Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Could the old ACME brickyard become Fort Smith’s next signature park?
Spotted on the Fort Smith calendar: Foodie Films: Grinch
Hello again Fort Smith! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Could the old ACME brickyard become Fort Smith’s next signature park?
- How will Fort Smith’s 2026 budget cuts affect police and fire?
- How Fort Smith Transit’s 2026 changes could affect your weekend rides
Also on today's calendar: Stuccoman Family Band and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Fort Smithfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Fort Smithfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 66 and low of 41 degrees.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 59, low: 43.
- Monday: Low clouds, with a high of 59 and low of 51 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Fort Smith growth trends — Reimagine ACME (kuaf.com) — Fort Smith residents are seeing big moves locally, from UAFS’s nearly $85 million Intrepid Ambition fundraising campaign to rising passenger numbers at the city’s airport. Home sales have slowed but prices are up, and the city is gathering public input on how far to go in transforming the former ACME brickyard into flood-control ponds, trails, and possible new amenities. 
2. Fort Smith Board of Directors approve 2026 budget that eliminates 60+ vacant positions (nwahomepage.com) — Fort Smith’s Board of Directors has approved the 2026 city budget, cutting more than 60 vacant positions, including unfilled police and firefighter roles, to save over $4.2 million. City leaders are split over how the reductions could affect public safety and insurance ratings, even as the plan adds three new positions in legal, media, and neighborhood services.
3. Discontinued route, schedule changes, and more (5newsonline.com) — Major changes are coming to Fort Smith Transit in January 2026, including shorter Saturday hours, the end of the Rogers Supercenter Route, and the discontinuation of the Transportation Assistance Program. The city will hold a 30-day public hearing period before finalizing these updates, and riders are encouraged to explore alternative routes and services with help from customer service staff.
4. River Valley natives among latest graduates of Arkansas State Police Training Academy (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Several new Arkansas State Police troopers hail from Fort Smith, including three graduates who just completed intensive academy training and will now serve in Troop H, which covers Sebastian County. They were among 49 recruits statewide who finished a 12-week, 710-hour program in Little Rock and are now beginning supervised field training across Arkansas communities.
5. Everything we know about Dr. Randall Beallis, according to medical board records (5newsonline.com) — Residents should know that an Arkansas-licensed family doctor connected to a high-profile Sebastian County death investigation previously drew attention from the state medical board after Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith reported a prescribing violation. Board records also outline later criminal mischief and domestic battery cases, child welfare concerns, and repeated reviews of his license, which currently remains active while the homicide investigation continues without a named suspect.
📸 Around Fort Smith
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Foodie Films: Grinch
The Bakery District, 70 S 7th St, Fort Smith
6:00 pm
Saturday December 20
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Stuccoman Family Band
906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge , 906 Garrison Ave , Fort Smith
8:00 pm - Miss K's Dance Bungalow Presents "One Night Only"
Fort Smith Convention Center , 55 S 7th St , Fort Smith
6:00 pm - Jamie Lissow
TempleLive , 200 N 11th St , Fort Smith
7:30 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 - 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 20
Sunday December 21
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Wednesday December 24
📣 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
- Ice Skating Rink at Freedom Park
Historic Downtown Van Buren
11:00 am - An Ozark What the Dickens Christmas
Skokos Performing Arts Center , 103 E Main St , Alma
7:30 pm - Arts On Main — Closed for Holidays
Arts On Main , 415 Main St , Van Buren
11:00 am - Will Holiday's Grand Ol' Christmas Show
Skokos Performing Arts Center , 103 E Main St , Alma
7:30 pm
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
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
- Is anyone missing their cat?
This sweet girl showed up on my porch on the east side of Ft Smith a couple of nights ago. She is healthy, very well-mannered, and follows… (Nextdoor Wellington) - Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
FOUND on Monday December 15 near Rest Inn and Walmart Neighborhood Market on S 36th Terrace near Hwy 71S Description: White intact male with brown… (Nextdoor Brooken Hill)
- Nothing Bundt Cakes posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member in Fort Smith. Apply here.
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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