Ft. Smith Police Dept Awarded

CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, awarded the Ft. Smith Police Department the Law Enforcement Accreditation for the fifth time.  CALEA con- cluded in a release, "CALEA congratulates the Ft. Smith Police Department for demonstrating a commitment to professional excellence thru accreditation."

The award remains in effect for three years.  The agencies to receive it are chosen by a governing body made up of twenty-one commissioners.  Interview sessions and public feed- back both have an effect in the process.

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Disaster Relief Office In Van Buren Closing

At the end of business on August 7, the disaster recovery center in Van Buren will close, according to a news release.  It is located in the old Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Building at 615 Pointer Trail Drive.  Hours of operation thru the 7th are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

The office was opened by officials with FEMA, along with the U. S. Small Business Admini- stration to help aid residents in nine Arkansas counties affected by the May and June flood- ing.  Crawford and Sebastian counties were included.

Anyone that has previously registered for assistance, can go online at www.DisasterAssis- tance.gov to check on their claim or if they have any questions after August 7 or they can call 800-621-3362.  The deadline to register for assistance with FEMA is August 25.

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1st Reading Of Food Truck Regulations In Greenwood Approved

Greenwood City Council has approved the first of three readings regarding mobile food truck regulations.  They are very similar to the ones in Ft. Smith, according to Mike Hamby, City Attorney.  Some of the concerns in regard to the food trucks are to have them in an area of the City that would not hinder the flow of traffic and that the vendors pay taxes.

During next month's meeting, they will have the second reading of the ordinance and discuss it further.

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Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Internet Stalking

According to a Crawford County official, 44 year-old Ricky Don Flynn was arrested after a- ttempting to set up a sexual encounter with a 13 year-old girl via Facebook.  The Crawford County Sheriff's Department was informed of suspicious activity by the parents of the child.  Officials said Flynn has four other Facebook profiles.

Flynn was driving from Ozark to Alma to meet with the girl, according to an official with the Crawford County Sheriff's Department.  When he arrived, the Sheriff's Department and the Van Buren Police Department were waiting for him.  Flynn, at that time, was arrested on suspicion of Internet stalking a child.

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OK Foods, Inc Hiring 100 workers

OK Foods, Inc. of Ft. Smith issued a statement saying the company is seeking to fill 100 po- sitions at its Ft. Smith facility.  It stated that all interested applicants are invited to apply online at www.OKFoods.com, click on the Careers link.

It also said in the release that the company is an equal opportunity employer and that if you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using their website to apply for employment, contact their Human Resources Department at 479-494-6301.

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Director Suggest Animal Control Be Under Sanitation Dept

Ft. Smith Board of Directors are seeking ways to increase money going into the police and firefighters' pension fund.  George Catsavis, Ward 4 Director, wants to discuss the possibi- lity of the Police Department's 5-man Animal Control Unit being placed under the Sanitation Department, which is its own enterprise.

Currently the Animal Control Unit is overseen by the Police Department.  It is at a yearly cost of approximately $600,000 which includes boarding fees paid to the Sebastian County Hu- mane Society.

Catsavis would like to bring the topic to a study session for discussion.

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Update: Police Warns Suspect Is Threat To Public Safety

The public is being warned by the Ft. Smith Police that 36 year-old Michael Lee Jones is armed and a threat to public safety.  Jones is a suspect in a home invasion that took place on July 27 near Greenwood.

A release stated investigators were told by Jones that he will not go back to prison and will have a violent encounter with law enforcement.

Jones is described as a white male, 6'1" tall and weighs approximately 170 lbs.  Anyone who sees Jones is urged by the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office to call 911.

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