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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️ Today tops out near 100°F before the week breaks into the 90s by Tuesday - one more scorcher before fall gets serious.
This is a heavier edition than usual, and we're not pretending otherwise. A ransomware gang's claims about the August cyberattack and a paused murder trial both demand your attention this week. But there's good news too, from building permits to a school district turnaround worth celebrating.
Here's what's making waves this week:
⚖️ Ransomware group claims 5.7 terabytes stolen - Interlock says it holds more than 100,000 Social Security numbers; here's how to freeze your credit now.
🏛️ Murder trial paused for mental fitness exam - Jasmine Johnston and Donny Warner Jr. remain jailed on $500,000 bonds each with no new trial date.
💼 Building permits jump 47.5% to $17.99 million - Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren posted their strongest August in years.
🎓 Fort Smith schools rise from a C to a B - nine campuses win Gem School funding, including $89,893 for Southside High School.
Know someone who'd want this? Forward it along - or grab your referral link at the bottom and get credit when they subscribe.
-Your Neighbor
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
[PUBLIC SAFETY]
Fort Smith murder trial paused for mental fitness exam of second defendant
What this means: Sebastian County Circuit Judge Stephen Tabor suspended the joint trial of Jasmine Johnston, 20, and Donny Warner Jr., 19, on Sept. 3, and both remain jailed on $500,000 bonds each with no new trial date set.
A Sebastian County judge halted the trial for two Fort Smith residents charged in a 16-year-old's July 7 killing over a fitness challenge.
Here's what to know:
Defense attorneys requested the Sept. 3 evaluation for Warner, 19, after "reasonable suspicion" about his ability to assist in his own defense.
Johnston, 20, and Warner face first-degree murder and aggravated robbery charges and remain in the Sebastian County jail on $500,000 cash bonds each.
The case stays on hold until Warner's exam is complete and the court is notified he is fit to proceed; no new court date has been set.
[MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS]
Ransomware group claims 5.7 terabytes stolen from Fort Smith, including 100,000+ Social Security numbers
What this means: Interlock claims it holds data from 1,032 city employees and 36,000+ water/sewer customers, including police files and 911 records, and the city says its own investigation is "almost complete" as of Sept. 15.
The Interlock ransomware gang claimed responsibility Sept. 16 for the Aug. 16 city cyberattack, saying it took 5.7 terabytes of police and 911 data.
Here's what to know:
Interlock claims the stolen data includes more than 100,000 Social Security numbers, police report photos, water-system data and a complete 911 call and incident database.
The city said Sept. 15 its probe involving federal and state cybersecurity partners is "almost complete" and pledged to be "more forthcoming" once it wraps up, more than a month after the Aug. 16 attack.
You do not have to wait on the city's investigation to protect yourself: freeze your credit free with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and pull free weekly reports at annualcreditreport.com.
[ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT]
Fort Smith metro building permits jump 47.5% to $18 million in August
What this means: Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren combined for $17.99 million in permitted construction in August, up from $12.2 million a year earlier, with Fort Smith alone issuing 353 permits worth $15.86 million.
Combined building permit values across Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren hit $17.99 million in August, a 47.5% jump from August 2025's $12.2 million.
Here's what to know:
Fort Smith issued 353 permits worth $15.86 million in August, up 63.6% from 215 permits worth $9.7 million a year ago.
The August jump comes despite a soft year overall: the region's year-to-date permit total of $186.2 million still trails 2025's $216.7 million by 14.1%.
Full monthly figures are tracked by Talk Business & Politics using data from Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren building departments.
[EDUCATION]
Fort Smith schools jump from a C to a B, nine campuses win Gem School funding
What this means: The district's 2026 state grade rose a full letter, nine schools improved and nine were named Gem Schools, with Southside High School alone drawing $89,893 in new grant money.
Fort Smith Public Schools' 2026 district grade rose from a C to a B, with nine schools improving and nine campuses earning Gem School honors.
Here's what to know:
Haas Hall Academy-Fort Smith and the Institute for the Creative Arts High School both earned A grades; 9 schools improved their letter grade, 8 held steady and 6 dropped.
Gem School funding lands directly in classrooms: Southside High School gets $89,893, Woods Elementary $21,367 and Ballman Elementary $14,279.
Three area Boys & Girls Clubs also picked up nearly $89,000 combined this month from K-MAC Enterprises' Taco Bell Foundation grants for youth programs.
