Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a briefing to media at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 23, 2021.
Aerial Photos of Construction on the New Sevier County Medical Center
Photos by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon
FRIENDS Foundation Announced a One Million Dollar SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program Grant for Sevier County Small Business Assistance
Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas near 67,000 pounds through October
KUAR | By Michael Tilley/ Talk Business & Politics
Almost 67,000 pounds – roughly the weight of two F-35 fighter jets – of medical marijuana have been sold in Arkansas since May 2019, with the state collecting just under $45 million in taxes on the sales.
Licensed dispensaries in the state have sold 66,994 pounds of medical marijuana since the first dispensary opened in May 2019, with the value of the sales at $447 million.
Medical marijuana patients purchased 3,527 pounds of medical marijuana from the state’s 37 dispensaries in October, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the parent agency of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission. Most of the tax revenue is placed in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences National Cancer Designation Trust Fund.
The Arkansas Department of Health reports 78,585 active patient cards.
Almost 67,000 pounds of medical marijuana worth $447 million has been sold in Arkansas since the first dispensary opened in May 2019, according to the Department of Finance and Administration.
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
Arkansas Topping Out on Dispensaries, Active Cases Rise and Collecting Stories of Medicaid
By KYLE KELLAMS
KUAF includes an update on medical marijuana dispensaries in Arkansas, an uptick in active cases of COVID-19 in the states, and the stories and experiences of people with Medicaid in Arkansas.
IDEALS Institute Receives Major Grant to Provide Diversity Training to Regional Nonprofits
The IDEALS Institute at the University of Arkansas delivers diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training to state agencies, institutions, and community groups across the state. Executive Director Elecia Smith says with a more than $2.1 million dollar grant from the Walton Family Foundation and Walmart Foundation, IDEALS staff will, starting next year, provide DEI resources to a hundred regional nonprofits.
COURTESY / IDEALS INSTITUTE
Effort to raise awareness of human trafficking in the transportation industry
KUAR | By Talk Business & Politics Staff
The trucking industry is working to raise awareness of human trafficking that affects about 40 million people worldwide.
In an event Tuesday, staff of Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. and the nonprofit Truckers Against Trafficking discussed the problem, its warning signs and how to help victims. The Business Integrity Leadership Initiative of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas hosted the event.
Cindy Moehring, executive chair of the Business Integrity Leadership Initiative, said more than 900 people registered for the in-person and virtual event.
Michael Hibblen/KUAR News
With more truck drivers on the road than police officers, trucking companies are training employees how to identify potential victims of human trafficking.
Incumbent Asa Hutchinson endorses Sarah Sanders' bid for governor of Arkansas
KUAR | By Remington Miller
Gubernatorial candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders received endorsements from fellow Arkansas Republicans on Friday, including Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Hutchinson is prevented from running for reelection due to term limits. He announced his support for Sanders in a statement, saying “I’ve known Sarah Huckabee Sanders most of her life and know firsthand her love for our state and her heart for public service. Sarah has earned the Republican nomination and I’m delighted today to endorse her for Governor. The state of Arkansas will be in good hands with Sarah as Governor, and she has my full support.”
This endorsement comes just three days after Attorney General Leslie Rutledge dropped out of the governor’s race and announced she would be running for lieutenant governor, leaving Sanders as the only candidate in the Republican primary. She has been considered the frontrunner since announcing her candidacy on Jan. 25, largely because of the support President Donald Trump received in the state and her role serving as White House Press Secretary.
Michael Hibblen/KUAR News
Republican candidate for governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, seen here speaking at a rally in Benton on Sept. 6, has received the endorsements of key party officeholders this week, including Gov. Asa Hutchinson. It comes after her only Republican opponent, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, dropped out of the race Tuesday to run for lieutenant governor.
Arkansas Racing Commission moves forward with Cherokee Nation casino license in Pope County
by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)
The Arkansas Racing Commission on Friday (Nov. 12) accepted the application and $250,000 filing fee from Cherokee Nation Businesses to move forward on a casino license in Pope County.
The motion passed on a 3-2 vote with two commissioners not participating. The Cherokee Nation proposal was deemed qualified after the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled ineligible the Gulfside Casino Partnership proposal in late October. The state’s high court previously ruled that Gulfside did not have an official letter from an elected official during the active part of the application process, while Cherokee Nation did.
There is still separate litigation pending that could affect the eligibility of the Cherokee Nation license, but it may not be resolved for months.
John Amatucci/Cherokee Nation
A Cherokee Nation casino in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. The business was issued a license Friday by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
UA report maps out funding options for startups and small businesses
by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)
A new report released by the University of Arkansas examines a broad cross-section of the funding options available to startups and small businesses in Arkansas.
