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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
After a cool, cloudy weekend, we're heading into a stretch of clear skies and mid-80s - perfect timing for opening weekend at Parrot Island, the regional dance competition filling the Convention Center, and a Mother's Day calendar with no shortage of options. Whether you're planning brunch downtown, browsing the new Bass Pro Outpost off Rogers, or watching the city flip the switch on the farmers market solar canopy Saturday morning, the River Valley is wide open this week.
It's also the week the region's healthcare map redrew itself - and the choices ahead matter for every household.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
🏥 Healthcare reset hits home - Baptist cuts 150 jobs and shuts oncology while Mercy clears its $41M cancer center funding goal
⚓ $8.1M lands at the Port - Federal grant unlocks freight expansion serving 17 states
🎒 Spradling Elementary says goodbye - Farewell block party Friday before the school closes for good
🌷 Mother's Day stacks up - Brunch, ballet, pottery painting, and Parrot Island's first weekend of the season
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-Your Neighbour
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Baptist Health cuts 150 jobs and closes multiple Fort Smith clinics within 60 days
What this means: Fort Smith loses oncology, nephrology, and pulmonary inpatient care as Baptist sheds services-150 jobs gone, with closures effective by late June 2026.
Baptist Health cuts 150 jobs and closes six clinics and four inpatient service lines at its Fort Smith campus by late June 2026.
Here's what to know:
Inpatient services ending within 60 days: oncology, nephrology, pulmonary, and infectious disease; six clinics also closing, including cardiology, pediatric, and neurology
Hospital cited $127 million in losses since acquiring the facility in 2018; labor and delivery already closed April 28 after nearly 70 years
Emergency department, surgical services, medical-surgical nursing, geriatric psychiatry, and radiology will continue; Baptist pledges $20 million in campus investment over coming years; displaced healthcare workers can explore openings at Mercy Fort Smith, which is actively hiring oncology staff at mercy.net/careers
PUBLIC SAFETY
Mercy Fort Smith hits $41 million funding goal for cancer center expansion that doubles capacity
What this means: River Valley cancer patients gain access to doubled oncology capacity by July 2027-critical timing as Baptist Health closes its Fort Smith oncology services.
Mercy Fort Smith fully funded its $41 million Phase 1 cancer center expansion-a 50,000-square-foot build-out that doubles oncology capacity by July 2027.
Here's what to know:
$2 million Mabee Foundation challenge grant pushed fundraising over the $41 million Phase 1 goal; total three-phase project is valued at $60 million
Expansion doubles capacity for medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation therapy, and infusion services; new PET-CT scanner and up to three linear accelerators planned
More oncologists are actively being recruited beyond the original projections; Phase 2 and Phase 3 fundraising is now underway
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Port of Fort Smith lands $8.1 million federal grant to expand freight capacity by 40%
What this means: Fort Smith's port gets its biggest infrastructure upgrade in years-a new transload yard connecting rail, truck, and barge for 17-state shipping customers.
The Port of Fort Smith received an $8.1 million federal grant to build a transload yard, expanding capacity 40% by end of 2027.
