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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️ Buckle up for another scorcher: highs are pushing past 100 all week, cresting near 107 by midweek, with clear skies and no rain in sight through the weekend.
It's a busy stretch in our Arkansas River gem, with back-to-school routines settling in and two big downtown weekend draws wrapping up before the holiday. Whether you're beating the heat at the library or catching the last day of a downtown favorite, we've got your local pulse covered.
Here's what's making waves this week:
🚨 Two teens arrested - 11 felony counts tied to a citywide vehicle break-in spree
⚖️ FOIA questions over board's recess - private talks before the Nov. 3 ballot vote
💰 Sales tax collections up 6% - $2.171 million in July funds police and fire
🎪 Card show's final lap - plus Terri Clark's free show in Roland this weekend
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-Your Neighbor
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
[PUBLIC SAFETY]
Fort Smith police arrest two teens after string of vehicle break-ins citywide
What this means: Detectives tied two juveniles, ages 14 and 17, to break-ins across Fort Smith between Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Friday, Aug. 28, and more charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Fort Smith police arrested two teens, 14 and 17, Friday, Aug. 28, on 11 felony counts tied to vehicle break-ins and a stolen firearm.
Here's what to know:
Police tied the pair to break-ins across Fort Smith between Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Friday, Aug. 28, including the theft of a firearm.
The teens, ages 14 and 17, face 11 felony charges so far: six counts of breaking or entering and five of theft of property involving motor vehicles.
Fort Smith Police Department detectives are still reviewing evidence from the three-day spree and expect additional charges; the juveniles' names have not been released.
[MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS]
Fort Smith board's improper recess before Nov. 3 ballot vote draws FOIA questions
What this means: The board recessed the Aug. 18 meeting without the required second or majority vote before some directors spoke privately, and the city now says future recess motions will follow proper procedure ahead of the Nov. 3 change-of-government election.
Fort Smith's mayor gaveled an Aug. 18 board meeting into recess without a vote as a change-of-government motion sat pending, and directors talked privately.
Here's what to know:
Mayor George McGill gaveled the Aug. 18 meeting into recess without the second and majority vote required for a pending motion, city officials confirm.
Directors Kevin Settle, Lee Kemp and Neal Martin held private conversations with colleagues and audience members during the recess, raising Arkansas FOIA concerns the city calls "speculative."
The board reconvened and voted 7-0 to place the change-of-government question on the Nov. 3 ballot; the city says future recess motions will follow proper procedure.
[ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT]
Fort Smith's July sales tax haul climbs 6%, funding police and fire
What this means: The city's share of the 1% countywide sales tax hit $2.171 million in July, up 6% from $2.047 million a year ago, money that pays for police, fire and other core services.
Fort Smith collected $2.171 million from its share of the countywide sales tax in July, up 6% from last year and ahead of budget projections.
Here's what to know:
July collections totaled $2.171 million, up 6% from $2.047 million in July 2025, and beat the city's own 1% tax projection by 4.6%.
Year-to-date collections through July reached $14.697 million, up $614,795 (4.36%) over the same seven months in 2025.
The countywide tax funds police, fire and other essential city services; accommodation and food-service spending led growth, up 8.76% over last July.
[EDUCATION]
Fort Smith school board settles with former Northside coach for $525,000
What this means: The board voted unanimously Aug. 24 to pay former Northside High football coach Felix Curry $525,000 through its insurance carrier, ending a discrimination lawsuit tied to his December 2024 reassignment.
Fort Smith's school board approved a $525,000 settlement Aug. 24 with former Northside coach Felix Curry, who alleged racial discrimination after his 2024 reassignment.
Here's what to know:
The board voted unanimously Aug. 24 to pay Felix Curry, Northside's former head football coach of 12 years, $525,000 through the district's insurance carrier.
Curry was reassigned to the Student Detention Center on Dec. 4, 2024 after his contract was not renewed, then sued alleging racial discrimination.
The district admitted no liability but will provide Curry a letter of recommendation within 14 days of the Aug. 24 settlement.
Quick updates
FSPD tightens Flock camera rules - Police Chief Danny Baker cut Fort Smith's Flock camera data retention from 30 to 7 days and limited searches to felony cases. - Read more
City Hall card payments restored after Aug. 16 breach - Fort Smith restored credit and debit card payments at City Hall by Aug. 26, though the landfill and district court remain cash-and-check only. - Read more
Men's Wearhouse opens on Phoenix Avenue with 11 new jobs - The store at 4165 Phoenix Ave opened Aug. 19 and held its grand-opening ribbon cutting Aug. 28, adding 11 local jobs. - Read more
Mercy Fort Smith lands $19 million for rural health care upgrades - Federal Rural Health Transformation funding will expand telehealth and preserve hospital services in Booneville, Waldron and Paris, Mercy announced Aug. 27. - Read more
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📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎴 Top Value Rips Card Show - Final Day - Sunday, August 30, 7am-5pm · Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th St, downtown
Last chance to browse dealers buying, selling, and trading sports cards from across the River Valley before the two-day show wraps. Free admission.
📚 Friends of the Library Non-Fiction Used Book Sale - Half-Price Sunday - Sunday, August 30, 1-5pm · Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, Community Room, 3201 Rogers Ave, midtown
Closing day of the annual sale, with every remaining title from history to home improvement marked half off. Free entry.
🤠 Terri Clark - Saturday, September 5 at 8pm · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Grand Ole Opry star and country radio hitmaker headlines a free show minutes from downtown Fort Smith. 21+ only.
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Audio Crush - Friday, September 4 at 8pm · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Free live band show opens the casino's first weekend-of-September lineup. 21+ only.
