New Fight Song For Southside

Southside High School has a new fight song.  It is "Wabash Cannonball".  The new song was chosen unanimously by a fight song committee.  The version that will be used is a fast one, not the original slow version.

"Dixie" had been the school's fight song since the high school opened in 1963.  It was retired July 27 immediately after a unanimous vote by the School Board.  The school's Rebel mascot, which will be phased out in a year, also started in 1963.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Committee For New Mascot

There was a unanimous vote by the Ft. Smith School Board on July 27 to replace Southside's mascot, which is the Rebel.  Wayne Haver, principal of Southside, will chair and assemble a committee that will find the school a new one.  Haver said the committee will probably have around twenty members, consisting of current and former students, current and former faculty and some citizens.  It is expected that by the 2016-2017 school year, a new mascot will be in place.


The new mascot committee should possibly be ready to meet sometime in September.  One thing the committee will do as part of the choosing process, will be to take suggestions.  It has been estimated that the change will cost more than $200,000.  There are many things affected by it, including the band trailer, concession stands, scoreboard and uniforms, just to name a few.  Rebel has been the mascot since 1963.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Ft. Smith Directors Table Annexation

A proposal to annex the new stretch of Interstate 549 to the intersection of U. S. 71 was discussed during a study session of the Ft. Smith Board of Directors earlier this week.  However, it was agreed by a majority of the Directors to shelve the proposal.  The size of the proposed area is approximately 875 acres.

Kevin Settle, At-Large Director, believes the area is the future growth for the City.  Ward 2 Director Andre Good says at some point it will be a good investment, but not at this time.  At-Large Director Don Hutchings asked where would the money come from. The cost of offering city services to the proposed area was a concern, with estimates for sewer-related utilities and water system improvements being over $10 million.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Visitor's Bureau Using Technology

The Ft. Smith Advertising & Promotion Commission were told this week that the Visitor's Bureau is using technological advancements to promote the City.  Caroyln Joyce, tour and travel Sales Director for the Ft. Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau said they are mailing convention and travel planners new jump drives.  They hold 4 gigabytes of information, which include video and presentation.  They cost less than the $3 in postage that the previ- ous packets required.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com 

Ft. Smith Woman Found Dead In Pool

On July 28, at a home located at 5117 Wirsing Ave, a woman was discovered dead in a pool.  She was home alone at the time of the incident and was wearing a bathing suit.  She has been identified as Donna Turner.  Turner, 56, was found by her husband.

According to police, it is not clear if the death was an accident.  However, foul play is not suspected, police said.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Library Of Congress Working On Veterans Project

Arkansans who served in war, are urged by Senator John Boozman to participate in a project regarding veterans.  The Library of Congress is gathering stories from all across the country from veterans.  According to Boozman (R-Ark), 1000 Arkansans have already taken part.  However, he would like to see more.

In an effort to gather more accounts of war, two workshops are being set up in Arkansas.  One will be held Saturday August 1 in Springdale at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History.  For more information call 501-725-0400.

This project will help Americans understand the sacrifices veterans make, Boozman said.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com 

Van Buren Cemetery Receives Help After Vandalism

A grant is being sought thru the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program to help in repairing broken monuments in a Van Buren cemetery.  The Fairview Cemetery was vandalized during the weekend of July 18th and 19th.  Randy Smith, a volunteer at the cemetery, is working on the grant.  Smith said a total of thirty-five headstones from the Victorian-era were affected by the incident, thirty of which were pushed over and five broken.  Although there isn't an exact dollar amount of the damage, he estimates it to be around $10,000.

According to Smith, after speaking with Cotner Monuments in Ft. Smith and Ocker Monu- ments in Van Buren, they are volunteering their services at no charge to reset and re-point the thirty that were toppled over.

If the suspect or suspects are found, police said they could face felony criminal charges.  If you have any information about who may have vandalized the cemetery, call Crimestoppers at 78-CRIME or Van Buren Police at 479-474-1234.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

5 Year-Old Killed In House Fire

A house fire broke out early Tuesday in Scott County claiming the life of a 5 year-old boy.  It happened south of Waldron in the Jenkins community on U. S. 71.

