Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Deadly scooter crash at Towson and Phoenix under active investigation
You won't want to miss Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY on the Fort Smith Patch calendar
Hello again Fort Smith! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Deadly scooter crash at Towson and Phoenix under active investigation
- Bomb threat forces UAFS evacuations and class cancellations Friday morning
- Why North 25th Street now carries hometown NBA star Isaiah Joe's name
Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 95 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: Hot; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 100, low: 76.
- Monday: A thunderstorm, with a high of 103 and low of 75 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Fort Smith Police Department identifies Greenwood man killed in accident at the intersection of Towson and Phoenix Thursday (todayinfortsmith.com) — A 39-year-old Greenwood man, Matthew Funk, died after his gas-powered scooter was struck head-on Thursday morning at Towson Avenue and Phoenix Avenue on Fort Smith's south side. Police say the other driver was arrested on unrelated warrants, and the investigation into the busy intersection crash remains active with more details expected later. 
2. University of Arkansas at Fort Smith evacuates buildings following bomb threat (arkansasonline.com) — Buildings on the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith campus were evacuated Friday morning after a bomb threat, and classes were canceled for the day while police cleared the area. Officials said the threat wasn't deemed credible but emphasized that UAFS treats all threats as serious, directing students in campus housing to shelter in place during the response.
3. City of Fort Smith names street after Northside grad, Detroit Piston Isaiah Joe (nwaonline.com) — A stretch of North 25th Street beside Northside High School now bears the name "Isaiah Joe Court," honoring Fort Smith native and NBA guard Isaiah Joe. City leaders and residents celebrated the dedication, highlighting his championship career and his example for local students, alongside recent street honors for other Fort Smith athletes.
4. Oklahoma man pleads not guilty to sexual assault involving girl under age 14, Fort Smith police report (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Fort Smith police report that an Oklahoma man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree sexual assault involving a girl younger than 14, in a case now moving through Sebastian County Circuit Court. Authorities say the alleged abuse occurred multiple times earlier this year, and the suspect is free on bond while awaiting his next court hearing.
5. Federal court permanently blocks some Arkansas voter petition laws (kark.com) — From a federal courtroom in Fort Smith, a judge has permanently blocked several Arkansas laws that restricted how volunteers and paid canvassers gather signatures for ballot initiatives. The decision, citing First Amendment protections, overturns bans on out-of-state canvassers and per-signature pay, along with earlier rules that tightly controlled how and when petitions could be circulated statewide.
📸 Around Fort Smith
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- 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 - 810 Billiards & Bowling: Ultimate Game Show
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
6:30 am - Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 1217 S Waldron Rd
11:00 am - Andy's Frozen Custard Kids Night
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 6565 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72903
4:00 pm - 810 Billiards & Bowling Trivia Night
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
6:30 pm - Ribbon Cutting: Community School of the Arts/ 10 Year Anniversary
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 1101 Riverfront Drive Fort Smith, AR 72901
4:30 pm - Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 1217 S Waldron Rd
11:00 am
Monday August 24
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
Monday August 31
📣 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
- Arts On Main — Italian Puff Pastries →
Arts On Main, 415 Main St, Van Buren
1:00 pm - $5 Movie Nights at King Opera House - Ratatouille →
King Opera House, 427 Main St, Van Buren
7:00 pm - ASBTDC at The Chamber →
Chamber of Commerce Van Buren Chamber Business Resource Center
9:00 am - Geno's Night
Central Elementary School Van Buren, AR 72956
4:00 pm
Saturday August 22
Sunday August 23
Wednesday August 26
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
- Eats time again.
Who does the best MidWest-style fried pork steak sandwich in FSM? (Nextdoor Cavanaugh Rd) - Wanted to know if there is a senior dance anywhere in Fort Smith.
I have been here over 5 years with not much places to go and meet someone let alone dancing. I just turned 77 today. (Nextdoor Southside)
- E-Z Mart posted a job opening for Cashier/Sales Associate - Store 17186 in Fort Smith. Apply here.
- Chuy's posted a job opening for Tortilla/Prep Cook 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: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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