Latest news with #FortSmith
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
OKC Thunder signs Jaylin Williams to three-year, $24 million contract extension
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The OKC Thunder has signed Jaylin Williams to a three-year, $24 million contract extension. ESPN's Shams Charania first reported the news on Sunday. The third and final year on the deal is a team option. Advertisement Williams is a 23-year-old forward who was selected by OKC with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. The Thunder declined his $2.1 million team option this summer to negotiate the new contract. Williams averaged 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists this past season. He shot 43.9% from the field and 39.9% from deep. Pre-order our new book on Thunder's run to NBA title But, more importantly, Williams has played a key role in developing OKC's team chemistry. It became increasingly difficult to imagine the 6-foot-9 big man in a different jersey, and it now looks like that won't happen any time soon. Advertisement OKC is set to return all of its rotational players from its NBA championship roster. The last remaining piece is Ajay Mitchell, who the Thunder can bring back on a $3 million team option. More: Inside Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams' 'crazy' journey to Thunder, NBA Finals from Fort Smith Jaylin Williams stats for 2024-25 season Games: 47 Points: 5.9 per game Rebounds: 5.6 per game Assists: 2.6 per game Steals: 0.5 per game Blocks: 0.6 per game Field-goal shooting: 43.9% 3-point shooting: 39.9% Free-throw shooting: 76.8% Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@ or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder signs Jaylin Williams to three-year contract extension
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inside Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams' 'crazy' journey to Thunder, NBA Finals from Fort Smith
As the sea of excited kids start flooding in, so too do the memories. Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams can't help but reminisce every time they host their annual youth camps in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It's the city they've called home throughout their entire lives. It's where they went from playing in camps themselves to playing alongside each other at Northside High. And it's where they hope to bring back a championship as they now play together on basketball's biggest stage. Advertisement Joe and Williams are teammates on the OKC Thunder, which is facing the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals. "Being in this position with a guy like Jaylin is pretty cool," Joe recently said with a smile. "Moments like this don't happen too often. ... I think it's something that's probably not going to hit until later in life, but it's cool." 5 TAKEAWAYS: Thunder thumps Pacers in NBA Finals Game 2 as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC even up series Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams (6) slaps hands with Isaiah Joe (11) after a play in the third quarter against the Grizzlies during Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs at Paycom Center on April 20. Williams and Joe were also teammates at Northside High in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Not your average Joe Eric Burnett would leave family gatherings on Thanksgiving and Christmas at a moment's notice. All it took was a text from Joe. "Coach B, can I get in the gym?" Advertisement Burnett never said no to those requests while he was Northside's head coach. Not even during holidays, Sundays, early mornings or late nights. He made countless impromptu drives to the school just to unlock the doors for Joe, who was equally eager to unlock new levels of his game. "He kept the gym open for me any time that I wanted it," Joe said. "I really appreciate that. He gave me the access to go in at any time and just better my game and keep growing." That wasn't the only way Burnett opened the door for Joe. Oklahoma City Thunder players Jaylin Williams (left) and Isaiah Joe (right) pose for a photo during their time together with Northside High in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Joe was only in the seventh grade when Burnett allowed him to start working out with Northside's varsity team, since his junior high didn't have an offseason program. But that's where any form of special treatment ended. Advertisement Once Joe stepped onto the court, Burnett pushed him just as hard as the high schoolers. And the 5-foot-10, 13-year-old kid grew up fast as a result. "I didn't make it easy," Burnett told The Oklahoman. "We had some tough workouts, and I think that really helped Isaiah for when he got to high school because he had already been there and done that. He was able to blend right in and do well for us." Joe did more than just blend in once he reached high school. He stood out. Joe led Northside to a Class 7A state championship over North Little Rock as a junior in 2017. He averaged 18.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, and he became the standard for Fort Smith hoopers. Advertisement That included Williams, who joined the team the following season as a sophomore. "(Isaiah) was the first person who I saw work at a high level," Williams said. "I was seeing him work out before school, go home, shower, practice, work out after practice and then come back to practice again. ... He showed me what I needed to do if I wanted to get to the level that he was on." REQUIRED READING: Why Alex Caruso was perfect veteran to guide OKC Thunder on this NBA Finals journey Forming the perfect storm Whether it was the backyard of his childhood home or Tilles Park, Williams grew up on concrete courts. But even that didn't stop him from sprouting at a rapid rate. Advertisement The future pro stood at 6-3 as a freshman and would often play a game called "Jelly or Jam" with his father, Michael. "Jelly" meant Williams would go for a layup, while "Jam" meant he would go for a dunk. Williams usually chose the latter, especially after he experienced a growth spurt. He stretched to 6-10 as a sophomore and instantly formed a lethal duo with Joe. "It was hard to stop those two, especially when I put them in a pick and roll," Burnett said. "What are you gonna do? Because Jaylin shot 3s in high school, too. We could do a pick and pop or roll him to the basket and let him post up. And Isaiah was a really good passer who read things well, so I did a lot of two-game with them." Northside reached the state title game again that season for a rematch against North Little Rock. But its dominant duo wasn't at full strength. Advertisement Williams came down with strep throat and the flu about a week before the game. That caused him to lose 20 pounds and left him bedridden. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) celebrates a basket with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) in the second half of the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 8, 2024. Burnett did all he could to help Williams recover. He even walked down the street from the team's hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to buy the big man some crackers, soup and Gatorade. But Williams only played about three minutes in the title game before he had to sub out, and Northside suffered a 64-51 loss. "I tried my hardest to go out there and play," said Williams, who led Northside to a 2019 state title after Joe's graduation. "I gave it my all, but we lost. Looking back, I wish I could change everything. I wish I could've won another one, but everything happens for a reason." Advertisement Maybe that reason is to win an even bigger championship together. After spending their college careers at Arkansas without overlapping, the Fort Smith natives were reunited in the NBA. OKC selected Williams in the second round (No. 34 overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, and it signed Joe that same year. Now, the duo could help the Thunder win its first title in franchise history. "I've thought about it," Williams said when asked about that possibility. "It's crazy to think about it, but I think it'll sink in if it does happen. Us being able to share that with the state of Arkansas and the city of Fort Smith, that's when it'll really hit me if it does happen." Advertisement More: The Jalen Williams Way: How OKC Thunder forward paved a path to stardom, NBA Finals Fort Smith's hometown heroes Former teachers and coaches of Williams and Joe will sometimes make the three-hour drive to Oklahoma City to watch them play. The kids they spent so much time around are now men, and most of Williams' body has been covered in tattoos. But his most prominent piece sits on his right shoulder. It's a tattoo of Northside with a dual street sign that reads "Fort Smith" and "Arkansas." Below that are his high school and college jerseys, accompanied by the phrase "Hometown Hero." Williams still wears his love for Fort Smith on his sleeve. So does Joe, whose face lights up every time he talks about where he's from. Advertisement That's all it takes for the memories to start flooding in. "It's very important," Joe said of his roots. "I was born and raised there. I always have to show love to the people that supported me along the way. Without my hometown, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I wouldn't be in this position." More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has brushed past legacy. NBA Finals will put him in elite company. Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@ or on X/Twitter at @JTheSportsDude. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Inside Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams' path from Fort Smith to NBA Finals
CBC
10-06-2025
- CBC
Town of Fort Smith issues fines, seizes dirt bikes over concerns of unsafe riding
The Town of Fort Smith, N.W.T., is cracking down on reckless dirt bike and ATV riding in the community. Bylaw officers have been issuing fines and confiscating bikes in an effort to address what they describe as a rise in unsafe and unlawful use. They said it's about safety, not punishment. But some parents say it's gone too far, and the new enforcement effort has sparked pushback from some community members. Bev Chepelsky, a Fort Smith parent, agrees kids shouldn't drive recklessly. But she says the town's approach is too harsh and was implemented without notice or community consultation. "This crackdown seems like we're criminalizing children," she said. "There are kids who had their bikes confiscated while they were in class at school, which just really seems alarming to me." The Town of Fort Smith recently posted on social media to remind residents of the laws regarding off-road vehicles. Those rules require helmets, valid registration, current insurance, and a driver's licence to operate within town limits. Riders who don't meet those conditions are expected to take their machines out of town. The town also encourages residents to report unsafe riding and provide video or photos if possible. Chepelsky says the town's approach fails to consider the value of riding for youth in Fort Smith, which she says is a way of life for her family and many others in the community. She said it's a lifestyle that teaches mechanical skills, independence, and mental resilience. It's also a way for youth to connect. She said older kids teach the new riders the ropes and help them fix their machines. "They share a lifestyle and an interest," she said. "I think that the people that get it, like, really get it that there's medicine in riding." Chepelsky said her kids, who began riding as young as three years old, have learned responsibility, teamwork, and how to help each other through machine riding. She wants to see the town work with parents and young riders to find a better solution. She's proposing things like a youth safety course or a designated area where riding can be monitored and encouraged. Fort Smith's director of protective services, Adam McNab, said the town is open to working with families and the riding community. "The Town of Fort Smith would love to see a proactive group like a club or association take on a mentoring role and maybe help to create some safe trail networks out of town to a designated area," he said. However, McNab says it's illegal for children to operate unregistered, unlicensed, and uninsured motorized vehicles on public roads and that the priority is keeping all road users, especially children, safe. McNab said the town has had many direct complaints about youth reckless driving in the community. "Some youth have almost been hit by motorcycles, both on roads, sidewalks and the batch of trail systems," he said. "So that's really alarming to us." He says that in some cases, youth have run from bylaw officers. "When children are speeding on public roadways, stunting and doing wheelies, are underage, often don't have the right safety equipment, and aren't being monitored by an adult, that puts everybody in the community at risk." McNab said he understands the appeal of riding because it's also part of his family's lifestyle, and he values the freedom that comes with riding in the North. However, the town's priority is making sure no one gets hurt.
