Your trusted source for local Fort Smith, AR news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
AAA and AARP provide essential safety tips for driving in heavy rain, emphasizing that experience does not guarantee safety. Key advice includes maintaining vehicle visibility, avoiding flooded roads, and reducing speed to prevent hydroplaning. Drivers should focus on the road and prepare for potential hazards.
Two Arkansas training programs, the UAMS Doctor of Physical Therapy and ATU-Ozark cardiac sonography, achieved 100% pass rates on their respective board exams. This milestone highlights the effectiveness of local healthcare education initiatives in preparing students for in-demand roles.
A former scoutmaster, Charles "Jack" Walls, died in prison from natural causes after serving three life sentences for raping Arkansas boy scouts. His abuse, which lasted two decades, was uncovered following the tragic actions of one of his victims, Heath Stocks, who murdered his family. Stocks is now serving a life sentence without parole.
KHBS launched a feature allowing users to customize weather alerts for severe conditions. The new app alerts aim to provide timely notifications based on users' exact locations, enhancing preparedness for severe weather events. This initiative underscores the importance of localized weather information in mitigating risks.
The Fort Smith Police Department has activated a temporary violent crimes task force following a surge in gunfire incidents, including multiple drive-by shootings. The task force aims to target violent offenders amid a recent spike in crime, despite a three-year decline in overall violent crime rates.
Steve and Bobbe Schulte donated $25,000 to create the Steve and Bobbe Schulte Endowed Scholarship at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, supporting engineering students in financial need. Bobbe Schulte, a need-based student herself, emphasized the transformative potential of the scholarship for students’ futures.
The Fort Smith Board of Directors will meet on August 26 to review a $250 million capital improvement plan for city infrastructure. This plan, funded by a voter-approved sales tax, includes projects for streets, bridges, drainage, and a new water treatment line to handle increased demand.
The Fayetteville Police Department confirmed no active threats exist at the University of Arkansas after multiple reports of an active shooter were investigated. Classes for Monday have been canceled, but students are free to leave campus, and operations have returned to normal.
Construction has commenced on a bridge over the Arkansas River, part of the long-awaited Interstate 49 project, expected to connect Kansas City to New Orleans by 2029. The bridge will significantly reduce travel time between Greenwood and Alma, improving regional connectivity and economic opportunities.
Arkansas football will be without defensive tackle David Oke for the season opener against Alabama A&M. Linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. and wide receiver Raylen Sharpe are expected to return after injuries, while freshman Antonio Jordan is doubtful with a high ankle sprain.