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Good morning, Fort Smith! ☀️ Sunday is clear and mild with no rain in the forecast, and the week keeps warming up, so pack the lawn chairs for Thursday's finale at the riverfront amphitheater.
Another busy week in our Arkansas River gem, where early voting opens Monday and the Fall Festival downtown is almost here. Whether you're planning your Saturday around a festival or catching up on what City Hall decides, we've got your local pulse covered.
Here's what's making waves this week:
👮 Police chief retiring - Danny Baker leaves June 1, 2027, and the city has 7½ months to pick a successor
🍻 Alcohol tax rejected - directors killed the 10% idea, so a 14% firefighter raise stays unfunded until November
🗳️ Early voting - opens Monday, Oct. 19, at seven sites with a seven-candidate mayor race on the ballot
🍂 Fall Festival - 80+ living history reenactors fill downtown Fort Smith Saturday, Oct. 24, free
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-Your Neighbor
📰 NEWS YOU CAN USE
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker will retire June 1, 2027, giving the city 7½ months to pick a successor
What this means: Fort Smith will name a new police chief by June 1, 2027, after Baker's announcement on Oct. 14, and he hopes the pick comes from inside the department.
Chief Danny Baker announced Oct. 14 he will retire June 1, 2027, after 30 years in law enforcement, 26 with Fort Smith police.
Here's what to know:
Baker says he gave nearly eight months of notice so the department can transition; he became interim chief in April and has led the department since his 2019 promotion.
The department's statement says Group A crimes fell more than 30% over five years, and 2024 brought a nearly 24% across-the-board officer raise plus the first take-home vehicles.
No successor or hiring timeline has been announced; Baker's final-year budget stands at $24.797 million, and City Administrator Jeff Dingman's statement is in the full article.
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Directors reject the 10% alcohol tax idea, leaving a 14% firefighter raise unfunded until November
What this means: The $500,000-a-year tax is off the table after the Oct. 13 study session, and Dingman must bring a pay plan to the first November voting meeting.
Fort Smith directors rejected raising the alcohol tax from 5% to 10% on Oct. 13; a motion asks the administrator to find other money.
Here's what to know:
Directors Christina Catsavis, George Catsavis and Neal Martin dismissed the tax immediately; Christina Catsavis moved, and Martin seconded, that Dingman "find the money" and return at the first regular voting meeting in November.
Dingman's memo identified general fund cuts to pay a 10.7% firefighter raise, with a $50,022 entry salary; the 14% Fire Chief Darrell Clark wants costs about $1.65 million a year and needs another $375,000.
Directors Andre Good and Lee Kemp back the larger raise; email or call your director before the November meeting to weigh in.
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Early voting opens Monday, Oct. 19, at seven Sebastian and Crawford county sites with Fort Smith's mayor race on the ballot
What this means: Seven candidates are running for mayor, and voters also decide whether Fort Smith moves from a city administrator to a mayor-council government; polls run Oct. 19 through Nov. 3.
Early voting opens Oct. 19 at seven Sebastian and Crawford county sites; Fort Smith's ballot has a seven-candidate mayor race and a government-change question.
Here's what to know:
Sebastian County sites are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays Oct. 19-23 and Oct. 26-30: the courthouse (Room G8), Elm Grove Community Center at MLK Park, Creekmore Community Center, Ben Geren Park Tornado Shelter and Rye Hill Baptist Church.
Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 24 (courthouse, Creekmore, Rye Hill) and Oct. 31 (courthouse, Elm Grove, Ben Geren); Crawford County sites at Alma Community Center and the Van Buren Emergency Operations Center are open both Saturdays.
Bring photo ID; Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 2 early voting runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Van Buren slackwater harbor clears a $100,000 pre-construction contract, setting up a price vote on the $18.16 million project
What this means: The Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority approved Massman Construction on Oct. 14, and its guaranteed maximum price will decide whether the harbor proceeds.
Van Buren harbor board approved a $100,000 pre-construction contract with Massman Construction on Oct. 14 for the $18.16 million slackwater harbor project.
Here's what to know:
A federal grant of $15.096 million funds most of the build; Five Rivers Distribution has committed almost $5 million and the authority is pursuing a $1.6 million state waterways grant.
