At the Monday meeting of the UA Cossatot Board of Visitors, outgoing board member Robert Martinez was recognized for his 22 years of service. Martinez is pictured above with UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole.
Active COVID-19 Cases Spike in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 352
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 448
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 302
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 153
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 227
NWS Arkansas Winter Weather Briefing for January 14-16
A storm system/disturbance will affect the area Friday night through Saturday. As of right now, northern Arkansas seems most likely to see wintry precipitation, although central and southern Arkansas cannot be ruled out. There is still a great deal of uncertainty with this system and additional updates are likely.
National Weather Service
Little Rock, Arkansas
Active COVID-19 Cases on the Rise in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 83
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 124
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 81
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 59
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 39
Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
The Arkansas General Assembly will convene for the 2022 Fiscal Session on Monday, February 14.
Preparations for that session will begin in the next two weeks.
Beginning January 11, the Joint Budget Committee will hold a series of meetings designed to begin the process of outlining a budget for the next fiscal year.
Budget hearings will begin with the Department of Finance and Administration presenting its annual forecast and recommendations for a balanced budget by the Governor.
The last general revenue report released showed revenue was up 3% from the same time last year.
Over the course of the budget hearings, the committee will hear budget requests for all state boards, commissions, and agencies. The hearings will continue through January 20.
Members can begin pre-filing appropriation bills on Monday, January 10.
Fiscal Sessions began after Arkansas voters approved what would become Amendment 86 in 2008.
Amendment 86 reduced the period for which appropriation bills are valid from two fiscal years to one, requiring the General Assembly to meet in a fiscal session during even-numbered years, with deliberations limited to action on appropriation bills.
For non-appropriation legislation to be introduced, a concurrent resolution substantially describing the bill must be approved by a 2/3 vote required in both chambers. The deadline for members to file identical resolutions for non-appropriation bills is February 14.
Amendment 86 states that each fiscal session shall not exceed 30 days. The fiscal session may be extended one time, however, for no more than 15 days, by a ¾ vote of both the House and Senate.
The deadline for filing both appropriation bills and non-appropriation bills is Monday, February 28.
You can watch find the daily agendas and watch the meetings live at www.arkansashouse.org.
UA Cossatot kicks-off Spring 2022 Semester
UA Cossatot’s Spring 2022 regular classes will begin on Tuesday, January 18, and registration is open until Thursday, January 22. Two eight-week terms are also offered, one running January-March and the second March-May. The registration deadline for the second eight-week term is March 14.
There are various in-person and online courses offered and a variety of career and transfer options. Anyone interested in taking courses, including returning students, is encouraged to stop by UA Cossatot’s Student Services, where a friendly staff member can help with registration and enrollment questions.
To speak with Student Services about registering for classes, please call 870-584-4471 or email studentservices@cccua.edu. Walk-ins are always welcome. UA Cossatot campus hours for De Queen, Nashville, and Ashdown are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
There is still time to apply for medical programs, too. If all program requirements are met by March 1st, students are eligible to apply. All pre-reqs must be completed or in progress during the spring semester. The program applications and TEAS score must be completed by March 1st. Please review program requirements for each program at www.cccua.edu/programs-of-study/medical-education. For medical program questions, please contact 870-584-1211 or email ccooper@cccua.edu, rservante@cccua.edu, or mfoster@cccua.edu.
UA Cossatot’s Colts and Lady Colts are also gearing up this semester. The UA Cossatot men will play their first game of the year against Champion’s College at 7 pm on Wednesday, January 5, at the UA Cossatot
Bank of Lockesburg Historic Gymnasium. Both the Colts and the Lady Colts will open conference play at home on Saturday, January 8th, hosting South Arkansas Community College. Saturday’s action will tip-off at 2 pm in Lockesburg. Contact Head Coach Robert Byrd for free season pocket schedules at 870-584-1105 or rbyrd@cccua.edu. ###
Current Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 46
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 48
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 13
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 13
Mickey & Melanie Buchanan Give to UAC Foundation’s 50 & Forward Campaign
The UA Cossatot Foundation recently received a $500 gift from Mickey and Melanie Buchanan to go toward the Foundation’s 50 & Forward Campaign.
“The opportunities provided by UA Cossatot to Southwest Arkansas have paved a path that affords students in our communities an education in professional and technical fields. Our son, Ty, chose to attend Welding and Industrial Maintenance programs in Lockesburg. We want to be able to help other students achieve their educational goals,” said Buchanan.
The UA Cossatot Foundation’s 50 & Forward Campaign is designed to offer more scholarship funds for UA Cossatot students through a matching grant awarded to UA Cossatot. All donations raised through this campaign are matched 100 percent up to $150,000. The goal is to raise $150,000 or more by 2025 to establish a new scholarship endowment of $300,000 in honor of the college’s upcoming 50th anniversary.
