Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Baptist Health’s new River Valley president means for Fort Smith care.

Be sure to catch 2026 Peacemaker Music and Arts Festival - Saturday on the Fort Smith Patch calendar

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Sunday September 27th Patch AM
Sunday September 27th Patch AM (Valerie B.)

Hello again Fort Smith! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Baptist Health's new River Valley president means for Fort Smith care.
  • What's known so far about the suspected theft at Parrot Island.
  • How Fort Smith's newest student doctors marked this major career milestone.

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Valerie B.!

Today's riddle: What are the two favorite words for a shark to hear? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Fort Smith Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Fort Smith Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Very warm with a thunderstorm, with a high of 91 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Monday: Turning cloudy, temps: high: 90, low: 70.
  • Tuesday: An afternoon t-storm or two, with a high of 91 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Baptist Health names Brandi Stewart president of River Valley Region (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Health care in Fort Smith is getting new permanent leadership as Baptist Health names Brandi Stewart president of its River Valley Region, overseeing hospitals in Fort Smith and Van Buren. With nearly three decades of nursing leadership, she and newly named operations director Cindy Pratt will guide daily hospital and clinic operations that many local residents rely on.
   

• Investigators looking into suspected theft from Parrot Island Waterpark, according to prosecuting attorney (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Authorities are investigating a suspected theft at Fort Smith's Parrot Island Waterpark, which is jointly owned by Sebastian County and the city. Prosecutor Daniel Shue has requested a special prosecutor because the county may be a victim, and officials are releasing few details while search warrants and subpoenas are prepared, leaving many questions for local taxpayers and park visitors.
   

• ARCOM holds 10th annual White Coat Ceremony (nwahomepage.com) — Fort Smith's Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine and ACHE School of Physical Therapy just celebrated a major milestone, coating 220 future doctors at the ArcBest Performing Arts Center downtown. The 10th annual White Coat Ceremony highlighted the responsibility these students now carry to serve patients with compassion and professionalism, many of whom are expected to practice in Fort Smith and across Arkansas.
   

📸 Around Fort Smith

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📸 An amazing Arkansas sunset! —Valerie B. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith

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★ Featured events ★

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • There is an emergency vehicle on Zero St reported...
    There is an emergency vehicle on Zero St reported at 7:03 AM. "Fire vehicle on scene" (Nextdoor )
  • 'FULL YARD CLEANUPS' as seen on logo, also involves, JUNK.
    Do you have TOO much, JUNK?! Let us help with the cleanup and removal! Call/text at (479)208-9501 for more information on our junk removal services! (Nextdoor Fianna Hills)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Cafe Associate in Fort Smith. Apply here.
  • Oak View Group, LLC posted a job opening for Housekeeper | Part Time | Fort Smith Convention Center in Fort Smith. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Smith here.

🗞 Nearby News

Van Buren

  • Van Buren football player collapses during game, referee performs life-saving CPR (4029tv.com)
  • Billy Poulson (blogspot.com)

Alma

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: "MAN OVERBOARD!" (Thank you M J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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