🌱 Board Of Education Approves Salary Increase + Three Officers Fired

Hello all. I'm back with your fresh edition of the Fort Smith Patch newsletter. Follow along to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: An afternoon thundershower. High: 79 Low: 61.
• Thursday: Mainly cloudy and warmer. High: 88 Low: 63.

Here are the top three stories today in Fort Smith:

1. The Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education approved salary schedules for classified and certified employees for the upcoming 2023- 2024 contract year, as well as a new contract for Superintendent Dr. Terry Morawski. The approved schedules include raises for employees, with an average increase of $2,183 for classified employees, $3,421 for certified employees, and a $7,383 raise for the superintendent. The district aims to meet the requirements of the Arkansas LEARNS Act and provide competitive salaries to attract and retain quality educators. (Talk Business)
2. Following an investigation by the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office three deputies from the Sebastian County Jail were fired. One of them, Daniel Carrasquillo, was also arrested on warrants for conspiracy to commit trafficking of fentanyl and conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine. The firings were prompted by information obtained from a confidential source who alleged that several deputies were smuggling drugs and contraband into the jail. (Arkansas Online)
3. Riverfront RV Resort, located on Riverfront Drive in Fort Smith, is expected to open by the end of summer. Delays caused by supply chain issues pushed the opening date from early June to August. The 27-acre park, owned by Phil White and Richard Griffin, will feature various amenities such as RV and tent camping spaces, a swimming pool, restroom facilities, playgrounds, and a general store. (Talk Business)

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Today and tomorrow in Fort Smith:

Wednesday, May 24

• Sunrise Flow At Santosha Yoga & Wellness (6:45 AM)
• Spring Workforce Job And Resource Fair At Fort Smith Workforce (10:00 AM)

Thursday, May 25

• Big Sam's Funky Nation At Harry E. Kelley River Park (6:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• A total of 67 congregations have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church in Arkansas. Pastor Dan Williams of Midland Heights Church in Fort Smith expressed the difficulty of the division within the United Methodist Church. The decision was driven by a misalignment of beliefs, particularly regarding homosexuality. (KTAL News)
• Creekmore Express will be back this Saturday, May 27! It will run Wednesday through Sunday until Oct. 29. (Go Downtown Fort Smith via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.