News

,

Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force Recommendations In Line With “Dream Big For Arkansas”

,

During the 2019 Legislative Session, the Republican Women Legislative Caucus developed “Dream BIG For Arkansas: Bold Initiatives for the Good of Arkansas” which resulted in legislation in five key areas: healthcare, broadband, childcare, education and juvenile justice reform. All of these bills became Acts with nearly unanimous support from the General Assembly.

Yesterday during the Governor’s daily COVID-19 update, Governor Hutchinson outlined a number of recommendations from the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force chaired by Steuart Walton. Three of the key issues they identified as important to Arkansas's economic recovery and growth are completely in line with legislation our caucus passed: broadband, childcare, and healthcare.

Senator Missy Irvin (R- Mountain View) released the following statement: “Dream BIG for Arkansas successfully designed and passed “game-changing” legislation of policies that would dramatically advance Arkansas’s economic standing in our country. The leadership of these women in their communities and our shared experiences and passion for our citizens, led to great work during the past session. This work continues everyday as we respond to our constituents’ experiences and circumstances. Dream BIG strives to make Arkansans’ lives better. We have a lot of work left to do!”

Act 198: An Act to amend the Telecommunications Regulatory Reform Act of 2013; to provide additional access to Federal Communications Commission-Defined Broadband Service. This Act laid the foundation for the Rural Broadband ID Program that was passed this past fiscal session. Many members of the General Assembly - from both parties - have requested for this program to be fully funded as soon as possible. This program assists local communities along with their internet service providers with grants to meet the federal grant requirements available for expanding rural broadband access for federally eligible rural areas. It is a companion program for Governor Hutchinson’s AR Rural Connect Program, which has been fully funded. Now more than ever, our state must focus on increasing broadband access to the home for students, businesses, and patients.

Act 131: An Act to encourage Child Care Facility Entrepreneurship in Arkansas conferencing the duties of the Division of Child Care and Early Education within the Department of Human Services. This act lays the foundation for the reconnections of the Task Force. This legislation was designed to expand childcare options, especially in underserved areas, by making information more available through a website, reducing regulations as much as possible, and finding ways to fund and support entrepreneurship for child care facilities.

Act 181: An Act concerning the pursuit of a National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center at the Winthrop P Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; to create the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences National Cancer Institute Designation Trust Fund. Clearly with the current pandemic, there is a great need for UAMS to be fully engaged in ALL areas of research and assistance In order to advance healthcare in Arkansas. UAMS has been a key partner with the Arkansas Department of Health in all areas of dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic. Pursuing NCI designation has already brought great talent to UAMS and will raise our states opportunities for greater engagement for research and funding for these efforts. This legislation launched UAMS into a higher level of recognition and opportunities. This will be incredibly important for our citizens not just in cancer treatment, but in all areas of improving their health.

The Republican Women’s Legislative Caucus is working to continue our bold initiatives for the Good of Arkansas by building on these key areas of economic recovery and growth as identified by the Task Force, as well as education and workforce sustainability and development. We applaud their work and recommendations and are encouraged to continue our work for the good of Arkansas.

ar logo 5.jpg
 
 
, , ,

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

, , ,
deann+pic+2.jpg

On Wednesday, members of the Arkansas Legislative Council were given an update on unemployment claims in the state. This week, we have also been reviewing a preliminary report from the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force.

Arkansas’s unemployment rate doubled from 5.0% in March to 10.2% in April. The U.S. rate is 14.7%. There were more than 206,000 of initial unemployment claims filed from the week ending March 7 to the week ending May 9. For the week ending May 2, there were 119,332 continued unemployment claims.

Since May 1, close to 39,000 Arkansans have applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance resulting in $19.3 million of paid claims. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is being offered through the CARES Act and provides compensation to those not typically eligible for unemployment benefits such as free-lancers and those who are self-employed.

If you have filed for unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, be sure to check your emails for updates to your account and make sure you submit your weekly claims.

