River Valley Democrat-Gazette

10/09/2025

Residents are already putting to use improvements at Tilles Park, which include new playground equipment and upgrades to the walking trails and basketball court. And so far, it all appears to be rave reviews.

FORT SMITH -- Residents are already putting to use improvements at Tilles Park, which include new playground equipment and upgrades to the walking trails and basketball court. And so far, it all appears to be rave reviews.

10/09/2025

Arkansas' Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the cult classic on Halloween weekend with performances at 11:55 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at the Whippoorwill Restaurant in downtown Fort Smith.

FORT SMITH -- Arkansas' Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the cult classic on Halloween weekend with performances at 11:55 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at the Whippoorwill Restaurant in downtown Fort Smith.

10/09/2025

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders pushed back this week after criticism from the Franklin County sheriff related to her administration's proposal to put a new 3,000-bed prison on 815 acres of land a few miles north of Charleston.

LITTLE ROCK -- Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders pushed back this week after criticism from the Franklin County sheriff related to her administration's proposal to put a new 3,000-bed prison on 815 acres of land a few miles north of Charleston.

10/09/2025

A December trial is scheduled for a former Alma school bus driver who has pleaded not guilty to assault after he struck a 10-year-old with his hand.

ALMA -- A December trial is scheduled for a former Alma school bus driver who has pleaded not guilty to assault after he struck a 10-year-old with his hand.

10/09/2025

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith volleyball team cruised to a sweep over in-state foe Arkansas-Monticello Tuesday, 25-17, 25-15, 25-19, in nonconference action in Monticello.

10/09/2025

The Fort Smith Police Department on Wednesday reported there have been 12 arrests in just over two months since its Violent Crimes Task Force was formed.

FORT SMITH -- The Fort Smith Police Department on Wednesday reported there have been 12 arrests in just over two months since its Violent Crimes Task Force was formed.

10/09/2025

Leaders of the Chickamauga Nation have set a news conference for Thursday evening to provide an update on their communications with the state regarding the Franklin County property selected for construction of a new 3,000-bed prison.

CHARLESTON -- Leaders of the Chickamauga Nation have set a news conference for Thursday evening to provide an update on their communications with the state regarding the Franklin County property selected for construction of a new 3,000-bed prison.

10/09/2025

A 63-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting a minor, telling the child he needed to check for sexually transmitted diseases after the youth reported an earlier sexual assault.

FORT SMITH -- A 63-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting a minor, telling the child he needed to check for sexually transmitted diseases after the youth reported an earlier sexual assault.

10/08/2025

Greenwood is set to see two big celebrations next year: one for the nation and the other for the city itself.

GREENWOOD -- Greenwood is set to see two big celebrations next year: one for the nation and the other for the city itself.

10/08/2025

The River Valley will receive more than $1 million in federal funding for alternative transportation and recreational trails projects, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

10/08/2025

Mansfield and Charleston flip flopped their spots in Class 3A in the latest Arkansas Sports Media Poll, which was released Monday afternoon.

10/08/2025

The Fayetteville Lady Purple Bulldogs rolled in the opener but had to work hard to claim a pair of marathon sets to outlast Fort Smith Southside 25-15, 14-25, 33-31, 28-26 in a 6A-West Conference volleyball matchup on Tuesday night at Bulldog Arena.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Fayetteville Lady Purple Bulldogs rolled in the opener but had to work hard to claim a pair of marathon sets to outlast Fort Smith Southside 25-15, 14-25, 33-31, 28-26 in a 6A-West Conference volleyball matchup on Tuesday night at Bulldog Arena.