Good morning Fort Smith! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Jenna & The Soul Shakers and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Lori E.!
Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Water conservation measures implemented amid record heat (4029tv.com) — Fort Smith residents are being asked to follow a voluntary even‑odd lawn‑watering schedule and avoid watering between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. as extreme heat strains regional water supplies. While some Northwest Arkansas systems have stricter limits, Fort Smith's measures are currently recommendations meant to reduce demand and help the city manage through the ongoing hot, dry spell.
2. Fort Smith man accused of raping a minor held on $250k bond (nwahomepage.com) — A 51-year-old Fort Smith man is being held on a $250,000 bond after police arrested him on a felony charge alleging the rape of a minor under 14. According to court documents, the Fort Smith Police Department opened the case in March, and the suspect has pleaded not guilty while being barred from contact with the alleged victim and unsupervised contact with minors.
3. Prosecutor: Fort Smith PD officers' use of deadly force justified (katv.com) — Fort Smith's prosecuting attorney has ruled that local police officers were legally justified in using deadly force during a May 17 shooting that injured Officer Kyle Newman and killed Joshua Keller. After a state police investigation, officials concluded the officers reasonably feared serious harm during a pursuit that began near McClure Amphitheater and ended by the Grand Avenue overpass.
4. Fort Smith group wants voters to decide on Sunday alcohol sales (5newsonline.com) — Fort Smith residents may soon be asked to vote on allowing Sunday alcohol sales at local liquor stores, a change that would require a citizen petition and special election. Organizer Rhyan Besco is preparing to gather thousands of signatures after November, while some small liquor store owners question whether opening another day would really boost their bottom line.
5. 9 River Valley students reach National Merit semifinalist ranks (swtimes.com) — Five Southside High School seniors in Fort Smith have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, joining four other standout students from Greenwood and Poteau. These River Valley scholars now move on in a highly competitive process that could bring them part of $24 million in scholarships next spring, based on their academics, test scores, leadership, and community involvement.
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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: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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