While Arkansas’s economy is faring better than many other states, the fact remains that Arkansans are hurting. The challenge now is to restore our economy and consumer confidence in a way that protects the health of workers, customers, and communities.

The Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force was created in April to develop a strategy for economic recovery efforts.

The task force released a preliminary report this week outlining several recommendations. Those recommendations include increase testing and tracing, addressing COVID-19 related liability concerns for businesses, increasing childcare resources, workforce training, and broadband availability.

The task force noted that much of Arkansas’s recovery will be predicated by our citizens and our businesses continuing to be responsible stakeholders in the recovery efforts. The report states, “Over the next few months, we will all need to adhere to Arkansas’s Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control’s directives in order to manage the impact of COVID-19 throughout our state. Importantly, we need Arkansans to maintain social distancing protocols set out by the Arkansas Department of Health in public settings. Doing so will help protect our friends and relatives from the spread of the virus and undoubtedly accelerate our state’s economic recovery.”

You can read the entire report at www.arkansasready.com

Home

The Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force was formed to provide information to help Arkansans confidently and safely return to life and work. This industry-specific platform provides a single source for recommendations on how you can help the Arkansas economy recover from the effects of COVID-19.

,

Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Coming Back from the Health and Economic Crisis

,

LITTLE ROCK – The Economic Recovery Task Force has submitted its interim report to me, and today I’d like to talk about some of the steps we need to take to boost our economy after COVID-19.

The report paints an accurate picture of COVID’s impact on the state. For example, it notes 5,500 jobs were lost in the hotel industry, and there has been a 13.4 percent decrease in total consumer spending.

We see the signs everywhere that the pandemic has dealt our state and nation a setback, but I am optimistic about our future and a return to a growing economy.

Typically, Arkansans have acted responsibly, which has blunted the loss of jobs that we have seen in other states. While the precautions and limits have been inconvenient, we knew they were necessary for everyone’s health. Arkansans’ willingness to look beyond their own personal comfort has allowed us to beat the national projections for the number of illnesses and deaths. Our rates of illness and death are among the lowest in the country.

In terms of our economy, before the coronavirus hit, Arkansas was enjoying historically low unemployment and a thriving economy.

By mid-April, when we hit the peak of business disruption, about 17,000 of Arkansas’s small businesses were closed, which represents 35 percent of the total. That is 10 percent below the national average.

The unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent in April, but that is 4 percent lower than the national average.

A U.S. Census survey taken in early May found that 39 percent of Arkansans had lost some income since mid-March. Another 23 percent of Arkansas households reported “housing insecurity.”

The physical, economic, and emotional toll on Arkansans is hard to comprehend. But this isn’t the first time we have weathered difficult days. We have overcome hardship before.

The members of the Economic Recovery Task Force have been hard at work over the past six weeks. They have studied the impact from every angle as they chart a path to recovery. They have identified opportunities, such as increased workforce training and expanding rural broadband, that not only will help us as we work our way out of this but will have a long-lasting impact on Arkansas.

The task force also recommended liability protection as businesses return, open, and expand, and they also recommend new solutions for the childcare needs of workers.

The Task Force Chairman, Steuart Walton, expressed his optimism at a news conference this last week. He noted that the health crisis and the resulting economic crisis are linked. We can’t beat one unless we beat the other.

We will conquer both. Arkansans are doing a great job of looking out for one another. That is just the way we are.

ar logo 3.png
,

Governor Announces New COVID-19 Advisory Board To Review Testing Contact-Tracing Technology

,
asa logo.png

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has created the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board to review and evaluate new technologies as the state’s public health agencies develop strategies for testing and contact tracing, the governor announced at his daily COVID-19 press briefing today.

“Two of the most critical tools in our ongoing efforts to stop COVID-19 are testing and finding those who have had contact with someone who is sick or who has tested positive,” Governor Hutchinson said today. “The technology for those tasks is changing rapidly. This advisory board will review options to ensure that we are employing the best tools that will allow us to quickly mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.”

