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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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