Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
By law, Fiscal Sessions can only last 30 days (45 days with a ¾ vote to extend), so members work weeks in advance drafting appropriation measures in order to ensure our sessions are brief.
That preparation begins in budget hearings. Beginning Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the Joint Budget Committee will hold a series of meetings designed to begin the process of outlining a budget for the next fiscal year. The Fiscal Session begins Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at 12:00 noon.
Budget hearings will begin with the Department of Finance and Administration presenting its annual forecast and recommendations for a balanced budget by the Governor.
Over the course of the next several days, the committee will hear budget requests for Higher Education Institutions, Department of Education, the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety, commonly referred to as the “Big 6”.
In the following weeks, members will review budgets for all state boards, commissions, and agencies.
Seven months into this fiscal year, general revenue is now $149.7 million or 4.4% above this time last year. The most recent general revenue report showed net available revenue is above forecast by $94.2 million or 2.7 percent. This report and revenue forecast from economists will help us guide our decision making process in the months ahead.
Although legislation during the Regular Sessions typically attracts more attention, it is important to remember the impact our budget making process has on our day to day lives.
The decisions we will be making show the priorities we make as a state. Appropriations fund everything from classrooms to health care.
Members can begin filing appropriation bills and identical resolutions on Monday, March 9, 2020. As a reminder, the legislature cannot take up any non-appropriation bills during the Fiscal Session unless 2/3 of the body votes in favor of a resolution.
You can watch the meetings live at www.arkansashouse.org.
Ribbon Cutting at Landsdell Clinic in Lockesburg Friday Morning
De Queen / Sevier County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet
Dr Steve Cole, Sevier County Citizen of the Year
Pictured above: Loren Hinton & Callie Miller (Sonny & Cher)
Looking forward to a fantastic year under the leadership of President Callie Miller. And congrats to UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole, who was named Citizen of the Year!
De Queen Man Charged with DWI Drugs after Deputy Finds Weed in Vehicle
De Queen man charged with DWI Drugs after deputy finds weed in vehicle
By Marty Bachman editor@dequeenbee.com
On Monday Feb. 24, Sevier County Sheriff’s Deputy Isaac Alvarado was dispatched to the area of Hwy. 329 and Farm to Market Road in regard to a suspicious vehicle. While en route to the call, Alvarado saw the vehicle on the highway and witnessed it commit traffic violations while following it.
For the complete story, visit:
De Queen man charged with DWI Drugs after deputy finds weed in vehicle
On Monday Feb. 24, Sevier County Sheriff's Deputy Isaac Alvarado was dispatched to the area of Hwy. 329 and Farm to Market Road in regard to a suspicious vehicle. While en route to the call, Alvarado saw the vehicle on the highway and witnessed it commit traffic violations while following it.
De Queen Police Make a Pair of DWI Arrests over the Weekend
De Queen police make a pair of DWI arrests over the weekend
By Marty Bachman editor@dequeenbee.com
De Queen police made a pair of DWI arrests over the weekend. The first incident occurred at around 10 p.m. on Feb. 21, when De Queen Police Ptl. Brady Hanney arrived in the area of Stilwell Ave. where someone had reported that they were following a possible DWI driver in a burgundy 2011 Chevy Silverado that had a long solid red light across and underneath the tailgate. The truck was reported to be crossing the center line and the white line several times.
For the complete story, visit:
De Queen police make a pair of DWI arrests over the weekend
De Queen police made a pair of DWI arrests over the weekend. The first incident occurred at around 10 p.m. on Feb. 21, when De Queen Police Ptl. Brady Hanney arrived in the area of Stilwell Ave.
De Queen Man Picked Up on Warrants, Found to have Alleged Meth Pipe in Boot
De Queen man picked up on warrants, found to have alleged meth pipe in boot
By Marty Bachman editor@dequeenbee.com
On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Sevier County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Chad Dowdle and Deputy Justin Gentry were on patrol on Smith Road east of De Queen when they came upon a green, four-door Pontiac car and noticed that neither the driver nor the passenger were wearing seatbelts. They initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on Smith Road and came into contact with driver Tony Evans of De Queen and the passenger, Donavan Ford, 24, of De Queen.
For the complete story, visit:
De Queen man picked up on warrants, found to have alleged meth pipe in boot
On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Sevier County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Chad Dowdle and Deputy Justin Gentry were on patrol on Smith Road east of De Queen when they came upon a green, four-door Pontiac car and noticed that neither the driver nor the passenger were wearing seatbelts.
Miss UA Cossatot Scholarship Pageant is March 28
De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown Speaker at Lions Club Tuesday
Lion Jeff Holcombe introduced De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown as Tuesday’s speaker at the noon meeting of De Queen Lions Club. Mayor Brown talked about the 2020 Census and some of the city projects (water tower completion, paving of city roads, a pavilion at Redmen Cemetery and Issue 1 on the next ballot) for De Queen.
Police Continue Hunt for Suspects in Attempted Bank Robbery
De Queen police said they are “diligently” working with the help of the Arkansas State Police and the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Department, to resolve the case of two armed men that attempted to rob the Red River Credit Union in De Queen last Thursday.
More on this story can be found at:
Police continue hunt for suspects in attempted bank robbery
De Queen police said they are "diligently" working with the help of the Arkansas State Police and the McCurtain County Sheriff's Department, to resolve the case of two armed men that attempted to rob the Red River Credit Union in De Queen last Thursday.
UA Cossatot 2020 Fiesta Fest to be Held in Downtown De Queen
Fiesta Fest will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2020, on North 3rd Street of the courthouse in Downtown De Queen from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. The festival’s focus is bringing the community together to celebrate all the cultures of Southwest Arkansas while raising scholarship money for UA Cossatot students.
Festivities will include food, vendors, live music, a DJ, folkloric dancing, carnival rides, games, face painting, shopping, a petting zoo, and a mariachi.
The UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors will host the De Kolores 5k run before the festival at 8:00 A.M. in the same location. The entry fee is $20 and t-shirts are guaranteed to pre-registration participants. Registration forms can be found at www.cccua.edu/ff5k. Completed forms can be mailed to Ben Renfrow C/O UA Cossatot 183 College Drive De Queen, AR 71832.
Sponsors and vendors are wanted for Fiesta Fest. Sponsorship and vendor forms can be found online at www.cccua.edu/ff or by contacting Dustin Roberts at droberts@cccua.edu or 870-584-1172.
Irvan of Horatio Establishes Scholarship with UA Cossatot Foundation
Horatio resident, Gayla Irvan, donated to the UA Cossatot Foundation to establish the Alex Scholarship.
The scholarship is to honor the memory of her son, Alex Irvan. The Alex Scholarship is for UA Cossatot students accepted into the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. Eligible applicants will need to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and have a financial need. The scholarship will award one applicant $500 for the academic year.
Irvan said, “I had a disabled child and I wanted to give to a college with an OTA program to help students who could work with people with disabilities and helping with other rehabilitation services.”
The UA Cossatot Foundation exists to create awareness of the need for scholarships while focusing efforts on raising resources to meet the need and furthering UA Cossatot’s institutional development.
UA Cossatot Foundation Director, Dustin Roberts said, “Mrs. Irvan has a big heart and a strong desire to help others succeed. This gift in memory of her son, Alex, is greatly appreciated and will help a deserving OTA student at UA Cossatot.”
For more information on how to support UA Cossatot Foundation, please contact Dustin Roberts at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu
VIDEO - Kyle Willis at Ed 88 About Youth Umpire Meeting at Sportsplex in March
Kyle Willis came by the studio recently to talk about an upcoming meeting for anyone interested in becoming a youth umpire.
VIDEO - Keisha McKinney In Ed 88 Studio Friday
Keisha McKinney of the Sevier County Tourism Committee recently visited our De Queen studio to talk about a statewide award for which the group has been nominated, as well as a survey that local hospitality employers are encouraged to take part in, and the group's new website that is about to launch.
Lake Wind Advisory May Be Extended Through Wednesday
According to the National Weather Service in Shreveport…
...LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM CST MONDAY...
* WHAT...Southwesterly winds this morning will begin to transition
to a westerly/northwesterly wind this afternoon as a cold front
passes through the area. Wind gusts between 20 to 30 mph are
expected through much of the day.
* WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Louisiana,
southeast Oklahoma, south central and southwest Arkansas and
east and northeast Texas.
* WHEN...From 6 AM this morning to 6 PM CST this evening.
* IMPACT...Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create
hazardous conditions for small craft.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Boaters on area lakes should use extra caution since strong winds
and rough waves can overturn small craft.
De Queen Man Facing Felony Drug and Drug Paraphernalia Charges
A De Queen man, Stacy Higgins, 50, is facing charges of felony possession of a controlled substance and felony possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop was made on him by De Queen police. More on this story can be found at:
https://www.dequeenbee.com
De Queen man facing felony drug and drug paraphernalia charges
A De Queen man, Stacy Higgins, 50, is facing charges of felony possession of a controlled substance and felony possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop was made on him by De Queen police. According to a police report, Sgt.
De Queen Man Faces Felony Charge After Being Found with a Dirty Syringe
A De Queen man, Joshua Paul Burcham, 33, is facing felony drug paraphernalia charges after after a De Queen patrolman who knew Burcham had a suspended driver’s license, pulled him over the afternoon of Feb. 17.
More on this story can be found at:
https://www.dequeenbee.com
De Queen man faces felony charge after being found with a dirty syringe
A De Queen man, Joshua Paul Burcham, 33, is facing felony drug paraphernalia charges after after a De Queen patrolman who knew Burcham had a suspended driver's license, pulled him over the afternoon of Feb. 17. De Queen Police Canine Officer Jarrin Platt wrote in his report that he was patrolling on S.
De Queen Man Jailed on DWI Drug Charge After Refusal to take Blood or Urine Test
A De Queen man, Taylor Suttle, 21, was charged with DWI drugs, after police found him slumped over in a vehicle that had come to a stop in a ditch. More on this story can be found at: https://www.dequeenbee.com
De Queen man jailed on DWI drug charge after refusal to take blood or urine test
A De Queen man, Taylor Suttle, 21, was charged with DWI drugs, after police found him slumped over in a vehicle that had come to a stop in a ditch. De Queen Police Ptl. Michael Barnes and Sgt. Wayne Baker were dispatched to Lakeside Dr. near the city swimming pool around 9:50 p.m.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
Early voting for the Arkansas Preferential Primary and Nonpartisan General Election began this week. It will continue up until the date of the election, Tuesday, March 3.
Although many of the headlines focus on the Presidential race, it’s important to remember the other significant elections on your March ballot including legislators and judges.
Non-partisan elections for judicial candidates and prosecutors are held at the same time as Democratic and Republican primaries. If no candidate wins a majority in the non-partisan races, the two candidates with the most votes participate in a runoff. If a runoff is required, it takes place on the same day as the general election for partisan races, and runoff candidates appear on the general election ballot.
Arkansas is one of thirteen states that choose their state supreme court justices in entirely nonpartisan elections and one of eighteen states that select judges through nonpartisan elections at all trial court levels.
The polls are open between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday. Early voting ends at 5:00 pm on the Monday before the election. The polls on Election Day will be open from 7:30 am until 7:30 pm. Once at the polls, you will be asked to show a photo ID issued by either the United States, the State of Arkansas, or an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the State of Arkansas.
In most counties, early voting is conducted at the county clerk’s office. In counties with off-site early voting (a location other than the county clerk’s office), local newspapers will publish the designated sites. You can also find your polling location and a sample ballot at www.voterview.org.
Remember, every vote counts!
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Horatio 11th Graders Check Out UA Cossatot Friday
Horatio 11th graders were on the De Queen campus Friday for “Fall in Love with UA Cossatot”.
