Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

In 2018, there were 161 Amber Alerts issued nationwide. 5 of those originated here in Arkansas.

Those first minutes and hours after a child has been reported missing are crucial for law enforcement. That is why this General Assembly took an extraordinary and first of its kind step to help ensure law enforcement has all the available resources when seconds count.

In the most recent legislative session, we passed Act 913 with a unanimous vote. The legislation states that the following agencies shall collaborate in an effort to rescue abducted or endangered children:

•Arkansas Attorney General

•Department of Arkansas State Police

•Criminal Justice Institute

•Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission

•Arkansas Sheriffs' Association

•Arkansas Department of Emergency Management

•Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police

•Department of Community Correction

•Office of the Prosecutor Coordinator

CART teams greatly expand the resources that are available when a child is missing or abducted and also ensures rapid deployment of critical resources and personnel. Just last month, Arkansas is the first state in the country to successfully obtain national statewide certification for Child Abduction Response Teams (CARTs), ensuring that all children in Arkansas are better protected if abducted, missing, or endangered.

National CART certification is awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice, AMBER Alert and Technical Assistance Program.

Twelve CARTs have been formed across Arkansas. These teams are pre-organized and practiced to respond, substantially saving time and increasing the likelihood of the successful recovery of a missing, endangered or abducted child.

In order to earn certification, members of the 12 teams formed attended a series of AMBER Alert classes. Each CART was also required to implement a Memorandum of Understanding with local law enforcement agencies and other key agencies and organizations. The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, the Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and the Criminal Justice Institute developed a full call-out exercise built around a realistic child abduction scenario. AMBER Alert assessors evaluated the ability of each of the 12 CARTs to meet 47 standards covering 12 operational areas included in the developed exercise.

The legislation passed ensures this collaboration will continue. We would all be relieved if the CART teams never have to work on a real life scenario, but knowing these teams are ready is the next best option.

UA Cossatot Student Ambassador Jaden Altenbaumer

Jaden Altenbaumer was our UA Cossatot Student Ambassador of the day Friday on Ed 88.

UA Cossatot Welding Student Lands Job in Wisconsin

Former UA Cossatot welding student Ashley McBroom of De Queen, Arkansas

Ashley McBroom is a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, and a former UA Cossatot welding student. On July 31, 2019, Ashley and her husband drove sixteen hours to their new home in Hartford, Wisconsin. Ashley is now employed to work as a laser welder for Steel Craft Corporation in Hartford where she will begin her new career as a welder.
Ashley took college credit courses while she was a high school student. As a high school junior, she enrolled in welding courses through UA Cossatot's Secondary Career Center. The Secondary Career Center gives high school students the chance to get a head start on college and learn new skills for their trade. In the afternoon, she would leave high school and then go to UA Cossatot's welding shop for her college courses.
Two years later, McBroom graduated from De Queen High School in May of 2019. That same month she graduated with a Certificate of Proficiency in SMAW Welding from UA Cossatot. She actually received her college certificate two days before her high school diploma.
Ashley McBroom said, "I believe UA Cossatot's Secondary Career Center is an all-around great idea! It is a great program that gave me the head start I needed, and I don't know that I would have pursued this career without this opportunity. To have graduated from high school and college, at the same time, feels great! It makes me feel like I have accomplished so much more!"
The job demand for welders and the creativity that they are allowed in their work inspired Ashley to major in welding. Ashley felt that UA Cossatot was the perfect place to receive her welding education.
Ashley McBroom said, "I chose to come to UA Cossatot because of the location, the opportunity to take college classes while I was in high school, and because of the great things I had heard about the college.”
Ashley added, “Having been a student in the welding program at UA Cossatot, I can say the welding program is great! The classes were extremely hands-on, and I felt prepared for my tests. The learning environment was great! My instructors were able to communicate effectively with us, and all of the students were able to ask questions."
When asked why she chose to take this job in Wisconsin, Ashley said, "This job is a great opportunity to get a foot in the door into the welding community. I would love to stay at this job long-term and work my way up. I also feel like I'll pursue a welding career throughout my life because I enjoy it so much!"
The welding courses Ashley took at UA Cossatot were all located at UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus. In the fall of 2019, UA Cossatot will be offering secondary welding courses through the Secondary Career Center at the college’s De Queen, Nashville, and Lockesburg Campuses. Post-Secondary welding students will be able to take welding classes in either Nashville or Lockesburg.
Anyone interested in learning more about UA Cossatot's welding program can contact Pat Earnest at pearnest@cccua.edu.
High School students interested in learning more about the welding program offered through the Secondary Career Center can contact Julie Rhodes at jrhodes@cccua.edu.