Governor Hutchinson appointed Dr. Austin Porter III as chair of the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board. Dr. Porter is the Deputy Chief Science Officer at the Arkansas Department of Health.

The Governor’s other appointees to the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board are:

  • Nolan Leatherwood, Interim Chief Information Security Officer, Arkansas Department of Information Systems.

  • Donald McCormick, Epidemiologist, Arkansas Department of Health.

  • Jim Carter, Chief Information Officer, Arkansas Department of Health.

  • Adita Karkera, Deputy State Chief Data Officer, Arkansas Department of Information Systems.

  • Dr. Michael Cima, Chief Epidemiologist and Associate Director for Science, Arkansas Department of Health.

  • Dr. Mandana Rezaeiahari, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

  • Dr. Kevin Sexton, Co-Director of Healthcare Analytics, Institute of Digital Health and Innovation; Associate Chief Clinical Informatics Officer for Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurship; Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Biomedical Informatics and Health Policy Management, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

  • Jennifer Davis, Chief Privacy Officer, Arkansas Department of Information Systems.

  • Anne Santifer, Director, Office of Health Information Technology, Arkansas Department of Health.

  • Kim Gardner, Arkansas Department of Human Services.

  • Clark Cogbill, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Department of Commerce.

,

Amerasian Hometown Missions Commodities Giveaway Saturday May 30th

,

Amerasian Hometown Missions will be giving out food on Saturday, May 30th, at 2 p.m. In order to get free food from the pantry, you must be a resident of Sevier County Arkansas. The groceries will include: strawberries, fruits, vegetables, bread, meats and even sweets. This will be one of the largest and best commodity giveaways we have done so far. If you are new to our pantry make sure you bring proof of residence with you. If you have any questions regarding our pantry, call 870 279 4154.

, , , ,

UA Cossatot and the University of Arkansas Create a Pathway for Business Transfer Students

, , , ,
uofa walton.jpg

On May 21, 2020, UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole, signed an articulation agreement with the University of Arkansas Walton School of Business in Fayetteville for the Associate of Science Business transfer degree. This degree will allow students completing the degree to seamlessly transfer to the University of Arkansas Walton School of Business online or as a resident student.

UA Cossatot Division Chair of Professional Studies, Barbara Lacefield, said, “We have been working for quite some time to get this agreement completed, so we are excited to finally have everything in place. We have had an agreement with other schools in the state for several years but nothing specific for the University of Arkansas, until now.”

Students who choose to complete this 62 credit hour associate’s degree at UA Cossatot can do so entirely online. They can then transfer to the Fayetteville campus to major in a variety of subjects, including business administration, marketing, management, and supply chain management. The agreement also allows students to transfer online to earn a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, accounting, and general business.

Business transfer students from UA Cossatot who choose to move to Fayetteville and take classes on campus can qualify for the Arkansas Transfer Scholarship. This scholarship allows transfer students living on campus to pay the same tuition rate they paid at UA Cossatot ($74 per credit hour) at Fayetteville.
The Associate of Science Business degree at UA Cossatot is designed to improve employability and also transfer. With this new transfer agreement, more business students can earn more affordable degrees with excellent quality.

For more information or any questions, please contact UA Cossatot’s Student Services department at studentservices@cccua.edu.

, ,

De Queen High Graduate Ashlyn Chambers Member of UCA Scholars Program

, ,
ashlyn_chambers.jpg

The University Scholars Program at the University of Central Arkansas is pleased to announce that Ashlyn Chambers has been accepted as a member of the incoming Fall 2020 class of honors scholars.

This highly selective award is made to 30 graduating high school students from Arkansas and elsewhere. Members of the incoming class are selected using a holistic admission process that requires an application essay, recommendation, and review of the student’s transcript.

The child of Adam and Lori Chambers, Ashlyn Chambers is a graduate of De Queen High School, achieving a GPA of 4.0172, and earning the following academic distinctions: Daughters of the American Revolution selection, History Rotary Award, Chemistry Academic Award, and Heisman Scholarship School Winner. Along with earning 37 college hours while in high school and earning a 31 on the ACT (superscore of 33), Ashlyn was a member of the following organizations: National Honor Society, Gifted and Talented, Interact Club, and the Lady Leopard basketball and track teams.