Here's what to know:
Total project cost is $9.7 million; a $1.6 million local match is being assembled through partner organizations and government entities
Environmental and engineering work expected by end of 2026; construction could begin early 2027 and finish by end of 2027; three new jobs created at completion
The transload yard will handle rail, truck, and barge cargo-primarily bulk feed and fertilizers for poultry and beef industries-serving customers in 17 states
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Quick updates
Bass Pro Shops Outpost opens in Fort Smith - The 70,000-square-foot store opened April 29 with overnight crowds; it is the third Bass Pro location in Arkansas. - Read more
General Darby Challenge draws veterans and civilians downtown - Hundreds rucked, ran, and walked April 26 along the Fort Smith riverfront honoring General William O. Darby in the annual military tribute race. - Read more
Free family safety class at Fort Smith Public Library on May 27 - FSPD hosts a free, one-hour class on drugs, dangerous apps, and online risks for parents and guardians Wednesday, May 27 at 6 PM. - Read more
City board defers hospital service notice discussion - Fort Smith directors pushed a letter urging 180-day hospital closure notice to state lawmakers to a late May or June study session after scheduling conflicts. - Read more
📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎭 Parrot Island Waterpark Opening Weekend | Saturday–Sunday, May 9–10 | Parrot Island Waterpark, 7300 Zero St., Fort Smith | Fort Smith's beloved waterpark opens its 2026 season for weekend-only operation before going daily on May 23. Enjoy slides, the FlowRider, lazy river, and kiddie pools - a perfect early-season splash for families. | Tickets & Info
🎭 Fort Smith Farmers Market "Flip the Switch" Solar Canopy Ceremony | Saturday, May 9 at 8:30 AM | Fort Smith Farmers Market, 44 N 2nd St. at Garrison Ave., downtown Fort Smith | The City of Fort Smith officially activates the new solar canopy at the downtown farmers market - a 500,000-kilowatt-hour-per-year clean energy installation that also provides shade for vendors and shoppers. Stay for the regular market afterward (open 7 AM–noon). | Event Details
🎭 TOP 2026 Fort Smith Regional Dance Competition | Friday–Sunday, May 8–10 | Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th St., Fort Smith | Talent On Parade's regional showcase fills the Convention Center for three days of competitive dance performances across all styles and age groups - a spectacular free spectator event for dance fans. | Full Schedule
🎭 Mother's Day Brunch at Prima Italia | Sunday, May 10, 10 AM–2 PM | Prima Italia Restaurant, 720 Garrison Ave., downtown Fort Smith | Celebrate Mom with an elegant Italian-inspired brunch buffet featuring carving and omelette stations, lasagna, chicken piccata, fresh starters, and decadent desserts including cannoli and mini cheesecakes. Adults $42, kids 4–12 $11, under 3 free. Reservations strongly recommended. | Reserve a Table
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Sonic Katz at El Toro | Friday, May 8, 5–8 PM | El Toro Restaurant & Bar, 2508 Market Trce, Fort Smith | Local rock favorite Sonic Katz returns to El Toro for a high-energy evening of live music - perfect for kicking off the weekend with food, drinks, and dancing. | Event Info
Vintage Vices at Miss Laura's: A Mother's Day Special (21+) | Saturday, May 9 | Miss Laura's Visitor Center, 2 North B St., downtown Fort Smith | River Valley Burlesque transforms Fort Smith's iconic historic brothel into an intimate burlesque showcase with two shows: Early Show (doors 6:30 PM, show 7 PM) and Late Show (doors 8:30 PM, show 9 PM). $20 at the door, BYOB. Age 21+ only. | Event Details
👪 Family-Friendly
Western Arkansas Ballet: Snow White & A Midsummer Night's Dream | Sunday, May 3, 2:00 PM | ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center, 55 S. 7th St., Fort Smith | Catch the final performance of WAB's spring production pairing two beloved stories - Snow White's escape from the Evil Queen and Shakespeare's enchanted forest comedy - with a cast of local students and professional dancers. Adults $35, students $20. | Get Tickets
Parrot Island Waterpark Opening Weekend | Saturday–Sunday, May 9–10, 11 AM–6 PM | Parrot Island Waterpark, 7300 Zero St., Fort Smith | See Must-Attend section above. Weekend-only through May 17, then daily starting May 23. | Season Calendar
Paint With Mom: Mother's Day at Harley's Pottery | Sunday, May 10, Noon–6 PM | Harley's Pottery Painting Studio, 1401 S. Waldron Rd. Suite 101, Fort Smith | Drop in anytime for a relaxing pottery-painting session with Mom - moms receive 15% off all pottery on Mother's Day. Walk-ins welcome; reservations recommended as spots fill fast. | Reserve Your Spot
