Meet In CommonNews

Local news in and around Van Buren, AR

Phelps County Focus · Fort Smith, AR

Nearby: Fort Smith, AR

World record holder to speak at HEROES Marathon event

Since learning about world records at a childhood Book Fair, Meredith Smith wanted to set a world record. She got the chance when she decided to earn the “most T-shirts worn during a half marathon (female)”. Meredith achieved her goal on March 30, 2025, at the Fort Smith Half Marathon in Fort Smith, AR, wearing 55 t-shirts, symbolizing the 80 pounds of weight she’d lost since taking up running in 2013. On Nov. 20, 2026, Meredith will be in Rolla to speak to HEROES Marathon Event participants the evening before they race. Meredith’s running journey began as way to lose weight. “As a kid, I hated running,” states Meredith. “But as an adult, I love the support and encouragement of the running community.” Besides losing 80 pounds, Meredith has completed over 80 races since 2013. Meredith is a legal assistant and she and her husband, Coleman, became the parents of a son in June. Meredith says, “having run marathons before my pregnancy helped, especially mentally.

The Daily Texan · Fayetteville, AR

Nearby: Fayetteville, AR

Texas soccer scrapes past No. 25 Arkansas, booking ticket to SEC championship game

Texas soccer’s regular-season game against Arkansas over two months ago in Fayetteville, Arkansas, was a low-point breakdown. Allowing three goals and scoring one, the Longhorns’ play was unpredictable going into conference play. In its first game since its historic win against undefeated Vanderbilt, the Longhorns looked reinvigorated going into the final stretch of the tournament. Arkansas, which eliminated Kentucky from the conference tournament in its last game, played physically all season, as did Texas. Both attempted to move the ball downfield early, but defensive contests stopped their progress before they could create an attack. Advertisement In the 26th minute, however, Texas leaned into what has been its go-to strategy so far in the tournament. Texas freshman midfielder Caroline Swann found sophomore forward Ava McDonald downfield and sent a through pass.