Former U.S. Army Ranger Jeff Struecker will lace up his boots for a 45-mile endurance run through Fort Smith on October 30, aiming to raise funds for a documentary project that brings a pivotal moment in World War II history back to attention. The event is organized by Archive Films & Steve Smith, who will partner with the Darby Center in Vilonia for the fundraiser. Struecker, a Ranger legend known for his book “A Ranger’s Journey” and his appearances in films like “Black Hawk Down,” will traverse the streets of Fort Smith starting at the historic Bronco Stadium on Rogers Avenue. The run isn’t just a physical challenge; organizers hope it draws attention to the unit’s legacy and the center’s preservation efforts for military history and local heritage. This aligns with the Darby Center’s mission to honor the legacy of Brigadier General William Darby and the 1st Ranger Battalion, who fought in North Africa, Italy, and France. By bringing Struecker—a living link to those battles—back to the region, local leaders are ensuring the stories of the Rangers remain relevant for the next generation. It is the kind of cross-pollination between military history and local community history that makes Fort Smith such a unique place to live. folks in the region can sign up to support the run and documentary efforts through the Darby Center. Fort Smith’s Preservation Commission is turning its gaze toward local geography for a potential rename of one of its quieter streets. The commission is looking into the history of Marsh Avenue, suggesting that the name be updated to reflect the native prairie grasses and plants that would have been found in the area before the city expanded. Locals know the name Marsh Avenue because of the low-lying, damp spots that sometimes make crossing the intersection a bit slow during a rainy spring, but there is a desire to honor the land’s pre-development state. The Preservation Commission’s goal is to dignify the early history of Fort Smith through its street names. If approved, the change would be part of a broader effort to correct naming conventions that might not fully capture the region’s botanical or agricultural roots. The move puts Fort Smith in line with a growing trend of municipal naming commissions across the state working to ensure historical accuracy. The economic landscape of Northwest Arkansas also shifted this week as United Petfood finalized the purchase of a manufacturing plant in western Benton County for $24.22 million. The deal is expected to keep production local and expand operations in a part of the county that is seeing steady growth away from the immediate downtown core of Bentonville and Rogers. This kind of acquisition signals confidence in the manufacturing sector’s ability to thrive in rural Benton County, providing jobs and stability for families in the area. Meanwhile, the Bentonville Manufacturing Accelerator wrapped up its latest cohort with entrepreneur pitches and a keynote address from Bad Boy Mowers. The program serves as a boot camp for startups looking to scale manufacturing operations, a vital piece of the Northwest Arkansas ecosystem that supports everything from small welding shops to major equipment manufacturers. It gives local tinkerers and business owners
Source: Talk Business & Politics
