Stories by Thomas Saccente

Fort Smith college medical students engage with active shooter scenario in mass casualty drill FORT SMITH -- Students from the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine and nursing students from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith put lessons they learned into practice in a simulated active... October 1, 2023

Van Buren City Council to continue discussing new ordinance regulating dogs in city limits VAN BUREN -- The city is crafting a response to long-standing concerns it's seen and heard about dogs in its jurisdiction, including an incentive for people to spay or neuter their pets.The City C... October 1, 2023

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith named a top public school in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Colleges list FORT SMITH -- The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith ranked in multiple categories among regional colleges in the southern region in U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Best Colleges list.The li... September 26, 2023

Sebastian County 911 board talks call center consolidation as 2025 deadline looms FORT SMITH -- The Sebastian County 911 Board is considering asking for an extension to meet a state-mandated deadline to consolidate the county's 911 system.The board agreed Monday to contact the ... September 24, 2023

Sebastian County Quorum Court looks at salary increases for county employees for 2024 FORT SMITH -- Sebastian County employees could receive noticeable pay increases in 2024 as the Quorum Court goes through the process of crafting a budget for the new year.Justices of the peace voted t... September 24, 2023

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith board gets overview on fall 2023 academic initiatives FORT SMITH -- The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith is working with the local community to make adjustments -- specifically in the areas of health care, data analysis and advanced manufacturing -- ... September 21, 2023

U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation announces $250,000 grant commitment from Attorney General Tim Griffin FORT SMITH -- The U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation announced Tuesday that Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin's office committed $250,000 toward completing the foundation's approximately $50 ... September 20, 2023

Crawford County Quorum Court approves $112,025 for legal expenses for federal lawsuits, sales tax work VAN BUREN -- The Crawford County Quorum Court approved giving the county judge money to cover legal expenses stemming from ongoing litigation, as well as the county missing a state-mandated deadline c... September 19, 2023

Man charged with attempted capital murder after weekend shooting in Sebastian County FORT SMITH -- A man was charged with attempted capital murder and burglary in Sebastian County Circuit Court on Monday, according to county Prosecuting Attorney Dan Shue.James Barton, 30, will be arra... September 19, 2023

University of the Ozarks to start building $10.75 million athletic complex this fall CLARKSVILLE -- Students at the University of the Ozarks and other residents of the region can expect to enjoy new baseball, softball and soccer fields that will come as parts of a planned athletic com... September 18, 2023

Crawford County Library Board picks former state legislator Ballinger for new legal counsel MOUNTAINBURG -- The Crawford County Library Board enlisted a former state legislator to represent it as the county faces two separate legal challenges in the U.S. District Court.The board voted 3-1 to... September 17, 2023

Oklahoma man gets 100 years in prison after I-40 crash killed three in Crawford County last year VAN BUREN -- An Oklahoma man was sentenced to 100 years in prison in Crawford County Circuit Court on Tuesday in connection with a vehicle crash that left three dead and others injured last year.Ivan ... September 14, 2023

One dead in Fort Smith motorcycle collision FORT SMITH -- One person was reported dead while another was injured after a motorcycle collision in the area of North 10th and M streets Tuesday night, according to a post on the Police Department&#3... September 13, 2023

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith boasts 6.8% growth in freshmen enrollment for fall 2023, 2.5% growth in total enrollment FORT SMITH -- The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith reported seeing a 6.8% increase in its enrollment of first-year entering students this academic year compared to last year, along with a growth i... September 13, 2023

Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair organizers talk new additions this year; event set to run Sept. 22-30 FORT SMITH -- Residents and visitors can expect to enjoy a variety of activities both old and new at the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair this year.The fair will run daily from Sept. 22-30 at Kay Rodgers ... September 10, 2023

Greenwood Masonic Lodge members petition City Council to save building from planned bypass project GREENWOOD -- A road project meant to improve traffic flow and safety would also spell the end of a local landmark if implemented as planned.The City Council discussed the effect a bypass would have on... September 10, 2023

Uncle of dead Crawford County inmate gets 15 years in prison for manslaughter, meth possession VAN BUREN -- The uncle of a Crawford County jail inmate who died in October of a reported drug overdose pleaded guilty Wednesday in county Circuit Court to criminal charges stemming from his nephew&#3... September 7, 2023