Acceptance into the University Scholars Program comes with a stipend and private room upgrade scholarship valued at over $12,000, access to a living-learning community in Jefferson W. Farris Honors Hall, and participation in a unique interdisciplinary curriculum with ample opportunities for service learning, project-based education, collaborative work, undergraduate research, and travel support. In addition to the University Scholars Program Stipend, Ashlyn has received the UCA Excellence Scholarship and the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship for a total of over $54,000. She will be majoring in Nutrition Science and then plans to get her Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Patricia Smith, under President Houston Davis, the University Scholars Program runs parallel to UCA’s Norbert O. Schedler Honors College to offer additional honors opportunities at UCA. The University Scholars Program seeks to develop high-achieving students as leaders who are ready to take action in their profession and community.

, , ,

Summer Courses at UA Cossatot Begin June 1

, , ,
UAC-Original-red.png logo.png

UA Cossatot is offering several online courses this summer that are available in 4-week, 6-week, and 8-week terms. Most of these courses will begin on Monday, June 1, 2020, and it is not too late to sign up for classes.
Students who are home for the summer or who are living anywhere can find rewarding benefits by taking an online college course at UA Cossatot this summer.

The full list of classes can be viewed at www.cccua.edu/enroll.

Cossatot Community College

Click the following links to access the PDF version of the current or upcoming semester's full course schedule. Summer 2020 Schedule (5.18.2020) Fall 2020 Schedule (4.16.2020 Find specific courses through Campus Connect Course Search. There's no need to login.

In as little as four weeks, students can earn college credit hours that can be used to transfer or obtain a certificate or a degree at UA Cossatot.

To enroll in any one of the courses offered at UA Cossatot this summer, students need to contact a Student Services Advisor. Student Services Advisors include Lizz Garza, Jocelin Galvez, Holly Norman, Sheila McCandless, Rachel Barfield, Addison Hill, and Suzanne Ward. Their contact information can be found on the directory page of UA Cossatot’s website at www.cccua.edu/directory. Students can also sign up for classes by emailing Student Services at studentservices@cccua.edu.

The last day to sign up for classes is also June 1. For more information, please contact UA Cossatot’s Student Services department at studentservices@cccua.edu.

Cossatot Community College

©2020 Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

uac phone numbers.jpg
,

Oklahoma SWAT Team Makes Arrests after Shooting of Teen under the Hwy 70 Mountain Fork River Bridge

,

Oklahoma SWAT team makes arrests after shooting of teen under the Hwy. 70 Mountain Fork River Bridge

For the complete story, visit:

Oklahoma SWAT team makes arrests after shooting of teen under the Hwy. 70 Mountain Fork River bridge

An Idabel man shot and beat an Eagletown teen and another man Saturday and also threatened to bomb bridges around Idabel, law enforcement officers report. Only partial information was available on some parts of the incident as at least one was still occurring when the McCurtain Gazette went to press late Monday, but all information will be published when it is available.

,

Governor Hutchinson Announces Dr. Nate Smith Moving to CDC, Appoints Dr. Jose Romero As Interim Health Secretary

,

Photos L-R: Dr. Nate Smith, Dr. Jose Romero

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith has accepted a position with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today at his daily COVID-19 update news conference.

The Governor has appointed Dr. Jose Romero, chief medical officer at the Arkansas Department of Health and chief of the pediatric infectious disease section at Arkansas Children’s, as interim Secretary of Health.

“Dr. Smith literally has stood by my side nearly every day since March 11, when I declared that COVID-19 was a health emergency for Arkansas,” Governor Hutchinson said. “We have spent uncounted hours communicating in every way possible – in person, by telephone and text, and by email. His counsel has guided and informed every decision I have made as we have navigated this public health crisis.

