Ft. Smith RR Crossings Need Repairs

During a recent Town Hall meeting, the Ft. Smith Board of Directors were presented with a suggestion from Richard Griffin, Chairman of Ft. Smith's Central Business Improvement District.  The suggestion was for them to come up with a plan to address the problem of the rough railroad crossings in the city, specifically near Riverfront Drive on B Street.  According to Jeff Dingman, Acting City Administrator, B Street is considered a state route.  Griffin stated he has not had any success receiving help from either the railroad or the state.

The City has been given permission by the state to purchase and install concrete railroad crossing panels at an average cost of $40,000 per panel, Mayor Sandy Sanders said.  Ward   2 Director Andre Good said he has been trying to get improvements on a crossing on 6th Street for years.  Good feels that the City can multi-task regarding crossings instead of giv- ing priority to one.

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Children Removed From Boys Shelter

The Ft. Smith Boys Shelter has been empty for two months.  According to the Shelter's Board President, Bryan Merry, in June a child called the Department of Human Services hotline ma- king allegations against the shelter.  The DHS then removed all the children.  He said usually there are four staff and ten children on site.  Merry said "I do not know what the allegations were.  I just know that they were bad enough to have all the children removed." 

One of the main donors for the shelter is the United Way of Ft. Smith.  Their director, Eddie Lee Herndon, said they did not find out until Thursday about the removal of the children.  Herndon stated that it is a serious situation and that they will be reviewing it.  He also said the United Way will have to discuss whether the donations for the past two months will have to be returned by the shelter.

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Rudy Man Injured In One-Vehicle Accident

Maynard R. Brasher of Rudy received a head injury after being involved in a one-vehicle accident.  It happened five miles north of Muldrow on U. S. 64B.  According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol preliminary report, Brasher, 53, left the roadway to the right for an unknown reason, after which he over-corrected causing the 2000 Chevrolet pickup to leave the road- way.  It then proceeded approximately 115 feet down an embankment, rolling three times, coming to rest on its wheels in a ditch.

The reported stated Brasher was not wearing a seat belt.  It also stated there was an odor of alcoholic beverages on his person.  Brasher was admitted to Sparks Regional Medical Center in Ft. Smith in critical condition.

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Board Approved Grant In Connection With Fluoridation

August 4, the final step in the fluoridation of Ft. Smith's water was approved by the Board of Directors.  To pay for engineering services, a $249,000 grant from Delta Dental was approv- ed in a 5-2 vote.  The fluoride feed systems will be at the water plants which are located at Lake Ft. Smith and Lee Creek.

A $2 million grant, also from Delta Dental, was approved by the Board last fall to fund equip- ment for the fluoridation process.  Steve Parke, Utilities Director, wrote in a memo to city officials "The grant condition to complete the work and begin feeding fluoride into the water supply is March 16, 2016."

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New Emergency System Being Promoted

A free service to enhance communication and response, called Smart 911, is being promoted by the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office.  Representatives from their office have been going to local cities in the county telling residents about the service.

A news release from the Sheriff's Office stated "Information contained in the profile could include medical information, address details or photos of you or your family."  This will be able to be viewed by emergency operators when 911 calls are made from phone numbers connected to the account.  Residents may register for free at smart911.com.  An app called ICE also is available for smart phones.

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House Fire Catches Neighboring House On Fire

Ft. Smith fire crews were called to a house at 1206 S. 'P' Street just before midnight Wed- nesday.  According to Battalion Chief Skip Mathews, flames were coming out from the roof when they arrived.  The house next door had also caught on fire.

There was no one home at the time of the fire.  However, the family inside the house next door was able to make it out safely.  The Fire Marshal is looking into several possibilities as the cause, including a lightening strike.

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Armed Robbery At Fort Smith Bank

According to a Ft. Smith Police Department official release, the First National Bank located at 9300 Hwy 71 was robbed just before 3 p.m. Tuesday.  The suspect is described as a white male, close to 6' tall and weighs approximately 200 lbs.  The release stated he was armed with a handgun and carrying a blue pillowcase.

He left with an undisclosed amount if cash, according to Sargent Daniel Grubbs.  The suspect was last seen driving an older model silver Ford Taurus and was possibly heading toward Greenwood.

You are asked to call the Ft. Smith Police Department if you have any information regarding the suspect.

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