Daily
Fort Smith
Friday, May 1st, 2026
Good morning, Fort Smith. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The 2026 Steel Horse Rally starts today at 6:30 p.m. and runs until Saturday, May 2, closing Garrison Avenue from North 5th Street to Rogers Avenue (reopening by 2 a.m. May 3) to ease rising motorcycle and pedestrian traffic for the event. City of Fort Smith
- ➤ Arkansas Oklahoma Gas announced applications for the 2026 Summit Cares Grant Program, which will give funds to local nonprofits that help meet food, housing, education, and environmental needs in the Fort Smith area. Nonprofits have until May 15 to apply and winners will be named in mid-June. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ Starting tomorrow, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will host a weeklong BioBlitz where community members use the iNaturalist app to document local plants and animals. A campus event on May 8 + a public day on May 9 at Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center are free. University of Arkansas Fort Smith
- ➤ The City of Fort Smith will flip the switch for a new solar canopy at the Farmers Market at 8:30 a.m. on May 9 downtown. The canopy is part of a solar initiative approved in 2024 that will generate 500,000 kilowatt-hours, lower costs and provide covered parking for vendors. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Shamrock Liquor reopened today after a fire closed the store last April — its repair work at the historic Midland Avenue bridge location finished after months of construction. Owner Shriely Yeager said the renovations allowed her to redesign the business that has served community members for 47 years. 5 News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith held its sixth annual Day of Giving on April 28-29. The campaign raised $55,764 from over 400 donors across 24 states and supported scholarships, research, and student projects with nearly 30 matching gifts. Southwest Times Record
- ➤ Arvest Bank donated communication boards to 18 area schools (including Fort Smith Public Schools) in recognition of National Autism Acceptance Month to help limited and nonverbal students share their needs and ideas easily. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Callea Stewart will graduate from UA Fort Smith on Saturday, May 16 and soon join Mercy Hospital as a night-shift X-ray technician to help doctors diagnose patients. University of Arkansas Fort Smith
- ➤ Mercy Fort Smith is expanding its oncology services with a $41M project on the hospital’s west side — adding new specialists and technology to double patient capacity by July 2027. Southwest Times Record
- ➤ UAFS supports student mental well-being during busy finals by marking Mental Health Awareness Month with free counseling and recreational sessions. Campus resources help manage stress as students prepare for final exams and commencement. University of Arkansas Fort Smith
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Realtor.com data show that in March, Sebastian County’s median home listing reached $283,700, a slight increase from February and 5.2% lower than March last year + homes averaged 1,848 sqft listed at $145 per sqft with 186 new listings, up 16.3% from last year. Southwest Times Record
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Van Buren’s Pointers clinched a dramatic finish in the 4x400-meter relay on Wednesday night at Greenwood’s Smith-Robinson Stadium — Daymon Mays secured the win by less than a second to cap the final event of the 5A-West District Track Meet. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
- ➤ Hackett baseball clinched the 2A-4 District championship on Thursday at Johnson County Westside when Kanon Fisher struck out 10 in a 13-3 win over Subiaco Academy. River Valley Democrat-Gazette
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Larry B. & Hazel Duo Show
6-9 p.m. — 906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge — Cover charge applicable — Enjoy an evening of old skool jams and versatile duets from the talented Larry B and Hazel.
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Mark & The Groove Diggers Live
8 p.m. — 906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge — Check for costs — Enjoy classic Rock, Blues, and Country from a diverse variety band with deep local roots.
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Luau 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon
1:30-5:30 p.m. — Fort Smith, AR — Registration required — Dash through the scenic streets of Fort Smith while embracing a festive luau spirit.
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Eric Matthews Band Live Performance
8 PM - 12 AM — 906 Cocktail and Cigar Lounge — Check the local listings for ticket prices — Experience an evening of high-quality blues as the Eric Mathews Band keeps the blues alive.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Fort Smith
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