Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why a Fort Smith defendant now faces a contempt hearing
Also check out ARTBEAT FORT SMITH (Art,food,music=a creative vibe) on the Fort Smith Patch calendar
Hey there, Fort Smith! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a Fort Smith defendant now faces a contempt hearing
- Which Fort Smith elementary schools could close after next school year?
- Will Fort Smith take full control of Parrot Island Waterpark?
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: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Fort Smithfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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- Wednesday: Low clouds may break, with a high of 60 and low of 54 degrees.
- Thursday: A couple of morning showers, temps: high: 62, low: 28.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 56 and low of 38 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Sebastian County deputies, bailiffs intervene after defendant has outburst during sentencing (nwahomepage.com) — Sebastian County deputies and bailiffs had to restrain a Fort Smith man after he flipped a table and damaged courtroom equipment during his sentencing, though no one was hurt. The defendant, appearing by video this week, now faces a December 23 hearing on whether he should be held in contempt of court for the outburst. 
2. Conversations continue over possible closure of two Fort Smith elementary schools (nwahomepage.com) — Fort Smith school leaders are considering closing Carnall and Spradling elementary schools at the end of the 2025-26 year as part of a “rightsizing” plan. Students would be reassigned to Beard, Cavanaugh, or Sutton, all projected to remain under capacity, and the district says no staff layoffs are planned. The board is set to vote on Jan. 26.
3. Fort Smith Board of Directors considers taking full operational control of Parrot Island Waterpark (5newsonline.com) — Fort Smith’s Board of Directors is weighing a lease that would give the city full operational control of Parrot Island Waterpark starting in 2026. Sebastian County has agreed to lease its share for $1 a year, after disagreements over funding new water slides left the park’s expansion millions short. The board must decide by Dec. 31 whether to move forward.
4. Fort Smith alum DeLanna Studi breaks ground with Blackburn Prize honor (swtimes.com) — A Cherokee Nation actor and playwright who got her start at Fort Smith Little Theatre has become the first Native finalist for the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. She credits early Fort Smith roles with expanding her range, and her honored play tackles the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/Relatives while blending Cherokee cosmology, resilience, and sharp humor.
📸 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
- 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 - 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
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Sunday December 21
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
📣 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
- Andy's Frozen Custard Kids Night
Andy's Frozen Custard , 6565 Rogers Ave , Fort Smith
4:00 pm - Ice Skating Rink at Freedom Park
Historic Downtown Van Buren
5:30 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
United States Marshals Museum , 789 Riverfront Dr , Fort Smith
6:30 pm - Shaw Revolver LIVE in Van Buren, AR
The Vault 1905 Sports Grill , 624 Main St , Van Buren
7:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
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
- My cat escaped through my open garage door last night.
She is a tortoiseshell cat and goes by the name of Hanna. If anyone sees her, please let me know. She is not an outside cat. Thank you. (Nextdoor Skyline Estates) - Looking for a groomer for an approx 94 lb labradoodle.
He needs a full groom. We have never had him groomed before he was a stray that just showed up in our driveway. He's about 2 years old very sweet has… (Nextdoor North 6th Street)
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Late Night Team Member in Fort Smith. Apply here.
- Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Maintenance Custodian 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. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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