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

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 77
Active Confirmed Cases: 30
Active Probable Cases: 47

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 82
Active Confirmed Cases: 45
Active Probable Cases: 37

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 19
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 6

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 126
Active Confirmed Cases: 113
Active Probable Cases: 13

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 60
Active Probable Cases: 12

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 1,355 new cases; 20,691 active cases; 1,050 hospitalized, which is down 7 from Sunday; 180 on ventilators, which is down 1 from Thursday; deaths added today, 45, for a total of 2,990; a total of 187,057 cases; 141,264 recoveries; PCR tests, 9,244; antigen tests, 925.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 194; Washington, 102; Benton, 95; Faulkner, 66; and Saline, 58.

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

“Today is a hopeful day. After months of work, a COVID-19 vaccine is in Arkansas, and the first vaccine was given to Sherian Kwanisai today. The FDA should approve additional vaccines soon, and we will be set to cover our long-term care facilities. Brighter days are ahead, but we must continue to follow public health guidelines. This virus continues to rapidly spread, and it's up to each of us to do our part to slow the spread."

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

Sweat Family of McCaskill Named Arkansas Farm Family of the Year

Chris and Denise Sweat of McCaskill (Hempstead County) are the 2020 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The honor was announced last week during a virtual event honoring the county and district Farm Families of the Year.

The Sweats have two daughters,17-year-old Sara and 13-year-old Anna. Their 505-acre farm consists of natural mixed timber, along with hay, cattle, registered seedstock, hair sheep and Californian and Jersey Wooly rabbits.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/12/sweat-family-of-mccaskill-named-arkansas-farm-family-of-the-year

Nashville Chamber Christmas Parade

The Nashville Christmas parade in the City park was a great success.

We know that we had over 500 come through the park because

Kids Dental Center said that they gave out all of the 500 toothbrushes

that they had on hand. We know that there was a good number

that continued to flow through the city park.

The Nashville Chamber of Commerce wants to thank the UA Cossatot

student ambassadors, Diana Ramirez of DeQueen, and MacKynze

Dollarhide of Ashdown for tabulating the winners of the parade.

The winners were: 1st place Poblanos of Nashville, 2nd place Kids

Dental Center of Nashville, and 3rd place was Special Moments also

of Nashville. The best decorated vehicle was Mark McCammack

A great thank you to the Nashville and Dierks fire departments for

bringing their equipment to make the parade more festive. And of

course Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to greet the kids.

Also, the Christmas Bucks winner last week was Sheila Toliver of

Nashville for $100. Congratulations from the Nashville Chamber!

Monday COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,863
Confirmed Cases: 1,466
Probable Cases: 397
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Confirmed Cases: 30
Active Probable Cases: 44

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 929
Confirmed Cases: 713
Probable Cases: 216
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 38
Active Probable Cases: 34

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 694
Confirmed Cases: 573
Probable Cases: 121
Total Active Cases: 18
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 5

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,020
Confirmed Cases: 934
Probable Cases: 86
Total Active Cases: 138
Active Confirmed Cases: 124
Active Probable Cases: 14

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 494
Confirmed Cases: 439
Probable Cases: 55
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 61
Active Probable Cases: 11

UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors with Santa at the Nashville Christmas Parade Saturday, December 12th

A special thank you from the Nashville Chamber of Commerce to UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors Diana Ramirez & MacKynze Dollarhide for their help during the Nashville Christmas Parade!

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

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 73
Active Confirmed Cases: 28
Active Probable Cases: 45

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 73
Active Confirmed Cases: 37
Active Probable Cases: 36

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 21
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 6

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 143
Active Confirmed Cases: 128
Active Probable Cases: 15

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 69
Active Confirmed Cases: 59
Active Probable Cases: 10

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Hope and a Bright Day Ahead

LITTLE ROCK – On Thursday, the Advisory Committee of the Federal Drug Administration said “yes” to the emergency use authorization of the first Coronavirus vaccine in the United States, and today I’d like to talk about what that means for Arkansas.

This is a historic development in this pandemic. Now we can move forward with confidence and hope that we will win this fight.  It’s only a matter of days until the Pfizer vaccine arrives in Arkansas. I have authorized the first dosages to be distributed to our health care workers.  The next round of vaccine will be distributed to our nursing homes.  

Although in the first delivery there will not be enough vaccine to cover every health care worker, the hospitals will prioritize the distribution. And then there will be second and continuing deliveries until everyone is covered. 

It is essential that we provide the vaccine to our most vulnerable citizens in our long-term care facilities.  In Arkansas, 79.5 percent of our COVID deaths occur in those 65 years or older.  I expect the FDA to approve additional vaccines this month, which will accelerate our immunization program and increase the number of people we can vaccinate.

