Author: Tina Alvey Dale

Tina Alvey Dale

Van Buren sales tax revenue up almost 8% through August

Van Buren, the second largest city in the Fort Smith metro area, has seen an almost 8% increase in sales tax revenue. Sales tax revenue to date from the 1.5%…

$3 million contract to help address Fort Smith water leaks; payment system approved

The Fort Smith Board of Directors agreed during its regular meeting Tuesday (Sept. 21) to pay up to $3.07 million for a contract with Fort Smith-based Forsgren to get the…

Fort Smith sales tax revenue up 15% through August report

Fort Smith’s share of the Sebastian County sales tax brought in $1.81 million to the city in August, 12.71% higher than the $1.6 million in August 2020, according to the…

CBID struggling to gain signatures for downtown Fort Smith assessment program

After three months of gathering signatures on a petition for property assessment for operation, maintenance and repair and improvements within the Fort Smith Central Business District, commissioners have received signatures…

Fort Smith Board to consider new utility bill payment system

The Fort Smith Utilities Department is looking at a new system for online transactions. The department will present a resolution Tuesday (Sept. 21) to the Fort Smith Board of Directors…

Fort Smith water leaks rise, with COVID and supplies getting partial blame

Despite the Fort Smith Board of Directors approving funding for additional equipment and personnel in 2019 in hopes of catching up on repair of the many water leaks across the…

UAFS enrollment declines, student success and retention position filled

According to an unofficial University of Arkansas at Fort Smith enrollment report on Sept. 8, there was a headcount of 2,444 continuing students, down 13.9% from the 2,838 continuing students…

New city of Fort Smith website could launch in May 2022

City leaders hope to have a new, easier to navigate website for the city of Fort Smith by late spring 2022. The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved hiring Granicus…

Fort Smith Public Schools grows police force to eight full-time officers

The Fort Smith Public Schools police department is growing. Created in summer 2019 after The Arkansas Legislature enacted Act 629 allowing school districts and other entities to establish police departments,…

UAFS launches ‘Lions Vax’ program to encourage vaccinations

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) has started a vaccine Incentive program – with prizes that include a $1,000 university credit and $300 bookstore voucher – to encourage…

Year-to-date building permit values up almost 20% in the Fort Smith metro

Building activity in the Fort Smith metro made a huge leap in August, coming in more than 70% percent higher than earlier in the summer. The area’s three biggest cities…

Director hired for ASBTDC’s Fort Smith office

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC)’s Fort Smith office is officially open and ready to help business owners in Sebastian, Crawford and Scott counties. Following a nationwide…

Archaeological study conducted at Fort Smith National Historic Site

A geophysical archaeological study at the Fort Smith National Historic Site will help the park plan for future projects. A team of geophysical archaeologists from the National Park Service Midwest…

Fort Smith fire and police departments see no operational impact from COVID-19 cases

Though Arkansas continues to see growing numbers of new COVID-19 cases daily, operations by those who keep Fort Smith safe – the police and fire departments – have not experienced…

Fort Smith sales tax revenue up more than 15% through July report

Fort Smith’s sales tax revenue had another strong month with revenue 9% higher than this time last year. The city’s share of the Sebastian County sales tax brought $1.79 million…

Mercy, Baptist Health add services and beds in Fort Smith area in response to COVID surge

As new COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the state, Fort Smith area health providers continue to seek more ways to serve patients and keep the public safe, including a…

Fort Smith to buy six compressed natural gas powered transit buses

Fort Smith will soon have a new fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in 2022. The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved an ordinance amending the 2021 operating budget…

Film festival organizers pleased with inaugural event, prepping for 2022 festival

As the organizers of the Fort Smith International Film Festival bask in what they say is a successful inaugural event, they are looking at ways to make next year’s festival…