🌱 Patch AM: What the $525,000 settlement means for Fort Smith schools and sports

Good morning Fort Smith! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What the $525,000 settlement means for Fort Smith schools and sports
• Why Congress' top defense lawmaker came to Fort Smith's Ebbing base
• How Mercy Fort Smith landed the biggest slice of $150M health grants

Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Sunshine, with a high of 96 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 97, low: 72.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 100 and low of 74 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• $525,000 settlement ends Felix Curry lawsuit against Fort Smith (swtimes.com) — A former Northside High School head football coach has settled his discrimination lawsuit with the Fort Smith School District for $525,000, with no admission of liability by the district. The case centered on his reassignment and nonrenewal, and he now says he's ready to move on while thanking current district leadership for working toward resolution.
   

• Chairman of House Armed Services Committee gets up-close look at Ebbing Air National Guard Base (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Fort Smith's Ebbing Air National Guard Base just hosted the U.S. House Armed Services Committee chairman, who reviewed ongoing F-35 training construction and called for even more federal investment. The visit highlights Ebbing's growing role in training U.S. partners and the push in Congress to fund new facilities that could shape local jobs and military activity for years.
   

• Arkansas distributes $150 million to transform rural healthcare (4029tv.com) — Mercy Fort Smith is receiving more than $19 million from Arkansas' new $150 million Rural Health Transformation Program, the largest share in the first grant round. The money will expand telehealth, emergency response, and specialty care across western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, supporting hospitals in nearby communities and strengthening long-term access to healthcare for River Valley residents.
   

📸 Around Fort Smith

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday August 31
• Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 1217 S Waldron Rd
  11:00 am
• 810 Billiards & Bowling: Bingo
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
  6:30 pm
Tuesday September 1
• 810 Billiards & Bowling: Ultimate Game Show
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
  6:30 am
Wednesday September 2
• 2027 JLCA - Business & Finance
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 612 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901
• Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 1217 S Waldron Rd
  11:00 am
• 810 Billiards & Bowling Trivia Night
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
  6:30 pm
Monday September 7
• Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 1217 S Waldron Rd
  11:00 am
• 810 Billiards & Bowling: Bingo
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
  6:30 pm

📣 Fort Smith Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday August 28
• Pastries and Perks
  Chamber of Commerce OG&E Meeting Room at the Van Buren Chamber
  9:00 am
Saturday August 29
• Passport Saturday: Local Stops & Shops
  Chamber of Commerce MVP Tees Junkee's Vintage Market Whimsical Designs by Marcie C. King Tropicals
  10:00 am
• Salsa + Bachata Workshop
  Chamber of Commerce Arkansas Center for the Creative Arts
  11:00 am
Monday August 31
• 8FB @ Home (v. Greenwood)
  Alma Middle School Alma, AR 72921
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Shared
  I saw a party poodle on Albert Pike and Hardie a few minutes ago. He's very young, not neutered. He is gray and white with a docked tail and recently… (Nextdoor Downtown Deal Shoppers)
• Please help me find my Mixed with schnauzer Maltese poodle Yorkie mixed Browzer.
  Any information would be really helpful. Brown and tan small / medium dog Thank you! https://neighbors.ring.com/n/ZErpy7MtgV (Nextdoor Downtown Deal Shoppers)

• Burlington Stores posted a job opening for Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Fort Smith. Apply here.
• Savers | Value Village posted a job opening for Retail Warehouse & Production Associate in Fort Smith. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Smith here.

🗞 Nearby News

Van Buren

• Chairman of House Armed Services Committee gets up-close look at Ebbing Air National Guard Base (arkansasonline.com)

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: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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