News

UAFS Welding Rodeo slated for March 31

The Welding Technology Department if the UAFS College of Business and Industry will host its annual Welding Rodeo on Friday, March 31, 2023.   Sixty high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from nine different school districts in the River Valley will compete in this year’s Welding Rodeo, which returns to the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith campus for the fifth spring in a row. Welding students enrolled in the Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC) will serve as group leaders throughout the

Opening Reception at RAM Features Three Exciting and Diverse Exhibitions

The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (RAM) kicks off three new and very different exhibitions at an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on  Friday, April 14—a permanent collection exhibition featuring curated art photography, Elizabeth Weber’s solo show of sculptural installation work, and a Greenwood High School student’s debut exhibition.   In the Sandi and Sandy Sanders Gallery for the Permanent Collection, The Museum Project features diverse examples of art photography curated and donated to select

The UAFS Democracy Project Celebrates Women of Achievement

To celebrate the achievements of local women, the UAFS Democracy Project will mark Women’s History Month with a town hall event at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.   Women in Charge: Learning from the Experiences of Successful Women will feature a panel of Lori Brooks, vice president for consumer experience and marketing at ArcBest; Sharon Brooks, Sebastian County Clerk; Tammy Pacheco, owner of Alfa and Omega Multiservices; and Beth Presley, CEO of the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club.   The

UAFS Adult Degree Completion Open House Tuesday 4:30-6:30 p.m

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith will host an open house for its Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP) on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Center for Business and Professional Development at the Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith.   The event, aimed at helping working adults achieve their academic goals in a flexible, supportive environment, is free and open to the public.  “Of course, there are professional benefits to completing your degree,” said Dr. Tina Root. “There are

RAM Announces New Executive Director

    The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (RAM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Hall as executive director. Hall brings with him an extensive knowledge of the museum world, having worked in various leadership and curatorial roles at renowned museums across the country. Hall has expertise in all aspects of museum management, including strategic planning, grant writing, and programming, and we are confident that he will lead us to new heights of excellence. Hall will begin serving as the

Chaffee Crossing Farmers & Artisans Market Returns for Third Season

Chaffee Crossing Farmers & Artisans Market Returns for Third SeasonMonthly markets will feature exciting new vendors, musicians, food trucks, and entertainers   FORT SMITH, Ark. (March 22, 2023) – The Chaffee Crossing Farmers and Artisans Market (CCFAM) is returning for a third fun-filled season that will feature a variety of new vendors and entertainment. The markets will be held on the second Saturday of each month, May through October, in the Chaffee Crossing Historic and Entertainment District, 7300

SANDERS, BOOZMAN, COTTON, WOMACK APPLAUD SELECTION OF FORT SMITH FOR F-35 FIGHTER PLANES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 15, 2023Contact: Sanders, Alexa Henningor Olivia WalesBoozman, Sara Lasure or Matthew WesterCotton, Caroline Tabler or James ArnoldWomack, Madison Nash    Sanders, Boozman, Cotton, Womack Applaud Selection of Fort Smith for F-35 Fighter Planes, Singapore Air Force Squadron    WASHINGTON— Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton and Congressman Steve Womack applauded the U.S. Air Force’s selection of Ebbing Air National Guard Base in

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EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE IN FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS SELECTED AS HOME FOR U.S. AIR FORCE MISSION

Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas Selected as Home for U.S. Air Force Mission FORT SMITH, Ark. (March 15, 2023) – The Department of the Air Force has finalized the selection of Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith as the site for the new home of the Foreign Military Sales Program (FMS) Pilot Training Center, hosting F-16 and F-35 training for participants. On Friday, March 10, 2023, U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall signed a Record of Decision naming Ebbing Air National

Ronald McDonald House Charities: 9th Annual Red Shoe Soiree

Springdale, Ark., (March 14, 2023) – Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Arkoma invites you to celebrate 9 years of the Red Shoe Soiree benefiting RMHC programs! This year, the event will be hosted for the first time at Heroncrest in Elm Springs, AR on April 14th from 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm. With the purchase of a table sponsorship or individual ticket, guests will enjoy a fun meal served with specialty cocktails as well as exciting raffle packages and auction items! New this year: With the purchase of a VIP

