Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How new military-student rules affect Fort Smith Public Schools this fall
And check out Lunchbox: Navy Bean Fall Festival on the Fort Smith Patch calendar
Hello Fort Smith! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How new military-student rules affect Fort Smith Public Schools this fall
- What guilty plea means in the high-profile Fort Smith bank robbery
- How $19 million in new grants will reshape Fort Smith-area health care
Today's riddle: What is the 1 way to guarantee winning a small fortune at the casino? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 102 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 102, low: 76.
- Thursday: Sunshine and hot, with a high of 100 and low of 77 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• New requirements for Arkansas schools to support military-connected students (4029tv.com) — Arkansas schools now must name a military education coordinator by Sept. 1 and, by Oct. 1, any school with 20 or more military-connected students must join the Purple Star School Program. Fort Smith Public Schools are already ahead, with an established military education facilitator, Purple Star recognition, and staff training to better support students from military families. 
• Oklahoma man reaches plea agreement in Fort Smith bank robbery federal charges (nwahomepage.com) — An Oklahoma man has pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing a Fort Smith bank and now faces up to life in prison on one of the counts. Court documents describe how he forced employees into the vault, stole cash, and was later tracked from Fort Smith to Oklahoma, where officers recovered money and a firearm.
• Mercy Fort Smith lands $19 million to boost rural health care (swtimes.com) — Mercy Fort Smith Communities are getting more than $19 million in federal rural health grants, bolstering telehealth and hospital technology that serve Fort Smith and surrounding River Valley counties. Several other local providers, including Harbor House in Fort Smith, also secured funding to expand mental health, emergency care, and maternal services across western Arkansas.
📸 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!
★ Featured events ★
- Lunchbox: Navy Bean Fall Festival →
Riverfront Pavilion, 100 N B St, Fort Smith
6:00 pm
Friday September 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- 2027 JLCA - Business & Finance
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 612 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901 - 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 Trivia Night
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
6:30 pm - 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
Wednesday September 2
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
📣 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
- Apple Prints
Central Elementary School Van Buren, AR 72956
7:15 am - Local Lunch at The Vault 1905 Sports Grill
Chamber of Commerce The Vault 1905 Sports Grill
11:30 am - VB @ Home (v. Pea Ridge)
Alma Middle School Alma, AR 72921
4:30 pm - ASBTDC at The Chamber →
Chamber of Commerce Van Buren Chamber Business Resource Center
9:00 am - Van Buren Lions Club Meeting
Chamber of Commerce Van Buren Chamber OG&E Meeting Room
12:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Does anyone know someone who can help with yard work?
I'm looking for someone to do raking and flower bed cleaning only—no mowing needed. It should take about 8 to 10 hours, and I'm offering $20 per hour. (Nextdoor Wedgewood Heights) - My husband and I do a few side hustles to try and save up for our dream property.
My husband can fix almost anything game consoles, pc's, phones etc, we also are interested in free or cheap broken flat screen tv's . Also able to… (Nextdoor N 42nd Street - N 50th Street)
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Late Night Team Member in Fort Smith. Apply here.
- Whataburger posted a job opening for Assistant Manager - Fort Smith 1363 (Fort Smith, AR) in Fort Smith. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Smith here.
🗞 Nearby News
Van Buren
- Homicide charge against Oklahoma man advances in case of body found by Arkansas River in Van Buren (nwaonline.com)
- River Valley Restaurant Inspections: Roaches in the kitchen, raw fish stored above sliced onions (nwaonline.com)
Greenwood
- Couples apply for marriage licenses in Sebastian County Aug. 18-24 (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com)
Alma
- River Valley Restaurant Inspections: Roaches in the kitchen, raw fish stored above sliced onions (rivervalleydemocratgazette.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: By starting with a large fortune. (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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