Friday COVID-19 Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,545
Confirmed Cases: 1,318
Probable Cases: 227
Total Active Cases: 110
Active Confirmed Cases: 41
Active Probable Cases: 69

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 702
Confirmed Cases: 601
Probable Cases: 101
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 44
Active Probable Cases: 28

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 536
Confirmed Cases: 464
Probable Cases: 72
Total Active Cases: 33
Active Confirmed Cases: 17
Active Probable Cases: 16

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 507
Confirmed Cases: 468
Probable Cases: 39
Total Active Cases: 120
Active Confirmed Cases: 97
Active Probable Cases: 23

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 307
Confirmed Cases: 286
Probable Cases: 21
Total Active Cases: 24
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 8

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,809 new cases; 14,491 active cases; 805 hospitalized, which is up 4 from Wednesday; 116 on ventilators, which is unchanged from Wednesday; deaths added today, 18, for a total of 2,144; a total of 128,09 cases; 102,355 recoveries; PCR tests, 11,164; antigen tests, 1,740.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 154; Washington, 70; Sebastian, 66; Craighead, 60; and Benton, 58.

Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:

"Yesterday was a strong day of testing for Arkansas. Our increased testing efforts continue to reveal consistently high numbers of new COVID-19 cases throughout the state. When you get out each day, be mindful of the pressure on our hospitals, doctors, and health care workers. Let's reduce the hospitalizations by doing our part to protect each other."

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides Update on Arkansas's Statues in National Statuary Hall

Governor Asa Hutchinson provided an update regarding the replacement of Arkansas's statues in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.

Thursday COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,541
Confirmed Cases: 1,316
Probable Cases: 225
Total Active Cases: 121
Active Confirmed Cases: 44
Active Probable Cases: 77

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 697
Confirmed Cases: 598
Probable Cases: 99
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Confirmed Cases: 47
Active Probable Cases: 27

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County

Total Cumulative Cases: 526
Confirmed Cases: 460
Probable Cases: 66
Total Active Cases: 28
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 12

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 488
Confirmed Cases: 449
Probable Cases: 39
Total Active Cases: 105
Active Confirmed Cases: 81
Active Probable Cases: 24

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 306
Confirmed Cases: 286
Probable Cases: 20
Total Active Cases: 25
Active Confirmed Cases: 18
Active Probable Cases: 7

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

In its Wednesday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,962 new cases; 13,691 active cases; 801 hospitalized, which is down 9 from Tuesday; 116 on ventilators, which is down 11 from Tuesday; deaths added today, 14, for a total of 2,126; a total of 126,197 cases; 101,583 recoveries; PCR tests, 9,390; antigen tests, 2,247.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 172; Benton, 144; Garland, 136; Washington, 121; and Sebastian, 116. 

Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:

"Today we saw another record number of reported new cases. There was a small decline in hospitalizations but the high number of cases is a profoundly serious reminder of the emergency that continues. Susan and I just spoke about our holiday plans and we are taking extra precautions and limiting the number. Plan safely."

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

Arkansas Governor Touts Tax Cut, Budget Surplus In State Chamber Speech

Gov. Asa Hutchinson touted his proposal to cut the state’s top individual income tax rate for new residents, called for reducing the used car tax, and said his new budget includes a $240 million surplus during a speech at the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas’ Annual Meeting Tuesday.

Hutchinson said his budget calls for reducing the top individual income tax rate for new residents to 4.9% for five years. Doing so would attract tech and manufacturing talent and also retirees.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-governor-touts-tax-cut-budget-surplus-state-chamber-speech

Arkansas Governor Touts Tax Cut, Budget Surplus In State Chamber Speech

Gov. Asa Hutchinson touted his proposal to cut the state's top individual income tax rate for new residents, called for reducing the used car tax, and said his new budget includes a $240 million surplus during a speech at the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas' Annual Meeting Tuesday.

