UA Cossatot Partners with Ashdown High School to Provide Nursing Assistant Training

(Pictured L-R): Zebbie Launius, Sharon Shelton, Holly Jones, Angel Hamilton, Deniyah Hemphill, Ariyonna Trotter, Alicia Hale, Madison Johnson, Taneka Hamilton, and Destinee Robinson, (not pictured: Jasmine Richard)

For the first time during the 2018-2019 academic school year, UA Cossatot offered a nursing assistant training program to Ashdown High School seniors. A pinning ceremony took place at Ashdown High School on Thursday, May 16, 2019, where nine Ashdown students received a training certificate and a pin for completing the training program. 

The college's Continuing Education department and Ashdown High School partnered together to offer Ashdown High School seniors the chance to receive nursing assistant training in high school, to prepare for the certified nursing assistant training exam after graduation. After passing this exam, these students can earn a license to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Students who participated in the training program received one hundred hours of training, with sixteen hours being in a clinical setting at Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Ashdown. 

The ceremony began at 6:00 PM with a welcome by Ashdown High School Superintendent, Casey Nichols. UA Cossatot's Director of Public Services and Workforce Development, Tammy Coleman gave an overview of the program and also recognized individuals who made this partnership and program possible. The students were then presented with certificates by their instructor Sharon Shelton and then received a pin from UA Cossatot's Continuing Education Coordinator, Zebbie Launius. 

The nine students who completed the nursing assistant training program included Alicia Hale, Angel Hamilton, Ta'Neka Hamilton, Deniyah Hemphill, Madison Johnson, Holly Jones, Jasmine Richard, Destinee Robinson, and Ariyonna Trotter. 

Ashdown High School is the first high school to partner with UA Cossatot to offer a nursing assistant training program to high school seniors. The college does plan to partner with other area high schools in the future to provide this opportunity to more seniors in high school. 

Job prospects for Certified Nursing Assistants are bright. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for Certified Nursing Assistants will rise at a rate of eleven percent through 2026, which is much faster than the average job growth. As the population ages, demand for round-the-clock nursing services will continue to be needed. 

To learn more about nursing assistant training programs through UA Cossatot, please speak with someone in Continuing Education at UA Cossatot at 870-584-4471.

UA Cossatot Annual Kids College June 20th

UA Cossatot Announces Record-Breaking Graduates for Spring 2019

UA Cossatot broke a record at its spring graduation ceremony in Lockesburg on May 11, 2019. The Office of the Registrar at UA Cossatot announces that the college’s spring 2019 semester hit its highest record of graduates and awards in the college’s history.

This spring semester, UA Cossatot had 241 students graduate with 332 awards. These awards include associate degrees, technical certificates, and certificates of proficiency. UA Cossatot’s 2018-2019 school year has also seen more graduates across an academic school year than ever before. The academic school year will end in August and as of June 2019, the total number of credentials awarded to graduates stands at 724.

UA Cossatot’s Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole said, “We are proud to have the third highest graduation rate in Arkansas, but for us to increase our number of credentials awarded by 58% in just four years, that is just great students coupled with great employees all working towards one goal. In Governor Hutchinson’s Closing the Gap Educational Plan, it mentions wanting to increase credentials by 40% by the year 2020. We certainly wanted to do our part…and we did, and then some. These record numbers also mean that when students come to UA Cossatot, they are more likely to graduate on time, and with one or more certificates or certifications.”

UA Cossatot offers many certificates and degrees to help people achieve their educational goals and find employment. Associate-level degrees offered at UA Cossatot involve two years of study (60-65 credit hours) and are intended to provide graduates the ability to go straight to work in their chosen field or prepare students for junior and senior level courses at a four-year institution. Technical certificates and certificates of proficiency also prepare students for careers. Technical certificates generally take less than two years to complete, and certificates of proficiency take one to two semesters and assist students in acquiring or improving work based skills. 

