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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
Today's clear skies and a sunny 95 degrees are just the warm-up act. Forecasters have us climbing to a scorching 104-105 by midweek, so stock up on water and shade before that heat spike lands Wednesday.
Another busy week in our Arkansas River gem, where the Cattlemen's Convention rolls into downtown and the city's biggest personnel call in years comes down to a Tuesday vote. Whether you're chasing the AC or chasing a new paycheck, we've got your local pulse covered.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
🏛️ City Administrator Decision — Board votes Tuesday, Aug. 4 between acting chief Jeff Dingman and finalist Robert Sivick
💼 200+ Jobs at $17-19/hr — Foundever's hiring push at 4600 Towson Ave runs through Sunday, Aug. 9
🚰 Sewer Deadline Pushed to 2038 — regulators gave the city 11 more years and nearly $800 million in costs ahead
🐮 Cattlemen's Convention & Free Casino Shows — free trade show floor Aug. 7-8, plus Ying Yang Twins and Deana Carter at Cherokee Casino
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—Your Neighbour
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Foundever plans to hire 200+ workers at its Fort Smith call center by Aug. 9
What this means: Foundever's hiring push at 4600 Towson Ave runs through Sunday, Aug. 9, with starting pay of $17-$19 an hour for the 200-plus new customer service jobs.
Foundever's Fort Smith call center is hiring more than 200 customer service representatives, including bilingual roles paying up to $40,000 annually, through Aug. 9.
Here's what to know:
Apply at jobs.foundever.com through Sunday, Aug. 9 for full-time roles based at 4600 Towson Ave #275 in Fort Smith
Starting pay is $17 an hour (about $35,000 a year); bilingual English-Spanish reps start at $19 an hour (about $40,000 a year)
Foundever's Fort Smith openings are also listed on Indeed and ZipRecruiter for candidates comparing options before the Aug. 9 cutoff
INFRASTRUCTURE
Federal regulators push Fort Smith's sewer deadline from 2027 to 2038
What this means: The compliance deadline for Fort Smith's sewer system overhaul moves from Jan. 2, 2027 to June 30, 2038, after the city already spent $136 million on the work since 2015.
Federal and state regulators approved extending Fort Smith's sewer consent decree deadline to June 30, 2038, after $136 million in upgrades since 2015.
Here's what to know:
The original Jan. 2, 2027 deadline is now June 30, 2038, giving the city 11 more years to finish required sewer system upgrades
Total consent decree compliance could cost nearly $800 million through 2038, funded partly by a 0.75% sales tax collected from 2023 to 2030
Water and sewer bills rose 167% between 2015 and 2022 to fund the work; a second sales tax approved by voters in May 2025 adds $360 million over 30 years
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Fort Smith narrows city administrator search to Dingman and Sivick ahead of Aug. 4 decision
What this means: The Board interviewed finalist Robert Sivick on Thursday, July 30 and holds an executive session Tuesday, Aug. 4 to decide between him and acting administrator Jeff Dingman.
Two outside candidates withdrew in late July, leaving acting administrator Jeff Dingman and Georgia's Robert Sivick as finalists before the Aug. 4 board decision.
