Special guest on the Thursday Ed-ition of The Morning Show was Melissa Zabecki of the Arkansas Archeological Survey. Mel talked about the AAS digs going on right now in Sevier County and invites everyone to her presentation at the historic Bank of Lockesburg / UA Cossatot gym at 6:30 Thursday night, 06/13.
Emily White at De Queen Lions Club Meeting on Tuesday
Special guest speaker Tuesday at the De Queen Lions Club Meeting was Emily White who is currently working as the District Court Judge for the 4th Congressional District in Arkansas - Hot Spring and Grant counties. Emily talked about her previous law experience as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, in the private sector, and as Deputy Executive Director in the Little Rock area.
State of Arkansas District Court Judge Emily White and De Queen Lions Club President Jeff Brown
Ashdown High School Students Attend AR Girls State & AR Boys State
Rylee Burden, State Representative DeAnn Vaught, and Aniya Polite
Rylee Burden and Aniya Polite
A.J. Hopkins and Cole Smith
Ashdown High School was well represented at Arkansas Girls State and Arkansas Boys State. Rylee Burden and Aniya Polite attended Girls State on the campus of Harding University in Searcy and A. J. Hopkins and Cole Smith attended Boys State which was held on the University of Central Arkansas Campus in Conway.
The American Legion Auxiliary believes that educating youth about the basic ideas and principals of government will help ensure the survival of our democracy. ALA Arkansas Girls State is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program in which Auxiliary members guide young women to become knowledgeable stewards of freedom, democracy, and patriotic citizens. The program started in 1937 and is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States, according to their website.
According to Rylee Burden, “Girls State was a whirlwind of a week. We were up before 6 or 7 in the morning and stayed awake until after 11 or 12. It was very busy but was a great time. I learned tons of politics and how our government works. I really enjoyed watching the mock trial with Judge Harrod and learning about how trials work. I also enjoyed meeting tons of new people and learning about them, while also creating friendships."
Aniya Polite said, “Girls State was an extraordinary experience! I want to thank Ashdown High School and the community of Ashdown for selecting me to attend this wonderful event. There were many things that I loved about Girls State one was the atmosphere. It was so POSITIVE and LOVING! I was accepted immediately by people I had never met before. The weather may have not been great, but there was not a time that our spirits weren’t. We all thought that school was out, but it felt like we had started school again. Learning about how the Arkansas government functions and how much they take on to make sure the people of Arkansas are well satisfied is unpredictable. At Girls State, there were songs that we would sing. To hear all the voices singing together as one was an amazing feeling. It was a feeling that would overwhelm a person with joy and love! If I had a chance to experience Girls State again….I would NOT hesitate!!"
According to the Boys State website, it is an immersive program designed for high school juniors. The week-long program has been in existence for over 75 years. Upon arrival, each participant is assigned a mock political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, the delegates administrate this mock government as if it were the real government. Every phase of the program includes practical instruction on the duties and responsibilities both of a citizen and of public officials. Citizens of Boys State are instructed in the duties of the various public offices. After they learn the function of each office, its powers and limitations, they function in that role throughout the remaining week.
By weeks end Boys State has created their own state including their own governor and staff of state officials, name appointive officers, established the state Supreme Court and other courts, and organized the legislature and all other divisions of government.
A.J. Hopkins said, “My favorite things were the bonds I made with brothers in my county and how over just a week we became such close friends. I learned many things about how our state government works and I think many people should participate and be introduced to Boys State!"
“Some of the fun things I did while I was at Boys State included participating in the sports activities, running for county positions, and meeting new people from all over the state. Some of the things I learned were to always be open-minded to other people, and also how the Arkansas government works and what goes on within each position," said Cole Smith. His favorite part of Boys State was being elected for his county Secretary of State, being elected for position #11 for the House of Representatives and getting to sit in and vote on passing bills for the state!
At the end of the week, the delegates went to the Capital in Little Rock and the elected state officers took the offices of the actual Arkansas state positions for the day.
Rylee Burden
Cole Smith
A.J. Hopkins and Cole Smith
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
CDC Works 24/7
As the nation's health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health, safety, and security threats.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 4 of adults in the United States have some type of disability. In Arkansas, that number climbs to 1 in 3.
In the most recent legislative session, there were a number of acts passed to help better ensure thateverybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities.