“He educated me, counseled me, challenged me, and supported me. His access to national experts on infectious disease allowed us to quickly gather information and respond rapidly as our situation changed, sometimes by the hour.

“Secretary Smith’s selection to serve at the national level affirms what we already knew, that with him at the helm, we were in good hands. To say that I am saddened doesn’t begin to describe my feelings, but I am thrilled that our nation now will have the benefit of his expertise, wisdom, and compassion.

“For all the work he has done during his years in Arkansas, and especially over the past four months, his compassion for the people of Arkansas is what I will remember most about Dr. Smith’s service to our state.”

Dr. Smith, who will become the Deputy Director for Public Health Service and Implementation Science at CDC, will remain as Arkansas Secretary of Health through August 28, 2020.

“I have learned an incredible amount from my colleagues here,” Dr. Smith said. “I am honored to take this role at CDC, but it is not easy to leave ADH or this wonderful state. It has been a privilege to serve as Secretary of Health. I plan to take everything I’ve learned through my experiences here to my role at CDC.”   

Dr. Romero has been at Arkansas Children’s since 2008, and he has been the Arkansas Department of Health’s chief medical officer since April of this year. Dr. Romero also serves as the chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with the CDC. The Governor recently appointed him to serve on the medical advisory panel he created to guide the state during the pandemic.

“Dr. Romero has been involved in the COVID-19 fight since the first day, and his move to Interim Secretary of Health will allow a seamless transition that will ensure we continue to successfully mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and cautiously lift restrictions throughout Arkansas,” Governor Hutchinson said. “Dr. Romero’s international perspective and relationships have been invaluable in our fight against this pandemic.”

ar dpt of health.png
 
 
,

Sevier County recognizes 4-H Teen Stars

,

Two 4-H members from Sevier County have been named Arkansas 4-H Teen Stars for their outstanding achievement in 4-H projects and activities, leadership, and community service.

This year’s honorees are Brayden Frachiseur and Alec Frachiseur.

Brayden Frachiseur is the son of Katrina Frachiseur and the late Jeremy Frachiseur. He is a member of the Goin’ Showin’ 4-H Club and has been active in 4-H for ten years.

Alec Frachiseur is the son of Tyler and Kimberly Frachiseur and the late Sonya Turner. He is a member of the Chapel Hill 4-H Club and has been active in 4-H for six years.

Brayden and Alec are two of 57 4-H youth selected for the honor this year. This year’s recipients represent 32 counties across the state who were selected from thousands of 4-H members statewide.

“The Teen Stars program recognizes youth who are making a difference in 4-H and in our community,” said Rex Herring, Sevier County Extension Agent-Staff Chair. “Both of these boys are go-getters and have been consistently working on developing knowledge and skills in their project areas and have proven themselves to be service-minded and capable leaders. We look forward to seeing how far they will go.”

Arkansas Teen Stars are selected based on their leadership ability, integrity, high moral standards and high goals, outstanding achievement in both project and service activities, their ability to work with others, a positive attitude, interest in the 4-H program and a general interest in organizations and activities for youth development. To be considered, a member must have completed a minimum of two years of 4-H work and be an active member.

Honorees are usually recognized during the Teen Star/Hall of Fame banquet at the statewide Teen Leader Conference, usually held at the Arkansas 4-H Center.

“Because of COVID-19, things will be a little different this year,” said Ashley Dingman, a 4-H program associate. “We’ve moved the Teen Leadership Conference online, and we’ll be recognizing each of our outstanding youth with a video specifically for our 2020 Teen Stars.”

The Teen Star recognition paves the way for youth to later apply to be 4-H Ambassadors who then become eligible to run for state officer positions. Any Teen Star who is graduating high school can also apply for the $1,000 Zack O. and Jennie D. Jennings scholarship.

4-H is the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Participation is free to youth in every county.

To learn about 4-H and other Extension programs in Arkansas, contact the Sevier County Cooperative Extension Service at (870) 584-3013 or visit www.uaex.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.