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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
Another warm one in our Arkansas River gem - 90s through the weekend before midweek storms roll in, so get your riverfront plans in early. Whether you're lining up for the Mayor's 4th of July fireworks or watching City Hall maneuver through its biggest decisions in years, we've got your local pulse covered.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
⚖️ Your vote, your government - The change-of-government petition cleared 3,100 signatures, and the board votes again this month on putting it before you in November
🏛️ The $250K hire that shapes everything - 15 candidates, one city-administrator chair empty 18 months, a July 31 decision that the government fight could erase entirely
🛡️ Crime down, by the numbers - Fort Smith crime fell 10.6% in 2025 and sits a third below the ten-year average
🎆 America turns 250 on the river - Free all-evening celebration July 4 at Harry E. Kelley River Park, fireworks at 9:30
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-Your Neighbour
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Petition organizers report 3,100+ raw signatures as board schedules June 30 vote
What this means: Fort Smith Board of Directors votes June 30 on whether to place a mayor-council question on the November ballot-organizers have collected more raw signatures than the 2,608 required, but none have been submitted or verified yet
Organizers report 3,100+ raw petition signatures toward a November ballot measure; the board schedules a June 30 vote on its own referral.
Here's what to know:
Organizers need at least 2,608 verified registered voter signatures submitted by late July or early August; they are collecting extra signatures to cushion invalidations and have not yet submitted the petition to the City Clerk
Board votes June 30 on whether to place the question on the November ballot; a prior board vote in May deadlocked 3-3 with one abstention-four votes needed to pass
If voters approve in November, Fort Smith would shift to a mayor-council form; city attorneys say elections for the new structure would not take place until 2028
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
City administrator search closes with 15 candidates; board targets July 31 hire
What this means: Fort Smith's 18-month leadership gap nears an end-15 nationwide candidates are under review for the CEO-level city administrator role, with acting administrator Jeff Dingman among applicants
Application window closed June 19 with 15 nationwide candidates; Fort Smith Board of Directors targets July 31 decision for the city administrator role.
Here's what to know:
15 applicants as of June 19, including acting administrator Jeff Dingman; search firm Colin Baenziger & Associates is screening the pool
Board contracted Colin Baenziger & Associates for a search not to exceed $33,550; decision target is July 31
The hiring process intersects with the change-of-government debate-a mayor-council structure would eliminate the city administrator role
Residents can track board decisions at fort-smith.org or contact City Hall at 479-784-2201
EDUCATION
AHCA School of Nursing opens Fort Smith location in July with 28 students
What this means: River Valley healthcare workers gain employer-sponsored LPN career path starting July-Fort Smith location will be the city's largest Licensed Practical Nurse training program
AHCA School of Nursing opens Fort Smith in July with 28 students-the city's largest LPN training program for working healthcare staff to advance credentials.
Here's what to know:
28 students begin 10-month in-person LPN program in July; program is restricted to Medication Assistant-Certified workers nominated by their facility administrators
Fort Smith joins AHCA School of Nursing campuses in Little Rock, Rogers, and Jonesboro; the program's first class graduated in April 2026 with 66 students completing coursework
Healthcare workers interested in the next cohort should ask their facility administrator about nomination; visit ahcanursing.com for enrollment details
Quick updates
Fort Smith crime fell 10.6% in 2025 - Police department annual report shows overall crime 10.6% below 2024, nearly 30% under the five-year average, and 33% below the ten-year average.
Massard Water Reclamation upgrade begins - Board unanimously approved $8.575 million Garver engineering contract June 2 for facility redesign, first phase of a $150 million wastewater infrastructure overhaul.
The Polls Got 2024 Wrong. This Doesn't.
Pundits predicted. Polls projected. Most of them missed. Prediction markets didn't.
Kalshi is where people put real money behind their political read — which means the prices you see on who wins the 2028 nomination aren't opinions. They're commitments. Right now, tens of millions of dollars are already trading on who gets the Republican and Democratic nominations.
That's a different signal than any poll you'll read this week.
Trade what you actually believe. Get $10 free to start.
Trade responsibly.
📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎭 "The Western District" at the U.S. Marshals Museum | Friday-Saturday, June 26-27 | U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith | Free performances of this historical one-act play about Fort Smith's turbulent frontier past in the 1870s, staged inside the museum for a uniquely immersive experience. | Details
🚴 True Grit Bike Ride & 5K | Saturday, June 27 | Chaffee Crossing, 7308 Ellis Street, Fort Smith | The 16th annual community fundraiser for at-risk children - choose from 30, 45, or 62-mile bike routes or run the certified 5K; free BBQ lunch and 2 free beers included for all participants. | Register
🎆 Mayor's 4th of July Celebration - America's 250th | Saturday, July 4 | Harry E. Kelley River Park, 121 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith | Free all-evening celebration on the Arkansas River with live music lineup from DJ Susie Q through Mr. Cabbagehead and the Screaming Radishes, food trucks, family activities, and fireworks at 9:30 PM. | Details
🍺 Brew on the Border - Inaugural Craft Beverage Festival | Saturday, July 25 | Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Ave, downtown Fort Smith | Fort Smith's first-ever indoor craft beverage festival inside a history museum - 25+ beer, wine, and seltzer vendors, live music, and food trucks; General Admission $50, VIP $100. | Tickets
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
"The Western District" Free Performances | Friday, June 26 & Saturday, June 27, 2:30 PM | U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith | Historical one-act play exploring Fort Smith's role as gateway to Indian Territory during the 1870s; no tickets required, free admission for museum guests. | Details
Mayor's 4th of July Celebration | Saturday, July 4, 5:00 PM | Harry E. Kelley River Park, 121 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith | Full evening of live performances including the Larry B. Soul Experience and Mr. Cabbagehead and the Screaming Radishes, with fireworks at 9:30 PM; FREE admission, bring lawn chairs. | Details
Brew on the Border | Saturday, July 25, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Ave, downtown Fort Smith | Inaugural craft beverage festival featuring 25+ vendors, curated tastings, live entertainment, and access to museum exhibits; VIP early entry available. | Tickets
👪 Family-Friendly
Movies in the Park: "How to Train Your Dragon" | Friday, June 26, 8:00 PM | Fort Smith Parks & Recreation outdoor venue (rotating locations - Creekmore, Tilles, and MLK Jr. parks) | Free outdoor movie night screening the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon; bring blankets and lawn chairs. | Details
Camp Fiction with River Valley Literary Society | Monday–Friday, June 22-26, 10:00 AM | Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith | Five-day creative writing camp for ages 10-14 with award-winning authors - participants learn storytelling skills and publish their own short story; free, registration encouraged. | Details
Freedom 250 Mobile Museum - Freedom Truck Tour | Saturday–Monday, July 11-13, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Ave, downtown Fort Smith | National touring exhibit bringing America's founding history directly to the community through interactive technology and multimedia storytelling for all ages; admission fees apply. | Details
Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisan Market | Saturday, July 18, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Chaffee Crossing Historic District, 7300 Ellis Street, Fort Smith | Monthly festival-style market with homegrown produce, handmade goods, food trucks, live music, and a kids zone; FREE admission, presented by Choctaw Casino & Resort. | Details
Fort Smith Public Library Summer Reading Program: "Unearth a Story" | Through July 31, all branch hours | Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch at 3201 Rogers Ave and Windsor, Miller, and Dallas branches | All-ages reading program with prizes, special events, and storytimes running through the end of July; download the Reader Zone app to participate. | Details
🏃 Sports & Fitness
True Grit Bike Ride | Saturday, June 27, 7:00 AM | Chaffee Crossing, 7308 Ellis Street, Fort Smith | 16th annual charity bike ride with 30, 45, and 62-mile routes through rural Arkansas; free t-shirt for registrations by June 16, BBQ lunch and 2 free beers for all participants. | Register
True Grit Certified 5K | Saturday, June 27, 7:30 AM | Chaffee Crossing, 7308 Ellis Street, Fort Smith | Timed 5K run/walk benefiting food programs for at-risk children; first 500 registrants get a sling bag; packet pickup Friday, June 26 from 4–7 PM. | Register
Import Expo Car Show | Saturday, June 27, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th Street, Fort Smith | Second-year celebration of imports, domestics, Euro, and JDM vehicles with music, giveaways, and good vibes; General Admission $15–$35, kids under 12 free with adult. | Tickets
🎨 Arts & Culture
"The Western District" - Historical Theater | June 26-27, 2:30 PM | U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith | Now in its third month of performances, this fast-paced blend of history, drama, and humor explores Fort Smith's frontier past; free with museum admission. | Details
🎓 Education & Business
Fort Smith Boots & Badges Blood Drive | Wednesday, July 1, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th Street, Fort Smith | Community blood drive hosted at the downtown convention center; walk-ins welcome during event hours. | Details
Top Value Rips Card Show | Saturday–Sunday, July 11-12, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th Street, Fort Smith | Trading card show and sales event for collectors at the downtown convention center. | Details
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
Mayor's 4th of July Celebration Fireworks | Saturday, July 4, fireworks at 9:30 PM | Harry E. Kelley River Park, 121 Riverfront Drive, along the Arkansas River | Spectacular riverside fireworks display to cap Fort Smith's America 250th celebration - free, bring lawn chairs and arrive early. | Details
⌚️ Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Tuesdays and Saturdays, 7:00 AM – Noon | Downtown Fort Smith, parking lot at N 2nd Street & Garrison Avenue | Open-air market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, jams, honey, local art, and occasional live music from vendors across Sebastian and Crawford counties; year-round, peak season May–September. | Details
Fort Smith Parks & Recreation: Pop Up Play Days | Wednesdays, July 1 & July 15 | Various Fort Smith parks locations | Free drop-in outdoor activities for children and families at rotating Fort Smith park locations; upcoming dates are July 1 and July 15. | Details
Quick Hits
True Grit Packet Pickup - True Grit riders and runners can pick up race packets Friday, June 26 from 4–7 PM at 7308 Ellis St with free food trucks and 2 free beers per participant
Last Children's Museum Thursday - The final free Thursday morning session of FSMH's 5th Annual Children's Summer Programming is June 25, 10–11:30 AM at 320 Rogers Ave; story time, activities, and free Frito chili pie
Arkansas Cattlemen's Convention - Save the date: August 6-8 at Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th St for the state's largest cattle industry gathering
Authors in the Afternoon - Rick Harvey reads at Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Tuesday June 23 at 4:00 PM; free event, open to the public
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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See you around town,
Your Neighbor
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