Allen Public Library patrons will no longer pay late fees for overdue books.

What happened: Allen City Council approved the removal of fines for overdue library materials at a Feb. 10 meeting. Council also approved adjusted rates for renting Allen Public Library facilities.

Zoom in: In North Texas, at least 37 public libraries have eliminated fines since 2017, city documents state. Nationally, the number of public libraries in the U.S. charging overdue fines decreased by 92% from 2017 to 2023.

Removing library fees encourages library usage, increases the number of books returned and enhances customer service, Library Director Jeff Timbs said.

Since 2010 when council last reviewed the policy, late fees have been set at:

• 25 cents per day per book
• $1 per day per DVD

A new Michaels store debuted at The Village in Allen in November.

The gist: The store offers a variety of decor and supplies for activities like crafting, framing, beading and scrapbooking. The store also offers dedicated sections for knitting and sewing supplies, and for party supplies.

Quote of note: “Getting closer to our customers allows us to provide them with not only a destination to shop, but also a place to get inspired. We’re proud to be bringing even more of that inspiration to the creative community of Allen,” said Mark Johnson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of stores for Michaels, in a news release.  

• 170 E. Stacy Road, Ste. 2100, Allen

For the past several years, the city of Allen has spent millions on roadway improvements.

The big picture: Allen voters approved a bond proposition in 2023 authorizing $47 million for improvement and maintenance of streets, thoroughfares, alleys, sidewalks, bridges and other public ways, according to the city’s website.

Here’s a look at how the city decides which roads receive improvements.

The specifics: Until 2022, the city’s method for choosing roads to improve was very subjective, Director of Engineering Chris Flanigan said.

“It was based on an opinion or sometimes complaint-driven,” Flanigan said. “There was a two-fold problem. One, we had this asset that wasn't fully understood in terms of its age and quality, and then also we really didn't know if we were spending the right amount of money to keep up with degradation and repairs.”

The background: In late 2022, city staff used federal funding to hire a contractor to drive over 600 miles of Allen roadways to develop a surface condition assessment and objectively score and rank pavement throughout the community, Flanigan said.

Interested in business news from the Allen area? Check out details on these four businesses coming soon or now open at Allen Premium Outlets.

1. Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop: The retailer offers Dallas Cowboys-themed merchandise, such as hats, t-shirts, drinkware and more.

• Opening in early 2026
• 820 Stacy Road, Ste. 312, Allen

• Opened Jan. 5
• 820 Stacy Road, Ste. 604, Allen

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport board approved an increase for a contract to add the replacement of the flyover bridge into Terminal E.

During the Feb. 5 meeting, Phase 2 of the International Parkway Bridges was approved for an additional $136.1 million for the flyover replacement. It is part of the ongoing $12 billion DFW Forward capital plan, which is expanding and modernizing the airport that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.

What's happening: Replacement of the existing left-hand exit flyover bridges into terminals A and B occurred in 2025, and work is currently ongoing for Terminal C flyover bridge replacement. Those three terminals along with Terminal E are the four original buildings and roadways that opened in 1974.

The Terminal E flyover bridge is at the end of life, and the location conflicts with the planned Terminal F ticketing and parking garage.

What else? A contract with Passur Aerospace of Orlando, Florida, was increased by $221,377 to $2.51 million and extended to March 4, 2027.

Texans will see candidates for 18 statewide positions on the March primary ballot, including one state railroad commissioner, the state land commissioner and the state agriculture commissioner.

The overview: Despite its name, the Railroad Commission of Texas does not govern the state’s railroads. So what do railroad commissioners and the leaders of other Texas agencies do?

Community Impact compiled information about various state agencies to help inform Texans before they head to the polls for the March primary elections.

At the polls: Early voting runs from Feb. 17-27, and primary election day is March 3.