Act 59 amends the Achieving a Better Life Experience Program. This program allows Arkansans with disabilities to save up to $15,000 in an account without impacting eligibility for many public benefits. Act 59 ensures that in the event of a death, the money in that savings account cannot be seized by Medicaid but can instead be transferred to a designated beneficiary.
Act 825 allows individuals to deduct up to $5,000 in contributions to the Achieving a Better Life Experience Program.
We also passed legislation addressing mental health for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Act 644 states a certified mental health professional shall offer culturally affirmative mental health services and linguistically appropriate mental health services to a client in the client’s primary communication method. It also states the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services of DHS shall do the same. The division is also instructed employ a coordinator to ensure linguistically appropriate mental health services are available and accessible statewide.
To protect our most vulnerable students, we passed Act 557. This legislation states that a school district shall not use corporal punishment on a child who is intellectually disabled, non-ambulatory, non-verbal, or autistic.
We also passed laws addressing how we write or speak about people with disabilities. It is important to put the person first. Catch-all phrases such as “the blind”, “the deaf” or “the disabled”, do not reflect the individuality, equality or dignity of people with disabilities.
Act 1035 amends laws regarding treatment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This legislation ensures that respectful language is used within the Arkansas code including changing the term mental retardation to intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Act 236 concerns special license plates and certificates for persons with disabilities. It states the special license plate issued by the DFA should contain the international symbol of access and not display the word "disabled".
Together, we can create inclusive communities where people with disabilities can be healthy and lead full, active lives. To find out what your community can do, visit www.cdc.gov.
Howard County 4H Members Attended the International Seaperch Challenge at Maryland University
Pictured L-R: Samantha Kroll - County Extension Agent, Agriculture, Nick Trombley, Anthony Trombley, Alex Trombley and Kris Woodruff.
Howard County 4-H members Nick Trombley, Alex Trombley and Anthony Trombley, along with 4-H leader Kris Woodruff and County Extension Agent-Agriculture Samantha Kroll spent five day May 30 – June 3 in College Park, Maryland competing at the 2019 International SeaPerch Challenge. The three brothers were joined by other youth from Arkansas along with youth from all 50 states, Puerto, the U.S. Virgin Islands and New Zealand. The team placed 62 out of 199 teams.
While in Maryland the boys attended different workshops, listened to other youth present Citizen Science Presentations, visit with other competitors about how to improve their ROV. They also spent a day touring Washington, D.C., getting to see many of the National Monuments, and exploring the Air and Space Smithsonian and the Smithsonian National Zoo. These five days were a really fun and educational experience for the boys.
If you are interested in joining 4-H or for more information about our programs, please contact the Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.
Weekly Update from 4th District US Congressman Bruce Westerman
Greetings!
I spent the first half of the week in Washington, D.C. It was a quick three days, but exciting nonetheless. One of the highlights was leading a tour of the Capitol for the De Queen Quiz Bowl Team. These students travelled to D.C. to compete in the National Quiz Bowl Championship. I could not be more proud of the team and the hard work they put into this competition. I also welcomed three new interns to my D.C. office. These interns will answer phones, lead Capitol tours and assist my staff with legislative correspondence.
While I was in Washington D.C., my heart and mind were back in Arkansas with all of those who have been affected by the record-level flooding. Because legislative business was only scheduled for three days this week, I was able to visit with local officials in impacted communities in the Fourth District. I have been impressed with the coordination between the local communities, state officials, the National Guard and the Governor's office who have utilized an all-hands-on-deck approach to flood relief. I’ve seen communities rallying together in their time of need, and that’s what makes me proud to be an Arkansan. We will emerge from this stronger than ever before.
I know many of you were evacuated, lost your homes and crops, or watched floodwaters devastate your community. I encourage you to call my main district office at (501) 609-9796 to see how I or my staff can help you.
Until next week,
Bruce Westerman
Arkansas' Fourth District
Latest River Flooding Stages
An historic flood event is happening along the Arkansas River. For the latest information regarding river levels and forecast info, visit the NWS webpage weather.gov/lzk.
UA Cossatot Announces Record-Breaking Graduates for Spring 2019
UA Cossatot broke a record at its spring graduation ceremony in Lockesburg on May 11, 2019. The Office of the Registrar at UA Cossatot announces that the college’s spring 2019 semester hit its highest record of graduates and awards in the college’s history.