According to Scott County Sheriff Terry Staggs, three adults and two children were able to escape.  The body of the 5 year-old was found in a bedroom.  Staggs said no foul play is suspected.  The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Southside School Mascot & Song Banned

In a 7-0 vote, the Ft. Smith School Board voted Monday, July 27 to ban the mascot and song of Southside High School.  There were approximately 200 people who attended the meeting.

According to Dr. Benny Gooden, Superintendent for the Ft. Smith School District, a new fight song will be selected.  They may have others later on.  Johnny Reb, the school's mascot, will be replaced for the 2016-2017 school year.

Deanie Mehl, School Board President, said "The new mascot will be decided by a committee that consists of alumni, students also some members of the business community.  This is not something the board will decide."

The School Board said it will cost approximately $200,000 to make changes to Southside High School uniforms.  The district does have funds set aside that will be used for the change.

 For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Former Roland Deputy Town Clerk Sentenced

It was announced on July 23 in a news release that Joetta Tyler-Hyde of Sallisaw has been sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $100,505.  Tyler-Hyde, 54, was formerly the Roland Deputy Town Clerk.  She was found guilty of theft of federal program funds between 2009 and her resignation in January 2013.

Tyler-Hyde will serve her sentence at the Bureau of Prisons beginning September 15.  After her prison time is served, she will be placed under home-detention for six months, followed by three years of supervised release.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Lawsuit Filed Against Ft. Smith School Board Members

Attorney Joey McCutchen filed a lawsuit on July 23 on behalf of Curtis Sorrells, a Ft. Smith resident, against Ft. Smith School Board members.  The lawsuit alleges that when the re- commendation to retire Southside's song and mascot was voted on by the Board in June, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act open meetings provision was violated.

The members who meet as the Committee of the Whole, which makes recommendations to the full Board, are the ones targeted in the lawsuit.  They are School Board members Jeannie Cole, Yvonne Keaton-Martin, Susan McFerran, Deanie Mehl and Wyman R. "Rick" Wade, Jr.

The lawsuit contends that only a closed meeting for the discussion of Superintendent Benny Gooden's yearly performance was called for on the meeting's notice for June 23.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

County To Receive Electronic Voting Machines

Sebastian County is set to receive 167 state-of-the-art electronic voting machines worth over $986,000.  They are one of four pilot counties in the state.  The quorum court voted in June, 10-1 in favor of the project.  The machines are courtesy of the office of Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin.  More will have to be purchased by the county if they intend to have a totally electronic voting system.

The recommendation of purchasing enough backup equipment and other materials so that the county will have 250 machines, was made by the Sebastian County Election Commission in a memo to the quorum court.  It will cost the quorum court $392,090 to fund the equip- ment to go totally electronic.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com    

Fatal Apartment Fire In Ft. Smith

Ft. Smith fire crews responded to an apartment fire at 12:26 p.m. Sunday.  Upon arrival at the Cambridge House Apartments at 4001 Rogers Ave, they found #20 in flames.  Two resi- dents were using fire extinguishers to battle the blaze.

According to Battalion Chief Boyd Waters, CPR was administered to a 62 year-old, who was inside the unit.  The man was then transported to Mercy Hospital, where he later died.  His name has not been released.

The victim had used a home unit oxygen machine to assist with his breathing.  It was not the type that used bottles.  The apartment manager stated the victim had terminal cancer.  Waters said the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined and that it is under investigation.

Furniture inside the apartment was damaged, he said.  However, there was no structural damage to the apartment complex.

For more stories visit us a www.kyhnradio.com

Reminder: Office In Van Buren To Assist Flood Victims

There is now an office in Van Buren to help residents that were affected by the flooding in May and June.  There were nine counties on the list, including Crawford and Sebastian.  It has been set up by officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with the U. S. Small Business Administration and is located at the old Arkansas Valley Electric Coop- erative building at 615 Pointer Trail Drive.

The office is open Monday thru Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.  The facility will remain open daily until services are no longer needed.

For more stories visit us a www.kyhnradio.com 

Library Possibly Raising Fees

The Ft. Smith Library is needing to bring in more revenue.  One thing that the leaders are considering is to go from $35 to $40 for the annual nonresident library card fee.  Residents of Ft. Smith are not charged a fee.  The library staff is concerned that the increase will cause more unpleasant situations with nonresidents, than they already encounter.  Jennifer Goodson, Library Director, wants to have further discussion with the board and staff regard- ing the fee.

