'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' Campaign In Progress

As part of the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' Campaign, the presence of local law enforce- ment will be seen.  In a news release, Van Buren Police Corporal Jonathan Wear said "For everyone's sake, don't drink and drive or you will be arrested."

The release stated it is illegal in every state to drive with a blood alcohol concentration, or a BAC, of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.  Even if no one is killed or hurt, a DWI arrest can result in jail time, suspension of driver license, expensive court and legal fees, as well as an increase in a person's insurance rate.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10,076 people were killed in the U. S. in 2013 in drunken-driving crashes.  The campaign began the week of June 29 and will go thru the 5th of July.

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Kimmons Jr. H. Loses Asst Principal To Cancer

On June 28, Michael Norwood, Assistant Principal at Kimmons Jr. High passed away, losing his fight to an aggressive form of cancer.  According to Principal David James Watkins, not many people were aware that Norwood was ill, due to the fact he was a very private person when it came to his medical history.  Watkins has known Norwood for 19 years.

There was a gathering Monday, June 29 at school where friends, faculty and students shared their memories of him.  The next evening, a balloon release was held at Kimmons Jr. High in memory of Norwood.  He was 62 years old.

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Special Guest Attending Mayor's Luncheon

The Annual Van Buren Mayor's Prayer Luncheon will be held July 7th.  There will be a very  special guest attending this year, Governor Asa Hutchinson.  Mayor Bob Freeman, as well   as other local and state leaders plan to attend.  The organizers of the luncheon are the Van Buren's Kiwanis Club and Sparks Medical Center.

Raymond Harvey, Kiwanis Club President, said he hopes to hear how the Governor's faith helped him in his life and career.  Tickets will be $20.  You can go to the Club's Facebook page for information on to purchase tickets.

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Issuing Of Food Truck Permits Slow

Even though the Ft. Smith Board of Directors approved last month to allow food trucks downtown, only nine permits have been issued, all of which were for locations on private property and not on public property.  Some of those were renewals of existing businesses.  Twenty-nine licenses had been issued before the May vote.  Previously, the permits were issued for 120 days at the cost of $250.  Now, they are good for one year and cost $150.

According to Brenda Andrews, Ft. Smith Senior Planner, there are more than 300 eligible par- king spaces for food trucks downtown.  The vendors are not allowed to operate their food trucks downtown on state highways such as Garrison Ave.  The hours of operating are from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on public city streets downtown and rights-of-ways.

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Veterans Statue Project Progressing

The River Valley Veterans National Cemetery Association has worked for the past seven years to raise $25,000 for the construction of a statue.  It arrived in Ft. Smith on June 26.  It will be placed at the Ft. Smith National Cemetery as a tribute to all of the veterans who died in combat and to all those still fighting for America's freedom.  Member Robert Castillo has been working on the project in honor of his oldest son, A. J. who gave the ultimate sacrifice three years ago.

The organizers are still working on getting around $25,000 needed to pay the statue off.  An official dedication ceremony unveiling the statue to the public is being planned for November.

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Search For Missing Ft. Smith Man Suspended

Authorities have been looking for William Darrell Buchanan of Ft. Smith since he was re- ported missing on June 16.  As of Friday, June 26, the search has been suspended.  Bu- chanan was last seen in the Fianna Hills area.  Sargent Doug Brooks said that over 4,000 acres have been searched, finding nothing.

Buchanan is described as a white male in his early 50's with black hair and brown eyes.  He weighs approximately 180 lbs and is around 5'11" tall.  Jeff Turner, Sebastian County Emer- gency Management Director said some of the search and rescue crews that are familiar with the vicinity are still combing the area, even though the search is officially suspended.

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Possible Budget Cut To Help Fund Pensions

Several departments of the City of Ft. Smith will be affected by a proposed General Fund budget decrease.  The cut is in an effort to help fund pensions for firefighters and police officers.  The Ft. Smith Board of Directors earlier this month voted 5-2 in favor of an ordi- nance that changed the retirement benefit program.  Under the new one, they will have to work three years longer in order to receive the maximum benefits.

On July 21, the Board will be asked to consider approving a 3% cut to the General Fund bud- get, which would be earmarked for pensions.  Included in the departments that would exper- ience reductions would be the Fire Department in the amount of $190,000 and $290,000 from the Police Department's annual budget.

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