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🏙️ FORT SMITH WEEKLY #18

🏙️ FORT SMITH WEEKLY #18

August 06, 2025

Hi Neighbors!

While others are skimming headlines, you're getting the real story.
This week: major moves on city spending, school crowding that could shift home values, and street repairs hitting delays. We’ve done the digging—here’s what homeowners need to know.

In this issue:

Budget Shakeup: Council’s late-night $2.3M reallocation—and the drama behind it
School Squeeze: Jefferson Elementary overcrowding may redraw Maple Heights boundaries
Street Delays: Roadwork postponed 8 months—see if your route’s affected
Win of the Week: How Riverdale got its speed bumps (and the template they used)
Fast Five: Permits, proposals, and what’s next for downtown

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—Your Neighbour

📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH

🎭 THEATER & PERFORMING ARTS

🎵 David Nail | September 19th, 2025 | 8:00 PM | The Majestic | Tickets (Bandsintown)

🎬 MOVIES & FILM

🎬 FORT SMITH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (FSIFF) 2025

Festival Details:

Presented by: Multiple sponsors including The Bakery District
Duration: 3-day festival (August 6-8, 2025)
Venues: Multiple locations throughout Fort Smith (festival map available)
Format: Full screening schedules released for all three days

🏃 SPORTS & FITNESS

🏃 Ninja 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | August 16th, 2025 | Ben Geren Regional Park | $34–$71 | Register

🏃 Project Hope Arkansas Black Sheep 5K & 1 Mile | September 6th, 2025 | Fort Smith | $17–$38 | Register

🎪 FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

🎪 Tontitown Grape Festival (Nearby) | August 5th–9th, 2025 | Tontitown, AR | Live music, food | Festival Info

🍉 Hope Watermelon Festival (Nearby) | August 7th–9th, 2025 | Hope, AR | Traditional watermelon fun | Event Info

🎗️ Boys & Girls Club South Logan County Annual Banquet | August 16th, 2025 | 5:30 PM | First Baptist Church, Booneville | Info

🍽️ Plates with a Purpose (Arkansas Family Alliance) | August 26th, 2025 | Piatto’s at The Hub | Event Info

🎪 The Apraxia Foundation Festival | September 6th, 2025 | 2:00 PM | Creekmore Park | Details

Recurring Events I Like

HR is lonely. But it doesn’t have to be.

The best HR advice comes from those in the trenches. That’s what this is: real-world HR insights delivered in a newsletter from Hebba Youssef, a Chief People Officer who’s been there. Practical, real strategies with a dash of humor. Because HR shouldn’t be thankless—and you shouldn’t be alone in it.

💡 FORT SMITH FACT OF THE WEEK

Miss Laura's in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a historic Victorian brothel built in 1898 and opened in 1903 by Laura Ziegler. It is notable for being the only brothel listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located in the city's former red-light district, known as "The Row," it was considered the most elegant establishment of its kind, earning the nickname "Queen of the Row." Today, it serves as a visitor center and museum, preserving its rich history and offering guided tours

An interesting fact about them Miss Laura's brothel utilized a token system as part of its operations during the early 1900s. This system served multiple purposes:

Payment Management: When customers arrived, they purchased tokens from the madam at the front desk. These tokens were then used to pay for services provided by the prostitutes. Afterward, the prostitutes exchanged the tokens with the madam for cash, ensuring that all transactions remained under the control of the brothel owner.
Advertising Tool: Tokens also acted as promotional items. They circulated within society, spreading awareness about the brothel and encouraging repeat visits, especially from influential individuals such as politicians and law enforcement officials.
Customer Incentives: Miss Laura reportedly gave tokens to important or high-profile clients as a way to encourage their return visits. This strategic use of tokens helped build loyalty and maintain relationships with influential patrons.

Overall, the token system was a clever mechanism for controlling financial transactions, promoting the business, and incentivizing repeat clientele in a regulated environment.

📰 FORT SMITH NEWS YOU CAN USE

INFRASTRUCTURE - Major water crisis hits Fort Smith

Aging pipes force citywide conservation measures

Second major water main break in one week prompts Emergency Phase II Water Conservation, affecting all Fort Smith residents and customers south of Arkansas River. Non-essential water use prohibited while crews repair 24-inch line at Phoenix and Leigh Avenue intersection.

Read the full article

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS - Downtown parking meters face removal vote

Board decision could boost accessibility and foot traffic

Fort Smith Board of Directors votes Tuesday on eliminating downtown parking meters, aligning with Future Fort Smith Comprehensive Plan goals. Change aims to improve downtown accessibility while city simultaneously addresses FOIA violation concerns in same meeting.

Read the full article

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Building permits surge 35% in July

Construction activity signals economic momentum despite metro challenges

Fort Smith metro building permits jumped significantly in July, marking 35% increase over previous year. Growth comes as longtime Building Official Deer retires after earning developer praise for streamlined processes and efficient permitting.

Read the full article

PUBLIC SAFETY - Aggravated robbery investigation active

Police seek community assistance in Stonebrook Drive incident

Fort Smith police investigate reported aggravated robbery in 7300 block of Stonebrook Drive. Department encourages residents with information to call 479-709-5000 as separate burglary investigation seeks suspect identification on Towson Avenue.

Read the full article

Quick updates

City administrator search process begins - Acting Administrator Jeff Dingman to announce permanent hiring process for top city position - Read more
Mental health evaluation scheduled - Bigelow man charged in Fort Smith home invasion undergoes forensic assessment after growing "despondent" - Read more
Healthcare recognition earned - Mercy Fort Smith receives Silver Performance Achievement Award from American College of Cardiology - Read more
Job growth continues - Fort Smith metro sees nonfarm employment gains as regional economy strengthens - Read more
Burglary suspect sought - Police ask public help identifying Sunday burglary suspect on Towson Avenue captured on camera - Read more

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:

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Coming next week: Summer festival preview, a spotlight on Fort Smith's historic theaters, and seasonal gardening tips from local experts.

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See you around town,

Your Neighbor

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