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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️ We're locked into a brutal stretch: 104 today, climbing to 108 by Thursday, before Saturday finally brings a break with some light drizzle. Plan errands for early mornings, keep the AC checked, and check on elderly neighbors who might be skipping the window unit to save money.
It's a big week beyond the heat, too. City Hall just settled a two-decade-old leadership question, and Fort Smith Public Schools' 26 buildings open Wednesday. Whether you're hitting Saturday's Chaffee Crossing market before it gets too hot or just riding out the heat indoors, we've got your local pulse covered.
What to expect in today’s newsletter:
🏛️ New City Administrator - Board voted 4-3 Tuesday to make Jeff Dingman permanent after a 20-month search.
💼 $81 Million at Ebbing - New F-35 construction contracts land at the air base, keeping high-paying jobs local.
💧 Data Centers on the Agenda - Directors study new water-use rules Tuesday before any project taps our water system.
🎓 Back to School Wednesday - Fort Smith Public Schools opens for 2026-27, with open houses Monday.
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-Your Neighbour
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Fort Smith Board hires Jeff Dingman as permanent city administrator in 4-3 vote
What this means: Directors voted 4-3 on Tuesday, Aug. 4 to make acting administrator Jeff Dingman permanent, ending a 20-month vacancy; a finalized salary and contract are due by the board's Tuesday, Aug. 18 meeting.
Fort Smith's Board voted 4-3 Tuesday, Aug. 4 to permanently hire acting administrator Jeff Dingman, ending a 20-month search for the city's top executive.
Here's what to know:
Directors Andre Good, Lee Kemp, Kevin Settle and Neal Martin voted yes; George Catsavis, Christina Catsavis and Jarred Rego voted no at the Tuesday, Aug. 4 meeting
Dingman has served as acting administrator since December 2024, after the board removed Carl Geffken; recruiting firm Colin Baenziger & Associates will negotiate his contract
The board expects a finalized salary and benefits package by its next regular meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 18, at The Blue Lion, 101 N 2nd St.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Ebbing Air National Guard Base lands $81 million in new F-35 construction contracts
What this means: The Department of Defense awarded a $38.96 million contract Aug. 3 for classified F-35 training space at Ebbing, on top of an April $41.78 million hangar contract, bringing new base construction to nearly $81 million.
The Department of Defense awarded Birmingham-based BL Harbert International $38.96 million Aug. 3 for classified F-35 training space at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.
Here's what to know:
The Aug. 3 contract funds a Special Access Program Facility for classified F-35 flight planning, with construction due by Jan. 31, 2029
It follows an April contract worth $41.78 million for a 25,000-square-foot aircraft maintenance hangar, due by March 23, 2028, bringing new construction at Ebbing to nearly $81 million
Ebbing, co-located with Fort Smith Regional Airport, trains F-35 pilots for eight allied nations under the Foreign Military Sales program launched in March 2023
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Fort Smith board previews new data center water-use rules Tuesday, Aug. 11
What this means: The Board of Directors studies whether it must approve any data center tied to Fort Smith's regional water system at the Tuesday, Aug. 11 study session, with no vote scheduled yet.
Fort Smith's Board of Directors will study new data center water-use rules at its Tuesday, Aug. 11 session, after a director raised oversight concerns.
Here's what to know:
Director Kevin Settle requested the review at the board's Tuesday, July 21 meeting, questioning whether the city should approve any data center tied to its regional water system
No data centers are currently proposed for the Fort Smith metro, but five projects are underway elsewhere in Arkansas, including Conway and Little Rock
The study session starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 at The Blue Lion, 101 N 2nd St., and is open to the public
Quick updates
15 candidates set for Fort Smith's Nov. 3 ballot - Fifteen candidates filed for mayor and director races by the Wednesday, Aug. 5 deadline; Neal Martin won Position 7 unopposed. - Read more
Greenwood teen sentenced to 33 years in bat attack case - Malachi Osborn, 16, was sentenced Aug. 5 for beating a 56-year-old relative with a baseball bat; he must have no contact with her family. - Read more
Fort Smith Public Schools opens Wednesday, Aug. 12 - The district's 26 schools start the 2026-27 year after elementary open houses Monday, Aug. 10; enroll now through Student Services. - Read more
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Most people who need a full kitchen replacement start with their Cookware Sets, where you’ll find their best deals. Pasta lovers need the 3 QT Saucier, the piece chefs call their most-reached-for pan and is the pan that powers world-famous Italian joints like Mother Wolf in L.A.
📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎶 Chris Cagle Free Country Night | Friday, August 14 at 8pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Country hitmaker behind "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out" and "What a Beautiful Day" plays a free show minutes from downtown Fort Smith. 21+ only. | Casino Entertainment
🎪 Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisan Market | Saturday, August 15, 8am-1pm | Chaffee Crossing Historic District, 7020 Taylor Ave, Chaffee Crossing | Third-Saturday festival-style market with handmade goods, food trucks, live music, and a kid zone in the historic district. Free admission. | Market Info
🎨 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
🇺🇸 Free 250th Stars and Stripes Family Series: "Land That I Love" | Tuesday, August 11, 10am & 1pm (two sessions) | U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Dr, riverfront | Free hands-on family program exploring the Constitution, the American flag, and national symbols as part of America's 250th anniversary. | Event Details
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Chris Cagle | Friday, August 14 at 8pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Free country show from the Texas-born singer of "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out." 21+ only. | Casino Entertainment
Unknown Causes ft. Lacey Shaffer-Thomas | Saturday, August 15 at 8pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Free live cover-band show closing out the casino's weekend lineup. 21+ only. | Casino Entertainment
Jazz Jam | Thursday, August 13, 5-8pm | The Bakery District patio, 70 S 7th St, downtown | Monthly informal jam session where local jazz musicians trade solos on classic standards. Free and open to all skill levels. | Event Info
👪 Family-Friendly
Free 250th Stars and Stripes Family Series | Tuesday, August 11, 10am & 1pm | U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Dr, riverfront | Free interactive craft-and-lesson program on the Constitution and American symbols, part of the museum's America's 250th series. | Event Details
Wiggle Worms Storytime | Tuesday, August 11 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 13 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 Storytime Info
Bookish StoryTime | Saturday, August 15 at 11am | The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, downtown | Saturday morning storytelling with a craft activity for kids of all ages, 11am-12pm. Free event. | Event Details
Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisan Market | Saturday, August 15, 8am-1pm | Chaffee Crossing Historic District, 7020 Taylor Ave, Chaffee Crossing | Homegrown and handmade vendor booths, food trucks, live music, and a kid zone in the historic district. Free admission. | Market Info
Fort Smith Farmers Market | Wednesday, August 12 & Saturday, August 15, 7am-12pm | Municipal parking lot, N 2nd & Garrison (201 Garrison Ave), downtown | Fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, jams, crafts, and coffee from local vendors; Saturday features street performers and live music. | Market Directory
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Ben Geren Mountain Biking Trails | 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 routes with natural obstacles like the Rollercoaster and Autobahn trails. Free. | Trail System Info
Ben Geren Disc Golf Courses | Open daily | Ben Geren Regional Park, 7200 S Zero St, Fort Smith | Two free 18+ hole disc golf courses (White and Orange) ranging from moderate to very hard, with cart-friendly paths and restrooms on site. | Park 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" and "Jon Williams: No Reservations." | Museum Exhibitions
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
Perks of Membership | Thursday, August 13, 9-10am | Fort Smith Regional Chamber Boardroom, 612 Garrison Ave, downtown | Casual roundtable for prospective and current Chamber members to share business needs and learn about membership benefits. Free; registration requested. | Register
Foodie Friday at Chuy's | Friday, August 14, 12-1pm | Chuy's, 6818 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith | No-host Chamber networking lunch (attendees cover their own food and drinks) at the Tex-Mex restaurant. Free to attend; registration requested. | Register
🏞️ 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 (201 Garrison Ave), downtown | Fresh local produce, flowers, baked goods, crafts, and live music. Saturday market is the larger event with street performers. | Market Directory
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 a family-friendly atmosphere. | Event Info
Bookish StoryTime | Every Saturday, 11am-12pm | The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, downtown | Storytelling and a craft activity for kids of all ages. Free event. | Event Details
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
Empire | Friday, August 21 at 8pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Free live band show. 21+ only. | Casino Entertainment
Love & Legacy Wedding Showcase | Sunday, August 16, 12-4pm | U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Dr, riverfront | Free showcase to meet local wedding vendors and gather planning inspiration. | Event Details
Ben + Noel Haggard | Friday, August 28 at 8pm | Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK | Free show from Merle Haggard's son and daughter carrying on the family's country legacy. 21+ only. | Casino Entertainment
Quick Hits
Free Country Night - Chris Cagle plays Lee Creek Tavern - Friday, August 14 at 8pm, free, 21+
Third Saturday Market - Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisan Market returns with food trucks and a kid zone - Saturday, August 15, 8am-1pm
America's 250th, Kid-Sized - Free hands-on Constitution program at the Marshals Museum - Tuesday, August 11, 10am & 1pm
100+ Artists, One Exhibit - "Our Common Ground" on view now through October 25 at RAM - Free admission
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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See you around town,
Your Neighbor
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