Good morning, Fort Smith.

Organizers broke ground Monday morning on an expansion of Miller Cottages to add six transitional housing units for families—in a fully funded project that includes three duplexes with 2 bedrooms each and one housing unit with 3 bedrooms—and construction is expected to take about 10 months.

A federal judge in Fayetteville blocked Act 573—a law that would require every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments—just hours before it was set to take effect.

The decision comes about a week before fall classes resume and follows a Supreme Court ruling that struck down a similar law 45 years ago.

Fort Smith crews began repairing a ruptured 24-inch water main on Leigh Avenue near Sodie’s Wine & Spirits and emergency Phase II water conservation measures are in effect—residents may face low water pressure and temporary service interruptions until work is completed on Monday or Tuesday.

Fort Smith lost several million gallons of water after two major pipe bursts occurred this week—one early Sunday at Phoenix and Leigh and another a few days earlier at North 14th and D—due to aging pipes installed in 1962.

Water Utilities Director Lance McAvoy said the city awaits further funding, including $3 million secured by Congressman Steve Womack, to replace the faulty galvanized pipes.

Fort Smith Water Utilities crews began repairing a 24-inch water main that ruptured near Sodie’s Wine & Spirits this morning; the repair is expected to finish later today — residents may face temporary water disruptions and must follow emergency water conservation measures.

Fort Smith launched a new online portal called CityView that lets residents apply for building and safety permits, register as contractors, make secure payments + report neighborhood concerns.

The portal is available 24/7 so citizens can easily track their permits and requests.

Baptist Health Family Clinic Alma added nurse practitioners Drake Lee & Kourtney Surber to expand care for patients in Alma and Crawford County.

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 937 Highway 64 East.

Anyone Can Learn to Letter

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. — Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library) — Free entry — Practice hand lettering techniques and explore tools in a creative environment.

Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisan Market

8 a.m. – 1 p.m. — The Vue Venue — Free entry — Explore a vibrant marketplace with live music, local food, and unique artisan vendors.

Hand-lettered Sign Workshop

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Fort Smith Public Library (Main Library) — Free entry — Explore the art of hand-lettering and take home a personalized sign.

LINUX SHELL SCRIPTING Training/Class

Sep 3-4 — Sylvan Learning of Fort Smith — $990 — Dive into hands-on Linux shell scripting training to automate tasks effectively.