Hello again Fort Smith! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Fort Smith Police Department identifies Greenwood man killed in accident at the intersection of Towson and Phoenix Thursday (todayinfortsmith.com) — A 39-year-old Greenwood man, Matthew Funk, died after his gas-powered scooter was struck head-on Thursday morning at Towson Avenue and Phoenix Avenue on Fort Smith's south side. Police say the other driver was arrested on unrelated warrants, and the investigation into the busy intersection crash remains active with more details expected later.
2. University of Arkansas at Fort Smith evacuates buildings following bomb threat (arkansasonline.com) — Buildings on the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith campus were evacuated Friday morning after a bomb threat, and classes were canceled for the day while police cleared the area. Officials said the threat wasn't deemed credible but emphasized that UAFS treats all threats as serious, directing students in campus housing to shelter in place during the response.
3. City of Fort Smith names street after Northside grad, Detroit Piston Isaiah Joe (nwaonline.com) — A stretch of North 25th Street beside Northside High School now bears the name "Isaiah Joe Court," honoring Fort Smith native and NBA guard Isaiah Joe. City leaders and residents celebrated the dedication, highlighting his championship career and his example for local students, alongside recent street honors for other Fort Smith athletes.
4. Oklahoma man pleads not guilty to sexual assault involving girl under age 14, Fort Smith police report (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Fort Smith police report that an Oklahoma man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree sexual assault involving a girl younger than 14, in a case now moving through Sebastian County Circuit Court. Authorities say the alleged abuse occurred multiple times earlier this year, and the suspect is free on bond while awaiting his next court hearing.
5. Federal court permanently blocks some Arkansas voter petition laws (kark.com) — From a federal courtroom in Fort Smith, a judge has permanently blocked several Arkansas laws that restricted how volunteers and paid canvassers gather signatures for ballot initiatives. The decision, citing First Amendment protections, overturns bans on out-of-state canvassers and per-signature pay, along with earlier rules that tightly controlled how and when petitions could be circulated statewide.
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Ok Fort Smith! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
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