Arkansans to Demonstrate “Shakeout, Don't Freak Out” This Week

NORTH LITTLE ROCK— This week thousands of Arkansans will participate in the Great Central United States ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. This year’s annual drill is set for Thursday, October 17 at 10:17 a.m. The theme for this year’s drill is to “ShakeOut, Don’t Freak Out”.

To date, more than 192,000 of Arkansans are registered for the 2019 ShakeOut Drill. Last year more than 208,000 Arkansans participated.

Held annually on the third Thursday of October, the ShakeOut Drill is a “day of action” providing an opportunity for people to take extra steps to become more prepared for earthquakes and other disasters. The self-led drill encourages participants to practice how to “Drop, Cover and Hold On”. For most people, in most situations the recommended earthquake safety action is to:

· DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees;

· COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand, as you crawl for shelter under a nearby table or desk;

· HOLD ON to your shelter with one hand until shaking stops (remain on your knees and covering your head and neck with your other arm and hand).

Citizens in Arkansas are not immune to earthquakes—the state is home to several active seismic zones capable of producing damaging earthquakes, including the New Madrid seismic zone.

The ShakeOut is free and open-to-the-public, and participants include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies. To take part in the ShakeOut, individuals and organizations are asked to join the drill by registering to participate at www.shakeout.org. Once registered, participants receive regular information on how to plan their drill and become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.

It’s important to remember that even though the official drill is being held this Thursday, there is no wrong time, nor is it too late to become more prepared. If you can’t participate this Thursday, go ahead and register and schedule a drill for yourself, your workplace or any other type of organization any day of the year!

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills

Most participants are in one of the Official ShakeOut Regions listed below (with current registration totals). People and organizations in other countries can also register. All regions participate on October 17, 2019 unless specified. To learn more, select your region below or choose from this list:

#ShakeOut2019 #ShowOffYourShakeOut #ShakeOutSelfie #ArPrepares

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

A 2017 study titled “Indicators of School Crime and Safety,” published by the United States Department of Justice and the United States Department of Education, reported that 20% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school during the previous school year.

The same study also reported that about 33% of students who reported being bullied at school indicated that they were bullied at least once or twice a month during the school year.

The persistence of school bullying has led to instances of student suicide across the country, including Arkansas.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying is when someone hurts or scares another person repeatedly. It can include name calling, inflicting physical pain, exclusion, public humiliation, hurtful pranks and defacing property.

The Arkansas legislature began passing anti-bullying legislation in 2003. This year we strengthened those laws in an effort to reduce the instances of bullying in our schools.

In 2019, the General Assembly passed Act 1029, an Act to Amend the State Anti-Bullying Policy.

It requires parents of the victim of bullying be notified as soon as reasonably practicable. It requires schools to investigate and write a report on the complaint within 5 school days. The act also requires the school notify the parent or legal guardian of the student who is determined to have been the perpetrator of the incident of bullying.

In addition, it requires the superintendent to annually update the school board on the number of incidents of bullying reported and the actions taken.

Act 1029 states the Department of Education shall require 2 hours of professional development for licensed public school personnel in bullying prevention and recognition of the relationship between incidents of bullying and the risk of suicide.

This General Assembly also passed Act 190 which requires school counselors to spend at least 90% of his or her working time providing direct and indirect services to students.

The legislature will continue to study the issue of bullying but there are things we can all do.

Help children understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Tell kids bullying is unacceptable. Make sure they know how to get help.

And finally we can all model how to treat others with kindness and respect.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Civil War Weekend at Historic Washington State Park

Event: Civil War School Day at Historic Washington State Park

(November 1, 2019)

9:30 to 4:00

Civil War Weekend
(November 2 & 3, 2019)
9:00 – 5:00

Living history reenactors portraying marching soldiers and civilian refugee camps once again fill Washington, helping guest understand the conflict that no one thought would last so long.

Washington and Hempstead County raised 18 companies of soldiers who left loved ones behind, waiting, and wondering about them.

Tour various stations of soldiers, civilians, and historic homes that show the many aspects of life during the American Civil War.

Skirmishes will begin at 2:00pm Saturday and 2:00PM on Sunday.

CW Day Admission: $10 adults, $6 children (plus tax). Admission will get you into the skirmish along with all historic homes and museums

For more information, contact the park at 870-983-2684.

2020- 2021 Scholarship and Grant Applications are Open

As of October 1, 2019, current and prospective UA Cossatot students can apply for scholarships and grants for the 2020-2021 academic year by completing online applications. All federal, state and local scholarships and grants are now available to view and complete.