UA Cossatot Student Ambassador Marisol Gonzalez

Our featured UA Cossatot Student Ambassador for Thursday was Marisol Gonzalez on the Morning Show on Ed 88.

UAC Student Ambassador Kelsey Salida

On the Wednesday Ed-ition of the Morning Show, our special guest was UAC Student Ambassador Kelsey Salida on Ed 88!

Fall 2019 Classes are Available at UA Cossatot

UA Cossatot has released the fall 2019 schedule of classes for the upcoming semester. Classes are set to begin on Monday, August 12, 2019, and are available for students to take in various formats.

Courses at UA Cossatot will be available in-class, online, through audiovisual arrangement, and offered for eight weeks and sixteen weeks for students wanting different options. The last day to sign up for classes will be on August 13. Fall classes at UA Cossatot include courses in Accounting, English, Child Development, Diesel Technology, Business, Welding, Physical Science, Cosmetology, Spanish, and General Studies to name a few.

UA Cossatot has four campus locations. General Education courses are available in each county the college has a campus in or online. The college also provides programs at specific sites.

The Nashville Campus provides the Cosmetology program and the LPN night program. RN students, welding students, and pipe welding students can also take classes at the Nashville Campus.

The Ashdown Campus is the location for the OTA program and the PTA program. The Lockesburg Campus is home to Welding and Pipe Welding programs as well as the Industrial Maintenance Institute.

The De Queen Campus provides programs in Diesel Technology, Automotive Service Technology, Welding, and Registered Nursing. The LPN day program is also at the De Queen Campus. EMT classes are offered every fall semester at the De Queen Campus and are offered in Nashville every spring semester.

UA Cossatot offers several associate degrees, technical certificates, and certificates of proficiency. Most associate degrees can be completed in two years or less, and some certificates can take only one or two semesters to complete.

To learn how one can pay for college while going to school, please visit with someone at UA Cossatot who works in Financial Aid and the Business Office. To learn how one can seek assistance while going to school, please visit with someone at UA Cossatot who works in Career Pathways and the Center for Student Success. Student Services can also help with any questions and can guide students in the right direction.

To see the full list of available classes or to learn about other educational opportunities at UA Cossatot, please visit the college’s website at www.cccua.edu. Students can sign up for classes by contacting Student Services at 800-844-4471, or by a walk-in visit at the De Queen, Nashville, or Ashdown Campus

UA Cossatot Student Ambassador Alondra Galvez

On the Tuesday Ed-ition of the Morning Show, our special in studio guest was Alondra Galvez of the UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors.

Free School Supplies K-5 in Ashdown thanks to Domtar and Walmart

Grants from Domtar and Wal-mart, along with the Ashdown School District made it possible to provide free instructional school supplies for all students K-5th grade for the 2019-2020 school year. The district values our community partners that help to provide the best possible education for our students and look forward to their continued support.

Photo L-R: Jackie Carver, Assistant Manager-Ashdown Wal-mart; Superintendent Casey Nichols, Steve Smith, Operations Manager-Domtar, and Tammy Waters

Sevier County Coalition to Host August Lunch-and-Learn on Time-Honored Tradition

2019-2020 UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors

Today at Ed 88, the 2019-2020 UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors stopped in. We will visit on the air with these students individually on the Morning Show over the next few days.

Pictured are: Garson Perez, Jaden Altenbaumer, Kailynn Chaney, Eruby Rodriguez, Belen Hernandez, Marisol Gonzalez, Jessica Aguilar, Toni Manzella, Kelsey Salida, Kendra Rodriguez, Jhamilex Hernandez, and America Rojas. Not pictured: Alondra Galvez.

Beef Quality Assurance Training in Nashville August 22nd

Town Hall Meeting Concerning Little River County Jail

Live from Barbara Horn Civic Center at UAC Ashdown. Town Hall meeting regarding proposed tax for the Little River County jail.

Local Art Show Takes Place at UA Cossatot

UA Cossatot’s Ashdown Campus was the setting for the 18th Annual Little River Arts Council Mid-Summer Art Show. Over 200 pieces of art were displayed in the Barbara Horn Civic Center at the campus for the public to observe and admire. The art show lasted for three days beginning on Thursday, July 18, and concluded on Saturday, July 20. Citizens and visitors of Little River County could view the art from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Thursday and Friday and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday.

