Good morning, Fort Smith.

Two Sebastian County deputies were stabbed Friday afternoon at the detention center by inmate John Anthony Cole, 48—awaiting trial on a murder charge—and both were taken to area hospitals as investigators probe the incident.

Two deputies were stabbed at the Sebastian County Detention Center when inmate John Anthony Cole, 48, used an improvised cutting instrument & both were sent to a nearby hospital, and Cole was transferred from Arizona to face trial for a murder charge related to a 2021 Fort Smith killing.

Sergio Romero, a 23-year-old from Fort Smith, pleaded guilty to drugs and weapons charges and was sentenced to a 10-year prison term plus a 30-year suspended sentence—conditions that require him to obey strict terms under his plea deal.

Arkansas officials urge residents who do not need a REAL ID right away to wait on applying as state revenue offices work to restock supplies+some offices have reached capacity, causing delays and inconsistent appointment availability.

The DFA has shipped orders overnight and issued 150,000 IDs over the past month, reflecting a surge in demand seen across several states.

On May 6, Fort Smith’s Board of Directors approved a $4.2M amendment to the 2025 operating budget that cut expenses in key departments—General Fund, Street Maintenance, Water and Sewer, and Solid Waste—and trimmed travel, contracts, and unfilled positions.

The board restored Transit funding to secure federal matching funds—ensuring essential services remain stable—while keeping Police and Fire budgets unchanged.

A special ceremony was held Friday as the first pilots graduated from the Fort Smith pilot training program at Ebbing Air National Guard Base—marking the start of training for pilots from allied nations such as Poland, Finland, Singapore, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Officials said up to 48 jets will be stationed here by 2028 and pilots from Finland will arrive next year to begin training.

Charleston moved into the Class 3A Region 1 Tournament championship with a 10-0 win over Providence Academy on Friday, as Bryson Wibbing threw a no-hitter and Kelton Moreton drove in three runs.

The team will play extra-inning winner Greenland at 2:30 p.m. today — the game will decide the region's top seed.

Christone Kingfish Ingram Concert

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

Storytime with Fort Smith Police

4:00 – 4:30 PM — Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library) — Free entry — Enjoy an engaging storytime with a local police officer and get your questions answered.

Launch Party & Silent Auction

5:30-8 p.m. — The Bricks — Free entry — Celebrate with drinks and appetizers while supporting maternal health through a silent auction.

Old Fort Days Rodeo

7:30-9 p.m. — Kay Rodgers Park — Ticket information not specified — Experience thrilling rodeo events featuring top competitors from around the world in a tradition dating back to 1933.