Since August of 2018, 167 students have graduated with an Associate’s degree, 269 students have graduated with a technical certificate, and 288 students have graduated with a certificate of proficiency. The college has also awarded 4,458 certificates and degrees to UA Cossatot students over the past ten years.

Arkansas Tourism Open for Business and Ready to Help Make Memories

Check out the SW AR Tourism Attractions Page here on the Ed 88 Website. Southwest Arkansas has a lot to offer!

LITTLE ROCK, AR (June 5, 2019) – Summertime is fun time in Arkansas, and our state is open for business and waiting to welcome you to The Natural State. 
From our majestic mountains to our sparkling blue recreational waters, Arkansas is ready to help families make new vacation memories. 
“The flooding in our state has been challenging for those impacted,” said Jim Shamburger, chairman of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. “However, it is isolated and confined to areas along the Arkansas River. The rest of the state is in great shape and our interstate system, including Interstates 30 and 40, are clear for travel.” 
Only Pinnacle Mountain State Park in central Arkansas is currently closed. 
Arkansas public and private lodging accommodations, federal recreation areas, and outdoor sporting venues are open and ready for your business. 
“No matter the activity – water sports, fishing, biking or road trips – our tourism industry is ready to make this a summer to remember with the outstanding hospitality for which Arkansas is known,” Shamburger said.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Arkansas with an annual economic impact of approximately $7.5 billion and employing more than 116,000 Arkansans. 
For more information, go to Arkansas.com andArkansasStateParks.com.