This spring semester, UA Cossatot had 241 students graduate with 332 awards. These awards include associate degrees, technical certificates, and certificates of proficiency. UA Cossatot’s 2018-2019 school year has also seen more graduates across an academic school year than ever before. The academic school year will end in August and as of June 2019, the total number of credentials awarded to graduates stands at 724.
UA Cossatot’s Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole said, “We are proud to have the third highest graduation rate in Arkansas, but for us to increase our number of credentials awarded by 58% in just four years, that is just great students coupled with great employees all working towards one goal. In Governor Hutchinson’s Closing the Gap Educational Plan, it mentions wanting to increase credentials by 40% by the year 2020. We certainly wanted to do our part…and we did, and then some. These record numbers also mean that when students come to UA Cossatot, they are more likely to graduate on time, and with one or more certificates or certifications.”
UA Cossatot offers many certificates and degrees to help people achieve their educational goals and find employment. Associate-level degrees offered at UA Cossatot involve two years of study (60-65 credit hours) and are intended to provide graduates the ability to go straight to work in their chosen field or prepare students for junior and senior level courses at a four-year institution. Technical certificates and certificates of proficiency also prepare students for careers. Technical certificates generally take less than two years to complete, and certificates of proficiency take one to two semesters and assist students in acquiring or improving work based skills.
Since August of 2018, 167 students have graduated with an Associate’s degree, 269 students have graduated with a technical certificate, and 288 students have graduated with a certificate of proficiency. The college has also awarded 4,458 certificates and degrees to UA Cossatot students over the past ten years.
Arkansas Tourism Open for Business and Ready to Help Make Memories
Check out the SW AR Tourism Attractions Page here on the Ed 88 Website. Southwest Arkansas has a lot to offer!
LITTLE ROCK, AR (June 5, 2019) – Summertime is fun time in Arkansas, and our state is open for business and waiting to welcome you to The Natural State.
From our majestic mountains to our sparkling blue recreational waters, Arkansas is ready to help families make new vacation memories.
“The flooding in our state has been challenging for those impacted,” said Jim Shamburger, chairman of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. “However, it is isolated and confined to areas along the Arkansas River. The rest of the state is in great shape and our interstate system, including Interstates 30 and 40, are clear for travel.”
Only Pinnacle Mountain State Park in central Arkansas is currently closed.
Arkansas public and private lodging accommodations, federal recreation areas, and outdoor sporting venues are open and ready for your business.
“No matter the activity – water sports, fishing, biking or road trips – our tourism industry is ready to make this a summer to remember with the outstanding hospitality for which Arkansas is known,” Shamburger said.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Arkansas with an annual economic impact of approximately $7.5 billion and employing more than 116,000 Arkansans.
For more information, go to Arkansas.com andArkansasStateParks.com.
Arkansas Archeological Society Schedule in SW AR
Preparation for the Arkansas Archeological Survey Team and the Arkansas Archeological Society Summer Program has been underway since last March. Well, June is finally here and our guests will begin arriving this afternoon! Their presence will be felt, mainly on the De Queen and Lockesburg campuses but there will be many opportunities for you to meet, visit with, and discover what their mission is all about.
Flooding Update of Arkansas River
Significant flooding will continue down the Arkansas River from eastern Oklahoma across the entire state of Arkansas through the week.
The Arkansas River has crested at Van Buren, Ozark, Dardanelle, Morrilton, and Toad Suck. The river is expected to crest at Little Rock Tuesday morning (6/4), Pine Bluff on Wednesday (6/5), and at Pendleton on Friday (6/7).
Major to record flooding will continue at all points along the Arkansas River in Arkansas. This will cause flooding of property near the river, especially in low-lying areas. Backwater flooding will be an issue as well. Impacts will be felt well out ahead of the forecast crest, so our best advice is to avoid going near the river, especially for any recreational purposes, during this period of high flow/flooding.
Make sure to follow all instructions from local safety officials, and never drive past a barricaded/closed road sign. We want everyone to make it through this flood safely. Near record water levels will remain on the Arkansas River for several days, and this will put continued stress on levees along the river. Any weak point along the levees will be tested as never before, and any levee over topping or breaching will greatly impact the timing and severity of crests down river.
