Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Thursday, July 30, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update From Russellville Wednesday (07.29.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide an update to media in Russellville Wednesday, July 29, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
COVID-19 Update for Wednesday 07/29/20
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 913
Active Positive: 54
Recovered: 849
Deaths: 10
Negatives: 4,274
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 275
Active Positive: 83
Recovered: 190
Deaths: 2
Negatives: 2,271
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 106
Active Positive: 40
Recovered: 65
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,109
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 123
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 107
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,997
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 60
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 42
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,492
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson, Commerce Secretary Preston Make Economic Development Announcement
Governor Asa Hutchinson will be joined by Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston for an economic development announcement Wednesday, July 29, 2020, live at 10:00 a.m. (Click on Play Button Above)
Tuesday's COVID-19 Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 906
Active Positive: 51
Recovered: 846
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 4,249
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 246
Active Positive: 57
Recovered: 187
Deaths: 2
Negatives: 2,184
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 82
Active Positive: 20
Recovered: 61
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,074
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 121
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 105
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,981
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 58
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 40
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,465
Governor Hutchinson Announces $10 Million for Wi-Fi Access Devices for Arkansas Schools
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) has signed agreements with AT&T and T-Mobile to purchase Wi-Fi access points and data plans at a reduced cost for every school district in the state.
Students will receive the devices and internet access at no cost. ADE will fund the project with $10 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, provided through the federal CARES Act program. ADE will purchase as many as 20,000 devices. ADE will allocate the devices to each school district based on enrollment. The school districts will distribute the devices based on need within the community.
“As the coronavirus pandemic has forced us to adjust our methods of teaching, we have become even more aware of the need for virtual education as an option,” Governor Hutchinson said. “This project expands our reach and narrows the gap between those who have access to high-speed broadband and those who do not. This is especially important for our rural communities and for families who otherwise might not be able to afford this vital access. This project opens new opportunities for our educators, parents, and students.”
The agreement with AT&T and T-Mobile guarantees high-speed internet with unlimited data for two years for about $20 per month per device.
The providers have also agreed to allow districts to purchase additional devices and data at the same rate as the state plan.
Access to the internet is “critical to education,” Secretary of Education Johnny Key said.
“Providing Wi-Fi access points to students will allow for a seamless transition between onsite and offsite instruction as needed,” Secretary Key said. “This will support continued learning and allow for greater flexibility.”
Sally Bennett, superintendent of the Rivercrest School District, praised the program as a “game changer.”
“The digital divide is real and it is deep. This is monumental. It’s truly going to make a difference for equity in access in our communities,” Superintendent Bennett said. “We have an avenue now to fully serve our students, whether they are onsite, as we hope, or if we have to pivot to offsite.”
The program is a joint project of ADE, the Arkansas State Broadband Office, and the Governor’s Office.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Tuesday (07.28.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
UA Cossatot Announces Fall 2020 COVID-19 Plan
On July 23, 2020, UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole, spoke at the Capitol, during the Education Committee meeting of the Arkansas Legislative Council. At the meeting, Dr. Cole shared UA Cossatot’s fall 2020 COVID-19 Plan, which is now available for the public to view on the college’s website.
The purpose of this institutional plan is to prepare UA Cossatot’s staff, students, and community for the fall 2020 semester at all UA Cossatot campuses. This summer, Dr. Cole selected a COVID-19 Task Force to build a plan for the fall semester. The plan is now complete and it contains guidelines that are in place to provide the safest working and learning environment possible.
The plan includes topics such as health and safety guidelines, department procedures, and class size management. While several classes this fall will be available online, many courses will still be available in a traditional on-campus setting. These classes will be familiar to many students, but they will be reduced in the total number of students per class so everyone can social distance.
UA Cossatot Division Chairs and faculty have been working together to finalize classroom operation plans for traditional classes, flex classes, and online courses so students can feel safe and focus on learning. For classes offered on-campus, everyone will be required to wear face masks and rooms will be disinfected after each class has ended. Many courses will also be available in a hybrid format.
Since the college’s knowledge and understanding of COVID-19 continues to evolve, UA Cossatot will continue to monitor COVID-19 trends locally, statewide, and regionally to update guidance as circumstances warrant throughout the semester.
As the first college in Arkansas to offer an online degree, UA Cossatot is prepared and has taken precautions to make classes offered on-campus available online if the college is forced to do that at some point in the semester.
UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “Job one for us this semester is to provide a learning environment that is as safe as possible. COVID-19 has turned our world upside down but we wanted to try to achieve some sort of normalcy for our students during this fall semester. We understand the respect we must give this virus and we understand that our students want to protect themselves and their families. Hopefully with our fall 2020 COVID-19 plan we can create an atmosphere that lets our students know that we care about their health and learning.” The complete UA Cossatot fall 2020 COVID-19 plan can be viewed at www.cccua.edu/novel-coronavirus
Cossatot Community College
Information as of: July 21, 2020 All UA Cossatot campuses are now open to students and visitor. Please check your student email and Blackboard. At UA Cossatot, health and safety of our campus community are top priorities. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak rapidly evolves in the U.S.
UA Cossatot Fall 2020: Stay Here Stay Safe
Here's everything you need to know about taking classes at UA Cossatot in Fall 2020:
The first day of class is August 17.
Colt Kicker New Student Orientation will be held online through Blackboard. New students MUST attend.
You can enroll in classes through August 18.
First time students need to contact Student Services at 800-844-4471. Returning students need to reach out to their advisor as listed on Campus Connect.
See class offerings here: https://www.cccua.edu/apply-enroll/class-schedules
Still need to apply for admission? Go here: www.cccua.edu/apply
There are still a few scholarships available for the semester. More information here: www.cccua.edu/scholarships
You can check your financial aid through Campus Connect or contact the Financial Aid office at 870-584-1161.
Check your email listed on the FAFSA for lacking document notices and more.
You can also check your bill on Campus Connect. Information about setting up payment plans can be found here:
www.cccua.edu/pay-for-college/payments
Campus Connect, Student Email, and Blackboard can be accessed at the top left corner of our website www.cccua.edu
Any other questions? Ask them in the comments below.
Stay Here, Stay Safe!
Latest COVID-19 Numbers for Monday from the AR Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 900
Active Positive: 55
Recovered: 836
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 4,202
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 236
Active Positive: 72
Recovered: 162
Deaths: 2
Negatives: 2,147
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 80
Active Positive: 23
Recovered: 56
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,064
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 120
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 103
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,952
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 57
Active Positive: 18
Recovered: 39
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 2,426
Howard County Farmers' Market Today
Market Monday, 27 June starting at 3 pm. in Nashville
For those who may not be able to come to the Friday morning market, we will be having a Monday afternoon market day on July 27th beginning at 3pm. We have seven vendors who will be bringing their items to the market.
Here is who's coming and what they plan to bring:
- Wildflowers -
Garden fresh onions, cucumbers, honey, jams & jellies, honeycomb, honey
- Mobbs Farm -
Okra, tomatoes
- Wenta Farm -
Hand-picked figs (fresh and frozen), cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, tomato plants
- Grandma Sylvia's Creations -
Crocheted facemasks, earrings
- Threat Farm -
Free-range eggs
- Columbus Arkansas Gardens
Plants: Salvia, wildflower mix, chia, amaranth
- Aunt Ferns Fried Pies –
Chocolate, apricot, coconut, pecan
We recommend you get there as soon as we open for the best selection. We also request you wear protective masks and follow social distancing of 6 feet separation from others as you shop at the market. Most importantly, please stay home if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. We want everyone to have a safe time at the market.
WIC and SNAP Accepted by participating vendors. We thank you for your patronage!
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Monday (07.27.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Monday, July 27, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
UA Cossatot Provides Career Coaching for High School Students
As a new academic year approaches, UA Cossatot wants to encourage high school students to visit with a UA Cossatot Career Coach. UA Cossatot Career Coaches work within high schools and provide several services to help secondary students get ahead. UA Cossatot currently employs four Career Coaches within its High School Programs department who are available to help students enrolled at Nashville, Horatio, De Queen, and Ashdown High School.
UA Cossatot’s four Career Coaches include Amy Westfall for Nashville High School, Veronica Ozura for Horatio High School, Gabriela Balderas for De Queen High School, and Kelsey Smith for Ashdown High School.
Career Coaches provide advice, resources, information, and connections to help students in high school plan for college and future careers. They also assist students by helping them identify personal goals and figure out what career or direction would be best for them while educating students about available resources at UA Cossatot. One of these resources includes taking college credit classes in high school at no charge to the student through UA Cossatot.
UA Cossatot High School Programs Director, Julie Rhodes said, “Our Career Coaches are awesome. We are incredibly thankful that they’re working with our local high schools to provide students with these amazing benefits. Many of our current UA Cossatot students chose to take the first step in their post-secondary education due to the efforts of our hard-working Career Coaches.”
After working with UA Cossatot for many years, Amy Westfall became a full-time Career Coach in 2016 for Nashville High School. Amy says, “I love working with people, and in this job, I can help students determine what they might want to be and how to prepare for it. In my job, I tackle concurrent credit forms, college applications, all scholarships, FAFSA applications, college and career fairs, college trips, as well as military and special guest visits to our high school. When working with students, I also put an emphasis on the importance of test scores such as the ACT and ASVAB scores when it comes to planning ahead. I have a unique advantage, working in the junior high and high school setting, and I love that I can promote UA Cossatot for high school services.” Nashville students can contact Amy Westfall at 870-845-3201, ext. 518 or via e-mail at awestfall@cccua.edu.
Before working as a Career Coach, Veronica Ozura worked at UA Cossatot as a College Recruiter/Career Specialist. In that role, she saw the gap in what many high school students knew about how to get to college and prepare for it. As a first-generation student herself, she knew she could relate to the difficulties and also felt that she could help others bridge the gap between high school and college so that more students could achieve their career goals. In 2013, Ozura became a Career Coach for Horatio High School. This past month, Veronica took a new position as a Counselor for Horatio High School, where she will continue to work with the new Career Coach and UA Cossatot students. Veronica says, “As a Career Coach, I was able to build a connection to students and work with them one on one. I love working with students being the liaison between the college world and the high school world. It is the best of both worlds! I look forward to continuing to do that in my new role and as I work alongside the new Career Coach.” Veronica will continue to help students with Career Coach services, until the new Career Coach position has been filled. Horatio students can contact Veronica Ozura at 870-832-1900 or via e-mail at vozura@cccua.edu.
Gabriela Balderas began working as a Career Coach for UA Cossatot in the fall of 2014. Gabriela provides educational services to De Queen students on career and post-secondary planning. Balderas says, “I enjoy working with the students at De Queen High School. I believe we have some of the best students, and I love being able to see them grow from year to year and learn about their aspirations. I also like being able to connect students to resources offered at UA Cossatot while in high school. We have many students that attend
the UA Cossatot Secondary Career Center and many that are doing concurrent credit at the high school. These opportunities allow students to be able to get a head start on earning college credit.” De Queen students can contact Gabriela Balderas at 870-642-2426 or via e-mail at gbalderas@cccua.edu.
In 2019, Kelsey Smith became the first Career Coach for Ashdown High School. In her first year as a Career Coach, Smith has helped provide students with opportunities for job shadowing, mentoring, internships, visits to businesses and industries, as well as other career awareness activities. Kelsey says, “The thing I enjoy about my job the most is getting to work with my students every day. I love coming to work and helping students prepare for a new phase of life. No two people have the same path, and it is so cool to see the students realize their potential while finding fulfillment in their post-secondary choices! My main goal is for my students to feel positive and confident about their post-secondary path!” Ashdown students can contact Kelsey Smith at 870-898-3562, ext. 1007 or via e-mail at ksmith@cccua.edu.
Students can visit with Career Coaches in-person at their high school throughout the year, but they are encouraged to e-mail or call their Career Coach this summer to make preparations for the upcoming fall semester. Students who attend a high school that does not have a UA Cossatot Career Coach can still receive the same services by contacting High School Programs Director, Julie Rhodes at jrhodes@cccua.edu or 870-584-1343
Before working as a Career Coach, Veronica Ozura worked at UA Cossatot as a College Recruiter/Career Specialist. In that role, she saw the gap in what many high school students knew about how to get to college and prepare for it. As a first-generation student herself, she knew she could relate to the difficulties and also felt that she could help others bridge the gap between high school and college so that more students could achieve their career goals. In 2013, Ozura became a Career Coach for Horatio High School. This past month, Veronica took a new position as a Counselor for Horatio High School, where she will continue to work with the new Career Coach and UA Cossatot students. Veronica says, “As a Career Coach, I was able to build a connection to students and work with them one on one. I love working with students being the liaison between the college world and the high school world. It is the best of both worlds! I look forward to continuing to do that in my new role and as I work alongside the new Career Coach.” Veronica will continue to help students with Career Coach services, until the new Career Coach position has been filled. Horatio students can contact Veronica Ozura at 870-832-1900 or via e-mail at vozura@cccua.edu.
After working with UA Cossatot for many years, Amy Westfall became a full-time Career Coach in 2016 for Nashville High School. Amy says, “I love working with people, and in this job, I can help students determine what they might want to be and how to prepare for it. In my job, I tackle concurrent credit forms, college applications, all scholarships, FAFSA applications, college and career fairs, college trips, as well as military and special guest visits to our high school. When working with students, I also put an emphasis on the importance of test scores such as the ACT and ASVAB scores when it comes to planning ahead. I have a unique advantage, working in the junior high and high school setting, and I love that I can promote UA Cossatot for high school services.” Nashville students can contact Amy Westfall at 870-845-3201, ext. 518 or via e-mail at awestfall@cccua.edu.