Students can apply for UA Cossatot Foundation scholarships that are available now through April 1. This opportunity will allow applicants the chance to apply and have access to a variety of local awards for the next academic year.

Some scholarships are semester specific. The overview and qualifications can vary, but all can be viewed at https://cccua.awardspring.com/. Students can also complete the online scholarship application to be eligible to receive a UA Cossatot Foundation scholarship on this webpage.

Home Page

null

State scholarships and grants can also be viewed at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) website, https://scholarships.adhe.edu/. General information about each financial aid opportunity will be listed, including deadlines, requirements, and award amounts.

Arkansas Department of Higher Education | College for You

null

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application is open for the 20-21 academic year and can be viewed at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa.

FAFSA®: Apply for Aid

Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with your financial aid administrator. Contact Your Financial Aid Office There is no state deadline for Alberta. Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with your financial aid administrator.

Completing the FAFSA will allow the government to determine if a student is eligible for federal financial aid. UA Cossatot’s Financial Aid department encourages all UA Cossatot students to complete the FAFSA.

During this fall semester, Financial Aid employees at the college will also be hosting FAFSA Fridays to give students the opportunity to complete the FAFSA with a Financial Aid Specialist. FASFA Fridays will take place at the De Queen, Nashville, and Ashdown Campuses from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on October 18, October 25, November 8, November 22, and December 13.

To make an appointment for a FAFSA Friday meeting at the Ashdown Campus, please contact Tiffany Maurer at 870-584-1127. Nashville Campus appointments for FAFSA Friday can be made by contacting Monica Clark at 870-584-1364. To make an appointment for FAFSA Friday at the De Queen Campus, please contact Denise Hammond at 870-584-1118.###

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Last flu season, 113 influenza related deaths were reported in Arkansas. According to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), 71% of the adults who died were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccine history.

ADH also reported that 28 schools closed briefly due to the flu last season.

While only moderate in severity, the 2018-2019 season was record-breaking in duration, with flu activity remaining elevated for 21 weeks. The 2017-2018 flu season was the most severe in a decade, with 228 deaths in the state.

If you have not already done so, now is the time to get your flu vaccine. Last week, the ADH began its yearlymass flu vaccine clinic effort, which involves mass vaccine clinics in every county at no cost. Clinics will continue through the beginning of November. The department will also offer the vaccine at every public school.

People of all ages can get the flu, but certain people are more likely to have serious health problems with it. This includes older adults, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), people who smoke, and people who live in nursing homes. Therefore, ADH strongly recommends that people in these groups get a flu vaccine. It is also recommended that friends, family members and people who provide care to people in these groups also get a vaccine.

The flu vaccine is safe and does not cause the flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 2017 study showed that flu vaccination reduced deaths, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, ICU length of stay, and overall duration of hospitalization among hospitalized flu patients.

Overall, CDC estimates show that flu vaccination coverage has increased over the past decade. Vaccination among kids across all ages was almost 63 percent. Vaccination coverage among adults is around 45%, leaving more than half of adult Americans unprotected from flu each season.

We have posted the schedules of the mass clinics and school visits on our website, www.arkansashouse.org.

Home - Arkansas House of Representatives

ARGIRLSLEAD #ARGIRLSLEAD is a movement started by women serving in the Arkansas House. Each of them have a unique story to share about their journey on the road to their current leadership position. Kids In The House Who says civics can't be fun?

Rutledge Awards Howard County Officer of the Year

BENTON – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today awarded the Howard County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Sergeant John Partain with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Rutledge presented the county winners at the annual awards and recognition luncheon during the 2019 Arkansas Law Enforcement Summit at the Benton Event Center.

“It’s my honor to recognize our law enforcement officers from around the state for their dedication to protecting Arkansans,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Every day, these brave men and women leave their families without knowing if they will safely return home. Today’s recipients have gone above and beyond for all of us and we are grateful for their dedication and sacrifice.”

In addition to the statewide and regional Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards, Rutledge recognized an Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer winner from counties around the State. Recipients were selected based on recommendations for their dedicated service to Arkansans and can hold law enforcement positions at a college or university, municipal, county, federal or State level. Nominations were provided to Attorney General Rutledge from police chiefs, county sheriffs, county judges, mayors, prosecutors and other state law enforcement leaders from across Arkansas.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

In 2016 in Arkansas, a total of 2,226 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 400 women died from the disease.

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women.

October is breast cancer awareness month. This is an opportunity to remind Arkansans of the importance of mammograms for early detection and life style changes that could help prevent cancer.

Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.