UA Cossatot Announces Spring 2019 Honor Students

The University of Arkansas Cossatot Office of the Registrar releases spring Chancellor’s List and Vice Chancellor’s List recognizing honor students.
87 students are named to the Chancellor’s list maintaining a minimum of a 4.0 semester GPA while taking a minimum of 12 college credit hours. 80 students are named on the Vice Chancellor’s List maintaining a minimum of a 3.5 semester GPA while taking a minimum of 12 college credit hours.
The UA Cossatot Spring 2019 Chancellor’s List includes
Amity: Hannah Davis, Parker Sutton, Georgia Davis, and Colby Markham
Ashdown: Spencer Reed, Dustin Roach, Deondra Ross, Luther Warren, Rica Burns, Denby Jester, Anna Gatliff, and Carson Jefferies
Ben Lomond: Dalton Smith
De Queen: Hernandez Alvarez, Eduardo Benitez, Jesus Cisneros, Teresa Gaona, Rosanna Hernandez, Leslie Rios, Alondra Galvez, Jennifer Garibay, Aracely Hernandez, Alexis Herrera, Glen Lovell, Delfina Martinez, Kaisie McClendon, Jamnel Mejia, Yesenia Quiroz-Rodriguez, Merline Hernandez, Jose Martinez, Stephanie Zavala, Abraham Arellano, Joshua Downing, Kelsie Easlon, Sadie Haury, Allan Ramirez, and Raven Revels
Dierks: Kimberly McCauley, Brayden Counts, and Abigail Garner
Foreman: Kami Carter and Kory Voss
Gillham: Alicia Harris, Dylan Vanhoose, and Karina Lopez-Balderas 
Glenwood: Tessa Ewing, Kaydra Fox, Jocelyn Mount, and Kamryn Reid
Horatio: Denise Angeles, Matthew Chandler, Alexander Martin, Haylie Smith, Ronnie Willis, Summer Morgan, Makenzie Chandler, and Grace Harris
Idabel: Dochee Towery
Lockesburg: Tamberlyn Nelson, Garrett Sharp, and Madisyn VanBibber
Murfreesboro: Loren Icenhower
Nashville: Pablo Cardenas, Taurean Coulter, Seth Roberts, Lizeth Chavelo, Codie Jamison, Kianna McElroy, Tina Williams, Deven Barton, Klair Castleberry, Addison Harmon, Lizbeth Hernandez, Dafne Mendez, Anastasia Quinney, Jonathan Rauch, Mea Heard, and Isabel Jamison
Newhope: Blair Garner, Natalie Henegar, and Madison Wright
Umpire: Faith Bolding and Sheena Estep
Wickes: Goevany Cruz and Levi Holmes
Winthrop: Carson Brackett and Natalee Voss
The UA Cossatot Spring 2019 Vice Chancellor’s List includes
Amity: Ethan Mitchell and Cullen Smith
Ashdown: Spencer Johnston and Mina McAda 
Broken Bow: Stephanie McKinney
De Queen: Leidy Aparicio, Ka’deidra Baker, Trevor Blankenship, Jarrah Furr, Danielle Haarmeyer, Lissette Hernandez, Eda Lopez, Leann Contreras, Angel Espinoza, Sean Harding, Esmeralda Hernandez, Toni Manzella, Kenneth Ortiz, Selena Ozura, Eruby Rodriguez, Kobe Stafford, Amitshaidet Victorio, Tiffany Worley, Stormie Garza, Wendy Nunez, Meshalia Ruth, Kory Cunningham, Kaylee Morgan, and Jesse Power
Dierks: Joni Burgess, Caleb Deer, Corina Green, and Perri Lowrey
Doddridge: Mary McFadden 
Foreman: Clayton Whitecotton and Kenneth Green
Gillham: Caterra Morphew, Hadley Philamlee, and April Stancil
Horatio: John Marshal, Parker Rowe, Athena Winton, Eric Dickerson, Trey Pickett, Alejandra Resendiz, Chenoa White
Hot Springs: Jill George and Sheila Miller
Idabel: Alexandra Bartholomew
Lockesburg: Jessica Glasgow, Dillion Baldwin, Kayle Helms, and Kaylee Sharp
Mineral Springs: Lindsey O’Donnell, Camry Stewart, and Madison Miller 
Murfreesboro: Sara Martin
Nashville: Jordan Boyer, John Hardin, Brody King, Kameron Carpenter, Loretta McLaughlin, Catrice Payne, Gerson Perez, Elizabeth Rather, Devin Young, Ernesto Bustamante, Loren Gills, and Kaitlyn McConnell
North Little Rock: Dennis Cleghorn
Ozan: Jessica Aguilar
Texarkana: Haley Wallace, Alicia McCord, Barbara Spain, and Shaglista Ware
Vandervoort: Skyler Jackson
Wickes: Luz Alarcon, and Margarita Zaragoza
Winthrop: Koleane Hames-Turner

Latest Flooding Information for the Arkansas River

Significant flooding is expected along the Arkansas River from eastern Oklahoma across the entire state of Arkansas through next week and into next weekend (early June). We have attached a few images to convey the details of this flooding.

Flooding moves down river basins and crests relatively slowly from one location to another as a flood crest or wave moving down river. As of this afternoon (Monday, 5/27) the Arkansas River was beginning to crest in eastern Oklahoma, but is not expected to crest in far western Arkansas until Tuesday. The flood wave is expected to crest near Fort Smith at Van Buren on Tuesday. It is expected to crest at Dardanelle and Morrilton on Friday , at Toad Suck on Sunday (June 2) , at Little Rock on Monday (June 3rd), and at Pine Bluff on June 5th and Pendleton on Friday (6/7).

Major to record flooding is expected at all points along the Arkansas River in Arkansas. This will likely cause flooding of property near the river, especially in low-lying areas. Impacts will be felt well out ahead of the forecast crest, so our best advice is to avoid going near the river, especially for any recreational purposes, during this period of high flow/flooding. A record flood is forecast along the Arkansas River from Toad Suck to points northwest. This flood along the river is expected to be the worst ever recorded flood along the river! Make sure to follow all instructions from local safety officials, and never drive past a barricaded/closed road sign. We want everyone to make it through this flood safely.