A team of collaborators across the Sam M. Walton College of Business and the Division of Economic Development at the UA produced the Arkansas Capital Scan. According to a news release, it’s modeled after a similar report published each year by the University of Oregon, the Oregon Capital Scan.
The 86-page report, intended to be an annual publication, is intended to assist policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders in identifying gaps and opportunities in support of small businesses.
UAMS Receives $18.9 Million NIH Award to Address Health Disparities
By David Robinson
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received $18.9 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support new research and interventions that will focus on reducing cancer and cardiovascular disease disparities among people who live in rural areas and African American populations across Arkansas.
The five-year award from the NIH National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) will support the establishment of the Center for Research, Health and Social Justice – one of only 11 Multiple Chronic Disease (MCD) Centers funded in the United States. Leading the grant are Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health faculty members Carol Cornell, Ph.D., a professor and chair of the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, and director of the NIMHD-funded Arkansas Center for Health Disparities, and Pebbles Fagan, Ph.D., MPH, a professor and director of the Center for the Study of Tobacco.
The overall goals of the center are to:
Advance the science of chronic disease health disparities through multidisciplinary team science to improve cancer and cardiovascular outcomes.
Facilitate research and training opportunities to strengthen the capacity of researchers and community members to develop interventions that reduce cancer and cardiovascular disease disparities using social justice principles.
Support academic-community partnerships to address the root causes of chronic disease disparities among African Americans and in rural areas in the state.
https://news.uams.edu/2021/11/15/uams-receives-18-9-million-nih-award-to-address-health-disparities/
Aerial Photos of the New Sevier County Medical Center
Photos provided by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon
Scenes from the Veterans' Day Breakfast at UA Cossatot
“This is Home” -Sixty years of Scissors, Succession and Service in Sevier County, Arkansas
DE QUEEN, AR— After finishing High School, Gehri Packnett was looking for a job when he discovered an opportunity that ended up lasting him a lifetime.
In February of 1962, he walked into a Barber shop in De Queen, Arkansas and he hasn’t had any other job since being given a chance that day.
After completing barber college in Little Rock, Gehri began his career at the shop that was then called “George’s,” and after 10 years he bought the business and changed the storefront’s name to his own in 1972. The shop changed ownership again 36 years later in 2008 when Gehri’s stepson, Jeff purchased it and gave the store his name. Now, the duo work side by side together and provide services for a faithful base of clients who have counted on them since the days of their first childhood trims.
Cutting hair on the Downtown Square in De Queen was the first job Gehri ever got, the only job he has ever had, and the only job he says he ever wants. In February 2022, the Oklahoma native will celebrate 60 years of visiting with customers, sharing stories, preparing locals for special occasions and “making those guys look good.”
For six decades, Gehri has watched the community change and grow as businesses in the Southwest border town have come and gone over the years. Despite receiving offers in Texarkana, Arkadelphia, and Little Rock, Gehri has turned down every business proposition to come his way because he only wants to live and work in De Queen. “This is home,” he says. “I grew up 8 miles from De Queen on the state line near the Rock creek area of Oklahoma. I’ve given a lot of these guys their first haircuts and I still cut their hair to this day.”
Patrons of the shop can build a relationship with guys who know the town’s history and have run a family business in the same location for more than half a century. The Father and Stepson team are currently the shop’s only employees, but in the past, Gehri’s Wife Judy, sister Terri, and his son, Scott have helped out with maintaining the family-owned operation.
When asked the secret of his business and career longevity, Gehri says simply “Sticking with it” is the key. Continuing to “stick with it” is exactly what Gehri Packnett intends to do, as he says he has no plans for retirement, and he intends to cut hair in De Queen Arkansas until his last days.
Jeff’s Barber Shop is located at 308 West De Queen Avenue in Downtown De Queen, Arkansas, and they are open Tuesday-Friday from 7:00am-5:00pm and Saturdays 7:00am-2:00pm.
Surface Transportation Board Issues Notice of Intent to Prepare EIS for Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Merger Application
New Arkansas recreational marijuana amendment proposed
KUAR | By Remington Miller
A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana in Arkansas was filed late last week.
The Arkansas Adult Use and Expungement Marijuana Amendment would allow for one cannabis dispensary license for every 15,000 residents in the state and limit the number of cultivation facility licenses to one per every 300,000 residents. It would also allow anyone with felony or misdemeanor convictions related to the possession of marijuana to petition the courts for relief.
This will be one of possibly three amendments that will be on the Nov. 2022 ballot about recreational cannabis. One amendment, filed in May 2020, comes from the group Arkansas True Grass. Called the Arkansas Recreational Marijuana Amendment of 2022, it would legalize recreational cannabis for people 21 and older without putting a cap on the number of related businesses.
Governor Asa Hutchinson Announces Appointments
Governor Asa Hutchinson announced the following appointments:press@governor.arkansas.gov
Adam Waddell, Fayetteville, to the Arkansas Public Transportation Coordination Council. Appointment expires September 20, 2025. Reappointment.
