Stories by Monica Brich

Ebbing still has work before countries can arrive in River Valley for the Foreign Military Sales program FORT SMITH -- The city has a lot of work left before the first military members and their families land in the River Valley as part of the Foreign Military Sales program.Foreign Military Sales is a se... March 26, 2023

Fort Smith directors amend animal ordinance, including mandatory spay and neuter FORT SMITH -- City directors unanimously approved revising the city's animal ordinance with plans to amend and expand the voucher program for spaying and neutering cats and dogs soon.Directors hea... March 26, 2023

Fort Smith promotes Boyd Waters as new fire chief following passing of Phil Christensen FORT SMITH -- Acting Chief Boyd Waters has been appointed by the city as the new chief of the Fire Department.Waters served as interim chief since the passing of Chief Phil Christensen in February, fo... March 21, 2023

Prosecutor determines Fort Smith man was justified in killing intruder FORT SMITH -- Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Shue said he will not file charges in connection with a fatal shooting at a home in the 800 block of North 18th Street in Fort Smith last month.... March 21, 2023

Arkansas Supreme Court rules in favor of Fort Smith in recycling case, overturns Circuit Court judgment FORT SMITH -- The city of Fort Smith can keep the almost $750,000 it collected in recycling fees while recyclables were being dumped in the landfill, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday.The deci... March 19, 2023

Pet ordinance revisions to be considered FORT SMITH — Residents would be required to get their dogs and cats spayed or neutered as one part of a proposed revision of the city’s animal ordinance that city directors will consider a... March 19, 2023

Arkansas Supreme Court rules in favor of Fort Smith in recycling case, overturns Circuit Court judgment FORT SMITH -- The city can keep the almost $750,000 it collected in recycling fees while recyclables were being dumped in the landfill, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday.The decision overturne... March 18, 2023

Prosecutor determines Fort Smith man was justified in killing intruder FORT SMITH -- Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Shue said he will not file charges in connection with a fatal shooting in a home in the 800 block of North 18th Street last month.Homeowner Avel... March 18, 2023

Prosecutor determines Fort Smith man was justified in killing intruder FORT SMITH -- Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Shue said he will not file any charges in connection with a fatal shooting in the 800 block of North 18th Street last month.On Feb. 3, homeowner... March 17, 2023

Fort Smith’s selection for Air Force program officially slated for take-off FORT SMITH --The Air Force has formally decided to place its Foreign Military Sales program in Fort Smith, but there's been a slight change in plans.The Singapore airmen won't be the first to ... March 16, 2023

Fort Smith lands Air Force foreign mission FORT SMITH — The Department of the Air Force has officially decided to make Ebbing Air National Guard Base the home of the Foreign Military Sales Program Pilot Training Center.U.S. Air Force Sec... March 15, 2023

River Valley legislators discuss their proposed legislation at Fort Smith chamber FORT SMITH -- Legislators for the River Valley met with the public at the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce on Friday afternoon to discuss some of the final proposed bills from this years' l... March 13, 2023

UAFS career fair held for students: ‘You can get hired on the spot’ FORT SMITH -- The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith held an all-majors career fair Thursday to connect students with career and education opportunities.Roughly 50 vendors gathered in the Smith-Pend... March 12, 2023

Fort Smith plans to rename fire station after late Fire Chief Phil Christensen FORT SMITH -- The city's Fire Station No. 1 will be named the Philip P. Christensen Fire Station 1 in honor of the former fire chief and his three decades of service to the community.City director... March 12, 2023

River Valley legislators discuss proposed bills at Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce FORT SMITH -- Legislators for the River Valley met with the public at the Chamber of Commerce on Friday afternoon to discuss some of the final proposed bills from this years' legislative session.S... March 11, 2023

Car-train collision occurs on Fort Smith’s Phoenix Avenue FORT SMITH -- A passenger car-train collision occurred at 1600 Phoenix Ave. Thursday evening, causing traffic delays for those in the area.Police reported it took about an hour for the road to be clea... March 10, 2023

Fort Smith mayor says city in a good place with Air Force plans, I-49 expansion and health care opportunities FORT SMITH -- Fort Smith is in an amazing place after several years of hardship, Mayor George McGill said in his state of the city address Monday.The mayor, speaking at the University of Arkansas at F... March 5, 2023