Quick updates
Board approves $919,000 Denali contract on revote - Directors voted 4-2 Sept. 15 to approve the tabled water-treatment residuals contract; the city's engineering director says the sediment involved carries little odor risk. - Read more
Denali files plan to permanently close odor-plagued Crawford County lagoon - Denali submitted a 90-day closure plan Sept. 15 for the 2.3-acre lagoon behind years of odor complaints and an October 2024 lawsuit. - Read more
Fort Smith airport traffic dips 12.5% in August, 4th daily flight returns this fall - Enplanements fell to 4,823 in August from 5,513 a year ago; Director Andrew Meyer says added flight capacity returns in October and November. - Read more
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📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🦋 Dolly 9-2-5 & Butterflies - Friday, September 25, 4:00-7:00 PM · Downtown Van Buren, 800 Main Street, Van Buren
Girls'-night-out shopping crawl with Dolly-inspired specials at Main Street businesses, building to a synchronized release of live Painted Lady butterflies at 5 PM; free Butterfly Cards available starting at 4 PM. Free to attend. 📅 Add to calendar
🎪 St. Michael's Day Community Festival - Saturday, September 26, 5:00-9:00 PM · St. Michael's Catholic Church, 1019 E Pointer Trail, Van Buren
Van Buren parish tradition dating to 1946 brings the whole community together for food, live music, games and fellowship. Free admission. 📅 Add to calendar
🎤 Joe Nichols - Saturday, September 26, 8:00 PM · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Arkansas-native country hitmaker ("Brokenheartsville," "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off") headlines a free show minutes from downtown Fort Smith. 21+ only. 📅 Add to calendar
🏐 UAFS Volleyball vs. Northeastern State - Tuesday, September 22, 6:00 PM · Gayle Kaundart Arena, Stubblefield Center, 5402 Kinkead Avenue, Fort Smith
MIAA conference match with a "Clash of the Colleges/Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night" theme; live stats and streaming available. 📅 Add to calendar
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
🎸 The Brothers Moore - Friday, September 25, 8:00 PM · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Free live band show on the casino's weekend lineup, minutes from downtown Fort Smith. 21+ only. 📅 Add to calendar
🎷 Blues Jam at The Bakery - Sunday, September 20, 1:00 PM · The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Free monthly third-Sunday blues jam on the patio, open to all skill levels. 📅 Add to calendar
👪 Family-Friendly
_Dolly 9-2-5 & Butterflies and St. Michael's Day Community Festival, both family-welcoming, are covered above in Must-Attend Events._
🏃 Sports & Fitness
⛳ 1st Annual ProLogic/CASA Charity Golf Tournament - Tuesday, September 22, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM · Ben Geren Park Golf Course, 6471 Golf Course Loop, Fort Smith
Charity scramble benefiting CASA's child-advocacy work; open to experienced golfers and casual players alike. Register at prologicprokids.com. 📅 Add to calendar
🚵 Taco 2sday Ride (Mountain Biking) - Tuesday, September 22, 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 RVMTB Facebook group for pace and meetup point. 📅 Add to calendar
🏌️ Arkansas Senior Amateur Championship - Concludes Sunday, September 20 · Hardscrabble Country Club, 5211 S. Cliff Dr., Fort Smith
Final round of the ASGA's Senior Amateur Championship for senior and super-senior men golfers, presented by UAMS Health Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. 📅 Add to calendar
_UAFS Volleyball vs. Northeastern State is covered above in Must-Attend Events._
🎨 Arts & Culture
_Fort Smith Museum of History (320 Rogers Avenue, downtown) opened the Smithsonian traveling exhibit "Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program" this month as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month and the museum's 250th-anniversary programming - six bilingual posters on the WWII-era Bracero guest-worker program, on view through the fall. Details._
🎓 Education & Business
🩸 Blood Drive: Leave the Biting to the Vampires This Fall - Sunday, September 20, 11:00 AM-2:30 PM · Walmart, 2214 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren
Our Blood Institute's fall-themed blood drive; donors get a limited-edition T-shirt while supplies last. Open to anyone 16+ meeting weight requirements; walk-ins welcome, or book at obi.org. 📅 Add to calendar
✂️ Ribbon Cutting for Tuff Cutz Barbershop - Thursday, September 24, 10:00-10:30 AM · Tuff Cutz Barbershop, 2421 Kibler Road Suite A, Van Buren
Van Buren Chamber ribbon-cutting marking the grand opening of this new barbershop. 📅 Add to calendar
🤝 SEGUE - Thursday, September 24, 6:30 PM · The Cooler Room, The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Monthly community-connection meetup for making new friends and business contacts in a relaxed setting. Free. 📅 Add to calendar
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
