Tag: Fort Smith

Two EF-1 Tornadoes Confirmed To Have Touched Down In River Valley Monday

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KFSM:

The National Weather Service of Tulsa says that two EF-1 tornadoes with winds up to 100 mph touched down in the River Valley Monday, April 11, just after 5 p.m.

One tornado touched down one mile south of Bloomer in Sebastian County, staying on the ground for a mile and containing winds up to 95 mph. According to the National Weather Service of Tulsa, the other tornado came down one mile east of Charleston in Franklin County, staying on the ground for nearly 2.5 miles, with winds up to 100 mph.

See also: TIMELINE: Severe Storm Risk Continues Into Tonight For Oklahoma

Fort Smith Freeze Warning Issued For Early Saturday

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Southwest Times Record:

Temperatures will dip near the freezing mark early Saturday on the southern edge of a cold front that includes the Arkansas River Valley, the National Weather Service reports.

Early spring crops could be threatened by frost, and plants outdoors may be at risk with temperatures dropping near 33 degrees in Fort Smith.

Areas of frost are expected after 3 a.m. Saturday.

The warning is for an area of western and northwest Arkansas, eastern and northeast Oklahoma and much of Kansas and Missouri.

The freeze warning is in effect from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday in Fort Smith.

How Fort Smith Can Help Springdale In Tornado Recovery

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Southwest Times Record:

An EF-3 tornado tore through Springdale Wednesday, leaving devastation and destruction of homes and businesses. 

The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-3 tornado caused damage in north Fayetteville, Johnson and Springdale shortly after 4 a.m. March 30. Seven people were injured with one man in critical condition after a tree reportedly fell on him. 

Residents of the Arkansas River Valley can help support recovery efforts by donating to Northwest Arkansas nonprofits. 

Severe Storms Could Hit 5 A.M. To 6 A.M. Wednesday In Fort Smith

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Southwest Times Record:

The National Weather Service has released a timeline for severe storms to arrive in Fort Smith and the Arkansas River Valley early Wednesday.

Severe storms are possible 5 a.m. to 6 a.m., the weather service reported Tuesday night.

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 a.m. could be severe. The low will be around 59. A south wind of 10 to 15 mph will have gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

On Wednesday, showers and thunderstorms are expected before 11 a.m., then showers are likely with a possible thunderstorm between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Steady temperatures will be around 63. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Get Your Buzz On Saturday At Elvis Haircut Day

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Southwest Times Record:

On March 25, 1958, the long locks of the King of Rock-n-Roll dropped to the Fort Chaffee barbershop floor.

Elvis Presley got his GI buzz at the Fort Chaffee Barbershop 64 years ago. On Saturday, March 26 this year, free haircuts will be offered again to commemorate the historic buzz cut.

“The Fort Chaffee Barbershop at the time was packed with reporters and photographers, videographers … from all around the world actually,” said Lori Robertson, director of marketing for the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority. “… It’s just a really cool vibe in the Barbershop Museum. We’ve had lines out the door before … (waiting for) whenever they could step up (to) the barber chair and get their buzz cut.”

The Fort Chaffee Barbershop Museum, 7313 Terry Street, will raise money for maintenance and repairs needed on the museum building where photographers and reporters documented the famous Elvis haircut by barber James Peterson. His son Jimmy Peterson has volunteered to cut hair for the event during past events.

In 1958, Jack Cleavenger was a photographer at the Times Record when Presley had the haircut. Cleavenger suggested Presley blow his freshly shorn hair out of his hand. Presley obliged, and it became one of the most famous pictures of the King. 

Fort Drum Deployment Facility Named For Famed World War II Officer

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WWTI:

The history of the Fort Drum rapid deployment facility has a history tied to World War II.

According to Fort Drum Public Affairs, the facility was named after William O. Darby, the officer who led the first Army Rangers during World War II and was the 10th Mountain Division’s assistant commander during the campaign in Italy.

Darby was born in 1911 in Fort Smith, Arkansas and grew up having a goal to attend the U.S. Military Academy after grading from Fort Smith High School in 1929.

Rainy Day Starts Spring Break In Fort Smith

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Southwest Times Record:

The first day of spring break Monday in Fort Smith was a cloudy one with rain, the National Weather Service reports.

Sunny skies and warm temperatures may not return until Friday for those on spring break.

Rain moved into Fort Smith and the Arkansas River Valley, extending into northwest Arkansas. 

Tuesday showers are possible after 7 a.m. with mostly cloudy skies.

Wednesday there is a chance for showers before 1 p.m. with northwest winds up to 15 mph and a low around 40 degrees.

Thursday will be partly sunny with a high near 53 degrees.

Temperatures will warm to near 67 degrees Friday with a light west wind and sunny skies.

Sunshine sticks around Saturday and Sunday as spring break winds down and school returns Monday for the rest of the spring semester. 

First National Donates $500,000 To Boys And Girls Club As Part Of Bank’s 150th Anniversary

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KATV:

First National Bank of Fort Smith celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary Thursday with an announcement that it is donating $500,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Smith for expansion and renovation of the Jeffery Club at 4905 N. O St.

The club will expand with a 4,100-square-feet addition and complete renovation of its 11,226 club, said Travis Beshears with Beshears Construction, a member of the FSBGC Board of Directors. The renovation and expansion, which will add an administration wing and make room for a new music and dance area for the members as well as an art studio and innovation lab, will cost about $3 million. Sam Sicard, president and CEO of FNB and president of the FSBGC Board of Directors, said about $1.4 million has been raised so far.

