UA Cossatot YouthBuild Students Complete Mental Toughness Training
(from left to right) Hattie Vance, Timothy Stubbs, Jonathon Harrington, Raymond Perez, Coby Butler, and Sherriff Robert Gentry
Jayden Pope is one of the students who was unavailable for the group picture
UA Cossatot Hosts Colts 2020 Benefit Golf Tournament August 29
(Left to Right) 1st row: Ashley Starks, Ra'naiya Kennedy, A'nayzia Jefferson, Mikayla Scott, Kyaira Jackson, Maya Hallman, Ashley Aguilar, and Kailynne Chaney
(Left to Right) Dustin Bissell, Jeff Brown, Cory Mc Mellon, Stephen Sprick, Jon Bunyard, and Seth Tollett
UA Cossatot Cornhole Tournament Winners – Chris Richards and Stephen Miller
Cooperative Extension Service Offers Free Virtual Estate Planning Workshops
Cooperative Extension Service offers free virtual estate planning workshops
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
· Free estate planning workshop series: Sept. 10, 17, 24
· Covers estate planning, wills and trusts, asset protection, power of attorney · Register at https://bit.ly/UAEXEstatePlanning
UAEX Multi-County Virtual Estate Planning Sign Up Form
The University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service in Conway, Johnson, Faulkner, Pope, and Yell counties are preparing a workshop on estate planning to be held in three sessions lasting one hour each on September 10, 17, and 24.
LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service will offer a virtual three-part workshop series covering the basics of trusts, transfer of property, wills and other estate planning tools.
Three one-hour online sessions will be held 2-3 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays, beginning Sept. 10. Topics will include:
• Sept. 10 — Estate planning basics and legal language
• Sept. 17 — Financial inventory and asset protection, advance directive and power of attorney
• Sept. 25 — Wills and trusts
Extension offices in Conway, Johnson, Faulkner, Pope and Yell counties are jointly hosting the workshop, which is free and open to all Arkansans. Register online at https://bit.ly/UAEXEstatePlanning.
For more information, contact Pope County Family & Consumer Science Agent Pamela Luker at 479-968-7098, or email pluker@uaex.edu.
To learn about other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,159
Active Positive: 22
Recovered: 1,125
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,565
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 425
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 388
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,157
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 284
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 253
Deaths: 15
Negatives: 1,448
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 225
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 207
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,113
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 177
Active Positive: 10
Recovered: 166
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,743
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Wednesday (09.02.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response. Click on play button above.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Tuesday (09.01.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Flash Flood Watch in Effect for the Area
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...
The Flash Flood Watch continues for
* Portions of southwest Arkansas...southeast Oklahoma and northeast
Texas, including the following areas, in southwest Arkansas,
Hempstead, Howard, Little River, Nevada and Sevier. In southeast
Oklahoma, McCurtain. In northeast Texas, Red River.
* Through Wednesday evening
* Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated higher amounts
possible through Wednesday evening. The Watch area remains
saturated from the heavy rainfall that has fallen over the last
week. This additional heavy rainfall late tonight through
Wednesday evening will likely result in flash flooding.
* Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas. Heavy
rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should
Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
Now that in-person instruction has resumed in Arkansas schools, it is more important than ever to have an adequate level of COVID-19 testing.Without extensive testing, health experts cannot determine the level of community spread or give a reliable forecast.
This week, Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero urged Arkansans not to fall into the trap of testing fatigue. If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath OR if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 call ahead to your health care provider provider or schedule a test at an Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Local Health Unit. ADH continues to recommend testing for people who have been exposed even if that individual does not have symptoms.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance on that issue, it made exceptions for high-risk individuals and those in areas where local and state health officials feel it necessary to do so. Dr. Romero stressed this week that ADH feels it is important to test anyone who has been exposed regardless of symptoms. ADH also recommends testing if you have traveled out of state. Testing is available. Public health labs can also provide quick turn-around. Dr. Romero said they could deliver results in 48 hours. The state’s goal for August is to conduct 190,000 tests. That is close to 6% of the state’s population. As of Friday, the state was close to reaching that goal, with more than 160,000 tests conducted so far. While the health department may take your insurance information if you do not have a way to pay for the test, it is free of cost. Whether you have insurance or not, local health units will administer a test.
Here is a link to find your nearest health unit on our website www.arkansashouse.org.
VIDEO: Greg Ray and Callie Miller at Ed 88 Studios Monday
Sevier County Judge Greg Ray and Callie Miller of the De Queen / Sevier County Chamber of Commerce were in our studios this morning talking about high lake levels and the cancellation of the 2020 Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival.
