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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️ Sunday's sunny and warm, high near 91, just a 15% chance of rain - good weather for one last spin through the AR-OK State Fair at Kay Rodgers Park.
Another busy week in our Arkansas River gem, where the fair's carnival lights are glowing, downtown's arts calendar is in full swing, and the Board of Directors keeps grinding through budget season. Whether you're picking up Chocolate Festival tickets or tracking what directors decide about your water bill, we've got your local pulse covered.
Here's what's making waves this week:
🎡 AR-OK State Fair - the fair's 90th year keeps rides, rodeo action and fair food running at Kay Rodgers Park through October 3
⚖️ Sewer contract vote - directors decide Oct. 5 whether to hand Arcadis $2.47 million to manage the sewer consent decree
🚒 Fire pay fight - Chief Darrell Clark wants a 14% raise, more than double the city's proposed 6.5%
🎭 A Streetcar Named Desire - Fort Smith Little Theatre's run closes this week with $14 tickets
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-Your Neighbor
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
[PUBLIC SAFETY]
Fort Smith police release bodycam video of officer shot during May traffic stop
What this means: The video, released Sept. 14, shows Officer Kyle Newman returning fire near Ben Geren Regional Park after Joshua Keller shot him during a May 17 DWI stop, and Sebastian County's prosecutor ruled the officers' response justified earlier this month.
Fort Smith police released body camera video Sept. 14 showing Officer Kyle Newman returning fire after being shot in the neck May 17.
Here's what to know:
Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Shue determined earlier this month that the deadly force officers used against Keller was justified.
Newman was hospitalized in critical condition after the shooting near 7200 Massard Road, moved to rehab by early June and released home by mid-June.
Fort Smith police say additional bodycam footage from the pursuit that ended near the Grand Avenue I-540 exit is still being processed for release.
[ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT]
Arkansas River shipping tonnage through Fort Smith, Van Buren up 7.5% this year
What this means: Five Rivers Distribution president Marty Shell calls it the company's strongest third quarter yet and says Five Rivers will add warehouse space at the Van Buren port in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Arkansas River tonnage through Fort Smith and Van Buren hit 7.066 million tons through August, up 7.5% from 2025 on rising sand and gravel freight.
Here's what to know:
Internal shipments between Arkansas River ports jumped 60.4% to 2.65 million tons through August, while sand, gravel and rock volume rose 33% to 2.812 million tons.
Five Rivers Distribution plans to build additional warehouse space at the Van Buren port in the fourth quarter of 2026 to keep pace with demand, president Marty Shell said.
The 445-mile Arkansas River system runs through 18 locks and dams, including 13 in Arkansas, connecting Fort Smith and Van Buren to five commercial ports along the waterway.
[MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS]
Fort Smith board set to vote on $2.47 million contract to manage sewer consent decree
What this means: If approved Oct. 5, Arcadis would oversee spending toward the nearly $800 million, federally mandated sewer overhaul running through 2038, work that has already driven water and sewer rates up 167% since 2015.
Fort Smith staff recommends hiring Arcadis for $2.474 million to manage the sewer consent decree, with directors set to vote Oct. 5.
Here's what to know:
The Fort Smith Board of Directors is expected to vote on the $2.474 million, first-year Arcadis contract at its Oct. 5 regular meeting.
The city has spent $136 million on consent decree sewer work since 2015, funded partly by a 0.75% sales tax voters approved in May 2022 through 2030.
Arcadis program manager David Stanley says he wants real-time project dashboards on the city website so residents can track progress on the nearly $800 million effort.
Quick updates
City: no evidence banking data taken in cyberattack, investigation still open - The city said Sept. 23 it found no evidence customer credit card or banking data was compromised in the Aug. 16 cyberattack; the probe continues. - Read more
Fire chief asks for 14% raise, more than double city's proposed 6.5% - Chief Darrell Clark told directors Sept. 22 firefighters need a 14% raise, versus the city's 6.5% plan, to keep pace with Fayetteville's higher starting pay. - Read more
Parrot Island's manager to end contract Dec. 31 amid theft probe - American Resort Management will stop running Parrot Island Waterpark Dec. 31, ending an agreement dating to the park's 2015 opening, as a theft investigation continues. - Read more
UAFS respiratory therapy program clears key steps toward Fall 2027 launch - A $3 million Windgate Foundation gift will fund a UAFS respiratory therapy lab for a 12-student program targeting a Fall 2027 launch, pending accreditation review. - Read more
Elon's new company is private. These 3 tickers aren't.
The next Apple may already exist. Insider sources say Elon has spent two years building a secret device inside Tesla's facilities — one he claims will be "10x bigger than the largest product in history."
There's just one problem: the company is private, and unless you know Elon personally, you can't buy a single share. That was true until Guardian's research team found three public ticker symbols sitting in the launch supply chain.
Click here to see all 3 tickers, free of charge.
You won't hear these names on CNBC — Wall Street hasn't published a word on the connection. But when the launch hits September 21, that quiet ends.
Some are already calling this the biggest opportunity since AI. For anyone who missed Apple before the iPhone, this may be a second look at that kind of setup.
📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🎡 AR-OK State Fair - Now through Saturday, October 3 · Kay Rodgers Park, 4400 Midland Blvd, Fort Smith
The Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair marks its 90th year with carnival rides, livestock shows, rodeo action, agricultural exhibits and fair food through the coming week. 📅 Add to calendar
🎭 A Streetcar Named Desire - Sunday, September 27 (2pm matinee) and evenings Wednesday, September 30 through Saturday, October 3 (7:30pm nightly) · Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 North 6th St, Fort Smith
Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama closes out its run this week; tickets $14, mature themes including domestic abuse. 📅 Add to calendar
🎻 MYTHOLOGIES - Saturday, October 3, 7:00pm · ArcBest Performing Arts Center (UAFS campus), 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith
Fort Smith Symphony hosts the world-premiere performance of GRAMMY-winner Danae Xanthe Vlasse's multimedia song cycle on Greek myth, featuring sopranos Sangeeta Kaur and Hila Plitmann, tenor Omar Najmi and pianist Robert Thies. 📅 Add to calendar
🍫 Friends of the Fort Smith Library Chocolate Festival - Sunday, September 27, 2:30-4:30pm · Fort Smith Public Library Dallas Branch, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith
Local clubs and businesses turn the Dallas Branch into a chocolate showcase; $10 tickets cover six tastes plus a to-go box, with proceeds funding library programs. 📅 Add to calendar
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
🎸 Paralandra - Friday, October 2, 8:00pm · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 105 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Free 21+ live show just across the state line from downtown Fort Smith. 📅 Add to calendar
👪 Family-Friendly
🦸 Anime Club - First Meeting - Monday, September 28, 4:30-5:30pm · Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Teens gather for the inaugural meeting of the library's new anime and manga club, with screenings and Japanese snacks; no registration required. 📅 Add to calendar
🦹 Superhero Trivia Night at Dewey's Café - Monday, September 28, 5:30-7:00pm · Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch (Dewey's Café), 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Free four-round superhero trivia night open to school-age kids through adults, from Spider-Man to the Avengers to classic comics. 📅 Add to calendar
🍪 September Crafts & Cookies - Wednesday, September 30, all day (drop-in) · Fort Smith Public Library Dallas Branch, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith
Free drop-in autumn-themed craft table with cookies at the Dallas Street Branch. 📅 Add to calendar
🎃 Pumpkin Decorating Contest - Thursday, October 1 · Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Mess-free pumpkin decorating contest for kids 12 and under, entries accepted through October 27; pick up an entry form at the Main Library. 📅 Add to calendar
🏃 Sports & Fitness
🎾 Western Arkansas Tennis Association: Fort Smith City Championships - Sunday, September 27 (final day of the weekend tournament) · Creekmore Park / Creekmore Tennis Center, 4100 S 28th St, Fort Smith
The city tennis championships wrap up their weekend bracket on the new Creekmore courts. 📅 Add to calendar
🎨 Arts & Culture
🎬 Mrs. Doubtfire - Tuesday, September 29, 7:30-9:30pm · Skokos Performing Arts Center, 103 E. Main Street, Alma
Touring production of the musical comedy based on the film; tickets $54.50-$102.46, senior/military discounts available at 479-632-2129. 📅 Add to calendar
🖼️ Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program - On view Sunday, September 27 through the fall · Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith
Smithsonian traveling poster exhibition on the 1942-1964 Bracero guest-worker program, opened for National Hispanic Heritage Month as part of the museum's 250th-anniversary programming. 📅 Add to calendar
🖌️ Glyphosate Dreams - On view now through Friday, November 20 · UAFS Art and Design Gallery, UAFS campus, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith
Katina Bitsicas exhibition examining industrial agriculture's environmental and human toll through photography, printmaking and video. 📅 Add to calendar
🏆 Our Common Ground: RAM Annual Invitational - On view now through Sunday, October 25 · Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
The museum's juried annual invitational exhibition continues its run in the midtown galleries. 📅 Add to calendar
🕯️ 1922 Nosferatu Silent Movie at Miss Laura's - Friday, October 2, 6:00-8:30pm · Miss Laura's Visitor Center, 2 North B Street, Fort Smith
Adults-programmed library screening of the 1922 silent horror classic at the historic riverfront visitor center. 📅 Add to calendar
📜 250th Celebration Series: Writing and Recording Family Oral History - Saturday, October 3, 1:00-2:00pm · Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Genealogy Assistant Sydney Furney leads a workshop on capturing family oral histories, part of the library's 250th-anniversary series. 📅 Add to calendar
🧶 Maker Lab: Crochet Granny Squares - Saturday, October 3, 2:00-4:00pm · Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch, 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Free adult crochet workshop in the Carnegie Room; bring your own hook and yarn or ask about loaners. 📅 Add to calendar
🎓 Education & Business
🏛️ 2026 National History Day Teacher Workshop - Wednesday, September 30, 9:30am-3:30pm · U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Dr, Fort Smith
Free professional-development workshop for grades 6-12 teachers on the 2026-27 National History Day theme (WWII); up to 5 PD hours. 📅 Add to calendar
✂️ Ribbon Cutting for K&L Custom Marble - Thursday, October 1, 11:00-11:30am · K&L Custom Marble, 5505 N Hwy 59, Van Buren
Van Buren Chamber welcomes its newest member business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 📅 Add to calendar
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
(See Recurring Events below for Fort Smith's weekly outdoor programming - archery, wildlife feeding, mountain-bike rides and the downtown scavenger hunt all repeat this week.)