In 2017, the General Assembly passed Act 708 which ensures that insurance policies cover annual mammograms for women over 40. It also ensures that 3D mammograms or ultrasounds are covered for women with dense breast tissue. While traditional mammograms are effective for many women, the ultrasound can detect changes in women with dense breast tissue.

Only about 5–10% of breast cancers are believed to be hereditary, meaning they’re caused by abnormal changes in certain genes passed from parent to child.

The vast majority of people who get breast cancer have no family history, suggesting that other factors must be at work, such as environment and lifestyle.

If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may qualify for a free or low-cost mammogram through the Arkansas BreastCare program.

BreastCare’s mission is to increase the rate of early detection of breast and cervical cancer and reduce the morbidity and mortality rates among women in Arkansas by lowering barriers to screening that result from lack of information, financial means, or access to quality services. It is funded by the Arkansas Department of Health with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Arkansas Tobacco Excise Tax.

For more information visit: www.healthy.arkansas.gov.

Arkansas Secretary of State

Copyright © 2017 Arkansas Secretary of State. All Rights Reserved.

UA Cossatot is Leading in Post-Secondary Enrollment

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education has announced the statewide colleges and universities fall 2019 preliminary enrollment numbers. The data shows that from fall 2018 to fall 2019, UA Cossatot had the highest post-secondary enrollment increase for all public two-year colleges and four-year universities in the state of Arkansas.
Since the beginning of the academic year in August of 2018, the college has achieved a 14.8% increase for post-secondary students. This increase surpasses the community college total average of 0.6 % and the four-year university average of - 2.5%.
UA Cossatot’s overall student enrollment percentage combined for concurrent and post-secondary students saw a 4.0% increase in enrollment beating the community college average in Arkansas, which is 1.4%. The four-year university average in Arkansas for total enrollment is -2.4%, which UA Cossatot exceeded as well.
According to UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole, “We are obviously pleased with our numbers, especially the large increase in post-secondary students. I think this is reflective of how our students and future students view us, and that is a college that not only offers highly skilled technical training, but also a college that prepares them for university transfer. Add to that the new transfer scholarship to the University of Arkansas, where transfer students pay our tuition rate at the U of A, and I think we have a pretty good idea why our post-secondary numbers look the way they do”.
UA Cossatot has also announced that the college has reached a total enrollment of 1,521 students for the fall 2019 semester, which is UA Cossatot’s largest enrollment since 2014, and the eighth highest of the 22 two-year colleges in Arkansas.

Cossatot Community College

The University of Arkansas - Fayetteville's Chancellor, Dr. Joe Steinmetz has announced that the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville will now charge associate degree graduates from UA Cossatot the same tuition rates those graduates were charged at UA Cossatot. Upcoming Events

Hurrah Festival in De Queen October 5th

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

In Arkansas, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will be the victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime. In 2018, 44 Arkansans died as a result of domestic violence.

Domestic violence occurs among all types of families, regardless of income, profession, region, ethnicity, educational level or race.

This week, a rally was held inside the Capitol to raise awareness as we approach Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. The Governor and legislators also recognized the work of the 32 domestic violence shelters across the state assisting 18,000 Arkansans last year.

Every year, we study ways to strengthen our domestic violence laws in an effort to reduce and eliminate this epidemic.

In the 2019 Regular Session we passed the following bills addressing domestic violence:

ACT 499 creates a privilege of communication between a victim of domestic violence and the personnel of a domestic violence shelter or center and makes confidential certain communications between a victim and a victim advocate.

Act 498 reconciles the differences between the offenses of domestic battering in the first degree and battery in the first degree and increases the penalties for battery offenses under certain circumstances.

Act 324 allows for an additional sentence of 1 to 10 years in prison if certain offenses are committed in the presence of a child. The offenses include murder, aggravated robbery, felony assault or battery, and rape. Domestic violence is the leading predictor of child abuse.

Act 113 helps ensure that the $25 fee added to domestic violence convictions is directed to fund domestic violence shelters.

Act 908 amends the Arkansas code concerning orders of protection to align with federal code.

Domestic violence not only affects victims and families, it harms entire communities.

Below are numbers to 24-hour crisis lines:

Women and Children First - (800) 332-4443

Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault - (800) 656-4673

Arkansas State Police Child Abuse - (800) 482-5964

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence - (800) 799-SAFE (7233)

National Human Trafficking Resource Center - (888) 373-7888

Richard Curry of Arkansas Families of Fallen Officers

Richard Curry of Arkansas Families of Fallen Officers was our special guest on the Thursday Ed-ition of the Morning Show with Loren. Richard talked about the big fund raiser coming up on Saturday, September 28th in the Nashville City Park.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Howard Memorial Hospital would like to remind you that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. HMH Radiology has a gift for every patient who receives a mammogram during the month of October. In addition, all mammography patients will be entered into a weekly prize drawing.
Is it time for your annual mammogram? Are you overdue or have you just been putting it off? What better time to get back on track than October!
Howard Memorial Hospital offers 3D Digital Mammography technology that detects the smallest issues and the HMH mammography technologists have combined experience of 54 years!
Contact us today at 870-845-8156 if you have any questions or need to schedule your mammogram!