Ron Pitts, Hensley, to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. Appointment expires August 17, 2026. Replaces David Vaden.
Paul Bruce, Little Rock, to the Medical Ionizing Radiation Licensure Committee. Appointment expires July 14, 2024. Replaces Scott Yakoubian.
Dr. Allan Kirkland, Dardanelle, to the Medical Ionizing Radiation Licensure Committee. Appointment expires July 14, 2024. Reappointment.
Dr. Richard Nelson, Fort Smith, to the Medical Ionizing Radiation Licensure Committee. Appointment expires July 14, 2024. Reappointment.
Eugenia Brown, Mountain View, to the Advisory Council of the Arkansas Arts Council. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Dr. Charles Daniels, El Dorado, to the Advisory Council of the Arkansas Arts Council. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Anntonia Magruder, West Memphis, to the Advisory Council of the Arkansas Arts Council. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Lorie Whitby, Lafe, to the Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. Appointment expires June 30, 2027. Reappointment.
Terry Cleaver, Morrilton, to the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Board. Appointment expires August 1, 2025. Reappointment.
Dr. William Decker, Roland, to the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Board. Appointment expires August 1, 2025. Reappointment.
Dr. John Nowlin, Jonesboro, to the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Board. Appointment expires August 1, 2025. Replaces Amy Whitehead.
Dr. Dillon Erwin, Hot Springs, to the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board. Appointment expires January 26, 2023. Replaces Robert Neal.
Chris Perry, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Home Inspector Registration Board. Appointment expires January 26, 2023. Replaces Tom Allen.
Allie Barker, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Independent Living Council. Appointment expires February 1, 2022. Replaces Candy Wray.
Addie Edwards, Camden, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires February 1, 2024. New Position.
Benjamin Scallion, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Council. Appointment expires February 1, 2024. Replaces Murray Maples.
Bennett Downs, Bryant, to the Arkansas State Respiratory Care Examining Committee. Appointment expires August 7, 2024. Reappointment.
Dr. Mark Reiner, Jonesboro, to the Arkansas Board of Podiatric Medicine. Appointment expires August 31, 2024. Reappointment.
Dr. Darlene Byrd, Cabot, to the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. Appointment expires September 1, 2024. New Board.
Dr. Leonie DeClerk, Jacksonville, to the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. Appointment expires September 1, 2024. New Board.
Dr. Mark Foster, Paragould, to the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. Appointment expires September 1, 2024. New Board.
Julia Ponder, Little Rock, to the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. Appointment expires September 1, 2024. New Board.
Dr. Mitzi Scotten, Jonesboro, to the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. Appointment expires September 1, 2024. New Board.
Professor Donna Shipley, Fort Smith, to the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. Appointment expires September 1, 2024. New Board.
Dr. Purushottam Thapa, Little Rock, to the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. Appointment expires September 1, 2024. New Board.
Dr. William Hawkins, Little Rock, to the Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. Appointment expires September 1, 2024. New Board.
Judge Tonya Alexander, Marion, to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission. Appointment expires July 1, 2023. Reappointment.
John Mikesch, Fayetteville, to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission. Appointment expires July 1, 2024. Replaces Warner Taylor.
Judge David Talley, Magnolia, to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission. Appointment expires July 1, 2026. Reappointment.
Dr. Raymond Molden, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2024. Reappointment.
Shani Patterson, Fort Smith, to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2024. Replaces Debra Hurd.
Betty Guhman, North Little Rock, to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2024. Reappointment.
Norman Kemper, Austin, to the Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council. Appointment expires July 1, 2022. Replaces Suzanne Tipton.
Mandy McFall, Leachville, to the Arkansas Geological Survey. Appointment expires January 14, 2025. Replaces Maryln Looney.
Jeffrey Marcussen, Little Rock, to the Academic Facilities Review Board. Appointment expires August 6, 2024. Reappointment.
Daniel Barnes, Fayetteville, to the Academic Facilities Review Board. Appointment expires August 6, 2024. Reappointment.
Kelli Gemmell, Rogers, to the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers. Appointment expires April 26, 2024. Replaces Suzanne Laffoon.
William Hurley, Farmington, to the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers. Appointment expires April 26, 2024. Replaces George Krennerich.
Wesley Walls, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers. Appointment expires April 26, 2025. Reappointment.
Boyce Barnett, Cave City, to the Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas. Appointment expires June 15, 2023. Replaces George Taylor.
Charlotte Bradley, Hope, to the Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas. Appointment expires June 15, 2025. Reappointment.
Michael Hocutt, Little Rock, to the Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas. Appointment expires June 15, 2024. Reappointment.
Michael Rappold, Conway, to the Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas. Appointment expires June 15, 2024. Replaces Benjamin Mullen.
