LITTLE ROCK – This is National Apprenticeship Week, and today I’d like to discuss the progress we’ve made in expanding registered apprenticeship programs throughout Arkansas.
Historically, apprenticeships have been available primarily in the construction trades, but the needs of industry have led us to broaden the opportunities. Many leaders have said there is a shortage of talent, and in Arkansas, we are making great efforts to fill that void. During my administration, we have expanded apprenticeships into manufacturing and now we are moving into health care.
This expansion has become especially important during the pandemic as thousands of people have lost their jobs and retraining for new opportunities is critical.
Since 2015, Arkansas has increased the number of registered apprenticeship programs from 82 to more than 140. The number of apprentices has grown from about 4,000 to over 9,000. Our goal is to have 10,000 apprentices by 2023. We are working with a network of over 800 employers to accomplish this.
In September, I attended the opening of the Tech Depot Apprenticeship Academy in Newport. This program incorporates many elements that are critical to producing a high-quality, high-tech savvy workforce. The Tech Depot in Newport is evidence that we can provide high-tech opportunities in places other than big cities, and it will accelerate the growth of our high-tech workforce.
The Office of Skills Development, the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences, and the division of Workforce Services have partnered to create Reskill Arkansas, a program designed to assist the unemployed to change careers and move into high-demand jobs such as IT generalist, web development, data analytics, or cybersecurity. ReSkill builds off on the Computer Science Initiative and the 2017 Blue Ribbon Commission on Data Analytics and Computing.
Three Arkansas hospitals are creating the state’s first graduate registered nurse apprenticeship. The program will assist in retaining newly hired registered nurses and reducing staff turnover. It will also provide a structured support program for newly hired registered nurses.
This expansion of the apprenticeship programs is the result of public-private partnerships among the businesses, educators and training providers, industry intermediaries, and state government.
The pandemic has renewed our focus on the need to provide Arkansans with new skills. It’s essential so that they can move into better-paying jobs. The retraining strengthens our workforce so that Arkansas is even more attractive to businesses that are considering expanding into this state. Apprenticeships allow companies to recruit, train, and retain their talent. Employees who train in a company’s apprentice program tend to stay with that company longer.
If you are unemployed or just considering a job change, I encourage you to visit the ReSkill Arkansas website at www.acds.co/ReSkillAR as an apprenticeship may be the opportunity that will put you into a new career.
College Entrance Exam Process Tested During Pandemic
As COVID-19 continues to disrupt education, high school students applying for college are facing more challenges. While many universities are dropping mandatory standardized test scores for admissions, students may still need them to apply for scholarships or receive financial aid. After canceling tests in the spring because of the coronavirus, ACT is looking for ways to become more accessible for students.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/college-entrance-exam-process-tested-during-pandemic
College Entrance Exam Process Tested During Pandemic
As COVID-19 continues to disrupt education, high school students applying for college are facing more challenges. While many universities are dropping mandatory standardized test scores for admissions, students may still need them to apply for scholarships or receive financial aid.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Makes Announcement Related to COVID-19 Friday (11.13.20) 12PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson will make an announcement tomorrow, Friday, November, 13, 2020, related to COVID-19 at noon.
Governor Announces Half-Million Dollars Raised For Bates, Cash Statuary Hall Project
State Launches Website for Those Who Want to Donate
LITTLE ROCK – Charter donors have contributed $510,000 of the $1 million needed to replace Arkansas’s statues in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., with statues of Daisy Gatson Bates and Johnny Cash, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at a news conference today.
The Foundation for Arkansas Heritage and History has launched a website for those who would like to donate. The website is https://arkansasheritagefoundation.org/donate/
“I started calling potential contributors several months ago, and the initial phase of our fundraising campaign has been very successful,” Governor Hutchinson said. “We’re more than halfway to our goal. Now we enter the public phase of our campaign. We want Arkansans to participate, whether they can give $5 or $50. In the past 100 years, Arkansas has changed, but our visitors in Washington do not see the changes. This is an opportunity for Arkansans to help tell our story to the rest of the world.
“These two historic figures represent equally important aspects of the lives of Arkansas. Daisy Bates was a woman of principle and courage who changed Arkansas for the better. Johnny Cash elevated every-day hard-working people by telling their stories in his songs.
“My goal is to have Daisy Gatson Bates and Johnny Cash in place in Washington by the time I leave office.”
The top donors include Steuart & Kelly Walton; Wal-Mart Corporate; Tyson Family Foundation; the City of Little Rock; Sony Music; Crown Merchandise; Simmons Bank; Murphy Family Foundation; and Murphy USA Charitable Foundation.
Arkansas’s first sculpture in Statuary Hall, a statue of attorney Uriah Milton Rose, was installed in 1917. The statue of James Paul Clark, the eighteenth governor of Arkansas and a United States senator, was installed in 1921.
The General Assembly accepted nominations for statues and selected Daisy Bates, a civil rights activist who mentored the Little Rock Nine in 1957, and Johnny Cash, world-renowned singer and songwriter, who sold 90 million records during his career.
With the selection of Daisy Bates, Arkansas is one of the first states to choose an African American to represent it in Statuary Hall. Johnny Cash will be the first musician with a statue there.
The official move to replace those statues began during the 92nd General Assembly when Senator Dave Wallace and Representative Jeff Wardlaw sponsored House Bill 1969, which authorized the change. Governor Hutchinson signed the bill on April 11, 2019.
Organizers estimated the entire project would cost about $1 million. That includes creating the statues, shipping them to Washington, and installing them. The cost also included returning the originals to Arkansas and installing them in their new places.
The leadership and members of the Foundation for Arkansas Heritage and History have agreed to accept and handle the donations. The National Statuary Hall Steering Committee and the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission are overseeing this endeavor. The members are reviewing 33 Requests For Quote (RFQ) as they begin the search for sculptors. Secretary of State John Thurston and his team helped with the bid proposals and are handling much of the administrative work.Others whose work has brought the project to this point include Stacy Hurst, Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism; Shane Broadway, Chair, National Statuary Hall Steering Committee; and Charles King, President of the Daisy Bates House Museum Foundation.
Friday COVID-19 Update from the Arkansas Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,545
Confirmed Cases: 1,318
Probable Cases: 227
Total Active Cases: 110
Active Confirmed Cases: 41
Active Probable Cases: 69
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 702
Confirmed Cases: 601
Probable Cases: 101
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 44
Active Probable Cases: 28
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 536
Confirmed Cases: 464
Probable Cases: 72
Total Active Cases: 33
Active Confirmed Cases: 17
Active Probable Cases: 16
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 507
Confirmed Cases: 468
Probable Cases: 39
Total Active Cases: 120
Active Confirmed Cases: 97
Active Probable Cases: 23
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 307
Confirmed Cases: 286
Probable Cases: 21
Total Active Cases: 24
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 8
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,809 new cases; 14,491 active cases; 805 hospitalized, which is up 4 from Wednesday; 116 on ventilators, which is unchanged from Wednesday; deaths added today, 18, for a total of 2,144; a total of 128,09 cases; 102,355 recoveries; PCR tests, 11,164; antigen tests, 1,740.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 154; Washington, 70; Sebastian, 66; Craighead, 60; and Benton, 58.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"Yesterday was a strong day of testing for Arkansas. Our increased testing efforts continue to reveal consistently high numbers of new COVID-19 cases throughout the state. When you get out each day, be mindful of the pressure on our hospitals, doctors, and health care workers. Let's reduce the hospitalizations by doing our part to protect each other."
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides Update on Arkansas's Statues in National Statuary Hall
Governor Asa Hutchinson provided an update regarding the replacement of Arkansas's statues in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.