Family of man who died as a Crawford County jail inmate files federal lawsuit FORT SMITH -- The estate of a Crawford County jail inmate who died in October of a reported drug overdose is suing the county and several others in connection with his death.Attorneys Adam Rose and Da... September 6, 2023

Trial for man beaten in Mulberry arrest video pushed to 2024 VAN BUREN -- The jury trial for a man who was recorded being held down and beaten by law enforcement officers last summer has been postponed again to Jan. 30.Marc McCune, Crawford County Circuit Court... September 5, 2023

Alma city officials celebrate state Downtown Network community status ALMA -- The city came together to celebrate its induction into a program dedicated to revitalizing downtown areas throughout the state.Dozens of people -- including elected officials, business owners ... September 3, 2023

Van Buren City Council changes project with state to widen Arkansas 59 VAN BUREN -- A scheduled project between the city and Arkansas Department of Transportation designed to improve traffic flow has been revised due to feedback from the public.The City Council voted 5-0... September 3, 2023

Crawford County to miss out on nearly $3 million in sales tax revenue this year after paperwork delay VAN BUREN -- Crawford County will not collect nearly $3 million from a 1% countywide sales tax due to missing a deadline mandated by state law.Scott Hardin, spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Fi... August 31, 2023

Crawford County OKs $10,000 grant for library VAN BUREN — The Crawford County Library System will get a $10,000 grant to make the Alma Public Library more accessible for people with disabilities after the county Quorum Court withheld that m... August 30, 2023

Trial for man beaten in Mulberry arrest video pushed to 2024 VAN BUREN -- The jury trial for a man who was recorded being held down and beaten by law enforcement officers last summer has been postponed again to Jan. 30. Marc McCune, Crawford County Circuit Cou... August 29, 2023

Appeals process underway after Crawford County reappraisal shows 47% jump in total property value VAN BUREN -- Crawford County residents who dispute changes in the value of their real estate -- and by extension their taxes -- will have multiple opportunities to make their case.Sandra Heiner, count... August 27, 2023

UAFS opens new on-campus early child care center for infants, toddlers, preschoolers FORT SMITH -- Students and employees at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith have a new place on campus that will care for their young children and provide additional education opportunities.Shell... August 27, 2023

Barling Board of Directors pick retired policeman to serve out term for Ward 3 seat BARLING -- Someone new will represent the residents of Ward 3 on the city's Board of Directors.The Board of Directors voted 5-1 to appoint James "Poncho" Davis to the Ward 3 City Directo... August 23, 2023

Crawford County Quorum Court tables $10,000 grant appropriation for library project to make doors ADA compliant VAN BUREN -- The Crawford County Quorum Court voted to hold off appropriating a $10,000 grant for the Alma Public Library pending further review amid ongoing controversy regarding certain books in the... August 22, 2023

Fort Smith police investigate shooting that left 19-year-old man dead FORT SMITH -- Police are investigating an incident that left a man dead Sunday.Aric Mitchell, police spokesman, wrote in a Monday news release that officers responded to a shooting call in the 1600 bl... August 21, 2023

Sebastian County’s Quorum Court approves agreement with employee for dog kennel services FORT SMITH -- Sebastian County is now set to team up with a Sheriff's Office employee to help ensure the department has a place to temporarily keep the dogs it picks up.The Quorum Court voted 13-0... August 20, 2023

UAFS: Increase in freshmen and transfer enrollment, on-campus living on docket for fall 2023 semester in Fort Smith FORT SMITH -- The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith has seen an increase in its enrollment of freshmen and transfer students, along with students set to live on campus, as the new school year start... August 20, 2023

Van Buren teacher, coach pleads not guilty with wife to animal cruelty charges after dog found dead at home VAN BUREN -- A teacher and coach with the Van Buren School District and his wife face two counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals after police said they found one dog dead and another overheated at t... August 16, 2023

Sequoyah County sheriff says thermal drone led to arrest of man in child endangerment case ROLAND, Okla. -- A man was arrested in the River Valley after reportedly abandoning a 2-year-old child in a car on the side of a road, according to Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane.Adam Blum, 49, of... August 15, 2023

Sequoyah County sheriff says thermal drone led to arrest of man in child endangerment case ROLAND, OKLA. -- A man was arrested in the River Valley after reportedly abandoning a two-and-a-half-year-old child in a car on the side of a road, according to Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane.Adam... August 14, 2023

