🌱 Patch AM: Why were a murder victim’s belongings tossed in a Fort Smith dumpster?

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:

• Why were a murder victim’s belongings tossed in a Fort Smith dumpster?
• How one Fort Smith baby finally made it home for Christmas
• Which First Day Hikes are within two hours of Fort Smith?

Also on today's calendar: Cheap Truck and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 78 and low of 54 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 64.
• Sunday: A couple of showers, with a high of 72 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• ‘How did you find out?': Charity Beallis' belongings found by dumpster diver in Fort Smith (nwahomepage.com) — Investigators are examining why personal belongings of homicide victim Charity Beallis ended up in a Fort Smith apartment complex dumpster just days after she and her two children were found shot in their Bonanza home. A dumpster diver discovered photos, a necklace, and documents, then turned them over to Sebastian County detectives and a Fort Smith officer, raising new questions about the case.
   

• After 355 days in the hospital, baby spends her first Christmas at home in Fort Smith (kens5.com) — A Fort Smith family is finally celebrating baby Harlow’s first Christmas at home after she spent 355 days in the hospital and 296 days in the NICU. Her parents describe how a tracheostomy made it possible for her to come home, share daily life in Fort Smith with medical equipment, and offer encouragement to other parents facing long hospital stays.
   

• Stepping into 2026: ‘First Day Hikes' in, near Northwest Arkansas (nwahomepage.com) — If you’re in Fort Smith and want to kick off 2026 outdoors, Arkansas State Parks are offering several guided First Day Hikes within about two hours’ drive on New Year’s Day. The article lists multiple trails, start times, and approximate travel times from Fort Smith, plus details on how to earn a free “Hike Arkansas State Parks” sticker for guided or self-guided outings.
   

📸 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 ★

Friday December 26

• Bad Decisionz Band
  Grandad's, 4009 Midland Blvd, Fort Smith
  8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 26

• Cheap Truck
  906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge , 906 Garrison Ave , Fort Smith
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Yoga Sculpt
  Bloom Movement & Wellness , 1821 Phoenix Ave C , Fort Smith
  9:15 am
• Ice Skating Rink at Freedom Park
  Van Buren Historic District , 509 Main St , Van Buren
  11:00 am
• Truck Stop Poets
  906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge , 906 Garrison Ave , Fort Smith
  8:00 pm

Monday December 29

• 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

Tuesday December 30

• 810 Billiards & Bowling: Ultimate Game Show
  810 Billiards & Bowling , 5609 Rogers Ave , Fort Smith
  6:30 am

📣 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

Monday December 29

• $5.00 Movie Night @ KOH RENT
  King Opera House , 427 Main St , Van Buren
  12:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• The Wyndham NYE Dance
  Wyndham Fort Smith , 700 Rogers Ave , Fort Smith
  8:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• First Thursday Talk & Book Swap
  Chapters on Main , 816 Main Street , Van Buren
  6:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• VFW Operation Daily Battle Breakfast
  Chamber of Commerce , 510 Main St , Van Buren
  8:00 am

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

• Winning $1.
  8B Powerball ticket sold in AR. If they live in Fort Smith, think they'll get our water slides completed? (Nextdoor Cavanaugh Rd)

• Chuy's posted a job opening for Janitorial in Fort Smith. Apply here.
• Lowe's posted a job opening for Retail Sales - Part Time in Fort Smith. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Smith here.

🗞 Nearby News

Van Buren

• Arrest warrant issued in killing of Muskogee man (easterntimesregister.com)

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 out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook