Fred Wetzel and his partner, Dusty, were guest speakers at De Queen Rotary Club last Monday. Wetzel and Dusty are involved in Canines for Christ, which is an international Christian-based, animal-assisted therapy ministry that shares God’s message of hope, love, and kindness. This ministry was founded by Chaplain Larry Randolph in July 2007. Volunteers and their dogs visit cancer centers, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, special needs facilities, crisis centers and veteran hospitals. For more info, visit www.k9forChrist.org or contact Wetzel 208-830-3002.
Ed 88 thanks the De Queen Bee for sharing this story.
Matthew Patterson Selected as De Queen Rotary’s Student of the Month
Matthew Patterson was selected as Rotary’s February Student of the Month. Among his many activities, Patterson is a member of Interact Club and the quiz bowl team. After graduation, he plans to attend University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and major in education. Due to the influence of his high school teachers, he chose to pursue this career path. Presenting the award is Past Club President Dustin Roberts. Thank you to the De Queen Bee for sharing this story.
Gary Golden appointed to SAU Board of Trustees
MAGNOLIA – Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the appointment of Gary L. Golden of De Queen to the Board of Trustees of Southern Arkansas University.
Golden replaces David Nelson on the board. Golden is vice chair and chief executive officer of First State Bank of De Queen. Golden attended SAU from 1968 to 1970. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the SAU Foundation.
The complete story can be found online at https://www.dequeenbee.com
Gary L. Golden, CEO of First State Bank of De Queen, was sworn in as a new member of the Board of Trustees of Southern Arkansas University on Jan. 29, by District Judge Manya Woods.
Bee photo/Cindy Evans
Sevier County Sheriff Department Report for 2019
By Marty Bachman editor@dequeenbee.com
Feb 9, 2020 Updated Feb 9, 2020
The Sevier County Sheriff’s Department December 2019 report. There were 83 total bookings into the jail. The school resource officer worked six complaints at the high school three at the elementary school, and a total of nine juveniles being charged in juvenile court.
In De Queen deputies put in 794 hours, answered 65 complaints and responded to seven accidents. They made 50 traffic stops, issued 10 citations, 43 warnings and made 11 arrests. There were 13 civil process services and 16 building checks made.
Sheriff personnel spent 49 hours out of the county, 52 hours in court and 46 hours doing paperwork. They drove a total of 21,358 miles, spent 2,201.5 total hours on duty and used 1,424.18 gallons of gas.
We thank De Queen Bee. For more details, check out dequeenbee.com
Truck Driving Training Program Offered This Spring at UA Cossatot
UA Cossatot is offering a Truck Driving Training Program this spring at its Nashville Campus for individuals seeking a career as a professional truck driver. The training program is provided through the college’s Continuing Education department and is available in March, April, and May.
The UA Cossatot Truck Driver Training Program is an intensive one hundred and sixty-hour training program with a proven record of providing quality, in-depth truck driver training that will have students on the road in four fast-paced weeks.
The training program includes a combination of up-to-date classroom, field, and on the road training. The total cost to sign up for the course is $3,695, which includes books needed for the training. Financial assistance may be available for students interested in being in the program.
Classes will take place Monday through Thursday on March 2-26, April 6-30, and May 4-28. The instructor, Phillip Jones, will teach the course from 6:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. each day.
The Truck Driving Training Program at UA Cossatot will be offered three times this spring semester. The deadline days to register for one of the three options is February 24, March 30, and April 27.
Truck drivers, on average, make $39,070 a year in Arkansas. In only four weeks, students in this program at UA Cossatot can expect to be prepared to enter a career where there is a bright job outlook.
The college is also offering a Truck Driver Refresher Program designed to reacquaint individuals who haven’t worked in the trucking industry for a long period of time with the opportunity to get refreshed. In this
program, the student will learn skills to obtain his/her CDL license and re-enter the trucking industry as a professional commercial truck driver.
The course is also available to those who would like to improve on their existing skills, such as backing, shifting, or driving. The course is customizable to each student’s needs and may include classroom, range, and road time.
Persons entering this course must have his/her permit or a valid CDL. The program includes forty hours of training and costs $900, which includes the CDL Skills Test.
To learn more about the Truck Driving Training Program, the Truck Driver Refresher Program, or to enroll in either program, please call UA Cossatot’s Continuing Education department at 870-584-1178
National Weather Service Potential Rainfall for Arkansas for Early Week
The National Weather Service predicts a wet start to the week!
Census 2020 Helps Build Arkansas
Want more money for Roads, Libraries, Schools, Employment, Healthcare, etc? Make sure to #BECOUNTED You can fill out the 10 minute questionnaire by phone, mail, or internet.
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¿Quiere más dinero para carreteras, bibliotecas, escuelas, empleo, atención médica, etc.? Asegúrese de ser contado #BECOUNTED. Puede llenar el cuestionario de 10 minutos por teléfono, correo o por internet.
The 2020 Census is coming! March 12-April 30, 2020. Get involved and help make sure we count EVERYONE living in Sevier County. The 10 minute questionnaire will impact the next 10 years! The 2020 Census is IMPORTANT, SAFE and Easy!
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¡Se acerca el Censo 2020! Del 12 de marzo al 30 de abril de 2020. Participe y ayude a asegurarse de contar a TODOS los que viven en el Condado de Sevier. ¡El cuestionario de 10 minutos tendrá un impacto en los próximos 10 años! ¡El Censo 2020 es IMPORTANTE, SEGURO y Fácil!
Favorite Spots in Sevier County Welcomed on Tourism Facebook Page
What are your favorite local spots to play and have fun? Where/How would you spend this weekend if it were the perfect weather? Maybe there are fun things to do at different times of the year, include those ideas as well. We do not want to miss telling a story about where to have fun in Sevier County! Tag the spot and share your favorite story, include a picture if you would like!