Gabriela Balderas began working as a Career Coach for UA Cossatot in the fall of 2014. Gabriela provides educational services to De Queen students on career and post-secondary planning. Balderas says, “I enjoy working with the students at De Queen High School. I believe we have some of the best students, and I love being able to see them grow from year to year and learn about their aspirations. I also like being able to connect students to resources offered at UA Cossatot while in high school. We have many students that attend the UA Cossatot Secondary Career Center and many that are doing concurrent credit at the high school. These opportunities allow students to be able to get a head start on earning college credit.” De Queen students can contact Gabriela Balderas at 870-642-2426 or via e-mail at gbalderas@cccua.edu.
Sunday's COVID-19 Numbers from the AR Dpt of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 896
Active Positive: 53
Recovered: 834
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 4,103
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 228
Active Positive: 67
Recovered: 159
Deaths: 2
Negatives: 2,079
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 78
Active Positive: 23
Recovered: 54
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,041
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 120
Active Positive: 21
Recovered: 99
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,924
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 55
Active Positive: 19
Recovered: 36
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 2,400
COVID-19 Update for Saturday, July 25th
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 893
Active Positive: 61
Recovered: 823
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 4,050
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 222
Active Positive: 69
Recovered: 152
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,053
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 77
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 50
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,028
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 111
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 96
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,877
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 49
Active Positive: 18
Recovered: 31
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 2,346
Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | For the Higher Calling of Health Care
LITTLE ROCK – This week, I met with doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville who have been on the front line of saving lives during this coronavirus pandemic. They were tired and stressed, but their work makes me grateful for their services and sacrifice. Today I’d like to talk about the need to find more people such as those to enter the field. I am hopeful that the sight of their heroic service will inspire others to choose a career in health care.
The numbers of those in the health care profession nationally and in Arkansas have been declining for years. This worldwide health crisis has highlighted the shortfall and the urgent need to correct it. There never has been a greater need for young people to enter the health care profession.
The reasons for the decline are many, but the result is that as health care professionals retire, there aren’t enough people to replace them. Americans are living longer, which means the number of people in need of medical care is growing as the number of providers shrinks. In the rural areas of Arkansas, the situation is even more challenging.
As the coronavirus has billowed across our nation like a toxic fog, the illness has illustrated the complicated nature of our health care system. We have seen how various medical specialties intersect, and that each is essential: Medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine. Paramedics. Emergency room doctors and registered nurses. Respiratory therapists and licensed practical nurses. Home health caregivers. Researchers. Medical technicians. That is a very short list of the many important jobs in the health care field.
A health care career offers many benefits. You can find a job almost anywhere you want to live, and the jobs pay well.
But there is more to it than the personal benefit. Health care is a higher calling, much like any other public service. Those who choose that path often are called upon to put the good of others before personal comfort and convenience, as thousands have done during the pandemic. The hours are long, the work can be difficult. But there are the bright moments when someone saves a life or a homebound patient rewards a health aide with a smile of gratitude.
Arkansas is growing and in need of more people who are willing to commit to that level of service. Our state needs young professionals with fresh perspectives to help us figure out new and better ways to deliver health care. We need tech-savvy professionals who elevate our health care system, which benefits all Arkansans: A tech-savvy health care system attracts high-quality business and industry and enhances Arkansas’s general quality of life.
COVID-19 has changed everything about our lives. We have no idea how long we will be fighting the current battle, but the health care professionals who are guiding us through this time inspire confidence and hope. My hope is that their inspiration will attract a new generation of professionals to accept the call.
Friday's COVID-19 Numbers
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 893
Active Positive: 68
Recovered: 816
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 4,030
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 217
Active Positive: 70
Recovered: 146
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,033
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 75
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 48
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,019
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 109
Active Positive: 14
Recovered: 95
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,861
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 49
Active Positive: 20
Recovered: 29
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 2,333
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Friday (07.24.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Friday, July 24, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response. (Click on play button above.)
Thursday's COVID-19 Updated Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 880
Active Positive: 66
Recovered: 805
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 4,015
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 209
Active Positive: 69
Recovered: 139
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,009
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 72
Active Positive: 23
Recovered: 48
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,013
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 106
Active Positive: 13
Recovered: 93
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,851
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 43
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 28
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 2,267
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Thursday (07.23.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Thursday, July 23, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response. (Click on Play Button Above)