We realize that it's not raining in Arkansas, yet this flood is ALREADY in the Arkansas River. It is going to happen, take precautions now to protect your life and property near the Arkansas river before it's too late.

To make matters worse, a round of heavy rainfall is expected to fall over parts of western Arkansas from Tuesday through Wednesday where 3-4 inches of rain is in the forecast. If this doesn't amplify the flooding on the Arkansas River, it will at the very least prolong the flooding carrying significant impacts into the second week of June across the state along the Arkansas River.

Severe weather will also be possible with these additional storms with the primary threats being damaging winds, heavy rainfall and isolated tornadoes. The primary threat for severe storms is Tuesday night and again on Wednesday.

We will update graphics each afternoon, but please see 
https://www.weather.gov/lzk/wxcntl4.htm and
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=LZK 
for the latest river forecast information!

Dennis Cavanaugh
Meteorologist, NWS Little Rock

Music In The Park at Washington State Park

Historic Washington State Park announces the annual summer concert series “Music in the Park” with the theme “Arkansas Roots.” A free concert will be held in June, July, and August and is open to the public.

June 15 – Hartley Family Bluegrass Band
July 20 – Bear Creek Boys
August 17 – Harmony

Arkansas was formed as a territory in 1819. This year is the 200th birthday of the formation of Arkansas as its own territory. The music groups are bands that have their roots in Arkansas and its history.

Hartley Family Bluegrass Band is a family band from Arkadelphia, Arkansas. They started learning to play bluegrass and gospel music in 2003, just wanting to do something together as a family. A year later, to their surprise, they started getting invitations to play at churches, festivals, and other events. By 2007 they were traveling to places as far away as upstate New York, sharing their songs and meeting many kind people. The they continue today with Tom and Deb Hartly and their two youngest children, Abby and Micah. More information at www.hartleyfamilybluegrass.blogspot.com.

Bear Creek Boys is a local band that is made up of members from Hempstead, Howard, and Pike counties. They enjoy play different oldies pieces and Country music from the 1970s. They play for different local events around the southwest Arkansas area.

Harmony hails from Mountain View, a beautiful town nestled in a valley of the Ozark Mountains. They specialize in traditional and contemporary Folk Music, Old-Time String Band music, and good-old three-part harmony Gospel Songs. More information at www.harmonyband.org.

Bring your lawn chairs or blanket to spread on the grounds of the 1874 Courthouse by 7:30 p.m. on concert dates. The gift shop will be open for refreshments and Williams’ Tavern Restaurant will be open from 11 am – 7 pm for dining. For more information, call 870-983-2684.

13th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium: Arkansas Territory: A New Frontier Saturday, July 27th

13th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium: 
Arkansas Territory: A New Frontier

Saturday, July 27, 2019
1914 School: 1 pm –8 pm

The 13th Annual Red River Heritage Symposium will take place on Saturday, July 27, at Historic Washington State Park. The conference topics will focus around the bicentennial of the formation of Arkansas Territory in 1819 and its impact on the Great Bend Region of the Red River. The event will take place at the 1914 Schoolhouse Auditorium of Historic Washington State Park.

Specific topics and speakers include: “Trammel’s Trace” by Gary Pinkerton of Houston, Texas; “The Red River Raft” by Robin Cole-Jett of Denison, Texas; “Old Miller County” by Skipper Steely of Paris, Texas; “Gulf Coastal Plain Landscape” by Dr. Don Bragg of the U.S. Forest Service; and “Plotting and Surveying the New Territory” by Dr. John Dennis of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

An all day Friday and Saturday morning workshop for teachers on resources related to the theme in the Red River Region will take place. Lunch is included both days. A total of twelve credit hours will be available for teachers to earn by attending both days of the symposium. Cost for attending the workshop will be $40. Workshop presenters will include Historic Washington State Park staff, and staff members from the Arkansas State Archives and Arkansas Historic Preservation who will do sessions on incorporating timber and natural resource history topics into curriculum standards for the classroom.

