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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
Bundle up this Saturday we're looking at highs in the low 40s with sunshine and clouds mixed, perfect weather for catching the Fort Smith Legend: John Bell, Jr. exhibition at the Regional Art Museum or hitting the Saturday Farmers Market on Garrison Avenue.
Another week where the money conversations get real in our Arkansas River gem. Whether you're monitoring Tuesday's $2.6 million Parrot Island vote, celebrating the $2.2 million childcare investment heading to the south side, or planning your MLK Day weekend, we've got your local pulse covered.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
💼 134 childcare spots coming — Methodist Village's $2.2M early learning center creates 19 jobs and addresses our region's childcare shortage. Opening January 2027 with curriculum-focused programming for infants through age 5.
⚖️ $924,935 question hits the board — Tuesday's vote determines if Parrot Island's five new water slides get funded. Project already over budget your tax dollars, your decision to watch.
🎨 Celebrating a Fort Smith legend — John Bell, Jr.'s artwork takes center stage at RAM through May 10. The late painter and sculptor created art for nearly 50 years despite living with cerebral palsy. Free admission.
🎭 MLK Day activities Monday — Annual parade hits Garrison Avenue at 10 a.m., plus UAFS presentations honoring Dr. King's legacy. Good time to reflect with your neighbors.
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Your Neighbour
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Methodist Village investing $2.2M in early learning center with 19 new jobs
What this means: 134 new childcare spots opening January 2027 at 1801 S. 74th St. addressing Fort Smith's childcare shortage with curriculum-focused programming
Methodist Village Senior Living is building a $2.2 million early learning center, creating 19 full-time positions and 134 spots for infants and children.
Here's what to know:
Center opens January 2027 at former Bost building near Methodist Village campus at 7811 Super Lane
$1 million comes from anonymous donor; project includes hands-on curriculum with two specialized toddler classes
Methodist Village also funding $216,000 trail connecting to Carol Ann Cross Park (with $196,000 state grant)
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
City board votes Tuesday on $2.6M Parrot Island water slide funding
What this means: January 20 vote determines if five new slides get installed project already $924,935 over budget with funds coming from general reserves
Fort Smith Board of Directors will vote January 20 on $2.6 million to install five water slides at Parrot Island Waterpark, pushing total project costs to $6.35 million.
Here's what to know:
Original budget was $4.2 million; city has already spent or obligated $3.55 million on expansion
Board member Jared Rego proposed pulling $924,935 shortfall from general fund balance instead of parks budget
Project includes slides, pumps, pipes, fencing, sidewalks, and landscaping no completion date announced
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Downtown CBID announces $899,263 Cisterna Plaza as priority green space project
What this means: Mature trees and vendor row coming to Garrison Avenue between 10th-11th Streets funded by downtown business assessment generating $300,000 annually
New CBID Chair Matthew Holland prioritized the Cisterna Plaza project, creating downtown green space with mature trees, red brick, and vendor areas as part of the 2024 Strategic Action Plan's 12 improvement projects.
Quick updates
Airport traffic up 1.56% in 2025 - Fort Smith Regional Airport recorded 62,369 total passengers in 2025, up from 61,409 in 2024, with December showing 5,011 travelers during steady holiday demand. Read more
Fort Smith metro adds 1,000 jobs - November employment reached 105,500 nonfarm jobs (up 0.95% year-over-year), though unemployment rose to 4.2% from 3.2% with 4,358 residents jobless. Read more
Foxfire Club shooting trial scheduled - Oklahoma suspect in April 9 shooting at 421 N. 10th St. that killed two Fort Smith men refused plea deal and maintains innocence heading to jury trial. Read more
📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎭 MLK Day Parade | Monday, January 19 | Downtown Garrison Avenue | Join the Fort Smith community in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the annual parade starting at 6th Street and Garrison Avenue at 10 a.m., celebrating the theme "Hope and action: inspiring our future." | River Valley Democrat-Gazette
🏐 Battle at the Fort Volleyball Tournament | January 31-February 1 & February 7-8 | Fort Smith Convention Center & FSJ Volleyball Facility | Two weekends of competitive youth volleyball featuring teams from across multiple states, with 10s-14s divisions first weekend and 15s-18s the second. $20 weekend pass, $12 single-day. | Fort Smith Juniors
🎨 Fort Smith Legend: John Bell, Jr. Exhibition Opening | Saturday, January 17, 5-7 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Opening reception celebrating renowned local painter and sculptor John Bell, Jr., who created art for nearly 50 years despite living with cerebral palsy. Exhibition runs through May 10. Free admission. | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
🎵 Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles | Saturday, January 17, 8:30 PM | United States Marshals Museum | Experience Beatles classics performed by Listeso String Quartet in an intimate candlelit setting at this iconic riverfront venue. Ages 8+. | Fever
Your annual review, created with Shane Parrish
Behind every successful year is a moment of honest reflection. This workbook, written by Shane Parrish and reMarkable, will guide you through that process, helping you pause, reflect, and pick out patterns.
Most annual reviews look at adding more. More goals, more tasks, more pressure. This one does the opposite. It helps you strip everything back to see what worked, what didn’t, and what to change in the year ahead.
Ready to identify what matters?
