Hi neighbors!

I'm excited to bring you the very first edition of Fort Smith Weekly - your new source for local news, events, and community happenings delivered straight to your inbox every Wednesday.

Fort Smith Weekly is created by locals, for locals. I'll keep you informed about city developments, spotlight local businesses, highlight upcoming events, and share the stories that make our community special.

Whether you're a lifelong resident or new to our historic river city, I aim to be your trusted connection to everything happening in Fort Smith. From arts and culture at The Unexpected to riverfront developments, from downtown happenings to neighborhood news - I've got you covered.

Have something you'd like to see featured? I welcome your suggestions, stories, and feedback as we grow together.

Thank you for joining me on this journey!

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—Your Neighbour

📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH

Expect to get a round up of events I am excited about and looking to attend. I dont have any for this first edition but working hard to curate what I like.

💡 FORT SMITH FACT OF THE WEEK

Did you know that Fort Smith, Arkansas was the site of the first vote cast by a woman in the American South. On November 13, 1917, Dymple Johnson voted in a special mayoral election in Fort Smith, making her the first southern woman to exercise her right to vote8. This occurred shortly after Arkansas became the first southern state to allow women's suffrage, predating the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which granted women the right to vote nationwide in 1920.

🔍 LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: RIVERTOWN COFFEE HOUSE

Meet the Maker: James Wilson opened Rivertown Coffee House in 2019 after spending 15 years working for national chains. His small-batch roasting process uses beans sourced directly from farmers in Colombia and Ethiopia.

Why We Love It: Beyond the exceptional coffee (try the honey lavender latte!), Rivertown hosts monthly art shows featuring Fort Smith artists and donates 5% of proceeds to local education initiatives.

Visit Them: 123 Main Street, Fort Smith | Mon-Sat 7am-6pm, Sun 8am-4pm | Website | Instagram

⭐ MY FORT SMITH FAVORITES: BREAKFAST EDITION

Each week, I share my personal recommendations in a different category. This week: where to get the best breakfast in town!

🥇 Top Pick: The Egg

My wife and i always get there Kale Goodness, and since I have been trying to cut down on calories I always get the chicken and avocado omlette. There Pancakes are also to die for.

Will get some photos uploaded next week.

What's your favorite breakfast spot? Reply to this email and let me know!

📰 FORT SMITH NEWS FROM Feb 2025

Bass Pro Shops announces new Outpost location in Fort Smith

Bass Pro Shops revealed plans on February 10, 2025, to open a new 70,000-square-foot Outpost retail location in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The store is expected to open in early 2026 and will be the company's third location in Arkansas1.

Two Fort Smith residents awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal

On February 27, 2025, Lois Firth Lafferty and Meika McDonald were honored with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for their lifelong contributions to education and traditional sports, respectively2.

Fort Smith breaks low temperature record

On February 20, 2025, Fort Smith experienced record-breaking cold, with temperatures dropping to 8 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the previous record low of 12 degrees set in 19215.Downtown Construction Update

👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me exploring the best of Fort Smith! If you enjoyed this week's edition, I'd love for you to:

• Forward to a neighbor who might enjoy it

• Reply with feedback or story ideas

• Share your own Fort Smith discoveries

Connect With Fort Smith Weekly

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📸 Photo of the Week: [Submit your Fort Smith photos for a chance to be featured!] In the meantime here is a sunset I caught from the Arc Best Park

💌 Got news or events? Reply to this email or submit through our [online form].

See you around town,

• Your Neighbor

Fort Smith Weekly is an independent newsletter dedicated to celebrating our community. Not affiliated with any government entity or organization.