Other considerations they are looking at doing is the possibility of implementing new fees and seeing what cost reductions they can do.  The library is trying to not have to rely much at all in 2016 on reserve funds.  $500,000 cash has been used from the reserves since the year 2010.  6% of the City's portion of a 1% Sebastian County sales tax funds the library.  There's also a 1-mill tax on personal and real property they receive.

For more stories visit us a www.kyhnradio.com

Nonprofits Cut From Next Year's Budget

In order to help with the funding of police and firefighters' pensions, there was a vote taken at the Ft. Smith Board of Directors' meeting on July 21 to cut out funding for nonprofit agencies.  The dollar amount is $145,800 annually.  There were twenty-six nonprofit agen- cies that received part of that, this year.

The vote was 4-3 to eliminate the funding.  Keith Lau, Mike Lorenz, Tracy Pennartz and Kevin Settle were the members who voted in favor of the elimination.  George Catsavis, Andre Good and Don Hutchings were against it.

Before the vote was taken, the Directors were asked to postpone their decision by Deborah Goad, Executive Director of The Arc for the River Valley.  She said "The support we receive from the City makes a huge difference in what we can do in accomplishing our mission."  The motion made by Catsavis to table the vote for sixty days, failed.

A vote to cut certain General Fund budgets by 3% was postponed by the Board.

For more stories visit us a www.kyhnradio.com

City Conducted Testing Of Sewer Systems

Recently in Ft. Smith, testing was done on the City's north side of the underground sewer systems.  The utility department crews are specifically looking for any holes or erosion that may have happened over the past year.  They do this by blasting smoke thru the system.  The crews are looking for smoke coming out of the ground, which would indicate a main line break in that part of the sewer system or a clean out was needed.

Although the theatrical smoke poses no danger to residents, it can give them a scare.  A- ccording to the Fire Department, the smoke can come up under a sink, thru a sink and the toilet causing it to appear that the house is on fire.  In the coming weeks it is being planned by the City to do similar testing in other areas of Ft. Smith.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Additional Acreage Wanted For Medical College

An additional 77 acres at Chaffee Crossing is being sought for the future Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine.  This is in addition to the 200 acres of land that was donated.

The entity set up under The Degen Foundation to run the college is Arkansas Colleges of Health Education.  CEO of the entity, Kyle Parker, stated the added acreage would give opportunities for outdoor recreation, as well as offer a buffer for the college.

The Foundation is offering $400,000 for the 77 acres.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Police Search For Suspects In Armed Home Robbery

There is a search going on for two suspects in connection with an armed home robbery.  Dispatchers with the Ft. Smith Police said the robbery happened at approximately 1 a.m. Thursday morning on N. 7th Street.

Officers said one of two suspects was armed with a revolver.  Both had their faces covered with bandanas.

Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to call the Ft. Smith Police Department at 479-709-5012 or the Crimestoppers Tip Line at 78-CRIME.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Update: Names Released In Shooting

Dwight Neal Hawley of Ft. Smith has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of 20 year-old Carlos Araujo-Mejia.  The incident took place Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at a homeless camp along the Arkansas River near S. 4th & "I" Streets.  Hawley, 53, Araujo-Mejia and 32 year-old Mindy Garrett, Araujo-Mejia's girlfriend got into an argument.

Hawley is charged with first degree murder. 

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Ft. Smith Director Defends Size Of Waterpark

During a community meeting, defense of the size of Parrot Island Waterpark took place after some comments were made by citizens.  One comment was that the water park was "no big- ger than a bathtub."  Another was that, several times, capacity of the park had been reach- ed.

Kevin Settle, At-Large Director, responded that the facility would cost too much to run if it had been built too large.  He said Parrot Island, for this area, is a huge park with a capacity of 1,800 people, in and out of the water.  Settle went on to say that it is the only place that has a wave pool, besides Little Rock.  The facility also contains the tallest slides in Arkan- sas, free-standing at 42 feet.  The $5 million aquatics center was open to the public over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Greenwood Began Fluoridation Of Water

The City of Greenwood began pumping fluoride into its water supply on July 20.  Residents were notified on their water bills of the change.  The fluoridation was done to comply with the law that was passed in 2011 by the state legislature requiring water plants that serve more than 5,000 people to add the ingredient to their system.  Greenwood has approxima- tely 9,000 residents.