The harbor would be 1,000 feet long and 200 feet wide and moor up to eight barges at a time off the Arkansas River main channel.
The authority's attorney warned of cost-overrun liability; the board votes again once Massman sets a guaranteed maximum price, with no date given in the article.
Quick updates
Arcare breaks ground on Massard Road clinic - Arcare broke ground Oct. 6 on an $8 million clinic and pharmacy at 2709 Massard Road, with opening targeted for November or December 2027. - Read more
Fort Smith airport passengers dip as flights thin - September enplanements fell 21% to 4,960 from 6,290 a year earlier; Director Andrew Meyer says load factor rose from 68% to 77.2%. - Read more
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📅 THIS WEEK IN FORT SMITH
Must-Attend Events
🍂 7th Annual Fort Smith Fall Festival - Saturday, October 24, 10:00am-4:00pm · Downtown Fort Smith, centered at 320 Rogers Ave (Kids Zone at Pendergraft Park, 200 Garrison Ave)
Free day of history and family fun: 80+ living history reenactors at the National Historic Site, a Belle Starr trial reenactment, museum open houses, a harvest market with nearly 100 vendors, food trucks and free shuttles between sites. 📅 Add to calendar
🎭 Carrie The Musical at King Opera House - Sunday, October 18, 2:00pm (also Thursday, October 22, Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at 7:00pm) · King Opera House, 427 Main Street, Van Buren
Arts On Main Theatre stages the rock musical based on the Stephen King story in historic downtown Van Buren; tickets are sold online or at the door. 📅 Add to calendar
🎶 Levitt AMP Fort Smith: Alto Moon with Myze - Thursday, October 22, 6:00pm · Harry E. Kelley River Park Amphitheater, Garrison Ave at the river, Fort Smith (downtown riverfront)
Season finale of the free Levitt AMP series, with a Kids Zone, free popcorn and water, and food trucks; bring lawn chairs or blankets. 📅 Add to calendar
By Category
🎵 Music & Entertainment
🎷 Blues Jam at The Bakery - Sunday, October 18, 1:00-6:00pm · The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Free afternoon of live blues on the patio on the third Sunday of the month, with musicians of all ages invited to sit in. 📅 Add to calendar
⛪ Barbara Johnson Tucker Memorial Concert of Spirituals - Sunday, October 18, 6:00pm · Goddard United Methodist Church, 1922 Dodson Ave, Fort Smith
The Goddard Chancel Choir presents a free evening of spirituals honoring the life and legacy of Barbara Johnson Tucker; everyone is invited. 📅 Add to calendar
🎤 D'Elegantz at Lee Creek Tavern - Saturday, October 24, 8:00pm · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 109 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Free 21+ live music night at the casino tavern, minutes from downtown Fort Smith. 📅 Add to calendar
🎺 The Magic of Motown at ArcBest Performing Arts Center - Saturday, October 24, 7:30pm · ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Motown tribute show listed on the venue's Live Nation page; ticket prices are on the ticketing page. 📅 Add to calendar
👪 Family-Friendly
🍁 Greenwood Fall Festival - Saturday, October 24, 10:00am-3:00pm · Bell Park, 30 Bell Rd, Greenwood
City of Greenwood's annual fall fest with arts and crafts vendors, food, inflatables, carnival-style games, face painting, hay rides and live entertainment. 📅 Add to calendar
🎃 RAM Fall Family Day - Saturday, October 24, 10:00am-3:00pm · Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith (midtown)
Free hot dogs, crafts, goodie bags and a chalk art contest at the museum's annual family day. 📅 Add to calendar
🎡 Fall Festival at the Library - Saturday, October 24, 1:00-4:00pm · Fort Smith Public Library Windsor Branch, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith
Family afternoon of games, prizes and fall activities for all ages. 📅 Add to calendar
📖 Bookish StoryTime - Saturday, October 24, 11:00am-12:00pm · The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Free Saturday-morning story and craft for kids of all ages. 📅 Add to calendar
🏃 Sports & Fitness
No dated sports listing could be verified on an official calendar this week.
