Serious flash flooding across areas of Southwest Arkansas this morning (Mondi HIll - Dierks)
(Ernesto Echevarria Tuesday morning…) Please be carefu! Don't attempt to cross these flooded roads and highways. Highway 70 and Highway 278 are underwater.
(Santiago Soto…) More images from the flash flooding in the Dierks area. This pic is from the Weyerhaeuser mill.
(Kelly Comer)… Dierks area
The number of Arkansas children in foster care has fallen by more than 700 since reaching an all-time high in 2016. That information was part of an annual report presented a legislative committee this week.
On Tuesday, the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) presented its annual Family Preservation Report to the Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee.
The report outlines progress made and areas for improvement when it comes to the most vulnerable children in our state.
We learned from the report that the number of children in foster care declined by more than 10% during 2018. That is a decrease of 507 children.
Additional funding for DHS approved by the legislature in recent years has helped to increase the number of caseworkers and decrease the average worker caseload. As a result we are seeing children placed in permanent homes sooner and fewer children re-entering the foster care system.
Adoptions were finalized for 969 children in 2018, similar to the previous year and a 16% increase since 2016.
When it comes to areas for improvement, the report notes that the agency struggled to place children close to the homes from which they were removed. A total of 69% resided in either their home county or a neighboring county at the end of 2018, similar to previous years.
Children who are removed from their parents or guardian do better when placed with family members or people they know. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles are often willing to help and make the child feel safe and loved. The percentage of children in care residing with relatives was 27–29% over the past three years. While this is well above the relative placement rate from years ago it is still below the aspiring goal of 33%.
The report breaks down all of the information by every county in the state. We will use this information to continue our efforts in creating policies to keep children in a safe and loving environment. We have posted this report on our website www.arkansashouse.org.
On Thursday, July 25, 2019, the Sevier County Coalition’s Live Well Sevier County Committee and UA Cossatot will be co-hosting a Lunch-n-Learn presentation about the ketogenic diet, more commonly known as the keto diet, at UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus. The presentation will begin at 12:00 noon in the Weyerhaeuser room, located in the Skilled Trades Building, and will conclude at 12:40 p.m.
Presenter Dr. Jason Lofton of De Queen will be explaining what keto is, the benefits it provides for one’s health, health risks associated with keto, and how to get started on the keto diet. Lofton says, “One of the most important things about the keto diet is that it is a diet that allows you to still eat good foods yet lose weight. I have learned how to cook and enjoy new foods, especially vegetables that I once didn’t enjoy eating.”
Lofton is the owner of Lofton Family Clinic and AMP Fitness. He attended UAMS in Little Rock and trained as a resident physician at the AHEC clinic in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Upon completion of residency, he moved back to De Queen and has been a practicing physician in Sevier County since 2008.
When asked why he chose to return to Sevier County, Lofton said, “I am a native of De Queen. I graduated from De Queen High School before attending university. This is home. I’m committed to the health and revitalization of Sevier County and its citizens.”
All are invited to bring their lunch and join Dr. Lofton for this free event. For more on Lunch-and-Learn programs, visit the Sevier County Coalition website at www.seviercountycoalition.com or call UA Cossatot’s Continuing Education Services at (870) 584-4471
De Queen Primary will be opening it's doors on July 31st from 9-1 and 3-6 for registration. De Queen primary accommodates all students in grades kindergarten to 2nd grade. Even if you have already registered your student and filled out paper work it is still vital that you attend this registration. If you are registering your child for the first time to De Queen please bring your child's birth certificate, SS Card and proof of address. This will be a great time for your child to meet their teacher while also getting any questions answered and forms completed before school starts. Again it will be Wed, July 31st from 9-1 and 3-6. See You There!
On June 10-12, the De Queen Leopard Cheer team attended UCA cheer camp. The cheer team received Superior awards and four of the cheerleaders received individual awards: Halley Gentry- Excellence award, Catherine Ousse- Jump award, Stacy Higgins- Most Improved award & Ana Marrufo- Best Attitude award. Six of the De Queen Leopard cheerleaders made the UCA All American Squad. The cheer team is coached by Shelly Gentry & Blaire Harp.
Team Photo- (pictured L-R)- front row: Kimberly Figueroa, Kimberly Delgado, Halley Gentry, Catherine Ousse, Lanie Hibbs & Ana Marrufo- back row: Ivette Gonzalez, Jinnefer Lagunas, Marlen Perez, Halle Harp, Carlee Helms, Edith Hernandez, Diana Ramirez & Stacy Higgins
All American Photo- (pictured L-R)- front row: Catherine Ousse, Halley Gentry & Kimberly Delgado- back row: Marlen Perez, Halle Harp & Carlee Helms
Left to Right: Mirella Hernandez, Pedro Sanchez, Isabel Hernandez
July 2019–More than 9,500 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members, advisers, alumni, and guests from across the country gathered in Anaheim, California, for the 2019 National Leadership Conference. The meeting provided three De Queen Junior High members with the opportunity to attend leadership and program training, hear national speakers, meet the National Executive Council, and explore colleges and careers with FCCLA. Pedro Sanchez, Mirella Hernandez, and Isabel Hernandez also took part in STAR Event competitions at the conference.