_See Taco 2sday Ride under Sports & Fitness and Critter Crunch under Recurring Events for this week's outdoor programming._
⌚️ Recurring Events
Monday, September 21
🎱 810 Billiards & Bowling: Bingo - Monday, September 21, 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 - Monday, September 21, 7:00-8:00 AM · Fort Smith Coffee Company, 1101 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith
Weekly small-business and entrepreneur networking meetup at the OG downtown coffeehouse location. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime - Windsor Branch Library - Monday, September 21, 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 21, 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 22
👶 Wiggle Worms Storytime - Tuesday, September 22, 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
🎯 Trivia Night - 810 Billiards & Bowling - Tuesday, September 22, 6:30-8:30 PM · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Free weekly trivia in the dining room; bring a team, no cost to play. 📅 Add to calendar
Wednesday, September 23
🌽 Bags at The Bakery 708 Cornhole - Wednesday, September 23, 6:30-10:30 PM · The Bakery District (Cooler Room), 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith
Competitive cornhole tournament with Competitive, Intermediate, and Backyard divisions and cash payouts. 📅 Add to calendar
🌽 Cornhole Trivia - Wednesday, September 23, 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
🎯 King Trivia - 810 Billiards & Bowling - Wednesday, September 23, 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
🎤 Karaoke - The Knotty Pint - Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 PM (also Fridays) · The Knotty Pint, 3910 Towson Ave, Fort Smith
Weekly karaoke nights on Wednesdays and Fridays, with live music on Saturdays. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime & Crafts - Dallas Branch Library - Wednesday, September 23, 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
🎤 Good Time Services (Karaoke and DJ) - Wednesday, September 23, 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
🥕 Fort Smith Farmers Market - Wednesday, September 23 & Saturday, September 26, 7:00 AM-Noon · Municipal parking lot, N 2nd & Garrison (201 Garrison Ave), Fort Smith (downtown)
Fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, jams, crafts, and coffee from local vendors; Saturday adds street performers and live music. Free to attend. 📅 Add to calendar
Thursday, September 24
🎤 Karaoke - Digs FS - Thursday, September 24, 8:00 PM · Digs FS, 70 S 7th St, Suite C, Fort Smith
Weekly Thursday karaoke night at this downtown Bakery District bar. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime - Main Library - Thursday, September 24, 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 24, 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
Friday, September 25
🐍 Critter Crunch: Snake Feeding - Friday, September 25 · Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith
Weekly snake feeding demo; fish feeding happens Saturdays. Free with regular Nature Center admission. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Storytime - Miller Branch Library - Friday, September 25, 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
🌴 Karaoke at Lost Beach - Friday, September 25, 9:00 PM · 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
Saturday, September 26
🐟 Critter Crunch: Fish Feeding - Saturday, September 26 · 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
📖 Bookish StoryTime - Saturday, September 26, 11:00 AM-Noon · The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Saturday morning storytelling with a craft activity for kids of all ages. Free, no registration needed. 📅 Add to calendar
Looking Ahead
🎻 Fort Smith Symphony: Mythologies - Saturday, October 3, 7:00 PM · ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
World-premiere multimedia concert by composer Danae Xanthe Vlasse with vocalists and pianist, the symphony's second program of its 103rd season. Tickets via arts-people.com. 📅 Add to calendar
🛍️ A Kiss of Fall Market - October 9-10, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM · Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Kissie Me Markets' fall vendor and artisan market, two full days of local shopping downtown. 📅 Add to calendar
Quick Hits
Dolly 9-2-5 & Butterflies - Hundreds of butterflies released at once on Van Buren's Main Street - Friday, September 25, 4-7 PM
Joe Nichols Free Show - Arkansas-native country star at Cherokee Casino, 21+ - Saturday, September 26, 8:00 PM
St. Michael's Day Festival - Van Buren parish tradition since 1946 - Saturday, September 26, 5-9 PM
Bracero Program Exhibit - Smithsonian traveling exhibit opens the Museum of History's Hispanic Heritage lineup - on view now through fall
UAFS vs. Northeastern State - Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night at the Stubblefield Center - Tuesday, September 22, 6:00 PM
👋 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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