Horatio Elementary School Closing Temporarily due to COVID

The Horatio School District has decided to close Horatio Elementary School onsite instruction after two students tested positive for COVID-19. The district's contact-tracing identified several staff members and two kindergarten classrooms that must be quarantined until December 1st.

As a result of minimal availability of substitutes and the number of staff members that will be quarantined, the PK-6 Horatio Elementary will pivot to online instruction and elementary teachers will continue to teach virtually beginning Wednesday, November 11. Onsite instruction will resume on Tuesday, December 1st as the district already has a digital day planned for November 30th.

The district will continue to partner with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide a safe and healthy environment for onsite instruction.

Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,522
Confirmed Cases: 1,315
Probable Cases: 207
Total Active Cases: 117
Active Confirmed Cases: 50
Active Probable Cases: 67

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 694
Confirmed Cases: 598
Probable Cases: 96
Total Active Cases: 78
Active Confirmed Cases: 50
Active Probable Cases: 28

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 523
Confirmed Cases: 458
Probable Cases: 65
Total Active Cases: 28
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 12

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 466
Confirmed Cases: 430
Probable Cases: 36
Total Active Cases: 89
Active Confirmed Cases: 66
Active Probable Cases: 23

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 295
Confirmed Cases: 277
Probable Cases: 18
Total Active Cases: 19
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 6

Governor’s FY2022 Budget Increases Funding For Education, Public Safety; Gives Tax Relief

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has notified members of the General Assembly that his budget for FY2022 “will fully fund state operations and will continue the priorities and momentum” of his administration.

“While we continue to fight the pandemic, today’s budget will fully fund state operations and will continue the priorities and momentum of my administration,” Governor Hutchinson said in a letter he released on Tuesday to the Arkansas Legislative Council. “It will fund productivity within our institutions of higher education, meet the recommendations of the legislative educational adequacy committee, and see the largest increase in public school funding in more than a decade.”

The budget continues his administration’s commitment to lower taxes for working Arkansans that not only absorbs cuts from previous years and but also sets aside $50 million in tax relief for Arkansans in low- and middle-income brackets.

The proposed budget will increase the balance in the Long-Term Reserve from $185 million to $285 million by the end of the biennium. When Governor Hutchinson took office, the reserve fund’s balance was zero.

The proposed budget also:

• Reduces the sales tax on vehicles that sell for less than $10,000.

• Offers a lower income-tax rate to new Arkansans.

• Continues funding for crisis stabilization units (CSU).

• Continues funding for public safety needs, including the state crime lab and police vehicles.

• Allocates $30 million in surplus funding to continue expansion of broadband.

• Reduces spending by $26.5 million through the Governor’s initiative to transform and reorganize state government.

VIDEO: Veteran's Day Ceremony in Arkansas Wednesday (11.11.20)

Governor Asa Hutchinson spoke at the Veteran's Day Ceremony at MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.

U.S. Navy Veteran at Tuesday's De Queen Lions Club Meeting

With Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11th, the Lions Club invited a local U.S. Navy Veteran to speak to the group Tuesday. Don Hogg discussed his service in the military in the U.S. Navy at Tuesday’s De Queen Lions Club noon meeting. He also brought Navy ship photos of the vessels he was on. He was pictured outside on the deck of the tug boat in the first ship photo.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Veterans live and work in every community of Arkansas. We are their friends, their family, their co-workers, and their neighbors. It is up to us to ensure that every veteran feels that his or her service to this country is appreciated.

There are ways every Arkansan can help our veterans. Shop at your local businesses that support the military and hire veterans. Reach out to your veteran community and find ways to volunteer. We can all teach our children about the sacrifices veterans have made and create a new generation of appreciation.

But the easiest way is to simply say, "Thank you for what you have done for our country."

On this Veterans Day, we would like to say a special thank you to the more than 219,000 veterans who call Arkansas home.

Every session, we introduce legislation to make Arkansas a better place for our military members and vets. In the most recent session, we passed legislation to make it easier for military spouses to find employment quickly and legislation paving the way for an extensive study on veteran affairs in our state.

