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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️
It's a scorcher today, with highs pushing 103°F and cloud cover building across the River Valley - stay hydrated if you've got plans outdoors. Around town, this week's headlines carry real weight: a police shooting investigation just closed, City Hall is still dodging questions about a cyberattack, and the airport is eyeing a nine-figure expansion. Whether you're catching up over coffee or planning your Friday night downtown, we've got your local pulse covered.
Here's what's making waves this week:
⚖️ Investigation closed - prosecutor finds deadly force justified in the May shooting that wounded Officer Newman, no charges filed.
🔒 Data left in limbo - City still won't confirm if hackers accessed data from 36,000 utility accounts three weeks after the breach.
✈️ $84 million pitch - Fort Smith Regional Airport floats an $84 million 'adversary air' training facility for F-35 pilots at Ebbing.
🎵 Levitt AMP kicks off - Fort Smith native LIVESOSA headlines the free season opener at Harry E. Kelley Riverpark Friday night.
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-Your Neighbor
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
[PUBLIC SAFETY]
Prosecutor clears four Fort Smith officers in shooting that critically wounded Officer Newman
What this means: Sebastian County closes the criminal review of the May 17 shooting near 7200 Massard Road, four officers face no charges, and Officer Kyle Newman continues recovering at home since June 10.
Sebastian County's prosecutor ruled Sept. 3 that deadly force was justified after Joshua Keller, 27, shot Officer Kyle Newman near Massard Road on May 17.
Here's what to know:
Prosecutor Daniel Shue's Sept. 3 letter found no criminal liability for officers Newman, Billy Marts, Dawson Tabor and Ryan Grayham after reviewing body-camera and dash-camera footage, witness statements and scene photos.
Newman was shot in the neck during a DWI stop near 7200 Massard Road at 1:23 a.m. May 17; Keller fled, crashed near the I-540/Grand Avenue exit, and was pronounced dead at 1:51 a.m. with a blood-alcohol level of 0.247.
Newman was hospitalized out of the area and returned home to continue recovery June 10.
[MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS]
City still won't say whether hackers accessed data from 36,000 utility accounts
What this means: three weeks after an Aug. 16 cyberattack, the City of Fort Smith still hasn't confirmed if personal or financial data was taken, and 36,000+ water/sewer customers and 1,032 employees are the ones at risk.
A cyberattack disclosed Aug. 16 still has the city withholding answers Sept. 2 on whether hackers accessed 36,000 water/sewer accounts and 1,032 employees' data.
Here's what to know:
The attack, first disclosed Aug. 16, remained unresolved as of the Sept. 2 report; the city's Chief Information Officer says only that "the investigation is ongoing."
Card and debit payments were knocked out at City Hall, the landfill and district court, and police and fire operations were hindered, though 911 dispatch stayed online throughout.
No credit monitoring has been offered as of Sept. 2; residents and city employees should watch statements tied to water/sewer accounts and payroll for unusual activity.
[ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT]
Fort Smith Regional Airport floats $84 million 'adversary air' training facility
What this means: airport planners want $84 million for a facility to fly simulated enemy jets against allied F-35 students at Ebbing, but the Aug. 25 briefing was a planning exercise only - no funding has been approved.
Fort Smith Regional Airport is planning an $84 million facility to simulate enemy jets for allied F-35 pilots at Ebbing, though no funding is approved.
Here's what to know:
The airport commission has approved only a $65,000 pre-design engineering contract; a sensitivity analysis is underway to decide whether a full environmental assessment is required before any project moves forward.
The $84 million estimate breaks down to $42 million for hangars and buildings, $20 million for site prep, and $9.7 million for fuel-farm work supporting the F-35 Foreign Military Sales training mission already based at Ebbing.
Airport Director Andrew Meyer says this is "a proactive planning phase," not an approved project; military officials from Germany and Singapore have only expressed interest so far.
Quick updates
Board approves $3.3 million in sewer work under consent decree - Fort Smith's board approved $3.3 million for two sewer contracts covering 7,000 feet of pipe and 80 manholes under the city's federal consent decree. - Read more
City honors Miss America Madison Marsh and Judge Jim Spears with street names - The board honored Miss America 2024 Madison Marsh at Gary and South 41st streets, and the late Judge Jim Spears at Riverfront Drive. - Read more
Simmons Bank to close Fort Smith branch Dec. 4 - Simmons Bank will close its Fort Smith branch Dec. 4, one of 26 nationwide closures, with most of the roughly 100 affected employees placed elsewhere. - Read more
Armed Services Committee chairman tours Ebbing, backs F-35 hangar funding - House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers toured Ebbing Air National Guard Base Aug. 27 as Congress weighs extending F-35 hangar funding there. - Read more
It's Here: Pique's New Caffeine-Free Afternoon Energy
I quit my afternoon coffee. Not because I wanted to — because I found something better.
You know that wall you hit every day around 2–3 PM? I used to just accept it as the cost of doing anything. Another coffee, a quick spike, then the crash — and somehow I'd still feel dehydrated by dinner.
