A new law has Texarkana, Ark., officials excited about being able to take care of run-down and abandoned homes and buildings. The measure, recently signed into law by Gov. Mike Beebe, gives cities more tools to deal with criminal nuisance and vacant properties. Though all local governments lose tax income when property is abandoned, cities lose twice because they are tasked with the costs of cleaning up and maintaining the sites. City Manager Charles Nickerson said the new law creates a system where the city is actually able to collect money owed by placing a lien on a vacant or dilapidated pr...

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