Do you bike, run, power walk or stroll the Greg Smith River Trail through Riverfront Park, along the Arkansas River near downtown? If so, look for a section of construction on Thur, May 24, & Fri, May 25. Part of the trail will be dug up for engineers to install a drain. You’ll be routed around the work and equipment, but the trail is, of course, still open to the public.

The oldest Western outfitter in Fort Smith, Tip Top Western Wear on Garrison Avenue, is stocked up and ready to help you dress the part for the Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 28. The 85th Annual Old Fort Days Rodeo kicks off Monday night at Kay Rodgers Park.

FSFD's new ladder truck, still in production. 🚒

The City of Fort Smith family of staff and employees extend condolences to City Director Keith Lau, family, and friends at the passing of Dir. Lau's father, Larry Lau, a lifelong resident of Fort Smith. *** Larry Keith Lau, a Broker/Owner of Coldwell Banker Fleming-Lau Realty of Fort Smith, died May 18, 2018. He was 86. Lau was born in Fort Smith, graduated Fort Smith High School (Northside), Fort Smith Community College (UAFS), and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in 1958. Serving in the U.S. Air Force after college, he went on to get his real estate license and enjoyed a long, successful career in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Lau was the guiding force behind the Eastgate subdivision of Fort Smith, Village Apartments, and Timber Apartments. In 1983, he joined Coldwell Banker Fleming Realty, later became partner, then Principal Broker and Owner of Coldwell Banker Fleming-Lau Realty. Lau is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sharla; one daughter, Karen Lau Kimbriel and husband William of Mountain Home; two sons, Keith Lau and wife Maria of Fort Smith, and James “Andy” Lau of Fort Smith; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. FAMILY VISITATION: Mon, May 21, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Church, Fort Smith FUNERAL SERVICE: Tue, May 22, 11:00 a.m., Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Church, Fort Smith. BURIAL: 1:00 p.m., with Military Honors, Fort Smith National Cemetery. [Obituary excerpt courtesy of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Homes of Charleston]

The list below represents the most significant non-residential building permits issued the week of May 14-18, 2018: Project: 7006 Chad Colley – New College of Health and Science Building Project Owner: Arkansas College of Health and Science Project Cost: $14,000,000.00 Project Contractor: Beshears Construction Inc. Project: 3885 Phoenix Ave Space 9 – Lease Space Alteration for new Skechers Shoe store Project Owner: Fort Smith Pavilion, LLC Project Cost: $180,000.00 Project Contractor: Harris United, LLC Project: 7411 Ellis St – Tenant infill for office space Project Owner: Diades Investments Project Cost: $75,000.00 Project Contractor: King Management, Inc.

Below is a list of the most significant non-residential building permits issued the weeks of April 30-May 4 and May 7 – 11, 2018: Project: 10000 Roberts Blvd – Interior area alteration for the Spot Cooling Area for Mars Pet Care Project Owner: Mars Pet Care Project Cost: $254,000.00 Project Contractor: SSI Inc. Project: 8101 McClure Drive Building A – New Shell Building A for ERC Holdings LLC Project Owner: ERC Holdings LLC Project Cost: $220,000.00 Project Contractor: Legacy Housing LLC Project: 8101 McClure Drive Building C – New Shell Building C for ERC Holdings LLC Project Owner: ERC Holdings LLC Project Cost: $220,000.00 Project Contractor: Legacy Housing LLC Project: 5509 Phoenix Ave – Interior Finish out for Baskin Robbins Project Owner: SDBA, LLC Project Cost: $115,000.00 Project Contractor: Gateway Construction Inc. Project: 6400 Jenny Lind – Roof, Some Siding and some interior demo (Former Whirlpool factory building) Project Owner: Phoenix JRC Fort Smith Industrial Investors, LLC Project Cost: $2,000,000.00 Project Contractor: JB2 Services Project: 7110 Rogers Ave – Lease Space alteration for Asian Café Project Cost: $35,000.00 Project Contractor: AC/DC Electrical Contractors