Associated Press
09-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
AISIX Solutions Inc. Pulls Back the Curtain on the Science Powering Its Wildfire Predictions in Exclusive Interview with Ben Mulroney
Segment on The Ben Mulroney Show Discusses Real-Time Relevance of AISIX's Wildfire Data Amid 2025 Fire Season Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2025) - AISIX Solutions Inc., (TSXV: AISX) (FSE: QT7) ('AISIX' or 'the Company'), a provider of climate risk data and analytics, is pleased to share a recent media interview featuring Dr. Erik Young, the Company's Senior Climate Scientist. The interview aired on The Ben Mulroney Show, a nationally syndicated Canadian radio program. In the interview, Dr. Young discussed AISIX's Wildfire 3.0 data, including the scientific methodology underlying the Company's wildfire modeling approach and its observed alignment with emerging wildfire patterns during the 2025 fire season. The discussion covered key aspects of AISIX's simulation engine, climate inputs, and potential use cases for government agencies, insurers, and critical infrastructure operators. 'We're seeing early-season wildfire activity in areas our model had identified as higher-risk,' said Dr. Young during the segment. 'It's a good indicator that our integrated approach using climate projections, fire behavior modeling, and data analytics focused on many aspects of fire regimes, has predictive relevance in real-world conditions.' The Company notes that several regions identified in its Q1 2025 reports, including Fort Smith and Swan Hills, are currently impacted by active wildfires. AISIX's Wildfire 3.0 product leverages the Cell2Fire2 engine and incorporates Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) climate scenarios to produce burn probability, fire intensity, and fire footprint projections across Canada. The full interview is available to listen to in the Media Coverage section of the company's Newsroom. AISIX Solutions' Wildfire 3.0 data is delivering actionable intelligence when it is needed most. As wildfire seasons grow in length and intensity, organizations can no longer rely on historical data alone. Governments, insurers, industry partners, and infrastructure operators are invited to request a demo today to learn how to integrate Wildfire 3.0 's predictive modeling into their risk mitigation, emergency response, and climate resilience strategies. For more information about AISIX Solutions Inc. and its climate risk solutions, please visit or follow the Company on X (formerly Twitter) at @AISIXSolutions or on LinkedIn at About AISIX Solutions Inc. AISIX Solutions Inc., is a climate risk and data-analytics solutions provider trusted by organizations seeking a more predictive future. Leveraging the advancements of data analytics, and risk assessment, AISIX Solutions Inc. is on a mission to provide auditable, explainable, and defensible assessments to help businesses and communities protect their property, assets, and infrastructure from wildfire-related risks. By empowering organizations with wildfire risk insights, AISIX Solutions Inc. aims to foster resilience and sustainability in the face of climate change. For further information: Mihalis Belantis, Chief Executive Officer +1 (604) 620-1051 [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, the 'forward-looking statements') within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, and is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, many of which are beyond the Company's control. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, information with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. The words 'may', 'could', 'should', 'would', 'suspect', 'outlook', 'believe', 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'expect', 'intend', 'plan', 'target' and similar words and expressions are used to identify forward-looking information, including the Company's expected product offerings, the functionalities of the AI Climate Risk Consumer Interface and the Company's expected growth opportunities. The forward-looking information in this news release describes the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release. The results or events anticipated or predicted in such forward-looking information may differ materially from actual results or events. Material factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, among others, the Company's ability to engage and retain qualified key personnel, employees and affiliates, the Company's ability to obtain capital and credit on reasonable terms, the Company's ability to compete and the Company's ability protect its intellectual property rights. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed a certain progression, which may not be realized. It has also been assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time. Media Contact [email protected] Investor Relations [email protected]To view the source version of this press release, please visit
CBC
04-06-2025
- General
- CBC
N.W.T. man charged with assault after weekend incident in Fort Smith
An N.W.T. man has been arrested and charged in connection with a reported assault in Fort Smith over the weekend. In a news release Wednesday, RCMP said they received a report Saturday of a victim being struck with a firearm. They arrested Terron Stevens. RCMP said no shots were reportedly fired and they're not aware of any injuries. Stevens, 32, is charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and possession of a weapon contrary to a weapons prohibition order. RCMP also said officers seized "a quantity" of cash and ammunition but the firearm was not located. Stevens was previously convicted of two counts of assault causing bodily harm and was charged with aggravated assault and unauthorized possession of a firearm in connection to a shooting in September 2022 in Hay River. That incident, which RCMP believed to be targeted, put victim Ryley Moore in critical condition. Charges were later withdrawn after the Crown prosecutor said there was no longer a reasonable prospect of conviction due to the availability of a witness.