Good Samaritan Clinic Announces The Best Night of the Year to be Held on April 28, 2023

For immediate release:THE BEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR benefiting the Good Samaritan Clinic is coming to the Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center in Fort Smith on Friday, April 28, 2023. THE FRONTMEN will be headlining the celebration, and while you may not know the band’s name, you will know their songs! Tim Rushlow (formerly of Little Texas), Larry Stewart (of Restless Heart), and Richie McDonald (formerly of Lonestar) are 3 amazing lead singers who have joined forces to form a country music super group singing all 3

UAFS Career Fair Thursday, March 9, 11:30-2

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith will host an All-Majors Career Fair on Thursday, March 9 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. More than 100 students from all majors will be in attendance with an opportunity to speak with 46 vendors and employers from transportation, law enforcement, banking and insurance, technology and IT, and more.  “We have several employers that attend this career fair year after year because they know the advantage of hiring our students whenever possible,” said Susan Krafft,

UAFS Elevates Military Friendly Ranking

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has once again been awarded designation as a Military Friendly School for the 2023-2024 academic year. The university was earned Silver Status designation, moving up in the ranks from last year’s Bronze rating.  “Receiving the Military Friendly School Silver Status reflects the university’s commitment to providing the best educational experience and service to student veterans and their dependents,” said Heather Chance, UAFS Advisor, and VA Certifying Official.

Spring into New Classes at the Center for Economic Development

            Find Classes and Register Here         FOCUS series participants learn to turn goals into action at the organizational, personal, and project levels by managing time and deadlines.  Week 1 - Strategic Planning:Learn to build a strategic plan that engages your workforce.  Week 2 - Goal Setting:SMART goals. Learn how to

FSPS Accepting School Choice Applications through May 1, 2023

The Fort Smith Public Schools is now accepting applications for students wishing to participate in the School Choice program. School Choice is the program authorized by the Arkansas General Assembly in The Public School Choice Act of 2015, which allows parents to apply for their child’s admission to participating school districts other than the one in which they reside. The Fort Smith Public Schools District will accept eligible students from other school districts under the School Choice program during

FSPS 2023-24 Kindergarten and New Student Registration Opens April 3, 2023

Fort Smith Public Schools announces New Student Registration and open enrollment for kindergarten for the 2023-24 school year begins Monday, April 3, 2023.    To begin enrollment, parents/guardians should visit the FSPS website, www.fortsmithschools.org, where they can click on the “Families” main menu tab, followed by the “Enroll Your Student” page. Parents/guardians can enroll a student on this page by clicking on the “Register Your Kindergarten or New Student” link (in blue). Alternatively, a direct

Haas Hall Academy to Open Fort Smith – River Valley Campus in Fall 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kelly Barnett479-966-4930KellyBarnett@haashall.org(Photo Courtesy of Arkansas Colleges of Health Education)   Haas Hall Academy to Open Fort Smith – River Valley Campus in Fall 2023  Fort Smith, AR – February 17, 2023 – In order to provide easier access to high quality public secondary education for scholars and families living south of the Bobby Hopper Tunnel on Interstate 49, Haas Hall Academy is establishing its fifth campus in Fort Smith for the 2023−2024 academic

Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders Announces 2023 Showcase Home

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   DeAnne Hankins, Executive Director Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders hba@fortsmithhomebuilders.com (479) 479-452-6213 2023 Showcase HomeGreater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders     Fort Smith, Arkansas (February 6, 2023) – The Greater Fort Smith Association of Home Builders (GFSAHB) is pleased to announce the 2023 Showcase Home. Groundbreaking will take place on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Justin Green Custom Homes is the builder of the

Fort Smith ER & Hospital Officially Opens its Doors

Fort Smith ER & Hospital Officially Opens its Doors  The micro-hospital is officially open to the Fort Smith community to provide trailblazing emergency medical services.  Media Contact: Miranda Palmer Director of Marketing mpalmer@fortsmithhospital.com  For Immediate Release:  February 3, 2023 (Fort Smith, Arkansas) – The highly anticipated medical facility, Fort Smith ER & Hospital, is officially open and seeing patients. Starting today, the facility will be accessible 24/7, 365 days a year,