The Little River Arts Council organizes this annual event every summer for the community to enjoy and to make people aware of the artistic beauty that is in Little River County. The art show is also open for artists from different areas who wish to display their work.

Ashdown resident, Carolyn Myers said, “This art show, in my opinion, is one of the nicest shows we have in Little River County. Many people work hard all year to present this show, and the college is wonderful to let us host the event every year at their campus.”

The Mid-Summer Art Show took place for three days, but the Little River Art’s Council and the college made preparations at the beginning of the week. On Monday the artists registered, on Tuesday the artists hung and presented their work, and on Wednesday their work was judged. At the art show on Saturday, a reception was held at 2:30 PM and an awards ceremony took place at 3:00 PM. Monetary prizes were also given to the winners.

Little River Arts Council Member, Sue Taaffe of Foreman, said, “This year’s art show went great! We really appreciate the college, letting us use their facilities. We also appreciate the Director of UA Cossatot’s

Ashdown Campus, Barry Reed for helping us make preparations. He was very accommodating. UA Cossatot Campus Police Officer, Jason Curtis was also extremely helpful in helping us make sure the three-day event ran smoothly!”

Along with the art show, the Little River Arts Council also organizes a yearly art camp for youth held at the First United Methodist Church in Ashdown. They also take part in the Whistlestop Festival every year in Little River County to promote the love of art to youth and adults.

The 19th Annual Little River Arts Council Mid-Summer Art Show will take place at UA Cossatot again in 2020. For anyone interested in displaying their art, brochures, and advertisements will be released with details at the beginning of next summer.

The Little River Arts Council would like to announce that they are looking for volunteers to help with next year’s art show at the college. When the advertisements are released next year, contact information will be listed for those who wish to sign up as a volunteer

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

WEEKLY UPDATE FROM STATE REP DEANN VAUGHT:

Arkansas is approaching the centennial of a historic vote in the House chamber. On July 28, 1919, then Governor Charles Brough called a special session for the purpose of ratifying the Nineteenth Amendment.

The House Journal records a letter Brough sent to our chamber 100 years ago.

In it he states, “Eleven states have already ratified and, should your Honorable Body ratify, nation-wide Women’s Suffrage will have passed the first milestone, as one-fourth of the States will have then conferred full suffrage upon our splendid womanhood.”

The letter goes on to read, “I feel that the ratification of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment is of paramount national importance to the people of our country, and is a proper recognition of the patriotic activities and useful devotion to the cause of liberty and democracy of our womanhood”

The vote passed 74–15 in the House. The vote in the Senate was 29-2, making Arkansas the twelfth state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment. According to newspaper reports at the time, women filled the Arkansas Capitol carrying yellow banners reading, “Votes for Women.”

Arkansas was the second state in the South to ratify the 19th amendment. Texas was the first when it ratified on June 23, 1919.

Demands for suffrage had been made in Arkansas dating back to the Constitutional Convention of 1868.

That attempt and many others to allow women to vote failed in the Arkansas legislature over the course of the next 49 years.

Then in February 1917, Rep. John Riggs introduced legislation to allow women to vote in Arkansas primaries.

Despite testimony on the House floor “That nothing would be gained by giving women access to the ballot”, the House voted 71-19 in favor of the measure. The bill later passed the Senate with a vote 17-15. Arkansas was the first state in the South to allow women in vote in primary elections.

Governor Hutchinson created the Arkansas Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemoration Committee to lead the state’s remembrance of women receiving the right to vote. You can check out the committee’s work on history and upcoming celebrations at www.arkansasheritage.com. And if you haven’t already, be sure to follow #ARGirlslead on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There you will find stories from the women who serve in the House and encouragement for more Arkansas girls to seek leadership roles.

Department of Arkansas Heritage Home

Visit the Department of Arkansas Heritage Official Site to explore the rich history and heritage of Arkansas and discover what the state has to offer in arts, culture, dance, pottery & more!

Self-Defense Classes Coming to UA Cossatot

UA Cossatot will be offering self-defense classes for students and community members to take in August. These classes are broken up into different age groups for adults and children 7 years old and above.

The self-defense classes are broken up into 8-week courses that will be held two nights a week for each group. The 8-week self-defense courses will cost $80 for each person. There will be 16 class sessions, and each class will last for one hour. All courses will take place at UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus.