The funding for the process came from a grant.  According to Doug Kinslow, Mayor, half of the City's water is purchased from James Fork, which has always had fluoride.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Lavaca To See Major Improvements

Lavaca will soon see changes.  They will begin some major projects, which include drainage improvements, installation of curbs and widening of roadways.  The area which is to receive the improvements will begin at N. Division Street from the intersection of west Main Street, continuing north to the intersection with Houston Street.

The estimated cost is approximately $425,000, which will paid out of the Street Fund.  No time frame for completion has been set at this time.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Presidential Hopeful To Speak In Van Buren

Saturday, August 12, the Republican Party of Crawford County will be hosting the annual Lincoln Day Dinner.  The keynote speaker at this year's event is scheduled to be U. S. Senator Ted Cruz, Republican presidential hopeful. 

The dinner will be held at Van Buren High School - 2001 Pointer Trail East.  It will begin at 5:45 p.m., with a VIP reception, which will be followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.  The program is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com 

Subject Of Silver Alert Found Safe

A Silver Alert had been issued by the Sallisaw Police Friday for James Sigler, after he did not arrive in Ft. Smith on a bus from California, as scheduled.  The bus had stopped in Okla- homa City and Sallisaw.  He was thought to have been seen in Sallisaw.

Sigler, 76, was to have met his daughter in Ft. Smith.  However, when the Greyhound bus arrived, only his bags were found.

That alert has been cancelled.  He was found safe in Oklahoma City.  

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

FOP Investigates Some Ft. Smith Board Members

Some of the Ft. Smith Board of Directors members are the subject of a private investigation started by the Fraternal Order of Police.  According to Matthew Holloway, FOP President, there are concerns that the chapter has regarding decisions that are being made by the City Directors concerning the cuts to pensions.  Holloway said the FOP was concerned when their retirement took a 10% cut.  Now, there is talk about doing a 5% pay cut.

He said "Millions and millions of dollars are being decided and we're going to check into their backgrounds to see if they're capable of running their businesses in their own lives, let alone the city's life."

Holloway would not say which directors are under investigations, but said it is not all of them.  He also said the public would be informed if any problems were discovered.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Homeless Coalition Closes On Purchase

The former home of Riverside Furniture located at 301 S. 'E' Street will hopefully be the future home of the Riverview Hope Campus.  On July 17, the Old Ft. Homeless Coalition finalized the $603,000 purchase of the estimated 127,500 sq ft building and lot.  Approx- imately 30,000 sq ft of the facility will be remodeled.

It will be done in three phases over the next few years.  The facility will include seventy-five low-barrier beds, a worship center and on-site medical and mental services.  The coalition is hoping to break ground in September, with plans to open the campus next summer.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

No R R Bistro At Chaffee

The Red Rooster Bistro was to make its home in the historic Maness Schoolhouse located at 8801 Wells Lake Road in Chaffee Crossing.  However, that has changed.  In late January, the BKG LLC at 4620 Rogers Ave, the location of Red Rooster Bistro, filed Chapter 11.  A restau- rant is still going in.  It will be called the StoneHouse Restaurant.  The proprietor is Dave Rolens, who has another business downtown.  The StoneHouse will primarily be a steak- house, focusing on meat and produce grown locally.

The completion of the Maness Schoolhouse was in February of 1931, according to website of the Chaffee Crossing Historic District.  The Army Joint Readiness Training Center was the last to use the building in 1994.  In 2003, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Make-A-Wish Foundation Surprises 7 Yr-Old Boy

The Make-A-Wish Foundation gave Timothy Moore, 7, a very special surprise.  Timothy, who was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 4 years-old, will be going to Disney World and LE- GOLAND in Florida.  The Foundation had his reveal party on July 18 in Van Buren at the Wheels In Motion.