Act 551 directs the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, and Legislative and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs to meet jointly to conduct the Arkansas Legislative Study on Veterans Affairs. The study aims to examine veterans' issues in the state, including the occurrence of suicide among the veteran population. The committees have conducted town-hall-style meetings across the state to hear from veterans. They will use the information they've gathered to make recommendations for the 2021 Regular Session.

We also passed Act 820. This legislation states an occupational licensing entity shall grant active military members and returning veterans, as well as spouses of active military and returning veterans, with automatic licensure to engage in an occupation or profession if they have an equivalent license in another state.

And in 2017, we passed legislation exempting military retirement benefits from state income tax.

We look forward to continued progress. May we continue to make our state a place our vets are proud to call home.

Sevier County Library Snippets for November

by: JOHNYE FISHER

November is here, and you know what November is right? It’s Thanksgiving!!! Gobble till you Wobble! Please stop and give Thanks for all things you have and do not have for it makes you who you are. We hope you have safe travels and enjoy loved ones this year!

November is also Food for Fines Month and The Sevier County Library System Sweater Drive. November 1-30, bring any nonperishable food item into any Sevier County Branch Library for a one-dollar reduction per item in existing overdue fines. Food accepted for fines on returned library materials only, not for replacement fees of lost or damaged items. November 1-30 is the Sweater Drive you can bring any new or gently used items to any branch location and all of our donations area kept local in each community. Won’t you help keep someone one safe, warm and fed for the winter?

The De Queen Library will have Virtual Thanksgiving Story Times on November 4th and November 18th. On November 23, we will present a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving virtually.Our front of the desk display will be reading with a twist. The twist is you don’t know what this book is until you open it. The book jacket will be taken off so you might get a book on how to plant flowers, read about the wild adventures of Davy Crockett, or even travel across the Atlantic Ocean to Scotland. Come take a trip or go on an adventure. Call us at 584-4364 or visit our facebook.com/seviercountylibrary page for more details.

Hello everyone from Amy at the Horatio Library. I hope you have been enjoying this nice cooler weather. I know I have. With the weather changing and all this Covid 19 and flu season on us please continue to be safe and stay well. We will be having online story time on our Horatio Library Facebook page the 14th and also the 28th. The program on the 14th will have a Thanksgiving theme. We are getting in our new Christmas themed book titles. We have also gotten several new Bestselling books along with some new DVD series to watch. Please remember those in need this holiday season and donate if you can. I hope you have a very Blessed holiday and hope to see you soon.

Ms. Wendy wants to know if you know what are some of the things you can do at the Lockesburg Library? The library has public computers, printing, faxing, and WIFI. There are audio books, magazines, and DVD’s. Special book areas for adults, large print readers, young adults, middle readers, and early juvenile readers. The library also has a special book aread dedicated to Legacy Academy for students. For your convenience there is a book drop available for returns 24/7. New books are added monthly and for your convenience our book collection can be accessed at: https://evolveopac.infovisionsoftware.com/lockesburgThe Lockesburg Library is open Wednesdays, Thursdays 8:30-5:00 and Saturday 8:30-12:30. Call Ms. Wendy for more information at 289-2233

Rhonda, Amy, and Kelsie says for the month of November their display will be Christian Fiction. To name a few, Irene Hannon’s “Dark Ambition”, Karen Kingsbury’s “To the Moon and Back” and Christy Barritt’s “Ripple Effect”. These are really good books and we have them in large print as well. We have other good books such as “Thick as Thieves” by Sandra Brown, “Silent Bite” by David Rosenfelt and “A Time for Mercy” by John Grisham. We have something for every ready taste.Virtual Story Time for Thanksgiving will be November 14th so keep an eye on our facebook.com/gillhambranchlibrary for more information. Happy Thanksgiving from Gillham Library!!