⌚️ Recurring Events
📚 Library Storytimes - Every week, mornings, rotating branch to branch · Fort Smith Public Library, all four branches (Main, Dallas, Miller, Windsor)
Free weekly storytime for babies through school age; the branch and exact morning rotate, so confirm this week's stop on the library's online calendar.
🎨 RAM Saturdays Art Projects - Every Saturday, 12:00-3:00pm · Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
Free drop-in make-and-take art project, all ages and skill levels. 📅 Add to calendar
🏹 All Ages Archery - Most Saturdays · Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith
Free beginner archery instruction with bows, arrows and targets provided; confirm this week's session on the nature center's calendar.
🐍 Critter Crunch - Tuesday through Saturday, feeding time varies by day · Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith
Rotating critter feeding program; check the nature center's calendar to see which animal is on the menu each day. 📅 Add to calendar
🚵 Taco 2sday Ride - Every Tuesday, 6:00pm · McClure Amphitheater at Ben Geren Trails, 7200 Zero Street, Fort Smith
Community mountain-bike ride, 4-14 miles depending on conditions; weather/trail permitting, check the RVMTB Facebook group for status. 📅 Add to calendar
🧠 Trivia Night - Every Tuesday, 6:30pm · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Free to play with a cash pot that grows weekly. 📅 Add to calendar
🎱 810 Bingo - Every Monday, 6:30pm · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Weekly cash-prize bingo night with five dollars paid out per winning line; bring friends and grab a lane afterward. 📅 Add to calendar
☕ Morning Mugs - Every Monday · Fort Smith Coffee Company, 1101 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith
Free weekly small-business and entrepreneur networking meetup where local owners swap leads and grow Fort Smith's shared customer base. 📅 Add to calendar
💼 ASBTDC Office Hours - Every Wednesday · Van Buren Chamber Business Resource Center, 111 North 12th St, Van Buren
Free one-on-one small-business consulting with UAFS Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center's regional director; call 479-424-5146 to schedule. 📅 Add to calendar
🔎 Fort Smith Scavenger Hunt: Sidewalk Secrets - Self-guided, available daily · Starts at 200 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith
App-based downtown walking hunt past the Bass Reeves statue and other historic landmarks; tickets required via the Let's Roam app.
🎤 Karaoke & Live Music - Multiple nights weekly, evenings · The Knotty Pint, 3910 Towson Ave, Fort Smith
21+ neighborhood bar lineup mixing karaoke sing-alongs with a live band; check the venue for this week's night-by-night schedule.
🤝 Center for Nonprofits Drop-In - First Thursday of every month, 9:00am-3:00pm · Van Buren Chamber Business Resource Center, 111 North 12th St, Van Buren
Free monthly drop-in for River Valley nonprofit staff to network with UAFS Center for Nonprofits and book one-on-one consulting. 📅 Add to calendar
Looking Ahead
🍂 Fort Smith Fall Festival - Saturday, October 24 · Downtown Fort Smith
Godowntownfs.org's marquee fall event returns downtown; details on hours and footprint to follow closer to the date. 📅 Add to calendar
Quick Hits
AR-OK State Fair - 90th anniversary celebration runs through October 3 at Kay Rodgers Park - Now through Saturday, October 3
A Streetcar Named Desire - FSLT's run closes this week, $14 tickets - Sunday matinee & Wed-Sat evenings
MYTHOLOGIES - World-premiere GRAMMY-winner song cycle at ArcBest PAC - Saturday, October 3, 7pm
Chocolate Festival - $10 gets you six chocolate tastings for the library - Sunday, September 27, 2:30pm
Paralandra - Free 21+ show just over the state line in Roland - Friday, October 2, 8pm
Nosferatu at Miss Laura's - 1922 silent horror classic at the historic riverfront visitor center - Friday, October 2, 6pm
👋 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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