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🏙️ FORT SMITH WEEKLY #20

🏙️ FORT SMITH WEEKLY #20

August 21, 2025

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Hi Neighbors!

Got a quick one today. A lot of new events, football season is starting, some positive news for the greater fort smith area.

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—Your Neighbour

📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH

🎭 THEATER & PERFORMING ARTS

🎵 MUSIC & CONCERTS

🎵 Eli Young Band (with Austin Brown, Jeffrey East) | September 4th, 2025 | 8:00 PM | TempleLive | From $57

😂 COMEDY

😂 Chris D'Elia: Straight Outta the Multiverse | September 21st, 2025 | 7:00 PM | TempleLive | From $59

🏃 SPORTS & FITNESS

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

🏈 Fort Smith Southside High School Football vs. Alma | August 19th, 2025 | Time: TBD | Location: Alma High School | Southside Mavericks Football

🏈 Fort Smith Southside High School Football vs. Northside (Rivalry Game) | August 29th, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Location: Fort Smith Northside High School | Southside Mavericks Football

🏈 Fort Smith Southside Football at Central | September 12th, 2025 | Time: TBD | Location: Central High School | Southside Mavericks Football

🏈 Fort Smith Southside Football at Little Rock Southwest | September 19th, 2025 | Time: TBD | Location: Little Rock Southwest High School | Southside Mavericks Football

🏈 Fort Smith Southside Football at Mountain Home | September 26th, 2025 | Time: TBD | Location: Mountain Home High School | Southside Mavericks Football

🏈 Northside High School Athletics (Football, Volleyball, Tennis, and more) | September 2025 | Various Dates and Times | Location: Northside High School | Northside Grizzlies Athletics

🎪 FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

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

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

🚗 Fort Smith Boys Home Car, Truck, and Jeep Show | September 13th, 2025 | 8:00 AM - Noon | Ben Geren Storm Shelter | Link to Event

Recurring Events I Like

💡 FORT SMITH FACT OF THE WEEK

Did you know that on Christmas Day 1864, Fort Smith was the scene of one of Arkansas's most heartbreaking forgotten tragedies? 300 war orphans and refugees, including 9-year-old Mattie Tully, were loaded onto steamboats and shipped down the Arkansas River to uncertain futures in Illinois. General Edward Canby ordered the evacuation because the army couldn't provide winter provisions - but President Lincoln rescinded the order just weeks later, too late to save the children from their nightmare journey.

The twist? Many of these children, like Mattie, became unpaid laborers rather than adopted family members. Mattie survived to become a caregiver for orphans herself, documenting this tragic chapter in journals that preserve Fort Smith's hidden history.

Link

📰 FORT SMITH NEWS YOU CAN USE

Economic Development Sebastian County approves $400M battery storage facility

Major economic development win brings hundreds of jobs and significant tax revenue to the region

County commissioners unanimously approved tax incentive agreement with Peregrine Energy Solutions for massive battery storage project that could generate $300,000 annually in property taxes compared to current $81. Project represents single largest private investment in Sebastian County in recent years.

Read the full article

Infrastructure Fort Smith maintains Phase I water conservation after major break

Residents must continue mandatory restrictions as city refills storage tanks following emergency

City downgraded from Phase II to Phase I conservation measures after repairing 24-inch main break on Leigh Avenue that cost 1 million gallons. Lawn irrigation remains prohibited; hand-watering plants allowed every other day based on address number until reservoirs fully restored.
Read the full article

Public Safety Burn ban issued for Sebastian and Crawford counties

Extreme fire danger prompts outdoor burning prohibition due to drought conditions

County judges implemented immediate burn bans on trash, brush and outdoor materials citing exceptionally dry vegetation and unusually low flash points. Violations carry fines from $25-$300. Ban continues until sufficient rainfall reduces fire hazard in River Valley area.
Read the full article

Education UAFS enrollment jumps 15% with record freshman class

University sees highest first-year enrollment since before COVID pandemic

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith registered over 1,030 first-year students, representing 15% increase and highest level since 2019. Strong recruitment efforts, improved financial aid access, and new student portal credited for driving enrollment growth and record campus housing occupancy.
Read the full article

Municipal Affairs Fort Smith tables cemetery ownership decision

Board unable to reach consensus on taking over maintenance of four local cemeteries

City directors postponed resolution to assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities for four area cemeteries after failing to agree on financial implications and long-term maintenance costs. Issue returns to future board meeting for further discussion and public input.
Read the full article

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Quick updates

County cleanup campaign begins September 13 - Five-week fall cleanup offers free disposal at rotating sites from Midland to Lavaca - Read more

Former Fort Smith school employee arrested - Harassment and assault charges filed against ex-employee following investigation - Read more

Southside football defeats Alma 17-7 - Mavs quarterback Blake Forsgren leads team to season-opening victory Tuesday night - Read more

Sebastian County considers employee pay, Parrot Island lease - County justices to discuss compensation adjustments and waterpark agreement at Tuesday meeting - Read more

MJ's Stampede 5K/10K registration open - September 20 downtown Fort Smith charity run benefits local causes, early registration encouraged - Read more

👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK

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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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Your Neighbor

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