Burn Ban in Arkansas Spreads Across the Southwest

With the Sevier County burn ban announcement by County Judge Greg Ray Tuesday morning on Ed 88, the number of counties in Arkansas now affected by a burn ban is now at 19.

Master Bladesmith Logan Pearce on Ed 88 Morning Show

Master Bladesmith Logan Pearce was our guest Monday morning and discussed knife making in Southwest Arkansas and the upcoming Hoo Rah Festival. Logan Pearce is a third generation bladesmith. Logan is the first American knifemaker to do Russian Filigree on knives and is only 1 of 6 knifemakers in the world to do it. His Remnant knives are carried in over 30 countries, with dealers as many, that sell his work. Logan is also the creator of the 'Sharpest Man Contest', a bowie cutting competition, where makers show how well their knives perform. In 2017, Logan became the show promoter for the Arkansas Knife show. 

Pearce Knives

Third Generation Bladesmith, Logan Pearce. Logan Pearce carries on the family tradition of creating knives out of everyday objects. Best know for creating the wrench knife, bolt knife, tiretool knife, horseshoe knife, and many others that have inspired thousands of makers to pursue knifemaking.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

By April 1, 2020, each of you will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Responding to the census will be easier than ever, as this will be the first time you can respond online.

The Constitution mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790.

The Governor recently announced the formation of the Arkansas Complete Count Committee. The 30 member task force includes two state senators and two state representatives who have agreed to help promote statewide participation in the 2020 Census.

When you respond to the census, you help your community gets its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.

The census tells us much more than just the population of our state and our communities. It tells us about the makeup of those populations, from ages and races to how many people own their home.

Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories and offices. Developers use the census to build new homes.

Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness. The data can help inform where your community needs a new fire department, more funding for school lunches, or new roads.

The census helps determine how many representatives each state gets in Congress. The information is also used redraw state senate and house district boundaries. Redistricting counts are sent to the states by March 31, 2021.

The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics. You are kept anonymous. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or anyone else in your home.

For more information visit:  www.2020census.gov

2020 Census | United States Census Bureau

When you respond to the census, your answers are kept anonymous. They are used only to produce statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.

Burn Bans Across South Arkansas Counties

Eleven south Arkansas counties are now under a burn ban and that number may increase over the next several days as hot, dry weather continues across the state.

2019 Musicfest at Delight City Park September 28th

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

During the 2019 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed several pieces of legislation concerning our elections.
One of those pieces of legislation will change the date of our primaries.
Arkansas will join 13 other states holding a March 3, 2020 primary. Only 4 other states will hold their caucus or primary before March 3.
Act 545 provides for a March preferential primary election in the years in which the office of President of the United States is voted on and a May preferential primary election in the years in which the office of Governor is voted on.
The general election for non-partisan races, which includes judges and prosecutors, will also be held on March 3 of next year.
Early voting will begin on February 17, 2020. The deadline to register for the primary is February 3.
Act 545 also makes changes to the timing of fiscal sessions. Fiscal sessions have been held on the second Monday in February on even-numbered years. Act 545 states that on years in which the preferential primary is held in March, the General Assembly will instead meet for a fiscal session on the second Wednesday of April. 
Other legislation passed this year concerning elections include:

ACT 199 which allows the election officials at a polling site with fifteen (15) or more ballot styles to post the sample ballots on a public website and in bound volumes.

· ACT 664 which provides ten (10) minutes for a voter to mark his or her ballot.

· ACT 684 which allows digital photographic identification cards to be used as the voter identification required to vote.

· ACT 949 which provides for a modification in the law concerning the number of voting sites in a city of the first class.

· ACT 328 which allows high school students to volunteer as election officials.

For more information about voting dates and deadlines visit www.sos.arkansas.gov.www.sos.arkansas.gov.

Arkansas Secretary of State

Copyright © 2017 Arkansas Secretary of State. All Rights Reserved.

Sevier County Tourist Magazine Now Available

The Sevier County tourist magazine is fresh off the presses! The De Queen - Sevier County Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Committee would like to say thanks to Marty and the De Queen Bee for the work they did on this publication!