Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which Fort Smith restaurants just failed key health checks?
Coming up: ARTBEAT FORT SMITH (Art,food,music=a creative vibe) on the Fort Smith Patch calendar
Hello again Fort Smith! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Fort Smith restaurants just failed key health checks?
- How do Fort Smith rents really compare to the rest of Arkansas?
- Who’s in the running to become Fort Smith’s next city administrator?
Also on today's calendar: Arts On Main — Pasta from Scratch and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Fort Smithfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Fort Smith? Post it to Fort Smith photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Fort Smithfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Periods of sun, with a high of 57 and low of 40 degrees.
- Wednesday: Low clouds may break, temps: high: 58, low: 52.
- Thursday: A few morning showers; breezy, with a high of 64 and low of 28 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. River Valley Restaurant Inspections: Dead flies were observed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator (nwaonline.com) — If you eat out in Fort Smith, several local spots just received health inspection write-ups, including dead flies in a daycare refrigerator and temperature or labeling issues at popular restaurants and markets. The report details specific violations, quick on-site fixes, and which Fort Smith establishments passed with no problems so you can make informed dining choices. 
2. Fort Smith apartments for rent saw slight price increases since last November (swtimes.com) — If you’re renting in Fort Smith, expect apartment listings to hover around a $895 median, up slightly from last year’s $875. Local rents remain far below both Arkansas and national medians, with one- and two-bedroom units significantly cheaper than elsewhere in the state and country.
3. Fort Smith, Arkansas, Board of Directors to interview city administrator candidates (4029tv.com) — Fort Smith’s Board of Directors is interviewing four candidates for the city administrator job in a closed session tonight, a key step after last year’s firing of the previous administrator. Led by City Director Lee Kemp, the board will use these initial half-hour interviews to decide whether to pursue national recruiting or move forward with these contenders, aiming to select a new administrator early next year.
4. No-cost kindness: Gestures that make holidays brighter in Fort Smith (swtimes.com) — As the holidays ramp up in Fort Smith, local pastors and behavioral-health experts say free acts of kindness can ease stress and loneliness for neighbors, families, and caregivers. They highlight simple gestures—checking on someone, helping with chores, or offering a sincere thank-you—that boost mood, strengthen community ties, and make the season feel more hopeful without spending money.
5. Five University of Arkansas at Fort Smith students receive undergraduate research fellowship grants (rivervalleydemocratgazette.com) — Five University of Arkansas–Fort Smith students have earned state-funded research fellowships, marking the largest SURF grant haul in UAFS history. The awards support both STEM and non-STEM projects, giving local students stipends, travel funds to present their work, and research support under faculty mentors.
📸 Around Fort Smith
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Smith
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- ARTBEAT FORT SMITH (Art,food,music=a creative vibe)
3301 S M St Parking, 3301 S M St, Fort Smith
10:00 am
Friday December 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- 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 - 2025 Business After Hours: December 18th
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce , 612 Garrison Ave , Fort Smith
5:00 pm - Arts On Main — Pasta from Scratch
Arts On Main , 415 Main St , Van Buren
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
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Sunday December 21
Monday December 22
📣 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
- 2025 Business Brew Series: December 16th
9814 US-71 , Fort Smith
2:00 pm - Ice Skating Rink at Freedom Park
Historic Downtown Van Buren
5:30 pm - An Evening with Jane Austen
Bonneville House , 318 N 7th St , Fort Smith
6:30 pm - Andy's Frozen Custard Kids Night
Andy's Frozen Custard , 6565 Rogers Ave , Fort Smith
4:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
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
- Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
FOUND on December 1, 2025 in Fort Smith, AR 72904 near Kelley Highway Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder,… (Nextdoor Grand & Greenwood) - Or perhaps you’re wanting to SELL your home and need it well presented for the new buyers…reach out to us for our rates on our full yard cleanups!
From the over grown brush to your scrap/junk/metal removal work! (Nextdoor Fianna Hills)
- Chuy's Tex-Mex Restaurant posted a job opening for Janitorial in Fort Smith. Apply here.
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager 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 don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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