🌱 Patch AM: How a Fort Smith senior campus is adding a childcare village

Coffee in hand, Fort Smith? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Fort Smith senior campus is adding a childcare village
• What prosecutors decided about May's deadly Fort Smith police shooting
• How Fort Smith's crisis unit is changing mental health care statewide

Today's riddle: Why did the chicken go to the gym? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Hot with sunshine, with a high of 101 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Saturday: Hot, temps: high: 102, low: 77.
• Sunday: Hot, with a high of 103 and low of 78 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Methodist Village to Open Arkansas' First Intergenerational Early Learning Center (dosouthmag.com) — Families in Fort Smith will soon have a new childcare option as Methodist Village Senior Living plans to open The Village Early Learning Center, an intergenerational program on its local campus in January 2027. The center will serve up to 136 children from across Fort Smith and the River Valley, blending high-quality early education with daily interaction between kids and senior residents to support families and strengthen the care workforce.
   

2. Prosecuting attorney: Fort Smith police officers' use of deadly force justified in May shooting (nwahomepage.com) — Prosecutors have ruled that four Fort Smith police officers were justified in using deadly force in the May 17 shooting that killed Joshua Keller, who had earlier shot Officer Kyle Newman during a DWI stop. The review cited reports, witness statements, photos, and video, concluding officers reasonably acted to protect themselves and others during the chase and final confrontation on I‑540.
   

3. Fort Smith crisis stabilization unit inspires lawmakers to seek ways to expand services (4029tv.com) — Fort Smith's 5-West Crisis Stabilization Unit has served more than 9,000 people since 2018 and is now inspiring lawmakers to expand similar mental health services statewide. Local police and providers say the unit has transformed responses to crises, diverting people from jail and emergency rooms. Residents in crisis can walk in for help or call 988 anytime.
   

4. UAFS to commemorate 9/11 with stair walk (nwahomepage.com subscription) — Community members in Fort Smith are invited to join UAFS Army ROTC's memorial stair climb at the Stubblefield Center at 6 a.m. on Sept. 11, marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Participants can complete 110 flights in a serpentine pattern, with first responders and students encouraged to climb in full gear, though it's not required.
   

📸 Around Fort Smith

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

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
Tuesday September 8
• 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 9
• Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 1217 S Waldron Rd, Fort Smith
  11:00 am
• Ribbon Cutting: The Forum Barbershop
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 3215 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith
  12:00 pm
• Andy's Frozen Custard Kids Night
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 6565 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith
  4:00 pm
• 810 Billiards & Bowling Trivia Night
  810 Billiards & Bowling, 5609 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
  6:30 pm
Friday September 11
• 2026 First Friday Breakfast Series: September 11th →
  University of Arkansas Fort Smith Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, Reynolds Room, 800 North 49th Street, Fort Smith
  7:30 am

📣 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 September 4
• Excel Level II →
  The Van Buren Chamber Business Resource Center OG&E Meeting Room
  8:00 am
• All-Sing Performance
  Northridge Middle School Blakemore Field
  7:00 pm
Saturday September 5
• Van Buren Lions Club Peace Poster Contest for Ages 11-13 →
  Chamber of Commerce Arts On Main
  11:00 am
Sunday September 6
• $5 Movie Night: Ready Player One at King Opera House →
  King Opera House
  6:00 pm

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

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Is this your baby?
  Running loose down Memphis St. towards Old Jenny Lind. (Nextdoor Sebastian Hills)
• Even with this drought ☀️☠️, there is still something to be done!
  Several of yesterday's(9/1) properties, serviced. - a bit of mowing, driveway edging, and cleaning up of flowerbeds! Call/text at (479)208-9501 for… (Nextdoor Fianna Hills)

• Mr. Rooter Plumbing posted a job opening for Professional Handyman in Fort Smith. Apply here.
• TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for Instructional Designer - Washington DC Metro area in Fort Smith. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Smith here.

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: He was working on his pecks (pecs). (Thank you W F C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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