🌱 Patch AM: How a $1.65M plan could change Fort Smith firefighter pay

Good morning Fort Smith! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a $1.65M plan could change Fort Smith firefighter pay
• How UA–Fort Smith's new degree could change River Valley healthcare careers
• How a Fort Smith marijuana grower finally kept its license

Also on today's calendar: St. Michael's Day Community Festival and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Lori E.!

Today's riddle: Riddle: David's parents have three sons: Snap, Crackle, and what's the name of the third son? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Warm with a stray t-storm, with a high of 91 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Sunday: Partly sunny with a t-storm, temps: high: 91, low: 70.
• Monday: Turning cloudy, with a high of 90 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Fort Smith weighs $1.65M firefighter pay plan to stem losses (swtimes.com) — Fort Smith city directors are considering a firefighter pay plan that would boost salaries 13% to 17% for key ranks, costing about $1.65 million annually. Fire Chief Darrell Clark and union leaders say higher pay is needed to stop trained Fort Smith firefighters from leaving for better-paying Arkansas departments, as the city shapes its 2027 budget priorities.
   

• UA-Fort Smith prepares to launch respiratory therapy degree program (4029tv.com) — A new two-year respiratory therapy degree at UA–Fort Smith is slated to launch in fall 2027, aiming to fill a serious shortage of respiratory therapists in the River Valley. With small initial enrollment and strong support from local healthcare providers, the program promises solid starting salaries and a clear career path for Fort Smith–area students seeking stable, in-demand healthcare jobs.
   

• Fort Smith-based medical marijuana cultivation business can keep license following settlement (nwahomepage.com) — A Fort Smith medical marijuana cultivator, River Valley Relief Cultivation, will keep its state license after a six-year legal fight ended in a settlement and Arkansas Supreme Court dismissal. The case centered on whether the Fort Smith site met distance and application rules, but the undisclosed agreement now removes the threat to the local operation and its jobs.
   

📸 Around Fort Smith

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 26
• Tent Revival at The Pentecostal Church Fort Smith →
  3700 Kelley highway, Fort smith
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday September 26
• St. Michael's Day Community Festival →
  1025 Pointer Trail, Van Buren
  5:00 pm
• Generation Mix Tape →
  906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
  8:00 pm
Monday September 28
• Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
  Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 1217 S Waldron Rd, Fort Smith
  11:00 am
Wednesday September 30
• Movie Night - The Blues Brothers →
  906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
  6:00 pm
Thursday October 1
• Mexicuba with Revolucion Latina - LEVITT AMP FORT SMITH MUSIC SERIES--FALL 2026 →
  The Bakery District, 70 South 7th Street, Fort Smith
  6:00 pm
• First Thursday →
  906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
  7:00 pm
Friday October 2
• Shaw Revolver at 906 Lounge →
  906 Lounge, 906 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith
  6:00 pm
• Shaw Revolver →
  906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
  6:00 pm
• Shaw Revolver Live at 906 Lounge →
  906 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith
  6:00 pm
• The Bad Jacksons →
  906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
  9:00 pm
Wednesday October 14
• Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness →
  Dillard's, 5111 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
  10:00 am

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

• Envoy Air posted a job opening for Supervisor, Customer Services in Fort Smith. Apply here.
• Shoe Carnival, Inc. posted a job opening for Store Associate in Fort Smith. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Smith here.

🗞 Nearby News

Greenwood

• Third person dies from injuries suffered in Sebastian County crash earlier in September (nwaonline.com)

Alma

• No. 19 Tigers Prepped for SEC Opener at No. 24 Mississippi State (ozarkradionews.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: David (Thank you Thomas F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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