Rain chances will increase over the next few days, as deep moisture moves back into the region, and several systems move through. Another potential problem could end up being tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico. Much of Arkansas is still expected to see two to four inches of rainfall.
Pond Creek Refuge Hosts Youth Fishing Derby June 8th
Arkansas River Flood Update
Significant flooding will continue down the Arkansas River from eastern Oklahoma across the entire state of Arkansas through this week and into next week (early June). We have attached a few images to convey the details of this flooding.
Flooding moves down river basins and crests relatively slowly from one location to another as a flood crest or wave moving down river. As of this afternoon (Thursday, 5/30) the Arkansas River was cresting in western Arkansas, but is not expected to crest fully until Friday at Ozark. The flood wave is expected to crest at Dardanelle on Saturday (June 1st) and Morrilton on Sunday. The river is forecast to crest at Toad Suck on Monday , at Little Rock on Tuesday (June 4th), and at Pine Bluff on June 5th and at Pendleton on Friday (6/7).
Major to record flooding is expected at all points along the Arkansas River in Arkansas. This will likely cause flooding of property near the river, especially in low-lying areas. Impacts will be felt well out ahead of the forecast crest, so our best advice is to avoid going near the river, especially for any recreational purposes, during this period of high flow/flooding. A record flood is forecast along the Arkansas River from Toad Suck to points northwest. This flood along the river is expected to be the worst ever recorded flood along the river! Make sure to follow all instructions from local safety officials, and never drive past a barricaded/closed road sign. We want everyone to make it through this flood safely. Near record water levels will remain on the Arkansas River for several days, and this will put unprecedented stress on levees long the river. Any weak point along the levees will be tested as never before, and any levee overtopping or breaching will greatly impact the timing and severity of crests down river. This forecast assumes that the levees remain in tact all along the river.
We have a few dry days forecast along the Arkansas river through the weekend, however rain chances return daily along the Arkansas River basin early next week, especially across north central Oklahoma and south central Kansas. The 7-day forecast calls for another 2-3 inches of rain along the upper Arkansas river basin which will place additional water in the Arkansas River system upstream. Arkansas itself is expected to see another additional 1 inch of rain next week.
We will update graphics each afternoon, but please see
https://www.weather.gov/lzk/wxcntl4.htm and
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=LZK
for the latest river forecast information!
The latest inundation forecast from the Corps of Engineers can be found at:
for the latest river forecast information!
Dennis Cavanaugh
Meteorologist, NWS Little Rock
Sevier County Data Walk presented by Excel by 8 and the Sevier County Coalition at UA Cossatot DQ
Final remarks from the Sevier County Coalition Data Walk
Arkansas River Flooding
State and Federal Officials Continue to Respond to Arkansas River Flooding
NORTH LITTLE ROCK— The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) continues to be fully activated daily in response to rising water levels and flooding along the Arkansas River. Every day the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) staff is joined by representatives from other state and federal agencies to support Arkansas’s response efforts.
Arkansas, Chicot, Conway, Crawford, Desha, Faulkner, Franklin, Jefferson, Johnson, Lincoln, Logan, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Sebastian and Yell Counties are affected.
As the river starts to rise further east and south, counties are requesting sand bags, sand and sand bag filling machines. There are currently seven sand bag filling machines that are being moved by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Arkansas National Guard to counties in the affected areas.
Levees remain a concern as they have never held back as much water for as much time as they have in the past. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Arkansas Forestry Commission patrol levees on a regular basis. Some levees are not high enough to hold back the high waters while others are experiencing weakness in their structure and are leaking. Local officials continue to monitor the integrity of levees and make recommendations for evacuations as needed.
Not all land is protected by levees and water is able to flood the banks of the Arkansas River. The Civil Air Patrol has flown over the affected areas photographing images for officials to analyze and make recommendations about protective actions.
The SEOC will continue daily activation during the duration of the Arkansas River floods.
Citizens affected by this flood event should take all safety precautions and follow the advice of local officials. If property damage occurs, and if it is safe to do so, take pictures of the damage. Citizens can contact their local Office of Emergency Management to determine what preparedness measures they should take.
Follow us on social media at @Ar_Emergencies and use the “hashtag” #ArFlood19 when posting to social media.
Music In The Park at Washington State Park
Historic Washington State Park announces the annual summer concert series “Music in the Park” with the theme “Arkansas Roots.” A free concert will be held in June, July, and August and is open to the public.
