Athletics Director of the Year Selected

It was announced Monday, June 10th that University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Athletic Director, Jeff Long, was selected as the Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year. Long, now in his sixth year with the University has hepled put Arkansas athletics in the national spotlight year in and year out. In this year alone, the University of Arkansas athletic programs have brought home 4 SEC Championships and one NCAA title in men's indoor track and field.

Oil Spill Clean Up Comes to an End

It's been three years since the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. BP, the company held responsible for the spill, has announced as of yesterday that  the U.S. Coast Guard is ending its clean up effort along Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. BP has spent more than 14 billion dollars on the clean up effort, and 70 million personnel hours in response to the spill that happened in April of 2010. The spill occurred after an explosion on the oil rig. The fire could not be put out and the rig sank, causing the largest oil spill in American history. The well that was connected to the rig spewed out an estimated 172 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf. Maintenance efforts will continue along 84 shoreline miles of Louisiana. Efforts of the clean up have much of the Gulf back to normal or at least the same as before the accident happened. 

Scott County Sheriff Honored

Wednesday afternoon in the Waldron High School Football Stadium, thousands of men, women, and children gathered to pay their final respects to Scott County Sheriff, Cody Carpenter. It was early Friday morning, during a swift water rescue attempt in Scott County, that 41 year old Cody Carpenter lost his life along with Arkansas Game and Fish officer, Joel Campora, and the two women they were trying to save. Carpenter was a man of God, who leaves behind a wife and four children. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all families involved.

Clear Channel Donates Billboards

Clear Channel Outdoor in Fort Smith has donated two billboards along Interstate 40 in Van Buren that feature Morgan Nick and the Help Bring Morgan Home message. It's been 18 years since Morgan Nick was kidnapped from a little league baseball field. Through the years Nick's family has kept the hopes of finding her alive. They are hoping the new billboards will continue to raise awareness about her disappearance. Colleen Nick, Morgan's mother' has founded the Morgan Nick Foundation, which is aimed at spreading information about missing children, bringing them home, and educating children about the safety issues they may face. For more information you can visit www.MorganNickFoundation.com

Summer Meals Provided by Area Schools

Nutritious and well balanced meals can be in short supply for some area children when schools let out for the summer break but schools in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas are opening their doors this summer to ensure that no child under 18 goes without a good meal. Nine elementary schools in Fort Smith including Ballman, Carnall, Morrison, Spradling, Trusty, Barling, Howard, Pike, and Sunnymede will all be serving lunch weekdays. Lunches are free for children under 18 and $3.25 for parents. Breakfast will also be served from 7:45am to 8:30am at five elementary schools in Fort Smith including Howard, Pike, and Morrison. Northwest Arkansas schools to serve lunch will include Owl Creek in Fayetteville with lunch starting at 11:00am. Parson Hills and Elmdale, both located in Springdale will begin serving lunch at 11:15am . Parents are encouraged to bring their kids out for a nutritious, well balanced meal. 

Cancer Center wants your Pony Tail

Fort Smith- The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Center is Fort Smith is asking for you pony tails.  On Saturday, June 1st, several registered hair stylist will be on hand at the Center to cut your ponytail and create a new hairstyle for you.  The event is called "Cuttin' Tails for Cancer" and will take place at 3324 South M Street in Fort Smith.  This location is at the Cancer Center and is located just south of Creekmore Park.  The hair will benefit local cancer patients.  The center also invites those to become sponsors of the event.  The more financial support provided the more wigs they can supply.  Full wig sponsor is $500 and will provide one wig.  A support sponsor is $100 or more and will go toward the purchase of wigs, hats, turbans and an in kind sponsor will go toward hats, scarfs, etc.  The number of wigs to be donated depends solely on the funds available.  Learn more about the event at facebook.com/CuttinTailsforCancer or by calling the Cancer Center.

Fort Smith City Services Hurting

(Fort Smith)- A special election will be held to renew the 1% sales tax on May 14th.  The current tax revenue is shared will all cities in Sebastian County and is divided among each city based on the population.  Fort Smith officials have said that almost three quarters of the current amount goes for emergency services meaning police and fire departments.  This funding represents 40 percent of those departments entire budgets.  The election is not a new tax but rather a renewal tax that was first implemented in 1994.  At that time county officials promised that each 10 years the tax renewal would be revoted on.  Other departments that depend on this funding are Libraries and City Transit.