Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How an unpermitted Fort Smith chemical plant caused a devastating acid spill

And check out 2027 LFS - Opening Retreat on the Fort Smith Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday August 20th Patch AM
Thursday August 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

What's up Fort Smith! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How an unpermitted Fort Smith chemical plant caused a devastating acid spill
  • Why Fort Smith's proposed fines for transporting homeless people just collapsed
  • What we know about charges facing this former Fort Smith UAPD officer

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Toasty conditions, with a high of 106 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 103, low: 75.
  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 105 and low of 77 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Arkansas chemical plant where acid spill occurred operated without a permit, state regulators say - Hot Springs Village Voice (hsvvoice.com) — A Fort Smith chemical plant operated for more than a year without a required stormwater permit or proper hazardous-chemical reporting before a May acid spill damaged a city fire truck and polluted a nearby creek. The spill killed thousands of fish between Fort Smith and Oklahoma, and regulators are still weighing penalties while local and state officials push for restoration and accountability from C&S Chemicals.
   

2. Ordinance fining people who transport unhoused to Fort Smith dies due to lack of motion (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Fort Smith's Board of Directors quietly let a proposed ordinance die that would have fined people for transporting unhoused individuals into the city, after no director seconded a motion to vote. Residents and service providers instead urged evidence-based approaches, more support for local homeless services, and the creation of a dedicated homelessness task force.
   

3. Former UAPD officer pleads not guilty to charges accusing him of keeping explicit photos of a child on his laptop (5newsonline.com) — A former University of Arkansas Police Department officer from Fort Smith has pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing explicit images of a child found on his electronic devices, according to court records. Police initially arrested the 55-year-old man in April after a domestic incident, then later seized and searched his laptop, phones, and other devices. He remains charged while future court dates are still pending.
   

4. Arkansas 188th Flying Razorbacks mark decade of combat operations (4029tv.com) — Airmen at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith are marking 10 years of global combat operations flown remotely from the city. The 188th Wing's Flying Razorbacks operate MQ-9 Reaper aircraft, logging thousands of missions while juggling high-stress military duties with everyday family life in the Fort Smith community.
   

📸 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!

    Friday August 21
  • 2027 LFS - Opening Retreat
    Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce Mount Magazine
  • Ribbon Cutting: Eastside Liquor
    Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 9410 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72903
    10:00 am
    • Monday August 24
  • 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
    • Tuesday August 25
  • 810 Billiards & Bowling: Ultimate Game Show
    Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 810 Billiards & Bowling 5609 Rogers Ave Fort Smith AR
    6:30 am
    • Wednesday August 26
  • 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

📣 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

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

  • Finished up a project in the neighborhood today!
    Sharing a few photos. Feel free to send me a DM if you have any questions. (Nextdoor Fort Smith Fair Grounds)
  • Mr. Rooter Plumbing posted a job opening for Professional Handyman in Fort Smith. Apply here.
  • Aspen Dental Management, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Dental Office Manager 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Fort Smith