June 15 – Hartley Family Bluegrass Band
July 20 – Bear Creek Boys
August 17 – Harmony
Arkansas was formed as a territory in 1819. This year is the 200th birthday of the formation of Arkansas as its own territory. The music groups are bands that have their roots in Arkansas and its history.
Hartley Family Bluegrass Band is a family band from Arkadelphia, Arkansas. They started learning to play bluegrass and gospel music in 2003, just wanting to do something together as a family. A year later, to their surprise, they started getting invitations to play at churches, festivals, and other events. By 2007 they were traveling to places as far away as upstate New York, sharing their songs and meeting many kind people. The they continue today with Tom and Deb Hartly and their two youngest children, Abby and Micah. More information at www.hartleyfamilybluegrass.blogspot.com.
Bear Creek Boys is a local band that is made up of members from Hempstead, Howard, and Pike counties. They enjoy play different oldies pieces and Country music from the 1970s. They play for different local events around the southwest Arkansas area.
Harmony hails from Mountain View, a beautiful town nestled in a valley of the Ozark Mountains. They specialize in traditional and contemporary Folk Music, Old-Time String Band music, and good-old three-part harmony Gospel Songs. More information at www.harmonyband.org.
Bring your lawn chairs or blanket to spread on the grounds of the 1874 Courthouse by 7:30 p.m. on concert dates. The gift shop will be open for refreshments and Williams’ Tavern Restaurant will be open from 11 am – 7 pm for dining. For more information, call 870-983-2684.
Sevier County Coalition To Host Lunch-and-Learn Events
The Sevier County Coalition’s Live Well Sevier County Committee has announced they will be hosting monthly Lunch-and-Learn events in conjunction with University of Arkansas Cossatot. The Coalition is comprised of businesses and local agencies represented by employees who work together to improve the overall quality of life for county residents through the use of local resources.
Co-chair of the Live Well Sevier County Committee, Cheryl Byrd, a Community Health Nurse Specialist with the Arkansas Department of Health, says “The public will be given opportunities to bring their lunch and learn about many aspects of wellness, including but not limited to physical, mental and financial wellness.” Kay Trotta, committee co-chair and LPN Instructor at UA Cossatot added, “The Lunch-and-Learn events are going to be a great resource for both professional development and personal enrichment.”
The first of the events is a free presentation, How Failing Made Us Successful: Tips and Tricks to Cope with the Rising Healthcare Costs, that will be presented on Thursday, June 20th at UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus. The presentation will begin at 12:00 noon in the Weyerhaeuser room, located in the Skilled Trades Building, and will conclude at 12:40 p.m.
Presenter Jayme Mayo, Physician Assistant, is the in-house medical provider and wellness director at Nabholz Construction, where she has successfully led efforts over the past 12 years. Due to the Nabholz innovation, Jayme was featured in HBO’s documentary on obesity titled “Weight of the Nation” and with the CDC as a National Healthy Worksite Program Case Study and follow up video. Jayme has consulted with the Department of Defense, Former President Bill Clinton’s “Health Initiative” and the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute along with numerous businesses across the country to help implement successful worksite wellness programs. Her most recent was Nabholz being named #25 in the 101 Healthiest Employers in the Country. She speaks regularly at regional, national and international conferences sharing the many successes of her program. Jayme is an 8-time triathlon and ultra-marathon finisher.
Mayo says, “As companies look for new and innovative ways to control the rising cost of healthcare, implementing a worksite wellness program is considered one strategy. In recent times, however, wellness programs have garnered a reputation of being both costly and ineffective. That theory has been put to rest. I look forward to sharing strategies to help employers, employees and their families cope with the rapidly increasing costs of medical care and health insurance.”
“I am excited that we can share this opportunity here in Sevier County, says Sarah Powell, committee co-chair and Rural Health Specialist with the Arkansas Department of Health. I’ve seen Mrs. Mayo speak.
She’s entertaining, inspirational and committed to helping people transform their lives through awareness, education, and motivation. This event is going to be relevant to both businesses wanting to develop or enhance their workplace wellness program and individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle,” says Powell.
For more on Lunch-and-Learn programs, visit the Sevier County Coalition website at www.seviercountycoalition.com or call UA Cossatot’s Continuing Education Services at (870) 584-4471.