News

Poultry Worker Advocate Reacts To Tyson Vaccine Requirement

By DANIEL CARUTH

On Tuesday Tyson Foods announced office employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by Oct. 1, while frontline workers are required to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1, pending talks with representatives from plant labor unions. Magaly Licolli with Venceremos, a Springdale-based organization that advocates for poutlry workers, says the decision is a good step for Tyson, but she believes the company should do more.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/poultry-worker-advocate-reacts-tyson-vaccine-requirement

House Committee Members Fail To Pass Two Bills Amending State's Mask Mandate Ban

By SARAH KELLOGG

An Arkansas House committee failed to advance two bills that would have amended the state’s current ban on mask mandates, likely ending the chance of passing before the end of the special session. By a series of voice votes Thursday, members of the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor did not pass either House Bill 1003 or House Bill 1004. Both would have given school boards the authority to require the wearing of masks.

House Bill 1004, which the committee considered after over two hours of public testimony, would give public school boards or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school a broader ability to mandate the wearing of masks, face shield or other coverings to "reduce the spread of infectious, contagious and communicable diseases."

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/house-committee-members-fail-pass-two-bills-amending-states-mask-mandate-ban

Rep. Tippi McCullough (far left) presents House Bill 1004 to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor committeeCREDIT ARKANSAS HOUSE

Rep. Tippi McCullough (far left) presents House Bill 1004 to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor committee

CREDIT ARKANSAS HOUSE

A Continued Increase in COVID-19 Active Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 74

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 85

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 66

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 95

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 74

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Special Session and Vaccines

LITTLE ROCK – This week, I issued a call for a special session of the General Assembly, and today I’d like to explain why my action was necessary.

In the spring, I signed Act 1002, a law that prohibits a government agency from establishing a mask mandate. That made sense to me at the time because I oppose any government-issued statewide mask requirement. And now we have vaccines available. Also, at the time, the number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths and hospitalizations was very low. In other words, we were coming out of the pandemic nicely. But as happens in life, everything changed.

The Delta variant, which is more transmissible than previous variants, arrived, and our cases, hospitalizations, and COVID-related deaths increased. It became clear to me that the law needed to change, and I actually said I regret signing the bill. That statement created somewhat of a firestorm, but it is important for leaders to adapt and change strategies when the facts change – particularly when you are in an emergency. 

With public schools opening for in-person instruction this month, I decided we needed to enact exceptions to Act 1002 to give schools some flexibility regarding face masks in congregate settings, and this should be limited to those students under twelve years of age. This was necessary because those under twelve are not eligible for a vaccine.

I convened the General Assembly to make this limited exception in order to provide more protection for those under twelve, and the law would leave the final decision in the hands of the local school board.

Pursuant to my call, the General Assembly met and considered the exception but failed to act. This leaves us all with the urgent need to get more of our students, teachers, parents, and community vaccinated. If we can’t provide life-saving vaccines to those under twelve, then we have to form layers of protection around them.

So that will be my focus in the coming days. Perhaps you will join me in one of my Community COVID Conversations – or Town Halls – to respectfully discuss how we can stop this virus with more vaccinations.

COVID-19 Active Cases Climbing in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 66

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 76

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 55

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 84

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 73

Bill That Amends Arkansas Mask Mandate Ban Stalls In House Committee

By SARAH KELLOGG

A bill that would allow Arkansas school districts to implement mask mandates if they meet a COVID-19 case threshold is being reworked to address the concerns of some lawmakers. Members of the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee spent just under three hours Wednesday discussing and listening to public comments on the proposed legislation.

According to the bill, a school district must have a 14-day COVID-19 infection rate of at least 50 new infections per 10,000 residents based on data published by either the Arkansas Department of Health or the Arkansas Center for Health improvement.

Rep. Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, is the bill’s sponsor and said she was open to whatever suggestions lawmakers had if it helped pass the legislation.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-amends-arkansas-mask-mandate-ban-stalls-house-committee

Rep. Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, presents House Bill 1003 to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on the first day of the special legislative session.CREDIT ARKANSAS HOUSE

Rep. Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, presents House Bill 1003 to the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on the first day of the special legislative session.

CREDIT ARKANSAS HOUSE

Governor Calls Extraordinary Session To Request Legislative Action on COVID and Unemployment

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has called members of the 93rd General Assembly into Extraordinary Session to begin at 10 a.m. on August 4 to create an exception to Act 1002 that will give public school boards flexibility to protect those school children who are 11 and younger and not eligible for a vaccine.