Restore Hope: SmartJustice Magazine Fall 2022 Family Issue

Click Here for the Full Digital MagazineClick Here for the YouTube SmartJustice PodcastsClick Here for the smartjustice.org websiteContinue Reading the Full Digital Magazine HereClick Here for the YouTube SmartJustice PodcastsClick Here for the smartjustice.org website 

Angels Wings Testing Center is Moving to New Location

American Indian Center of Arkansas Native Crisis Text Line

  Suicide Prevention ResourcesThe following resources provide trained counselors and information about suicide prevention: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 800-273-8255. The Lifeline Provides 24/7, free confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Chat: The Lifeline Chat connects individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services via web

Fort Smith Public Schools Releases Continuous Improvement Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 23, 2023  Media Contact: Shari Cooper, Director of Communicationsscooper@fortsmithschools.org (479) 785-2501 x95198   Fort Smith Public Schools Releases Continuous Improvement Plan    Fort Smith, AR (January 23, 2023). During the FSPS School Board of Education meeting, the school board adopted the organization’s Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP).  The district developed the CIP with input from the staff and the public in the Fall 2022.  The adopted CIP includes an update

Arvest Launches New Subsidiary – the Arvest Opportunity Fund – to Provide Alternate Funding for Small Businesses

NEWS                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Arvest Launches New Subsidiary – the Arvest Opportunity Fund – to Provide Alternate Funding for Small Businesses  FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Jan. 12, 2023) – Arvest Bank is pleased to announce the Arvest Opportunity Fund, a wholly owned non-bank subsidiary currently providing loans and lines of credit to small businesses that fall just below bank loan policy requirements.   As part of the Arvest Opportunity Fund program, loan recipients agree to receive financial

Three Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care Locations Scheduled to Open In Fort Smith

 Three Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care Locations Scheduled to Open In Fort Smith     New walk-in clinic on Phoenix Avenue to open on Dec. 5  FORT SMITH, Ark. (Nov. 28, 2022) – Mercy has teamed up with GoHealth Urgent Care to create three new walk-in clinics in Fort Smith. The three new Mercy-GoHealth centers will replace two existing Mercy Convenient Care centers in Fort Smith and all three will open in newly renovated locations near major retail and traffic corridors. Below are the addresses of the new

$18.7 Million Gift to Double Nursing Grads, Expand Arts Programs

Friday, September 9, 2022, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith announced the largest single gift in its 94-year history – a transformational $18.7 million from the Windgate Foundation that will radically empower the university’s acclaimed nursing and visual arts programs. The gift addresses critical needs in the Arkansas River Valley, creating a pathway to dramatically increase nursing graduates and cultivating an immersive arts experience for students and the public through the expansion of the

Peak Innovation Center Receives $100,000 Donation from Cox Communications

For Immediate Release: April 29, 2022  Contact: Christina Williams, Coordinator of Public Information cwilliams@fortsmithschools.org or (479) 785-2501, ext. 91202   Peak Innovation Center Receives $100,000 Donation from Cox Communications  Fort Smith, AR, April 29, 2022 – Peak Innovation Center today received a $100,000 donation from COX Communications for a new Career Center and to support three Network Engineering Technology classrooms.   The COX Career Center will connect students to business and

UAFS Hosts Grand Opening for Center for Economic Development

UAFS Hosts Grand Opening for Center for Economic Development  Against a technicolor backdrop of painted grain silos and bright blue skies, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson waxed poetic about the state of workforce development, economic investments, technology, and industry in the River Valley, and he noted the integral role the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Center for Economic Development will play in continuing that legacy for years to come.  “These are incredible times that we’re living in,”

Fort Smith Named Home to Foreign Military Sales Mission

 For Immediate Release Contact Tim Allen, 479-783-3111info@fortsmithchamber.com    Fort Smith Named Home to Foreign Military Sales Mission  FORT SMITH, Ark. (June 3, 2021) — Fort Smith and Ebbing Air National Guard Base, current home to the 188th Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, has been named by the United States Air Force as the future location to a long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland and other countries participating in