Department of Health Urges Arkansans to Get Flu Shot

By DANIEL CARUTH & KYLE KELLAMS

The Arkansas Department of Health is encouraging people to get vaccinated for the flu this fall to avoid an outbreak and potential strain on the state's hospitals. After a mild flu season in 2020, ADH officials say immunity to new strains of influenza could be worse if more people aren't vaccinated. Health units across the state are offering the flu shot to anyone at no cost.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/department-health-urges-arkansans-get-flu-shot

Free flu shots are available through mass clinics and at local health units across the state this fall.

COURTESY / ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service/Little Rock

A slow moving cold front will continue to move toward Arkansas today, eventually passing through the state on Friday. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop along and ahead of the front. An isolated strong to severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out.

West and northwest Arkansas remain most at risk for the strongest storms today. Also, this is where the heaviest rain occurred the last twenty four hours, and the area is susceptible to flash flooding.

Thunderstorms will exit the west/northwest this afternoon, with the flash flood concern diminishing.

The Day Crew

National Weather Service

Little Rock, Arkansas

UA Cossatot Collecting Food Items for Thanksgiving Holiday Food Boxes

The UA Cossatot chapter of Rotaract is partnering with the Center for Student Success to provide Thanksgiving meal boxes to our students. We ask anyone who would like to help gather the attached food items and drop them off at any of our ERCs. Our goal is to serve a total of 150 students. We plan to provide this service to students on all campuses.

Rotaract is partnering with the Center for Student Success to complete this service project. Rotaract is the college level of Rotary, and we focus on service, professional development, Leadership, and networking.

Please help us spread the word.

VIDEO: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Coming with Longest Viewing Duration in SW AR; Preparations Being Made

Julianne Dunne, Hazelle Whited, Brook Kaufman, and Suzanne Babb came to our De Queen studios this morning to talk about advance planning for the 2024 eclipse.

A total solar eclipse will take place at the Moon's ascending node on Monday, April 8, 2024, visible across North America and dubbed the Great North American Eclipse by some of the media.

COVID-19 Active Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 77

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 44

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 38

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 67

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 20

COVID-19 Active Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 80

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 47

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 52

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 33

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 22

4-H Food Challenge Team Places 5th at National Contest

Howard County 4-H members Adelene Westfall, Alex Trombley and Sarah Lamb placed 5th in the National 4-H Food Challenge Competition held early this week at the Texas State Fair. Fourteen teams representing nine states competed in the day long challenge. Like the popular tv show, “Chopped”, teams were given a secret ingredient to create a dish utilizing pantry items. Teams were assigned a section of MyPlate and were given a spending allowance to purchase additional items at the pantry. According to Jean Ince, County Extension Agent-Staff Chair, “The group had no prior knowledge of the category or “secret” ingredient they would be preparing until the time of the contest.”

In round one, the Howard County team, who called themselves “Seniors with Spatulas” was given whole grain pasta and $4.00 to spend. The group worked as a team to create a vegetable pasta dish within the 40-minute time limit. The group also had to develop a 5-minute presentation stating what they made, the nutritional value of the dish, how many people it served, food safety procedures taken and what substitutions they would make to increase the overall healthiness of the dish. Only six teams advanced to the final round.

The Arkansas team (Howard County) advanced to the final round where the secret ingredient was sirloin steak. “In this round they given $5.00 to spend at the pantry. The group prepared a pepper steak stir fry. Again, they had 40 minutes to develop the recipe and prepare their presentation” according to Ince.

This was the first year Arkansas has participated in the National 4-H Food Challenge and the first year to have a statewide contest. Howard County team won the state contest in August

and the opportunity to represent Arkansas. Ince stated, “This group has worked very hard practicing for both contests. I am super proud of them.” Locally, the program was funded by a Healthy Habits grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation.

Arkansas Planning and Development Districts Resident Survey

The Arkansas Economic Development Institute (AEDI) & the ASU Delta Center are asking for our help with the historic Covid-19 study and survey to help all Arkansas Community Leaders, Business Organizations, and Citizens with Resiliency & Recovery. Southwest has received 2 survey links, one for Organization, and the other for all Southwest Region Residents.

All 8 Arkansas Planning & Development Districts (PDD) are working together to get feedback from their Region on how the pandemic has influenced health and economic well-being at this moment in time for each of the 8 Arkansas Regions. We are asking our Southwest Residents to please take a few minutes and fill out this important, and anonymous, Survey. Each PDD will use the information received from the Surveys to create their Region’s Strategic Plan for any future disasters/pandemics. When completed this coming Spring, all 8 Regional Plans will help all of Arkansas be better prepared and more resilient in the face of future disasters. We sincerely thank you for helping us with this enormously important project.