110-year-old Sebastian County Fair and Rodeo expects higher attendance with double the rodeo GREENWOOD -- The Sebastian County Fair and Rodeo expects to mark 110 years of service with a higher turnout than it saw over the past couple years.Randy Mitchell, president of the nonprofit Sebastian ... August 13, 2023

Greenwood approves two new noise ordinances to deal with possible cryptocurrency data centers GREENWOOD -- The City Council amplified and clarified its rules about loud noises to prepare for the possibility of crypto-miners taking root in the city.The council voted 4-0 Monday to adopt an emerg... August 13, 2023

Van Buren School District ends 2022-23 with $550,000 operating fund surplus, plans to use it for building projects VAN BUREN -- The School District plans to use $550,000 in excess money from the 2022-23 academic year to help carry out building and maintenance projects.The School Board unanimously voted at its meet... August 11, 2023

Official: Sebastian County progress can continue after voters green-light 10-year extension for 1% sales tax FORT SMITH -- About 75% of the voters in Sebastian County's special election Tuesday supported continuing the county's 1% sales and use tax for another 10 years.A total of 3,313 votes were cas... August 10, 2023

Sebastian County voters greenlight 10-year extension for 1% county sales tax FORT SMITH -- About 75% of the people who participated in the Sebastian County special election Tuesday voted in favor of continuing the county's 1% sales and use tax for another 10 years.3,313 to... August 9, 2023

County, city voters back tax extensions FORT SMITH -- Residents in Sebastian and Crawford counties voted to continue two separate sales taxes in special elections Tuesday.Sebastian County residents voted in favor of allowing the county to c... August 9, 2023

Sebastian County, Alma residents turn out to support 1% sales tax extensions FORT SMITH -- Residents in Sebastian and Crawford counties voted to continue two separate sales taxes in special elections Tuesday.Sebastian County residents voted in favor of allowing the county to c... August 8, 2023

New peer recovery program at Logan County jail set to help deal with opioid addiction, recidivism PARIS -- A new recovery program at the Logan County jail aims to address drug addiction and, by extension, crime and recidivism in the community.The Logan County Sheriff's Office and the Western A... August 6, 2023

Greenwood Parks Department, community members team up for adaptive playground project GREENWOOD -- The city Parks Department and residents are raising money to give children with disabilities in south Sebastian County a new place to play with help from an outside nonprofit organization... August 6, 2023

Man arrested in connection with Fort Smith fatal hit-and-run FORT SMITH -- A man was arrested in connection with a vehicle collision on Saturday that left one dead and another injured.Aric Mitchell, police spokesman, wrote in a Wednesday news release Apolinar J... August 3, 2023

Alma man arrested after investigation of Fayetteville man's death GREENWOOD -- The Sebastian County Sheriff's Office arrested a man after another man was pronounced dead at the scene of a disturbance call Tuesday.Philip Pevehouse, spokesman for the Sheriff's... August 2, 2023

Sebastian County civil rights trial moved to February FORT SMITH -- A jury trial for a federal civil rights lawsuit involving the Sebastian County sheriff's office and Greenwood Police Department has been postponed until next year.Michelle McEntire, ... August 2, 2023

Greenwood mayor authorizes tighter water use restrictions in light of ‘extreme hot weather’ GREENWOOD -- The ongoing summer heat has driven the city to enact stricter conservation procedures for all city water users as of Monday afternoon.Greenwood announced through email and social media Mo... August 1, 2023

Lawsuit claiming excessive force in Sebastian County arrest gets new trial date FORT SMITH -- A jury trial for a federal civil rights lawsuit involving the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office and Greenwood Police Department has been postponed until next year.Michelle McEntire, ... August 1, 2023

Sebastian County, Alma prepare for Aug. 8 sales tax elections; early voting starts Tuesday FORT SMITH -- Voters on both sides of the Arkansas River will be able to start weighing in this week on whether to continue existing sales taxes.Early voting for special elections in Sebastian County ... July 30, 2023

Van Buren City Council OKs $89,600 for skate park project dirt work, $727,000 for new fire truck VAN BUREN -- Construction for a planned skate park in the seat of Crawford County is set to begin next month, while the city's Fire Department will receive a much-needed boost for its vehicle flee... July 30, 2023