Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which Fort Smith favorites disappeared from the local dining scene in 2025?
Make time for Happy Hour every Monday & Wednesday at Le Mesa ALL DAY on the Fort Smith Patch calendar
Good morning Fort Smith! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Fort Smith favorites disappeared from the local dining scene in 2025?
- Were you near Zero Street during Monday’s GameStop smash-and-grab?
- How this finished sewer project could affect Fort Smith neighborhoods next
Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Fort Smithfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Breezy, warm, with a high of 78 and low of 61 degrees.
- Friday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 80, low: 54.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Restaurants we lost in Fort Smith and River Valley in 2025 (swtimes.com) — Several well-known Fort Smith restaurants, from Hooters on Rogers Avenue to longtime favorite Taliano’s near the Historic District, shut their doors in 2025, reshaping local dining options. The story recaps closures across Rogers, Grand, Zero, and Highway 71, including food trucks and Bakery District spots, and notes plans to rebuild Bricktown and reopen the former Taliano’s space as Magnolia Social House in 2026. 
Find out what's happening in Fort Smithfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Smash-and-grab at a busy Fort Smith GameStop (4029tv.com) — Fort Smith police are investigating an aggravated robbery at the GameStop on Zero Street, where two masked suspects smashed a display case and stole multiple gaming consoles Monday night. No one was hurt, but the men implied they were armed before fleeing in a light-colored SUV, and detectives are asking residents to share tips or surveillance footage to help identify them.
3. Fort Smith sewer main realignment project completed (nwahomepage.com) — A major sewer main realignment in Fort Smith is now finished, doubling pipe capacity along a 1,300‑foot stretch and adding seven new manholes. The work, part of a federal consent decree to curb sewer overflows, ran about six months past schedule, triggering roughly $13,000 in liquidated damages and paving the way for several more related projects nearing completion.
4. '…because of the color of his skin': Attorney claims discrimination in Northside coach dismissal (nwahomepage.com) — A former Northside High School football coach in Fort Smith is pursuing an amended civil rights complaint, alleging his reassignment and non-renewed coaching contract were racially discriminatory. The lawsuit targets the Fort Smith School District and its board, comparing his record to other coaches and setting up a January 2026 pretrial hearing and jury trial that could impact local school employment practices.
5. Aggravated assault, drug trafficking among separate charges in weekend arrests (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Recent arrest reports include a Fort Smith resident taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated assault involving a family or household member, with no bond set as of Monday. The same roundup notes separate arrests tied to drug trafficking and another alleged assault in nearby counties, reflecting a busy weekend for area law enforcement.
📸 Around Fort Smith
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- 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 - Andy's Frozen Custard Kids Night
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce , 6565 Rogers Avenue , Fort Smith
4:00 pm - 810 Billiards & Bowling Trivia Night
810 Billiards & Bowling , 5609 Rogers Ave , Fort Smith
6:30 pm
Monday December 29
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
📣 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
- Arts On Main — Closed for Holiday
Arts On Main , 415 Main St , Van Buren
11:00 am - Ice Skating Rink at Freedom Park
Chamber of Commerce Historic Downtown Van Buren
5:30 pm - Arts On Main — Mastering Mediterranean Cuisine
Arts On Main , 415 Main St , Van Buren
6:00 pm - PMP Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Fort Smith, AR
Verizon Business Services , 7723 Rogers Ave , Fort Smith
9:00 am
Thursday December 25
Monday January 5
Tuesday February 24
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Fort Smith PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I've got a frozen turkey to give away.
I live near Creekmore Park. Would like to give before Christmas day. (Nextdoor Garner Place) - Good Morning to all Neighbors!
I am in need of an electrician that you would recommend! Half my GIF receptacles in kitchen are not working and yet all breakers are on!?? Thank… (Nextdoor Riley Farm)
- Arkansas Staffing posted a job opening for Assistant Manager II in Fort Smith. Apply here.
- CDM Smith posted a job opening for Intermediate Billing Accountant 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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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