We will continue to prioritize the vaccine distribution until it is widely available and everyone is covered.  It is my belief that the determination and ingenuity of our pharmaceutical industry combined with the support of our federal partners will result in universal distribution in historic and record time.  It may be late spring before everyone in Arkansas has access to a vaccine, but we will get to that point, and if we all do our part, we will beat this silent killer together.  There is hope and a bright day ahead.

The experts say that in order for the vaccine to defeat the virus that 70 percent of our population must take the shot. I have confidence in the vaccine. In fact, Susan and I will be taking the vaccine when it is our turn. There will be no government directives to be vaccinated, but that should not be necessary when it is so important to our nation and state.

In the meantime, we must be remain vigilant with the 3 Ws: Wash your hands. Wear your mask. Watch your social distance.  

We are just two weeks out from Thanksgiving, and we are seeing the predicted surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. Christmas is only two weeks away, and we must do everything we can to avoid a third surge.

I hope that everyone will find a safe way to celebrate Christmas and that this year will be better and brighter than ever. That means we need to think about out-of-state travel and what is necessary to limit the size of our gatherings. I loved the idea of a family from Little Rock who said they are going to celebrate Christmas outside around a firepit. Be innovative. Figure out what we can do to have a meaningful holiday without spreading the virus.

Let’s team up as fellow Arkansans and slow the spread of COVID during Christmas. With the dawn of a New Year and the arrival of a vaccine, I am confident we are on the right path to shut down this pandemic and return to life without public health restrictions.

VIDEO: Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Address to the People of Arkansas

Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Address to the People of Arkansas from Thursday, December 10th.

Survey Shows Arkansas Restaurants Are Struggling To Stay In Business

A new survey conducted by the Arkansas Hospitality Association shows that restaurants are still struggling as the coronavirus continues spreading through the state. According to the survey, 36% of restaurant operators believe it is unlikely they will still be in business six months from now without additional federal aid.

Arkansas restaurants are currently limited to two-thirds capacity for dine-in service, but the trade group’s CEO Montine McNulty says many eateries aren’t seeing even that much business as people are afraid to go out to eat while the virus continues reaching record levels in the state.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/survey-shows-arkansas-restaurants-are-struggling-stay-business

More than one-third of restaurants surveyed by the Arkansas Hospitality Association say that without new assistance for businesses by the federal government, it's unlikely they will still be in business six months from now.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

U.S. Steel To Acquire Remaining Stake In Big River Steel

United States Steel Corp. is on the verge of becoming the sole owner of Big River Steel, the first “superproject” in the history of the Natural State.

U.S. Steel has exercised its call option to acquire the remaining equity of BRS for approximately $774 million from cash on hand. The company ended November with approximately $2.9 billion of liquidity, including about $1.7 billion in cash. The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including antitrust approval.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/us-steel-acquire-remaining-stake-big-river-steel

An aerial photo of the Big River Steel facility in November 2016. U.S. Steel Corporation is taking steps to acquire complete ownership of the plant.

CREDIT BIG RIVER STEEL

Arkansas Elementary Students Talk With Astronauts On Space Station

Nettleton School District STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) students did something Thursday that no one in Arkansas has ever done – talked directly to astronauts inside the International Space Station.

The Jonesboro area school became the first in the state to livestream with astronauts in space after receiving a grant from NASA. Students from around Arkansas were part of a livestream of the event held on the Nettleton campus. Gov. Asa Hutchinson was present for a pre-livestream ceremony that included video salutations from numerous elected officials and a special message from the only president to hail from the Natural State, Bill Clinton.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-elementary-students-talk-astronauts-space-station

Astronauts onboard the International Space Station took questions Thursday from students in northeast Arkansas.

CREDIT NASA

Franchise Taxes to Be Collected by Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration

The collection of annual franchise taxes in Arkansas has changed. Beginning Jan. 1, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, headquartered in Little Rock, will accept and process franchise taxes previously administered by the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/franchise-taxes-be-collected-arkansas-department-finance-administration

Sevier County Edge Donates to UA Cossatot Food Pantry

Another of the 2021 Reasons to Attend UA Cossatot This Spring

2021 Reasons to Attend UA Cossatot This Spring.....Reason #876....The UAC Financial Aid Department

Pursuing a college degree or a technical trade certification is an investment in your future. Our financial aid specialists are experienced at finding the grants, scholarships, and payment programs you need to make your dreams come true. Don't let money stand between you and your education. Visit with our Financial Aid Department, or check us out online at: https://www.cccua.edu/pay-for-college

Friday COVID-19 Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 77
Active Confirmed Cases: 30
Active Probable Cases: 47

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 69
Active Confirmed Cases: 33
Active Probable Cases: 36

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 26
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 10

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 145
Active Confirmed Cases: 129
Active Probable Cases: 16

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 69
Active Confirmed Cases: 59
Active Probable Cases: 10

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

In its Friday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 2,770 new cases; 20,706 active cases; 1,059 hospitalized, which is up 54 from Thursday; 185 on ventilators, which is up 4 from Thursday; deaths added today, 55, for a total of 2,875; a total of 181,624 cases; 137,401 recoveries; PCR tests, 15,516; antigen tests, 3,537.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 297; Washington, 248; Benton, 205; Faulkner, 128; and Saline, 127.