Thursday COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,541
Confirmed Cases: 1,316
Probable Cases: 225
Total Active Cases: 121
Active Confirmed Cases: 44
Active Probable Cases: 77
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 697
Confirmed Cases: 598
Probable Cases: 99
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Confirmed Cases: 47
Active Probable Cases: 27
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 526
Confirmed Cases: 460
Probable Cases: 66
Total Active Cases: 28
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 12
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 488
Confirmed Cases: 449
Probable Cases: 39
Total Active Cases: 105
Active Confirmed Cases: 81
Active Probable Cases: 24
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 306
Confirmed Cases: 286
Probable Cases: 20
Total Active Cases: 25
Active Confirmed Cases: 18
Active Probable Cases: 7
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Wednesday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,962 new cases; 13,691 active cases; 801 hospitalized, which is down 9 from Tuesday; 116 on ventilators, which is down 11 from Tuesday; deaths added today, 14, for a total of 2,126; a total of 126,197 cases; 101,583 recoveries; PCR tests, 9,390; antigen tests, 2,247.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 172; Benton, 144; Garland, 136; Washington, 121; and Sebastian, 116.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"Today we saw another record number of reported new cases. There was a small decline in hospitalizations but the high number of cases is a profoundly serious reminder of the emergency that continues. Susan and I just spoke about our holiday plans and we are taking extra precautions and limiting the number. Plan safely."
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Arkansas Governor Touts Tax Cut, Budget Surplus In State Chamber Speech
Gov. Asa Hutchinson touted his proposal to cut the state’s top individual income tax rate for new residents, called for reducing the used car tax, and said his new budget includes a $240 million surplus during a speech at the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas’ Annual Meeting Tuesday.
Hutchinson said his budget calls for reducing the top individual income tax rate for new residents to 4.9% for five years. Doing so would attract tech and manufacturing talent and also retirees.
Arkansas Governor Touts Tax Cut, Budget Surplus In State Chamber Speech
Gov. Asa Hutchinson touted his proposal to cut the state's top individual income tax rate for new residents, called for reducing the used car tax, and said his new budget includes a $240 million surplus during a speech at the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas' Annual Meeting Tuesday.
Horatio Elementary School Closing Temporarily due to COVID
The Horatio School District has decided to close Horatio Elementary School onsite instruction after two students tested positive for COVID-19. The district's contact-tracing identified several staff members and two kindergarten classrooms that must be quarantined until December 1st.
As a result of minimal availability of substitutes and the number of staff members that will be quarantined, the PK-6 Horatio Elementary will pivot to online instruction and elementary teachers will continue to teach virtually beginning Wednesday, November 11. Onsite instruction will resume on Tuesday, December 1st as the district already has a digital day planned for November 30th.
The district will continue to partner with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide a safe and healthy environment for onsite instruction.
Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,522
Confirmed Cases: 1,315
Probable Cases: 207
Total Active Cases: 117
Active Confirmed Cases: 50
Active Probable Cases: 67
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 694
Confirmed Cases: 598
Probable Cases: 96
Total Active Cases: 78
Active Confirmed Cases: 50
Active Probable Cases: 28
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 523
Confirmed Cases: 458
Probable Cases: 65
Total Active Cases: 28
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 12
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 466
Confirmed Cases: 430
Probable Cases: 36
Total Active Cases: 89
Active Confirmed Cases: 66
Active Probable Cases: 23
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 295
Confirmed Cases: 277
Probable Cases: 18
Total Active Cases: 19
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 6
Governor’s FY2022 Budget Increases Funding For Education, Public Safety; Gives Tax Relief
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has notified members of the General Assembly that his budget for FY2022 “will fully fund state operations and will continue the priorities and momentum” of his administration.
“While we continue to fight the pandemic, today’s budget will fully fund state operations and will continue the priorities and momentum of my administration,” Governor Hutchinson said in a letter he released on Tuesday to the Arkansas Legislative Council. “It will fund productivity within our institutions of higher education, meet the recommendations of the legislative educational adequacy committee, and see the largest increase in public school funding in more than a decade.”
The budget continues his administration’s commitment to lower taxes for working Arkansans that not only absorbs cuts from previous years and but also sets aside $50 million in tax relief for Arkansans in low- and middle-income brackets.
The proposed budget will increase the balance in the Long-Term Reserve from $185 million to $285 million by the end of the biennium. When Governor Hutchinson took office, the reserve fund’s balance was zero.