New emergency room and hospital opens in Fort Smith FORT SMITH -- A new hospital has opened to provide health care for River Valley residents.The Fort Smith ER & Hospital at 4701 Phoenix Ave. off Interstate 540 was founded by board-certified emerge... March 5, 2023

Fort Smith police identify body recovered from Arkansas River FORT SMITH — Police have identified the body of a man that was found and recovered from the Arkansas River near Harry E. Kelley River Park on Sunday.Aric Mitchell, police spokesman, wrote in a n... February 27, 2023

River Valley legislators discuss Sanders’ education bill with public FORT SMITH -- Legislators for the River Valley met with the public at the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce on Friday afternoon to discuss their thoughts on Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' education bil... February 26, 2023

Haas Hall Academy adds campus in Fort Smith at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education FORT SMITH -- Haas Hall Academy will open its first campus in the River Valley starting in the 2023-2024 academic year.The academy is an open-enrollment, public charter school that provides a STEAM-ba... February 26, 2023

Fort Smith Animal Haven plans move to Arkansas Colleges of Health Education after five acre donation FORT SMITH -- The Fort Smith Animal Haven is preparing to better care for area dogs and cats by moving locations, thanks to a recent donation of 5 acres from the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education.... February 26, 2023

River Valley legislators discuss Sanders’ education bill with public FORT SMITH -- Legislators for the River Valley met with the public at the Chamber of Commerce on Friday afternoon to discuss their thoughts on Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' education program which ... February 25, 2023

Fort Smith police arrest two men in connection with a shooting on Brooken Hill Drive near I-540 FORT SMITH -- Police have arrested Jordan Lowery and Ian Cogburn in connection with a shooting just off Interstate 540 on Sunday.According to a news release, police said they received several calls at... February 25, 2023

Fort Smith police arrest two men involved in a shooting on Brooken Hill Drive near I-540 FORT SMITH -- Police have arrested Jordan Lowery and Ian Cogburn as the two suspects in a shooting incident occurring just off Interstate 540 on Sunday.According to a news release, police said they re... February 24, 2023

Fort Smith police investigate shooting on Brooken Hill Drive near I-540 FORT SMITH -- Police are investigating a shooting early Sunday morning just off Interstate 540.According to a press release, police said they received several calls at 12:40 a.m. reporting shots being... February 21, 2023

Fort Smith police investigate shooting on Brooken Hill Drive, near I-540 FORT SMITH -- Police are continuing to investigate a shooting Sunday morning just off Interstate 540.Police said at 12:40 a.m., they received several calls reporting shots being fired at the 2100 bloc... February 20, 2023

Fort Smith Directors look to update Water Utilities fee schedule; developers concerned about large rate increase FORT SMITH -- Residential developers and several city directors voiced concern Thursday about proposed water utility fee increases, noting the size and immediacy if they are approved.Utilities Directo... February 19, 2023

Fort Smith community survey shows people want better walking and bike routes; city looks to create plan to do so FORT SMITH -- Nearly 96% residents support improving bicycle conditions in the city, according to an online survey by transportation consultant Laneshift that received 656 community responses.Michael ... February 19, 2023

Alma School District receives $3 million grant to purchase electric school buses ALMA -- The School District is preparing to have eight electric buses transport students starting in the 2023-2024 school year.Jason Rutherford, the district's transportation director, said the de... February 19, 2023

Fort Smith directors look to update Water Utilities fee schedule; developers concerned about large rate increase FORT SMITH -- Residential developers and several city directors voiced concern Thursday for proposed fee increases in water utilities, noting the size and immediacy if they are approved.Utilities Dire... February 18, 2023

Four Van Buren ninth-graders win Congressional App Challenge for designing math game VAN BUREN -- Four ninth-graders from Coleman Freshman Academy in Van Buren received first place in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge for Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District.The contest is an a... February 17, 2023

Four Van Buren ninth-graders win Congressional App Challenge for designing math game VAN BUREN -- A group of ninth-graders from Coleman Freshman Academy in Van Buren received first place in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge for Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District, an annual, n... February 16, 2023