Gov. Hutchinson Notes History At First National Bank Of Fort Smith 150th AAnniversary

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Southwest Times Record:

Gov. Asa Hutchinson joined Fort Smith Mayor George McGill and First National Bank of Fort Smith officials for a reception Thursday to recognize their 150th anniversary and an upcoming exhibit about their history.

The reception in the lobby of the bank highlighted the upcoming exhibit at the Fort Smith Museum of History. The exhibit that will open in mid-July and feature parts of the bank history, said Caroline Speir, museum executive director.

Hutchinson said the bank has deep meaning to his family.

Elvis Haircut Day Celebration Returns To Fort Chaffee

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KFSM:

Over 60 years ago, a Fort Chaffee barber cut Elvis Presley’s hair, which would later become the “Elvis Buzz-cut,” and after two years, the Chaffee Barbershop Museum can celebrate the nationally known haircut once again.

The celebration and Elvis Bike Ride & Fun Run will take place on March 26, with participants invited to dress like Elvis Presley to ride or run around the block. 

For the bike ride and fun run, for ages 13 and up, the registration fee is $20 and will go toward maintenance of the Chaffee Barbershop Museum. Alternate adult and childrens’ ride and running routes will be available, with paid registrants receiving a t-shirt. Pre-Registration will start at 7:30 a.m, and Ride/runs starting in flights at 8:30 a.m.

Masks will be available to people to print and cut out to wear if they don’t have an Elvis costume with a few cut out and ready to hand out that morning. Free buzzcuts and refreshments will be available in the Chaffee Barbershop Museum 9a-Noon. All activities are free except for the run and ride.

Downtown Fort Smith Lane Closures Ahead For Painting Work

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Southwest Times Record:

Painting of crosswalks along Garrison Avenue will affect traffic at downtown Fort Smith intersections starting Wednesday, March 16, the City of Fort Smith reports.

Weather permitting, crews will begin the work at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 16 and continue through about 3 p.m. Thursday, March 31.

Work at the intersections on Garrison/U.S. 64, will be from N. 2nd Street to N. 14th Street and will require temporary lane closures for both eastbound and westbound traffic so stop bars can be painted at intersections, city officials report.

Traffic will be controlled with signage and traffic cones. One lane will remain open in each direction, but drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through all highway work zones, city officials report.

ARDOT Study Looks At Possible New U.S. 64 Route In Fort Smith

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KFSM:

On Thursday, March 10, ARDOT held one of a series of meetings looking at the impacts of trucking traffic along U.S. 64 in Fort Smith as it follows Garrison Avenue.

The City of Fort Smith has voiced some concerns about the traffic created by semi-trucks using U.S. 64 along Garrison Avenue as they continue to develop and revitalize downtown. The city also understands the importance of trucking commerce and its role in supplying businesses with what they need to operate.

Fort Smith should return to the glory days of having two downtown bridges. Van Buren has a few of them, Fort Smith should have at least two.

Funeral For Unclaimed Remains Of Veterans Held In Fort Smith

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KFSM:

Five veterans and a spouse of a veteran finally got the burial they deserved Friday, March 4, after their cremains went unclaimed for years.

Three WWII veterans, a Korean War veteran, a Vietnam War veteran, and the wife of a WWII veteran were all finally laid to rest. 

Gina Gustafson with the ‘Missing in America Project’ arranged the service after finding the unclaimed cremains at a fort smith funeral home. The organization’s mission is to find all remains of veterans across the country and give them proper burials. 

“I just like to see the respect that people have for the Veterans. There are so many people that have no respect for anything anymore, let alone for Veterans. It’s just so important and it just warms my heart completely,” she said. 

Steel Horse Rally Rolls Into Fort Smith In May

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KNWA:

The 2022 Steel Horse Rally thunders into downtown Fort Smith on May 6-7.

According to a press release, the 2021 Steel Horse Rally brought more than 135,000 visitors to Fort Smith and had an estimated local economic impact of $19.6 Million. The Steel Horse Rally Inc. is a non-profit charity that is dedicated to honoring all who serve and helping local charities and the community. 

The Steel Horse Rally Inc. board of directors has selected three local charities to benefit from the 2022 rally: Antioch for Youth and Family, the Fort Smith Boys Shelter and the Children’s Service League. The rally continues the tradition of offering a variety of action-packed events.

The 2022 event will see the return of the Steel Horse Rally Cops and Cones Motorcycle Exhibition. This fun and family-friendly event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, in the middle of Garrison Avenue in the 1100 block. It will feature motorcycle units from even more cities and municipalities this year who will be riding their motorcycles through the challenging course.

River Valley’s Chaffee Crossing Sees Record Growth In 2021

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Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:

Chaffee Crossing saw unexpected growth in 2021, bringing in money, jobs and experiences affecting the River Valley and its residents.

In 1995, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended closing Fort Chaffee, an Army base opened in 1941. After the closing, the government opted to lease 65,000 acres to the Arkansas Army National Guard for training. The remaining 7,000 acres were turned over to the local community for redevelopment.

The Arkansas Legislature formed the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority in 1997 to oversee the development of the land. The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority uses the revenue generated from land sales to reinvest into infrastructure and public use amenities, and has reduced land prices or conveyed property at no cost to expedite and enhance development for public benefit.

Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority’s 2021 report announced that Chaffee Crossing made a record $5 million in property sales revenue, more than double the nearly $2.5 million in 2020.