Heath Shearon, Maumelle, to the Elevator Safety Board. Appointment expires July 1, 2022. Replaces Colin Caldwell.
Richard Riley, Sherwood, to the Elevator Safety Board. Appointment expires July 1, 2023. Replaces Raymond Styers.
David Nixon, Springdale, to the Commission on Uniform State Laws. Appointment expires April 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Cliff McKinney, Benton, to the Commission on Uniform State Laws. Appointment expires April 30, 2025. Reappointment.
John Shepherd, El Dorado, to the Commission on Uniform State Laws. Appointment expires April 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Tammy Hamilton, Jacksonville, to the Arkansas Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Telecommunications Services Corporation Board of Directors. Appointment expires June 1, 2024. Replaces Lynn Franquemont.
Alan Cansler, Arkadelphia, as a Justice of the Peace for the Hot Spring County Quorum Court, District 9. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Ray Cook.
Samuel Bryant, Jr., Malvern, as a Justice of the Peace for the Hot Spring County Quorum Court, District 1. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Pete Willis.
Randy Scott, Blytheville, to the State Banking Board. Appointment expires December 31, 2025. Reappointment.
Tommy Brown, North Little Rock, to the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board. Appointment expires June 22, 2024. Reappointment.
Matthew Ross, Conway, to the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board. Appointment expires June 22, 2024. Reappointment.
Joe Spadoni, White Hall, to the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board. Appointment expires June 22, 2024. Reappointment.
Jerry Vint, Alexander, to the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board. Appointment expires June 22, 2024. Reappointment.
Cary Gray, Centerton, to the Arkansas State Board of Sanitarians. Appointment expires June 30, 2026. Reappointment.
William Heaston, Little Rock, to the Board of the Division of State Services for the Blind. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Replaces James Julian.
David Henry, Bentonville, to the Board of the Division of State Services for the Blind. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Replaces Teresea Sheeler.
Tiffany Moore, Sherwood, to the Board of the Division of State Services for the Blind. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Replaces William Johnson.
Theresea Petrey, Little Rock, to the Board of the Division of State Services for the Blind. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Mark Constant, Marked Tree, to the HCAVR Licensing Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Ronnie Dorsey, De Queen, to the HCAVR Licensing Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Ralph Hudson, Little Rock, to the HCAVR Licensing Board. Serves at the pleasure of the Governor.
Darrell Loveless, Crossett, to the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2031. Replaces Ronnie Wheeler.
Joe Farrer, Austin, to the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy. Appointment expires July 1, 2024. Reappointment.
Donald Pierce, Hot Springs Village, to the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy. Appointment expires July 1, 2024. Replaces Samuel Denton.
Dr. Patricia Knott, Conway, to the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board. Appointment expires July 1, 2026. Reappointment.
Carlos Chicas Zepeda, Rogers, to the Board of Directors of Northwest Technical Institute. Appointment expires June 30, 2026. Reappointment.
Davesh Sitaram, Little Rock, to the Elevator Safety. Appointment expires July 1, 2025. Reappointment.
Rex Bailey, Springdale, to the State Board of Barber Examiners. Appointment expires June 30, 2027. Reappointment.
Michael Commet, Centerton, to the State Board of Barber Examiners. Appointment expires June 30, 2026. Replaces Mary Fisher.
Murry Cline, Springdale, to the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors. Appointment expires July 1, 2025. Replaces Jim Engstrom.
Kyle Salyer, Van Buren, to the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors. Appointment expires July 1, 2025. Reappointment.
Howard Heffington, Sr., Ozark, to the Supervisory Board for the Arkansas Crime information Center. Appointment expires June 30, 2025. Reappointment.
Brice Hicks, Blytheville, as Constable for Chickasawba Township, Mississippi County. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Randy Moody.
Bill Tripp, Paragould, as a Justice of the Peace for the Greene County Quorum Court, District 11. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Replaces Ronnie Wood.
Ateca Foreman, Conway, to the Criminal Justice Task Force on Offender Court Costs and Collections. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. New Board.
Lorie Mason Jordan, Conway, to the Criminal Justice Task Force on Offender Court Costs and Collections. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. New Board.
Sharon Brooks, Fort Smith, to the State Board of Election Commissioners. Appointment expires May 28, 2025. Reappointment.
Jamie Clemmer, Benton, to the State Board of Election Commissioners. Appointment expires May 28, 2025. Replaces Bill Ackerman.
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
Arkansas Public Schools Active Cases of COVID-19
The ADH released their most recent report on Monday, November 1st, on the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the state's public schools and colleges. Some area schools of note include:
De Queen 20
Blevins 6
Ashdown 25
UA Cossatot, and most other area public schools were not listed because they reported less than 5 active cases (ADH does not release info for schools with fewer than 5 active cases to protect student privacy)