Teen with firearm arrested in Kimmons Middle School incident FORT SMITH -- A 14-year-old boy was arrested Monday and accused of threatening two people with a firearm at Kimmons Middle School in Fort Smith last week.The threat was made during a basketball game F... February 15, 2023

Boy arrested in Kimmons Middle School threat incident FORT SMITH -- A 14-year-old boy was arrested Monday for threatening two individuals with a firearm at Kimmons Middle School last week.The threat was made during a basketball game, with school district... February 14, 2023

University of the Ozarks has accreditation reaffirmed by the Higher Learning Commission CLARKSVILLE -- University of the Ozarks has had its accreditation reaffirmed by the Higher Learning Commission for the next 10 years.A news release from the university said the Institutional Actions C... February 13, 2023

Franklin County city facing lawsuit over reported noncompliance with updated state FOIA law BRANCH -- A Fort Smith-based attorney plans legal action against a Franklin County city for reportedly not recording its public meetings as required under the state's updated Freedom of Informatio... February 12, 2023

Fort Smith School District considers moving Barling students to Southside High School BARLING -- The Fort Smith School District is considering moving the attendance area for Barling Elementary students so they eventually attend Southside High School.The district met with roughly 20 par... February 12, 2023

Fort Smith further restricts sale of animals in effort to reduce the number of strays FORT SMITH -- The Board of Directors unanimously approved a proposal to prohibit the unlicensed sale of animals within the city, with hopes it will reduce the number of stray cats and dogs.The city&#3... February 12, 2023

River Valley legislators meet with public to discuss midpoint of General Assembly session FORT SMITH -- Legislators for the River Valley met with the public at the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce on Friday afternoon to discuss the midpoint of the 2023 regular session and what they still hop... February 11, 2023

State Department of Education investigates cyber security threat at Cedarville School District CEDARVILLE -- The state Department of Education is investigating a cyber security threat made to the Cedarville School District on Thursday.The district couldn't confirm whether the threat was leg... February 9, 2023

Kimmons Middle School basketball game cut short after firearm threat on Fort Smith campus FORT SMITH -- A Kimmons Middle School basketball game was cut short Monday after two individuals were allegedly threatened by a male with a firearm somewhere on the campus.School District officers rep... February 8, 2023

Man arrested in Texas for explosives at Fort Smith residence FORT SMITH -- Federal agents arrested a man without incident in Austin, Texas, on Monday night after they reported finding an explosive device in his Fort Smith home last week.The U.S. Department of J... February 8, 2023

Man arrested in Texas after explosives found at Fort Smith residence FORT SMITH -- Federal agents arrested Neil Ravi Mehta without incident in Austin, Texas on Monday night after they reported finding explosive devices in his Fort Smith home last week.FBI Little Rock s... February 7, 2023

Chaffee Crossing sees strong growth for the River Valley in annual report FORT SMITH -- Fort Chaffee continued to make improvements to the River Valley in 2022, with Executive Director and CEO Daniel Mann saying the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority is the strongest it&#... February 5, 2023

Air Force releases final Fort Smith impact statement for Foreign Military Sales program; location to be determined next month FORT SMITH -- The final decision of the Air Force's Foreign Military Sales Pilot Training Center at either Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas or Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michig... February 5, 2023

Federal agents want to arrest man after finding explosives at his Fort Smith home FORT SMITH -- Federal agents are looking for a man after finding explosive devices in his home Tuesday.The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Little Rock and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms a... February 4, 2023

FBI, ATF seeking Fort Smith man accused of having explosive devices FORT SMITH — Federal agents are looking for a man after finding explosive devices in his home Tuesday.The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Little Rock and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firea... February 3, 2023

Officials: River Valley roads mostly passable FORT SMITH — Kendall Beam with Sebastian County Emergency Management doesn’t mind being passed over — especially by bad weather.The county “dodged a bullet” by not gettin... February 3, 2023

Ice storm warning expires; River Valley roads clearing, passable, officials say FORT SMITH -- Kendall Beam with Sebastian County Emergency Management doesn't mind being passed over -- especially by bad weather. The county "dodged a bullet" by not getting much freezing precipitati... February 2, 2023