Tuesday's COVID-19 Case Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,157
Active Positive: 30
Recovered: 1,115
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,559
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 425
Active Positive: 35
Recovered: 385
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,145
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 281
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 250
Deaths: 14
Negatives: 1,446
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 224
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 205
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,109
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 176
Active Positive: 12
Recovered: 163
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,737
Monday's Updated COVID-19 Case Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,157
Active Positive: 40
Recovered: 1,105
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,518
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 423
Active Positive: 35
Recovered: 383
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,132
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 278
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 247
Deaths: 14
Negatives: 1,437
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 224
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 195
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,068
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 174
Active Positive: 14
Recovered: 159
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,723
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Monday (08.31.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Monday, August 31, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Sunday's COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,153
Active Positive: 41
Recovered: 1,100
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,500
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 421
Active Positive: 37
Recovered: 379
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,123
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 276
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 247
Deaths: 14
Negatives: 1,429
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 223
Active Positive: 30
Recovered: 190
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,041
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 172
Active Positive: 14
Recovered: 157
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,703
AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Preserving the Main Streets of Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK – The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the survival of many small businesses in Arkansas, and today I’d like to share good news about a grant program that will help. It is the Arkansas Historic Preservation and Main Street Arkansas grants.
First, though, I’d like to discuss the good news about our unemployment rate. For months before the pandemic, our unemployment rate had remained at historic lows and always below the national average. As COVID-19 slowed the economy, our rate jumped to 10.8 percent unemployment. But we have seen impressive improvement. In July, our rate was back to 7.1 percent, which is about three percentage points below the national average.
This is encouraging for the many cities that participate in the Main Street Arkansas and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. The mission of these two programs is to help revitalize the historic commercial centers that are essential to the economic health of many communities. The cities will receive grants to help jumpstart their economies as we move out of the pandemic.
Main Street America surveyed its members this spring to assess the effect of the coronavirus, including the likelihood the members would have to close shop if the disruption continued. Of the 213 Arkansas business owners who responded, 32 percent said they likely would be out of business within three months. Thirty percent reported they might have to close after five months.
Jackie Wolven is executive director of Main Street Eureka Springs. The results of that survey are a good representation of what has happened in that historic town. Five stores didn’t survive. But she is totally optimistic about the future. Jackie and the other leaders will identify artisans and business people to put in the empty store fronts, then release the grants after the first of the year. As she put it, Eureka Springs is ready to rock and roll.
Small business are the anchors of our communities. Many of the mom-and-pop shopkeepers grew up in the town where they now own a store. They are part of the social fabric of our small towns as well as key to the towns’ economic health.
The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism supports these communities through annual Downtown Revitalization Grants. Department Secretary Stacy Hurst recently announced that her agency would more than double its funding to $559,000 for the next year. Funding for the grants comes through the Real Estate Transfer Tax. The grants range from $3,000 to $25,000.
Our small towns and the owners who do business there are a link to our history and a reminder of where we came from. They are the building blocks of our economy. Main Street Arkansas and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program are standing with them to secure the future.
Friday's COVID-19 Updated Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,146
Active Positive: 46
Recovered: 1,088
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,466
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 407
Active Positive: 33
Recovered: 369
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,054
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 274
Active Positive: 29
Recovered: 231
Deaths: 14
Negatives: 1,414
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 218
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 182
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 2,990
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 167
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 149
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,685
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Friday (08.28.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Friday, August 28, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response.
Governor Hutchinson Announces DHS to Move 700 Off Wait List For Developmental Disabilities Aid
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) will be adding 700 families to the program that provides in-home and community-based services to Arkansans who are eligible for assistance through Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS), Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at a press conference today.
“This is a significant initiative for these families,” Governor Hutchinson said. “The clients will receive assistance with the day-to-day tasks that most of us perform without thinking about them. This offers them a new level of independence.”
The additional slots will be funded through a new premium tax in the Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) program and added to the Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver program, known as the DD waiver. PASSE has already brought in about $15 million to fund slots in this program.
Clients in the program can live in their homes and communities rather than in an institution because of the services provided, including supported living, adaptive equipment, specialized medical supplies, and supported employment. These services are aren’t included under traditional Medicaid programs.
This is the second time Governor Hutchinson and DHS have expanded the number of people in the program. In 2016, the Tobacco Settlement Fund Commission agreed to allocate unspent funds to cover 500 new slots.
“We are so excited to be able to provide services to so many more families, many of whom have been waiting for years to be a part of this program,” said DDS Director Melissa Stone. “I appreciate the help of the Governor, the Legislature, and the PASSEs to move this forward.”
Fit 4 Life with Dr Andi Reeves
Warnings and Watches Issued Today from the National Weather Service
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for portions of the forecast area in response to Hurricane Laura impacting the region.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for nearly all of our area through 7 AM Friday #TSLaura is expected to bring widespread rainfall amounts of 3-6 inches w/ isolated higher amounts near 8 inches. Remember, #TurnAroundDontDrown!
Sporadic tornadoes will be possible within the rain bands of Hurricane Laura today. The greatest tornado risk overnight will be over the northeastern quadrant of the hurricane, primarily over areas of North Central Louisiana.