Terri Clark - Saturday, September 5 at 8pm · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Free show from the Grand Ole Opry member and country radio hitmaker. 21+ only.
👪 Family-Friendly
Windsor Branch Storytime - Monday, August 31, 10-10:45am · Fort Smith Public Library - Windsor Branch, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith
Weekly stories, songs, and crafts for children and caregivers at the Windsor branch. Free, no registration required.
Wiggle Worms Storytime - Tuesday, September 1, 10-11am · Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, Storytime Nook, 3201 Rogers Ave, midtown
Storytime for infants and toddlers ages 0-24 months with songs and simple activities. Free, no registration required.
Dallas Street Branch Storytime - Wednesday, September 2, 10-10:45am & 11-11:45am · Fort Smith Public Library - Dallas Street Branch, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith
Two morning sessions of stories, songs, puppetry, and crafts for children and caregivers. Free, no registration required.
Library Storytime - Thursday, September 3, 10-11am · Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, Storytime Nook, 3201 Rogers Ave, midtown
Stories, songs, puppetry, and crafts for children and caregivers. Free weekly program.
Miller Branch Storytime - Friday, September 4, 10-11am · Fort Smith Public Library - Miller Branch, 8701 S 28th Street, Fort Smith
Weekly storytime with songs and crafts for children and caregivers at the Miller branch. Free, no registration required.
Bookish StoryTime - Saturday, September 5, 11am-noon · The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, downtown
Saturday morning storytelling with a craft activity for kids of all ages. Free, no registration needed.
Fort Smith Farmers Market - Wednesday, September 2 & Saturday, September 5, 7am-noon · Municipal parking lot, N 2nd & Garrison (201 Garrison Ave), downtown
Fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, jams, crafts, and coffee from local vendors; the Saturday market adds street performers and live music. Free to attend.
Friends of the Library Non-Fiction Used Book Sale - Sunday, August 30, 1-5pm · Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, Community Room, 3201 Rogers Ave, midtown
Closing day of the used book sale, with everything remaining marked half-price. Free entry.
🏃 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.
Ben Geren Disc Golf Courses - Open daily · Ben Geren Regional Park, 7200 S Zero St, Fort Smith
Two free 18-hole disc golf courses ranging from moderate to very hard, with cart-friendly paths and restrooms on site. Free.
🎨 Arts & Culture
Our Common Ground: RAM Annual Invitational - On view through October 25, Tue-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm · Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave, midtown
Free admission exhibition featuring works from over 100 regional and national artists, running alongside companion shows "Reflections in Water" and "Jon Williams: No Reservations" (both close September 13).
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.
🎓 Education & Business
Ribbon Cutting: UADA Sebastian County Cooperative Service - Thursday, September 3, 10-11am · 7600 Taylor Avenue, Fort Smith
Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting celebrating the Sebastian County Cooperative Extension Service office; open to the public. Free to attend.
🏞️ 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.
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. Free.
Full calendar: City of Fort Smith Parks & Recreation events
⌚️ Recurring Events
Fort Smith Farmers Market - Every Wednesday & Saturday, 7am-noon · Municipal parking lot, N 2nd & Garrison (201 Garrison Ave), downtown
Fresh local produce, flowers, baked goods, crafts, and live music. Saturday is the larger market with street performers.
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 Competitive, Intermediate, and Backyard divisions and cash payouts.
Bookish StoryTime - Every Saturday, 11am-noon · The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, downtown
Storytelling and a craft activity for kids of all ages. Free.
Library Storytime Rotation - Monday (Windsor Branch, 4701 Windsor Drive, 10-10:45am), Tuesday Wiggle Worms (Main Branch, 10-11am), Wednesday (Dallas Street Branch, 8100 Dallas Street, 10-10:45am & 11-11:45am), Thursday (Main Branch, 10-11am), Friday (Miller Branch, 8701 S 28th Street, 10-11am) · Fort Smith Public Library branches, 3201 Rogers Ave and neighborhood branches
Weekly programs with stories, songs, puppetry, and crafts across all branches. Free for children and caregivers.
SEGUE - Last Thursday of every month, 6:30-8:30pm · The Bakery District (Cooler Room), 70 S 7th St, downtown
Monthly community-building meetup for making new connections in the River Valley. Next gathering is September 24. Free, all welcome.
Looking Ahead
🎶 Levitt AMP Fort Smith Music Series - Season Opener - Friday, September 11 at 6pm · Harry E. Kelley Riverpark, Garrison Ave at the river, downtown riverfront
Free outdoor concert series kicks off its 2026 season with LIVESOSA, joined by Playboi Perky and Beem; the season runs through October. Bring a lawn chair.
🎻 Fort Smith Symphony Season Opening Concert - Saturday, September 12 at 7pm · ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 S 7th St, downtown
GRAMMY-nominated pianist Han Chen performs Beethoven's First Piano Concerto alongside Dvorak's Seventh Symphony; tickets required and expected to move quickly for opening night.
Quick Hits
Card Show's Last Lap - Top Value Rips wraps its two-day run at the Convention Center - Sunday, August 30, 7am-5pm, free admission
Half-Price Books - Friends of the Library book sale closes with everything half off - Sunday, August 30, 1-5pm at the Main Library
Opry Star in Roland - Terri Clark plays a free show at Lee Creek Tavern - Saturday, September 5 at 8pm, 21+
Chamber Ribbon Cutting - UADA Sebastian County Cooperative Service celebrates its new office - Thursday, September 3, 10-11am, 7600 Taylor Avenue
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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