On Saturday morning beginning at 9am a tour will be provided to early territorial sites in Miller County. For others interested in the tour the cost will be $15 per person, which includes lunch. Seating is limited, so call the Park Visitor Center to reserve your spot on the tour.

Cost for attendance to the symposium is $30 with an evening meal included. The timeframe for the event is 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. A discount price of $60 will be offered to teachers who wish to attend both the workshop and symposium. Teachers attending both the workshop and symposium will be eligible for twelve credit hours. Check in will begin in the morning at 8 a.m. at the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse Visitor Center. Registration must be made by July 24. Contact 870-983-2684 to register.

Loren Hinton Live at De Queen Sportsplex for Sevier County Chamber's Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival Awards

Awards Ceremony for the 2019 Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival hosted by the De Queen - Sevier County Chamber of Commerce

Tri Lakes Bass Tournament Final Hour Results

Final Overall Big Bass Standings from the Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival.

Top 5 Big Bass of the 2019 Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival!
1. Jim Presson 6.46 lbs De Queen Lake
2. Kevin Brown 5.7 lbs Dierks Lake
3. Austin Rose 5.69 lb De Queen
4. Brandon Tullis 5.52 lbs De Queen
5. Ray French 5.4 lb De Queen

Thanks to all of our sponsors, anglers, and volunteers from the De Queen / Sevier County Chamber of Commerce! The awards ceremony will get underway at 2:00 pm today at the Sportsplex Pavilion and will be broadcast live here on this Facebook page.

Tri Lakes Bass Tournament Hour 6 Results

Tri Lakes Bass Tournament Hour 5 Results

Top 5 after five hours of the Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival!
1. Jim Presson 6.46 lbs De Queen Lake
2. Kevin Brown 5.7 lbs Dierks Lake
3. Brandon Tullis 5.52 lbs De Queen
4. Marcus Green 5.32 lb Dierks
5. Rick Jopling 5.19 lb Gillham Lake

Tri Lakes Bass Tournament Hour 4 Results

De Queen Lions Club Youth Fishing Derby Saturday, June 22

2.0 lb Target Hit at Tri Lakes Bass Tournament

And we have a winner in our 2 pound target weight challenge as Orval Frachiseur caught this fish on Gillham Lake and will receive $200 from the Body Shop at De Queen Auto Group! Congrats Orval and thanks to De Queen Auto Group for their support of the De Queen / Sevier County Chamber of Commerce!

Tri Lakes Bass Tournament Hour 2 Results

Tri Lake Big Bass Festival overall top 5 standings thus far:
1. Kevin Brown 5.7 lb Dierks Lake
2. Brandon Tullis 5.52 De Queen Lake
3. Jason Joplin 5.1 lb Gillham Lake
4. Tom Brown 5.07 lb De Queen
5. Shane Wright 5.02 lb Dierks

Tri Lakes Bass Tournament Hour 1 Results

Memorial Day Message from AR 4th District Congressman Bruce Westerman

Harold Eugene Sellers from Jonesboro, AR

Jeremy, Ben, and Beau Wise grew up in El Dorado, AR, and enlisted in the military one after the other. Jeremy retired as a Navy Seal and began working as a defense contractor in Afghanistan in 2009, hoping to spend more time with his family while still serving his country. While the Wise family was celebrating the birth of Ben’s son in Washington, word arrived from the Middle East: Jeremy had beenkilled by a suicide bomber at a CIA base in Afghanistan.

Ben and Beau both went back overseas not long after the funeral. In January, an insurgent shot Ben after he and his comrades rescued women and children in Afghanistan. A medic until his final moments, he attended others’ wounds before he was flown to a hospital in Germany. He died on January 15th, just before his parents arrived to say goodbye.