Here's what to know:
The Board interviewed finalist Robert Sivick for about 80 minutes in executive session Thursday, July 30; Dingman wasn't re-interviewed given his current role
An executive session follows the Tuesday, Aug. 4 regular Board meeting, where directors could vote to appoint a permanent city administrator
Candidates Joseph Lessard and Richard McGill withdrew the week of July 27; McGill accepted another job and Lessard cited family reasons
Quick updates
Candidate filing closes Aug. 5, longest-serving director steps aside - Fort Smith's filing period ends at noon Wednesday, Aug. 5, with 20-year Director Kevin Settle among those not seeking reelection. - Read more
Bass Pro Shops drives sales tax jump - Fort Smith's sporting-goods sales tax jumped 55% in June compared to last year, with the finance chief crediting Bass Pro Shops for the boost. - Read more
School Board OKs stadium naming-rights deals - Fort Smith School Board approved corporate naming-rights deals for Northside and Southside stadiums Monday, July 20, worth up to $40,000 a year for 10 years. - Read more
Board adds data center rules to Aug. 11 agenda - Fort Smith's Board added data center water-use rules to its Tuesday, Aug. 11 study session after Director Kevin Settle raised oversight concerns July 21. - Read more
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📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🐮 68th Annual Arkansas Cattlemen's Association Convention & Trade Show | August 7-8 (Friday-Saturday) | Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th St, downtown | Arkansas's largest farm and ranch trade show returns with Cattlemen's College education sessions, the ACA Beef Quiz Bowl, live entertainment, and a member benefit auction. Free trade show floor access. | Convention Details
🎤 Ying Yang Twins Live | Sunday, August 2 at 9pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Southern hip-hop legends D-Roc and Kaine bring two decades of chart-topping hits to Lee Creek Tavern. Free show, 21+ only, minutes from downtown Fort Smith. | Event Details
🎨 Our Common Ground: RAM Annual Invitational | On view through October 25 | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave, midtown | Free admission exhibition featuring works from over 100 regional and national artists exploring connections across geographic and cultural boundaries. | Museum Exhibitions
🎶 Deana Carter Free Country Show | Saturday, August 8 at 8pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Grammy-nominated country hitmaker known for "Strawberry Wine" plays a free show at Lee Creek Tavern. 21+ only. | Casino Entertainment
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Ying Yang Twins | Sunday, August 2 at 9pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Free hip-hop show from the Southern rap duo behind "Whisper Song" and "Salt Shaker." 21+ only. | Event Details
Drake Hyde | Friday, August 7 at 8pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Sallisaw-born country singer-songwriter performs a free show. 21+ only. | Casino Entertainment
Deana Carter | Saturday, August 8 at 8pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Free show from the Grammy-nominated "Strawberry Wine" country hitmaker. 21+ only. | Casino Entertainment
👪 Family-Friendly
Wiggle Worms Storytime | Tuesday, August 4 at 10am | Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, midtown | Storytime designed for infants and toddlers ages 0-24 months, with songs and simple activities. Free, no registration required. | Library Storytime Info
Library Storytime | Thursday, August 6 at 10am | Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, midtown | 30-minute storytime for children and caregivers featuring stories, songs, puppetry, finger plays, and crafts. Free weekly program. | Library Events
Bookish StoryTime | Saturday, August 8 at 11am | The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, downtown | Saturday morning storytelling with crafts for kids of all ages, 11am-12pm. Free event. | Details
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Wednesday, August 5 & Saturday, August 8, 7am-12pm | Municipal parking lot, N 2nd & Garrison, downtown | Fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, jams, crafts, and coffee from 90+ vendors. Saturday features street performers and live music. | Market Info
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Ben Geren Mountain Biking | Open daily | Ben Geren Regional Park, 7200 S Zero St, Fort Smith | Over 14 miles of purpose-built mountain biking trails from smooth beginner loops to intermediate trails with natural obstacles. One of Arkansas's top mountain biking destinations. | Trail Info
Ben Geren Disc Golf Course | Open daily | Ben Geren Regional Park, 7200 S Zero St, Fort Smith | Home of the annual Hell On The Border tournament series, this course offers year-round play for beginners and competitive disc golfers alike. | Course Info
🎨 Arts & Culture
