Author: Tina Alvey Dale

Tina Alvey Dale

Fort Smith board reverses course on hiring internal auditor, terminates agreement

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Thursday (April 24) voted during a special called meeting to not hire Rebecca Cowan as the city’s internal auditor. The unanimous vote followed…

Fort Smith’s announced internal auditor hire faces a felony charge

Rebecca Cowan, the person the Fort Smith Board of Directors hired to fill the position of internal auditor, is out of jail on a signature bond for a fugitive of…

Rebecca Cowan hired as Fort Smith’s internal auditor

The Fort Smith Board of Directors agreed on a replacement for the city’s internal auditor position during a special called meeting Tuesday (April 22), finally filling a void that has…

Fort Smith Convention Center 2024 operating loss lower than estimated

The Fort Smith Convention Center had a total net operating loss of $854,967 in 2024, which is better than previous years and $107,000 better than facility officials initially estimated. Convention…

Baptist Health-Fort Smith adds new lung treatment tech

Baptist Health-Fort Smith is using new technology to diagnose and treat lung cancer. The new Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy system aims to improve early detection and provide faster access to life-saving…

CBID ready to focus on plan to update Cisterna Plaza

Commissioners with the Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District (CBID) identified two projects to spruce up downtown and they should happen this summer. Now it’s time to look at what’s…

Work to soon begin on downtown Fort Smith ‘Art Walk’ mural

Work on a highlighted Art Walk in downtown Fort Smith will begin by late April. Mainstreet Fort Smith has been working on a unique art activation to connect historic areas…

2.76% is the average pay raise for Fort Smith Public School teachers

Most Fort Smith Public School teachers will be getting a salary increase in the 2025-26 contract year, though the starting annual salary for new teachers will remain at $50,200. The…

Fort Smith Public Schools make superintendent move earlier than planned

Fort Smith Public Schools new superintendent will begin earlier than expected. The FSPS Board of Education voted during a special called meeting Tuesday (April 15) to name Martin Mahan as…

Owner of Irish Maid Donuts in Fort Smith ready to sell

A Fort Smith institution is looking to change hands. The owner of Irish Maid Donuts posted April 7 on social media that she is ready to sell the business that…

Fort Smith metro building permits up more than 90% through March

Building activity in the Fort Smith metro rebounded in March and through the first quarter of 2025. Monthly building permit values were up more than 50% in the three regional…

180-unit apartment complex opens at Chaffee Crossing

A new 180-unit apartment complex is the newest development at Chaffee Crossing. Billed as “upscale” by the property managers, the Prairie at Chaffee Crossing located at 1800 Frontier Road in Barling…

Mahan selected to be superintendent of Fort Smith Public Schools

The Fort Smith Public School Board of Education voted during a special called meeting Tuesday (April 8) to negotiate a contract with Marty Mahan to be the next FSPS superintendent…

Fort Smith parks director frustrated with vandalism

Fort Smith Parks and Recreation officials have a message for Fort Smith citizens and visitors to the city’s parks: They are just as disappointed as park users about the graffiti…

Fort Smith spring clean-up campaign begins April 5

Fort Smith is preparing to get clean. The city has scheduled its clean-up on Saturday (April 5) and April 12. The annual clean-ups in April and October of each year are…

$7.5 million gift to UAFS to create Center for Nonprofits

One of the largest gifts in the history of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) will help support the region’s nonprofit sector. UAFS officials have announced a $7.5…

UAFS announces $85 million ‘Intrepid Ambition’ fundraising campaign (Updated)

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) on Wednesday (April 2) announced an $85 million “Intrepid Ambition” campaign, which is the largest fundraising initiative in the institution’s history. The…

No public meetings set for Fort Smith Public School superintendent search

The Fort Smith Public School Board of Education began Tuesday (April 1) interviewing finalists to fill the highest office in the district. The board has decided to not have opportunities…