Fieldon B. Huie Jr. was born in Formosa, AR, and entered the U.S. Army in September 1942. Before his deployment in May 1944, he transferred to the 4th Infantry Division. On June 6, 1944, Mr. Huie led the 4th Infantry Division as the first wave to attack Utah Beach. After landing on D-Day, Mr. Huie continued moving inland with his men, and was killed in action while fighting bravely for his country.

In one of her last letters to her husband, Ruth Huie wrote, “Honey, just come back that’s all I’m asking. Anything else I can take as a soldier’s wife should. I’m depending on you so don’t fail me. I love you so that these next few months will just be wasted months because you are not around. The one consolation is they can be made up. All my love, Ruth.”

Herman Davis was one of Arkansas’s most decorated WWI soldier, and General John Pershing listed him among his “100 Greatest Heroes of the World War.” Although he survived combat, Mr. Davis died shortly after the war ended, due to lingering effects of poisonous gas inhaled on the battlefield. On Memorial Day in 1925, his hometown erected the Herman Davis Memorial in his honor.

This preservation of history is one of the reasons I’m so grateful to be a part of the Veterans History Project, which provides an avenue for veterans to share their stories and remember their fallen comrades. The Library of Congress is recording these personal accounts in an archive. If you or someone you know would like to participate in the Veterans History Project, please call my office at (501) 609-9796. You can learn more about the Veterans History Project here.

Army Chaplain David Witte recording a veteran's account

I’m so grateful for the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and Memorial Day is a time for us to honor their legacies.

As we approach the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6th, I’m reminded of Harold “Gene” Sellers, an Arkansan who was one of the first men to die that day. He parachuted behind enemy lines, and his sacrifice allowed other Americans to storm the beaches of Normandy. Mr. Sellers was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star posthumously.

Mr. Sellers is only one of many brave Arkansans who gave their lives in service to their country. You can read about several other Arkansas heroes below. We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude.

I encourage everyone to take time this Memorial Day to remember our American heroes who gave their lives protecting the freedom we hold so dear. Have a wonderful weekend with friends and family.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

It is estimated that less than 15 percent of children who qualify for free or reduced-priced school lunches in Arkansas are getting the same high-quality meals in the summer. Children shouldn’t go hungry just because school is out.

That is why the Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance partner with schools, churches and community centers across the state to provide meals in the Summer Food Service Program. The program is 100 percent federally funded and covers the cost of up to three nutritious meals and snacks a day for children.

Last summer, Arkansas children enjoyed free meals at more than 500 feeding sites across the state. More than 1 million meals and snacks were served.

Final site approvals for 2019 are expected in the next few weeks, but organizers expect to exceed last year’s numbers.

The meals served follow USDA nutrition guidelines and are paid for by USDA. Many sites offer educational and recreational activities that kids enjoy.

Arkansas children 18 years old and younger can receive USDA-supported free summer meals at school, community and faith-based sites across the state that are approved through the Arkansas Department of Human Service’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or the Arkansas Department of Education’s Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program. Most sites open by June 3 and serve through early August.

Parents do not need to apply to the program to get a free summer meal for their kids, and it does not interfere with other benefits they may be receiving. They can simply bring their child to a summer meals site in their community and their kids can eat a healthy, nutritious meal.

There are USDA authorized Summer Meals Sites in almost every county in Arkansas. When the last day of school is drawing near, parents and care givers can find a summer meals site in their communities by:

Going to www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks . The site has interactive map that will show meal sites near you.

Calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY

Texting FOOD to 877 877

The site is updated continually as more summer feeding sites are added to the program.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/

Find Summer Meals in Your Community | USDA-FNS

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Memorial Day Weekend Salute

This Memorial Day Weekend, let us not forget the reason behind this holiday. We owe a huge debt to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. Teach your children so that those sacrifices will not be in vain. Thank you 18 month old Ty Shelton who salutes the flag every time he sees it! (Thank you Edna Carlton for this photo)