🌱 New Ordinance For Fort Smith Pet Owners + City Seeks $20M Grant

Hey, everybody! It's Wednesday in Fort Smith and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Hot. High: 104 Low: 79.
• Thursday: Hot. High: 108 Low: 78.

Here are the top three stories today in Fort Smith:

1. Fort Smith, a city poised for responsible pet ownership, has enacted a new ordinance requiring all domestic dogs and cats to be microchipped and wear a secondary form of identification. The ordinance, which comes into effect on Jul. 17, aims to improve pet safety, identification, and population control, with penalties waived for owners who comply within 15 days of citation by microchipping and spaying/neutering their pets. Understanding the financial burden, the city is offering sterilization vouchers through the MyFortSmith app on a first-come, first-served basis, capped at one voucher per pet annually. (KNWA)
2. The City of Fort Smith has submitted a preliminary application to the Department of Defense for a $20 million grant via the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program to fund water line upgrades along Towson Avenue. The upgrades aim to ensure a stable water supply for Ebbing Air National Guard Base, which is set to become a long-term pilot training center for F-16 and F-35 fighter planes and will house an estimated 1,500 military personnel and their families. The grant will support the development of infrastructure that is critical for the base's operations and the surrounding community, particularly in enhancing water protection and catering to the expanded housing and business developments. (talkbusiness.net)
3. Cyclists and spectators geared up for the River Valley Rumble MTB Race, an exhilarating short-track cross-country mountain biking race that took place on Jun. 25 at the Ben Geren Golf Course in Fort Smith. Participants tackled a 4.4-mile UCI-inspired course, with shorter laps designed for a more spectator-friendly experience as family and friends cheered on the racers. This enthralling event was a part of the Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series, with entry fees ranging from $15 to $45. (KFSM 5Newsonline)

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Today and tomorrow in Fort Smith:

Wednesday, June 28

• Sunrise Flow At Santosha Yoga & Wellness (6:45 AM)
• Live Wire At Hero's (8:00 PM)

Thursday, June 29

• Fort Smith Chamber Of Commerce Business After Hours At Methodist Village Senior Living (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Fort Smith area's real estate market has a plethora of enticing options for homebuyers, with properties ranging from $155,000 to $417,000. By clicking on any address, potential buyers can access photos and details of the properties, including a 3-bedroom house listed at $250,000 with an open house scheduled for Sunday, Jul. 2 at 1:00 p.m. (Fort Smith Patch)
• The Fort Smith Police Department announced that from Jun. 27 to Jun. 30, Jenny Lind Road and Dallas Street in Fort Smith will be restricted to one lane due to street reconstruction taking place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Travelers are advised to expect delays and to consider alternate routes during this period. (Fort Smith Police Department via Facebook)
• Fort Smith will host a grand Fourth of July Celebration at Harry E. Kelley River Park on Tuesday, Jul. 4, starting at 5 p.m., with fireworks lighting up the sky around 9:30 p.m. This festive event promises to be a highlight in the city's holiday calendar. (40/29 News)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all soon for another 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.