Then I tried X·E Fountain, Pique's brand-new electrolyte energy drink, and I genuinely wasn't ready for how good "no crash" could feel.
No caffeine jitters. No 4 PM slump. Just clean, steady energy that actually hydrates me instead of draining me. It's built with a premium Vitamin B Complex for natural cellular energy, Magnesium Malate + Taurate for real focus, and a full electrolyte blend that makes it feel like a treat, not a chore.
The cucumber-celery-lime flavor is so crisp and refreshing — it's basically stolen my afternoon coffee slot completely.
📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎵 Levitt AMP Fort Smith Music Series: LIVESOSA with Playboi Perky & Beem - Friday, September 11, 6:00 PM · Harry E. Kelley Riverpark, Garrison Ave at the river, Fort Smith (downtown riverfront)
Free season opener for the 2026 Levitt AMP series - Fort Smith native LIVESOSA headlines his first hometown show in nearly a decade, kicking off seven weeks of free outdoor concerts through October 22. 📅 Add to calendar
🎸 Goodbye June / Trippp - Trouble For All Tour - Friday, September 11, 8:00 PM (doors 7:00 PM) · The Majestic, 817 Garrison Avenue, Fort Smith (downtown)
Southern rock trio Goodbye June headlines with Jonesboro's Trippp and REV45 opening; tickets via the venue's ticket link, 21+ bar but all-ages show floor. 📅 Add to calendar
🏅 UAFS 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb - Friday, September 11, 6:00-8:00 PM · Stubblefield Center, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, 5402 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith
UAFS Army ROTC's Lion Company leads a 110-flight commemorative stair climb honoring those lost on 9/11, open to campus, community members, and local first responders. 📅 Add to calendar
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
_Both of this week's headline concerts - Levitt AMP's LIVESOSA and Goodbye June/Trippp at the Majestic - are covered above in Must-Attend Events._
👪 Family-Friendly
🎬 $5 Movie Night: Ready Player One - Sunday, September 6, 6:00-8:00 PM · King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren
Arts On Main's affordable family movie night in the historic 315-seat Victorian theater; $5 per ticket, low-cost concessions. 📅 Add to calendar
🏃 Sports & Fitness
🚵 Taco 2sday Ride (Mountain Biking)/1570/) - Tuesday, September 8, 6:00-8:00 PM · Ben Geren Trails, 7200 Zero Street, Fort Smith
Weekly community mountain bike ride on the Ben Geren singletrack; check the RIVER VALLEY MOUNTAIN BIKE'r (RVMTB) Facebook group for pace and meetup point. 📅 Add to calendar
🎨 Arts & Culture
🎨 Pastel Basics Workshop - Friday, September 11, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM · Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith (midtown)
Artist Mary Woodward leads a foundational pastel-drawing workshop for ages 16+; $15 members / $25 nonmembers, all supplies provided. 📅 Add to calendar
🕯️ In Remembrance of the Anniversary of 9/11 - Friday, September 11, 6:00 PM · Elks Lodge #341, 5504 Massard Road, Fort Smith
Community remembrance gathering marking the anniversary of September 11, with dinner and program; $11 admission. 📅 Add to calendar
🎓 Education & Business
☕ Business After Hours hosted by UAFS - Tuesday, September 8 · Van Buren Chamber of Commerce networking event hosted by University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Van Buren
Chamber-wide mixer for members to connect with UAFS staff and fellow Van Buren businesses; registration required through the Chamber. 📅 Add to calendar
📈 ASBTDC at The Chamber - Wednesday, September 9 · Van Buren Chamber of Commerce office, Van Buren
Free one-on-one small-business counseling session with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, hosted at the Chamber. 📅 Add to calendar
✂️ Ribbon Cutting for USA Truck - Thursday, September 10, 10:00-10:30 AM · USA Truck, 3200 Industrial Park Road, Van Buren
Van Buren Chamber ribbon-cutting celebrating new ownership of trucking carrier USA Truck. 📅 Add to calendar
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
_See Critter Crunch under Recurring Events below for this week's animal-feeding demo schedule at the Nature Center._
⌚️ Recurring Events
Monday, September 7
🎱 810 Billiards & Bowling: Bingo - Monday, September 7, 6:30-8:30 PM · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Weekly bingo night at the bowling alley's dining room, $5 buy-in with cash prizes for winners. 📅 Add to calendar
☕ Morning Mugs Networking/1143/) - Monday, September 7, 7:00-8:00 AM · Fort Smith Coffee Company, 1101 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith
Weekly small-business and entrepreneur networking meetup at the OG location. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime - Windsor Branch Library - Monday, September 7, 10:00 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Windsor Branch, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith
Free weekly storytime with books, songs, and movement for kids and caregivers. 📅 Add to calendar
🍻 Trivia Night @ The Hangout - Monday, September 7, 7:00-9:00 PM · The Social Club @ The Hangout, 5400 Gary St, Fort Smith
