Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Could Fort Smith’s historic cemeteries soon lock their gates to families?
Coming up: 23rd Annual Holiday Open House on the Fort Smith Patch calendar
Cheers Fort Smith! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Could Fort Smith’s historic cemeteries soon lock their gates to families?
- How much tougher will Fort Smith’s holiday DWI patrols be?
- How a Fort Smith film festival reached 2.2 billion people
Also on today's calendar: Keyboards at Christmas and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Fort Smithfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Fort Smithfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Low clouds and cooler, with a high of 57 and low of 25 degrees.
- Sunday: Quite cold with plenty of sun, temps: high: 38, low: 23.
- Monday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 51 and low of 32 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Fort Smith debates future of three cemeteries as funds run short (swtimes.com) — Fort Smith’s Board of Directors is wrestling with how to keep three privately run cemeteries open as Fort Smith Cemeteries, Inc. runs low on funds and warns the gates could be locked. Directors are split between letting the sites go into court-ordered receivership or having the city step in, with concerns over long-term costs, private ownership, and honoring 15,000 existing gravesites. 
2. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: Fort Smith Police Department partners with Arkansas State Police, national campaign to discourage drunk driving over holidays (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Fort Smith drivers will see stepped-up DWI enforcement through Jan. 1 as local police join Arkansas State Police and a national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. With thousands killed in December impaired-driving crashes nationwide, officials urge residents to plan sober rides, use taxis or ride-shares, and report suspected drunk drivers so local holiday celebrations end safely.
3. Fort Smith International Film Festival five-year media reach surpasses 2.2 billion, organizers say (nwaonline.com) — Fort Smith’s International Film Festival has now reached more than 2.2 billion people worldwide over its first five years, dramatically boosting the city’s visibility. Organizers are planning a 2026 edition tied to Singapore’s Air Force arrival at Ebbing Air National Guard Base and year-round MidAmerica Film Market workshops, even as a promising Border Town Live Broadway series stalled after the Fort Smith Convention Center’s management withdrew.
4. Judge in Beallis divorce says Charity's father made "irate" accusations against her the day of his daughter's death (4029tv.com) — Fort Smith police were notified after a circuit judge reported an irate phone call from the father of a woman later found dead with her two children in nearby Bonanza. The call, made the day of the deaths, prompted extra patrols at the judge’s home while investigators continue probing the still-unsolved shooting case and related divorce proceedings.
5. Arkansas becomes first state to drop PBS membership, plans new network (swtimes.com) — Arkansas is ending its PBS affiliation in 2026, rebranding PBS Arkansas as Arkansas TV and shifting toward more locally produced shows. Fort Smith viewers may still catch PBS over-the-air from neighboring states or via PBS streaming platforms, though exact access will depend on location and signal reach.
📸 Around Fort Smith
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- 23rd Annual Holiday Open House
Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library), 3201 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith
1:00 pm
Sunday December 14
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Keyboards at Christmas
Oak Cliff Baptist Church , 3701 Gary St , Fort Smith
2:30 pm - Pictures with Santa
Fort Smith Animal Haven , 9501 Black Bear Trail , Fort Smith
2:00 pm - Keyboards at Christmas
Oak Cliff Baptist Church , 3701 Gary St , Fort Smith
6:30 pm - Keyboards at Christmas
Oak Cliff Baptist Church , 3701 South Gary Street , Fort Smith
6:30 pm - Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce , 1217 S Waldron Rd , Fort Smith
11:00 am - 810 Billiards & Bowling: Bingo
810 Billiards & Bowling , 5609 Rogers Ave , Fort Smith
6:30 pm - 810 Billiards & Bowling: Ultimate Game Show
810 Billiards & Bowling , 5609 Rogers Ave , Fort Smith
6:30 am - 2025 Business Brew Series: December 16th
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce , 9814 US-71 , Fort Smith
8:00 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
Saturday December 13
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
📣 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
- Holiday Blood Drive
Chamber of Commerce , 7th and Main , Van Buren
9:00 am - Van Buren Holiday Blood Drive
Downtown Van Buren , 7th & Main Street , Van Buren
9:00 am - Friends of the Library Rare, Vintage, & Collectible Book Sale
Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library) , 3201 Rogers Ave , Fort Smith
10:30 am - Ice Skating Rink at Freedom Park
Historic Downtown Van Buren
11:00 am
Saturday December 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Weve been super busy lately.
But have come up on some openings let us know if you need anything done to your home we literally do it all. Give OnelanerenovationsLLC a call… (Nextdoor Dallas St)
- TJX posted a job opening for Early Morning Backroom Associate - Part-time in Fort Smith. Apply here.
- Panda Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Assistant Manager (P1-1357488-1) 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: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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