FCCLA’s STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) are competitive events in which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. Youth and adults work together to manage the events and serve as evaluators of the participants. Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues, career exploration, and much more. FCCLA programs and competitions support students’ development of knowledge and skills by enhancing the classroom experience and career pathway initiatives while participating in work-based learning and developing college and career-ready skills.
FCCLA offers over 30 STAR Events. These events represent college and career readiness skills taught in Family and Consumer Sciences classrooms. Members compete at the District, State and National level. This year, Pedro Sanchez was among over 4,500 STAR Event participants who competed in Anaheim, California. Pedro competed in the Focus on Children STAR Event. His project focused on promoting creativity in today’s youth for a better tomorrow. Pedro received a bronze medal in the event. Mirella Hernandez and Isabel Hernandez competed in the Entrepreneurship STAR Event. Their project consisted of creating and presenting a business plan for establishing a company called “Books N’ Pie.” Mirella and Isabel received silver medals in their event.
The University of Arkansas Archaeological Survey Team and the Arkansas Archaeological Society came to UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus in Sevier County during the month of June. They came to UA Cossatot to use the college as a work station, while they conducted archaeology research in two locations in Sevier County. Both groups have now left and have taken the newly discovered artifacts to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
The archaeologists and volunteers who worked on this assignment chose to come to Sevier County this summer to conduct research at these sites. These locations were gathering places for the Caddo Indians that lived in this region. In 1985, artifacts from these Native Americans were discovered and found at these burial mounds in Lockesburg and De Queen.
The artifacts were taken to Fayetteville, where they have remained for over three decades. The Archaeology Survey Team and Society brought these artifacts back to Sevier County and displayed them at the college for the public to view. Events were held at UA Cossatot to give community members the chance to see findings that were discovered in their community.
Over seventy people participated in this summer research project, and more additional artifacts were discovered. The group members for this project spent two weeks studying the site locations, as well as the old and new findings. They hope these artifacts will help them to complete the puzzle of the ancient Caddo tribes and how they survived while they were living in Southwest Arkansas.
The college provided the archaeological groups a place to set up and prepare. They also hosted a cookout for the visitors at one of the site locations.
On Friday, June 21, at 6:30 P.M. University of Arkansas Station Archaeologist, Dr. Carl Drexler held an evening presentation at UA Cossatot about what they discovered and learned during their time in Sevier County. At the end of the evening talk, door prizes were given out.
The artifacts from the eighties and the recently discovered artifacts mostly include pottery. These materials were boxed up and sent back to Fayetteville, where more research will be conducted for educational purposes
The University of Arkansas Cossatot pinned thirty-one new Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in a pinning ceremony on Friday, June 21, 2019, at 6:00 P.M. at the UA Cossatot Bank of Lockesburg Gymnasium.
Thirteen students graduate from the eleven-month daytime LPN program in De Queen, and eighteen students graduate from the eighteen-month evening program in Nashville.
Photo: from left to right starting at the bottom left (first row): Leidy Aparicio, Stromie Garza, Autumn Jester, Brenda Alvarez, Veronica Castro, Cheyenne Ballard, Lauren King, Ana Martinez, Jennifer Howard, and Sandybel Aparicio; (second row): Nina Wynn, Taylor Whittington, Jessica Gonzalez, and Ashley Smallwood; (third row): Shernesia Broughton, Ashley Stuart, Leslie Guriterez-Cuella, and Brittany Gray; (fourth row): Kaylynn Brasel, Shandra Hamner, Jenna Howard, Shaglista Ware, Stephanie Zavala, Ashley Hill, Cheyenne Ballard, Brooklyn Arthur, Megan Carter, and Leverise Evans. Not pictured is Adriana Figueroa.and Selena Leon.
UA Cossatot LPN graduates include: Leidy Ariana Aparicio of De Queen, Sandybel Aparicio of De Queen, Cheyenne Ballard of Lockesburg, KayLynn Brasel of Newhope, Leslie Guiterez-Cuella of De Queen, Cheyenne Foster of Ashdown, Jessica Gonzalez of Grannis, Jennifer Howard of Dierks, Autumn Jester of Lockesburg, Ana Karen Martinez of De Queen, Shaglista Ware of Texarkana, Stephanie Zavala of De Queen, Adriana Figueroa of De Queen, Brenda Alvarez of De Queen, Brooklyn Arthur of Dierks, Shernesia Broughton of Ashdown, Megan Carter of De Queen, Leversie Evans of Ashdown, Stormie Dey Garza of De Queen, Brittany Gray of Hope, Shandra Hamner of Dierks, Ashley Hill of De Queen, Jenna Beth Howard of Delight, Lauren King of Lockesburg, Selena Leon of De Queen, Dayanara Ramirez-Mendez of De Queen, Veronica Castro-Ortiz of De Queen, Ashley DeeAnn Smallwood of De Queen, Ashley Stuart of Nashville, Taylor Whittington of De Queen, and Nina Wynn of Nashville.