Special Veterans Day Exhibit and Open House at Nashville Museum Wednesday

The Howard County Historical Society is opening a new exhibit at the E.A. Williams Chapel and Museum on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2020.  The display features military photographs and artifacts focusing on Howard County residents’ participation in the Civil War through World War II.  The artifacts are from the museum’s collection.  The exhibit includes photographs, uniforms, and military gear such as a gas mask bag from WWI and a Nazi uniform and flag sent home as a souvenir by a local WWII soldier.   

The museum is hosting an Open House from 12-4 on Wednesday, November 11 (Veteran’s Day) and invites the community to attend and view the exhibit.  Individually wrapped refreshments will be served and the first 20 children attending will receive a book bag filled with goodies.  Each attendee should wear a mask and all social distancing protocol will be followed.  The museum is located on the corner of 2nd and Hempstead Streets.

Veterans Salutes from UA Cossatot and Ed 88

Tuesday's COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,505
Confirmed Cases: 1,311
Probable Cases: 194
Total Active Cases: 112
Active Confirmed Cases: 53
Active Probable Cases: 59

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 690
Confirmed Cases: 598
Probable Cases: 92
Total Active Cases: 76
Active Confirmed Cases: 51
Active Probable Cases: 25

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 519
Confirmed Cases: 457
Probable Cases: 62
Total Active Cases: 31
Active Confirmed Cases: 21
Active Probable Cases: 10

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 445
Confirmed Cases: 413
Probable Cases: 32
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Confirmed Cases: 53
Active Probable Cases: 21

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 291
Confirmed Cases: 275
Probable Cases: 16
Total Active Cases: 19
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 4

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 945 new cases; 12,488 active cases; 786 hospitalized, which is up 45 from Sunday; 116 on ventilators, which is up 13 from Sunday; deaths added today, 23, for a total of 2,108; a total of 122,811 cases; 99,861 recoveries; PCR tests, 9,358; antigen tests, 721.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 128; Washington, 79; Independence, 75; Sebastian, 56; and Benton, 49. 

Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:

"We continue to see a high level of hospitalizations across the state. This increase can affect everyone, even those who have not contracted COVID-19. We all have a responsibility to our friends, family, and neighbors to do our part as we fight this virus."

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

VIDEO: CARES Act Steering Committee Meeting Tuesday (11.10.20) 330PM

The CARES Act Steering Committee, created by Governor Asa Hutchinson to recommend the best use of federal COVID-19 aid, meets virtually at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, 2020.

VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Presents Budget to ALC Joint Budget Committee Tuesday (11.10.20) 9AM

Veterans Salutes from UA Cossatot and Ed 88

Monday COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,498
Confirmed Cases: 1,304
Probable Cases: 194
Total Active Cases: 118
Active Confirmed Cases: 50
Active Probable Cases: 68

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 687
Confirmed Cases: 594
Probable Cases: 93
Total Active Cases: 81
Active Confirmed Cases: 54
Active Probable Cases: 27

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 517
Confirmed Cases: 455
Probable Cases: 62
Total Active Cases: 36
Active Confirmed Cases: 24
Active Probable Cases: 12

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 435
Confirmed Cases: 402
Probable Cases: 33
Total Active Cases: 68
Active Confirmed Cases: 44
Active Probable Cases: 24

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 288
Confirmed Cases: 274
Probable Cases: 14
Total Active Cases: 17
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 2

Veterans Salutes from UA Cossatot and Ed 88

Census Report: COVID-19 Economic Fallout Dire in Several Industries

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has hit the U.S. economy hard and the fallout on several economic sectors remains dire, according to a report released Wednesday (Nov. 4) by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The report looked at how social distancing and safe-at-home practices have brought catastrophic declines to industries such as transportation, entertainment and child care through the first half of 2020.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/11/census-report-covid-19-economic-fallout-dire-in-several-industries/

Census Report: COVID-19 economic fallout dire in several industries - Talk Business & Politics

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has hit the U.S. economy hard and the fallout on several economic sectors remains dire, according to a report released Wednesday (Nov. 4) by the U.S. Census Bureau. The report looked at how social distancing and safe-at-home practices have brought catastrophic declines to industries such as transportation, entertainment and child care through the first half of 2020.