55An…