Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 18th of September.
Good morning, Fort Smith.
🏘️ Community
The Taco Bell Foundation awarded $89,160 Tuesday to three Boys & Girls Clubs in Fort Smith, Greenwood & Van Buren to support programs that build skills and confidence among local youth.
The grants boost workforce readiness initiatives across the area.
First Presbyterian Church hosts author Carlos Whittaker today at 7 p.m. at the U.S. Marshals Museum to discuss his book on reducing screen time and rebuilding community connections – admission is $10.
A free Q&A and book signing will follow Saturday morning at the church.
🎭 Culture
The Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair runs Sept.
25-Oct. 3 at Kay Rodgers Park and features unlimited ride armband days, discounted ride hours and a new $5 Family Night on Sept. 28 with live music, street shows and a human cannonball act + livestock and youth competitions to mark its 90th year.
🎓 Education
Arkansas Education Department announced Thursday that official 2025-26 letter grades for schools have been released, though the online data center still shows 2024-25 results and may take time to update.
Grades show statewide improvement with 26 districts earning an A and nine receiving an F.
Arkansas Tech University-Ozark will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Sept.
22 from 1 to 3 p.m. to celebrate a 7,000 sqft expansion of its skilled trades facility + the upgrade is funded by a $2.75 million HIRED grant.
UAFS alum Dee (Rhone) Hawley credited her degree in organizational leadership for opening doors to a senior customer service role at Tyson, one of the largest companies.
She used UAFS resources like the Babb Center and an internship at ArcBest to build her career.
🌲 Environment
Denali Water Solutions filed a 90-day plan to permanently close an odor-producing wastewater lagoon near Hale Farm Road between AR 59 and Hollis Lake in Barling.
State officials must approve the proposal before cleanup removes the liquid waste over 60 days and conducts a one-day final inspection.
🏥 Health
Good Samaritan Clinic in Fort Smith received a $36K grant from the First United Methodist Church Foundation to replace its paper records with an electronic system — implementation begins in November and it will be fully operational on Jan.
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