The proposed budget also:
Reduces the sales tax on vehicles that sell for less than $10,000.
Offers a lower income-tax rate to new Arkansans.
Continues funding for crisis stabilization units (CSU).
Continues funding for public safety needs, including the state crime lab and police vehicles.
Allocates $30 million in surplus funding to continue expansion of broadband.
Reduces spending by $26.5 million through the Governor’s initiative to transform and reorganize state government.
VIDEO: Veteran's Day Ceremony in Arkansas Wednesday (11.11.20)
Governor Asa Hutchinson spoke at the Veteran's Day Ceremony at MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.
U.S. Navy Veteran at Tuesday's De Queen Lions Club Meeting
With Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11th, the Lions Club invited a local U.S. Navy Veteran to speak to the group Tuesday. Don Hogg discussed his service in the military in the U.S. Navy at Tuesday’s De Queen Lions Club noon meeting. He also brought Navy ship photos of the vessels he was on. He was pictured outside on the deck of the tug boat in the first ship photo.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
Veterans live and work in every community of Arkansas. We are their friends, their family, their co-workers, and their neighbors. It is up to us to ensure that every veteran feels that his or her service to this country is appreciated.
There are ways every Arkansan can help our veterans. Shop at your local businesses that support the military and hire veterans. Reach out to your veteran community and find ways to volunteer. We can all teach our children about the sacrifices veterans have made and create a new generation of appreciation.
But the easiest way is to simply say, "Thank you for what you have done for our country."
On this Veterans Day, we would like to say a special thank you to the more than 219,000 veterans who call Arkansas home.
Every session, we introduce legislation to make Arkansas a better place for our military members and vets. In the most recent session, we passed legislation to make it easier for military spouses to find employment quickly and legislation paving the way for an extensive study on veteran affairs in our state.
Act 551 directs the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, and Legislative and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs to meet jointly to conduct the Arkansas Legislative Study on Veterans Affairs. The study aims to examine veterans' issues in the state, including the occurrence of suicide among the veteran population. The committees have conducted town-hall-style meetings across the state to hear from veterans. They will use the information they've gathered to make recommendations for the 2021 Regular Session.
We also passed Act 820. This legislation states an occupational licensing entity shall grant active military members and returning veterans, as well as spouses of active military and returning veterans, with automatic licensure to engage in an occupation or profession if they have an equivalent license in another state.
And in 2017, we passed legislation exempting military retirement benefits from state income tax.
We look forward to continued progress. May we continue to make our state a place our vets are proud to call home.
Sevier County Library Snippets for November
by: JOHNYE FISHER
November is here, and you know what November is right? It’s Thanksgiving!!! Gobble till you Wobble! Please stop and give Thanks for all things you have and do not have for it makes you who you are. We hope you have safe travels and enjoy loved ones this year!
November is also Food for Fines Month and The Sevier County Library System Sweater Drive. November 1-30, bring any nonperishable food item into any Sevier County Branch Library for a one-dollar reduction per item in existing overdue fines. Food accepted for fines on returned library materials only, not for replacement fees of lost or damaged items. November 1-30 is the Sweater Drive you can bring any new or gently used items to any branch location and all of our donations area kept local in each community. Won’t you help keep someone one safe, warm and fed for the winter?
The De Queen Library will have Virtual Thanksgiving Story Times on November 4th and November 18th. On November 23, we will present a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving virtually.Our front of the desk display will be reading with a twist. The twist is you don’t know what this book is until you open it. The book jacket will be taken off so you might get a book on how to plant flowers, read about the wild adventures of Davy Crockett, or even travel across the Atlantic Ocean to Scotland. Come take a trip or go on an adventure. Call us at 584-4364 or visit our facebook.com/seviercountylibrary page for more details.
