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:
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 10 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, V C.!
Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Fort Smith joins more than 800 districts across country in lawsuit against social media companies (arkansasonline.com) — Fort Smith School District has voted to join a major federal lawsuit against social media companies, seeking to recover costs tied to student mental health and lost instructional time. Local leaders say compulsive social media use has driven counseling expenses and staff time, and they're pushing for design changes like default time limits and overnight notification blocks to better protect Fort Smith students.
2. After years of fighting, Catsavis says it's time to build Fort Smith (swtimes.com) — Fort Smith residents get a closer look at mayoral candidate and city director Christina Catsavis, who says it's time to shift from "fighting" to rebuilding the city's future. She outlines priorities like infrastructure, small-business support, balanced budgets, and possibly changing the city's form of government, arguing that smarter spending and stronger civic participation are key to Fort Smith's long-term growth.
3. Rheem announces property purchase adjacent to Fort Smith operation (5newsonline.com) — Rheem has bought property next to its Old Greenwood Road facility in Fort Smith, opening the door for future expansion of its long-standing local manufacturing operation. While the company hasn't announced specific plans yet, leaders say the purchase is meant to support long-term growth and preserve the economic vitality of a plant that has anchored local jobs for more than 50 years.
4. Arvest Foundation awards $50,000 to UAFS Foundation; grant to support new Center for Mother and Infant Healthcare (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Fort Smith families and future healthcare workers stand to benefit from a $50,000 Arvest Foundation grant supporting UAFS's new Center for Mother and Infant Healthcare. The funding will help build advanced simulation labs and public programs that train nurses, doctors, and social workers while giving expectant parents hands-on preparation for labor, delivery, and pediatric care in the River Valley region.
5. Outdoor events: Learn to call ducks, cook ducks, Living Forest at Hobbs (nwaonline.com) — Fort Smith families have several hands-on nature programs coming up at the Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center, including bonfires with s'mores, Dutch oven cooking, waterfowl cooking, and duck-calling classes. Most events are free or low-cost, require registration, and offer practical outdoor skills for kids and adults, making them easy local outings this October.
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What your neighbors are talking about on social media
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: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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