UA Cossatot RN Clinical Coordinator, Carolin Hockersmith was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. UA Cossatot Medical Education Advisor, Christina Cooper ended the ceremony with encouraging words. After the ceremony the graduates, along with their families and friends, enjoyed cake and punch at the college to celebrate the occasion.
Harold was severely injured June 16, 2018 in a vehicle accident. He had over 50 broken bones and multiple injuries that were life threatening. Harold was flown from the scene of the accident to Little Rock for treatment. Over the past year, by the grace of God, Harold has come a long, long way. He still makes regular trips to doctors in Little Rock. Harold still has bones that are not healed, so at this time surgeries are still pending.
Harold is a lifelong resident of Lockesburg and Alice has lived there most of her life as well. They moved away for a few short years and then returned where their sons, Scott and Mark also graduated from Lockesburg High School. Today, their sons are both successful men who serve the local people. Harold, Alice, Scott, and Mark were all EMT’s at one time. They have always been dedicated to helping others.
SPECIAL NEWS RELEASE
Jean A. Ince
County Extension Agent-
Staff Chair
July 8, 2019
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM INTERVIEWING BUSINESS OWNERS
Create Bridges, a pilot program focusing on rural economic development in Howard, Little River and Sevier Counties (3C’s) has moved into its second phase: interviewing business owners involved in retail, entertainment, accommodations and tourism.
The goal of Create Bridges is to help strengthen the retail, tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors, which provide jobs and business opportunities that frequently boost rural economies. The program is being organized by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Department of Community and Economic Development. It is being coordinated locally through the local Extension Offices.
Earlier this year, Create Bridges held a series of forums in each of the three counties to gather information about community assets in the retail, tourism, entertainment and accommodations industries.
Now organizers hope to build on that foundation through local interviews which are being conducted this week. The interview process will focus on the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of operating a business in rural Arkansas. Although some of the businesses have been identified, other business owners are welcome to reach out and participate.
Results of the confidential interviews will be used to develop regional economic development strategies that will be implemented next year. The interviews focus on workforce, community engagement, customer base, and potential expansion plans.
Create Bridges – which is stands for “Celebrating Retail, Accommodations, Tourism, and Entertainment by Building Rural Innovations and Developing Growth Economies” – has already held community forums and a retail academy for regional leaders. The next steps include an employee engagement survey and an emphasis on identifying opportunities for workforce training for the incumbent workforce.
For more information about Create Bridges and its involvement in our area, contact the Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517.
Zac Dunlap working the crowd at Stand Up For America!
Stand Up For America Fest underway at the Nashville City Park as area band Identity Crisis kicks things off!
Arkansas had one of the most productive, if not most productive, legislative sessions in the country with regard to addressing occupational regulations. Occupational regulations are licensures, certifications, or registrations required for workers in certain occupations. A few examples of licensed occupations include real estate agents, cosmetologists, and veterinarians.
The success during the legislative session is partly due to Arkansas participating in the 15-state learning consortium through the U.S. Department of Labor (supported by the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), National Governors Association for Best Practices (NGA), and The Council of State Governments (CSG)) and further addressing occupational licensure through the Governor’s Red Tape Reduction Working Group.
For the 2019 legislative session, 41 bills were passed into law that were related to occupational licensing, certification, and registration. One of the new laws (Act 250) ensures that an individual does not lose a license due to a defaulted or delinquent student loan. Another law (Act 820) provides automatic licensure for active duty members, veterans and spouses of military members if they were practicing in another state.
Those forty-one acts can be categorized into specific areas of concern that were discussed as part of the Red Tape Reduction Working Group and the related, Occupational Licensing Advisory Group, including:
(1) Removing Barriers to entry and having the least restrictive regulations in place.
(2) Addressing impacted populations; e.g., military spouses/ veterans/ military members, those with criminal records, and immigrants.
(3) Focusing on licensing board composition.
(4) Engaging in reciprocity agreements & multi-state compacts.
(5) Various administrative and organizational improvements.
One of the acts passed was Act 600 which creates annual legislative reviews of occupational authorizations and entities. This will help to ensure that we continue implementing the least restrictive form of authorization while protecting consumers.
In June, the Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee of Legislative Council met to draft rules and begin establishing a timeline of occupations to be reviewed this year. The occupational authorizations and the occupational entities will be divided into six groups. The committee will review one group each year. The subcommittee will meet again September 19. You can review the materials and watch the proceedings at www.arkleg.state.ar.us.
Midnight Hurricanes performing tonight for Let Freedom Ring at the De Queen Sportsplex before the fireworks celebration at 9:30
Jug Hill Annie of Ft Smith, AR performance at Let Freedom Ring at the De Queen Sportsplex