HealthCARE Express Offers Molecular Flu Tests
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease each year. In 2017 in Arkansas, a total of 8,270 people died of heart disease.
February is American Heart Month. Its purpose is to promote the importance of heart health and increase awareness of the risk factors of heart disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of all Americans have at least one of the top three risk factors for heart disease-high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Other conditions and behaviors that affect your risk for heart disease include obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating patterns.
Smoking, the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, is also one of the greatest risk factors for developing heart disease. Smoking damages the heart and blood vessels very quickly, but the damage is repaired quickly for most smokers who quit
In 2019, the General Assembly passed Act 580, which would have phased in an increase in the age a person must be to buy tobacco products like cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and vaping products that contain nicotine. However, a new federal law signed by President Trump supersedes the 2019 state law, and as of December 27, 2019, the nationwide minimum age to buy tobacco products has been raised to 21. With this law now in place at the federal level, we expect to see fewer teens begin smoking or vaping in the first place.
You can choose healthy habits to help prevent heart disease. Arkansans are encouraged to make healthy changes to lower their risk of developing heart disease such as controlling their cholesterol and blood pressure, living an active lifestyle, and eating healthy. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you smoke, know that quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. For free help to quit smoking, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or go to smokefree.gov or cdc.gov/tips.
Home | Smokefree
Preparation is the first step to being smokefree. Boost your chances of success by making a quit plan.
Create Bridges Wants to Hear From You
The CREATE BRIDGES pilot project wants to hear about the experiences of retail, accommodations, tourism or entertainment employees in your community! Retail and hospitality sectors provide jobs and business opportunities that often drive rural economies. University Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is piloting CREATE BRIDGES, a program designed to strengthen these industries in Arkansas. As part of the pilot, CREATE BRIDGES is collecting the opinions and comments of retail, accommodations, tourism, and entertainment employees related to their preparation, training, and benefits in the industry. The following Arkansas counties are included: Howard, Little River, and Sevier. This anonymous survey takes less than 15 minutes: http://bit.ly/CBEmployeeSurvey. Please help us get the word out about this opportunity, as these employees’ feedback will be invaluable to identifying training and policy opportunities to promote the flourishing of these industries. If your business or community is having an event at which we can survey or you are interested in more information, please contact Julianne Dunn at 501-671-2158 or jbdunn@uaex.edu.
Mayor Jeff Brown Delivers State of the City Address
By Marty Bachman editor@dequeenbee.com
Feb 6, 2020 Updated Feb 6, 2020
Ed 88 thanks our media partners at the De Queen Bee for sharing these stories with our followers.
Mayor Jeff Brown Delivers State of the City Address
https://www.dequeenbee.com/…/article_24882b22-48f9-11ea-ba4…
De Queen City Council Approves Police Request to Pursue Grant Opportunity
https://www.dequeenbee.com/…/article_71a2abce-4932-11ea-86e…
Cossatot Fire Department Annual Fish Fry & Auction Saturday, March 28th
Tri-County Regional Library System Board of Trustees Quarterly Meeting Tuesday
The quarterly meeting of the Tri-County Regional Library System Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, February 11th, at 5 p.m. at the Sevier County Library-De Queen Branch. Business to be discussed include: financial issues, board of officer elections and dates for meetings in the state.
Marilyn B. Archer, MLS
Director
Tri-County Regional Library System
Serving 11 Public Libraries in Howard, Little River and Sevier counties in Southwest Arkansas
Sevier County Hospital Board Met Thursday Afternoon
Caitlin Collins at De Queen Lions Club Tuesday
Lion President, Bryan Blackwood, introduced Tuesday’s guest speaker at De Queen Lions. Caitlin Collins is the new head softball coach at De Queen High.
Updated Winter Weather Projection For Arkansas
Heavy Rains Possible in the Early Part of the Week
Here's an update on the severe weather potential for Tuesday afternoon/evening across Arkansas. Heavy rain will also be possible through mid week, with around 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Forecast for the Middle of the Week Calls for Snow
Around half an inch to an inch of snow is forecast for Wednesday into Thursday, with higher amounts near 2 inches possible across the northwest.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
This week, the Department of Finance and Administration announced that effective February 3, 2020, all 134 State Revenue Offices will have the ability to issue a Real ID.
Arkansas is taking part in the federal nationwide initiative to improve the security of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, which will help fight terrorism and reduce identity fraud.
Starting October 1, 2020 anyone who boards a domestic flight or enters a federal building will need a Real ID driver's license, Identification Card or other approved documentation required by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
When we previously reminded constituents of the upcoming deadline, just 25 State Revenue Offices could issue a Real ID. Now, DFA has expanded the capability to all revenue offices to make it more convenient.
The cost to obtain a REAL ID does not differ from the cost to obtain or renew a license or ID. Current Driver Licenses (DL) can upgrade to REAL ID at any time by purchasing a duplicate license. The fee for a duplicate DL is $10.00 and expiration dates remain the same. If within one year of the expiration date, you may renew and convert to the Arkansas Real ID. At regular renewal periods, the REAL ID may be purchased for $40.00 and will not expire for eight (8) years.
Real ID will not replace a U.S. Passport or allow border crossing. A Real ID Driver’s License is optional and only required for individuals who wish to continue using their Driver’s License to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings after October 1, 2020.
Should you have any questions about the Real ID, please contact the Office of Driver Services at 501-682-7059, email questions to driver.services@dfa.arkansas.gov or VISIT www.ar.gov/realid or www.dhs.gov/real-id
REAL ID
The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver's licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act's minimum standards. The purposes covered by the Act are: accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.