Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Will Fort Smith voters soon decide on Sunday alcohol sales?
Coming up: Lunchbox: Navy Bean Fall Festival on the Fort Smith Patch calendar

Hi there, Fort Smith! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Will Fort Smith voters soon decide on Sunday alcohol sales?
- What's really happening with Fort Smith's citywide cyberattack and data safety?
- How will UAFS's enrollment dip and new programs affect Fort Smith?
Also on today's calendar: Paint and Sip - September and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why are crows so alert and curious? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 102 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Monday: Toasty conditions, temps: high: 101, low: 78.
- Tuesday: Record-tying heat, with a high of 101 and low of 76 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Sunday alcohol sales in Fort Smith could go before city voters (swtimes.com) — Fort Smith residents may soon be asked to decide whether to allow Sunday alcohol sales for off-premises consumption, as a local nonprofit leader prepares a petition drive. City directors also debated how zoning can keep Deer Trails Golf Course from being redeveloped and questioned whether the upcoming budget adequately supports police facilities and employee retention.
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2. Fort Smith businessman's plan to rebuild 1817 fort stalls — Compass Report (kuaf.com) — Fort Smith residents face ongoing disruptions from a broad cyberattack that has hobbled nearly every city department, with officials still refusing to say whether personal data is safe. A local businessman's $3 million plan to rebuild the original 1817 fort has been rejected by the National Park Service, even as new AmeriCorps projects at UAFS target food insecurity in Sebastian and Crawford counties.
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3. UAFS chancellor: Fall enrollment sees a 'little bit of a decrease' (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Enrollment at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith has dipped about 2% this fall to roughly 5,400 students, but campus leaders say the decrease is partly intentional to ease class bottlenecks. UAFS is also expanding its impact in Fort Smith with a new advanced manufacturing engineering degree, major workforce centers, and $15 million in federal funding for a maternal health center that will anchor a larger health innovation complex.
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4. Northside Rolls Past Russellville 42-6 (4029tv.com) — Northside High fans in Fort Smith saw a dominant home performance as the Grizzlies rolled past Russellville 42-6, capped by a late fumble recovery and touchdown run from Keydarius Parker. The lopsided win showcased Northside's opportunistic defense and explosive ground game in front of their home crowd.
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5. Ectopic Pregnancy Deaths Have Nearly Doubled. Abortion Ban States Have It Worst. (truthout.org) — A national investigation into rising deaths from ectopic pregnancies highlights how abortion bans and strained emergency care are putting patients at greater risk, especially in ban states. One cited case involves Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, which regulators faulted for not providing timely care to an Oklahoma woman who waited eight hours there before seeking lifesaving treatment elsewhere.
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📸 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
- International Congress on Dermatology & Cosmetic Research 2026
Hotel Occidental Aurelia, Via di Torre Rossa 80, Rome
9:00 am - Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, 1217 S Waldron Rd, Fort Smith
11:00 am - Paint and Sip - September →
906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
6:00 pm - Sundaes and Service →
8712 Horan Drive, Ft Smith - Don Bailey Trio →
906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
7:00 pm - A PROPHETIC CATAPULT(ARKANSAS) →
1803 Cavanaugh Road, Fort Smith - The Dawn Cate Band →
906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
6:00 pm - Cheap Truck →
906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
8:00 pm - MJ's Stampede →
121 Riverfront Drive, Fort Smith
8:00 am - Wanda Watson →
906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
6:00 pm - Troy Edwards & The Remedies →
906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge, 906 GARRISON AVENUE, Fort Smith
9:00 pm
Monday September 14
Tuesday September 15
Thursday September 17
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
📣 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!
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
- Qualserv Solutions, LLC posted a job opening for Shipping Clerk in Fort Smith. Apply here.
- The University of Arkansas System posted a job opening for Part Time Assistant Coach, Baseball 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: They start each day with a cup of caw-fee. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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