Author: Tina Alvey Dale

Tina Alvey Dale

Fort Smith metro building numbers down almost 60% through April

Building activity in the Fort Smith metro area continued to grow in April, but values are down significantly from 2023. Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren reported combined building permit…

Van Buren tax revenue up almost 5% in 2023, county revenue down in early 2024

Crawford County sales tax revenues restarted for the county and its municipalities in March, with collections down from last year. Van Buren Mayor Joe Hurst said March funds were down…

Bekaert to expand Van Buren operation, add 38 jobs

Bekaert Corporation announced Wednesday (May 1) it will expand its Van Buren manufacturing facility, creating 38 new jobs. The jobs, when benefits and overtime are included, pay around $75,000 annually,…

UAFS names new dean for College of Arts and Sciences

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will welcome a new dean to campus in July. Dr. Toni Alexander will begin as the new dean of the College of Arts…

Future School of Fort Smith students support ‘Pet Pawtraits’ program

Forget having a Monet or Picasso that may be costly to protect or can’t be showcased outside a museum. The hip new art is “pawtraits.” And the coolest ones are…

Fort Smith officials hear about noise concerns, new rules related to foreign pilot training center

Some Fort Smith residents – including a former Fort Smith Regional Airport manager – expressed concerns Thursday (April 25) about noise levels in the city when F-35 fighter jets begin…

Fort Smith School Board hears recommendation to close four buildings

The long-range facility committee for Fort Smith Public Schools recommended at the FSPS school board meeting Monday (April 23) a plan that would close four FSPS campuses over the next…

UAFS plans to add manufacturing degree program

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith plans to add a new bachelor’s degree in smart manufacturing by as soon as Fall 2025. The new effort will be part of…

Reports show that Fort Smith water rates below most comparable cities

Fort Smith’s water rates come in below many cities in Arkansas, but the combined water and sewer rate for residential customers is above the state average. However, Fort Smith rates…

FCRA Trustees agree to begin talks to end the authority

The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) Board of Trustees on Thursday (April 18) agreed to work with the authority’s four beneficiaries to began talks on ending the authority and doing…

CBID agrees on two downtown Fort Smith improvement projects

Commissioners with the Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District have decided to take on two projects presented to the public to help better downtown Fort Smith. The two projects have…

UAFS seeks higher tuition, fees to pay for cost-of-living increases

To come closer to a balanced budget and help pay for faculty and staff cost of living increases, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will again ask the University…

Fort Smith Public School superintendent contract renewed with no raise

The Fort Smith Public School’s Board of Education on Tuesday (April 16) continued the process of not increasing salaries by extending the superintendent’s contract for another year but not increasing…

Fort Smith Board backs away from raising water rates to cover costs

The Fort Smith Board of Directors tabled an ordinance during its meeting Tuesday (April 16) that would raise water rates in the city in order to have more time to…

Fort Smith Board set to discuss water system revenue, infrastructure needs

A water rate increase on the agenda for Tuesday’s (April 16) Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting proposes a “holistic look” at the city’s entire rate structure that would bring…

FCRA donates $500,000 to planned expansion of River Valley Nature Center

The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) has contributed $500,000 to a reimagined Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center (JHRVC). A fundraising campaign to help the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission…

Fort Smith airport, city officials approve agreement on foreign pilot training center prep

The Fort Smith Airport Commission approved an agreement at a special meeting Wednesday (April 10) with the City of Fort Smith to ensure all the necessary runway projects are completed…

Institute for Creative Arts receives $5 million to help finish construction

The Community School of the Arts (CSA) announced Wednesday (April 10) that it has received $5 million to assist in construction and other costs of the Institute for the Creative…

Fort Smith water rates could rise by $5 in 2024, $9 in 2025

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (April 9) agreed to discuss a possible water rate at an upcoming board meeting after being presented a proposal that could raise…

Fort Smith begins on trail that will connect river trail to Kelley Park Ballfields

The Fort Smith Board of Directors has authorized $1.3 million for construction of more trails in the city. A funding resolution includes using city funds, grants and private donations to…