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Queensrÿche | Saturday, January 24, 8 PM | Choctaw Casino Pocola | Rock legends bring their iconic sound to the Choctaw Pocola CenterStage. | Choctaw Casinos
Kolby Cooper & Austin Snell | Thursday, February 12, 7 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Country concert featuring two rising stars. Doors at 6 PM. | Majestic Fort Smith
Tyler Farr: Quit Bein' Country Tour | Thursday, February 19, 7 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Country star Tyler Farr brings his tour to downtown Fort Smith. | Majestic Fort Smith
Pecos & The Rooftops | Friday, February 20, 7 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Texas country band performs at historic venue. Doors at 6 PM. | Majestic Fort Smith
Taj Farrant | Sunday, February 22, 6:30 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Guitar prodigy performance. Doors at 5:30 PM. | Majestic Fort Smith
William Clark Green with Aiden Logsdon | Saturday, February 28, 7 PM | Majestic Fort Smith | Texas country music at its finest. Doors at 6 PM. | Majestic Fort Smith
That Mexican OT | Saturday, February 21, 8 PM | Choctaw Casino Pocola | High-energy performance at Choctaw Pocola CenterStage. | Choctaw Casinos
Pam Tillis | Saturday, February 28, 8 PM | Choctaw Casino Pocola | Country music icon performs classic hits. | Choctaw Casinos
👪 Family-Friendly
Snow Time Storytime and Snowball FIGHT | Wednesday, January 21, 2-3 PM | Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch | Winter-themed stories followed by indoor snowball fun for children and families. Free. | Fort Smith Public Library
Bookmark Builders: Cross Stitch Edition | Saturday, January 17, 10:30 AM-12 PM | Fort Smith Public Library - Windsor Branch | Create custom cross-stitched bookmarks in this hands-on craft program. Free. | Fort Smith Public Library
All Ages Archery | Monday, January 19, 2:30 PM | Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center | Introduction to archery for all ages at Wells Lake Road nature center. | 5NEWS Weekend Guide
Police Storytime | Thursday, January 29, 4-4:30 PM | Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch | Special afternoon storytime featuring a Fort Smith Police Department member. Free. | Fort Smith Public Library
The Enchanted Pig Opera | Friday-Saturday, February 6-7, 7 PM | UAFS | Jonathan Dove's enchanting chamber opera perfect for families. | UAFS Season of Entertainment
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Viking 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon | Saturday, February 7 | Fort Smith | Multiple distance options for runners of all levels. | Running in the USA
Viking 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon | Saturday, February 21 | Fort Smith | Second Viking race of the month with 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. | Running in the USA
Medal Madness 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon | Saturday, March 7 | Fort Smith | Earn medals across multiple distance options. | Running in the USA
Ben Geren Golf Course 2 Person Scramble | Saturday, February 21 | Ben Geren Golf Course | Competitive golf tournament at Fort Smith's premier public course. | Ben Geren Golf
🎨 Arts & Culture
Ozark Regionalists: Collection of Dr. Chris Ashworth | January 16-May 10 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Opening reception Friday, January 16, 5-7 PM. Featuring regional artwork from private collection. Free admission. | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
Spirits: Michael Warrick | Through February 1 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Contemporary works on display. Free admission. | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
Creative Explorations: Panama Middle-High School | Through February 1 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Student artwork exhibition showcasing young talent. Free admission. | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
Vintage Recipe Collection | January 1-31, All Day | Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch | Pick up vintage recipes from the Dixie Cookbook from 1958 in the Genealogy Department. Free. | Fort Smith Public Library
🎓 Education & Business
MLK Week at UAFS | January 19-20 | University of Arkansas Fort Smith | Presentations by Dr. Eric Baker, Tom Watkins, and Hattie Hamilton celebrating Dr. King's legacy. Various times. | River Valley Democrat-Gazette
MLK Ecumenical Service | Sunday, January 18, 6 PM | Community Bible Church, Rogers Avenue | Pastor Jonathan Lowder delivers the evening's message. Free and open to community. | River Valley Democrat-Gazette
Heart of the Mission | Wednesday, February 12, 6 PM | The Bakery District Collection Room | Benefit event supporting families at Community Rescue Mission. 70 S. 7th Street. | United Way of Fort Smith
Book Club Discussion: 'Wrong Place Wrong Time' | Thursday, January 29, 2 PM | Fort Smith Public Library - Miller Branch | Discussion of Gillian McAllister's thriller. Free. | Fort Smith Public Library
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Saturdays, 8 AM-12 PM | Municipal Parking Lot, N. 2nd & Garrison | Year-round Saturday market featuring local produce, crafts, and vendors. Free admission. | Discover Fort Smith
Ben Geren Ladies League | Begins Tuesday, March 3 | Ben Geren Golf Course | Women's golf league registration opening soon. | Ben Geren Golf
⌚️ Recurring Events
RAM Saturdays | Every Saturday, 12-3 PM | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum | Free drop-in art projects for all ages. No registration required. | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
Storytime at Miller Branch | Every Friday, 10 AM | Fort Smith Public Library - Miller Branch | Stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts for children and caregivers. Free, no registration. | Fort Smith Public Library
Fort Smith Farmers Market - Wednesday | Wednesdays, 7 AM-12 PM (June-September) | Municipal Parking Lot, N. 2nd & Garrison | Seasonal Wednesday market. Free admission. | Discover Fort Smith
Quick Hits
Fort Smith Juniors Volleyball Tournament - Ages 11s-15s divisions - Friday-Saturday, January 3-4 - Fort Smith Juniors
Elvis World Premier Tribute with Kraig Parker - The King returns - Wednesday, January 8, 8 PM - Choctaw Casino Pocola - Choctaw Casinos
Del Sol - Live music event - Friday, January 30, 8 PM - Van Buren area - AllEvents Van Buren
Fort Smith Marathon, Half & Relays - Boston Qualifier - Sunday, March 29 - Registration open - Running in the USA
Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club: Great Futures in Bloom - Flowers, friends, futures - Tuesday, February 10, 5:30 PM - United Way of Fort Smith
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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See you around town,
Your Neighbor
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