Regions

Fort Smith metro building activity up over 26% despite weak May permit numbers

Fort Smith, Van Buren, and Greenwood added $88.44 million in permits against 2016’s $69.94 million valuation through May, a gain of 26.45%, but the news wasn’t all good for the…

Mercy breaks ground on new clinic in southwest Bentonville, gives update on hospital work

Several dozen business and civic leaders gathered Thursday morning (June 8) at the future site of a new 14,000 square-foot Mercy Health primary care clinic estimated to cost $7.7 million. The…

Kathy Alexander appointed to Summit Utilities board

Little Rock attorney Kathy Alexander has joined the board of directors for Summit Utilities Inc., which recently acquired Fort Smith-based Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corp. Summit Utilities of Littleton, Colo., announced…

Walton Family divests 10.88 million Wal-Mart shares to keep ownership around 50%

The direct heirs of Wal-Mart founders Sam and Helen Walton made a pledge to shareholders in 2015 to keep the family’s ownership of Wal-Mart Stores at roughly 50%. In keeping…

Arkansas State University may raise tuition and fee rates

The Arkansas State University Board of Trustees will be asked Thursday (June 8) to raise tuition and fee rates throughout the university system for the 2017-18 school term. Students on…

Fort Smith’s Brick City Emporium wins Ozark SBA InnovateHER challenge

Brick City Emporium in Fort Smith has taken top honors at the annual Ozarks regional Small Business Administration InnovateHER competition, according to an emailed newsletter from Startup Junkie Consulting in…

TheatreSquared will break ground on $34 million facility June 23

Construction on TheatreSquared’s new venue will start June 23, and the professional theater company will formally launch a $34 million campaign to fund the project the same day, TheatreSquared announced…

Phat Tire Bike Shop expanding with downtown Siloam Springs location

A Bentonville-based bike shop is making plans to open its ninth location. CBTR Investments Inc., which does business as Phat Tire Bike Shop, has agreed to sign a lease to…

Fort Smith attorney to seek House District 76 seat; Rep. Douglas to not seek re-election District 75 seat

The legislative political domino is underway in the Fort Smith metro, with attorney Kelly Procter-Pierce announcing she will run as a Republican for the House District 76 seat. Rep. Mat…

United Way of NWA donates $296,000 to Helen Walton Children’s Center

United Way of Northwest Arkansas is supporting childhood education initiatives with a $296,000 grant to the Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center in Bentonville, the center announced on Wednesday (June…

Late Fort Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack gifts $750,000 to universities

The estate of the late Fort Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack has gifted $750,000 to the University of Arkansas (UA) and University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS). Gosack provided…

First District Democrat eyeing challenge to Rep. Crawford

With Democrats declaring or considering runs in the Second and Third Congressional districts in Arkansas, a serious First District Democratic candidate has emerged. Jim Huff, grandson of former State Rep….

Fort Smith Deputy City Admin explains ‘communication breakdown’ in recycling issue

Fort Smith Deputy City Administrator Jeff Dingman explained the breakdown in communication that occurred during the city’s almost three-year lapse in recycling on Tuesday night (June 6) after the Board…

Old Davidsonville dates back to ancient Arkansas, first state town to have a post office

Nobody knows when the first human settlements were made at Old Davidsonville near the Lawrence/Randolph County lines, but the 163-acre state park has a deep and rich history that spans…

Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA executive director resigns, nonprofit looks for a new leader

Jody Dilday has resigned as Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas’ executive director, and the Fayetteville-based nonprofit is looking for a new leader for the first time in a…

Oklahoma physician named chief medical officer of Arkansas Children’s Northwest

Robert Williams has been named chief medical officer for Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale. Arkansas Children’s announced the appointment Tuesday (June 6). As chief medical officer, Williams will provide “operational…

Governor asks feds to declare disaster in 31 Arkansas counties

Torrential floods devastated Northeast Arkansas earlier this spring and the damage could top hundreds of millions of dollars in agriculture and other losses. Gov. Asa Hutchinson has submitted a formal…

Patti Kimbrough named new executive director of Fort Smith Good Samaritan Clinic

Patti Kimbrough is the new executive director of the Good Samaritan Clinic in Fort Smith. Kimbrough, originally from Fort Smith, has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit…

Lawrence County Detention Center project on schedule and below projected budget

Arkansas Jail Standards informed Lawrence County officials in 2014 that the county’s jail was inadequate and needed to be replaced. Officials spent months grappling with different proposals and were told…

Fort Smith Schools Superintendent gets one-year contract extension, millage vote will not happen in 2017

First-year Fort Smith Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker received a one-year extension to his contract through the 2020 school year at a special meeting Thursday (June 1) from the…

Nine Riceland facilities temporarily close

Tonnage up almost 11% on the Arkansas River through May

Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: USA Truck military support, Baptist Health to hold ‘MASH’ events

SGS opens Bentonville product testing lab