Our Common Ground: RAM Annual Invitational | On view through October 25, Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm | Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave, midtown | Free admission exhibition featuring over 100 regional and national artists, alongside companion exhibits "Reflections in Water," "Jon Williams: No Reservations," and "Hope in Bloom." | Museum Exhibitions
Dewey's Café Artist – Katelyn Smith | On view through August | Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch (Dewey's Café), 3201 Rogers Ave, midtown | Library staffer Katelyn Smith's mixed-media artwork on display at Dewey's Café. Free to view during library hours. | Exhibit Details
U.S. Marshals Museum | Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm | U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Dr, riverfront | Explore the history of America's oldest federal law enforcement agency through interactive exhibits and artifacts. Adults $12, seniors/military $10, youth 6-17 $8. | Museum Info
🎓 Education & Business
Arkansas Cattlemen's Association Convention & Trade Show | August 7-8 (Friday-Saturday) | Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th St, downtown | Educational Cattlemen's College sessions on EPDs, food safety, and pest management, plus Arkansas's largest farm and ranch trade show floor. | Convention Details
Fort Smith Regional Chamber Business Brew | Monthly networking event, day varies | The Arc for the River Valley, 7821 Texas Road, Fort Smith | Monthly Fort Smith Regional Chamber networking event with light breakfast and coffee. Free for members and networking pass holders, $5 for non-members. | Chamber Events
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
Fort Smith Riverfront Park | Open daily | Riverfront Park, 121 Riverfront Dr, downtown riverfront | Scenic walking paths along the Arkansas River, playground, picnic areas, and access to the Riverfront Amphitheater. Free and open to the public. | Park Details
Creekmore Park | Open daily | Creekmore Park, 4100 S 28th St, midtown | Fort Smith's premier community park featuring walking trails, playgrounds, pavilions, and open green space. | Park Info
⌚️ Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Every Wednesday & Saturday, 7am-12pm | Municipal parking lot, N 2nd & Garrison, downtown | Fresh local produce, flowers, baked goods, crafts, and live music. Saturday market is the larger event with street performers. | Market Info
Monday Night Trivia | Every Monday, 7-9pm (registration at 6:30pm) | Captain Quackenbush's Coffeehouse, Fort Smith | Free general knowledge trivia with 1-6 players per team. Five rounds covering all topics. Prizes for top teams. | Trivia Info
Bags at The Bakery 708 Cornhole | Every Wednesday, 6:30-10:30pm | The Bakery District (Cooler Room), 70 S 7th St, downtown | Competitive cornhole tournament with family-friendly atmosphere. | Details
Bookish StoryTime | Every Saturday, 11am-12pm | The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, downtown | Storytelling and crafts for kids of all ages. Free event. | Info
Library Storytime Rotation | Monday (Windsor Branch), Tuesday Wiggle Worms (Main), Wednesday (Dallas Street Branch), Thursday (Main Branch), Friday (Miller Branch), all at 10am | Fort Smith Public Library branches | 30-minute programs with stories, songs, puppetry, and crafts across all branches. Free for children and caregivers. | Library Calendar
Segue Fort Smith | Last Thursday of each month, 6:30pm | The Bakery District (Cooler Room), 70 S 7th St, downtown | Monthly social networking gathering connecting people and events in Fort Smith. | Segue Website
Looking Ahead
Lettuce - Cook Tour | Wednesday, August 12 at 7pm | The Majestic, 817 Garrison Ave, downtown | Boston jam/funk band Lettuce brings its horn-driven groove to the Majestic. Tickets required, prices vary. | Ticket Info
First Day of School: Fort Smith Public Schools | Wednesday, August 12 | Fort Smith Public Schools, district-wide | The 2026-2027 school year kicks off across the district. Check the district's back-to-school hub for supply lists, schedules, and registration info. | Back to School Resources
DJ Swiftie Backpack Drive Party | Friday, August 14, 5pm | ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 S 7th St, downtown | Taylor Swift-themed dance party doubling as a school-supply drive; bring a new backpack or supplies for discounted VIP entry. Tickets $18.95. | Event & Tickets
Quick Hits
Free Southern Hip-Hop - Ying Yang Twins at Cherokee Casino Sunday night, August 2 at 9pm - Free, 21+
Ag Industry Takes Over Downtown - Arkansas Cattlemen's Convention & Trade Show August 7-8 (Friday-Saturday) - Free trade show floor
Free Country Encore - Deana Carter closes out the casino's weekend Saturday, August 8 at 8pm - Free, 21+
100+ Artists, One Exhibit - "Our Common Ground" on view now through October 25 at RAM - Free admission
Fresh & Local - Farmers Market vendors fill the municipal lot Wednesday and Saturday mornings - 90+ vendors
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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See you around town,
Your Neighbor
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