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

“We have once again reached a grave milestone in this pandemic. 55 Arkansans lost their lives yesterday as a result of COVID-19. While we may have hope ahead from promising vaccine news, we cannot grow weary over the next few weeks. This virus spreads easily and can infect any of us. Please take proper precautions."

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

De Queen Christmas Parade 2020 Winners

De Queen Chamber of Commerce announces the winners of this past weekend's Christmas Parade.

Nashville Chamber First Christmas Bucks Winner

Congratulations to Ms. Lois Henson of Mineral Springs, AR. as our

1st winner of the Chamber’s Christmas Bucks promotion. Ms. Henson won $100 in the first of 3 drawings. She said “ Oh Thank you so much, I have never won anything” Ms. Henson is 81. We thank her for registering at Nashville Vision Center. The Chamber has 25 Chamber businesses participating in the “Bucks” program this year. Congratulations to Ms. Lois Henson of Mineral Springs from the Nashville Chamber of Commerce.

Next drawing will be at Ivan Smith Furniture this Friday at 9:30 a.m.

More of the 2021 Reasons to Attend UA Cossatot

Another of the 2021 Reasons to attend UA Cossatot This Spring...

Reason #747....The Center for Student Success

The UAC Center for Student Success is dedicated to making sure that of our students have access to the resources they need to achieve their academic goals.

Some CSS services include:

Career Closet

Personal development

International student support

Food pantry

College readiness

Networking resources

Experiential learning opportunities

2021 Reasons to Attend UA Cossatot This Spring.....Reason #224

The Lockesburg Industrial Maintenance Institute

Industrial Maintenance students have the option of choosing courses that best meet their needs. Stackable Certificates of Proficiency in Mechanical Devices, Fluid Power (Hydraulics/Pneumatics), Industrial Motor Controls, Programmable Controls, and Welding will lead to the Industrial Technology credential and all hours will apply toward the Associate of Applied Science in General Technology. The Technical Certificate in Industrial Electricity provides training in a broad range of skillsets beginning with basic electricity advancing through the more complex skillsets required in programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

Another of the 2021 Reasons to Attend UA Cossatot This Spring....Reason #145 - The UAC ERC. To find out how the ERC can help you achieve the success you seek in your classes, visit the Educational Resource Center at UA Cossatot Facebook page.

Place Bids on a YouthBuild Playhouse Just in Time for Christmas

The current bid as of 7:30am, 12-09-2020: $1,700

Bids close at 3:00pm today.

Reminder: Wednesday, 12/09/20 at 3:00 p.m. is the deadline for bidding.

Keep those bids coming.

Are you looking for a good Christmas present? Our YouthBuild students completed a training project resulting in a really neat playhouse. The public is invited to place bids toward the purchase of this playhouse in the form of a donation offering by e-mailing Steve McJunkins at smcjunkins@cccua.edu.

In the e-mail, please include the name of the bidder, bid amount, and phone number. Current high bids will be posted daily through the final day (Wednesday, December 9, 2020) and the successful bidder will be notified the following day.

Description: The playhouse is a 6’ X 8’ child’s playhouse with 3’ X 6’ covered porch. Estimated weight is 2,500 pounds. It includes treated seals/skids, floor joist and a subfloor.

Bids will be accepted starting on December 2, 2020. The deadline to place a bid is December 9, 2020 at 3:00 pm.

The playhouse can be viewed in the YouthBuild shop on UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:00 am to noon on Friday.

Note: Successful bidder will be responsible for payment and removal within 5 business days upon notice of award. Should successful bidder not meet all requirements; award will be granted to second highest bidder and etc. The starting bid is $1,000.00.

Thank you for supporting our students! #youthbuild #uacossatot

De Queen Lions Club Met Tuesday at Lunch

The De Queen Lions Club met Tuesday at lunch and welcomed a new member, Erin Hunter, to the club. Jeff Brown sponsored Erin in the picture below. Erin is sworn in as a new member by Lion Ray Wilson in photo 2. The Lions Club, in photo 3, also contributed $500 to the Memorial Baptist Church for their annual Christmas Dinner. Pastor of Memorial, Jason Carlton, received the check from Lions President, Scott Simmons in photo 3.