Timothy's mother, Harmonie Moore, said up until the time of the reveal, he had no idea they were going to Disney World, LEGOLAND and the beach.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Home Burglary Suspects Arrested In Alma

Two suspects were arrested in connection with a home burglary that took place near Alma.  Kena Dye and Keith Puckett were arrested in a nearby industrial park just hours after the incident happened.  They had fled the scene when a police officer responded while the burglary was in progressed.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Memorial Run Held For Shooting Victim

The memorial run held Saturday, July 18 in honor of Brent Morrison, had over 100 runners participate.  Morrison, 44, was shot and killed while running on Wells Lake Road on July 11.  The suspect is 24 year-old John Paul Suleski.

The event was organized by the group Western Arkansas Runners.  Orange balloons were released from the same area where Morrison was killed.  Dianne Morrison, his wife, hopes   to turn the memorial run into an annual event.  She has plans to raise money to build more trails.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Sex Offenders Moving Into Crawford County

Officials say there are two registered sex offenders that will be moving into Crawford Cou- nty.  According to Crawford County Prosecutor Mark McCune, one of them is Kyle Harvey, who will be residing in Alma in the 6900 block of Dean Road.  The other is Matthew Harvey.  He will be living in the 8700 block of Oakleaf Way in Mulberry.

Court records show that Kyle Harvey was convicted in 2012 for second-degree sexual assault involving a 12 year-old girl.  Matthew Harvey was convicted in 2013 of fourth-degree sexual assault involving a 15 year-old girl.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

FCRA Approve Offer On Land

At a meeting of the Ft. Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, the Board of Trustees considered $160,000 "a fair offer" for ten acres off Wells Lake Road.  Before approving the sale, how- ever, there was a discussion regarding who should pay the expense of having water and se- wer lines extended.  According to Ivy Owen, FCRA Director, the trust first began covering the cost to help draw sales.

The ten acres will be used for single-family development.  The extension of sewer service is included in the sale.  It will cost the FCRA $15-$20,000.  In the future, it is possible that the cost of utilities will be part of the package when land is sold.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Barling Official Responds To Communication Issue

The City of Barling experienced a major waterline break last week, after which they receiv- ed complaints from residents regarding lack of communication of the situation.  It had been said by a resident that the only thing they had was a phone number to call and that was the Police Department's number.

Mike Tanner, City Administrator, later responded to the issue.  He said "We have an auto- dialer system on our utility software, but there were so many calls that, for lack of a better word, it blew it up."  They are working on obtaining a better auto-dialer, Tanner said.  Also since the break, they have created a Barling Facebook.  He said the City already had a web- site.  However, at the moment, it is just a blank page.

According to Tanner, in the next five years, the City plans to replace the twenty-two feet of waterline that runs along Highway 22.  The original asbestos cement pipe was installed in 1968.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com 

I-549 Thru Chaffee Crossing Officially Open

On July 14, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the opening of the stretch of Interstate 549 that runs thru Chaffee Crossing.  Among those who attended were Governor Asa Hutch- inson, state and local leaders, as well as Arkansas Highway Department representatives.

It is 6.5 miles long and will eventually be called I-49.  U.S. 71 in southern Ft. Smith and Se- bastian County are connected to Arkansas 22 in Barling by this $130 million project.  Upon completion, I-49 will cover 1700 miles between New Orleans and Winnipeg, Canada.  315 miles of that is in Arkansas.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com    

Ft. Smith Study Session Discusses Pension Funding

July 16 there was a Ward 3-specific community meeting held at the the Ft. Smith Senior Activity Center.  The study session was hosted by the Mayor and Board of Directors.  There were several topics discussed with an estimated 60 residents in attendance.  One of the topics was that of the City's interest to annex land to the intersection of U. S. 71 and the Interstate 549.

Wally Bailey, Planning Director, said it hasn't been decided upon yet.  After a while the sub- ject of annexation was pushed from the session to allow continued discussion of police and fire pensions.

It is expected by the City to spend $900,000 more than it receives, just this year alone, for pension funding.  Residents wanted to know how the City was going to pay for it.  Mike Lorenz, Ward 3 Director, said there is not a complete answer right now.  He also stated to ensure proper funding, every option would have to be looked at.

Projects that have an impact upon Ward 3 residents, such as utilities and street work, were talked about by heads of City Departments. 

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com 

Office Opens In Alma To Assist Flooding Victims

Residents affected by the May and June flooding in nine counties in Arkansas are now able to seek assistance at an office in Van Buren.  The facility is at the old Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Building at 615 Pointer Trail Drive.  It was set up by officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with the U. S. Small Business Administration.