Spradling Elementary Farewell Block Party | Friday, May 8, 5–7:30 PM | Spradling Elementary School, 4949 Spradling Ave., Fort Smith | Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle - Spradling Elementary invites all past and present students, families, and staff for a nostalgic send-off with food, games, and a Memory Museum walk through the school's history. Free and open to the community. | Event Info
May the 4th Be With You at the Library | Monday, May 4, 11 AM–6 PM | Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch, Carnegie Room, 423 Garrison Ave., Fort Smith | Grab your lightsaber and join the Fort Smith Public Library's two-day Star Wars movie marathon with free popcorn - running May 4 ("May the 4th") and May 5 ("Revenge of the 5th"). Free admission. | Library Events Calendar
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Battle on the Border: Fort Smith Weld Off | Saturday, May 9, 10 AM | American Welding Laboratories, 4400 S. 16th St., Fort Smith | Regional welders compete head-to-head in this unique skills competition with new sponsors and prizes on the line - a great spectator event for trades enthusiasts and the curious alike. | Event Info
🎨 Arts & Culture
Western and Crime Writers Library Visit | Saturday, May 9, 6:30–8 PM | Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch, 423 Garrison Ave., Fort Smith | Legendary authors including Craig Johnson, C.J. Box, Marc Cameron, and Joe R. Lansdale gather at the Main Library for a free evening event celebrating the release of Rough Country and Hard Country - powerhouse Western and crime fiction anthologies whose proceeds support the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund. Book signing included. | Library Events Calendar
Clay Stoneware Mug Workshop at Harley's Pottery | Friday, May 8, 6–8 PM | Harley's Pottery Painting Studio, 1401 S. Waldron Rd. Suite 101, Fort Smith | Build your own functional stoneware mug from scratch in this hands-on workshop - dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe. Instructors walk you through the process; choose your glaze color before leaving. | Register
🎓 Education & Business
Friends of the Library Mostly Fiction Used Book Sale – Clearance | Monday–Sunday, May 4–10 | Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch, Community Room, 423 Garrison Ave., Fort Smith | Pick up bargain paperbacks and hardbacks from the spring fiction sale's clearance days. Half-price day on Saturday, May 9, 1–5 PM. | Library Events Calendar
🛍️ Shopping & Markets
Mother's Day Shopping Extravaganza 2026 | Friday, May 8, 10 AM | Central Mall, 5111 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith | Dozens of pop-up vendors fill Central Mall with gift ideas, artisan goods, and specialty items - perfect for last-minute Mother's Day shopping. | Event Info
⌚ Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Saturday, 7 AM–Noon | 44 N 2nd St. at Garrison Ave., downtown Fort Smith | Fresh local produce, seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goods, artisan crafts, and more from regional growers and makers. Free to attend. | Market Info
Fort Smith Public Library Storytimes | Multiple times weekly | Fort Smith Public Library branches - Main (423 Garrison Ave.), Dallas (1901 Dallas St.), Windsor (3701 Windsor Dr.), Miller (8701 S. 28th St.) | Free storytimes for infants through school-age children happen multiple times each week at all library branches, featuring stories, songs, crafts, and more. No registration required at most sessions. | Full Schedule
Quick Hits
May the 4th Be With You – Star Wars Day movie marathon with free popcorn at Fort Smith Public Library – Monday, May 4, 11 AM–6 PM
Revenge of the 5th at the Library – Day 2 of the Star Wars movie marathon – Tuesday, May 5, 11 AM–6 PM
Plant and Seed Swap – Ongoing through May 24 at Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch near the main desk – bring plants or seeds, take plants or seeds, free
Make a Mother's Day Card – Through Saturday, May 9 at Fort Smith Public Library Dallas Branch, 1901 Dallas St. – free drop-in activity for all ages
Pokemon League Cup – Saturday, May 9, 5 PM at The Game Cave, 923 Louisville St., Fort Smith – competitive Pokemon card tournament, all skill levels welcome
Fort Smith Weekly newsletter for Sunday, May 3, 2026
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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Your Neighbor
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