🌱 15-Year-Old Pleads Not Guilty To Murder + Acme Brick Proposal

Hello, Fort Smith! I'm Sean Peek, and I'll be your new source for everything happening in Fort Smith. Now, here's what's going on in town these days, in five minutes or less.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Humid with a t-storm in spots. High: 85 Low: 68.
• Saturday: Humid; a stray a.m. t-storm. High: 82 Low: 68.

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Here are the top three stories in Fort Smith today:

1. A 15-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges at the Sebastian County Circuit Court. Kemuel Stucki was charged as an adult with first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, and terroristic act in connection with two local robberies. Police say that on Dec. 12, 2022, Stucki entered an ALON gas station and demanded vape pens while signaling to his firearm. On Mar. 24, 2023, he allegedly entered another local convenience store demanding vape pens, and despite the clerk’s compliance, shot Chanell Moore six times, killing her. Trials for both robberies are set for October 2023. (Arkansas Online)
2. Friends of Recreational Trails (FORT) is proposing the purchase and repurposing of the Historic Acme Brick Quarry as a bike park! After Acme Brick closed their plant in 2018, nearly 100 acres of land were left unused. In the proposal, portions of the land would be designated for an amphitheater, parking, pavilions, a mountain bike park, a trail, and a play area. The Parks Commission supported the plan and is now headed to the board of directors. View the full proposal here. (KFSM 5Newsonline)
3. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is hosting a self-defense class in Fort Smith! The class will be on May 20 at the ArkansasBlue Welcome Center, and seeks to train participants in Krav Maga, an Israeli martial art that was originally developed for the Israeli Armed Forces. Kristen Lippencott with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield says the class is a way to help people feel safe in their community, and that peace of mind is really important to well-being and feeling safe in your surroundings. You can register for the class here. (KNWA)

Today and tomorrow in Fort Smith:

Friday, May 12

• Storytime At Miller Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• International Nurses Day At Fort Smith Brewing Company (12:00 PM)

Saturday, May 13

• Adoption Event At Chaffee Crossing Farmers Market (8:00 AM)
• Hoppy Hour Comedy Show At Fort Smith Brewing Company (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• According to recent data, the state of Arkansas had the fifth-highest rate of U.S. teen driver fatalities in 2022. Bumper.com reports that “young drivers are statistically more likely than other age groups to be involved in fatal accidents.” (Bumper.com)
• A group of seventh graders from Arkansas Arts Academy won second place at the Great Arkansas History Video Game Coding Competition! Their game “The Crescent Haunting” impressed judges with their creativity and technical skills. Play their winning game here. (Arkansas Arts Academy via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you soon for your next update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.