UA Cossatot’s Director of Development Dustin Roberts said, “We so appreciate Mickey and Melanie’s support of this campaign and our students. This gift will make a big impact, especially since their donation will be matched! ”
The UA Cossatot Foundation would like to invite all donors, alumni, and friends of the college to make a gift of any amount to the 50 & Forward Campaign to establish scholarship funds for generations to come.
For more information on UA Cossatot Foundation’s 50 & Forward Campaign, contact Dustin Roberts at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu.
UA Cossatot Welcomes Ellen Moreland to the Board of Visitors
Ellen Moreland of Glenwood, Arkansas, recently joined UA Cossatot’s Board of Visitors.
Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “We have an extremely active and energetic board that provides our college with locally-focused leadership, and Ellen fits perfectly with this group. She brings a lot of educational and medical industry knowledge to the board and will be a great presence, especially for our communities in Pike County."
Ellen graduated from Glenwood High School in 1984 then pursued her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Henderson State University, graduating in 1989. She continued her education, obtaining a Master of Nursing Science in 1995 from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Ellen has worked as a Nurse Practitioner for 26 years, first in Neurosurgery and currently in Family Practice. She is presently employed by HealthStar Physicians of Hot Springs and cares for patients in her community at Glenwood Family Medicine.
Ellen resides in Glenwood with her husband, Joe. She has two sons, one granddaughter and one grandson, all of whom she adores. Ellen is actively involved in her community and her church activities while
continuing to serve on other boards. Ellen enjoys time with family and friends, cooking, and watching all Razorback sports.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
Legislation providing the largest state income tax reduction in state history has now been signed into law.
Act 1 and Act 2 are identical pieces of legislation passed by the 93rd General Assembly in the special session held this week.
These acts will reduce the top income tax rate for individuals from 5.9% to 4.9% incrementally over the next four years. Once fully implemented, this will provide nearly $500 million in tax relief to Arkansans.
The legislation also combines the low- and middle-income tax tables andindexes the standard deduction to the Consumer Price Index. It provides a $60 non-refundable tax credit forindividuals with an income of less than $24,700. It’s estimated that 104,881 low-income Arkansans will have their state income tax liability eliminated.
The acts also change the name of the long-term reserve fund to the catastrophic reserve fund. The tax cuts are contingent upon no transfers being made out of the catastrophic reserve fund.
During the special session, the General Assembly also passed legislation amending income tax credits for waste reduction, reuse, or recycling equipment to allow for the use of these credits by a qualified growth project.
A qualified growth project must have common ownership with and locate on the site of or adjacent to an existing qualified steel manufacturer. It would also need a total investment of at least $2 billion and create 700 new direct positions with an average annual wage of $120,000 and 200 new independent direct positions with an average annual wage of $60,000.
The General Assembly also voted in favor of a transfer of up to $50 million from the general revenue allotment reserve fund to the Quick Action Closing Fund for specific economic development incentives.
The recycling tax credits and the transfer to the Quick Action Closing Fund are aimed at creating an incentive package for a steel mill project in Northeast Arkansas.
Other bills passed this week include technical corrections in previously passed legislation.
You can watch the recorded committee meetings and House floor sessions on our website www.arkansashouse.org
UA Cossatot Receives In-class Ambulance Simulator
The holidays arrived early for UA Cossatot and its Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students; the long-awaited arrival of its in-class ambulance simulator.
The ambulance simulator was purchased with grant monies awarded to UA Cossatot and is located in the EMT classroom on the De Queen campus. This simulator exists to help students save lives by experiencing training scenarios that are as close to real-life as possible with instructor Waco Jackson and the inclusion of the most up-to-date technology available.
“This grant allows us to provide students with real-world experience in a classroom setting, making their training hands-on to improve their skills upon employment,” said Jackson.
Enrollment for spring 2022 EMT courses is currently open, and classes begin in January.
For more information on UA Cossatot’s ambulance simulator and EMT courses offered, contact Waco Jackson at 870-584-1101 or wjackson@cccua.edu. ###
Dewayne & Janice Mack Donate to UAC Foundation’s 50 & Forward Campaign
The UA Cossatot Foundation received a gift from Foundation Board Member Dewayne Mack and his wife, Janice, the week of Giving Tuesday. The $5,000 donation will go toward the Foundation’s 50 & Forward Campaign.“We just want to help in a little way for students less fortunate than others,” said Mack.
The UA Cossatot Foundation’s 50 & Forward Campaign is designed to provide more scholarship funds for UA Cossatot students through a matching grant UA Cossatot recently received. All donations raised through this campaign are matched 100 percent up to $150,000. The goal is to raise $150,000 or more by 2025 to establish a new scholarship endowment of $300,000 in honor of the college’s upcoming 50th anniversary.
Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “We have worked so hard to get where we are over the past 46 years and we will keep doing all that we can for our students. When we have supporters like Dwayne and Janice, it helps eliminate the greatest hurdle our students face, and that is being able to afford college. It makes it even better to know that their $5,000 donation has immediately turned into $10,000 with the unique grant we received last year!”
The UA Cossatot Foundation would like to invite all donors, alumni, and friends of the college to make a gift of any amount to the 50 & Forward Campaign to establish scholarship funds for generations to come.
Remember, if you donate $100, it immediately turns into $200. If you donate $10,000, it immediately turns into $20,000.
For more information on UA Cossatot Foundation’s 50 & Forward Campaign, contact Dustin Roberts, Director of Development, at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu. ###
Update of Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 48
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 36
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 16
Representative DeAnn Vaught To Seek Re-Election in New House District 87
Horatio, AR– State Representative DeAnn Vaught (R-Horatio) today announced she will seek another term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. The recently redrawn House District 87, formerly House District 4, encompasses all of Little River and Sevier counties, and part of Howard county. Serving since 2015, Vaught has been among the strongest voices at the Capitol, particularly when it comes to advocating for rural Arkansans.
Her voting record on issues of fiscal restraint, local control of education, and protecting the lives of the unborn reinforce her conservative bona fides. “It has been an incredible honor to work side-by-side our Republican legislators fighting for our way of life, our right to farm, our 2nd Amendment rights, protecting unborn children, and bringing awareness to mental health issues and child abuse,” said Vaught.
For the most recent 93rd General Assembly, Representative Vaught served as Chairwoman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development. She also served on the House Rules Committee, the House Education Committee, and the Arkansas Legislative Council.
Vaught’s very successful track record of passing bills she sponsors have led to improved teacher salaries, protecting property rights, and increasing speed limits on certain state highways. In the most recent legislative session Vaught was the author of legislation fighting for the protection of cancer survivors, creating a state meat inspection program, and allowing the State of Arkansas to review implementation of executive orders from the Biden Administration.
Says Vaught, “I have been humbled to have earned the support of Southwest Arkansans to fight on their behalf in Little Rock, and I hope to continue to serve as their State Representative for District 87.”
Vaught resides on her family farm outside of Horatio with her husband Jon. They have three grown daughters and are members of First Baptist Church, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, and Arkansas Pork Producers.
Blue & You Foundation awards $3.36 million to Arkansas Organizations including $150,000 to an Ashdown project
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (November 22, 2021) – The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas announced today 41 initiatives in Arkansas will receive grants totaling $3,360,327, that will directly impact 71 of Arkansas’ 75 counties.
Among the projects receiving a grant, is the Ashdown Community Foundation, Inc., Ashdown ($150,000) – to construct the Ashdown City Park Inclusive Playground.
The Blue & You Foundation is a charitable foundation established and funded by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield to promote better health in the Natural State.
“Eleven of our grants this year focus on education for medical professionals and eight grants address behavioral health, issues that are extremely important to the health of all Arkansans,” said Rebecca Pittillo, executive director of the Blue & You Foundation. “Ten of our grants will reach Arkansans statewide. And because we are very aware of the need for more health equity within our state, eight of our grants focus specifically on minority populations.”
The need for qualified healthcare workers and better access to behavioral health services continue to grow in Arkansas. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults experiences mental illness. And according to the latest state report on healthcare licensures in Arkansas, there were seven counties in the state that only had one primary care physician in 2019, and several had no dentists.
“The Blue & You Foundation has been focused for the past two years on supporting urgent needs that arose due to the pandemic,” said Pittillo. “The COVID-19 pandemic definitely elevated new health-related needs and emphasized existing needs in our state – social determinants that we hope these grants will positively impact.”
“The Blue & You Foundation has been focused for the past two years on supporting urgent needs that arose due to the pandemic,” said Pittillo. “The COVID-19 pandemic definitely elevated new health-related needs and emphasized existing needs in our state – social determinants that we hope these grants will positively impact.”
Since 2001, the Blue & You Foundation has awarded more than $45 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies in all 75 counties. Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted April 15 through July 15, 2022. Grants will range from $5,000 to $150,000. Blue & You Foundation training sessions for grant writing will be offered in March of 2022. For more information on trainings and the Blue & You grant process, visit blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org.
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas Update
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 44
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 28
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 14
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 17
Active COVID-19 Cases Update in SW Arkansas from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 44
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 30
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 17
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 21
COVID-19 Update for SW Arkansas from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 49
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 37
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 29
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 20
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 64
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 42
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 50
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 12
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: 23
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 55
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 12