🎨 Arts & Culture
🕯️ Murder and Mayhem - Thursday, October 22, 5:30-9:30pm · Bonneville House, 318 N 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Fort Smith Museum of History's Halloween-season evening at the historic Bonneville House; registration is through the museum's event page. 📅 Add to calendar
📚 Friends of the Library Used Book Sale: Children's and Young Adult - Friday, October 23, 3:30-7:00pm, and Saturday, October 24, 10:00am-5:00pm · Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch (Community Room), 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith (midtown)
Thousands of used fiction and non-fiction books and media for children and teens, aimed at educators, home schoolers and families. 📅 Add to calendar
🍫 Flavor Lab Vol. III: Dubai Chocolate - Sunday, October 18, 3:00pm · The Candy Loft, 315 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith (downtown)
Ticketed ($55) tasting of three chocolates paired with red wines, then build your own Dubai chocolate bar; presented by Secret Spoon Society and Garrison Goodies. 📅 Add to calendar
🎓 Education & Business
🔮 Tarot Demystified - Monday, October 19, 6:00-7:00pm · Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch (Community Room), 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith (midtown)
Adult introduction to the history, symbolism and common uses of tarot cards; registration is required. 📅 Add to calendar
🧘 Yoga Class for Adults - Wednesday, October 21, 6:00-7:00pm · Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch (Carnegie Room), 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith (midtown)
All-levels yoga session for adults at the library; bring your own mat. 📅 Add to calendar
📘 Book Page Flowers craft - Thursday, October 22, 1:00-2:00pm · Fort Smith Public Library Miller Branch, 8701 S 28th St, Fort Smith (south side)
Adults make fall decor flowers from book pages at the branch's October crafting session. 📅 Add to calendar
🏞️ Outdoor & Recreation
No dated outdoor listing could be verified on an official calendar this week; see the Levitt AMP concert and Fall Festival above for outdoor events.
⌚️ Recurring Events
🎱 Monday Night Bingo at 810 Billiards & Bowling - Every Monday, 6:30pm (next: October 19) · 810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Suite F, Fort Smith
Win five dollars cash per line with the pot guaranteed; bring friends. 📅 Add to calendar
🍼 Wiggle Worms Storytime - Every Tuesday, 10:00-11:00am (next: October 20) · Fort Smith Public Library Main Branch (Storytime Nook), 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith (midtown)
Rhymes, songs and stories for babies up to 24 months and their caregivers; drop-offs are not permitted. 📅 Add to calendar
🎯 Bags at the Bakery (708 Cornhole) - Every Wednesday, 6:30pm (next: October 21) · The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith (downtown)
Competitive, Intermediate and Backyard cornhole divisions with cash payouts, held weekly in the Bakery District. 📅 Add to calendar
Looking Ahead
🏃 Jeff Struecker 45-Mile Run for the "With Love, Billy" Documentary - Friday, October 30 · Cisterna Park, 1001 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith (downtown)
Former Army Ranger Jeff Struecker's run supports the documentary on General Darby; the museum lists it from 4:00am to 5:00pm with a registration link. 📅 Add to calendar
🖼️ RAM Opening Reception: Light & Form, UAFS Art Students - Friday, October 30, 5:00-7:00pm · Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith (midtown)
Opening reception for selections from UAFS art students; the museum's home page lists the Greer Farris exhibition reception. 📅 Add to calendar
🤘 Dead Metal Society at Lee Creek Tavern - Saturday, October 31, 8:00pm · Lee Creek Tavern at Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland, 109 Cherokee Blvd, Roland, OK
Free 21+ Halloween-night live music from the Dead Metal Society at the casino tavern in Roland. 📅 Add to calendar
Quick Hits
Early voting begins - Crawford County sites at the Alma Community Center and the Emergency Operations Center in Van Buren, 8am-6pm weekdays October 19-23 (talkbusiness.net)
ESO Workshop: Navigating the Government Procurement Process - in-person session for businesses on selling to government, hosted by the Van Buren Chamber, 111 N 12th St - Tuesday, October 20, registration through the chamber (vanburenchamber.org)
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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-Your Neighbor
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