Included in the nine counties are Crawford, Garland, Sebastian and Sevier.  Residents will be given information regarding assistance programs from officials, as well as receiving help with aid applications.  The office will be open Monday thru Saturday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and 1 - 5 p.m. on Sunday.  The facility will be open daily until services are no longer needed.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com  

"Fill The Bus" Campaign To Be Held Soon

The United Way of Ft. Smith Area will be holding its 11th annual "Fill The Bus" program soon.  The program, formerly called "Stuff The Bus", asks the communities to donate school supplies.  Those donations will be received at all Walmart Supercenter locations in the area including Alma, Greenwood, Ft. Smith, Van Buren, Poteau and Sallisaw on July 24 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com   

Public Comments Sought On Ft. Smith Memorial

The construction of a memorial, as well as the naming of basketball courts in Ft. Smith, was requested of the City Parks Commission in June.  It has been asked that the courts located at Martin Luther King Jr. Park be named after Almer Lee, as well as a memorial.  Names were sought from the public, with the majority suggesting Lee.  The Commission voted earlier this month to go forward with honoring him.

Lee was a star at Northside High School and a former Razorback.  He was the first African-American at the University of Arkansas to letter in basketball.  He played for them from 1970-72.  Lee's career was ended by injuries.  He retired in 2013 from the Arkansas Depart- ment of Human Services after 25 years.  Lee passed away at the age of 63 in November of last year.

Comments are being accepted from the public regarding the recommendation from the Co- mmission.  They may be hand-delivered or mailed to the Parks & Recreation office - 3301 S. 'M' Street, Ft. Smith, AR 72903 thru August 3.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com 

Ft. Smith Man Drowns In Mulberry River

Bobby Ruth of Ft. Smith, drowned in the Mulberry River Tuesday afternoon just before 5 p.m.  According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Ruth, 58, was overtaken by the current, while he was fishing north of Ozark near Milton Ford.  There was an attempt to save him by three people on the scene. A U. S. Geological Survey chart showed that at the time of the incident approximately 700 cubic feet per second was being discharged by the river level.

Wednesday, the body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office to determine if Ruth may have suffered a heart attack before the incident.  A family member said he did have some medical issues.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Cash Bond Set For Barling Man In Shooting Death

Sebastian County Circuit Court Judge James O. Cox appointed a public defender Wednesday for 24 year-old John Paul Suleski of Barling.  Cox also set a $500,000 cash bond for him.

Suleski is accused of the shooting death of Brent Allen Morrison, 44 of Ft. Smith, on Satur- day, July 11th.  Dianne Morrison, the victim's wife, says her husband was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to officers, Suleski had parked in the area with inten- tions of killing himself, but instead fired his .22 rifle at Morrison as he ran by.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Ft. Smith Attorney Says School Board Violated Law

During a Ft. Smith School Board meeting in June, a motion was passed to ban the Southside High School's song and mascot.  However, Joey McCutchen, a Ft. Smith attorney, says the law was violated by the School Board due to the public not being given advance notice of the banning.  According to McCutchen, the only notice sent out for that meeting was the one re- garding the evaluation of the Superintendent.

The Ft. Smith School District issued this statement, "We do not believe that the school board has any legal exposure regarding the way that the meeting was conducted."  The Board is scheduled to make its final vote on July 27.  The meeting will be open to the pub- lic.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

City Of Greenwood To Begin Fluoridation

A law was passed by Arkansas legislators in 2011 requiring fluoridation of water systems that serve 5,000 customers or more.  This was to be done when funding became available.  The City of Greenwood, having almost 9,000 water customers, had comply with that law.  To cover startup costs, the City received a $124,000 grant from Delta Dental of Arkansas Foun- dation.

The State Health Department inspected the treatment plant July 9th.  A date of July 20th has been set by the City to begin the process of fluoridating its drinking water.   Due to having to wait on a prefabricated building in which the equipment would be housed, they didn't make their original date of April 1st.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Wildlife Park Proposed For Greenwood

There are plans for a wildlife park to be built on acreage located south of Greenwood city limits.  The property belongs to JR Wheeler and his wife Kristen and is located on the west side of Arkansas 71, south of Greenwood and the former Log Cabin Restaurant. 