Act 1002 prohibits state and local government, including school boards, from requiring people to wear a mask. Governor Hutchinson will ask legislators to provide an exception to the law that would grant each school board the authority to decide whether to require students younger than 12 to wear a mask.

“Under CDC guidelines, students 11 and younger cannot receive the COVID vaccine, and without it, they are at a greater risk of contracting the virus, particularly the Delta variant,” Governor Hutchinson said today after he issued the Call. “COVID‐19 impact is escalating among children, particularly those 12 and older, as we have seen in the increased number and severity of COVID‐19 cases at Arkansas Children’s during July.

“Last week, Children’s daily census of 24 COVID-19 patients was a 50 percent increase over previous peaks. Because of this increased risk of illness in children, we see the necessity of allowing leaders in school districts the flexibility to decide whether students wear masks. We must allow local school boards to make the best decision for the students in their schools.

“I understand that some legislators are reluctant to allow school boards this freedom, even in this limited way,” Governor Hutchinson said. “But the exceptions for which I am asking are true to the conservative principle that puts control in the hands of local government.

“Some argue it should be up to the parents to decide for the children. For that reason, school boards will have many options after listening to the parents. The goal is to be safe and to keep schools open. Local flexibility will help get us there.

“I am asking lawmakers to simply allow public school boards and open enrollment charter schools to make their own decision to implement masking protocols to protect children younger than 12 in a school building, school bus, or other educational setting where several students are in close proximity.”

Last week, seven children were in Arkansas Children’s ICU, and four were on ventilators. The average length of stay and the number of days on a ventilator have doubled for COVID‐19 patients during July compared to January.

The Governor also will ask members of the General Assembly to affirm the decision of the director of Workforce Services to terminate Arkansas’s participation in extraordinary federal unemployment benefit and relief programs related to COVID-19.

“It is more important that we reduce the number of unemployed and put more people to work than it is for the state to accept any federal relief programs related to unemployment,” Governor Hutchinson said. “I will ask legislators to affirm that the director of Workforce Services may exercise discretion in her decisions to participate in or to cease participation in any voluntary, optional, special, or emergency program that the federal government offers.”

New State COVID-19 Public School Guidelines Issued

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

The Arkansas Department of Education has issued a set of new COVID-19 guidelines to prepare for the coming school year. All public schools are scheduled to hold in-person classes despite the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Lucas Harder, policy services director for the Arkansas School Boards Association provides insight.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/new-state-covid-19-public-school-guidelines-issued

COURTESY / ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

COURTESY / ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

UA Cossatot Student Athletes Scholarship Benefit Golf Tournament Saturday, August 14th

Colts Golf Tournament will present plaques to the winners of each flight (3 flights).  The tournament will include smoked chicken and fried fish dinners by donation, goodie bags from De Queen Auto Group, giveaways, hole-n-one chances at $50,000 toward the purchase of any new vehicle, a one year supply of Bridgestone Golf Balls, Cuater by TravisMathew, and a Prize Package and $500 shopping spree all sponsored by Gentry’s Chevrolet, Longest Drive Prizes sponsored by Bush Tractor & Seth Tollett Farms, Closest to Hole 1 Free Year Club Membership, and Putting Contest Prize.

Colts Golf Tournament will present plaques to the winners of each flight (3 flights). The tournament will include smoked chicken and fried fish dinners by donation, goodie bags from De Queen Auto Group, giveaways, hole-n-one chances at $50,000 toward the purchase of any new vehicle, a one year supply of Bridgestone Golf Balls, Cuater by TravisMathew, and a Prize Package and $500 shopping spree all sponsored by Gentry’s Chevrolet, Longest Drive Prizes sponsored by Bush Tractor & Seth Tollett Farms, Closest to Hole 1 Free Year Club Membership, and Putting Contest Prize.

Mechanical Millwright Paid Internships Available for UA Cossatot Students at Weyerhaeuser in Dierks

Weyerhaeuser in Dierks is offering some new paid mechanical millwright internships for UA Cossatot students.  This is an opportunity for our students to pursue an Associate of Applied Science – General Technology or a technical certificate for Industrial Technology or Industrial Electricity tuition free, plus $15.96 per hour.  There are 4 positions open for application now through 8/18.  Below are the direct links to the posting along with a job description.   

 

Mechanical Millwright Intern-01016597

http://weyer.jobs/16597 - external

http://weyer.jobs/16597i - internal

 

Description:

Weyerhaeuser Company is partnering with Cossatot Community College of University of Arkansas to build a talent pipeline.  We are seeking applicants for internship/sponsorship opportunities for our Mid-South manufacturing facilities located in Dierks, AR.  We are seeking applicants with a desire to work in the Electrical/Electronics and Industrial Maintenance areas of study. This is an excellent professional development opportunity.
   