21+, upstairs only; free to play with prizes for top three teams. 📅 Add to calendar
Tuesday, September 8
🎯 Trivia Night - 810 Billiards & Bowling - Tuesday, September 8, 6:30-8:30 PM · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Free weekly trivia in the dining room starting at 6:30 PM; bring a team, no cost to play. 📅 Add to calendar
👶 Wiggle Worms Storytime - Tuesday, September 8, 10:00 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Free weekly storytime geared to babies 0-24 months, with rhymes and simple stories. 📅 Add to calendar
Wednesday, September 9
🌽 Cornhole Trivia - Wednesday, September 9, 6:30 PM · Digs FS, 70 S 7th St, Suite C, Fort Smith
Weekly trivia night with cornhole on the patio and cocktails; outside food allowed during bar hours. 📅 Add to calendar
🎤 Good Time Services (Karaoke and DJ)/1363/) - Wednesday, September 9, 8:00 PM · Grandad's Bar, 4009 Midland Blvd, Fort Smith
Weekly karaoke in a relaxed, low-drama atmosphere with monthly basket giveaways. 📅 Add to calendar
🎤 Karaoke - The Knotty Pint - Wednesday, September 9, 7:00 PM (also Fridays) · The Knotty Pint, 3910 Towson Ave, Fort Smith
Weekly karaoke nights at this Towson Avenue bar on Wednesdays and Fridays, with live music on Saturdays. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime & Crafts - Dallas Branch Library - Wednesday, September 9, 10:00 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Dallas Branch, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith
Free 30-minute storytime with books, music, snacks and crafts for kids and caregivers. 📅 Add to calendar
🎯 King Trivia - 810 Billiards & Bowling - Wednesday, September 9, 6:30-8:30 PM · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Free weekly King Trivia; Happy Hour runs 3-6 PM beforehand. 📅 Add to calendar
Thursday, September 10
🎤 Karaoke - Digs FS - Thursday, September 10, 8:00 PM · Digs FS, 70 S 7th St, Suite C, Fort Smith
Weekly Thursday karaoke night at this downtown Bakery District bar; grab the mic and sing with friends. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime - Main Library - Thursday, September 10, 10:00-10:35 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Free weekly storytime with stories, songs, and rhymes for kids and caregivers. 📅 Add to calendar
🎮 Thursday Night Games - Thursday, September 10, Dance lessons 8:00 PM, games 10:00 PM · Electric Cowboy, 6107 South 31st Street, Fort Smith
21+, no cover; free dance lessons, games, and $200 in prizes with drink specials all night. 📅 Add to calendar
🌴 Karaoke at Lost Beach - Thursday, September 10, 9:00 PM (also Fridays & Saturdays) · Lost Beach, 1810 South Zero Street, Fort Smith
21+ tropical-themed karaoke bar night at this laid-back beach-style bar; no experience needed, just enthusiasm. 📅 Add to calendar
Friday, September 11
🐍 Critter Crunch: Snake Feeding - Friday, September 11 · Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith
Weekly snake feeding demo; fish feeding in the large aquarium happens Saturdays. Free with regular Nature Center admission. 📅 Add to calendar
🎨 Fun Paint and Sip Class - Friday, September 11, 6:00-8:00 PM · Just Art and Dance, 1208 Princeton Dr, Fort Smith
$35 per person, all ages welcome; advance registration required, call (210) 552-2625. 📅 Add to calendar
🎉 Friday Night Lights - Friday, September 11, 8:00 PM · Electric Cowboy, 6107 South 31st Street, Fort Smith
21+, cover charge at the door; $2.75 wells/light beers til 9, $5.75 bombs/lemon drops til 10, Fireball specials all night. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime - Miller Branch Library - Friday, September 11, 10:00 AM · Fort Smith Public Library - Miller Branch, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith
Free weekly storytime with stories, songs, rhymes and crafts; no registration necessary. 📅 Add to calendar
Saturday, September 12
🐟 Critter Crunch: Fish Feeding - Saturday, September 12 · Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith
Weekly fish-feeding demo in the large aquarium. Free with regular Nature Center admission. 📅 Add to calendar
Looking Ahead
🎪 Van Buren fall events building - Downtown JunkFest and Arts On Main's "James and the Giant Peach Jr." preview both land Saturday, September 12; check the Van Buren Chamber calendar for confirmed times as they're posted.
Quick Hits
Levitt AMP Season Opener - Fort Smith native LIVESOSA's first hometown show in nearly a decade, and it's free - Friday, September 11, 6:00 PM
Goodbye June at the Majestic - Southern rock trio with 140M+ Spotify streams headlines with Jonesboro's Trippp - Friday, September 11, 8:00 PM
UAFS Stair Climb - 110 flights honoring 9/11, open to the community - Friday, September 11, 6:00 PM
Pastel Basics at FSRAM - Small workshop, $15-25, ages 16+ - Friday, September 11, 11:00 AM
USA Truck Ribbon Cutting - Van Buren Chamber marks new ownership - Thursday, September 10, 10:00 AM
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Thanks for spending a few minutes with me exploring what's happening in Fort Smith!
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See you around town,
-Your Neighbor
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