The Wheeler's are working toward getting 150 acres of their land, plus other privately owned properties in between, annexed into the city limits.  The park would sit on 50 acres and will very likely cost more than $1 million.  The Wheeler's non-profit is seeking funding for the project.

According to Mike Hamby, Greenwood City Attorney, it takes between 45-60 days to receive a decision from a Sebastian County Judge regarding the annexation.  Upon approval, the Greenwood City Council would be presented the voluntary annexation ordinance for adop- tion.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Sale Of Coins Over Halfway To Goal

Sales of the U. S. Marshals Commemorative coins have been very good.  The maximum of 15,000, has been sold of the 3-coin sets.  There are still single coins available for purchase.  The museum receives surcharges of $35 for gold, $10 for silver and $3 for clad coins.

The commemorative coins went on sale January 29th of this year.  So far they have received over $3.5 million of their $5 million goal from the coins.  The museum has until the end of the year to meet that goal.  The revenue from the sales will help build the new U. S. Marsh- als Museum, which is scheduled to be completed in 2017 at a cost of $50 million.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Early Morning Fire Destroys Building

Ft. Smith firefighters responded to a call at approximately 12:30 a.m. Monday morning at the Links Apartment Complex.  According to Fire Marshal Tommy Bishop, the fire was in a maintenance building, which is considered a loss. It housed equipment, as well as around twenty golf carts. 

Bishop said the incident is still under investigation.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Ft. Smith Museum Of History To Host Reception

On July 18, an opening reception for the Goldman Hotel Exhibit will be hosted by the Fort Smith Museum of History.  It will be held at the museum located at 320 Rogers Ave beginning at 1 p.m.  The event will give an opportunity to area residents and visitors to see artifacts from one of Ft. Smith's cornerstone hotels.

A reproduction of a mural of the hotel lobby and photographs, along with other pieces of the hotel's history, will be featured at the reception.  The Goldman Hotel, located at the corner of Garrison Ave and N. 13th Street, opened on February 1, 1910.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

U. S. Marshals Museum Receives $25,000 Gift

Wells Fargo Advisors has presented a gift in the amount of $25,000 to the U. S. Marshals Museum.  According to a news release, it is the firm's largest gift in Oklahoma and the northwest region of Arkansas.  In the release, Jim Dunn, Museum President and CEO said "Wells Fargo has a long history with the U. S. Marshals Service and we look forward to a continued partnership with the organization as we move forward in building the institution."

The museum will use a portion of the grant to sponsor the upcoming Descendants Day.  The event is scheduled for July 25 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  It will be held at the foot of the Garrison Ave Bridge at the Frisco Station.  Admission is free.  Local food trucks will be available for food purchases.  It is the third Descendants Day held in Ft. Smith.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

First Ft. Smith Charter School Proposed

Future School of Ft. Smith is the name of a proposed charter school.  It would be the first for Ft. Smith and 24th in Arkansas.  According to founder Trish Flanagan, it will be tuition- free and open to the public.  An informational public meeting regarding the new school was held July 9th.  Flanangan said any student from Ft. Smith and the surrounding area that will be going into the 10th grade, will be able to sign up for the school. 

The Arkansas Department of Education should give their approval this winter, she said.  Then, recruiting of students would begin in the spring and summer of next year.  Students will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  It is expected by Flanagan to have 100-150 stu- dents for the first 10th grade class.  For every 100 students, there would be six teachers, initially, with one administrator.  The school would be at a temporary location, with the hope of locating at the U of A-Ft. Smith eventually.  They are a charter school partner.

There are two more public meetings scheduled.  Both will be held at the Elm Grove Commu- nity Center located at 1901 N. Greenwood Ave.  One will be Thursday, July 16 and the other on Tuesday, July 28, from 6-7:30 p.m.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com

Ft. Smith City Administrator Resigns

In what was a surprise to some, Ft. Smith City Administrator Ray Gosack announced his re- tirement Friday, which is effective August 10.  However, Gosack said that Friday was his last day in the office.  Jeff Dingman, Deputy City Administrator for four years, was appointed Friday afternoon in a special session as acting City Administrator.

Gosack believes it is time for him to retire.  He has held the position for four and a half years.

For more stories visit us at www.kyhnradio.com