SUMMARY:

The state of Arkansas has around 1,000 fire departments, with only 28 staffed by paid professionals. Many departments rely on volunteers, but this model is facing challenges. Sardis, Arkansas, with a population of just over 800, is experiencing a shortage of volunteers. Chief Daniel Hicks notes their department has the lowest number of volunteers in nearly 50 years.

Similar issues are seen in Lawdale, where Assistant Fire Chief Ray Kerson reports a significant drop in volunteer interest. These struggles could endanger communities, as volunteers are often first responders in rural areas, and delays in assistance could be disastrous.

To address the issue, some have suggested offering incentives for volunteers, but the current strategies have not been effective. Although a tax credit proposal failed, the need for more volunteers remains critical for maintaining fire protection in these areas.

Anyone interested in volunteering can easily get involved by visiting local fire stations. The ability to help save lives and property is highly valued in these tight-knit communities.

Several fire stations across the state of Arkansas are facing struggles due to a lack of volunteers to help keep their stations fully …

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SUMMARY: The Fayetteville Housing Crisis Task Force is collaborating with the city’s new mayor to tackle ongoing housing challenges. Their mission is to provide recommendations to city officials on addressing the crisis. The task force has been active since its inception by former mayor Lionel Jordan and continues to meet monthly, inviting local experts to share insights. The new mayor, Ron, is noted for her commitment to housing issues and is expected to attend the next public meeting, scheduled for February 19th at 5:30 PM at City Hall, where developers will discuss their experiences in the area.

The group’s co-chair talks about the process so far. Subscribe to 40/29 on YouTube now for more: http://bit.ly/PTElbK Get more …

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SUMMARY: Fort Smith city directors are considering a 3.5% sewer rate increase starting in June, set to continue annually for five years. This increase, amounting to a few extra dollars per month for average users, is necessary to fund federally mandated sewer repairs estimated at nearly $645 million. Local dog groomers Kylie Rowe and Adam Robertson express concern over rising utility costs, highlighting the compounding nature of such increases. The city is requesting a ten-year extension from the EPA to manage costs without heavily impacting ratepayers. A public input session starts at 6 PM, followed by the city directors meeting.

The rate would go up by a few dollars a month to pay for required fixes and upgrades.

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