Adults 18 and up will meet for class on Monday and Thursday from 6 PM to 7 PM starting on August 5. Teenagers ages 15 to 17 will also meet on Monday and Thursday from 5 PM to 6 PM beginning on August 5.

Children who are interested in taking a self-defense course can meet for class on Tuesday and Friday at UA Cossatot starting on August 6. Kids ages 7 to 10 will meet for class from 5 PM to 6 PM, and kids ages 11 to 14 will meet from 6 PM to 7 PM.

Instructor, Daniel Griffin will teach all courses. Mr. Griffin has been training in martial arts since 1981. He is skilled in Karate, Aikido, Tae kwon do, boxing, American freestyle, submission wrestling, kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has competed on the USA kickboxing team, fought in MMA bouts and has trained with the US Navy boxing team.

These classes will cover the basics of defending oneself and offer a social, active event for people in our area to participate in while learning new skills.

For more information or to register for a class, contact the Continuing Education Department at UA Cossatot. Their phone number is 870-584-4471.

Benefit Golf Tournament for CASA at De Queen Country Club

Flash Flooding Around the Dierks Area Tuesday Morning

Serious flash flooding across areas of Southwest Arkansas this morning (Mondi HIll - Dierks)

(Ernesto Echevarria Tuesday morning…) Please be carefu! Don't attempt to cross these flooded roads and highways. Highway 70 and Highway 278 are underwater.

(Santiago Soto…) More images from the flash flooding in the Dierks area. This pic is from the Weyerhaeuser mill.

(Kelly Comer)… Dierks area

Update from Arkansas State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The number of Arkansas children in foster care has fallen by more than 700 since reaching an all-time high in 2016. That information was part of an annual report presented a legislative committee this week.

On Tuesday, the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) presented its annual Family Preservation Report to the Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee.

The report outlines progress made and areas for improvement when it comes to the most vulnerable children in our state.

We learned from the report that the number of children in foster care declined by more than 10% during 2018. That is a decrease of 507 children.

Additional funding for DHS approved by the legislature in recent years has helped to increase the number of caseworkers and decrease the average worker caseload. As a result we are seeing children placed in permanent homes sooner and fewer children re-entering the foster care system.

Adoptions were finalized for 969 children in 2018, similar to the previous year and a 16% increase since 2016.

When it comes to areas for improvement, the report notes that the agency struggled to place children close to the homes from which they were removed. A total of 69% resided in either their home county or a neighboring county at the end of 2018, similar to previous years.

Children who are removed from their parents or guardian do better when placed with family members or people they know. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles are often willing to help and make the child feel safe and loved. The percentage of children in care residing with relatives was 27–29% over the past three years. While this is well above the relative placement rate from years ago it is still below the aspiring goal of 33%.

The report breaks down all of the information by every county in the state. We will use this information to continue our efforts in creating policies to keep children in a safe and loving environment. We have posted this report on our website www.arkansashouse.org.

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Ashdown School News

Ashdown Elementary (kindergarten-second grade) will register new and returning students July 29th - August 1st from 8-2 and L.F. Henderson Intermediate (third-fifth grades) will register new and returning students July 29, 30, 31-August 1st from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. New students will need to bring shots records, birth certificate, and social security card. Students can meet their teachers on Thursday, August 8th from 2-7 p.m.

Ashdown Junior High students (grades 6-8) will begin registering new students in the district on August 1st. All returning students may come August 8th during Open House from 2:00 - 7:00 to update all registration paperwork and pick up their schedules. If you are unable to come during Open House, the AJHS Office will be open between 8-3:30 Monday-Thursday to make the updates after August 1st.

Ashdown High School students that are new to the district can begin registering on July 18th, returning students (grades 9-12) can register July 25th, 29th, 30th or 31st from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Any schedule change must be done during these days. Schedules can be picked up on Thursday, August 8th from 2-7 p.m.

District-Wide Open House/Meet the Teacher will be on Thursday, August 8th from 2-7 p.m. This will be held at the individual campuses.

Information has been posted for AJHS and AHS school supplies in local stores, as well as online at www.ashdownschools.org.

The Purple/Gold game will be on August 13th at 7 p.m. in Dick Hays Stadium. Come out and kick off the school year and football season by supporting our Panthers!

The first day of school for Ashdown Public Schools will be Tuesday, August 13th.

Ashdown Public Schools

Ashdown Public Schools is located in Ashdown, AR.

Southwest Arkansas Rural Business Development Conference Thursday at UAC