Hello everyone from Amy at the Horatio Library. I hope you have been enjoying this nice cooler weather. I know I have. With the weather changing and all this Covid 19 and flu season on us please continue to be safe and stay well. We will be having online story time on our Horatio Library Facebook page the 14th and also the 28th. The program on the 14th will have a Thanksgiving theme. We are getting in our new Christmas themed book titles. We have also gotten several new Bestselling books along with some new DVD series to watch. Please remember those in need this holiday season and donate if you can. I hope you have a very Blessed holiday and hope to see you soon.
Ms. Wendy wants to know if you know what are some of the things you can do at the Lockesburg Library? The library has public computers, printing, faxing, and WIFI. There are audio books, magazines, and DVD’s. Special book areas for adults, large print readers, young adults, middle readers, and early juvenile readers. The library also has a special book aread dedicated to Legacy Academy for students. For your convenience there is a book drop available for returns 24/7. New books are added monthly and for your convenience our book collection can be accessed at: https://evolveopac.infovisionsoftware.com/lockesburgThe Lockesburg Library is open Wednesdays, Thursdays 8:30-5:00 and Saturday 8:30-12:30. Call Ms. Wendy for more information at 289-2233
Rhonda, Amy, and Kelsie says for the month of November their display will be Christian Fiction. To name a few, Irene Hannon’s “Dark Ambition”, Karen Kingsbury’s “To the Moon and Back” and Christy Barritt’s “Ripple Effect”. These are really good books and we have them in large print as well. We have other good books such as “Thick as Thieves” by Sandra Brown, “Silent Bite” by David Rosenfelt and “A Time for Mercy” by John Grisham. We have something for every ready taste.Virtual Story Time for Thanksgiving will be November 14th so keep an eye on our facebook.com/gillhambranchlibrary for more information. Happy Thanksgiving from Gillham Library!!
Special Veterans Day Exhibit and Open House at Nashville Museum Wednesday
The Howard County Historical Society is opening a new exhibit at the E.A. Williams Chapel and Museum on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2020. The display features military photographs and artifacts focusing on Howard County residents’ participation in the Civil War through World War II. The artifacts are from the museum’s collection. The exhibit includes photographs, uniforms, and military gear such as a gas mask bag from WWI and a Nazi uniform and flag sent home as a souvenir by a local WWII soldier.
The museum is hosting an Open House from 12-4 on Wednesday, November 11 (Veteran’s Day) and invites the community to attend and view the exhibit. Individually wrapped refreshments will be served and the first 20 children attending will receive a book bag filled with goodies. Each attendee should wear a mask and all social distancing protocol will be followed. The museum is located on the corner of 2nd and Hempstead Streets.
Veterans Salutes from UA Cossatot and Ed 88
Tuesday's COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,505
Confirmed Cases: 1,311
Probable Cases: 194
Total Active Cases: 112
Active Confirmed Cases: 53
Active Probable Cases: 59
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 690
Confirmed Cases: 598
Probable Cases: 92
Total Active Cases: 76
Active Confirmed Cases: 51
Active Probable Cases: 25
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 519
Confirmed Cases: 457
Probable Cases: 62
Total Active Cases: 31
Active Confirmed Cases: 21
Active Probable Cases: 10
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 445
Confirmed Cases: 413
Probable Cases: 32
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Confirmed Cases: 53
Active Probable Cases: 21
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 291
Confirmed Cases: 275
Probable Cases: 16
Total Active Cases: 19
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 4
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 945 new cases; 12,488 active cases; 786 hospitalized, which is up 45 from Sunday; 116 on ventilators, which is up 13 from Sunday; deaths added today, 23, for a total of 2,108; a total of 122,811 cases; 99,861 recoveries; PCR tests, 9,358; antigen tests, 721.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 128; Washington, 79; Independence, 75; Sebastian, 56; and Benton, 49.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"We continue to see a high level of hospitalizations across the state. This increase can affect everyone, even those who have not contracted COVID-19. We all have a responsibility to our friends, family, and neighbors to do our part as we fight this virus."
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
VIDEO: CARES Act Steering Committee Meeting Tuesday (11.10.20) 330PM
The CARES Act Steering Committee, created by Governor Asa Hutchinson to recommend the best use of federal COVID-19 aid, meets virtually at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, 2020.