People & Business News

Lejong, Beall Barclay receive ASCPA awards

Katherine “Katie” Lejong, CPA, was recently named as the recipient of the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA) 2012 Outstanding Emerging CPA Award.

Katie is a senior audit manager at Beall Barclay & Company in Fort Smith.

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 5:51pm

Open carry of firearms now legal in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) on Tuesday (May 15) signed into law Senate Bill 1733, a measure that allows Oklahoma citizens to openly carry firearms.

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 5:38pm

Konecny, Freeman recognized by BCBS

Agents at Konecny Insurance Services Inc. in Fort Smith have been named part of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Preferred Agent Network, which recognizes top-producing, independent agents and brokers.

The preferred agents include: Stephanie Freeman and Keith Konecny.

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 5:33pm

Tyson Foods’ chief rings NYSE bell

Donnie Smith, the president and CEO of Tyson Foods, was in New York on Tuesday (May 15) to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

His appearance marked the 15th anniversary of trading for Springdale-based Tyson on the exchange, according to a Tyson statement.

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 5:25pm

Acxiom posts positive full-year earnings

Acxiom Corp. finished its fourth quarter with a $46 million profit, a big reversal from one year ago when one-time charges bled the Little Rock-based data marketer to a $67 million loss.

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 10:29am

Speedy union election ruled tossed by Federal Judge

BLOOMBERG — A rule change by the National Labor Relations Board that allows for faster votes on union elections was thrown out by a federal judge who said the agency lacked a quorum when it approved the measure.

Mon, 05/14/2012 - 6:18pm

Hammerschmidt’s 90th birthday noted by Pryor, Boozman

U.S. Sens. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and John Boozman, R-Ark., paid tribute on Monday (May 14) to longtime Arkansas 3rd District Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt on the Senate floor in recognition of his 90th birthday.

Mon, 05/14/2012 - 4:14pm

Beshears Construction wins awards on two projects

Fort Smith-based Beshears Construction has received three awards for construction projects completed in 2011.

Sun, 05/13/2012 - 2:19pm

Batesville hit with 233 job losses

ConAgra Foods Inc. gave notice that it intends to consolidate operations from a Batesville factory to one in Missouri in July — a move that will result in layoffs of 233 workers.

The company gave notice to workers late Thursday.

Sat, 05/12/2012 - 11:48am

Dillard’s earnings up 24%

Dillard’s, Inc. reported first quarter net income of $95 million, a 24% increase from a year ago when the upscale retailer reported profit of $76.7 million.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 4:52pm

Oaklawn, Southland wagers down in April

After two months of record or near-record gambling numbers, the two casinos in Arkansas saw lower wager totals at its electronic gambling games. Still, the numbers are far above year-ago levels.

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 4:43pm

Agribusiness Weekly Update: EU Recession creates volatility in commodity markets

Beef

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 3:40pm

Volunteer fair set for May 24

The NWA Business and Leadership Council is hosting a volunteer fair from 3 to 6 p.m. on May 24 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The public is invited.

The fair is designed to connect residents of the region with volunteer opportunities throughout Northwest Arkansas.

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 11:32am

Sparks now using ‘World’s Smallest Heart Pump’

Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith has added a new technology to its portfolio of treatment options for critically ill heart patients.

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 10:23am

Arvest reports 97% jump in mortgage activity

Arvest Mortgage Company reported May 8 originations of more than $548 million in new mortgage loans for both purchases and refinancing during the first quarter of 2012, up 97% over the 2011 period.

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 10:19am

Eureka Springs joins Main Street Arkansas network

Eureka Springs has joined the Main Street Arkansas network of cities actively revitalizing their historic commercial cores, and Warren, Clarksville, Wynne and Arkadelphia have joined the Arkansas Downtown Network (ADN)

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 10:15am

Democrats return Wal-Mart gift cards

BLOOMBERG — The Democratic National Convention is returning $50,000 in gift cards donated by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which has been accused of bribing Mexican officials to speed expansion there.

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 7:10am

Leadership Fort Smith set to graduate new class

The Leadership Fort Smith 2012 Commencement Banquet and Community Leadership Awards Ceremony is set for May 10, 2012.

The event will be held at the Fort Smith Convention Center, Hall A, with the reception beginning at 6 p.m., and dinner at 6:45 p.m.

Tue, 05/08/2012 - 5:19pm

Development director named for UA libraries

FAYETTEVILLE – Dani Porter-Lansky is the new director of development for the University of Arkansas Libraries. She comes to Arkansas from Las Vegas, Nev.

Tue, 05/08/2012 - 3:06pm

Tyson hog supplier accused of animal abuse

BLOOMBERG NEWS — Tyson Foods Inc. buys pigs from an Itoham Foods Inc. facility in Wyoming that keeps pregnant sows in undersized cages and abuses the animals, the Humane Society of the U.S. said, citing an undercover video.

Tue, 05/08/2012 - 2:23pm