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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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