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Hey Fort Smith, hope your week’s off to a good start! Scott Conant dinner, new doctoral programs at ACHE, Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Four programs set to launch: Fort Smith’s ACHE announced new doctoral and professional programs to grow local health leadership. Three tracks start in summer 2026, and a Physician Associate degree is planned for fall 2028 — get all the details.
Unified call to preserve history: Five Civilized Tribes leaders signed a resolution urging continued funding for Fort Smith National Historic Site, representing over 815,000 people and underscoring its gateway history to Indian Country — learn why the site matters.
Funding fuels campus expansions: Congress has funded $20 million at SAU Tech to build an aerospace manufacturing center, and UAFS in Fort Smith received $15 million for a maternal and infant care center — get all the funding details.
Youth design talent recognized: A Fort Smith teen was named a finalist in Cox Mobile’s phone case contest, with a chance at a $25,000 scholarship and a $15,000 technology grant for the local club — learn more about the contest.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Guidance for tax season: Free tax help is available this season at the Fort Smith Public Library’s Windsor Branch with AARP volunteers on a first come first served basis from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Days and times may change, and some dates will be skipped because of facility conflicts. See when and where.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
Behind the beloved pastry: Mardi Gras season is here, and Fort Smith’s Bougie Boys are baking authentic Louisiana-style King Cakes with their signature cream cheese mix. The Nicholsons learned the craft while living in Louisiana and honor the French tradition between Epiphany and Fat Tuesday with the classic oval shape. See the meaning and timing.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Upgrade your sound: From school band rentals and step-up instruments to guitars, pianos, print music, and repairs, Saied Music Fort Smith covers the everyday musician’s list. New band kid at home, or a gigging rig that needs TLC? They make it easy, friendly, and fast…without the noise.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Steamy bowls, spicy boils: Craving comfort that hits both sides of the brain? Noodles & Crawfish ladles out pho stacked with steak, brisket, tendon, and meatballs, plus boiled seafood for when you want it rowdier. Perfect for a cozy night in or a low-key hang with friends, no fuss.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🌷 Great Futures In Bloom @ The Resolve Center | Tuesday (2/10) at 5:30 PM – Take a break from the grind and build a bouquet with a drink in hand, snacks within reach, and zero pressure to know your peonies from your roses. Bring a friend, support the club’s programs, and leave with something lovely, petals and conscience included.
❤ A Taste of Romance @ Arts On Main | Tuesday (2/10) at 6:00 PM – Skip the prix fixe circus and stir up your own sparks at this Valentine’s couples cooking class, starring a decadent, aphrodisiac-inspired menu. You’ll learn the art and science of seductive ingredients, then eat your homework, linger over flavors, and claim extra credit later.
💖 Galentines Day Paint & Sip | Wednesday (2/11) at 6:00 PM – Need an excuse to toast your favorite ladies? This Galentine’s Paint & Sip serves up canvases, giggles, and your go-to sips and snacks for 30 bucks, roughly two fancy lattes around here. Come unwind, color outside the lines, and leave with bragging rights.
This weekend
❤ Second Saturday | Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 AM – Valentine’s Second Saturday is basically downtown Van Buren whispering, bring your sweetheart, your friend, or your gloriously single self, and graze. Stroll for chocolates, flowers, gifts, and dinner, then call it quality time. Shops keep their own love languages, so check hours.
✂ Crafting Meetup @ Sweet Bay Coffee Co. | Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 AM – Whether your scarf is three winters overdue or you just learned a slip knot, bring your project to Sweet Bay Coffee on Rogers, next to Creekmore. Our fifty-second meetup promises relaxed chatter, shared tips, and caffeine-fueled progress, with opinions on yarn, needles, and pastries.
🍳 Scott Conant @ Seven Ponies | Saturday (2/14) at 5:00 PM – Whether you watch Food Network or just eat like you do, Scott Conant is taking over Seven Ponies at Choctaw in Pocola for a Valentine’s Day feast. Skip the crowded chains, win a little, dine a lot, and pretend it was all your idea.
🎲 Bunco Game Day @ Trinity Episcopal Church, Van Buren, Arkansas | Sunday (2/15) at 11:00 AM – Ready to roll with the cool kids from the fellowship hall? They’re kicking off their first ever Bunco Game Day, no experience needed, just a sense of humor and a lucky wrist. It’s fast, loud, and gloriously low-skill, which is how weekends should be.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Fort Smith report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 75°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 18%
A slight chance of rain showers after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Tomorrow – High: 62°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 7%
Partly sunny, with a high near 62. East wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. East wind around 5 mph.
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Fully updated Sebastian Hills pool home priced over $60K below appraised value, delivering built-in equity and immediate move-in ease. This 5-bed, 4-bath layout suits multi-generational living, with an attached 2-car garage, a detached garage, and a drive-through driveway with direct pool access. A bright sunroom includes a custom doggy door to the pool and east side yard.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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