Link: http://astate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cIkTI1MfodIbo5U 

Public Schools and Colleges in SW Arkansas COVID-19 Active Case Numbers

The ADH has released their most recent report on the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges, and the numbers for most area schools continue to trend downward. Some area schools of note include:

UA Cossatot, Mineral Springs, Kirby: less than 5 ( ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy)

Mena 8

De Queen 5

Ashdown 5

Centerpoint 5

Nashville 8

South Pike County 13

Horatio 9

Texarkana, AR 8

Cossatot River 7

Dierks 5

Foreman 6

For the complete report, please visit:

https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09272021.pdf

Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 86

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 40

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 71

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 51

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 42

COVID-19 Active Cases Numbers in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County

Total Active Cases: 99

Active Cases Data for Howard County

Total Active Cases: 55

Active Cases Data for Little River County

Total Active Cases: 89

Active Cases Data for Polk County

Total Active Cases: 102

Active Cases Data for Pike County

Total Active Cases: 58

Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County

Total Active Cases: 128

Active Cases Data for Howard County

Total Active Cases: 74

Active Cases Data for Little River County

Total Active Cases: 102

Active Cases Data for Polk County

Total Active Cases: 140

Active Cases Data for Pike County

Total Active Cases: 97

Current Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 132

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 82

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 90

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 122

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 101

Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 131

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 100

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 109

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 110

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 104

Active Cases in SW Arkansas Public Schools

The ADH has released their most recent report on the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges. Some area schools of note include:

UA Cossatot less than 5 (ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy.)

Mena 14

De Queen 19

Ashdown 19

Centerpoint 20

Nashville 14

South Pike County 11

Horatio 15

Foreman 20

Texarkana, AR 12

Cossatot River 9

For the complete report, please visit:

https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09132021.pdf

2021 Howard County Fair Exhibit and Educational Booth Winners

2021 Howard County Fair Exhibit Winner

Sr. Flower Show – Cut Flower …..……………………………… Deb Wallis

Sr. Flower Show – Plant …………………..…………………. Betty Johnson

Jr. Flower Show – Cut Flower …..…………………………… Arlee Howard

Sr. Food Preservation – Dried ……………...………………… Corliss Lewis

Sr. Food Preservation – Vegetable …………………….……. Codie Jamison

Jr. Food Preservation – Pickles …………………..……… Guy Cooper Kroll

Sr. Needlework – Other Category……………………..……… Judy Johnson

Sr. Needlework – 1st Quilt ……...………………………………….. Joy Barr

Sr. Needlework – Quilt ………………………..……….. Jeanette McConnell

Sr. Needlework – Crochet ………...……………………………….. Jon Nutt

Sr. Needlework – Cross Stitch ………………………………. Kay Gathright

Jr. Needlework – Quilt …………………………………….…… Sarah Lamb

Sr. Photography ………………………………………….. Gayle Castleberry

Sr. Photography …………………………………………..……. Jim Johnson

Sr. Photography ………………………………………………… Julia Moore

Jr. Photography ………………………………………………….. Elli Wallis

Sr. Home Arts ………………………………………….….… Wade Bearden

Sr. Home Arts …………………………………………………. Scott Wilson

Jr. Home Arts ……………………………………...…… Christian Trombley

Jr. Home Arts ………………………………………...…….. Torey Hathcoat

Sr. Art …………………………………………………….….…. Cindy Petty

Jr. Art ………………………………………………………… Klaire Hendry

Sr. Horticulture ………………………………………….……. Judy Johnson

Jr. Horticulture – Peppers ……...……………………………….. Briley Ford

Jr. Horticulture – Eggs …………………………………..…. Payeton Bagley

Jr. Horticulture – Pumpkin …………..………………...… Guy Cooper Kroll

Sr. Baked Goods ……………………………………………….. Tina Conzel

Sr. Baked Goods ……………………………………………….. Hazel White

Jr. Baked Goods ……………………………………………… Ember Boyce

Sr. Clothing …………………………………………..……….. Judy Johnson

Jr. Clothing ………………………………………….……….. Lily Trombley

Educational Booths

4-H …………………………………………….…………..……. Cloverbuds

EHC Club ………………………………………………………….. Twilight

School Group ………………………………………………………. FCCLA

Civic Group ……………………………………………… Master Gardeners

COSL Announces Howard County Tax Auction

(September 7, 2021) LITTLE ROCK, Ark – Commissioner of State Lands Tommy Land announced that his office will auction tax-delinquent land in Howard County on Wednesday, September 22, at 2:00 p.m. The auction will be held at the Carter Day Training Center in Nashville, with registration beginning at 1:30 p.m.

