Good morning, Fort Smith.

The UAFS Center for Economic Development in the Bakery District has boosted local job skills by hosting 72 training events that reached 1,121 students and partnering with 97 companies over the past year.

The center will launch AI training and an annual Workforce Best Practices Summit next year —its next step in Intrepid Ambition— to further empower the local economy.

On April 11, four UAFS faculty members were honored with Faculty Appreciation Awards—presented by Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley and Provost Dr. Shadow Robinson—to mark their work in teaching, research and service.

Each award came with a $2,500 prize given after a selection by a strict committee.

On April 11th, the UAFS Student Government Association honored Dr. Chizuko Iwaki with the Lori Norin Faculty Appreciation Award and Cristina Castorena with the Mark Horn Staff Appreciation Award for their work helping students.

SGA President Anna Capps and Vice President Anna Beavers presented the awards — recognizing each winner’s commitment — as part of the university’s efforts to support student success.

On April 11, UAFS held an awards ceremony that honored nine employees for academic and professional excellence and recognized 57 employees for their combined 725 years of service.

The event included awards with $2,500 prizes and marked milestones such as Pam Fout's 45 years at the university.

Fort Smith held its first community meeting at the Main Branch of the Public Library to explain the proposed sales and use tax ballot for May 13—residents heard that tax revenue will help pay for sewer improvements.

The next meeting is set for Monday at 6 p.m. at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in the Large Conference Room.

Fort Smith Southside and Northside each won their road games in the baseball Battle of Rogers Avenue on April 14 at Hunt's Park, with Southside defeating Northside 4-0.

River Valley state wrestling champions were honored on April 1 in Fort Smith—where top athletes from Van Buren, Greenwood and Sallisaw were recognized for their records and weight classes.

A photo gallery from the event shows the wrestlers and their achievements—celebrating local athletic talent.

The Fort Smith Southside Mavericks did not win the Pointer Relays in Van Buren last week— they dominated the distance races with Braden Palmer finishing first and teammate Ashton Alder coming in second in the boys' 1600-meter run— signaling a strong effort by the team.

Brandon Jones drove the No. 1 truck sponsored by the University of Arkansas College of Engineering at Bristol Motor Speedway last week—he suffered an accident after 53 laps in the Truck Series race.

He also finished fifth in the SciApps 300 Xfinity Series race on Saturday and has strong local ties through his family in Van Buren.

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in Concert

4-8 p.m. — TempleLive — Enchanting performance — Experience epic film scores with a live orchestra and special guests.

Storytime at Miller Branch Library

10-11 a.m. — Fort Smith Public Library (Miller Branch) — Free entry — Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts for children and their caregivers.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Concert

7:00-7:30 p.m. — ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic as the Fort Smith Symphony plays the iconic score live while the film screens.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Concert

8:00-9:30 PM — TempleLive — Ticket prices starting at $52 — Enjoy an electrifying performance by blues rock virtuoso Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Black Violin Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — TempleLive — Tickets from $32 — Experience an electrifying performance blending classical and hip-hop styles with Black Violin.

Jeremy Camp Concert

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. — TempleLive — Ticket prices from $29 — Enjoy an uplifting night with contemporary Christian artist Jeremy Camp performing live.

Christone Kingfish Ingram Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — TempleLive — Tickets from $39 — Enjoy a vibrant evening of blues with rising star Kingfish Ingram.