Key Intern Expectations:

·         Commitment to completing degree at Cossatot Community College of University of Arkansas (CCCUA)

·         Dependability – punctual and prepared to work

·         Professional communication and behaviors

·         Commitment to learning and understanding critical safety behavior requirements

 

Qualifications:

·         Enrolled at CCCUA in Associate of Applied Science – General Technology or pursing a technical certificate for Industrial Technology or Industrial Electrical

·         Must be at least 18 years of age with high school diploma or GED

·         Must be able to commit to summer internship each year while enrolled and will be required to work weekend schedule during school year.

·         Must be able to complete the internship requirements for degree completion

·         Strong verbal and written communication skills

·         Technical writing capability

·         Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment

·         Problem solving and analytical skills

·         High level of initiative and motivation

·         Ability to pass pre-employment requirements including drug screen and background check

·         Proficient in MS Office

·         Willingness to work in challenging environments (outdoor temperature extremes)

·         Willingness to perform the essential functions of this position

·         Commitment to at least 3 years of employment with Weyerhaeuser upon graduation from CCCUA

·         Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

 

About Wood Products:
We've been delivering quality building products and solutions to our customers for more than 100 years. From builders and dealers to specifiers and homeowners, we offer exceptional product performance and unparalleled support.
For more than a century, we’ve been building our reputation as a leader in sustainable wood products.

 

About Weyerhaeuser
We sustainably manage forests and manufacture products that make the world a better place. We’re serious about safety, driven to achieve excellence, and proud of what we do. With multiple business lines in locations across North America, we offer a range of exciting career opportunities for smart, talented people who are passionate about making a difference. 
We know you have a choice in your career. We want you to choose us. 

 
Weyerhaeuser is an equal opportunity employer. Inclusion is one of our five core values and we strive to maintain a culture where all our people feel a sense of belonging, opportunity and shared purpose. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce and supporting an equitable and inclusive environment that inspires people of all backgrounds to join, stay and thrive with our team. 
 

Job:  Operations, Manufacturing, & Construction

Primary Location: USA-AR-Dierks

Schedule:  Full-time

Job Level:  Entry Level

Job Type:  Temporary Work

Shift:  Day (1st)

Cossatot Friends of NRA Banquet Saturday in De Queen

This Saturday, The Cossatot Friends of NRA will hold it’s annual banquet at the De Queen High School cafeteria. Doors open at 5:30. Advanced tickets can be purchased through Sharon at Bakers Bargain House or online at the Friends of NRA website. Advanced tickets are $25 and tickets at the door will be $35, so be sure you get them early. Table packages include 8 dinner tickets and a pistol. Early tickets or table purchases let you in on a FMK Freedom 9mm door prize and a Taurus G3 pistol early bird gun. Don’t forget, good food, great fun and awesome guns and gear, all this Saturday!

COVID-19 Active Cases Decline for a Day in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County

Total Active Cases: 56

Active Cases Data for Howard County

Total Active Cases: 64

Active Cases Data for Little River County

Total Active Cases: 31

Active Cases Data for Polk County

Total Active Cases: 79

Active Cases Data for Pike County

Total Active Cases: 76

Tyson Foods to Require COVID Vaccine for all U.S. Employees

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Springdale-based Tyson Foods said Tuesday (Aug. 3) that it would require its U.S. workforce to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Spokesman Derek Burleson said that mandate would affect approximately 120,000 processing plant and corporate office workers. About half of them have already received the COVID vaccine.

The company’s leadership (officers and above) must be vaccinated by Sept. 24. Employees working in an office have until Oct. 1 to receive the vaccine. All other U.S. employees are required to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1, subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions. Frontline workers will receive a $200 bonus once they are vaccinated, the company said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/08/tyson-foods-to-require-covid-vaccine-for-all-u-s-employees/

Clinton Center Suspends Operations Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases

By DANIEL BREEN

After roughly a month of being open for visitors, the Clinton Presidential Center in downtown Little Rock is again temporarily suspending operations. This comes as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to skyrocket in Arkansas due to the delta variant and the state’s low vaccination rate.

The center announced last Friday it would close its indoor exhibits beginning Monday. Clinton Center spokesperson Rebecca Tennille says it was a tough, yet necessary, decision.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/clinton-center-suspends-operations-amid-rising-covid-19-cases

CREDIT CAMERON HUDDLESTON

CREDIT CAMERON HUDDLESTON