“Since we were unable to hold public auctions in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, we are auctioning properties that were scheduled for sale last year,” Land said. “These are properties whose taxes have been delinquent since 2015.”

Next year, during the 2022 auction season, the COSL office will auction two years’ worth of properties. “That will catch us up so that we’re current on all sales,” Land said.

Prospective bidders can find an online Public Auction Catalog, including a buyer’s guide; statutes governing sales; auction date, time and location; and a complete listing of parcels offered. This resource is on the Commissioner’s website, www.cosl.org, and is regularly updated.

The website also includes an instructional video demonstrating how to research information about each parcel available for sale.

“We open the bidding at the amount of taxes, penalties and interest due,” Land said. “Anyone who has delinquent property going up for auction should be aware they only have 10 business days after the auction to redeem property sold there.”

Bidders must register for the auction, but the registration is free. The first $100 of any parcel’s purchase price must be paid in cash, while the remainder may be paid by cash, check or credit card.

“Property taxes help fund schools, roads, libraries and public services including ambulances,” Land said. “Everyone benefits from paying those taxes — and the property owner benefits from paying on time, by avoiding interest and penalties on delinquent taxes.”

Properties that do not sell at auction will appear on the COSL’s post-auction sales list 30 days after the auction date. From there, they can be purchased through an online auction system. Another instructional video on the COSL website demonstrates that process to bidders.

Owners of delinquent parcels may redeem those delinquent taxes online at www.cosl.org using a credit or debit card. Those who prefer to pay by check or money order can print a Petition to Redeem from the website or call the office at 501-324-9422 to request the petition, which must accompany their payment.

Latest COVID-19 Cases in Public Schools and Colleges in Arkansas

The ADH has released their most recent report on the rise of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges. Some area schools of note include:

UA Cossatot less than 5 ( ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy)

Mena 51

De Queen 33

Ashdown 32

Centerpoint 28

Nashville 24

Caddo Hills 23

South Pike County 23

Horatio 16

Mineral Springs 14

Foreman 13

Texarkana, AR 13

Cossatot River 8

Kirby 8

Dierks 5

For the complete report, please visit:

https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/School_Report_09062021.pdf

Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas Following Labor Day Weekend

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 156

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 131

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 118

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 167

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 119

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Fair Season is Back

LITTLE ROCK – The county fair is one of the traditions that we missed last year because of the pandemic, and today I’m very excited to talk about the reopening of the fairs this fall.

The first known organized fair in the United States was a sheep-shearing contest in 1807 in Pennsylvania. Fairs expanded to include the judging of homemade muscadine jelly and green beans in Mason jars, merry-go-rounds, beauty pageants, basketball toss, and foods we eat only once a year. Fairs are a big deal in dozens of communities in Arkansas.

Barbie Washburn, president of the Arkansas Fair Managers Association, says the loss of last year’s fair season hurt small towns such as Marvel, where she lives and works. She also is president of the TriCounty Fair, which includes Philips, Lee, and Monroe counties.

She has loved the fair since childhood. She said, “As soon as it started rolling in, I could hear it and feel it. I couldn’t wait to ride the Ferris wheel and eat cotton candy.”

Now she lives three blocks from the TriCounty fairground. She said that last year, she missed walking outside onto her patio to listen to the sounds and see the lights.

She said, “Our attendance is usually 10,000. People come to town, buy gas, eat at the local diner. When the carnival’s here, the washateria is used 24/7.”

The fair buys feed from the local feed store, and supplies from the hardware store. That didn’t happen last year.

Just about all of the county fairs are reopened for this fall. Now, some of the fairs that are reopening won’t have a midway with rides and games because some of the carnival companies didn’t survive the pandemic. But Freddy Miller, whose parents Johnny and Sue started Miller Spectacular Shows in Greenbrier, said his family’s company has had a phenomenal recovery this year.

The survival of county fairs is important to our communities. In July, I asked the Department of Agriculture to release $1.8 million in premium and construction funding to fairs. Going back to 2019, the state has allocated $3.8 million.

Barbie really wants county fairs to survive. She fears losing another event that brings a community together. That’s what the county fair is for. You see people you may not see any other time of the year. The fair is especially important for making memories for children. And for me that is really important. Each year my daughter, Sarah, and I look forward to going to the fair. We ride rides and look at the exhibits from across the state.

I am confident that county fairs will continue to thrive. The Saline County Fair, Bull Riding, and Rodeo is returning this year, and I happen to know that because I am riding in the parade. I am happy to note that I’m doing it for the fun of it and to show my support for the fair.