City of De Queen Announcement Concerning Kids' Sports Programs
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: With the growing concerns that the Coronavirus is creating, the City of De Queen has decided to postpone all city sports programs including T-Ball and Soccer for all age groups until further notice. This closure of the fields will include all organizations that use the City's facilities to practice or play at the Sportsplex or Herman Dierks Park. We will keep the public informed as the situation changes.
First Impressions Hospitality Training Postponed
FIRST IMPRESSIONS HOSPITALITY TRAINING HAS BEEN POSTPONED due to concerns and recommendations regarding COVID19. The workshop will be rescheduled with the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and announced as soon as a possible date is available. The De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce appreciates all who registered online and through email, and we will keep you updated on this and other training opportunities as dates become available. Thank you for the willingness to invest your time into making our community a thriving place to work, stay and play!
Managers and front-line workers in the hospitality industry - restaurants, retail shopping and specialty shops, convenience stores, motels, cabin rentals and event venues, attractions, etc. - are encouraged to attend! This training focuses on giving you skills proven to boost your business’s profit. Training is provided by a certified instructor from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, and is all about your business creating the best First Impression. ** Participating businesses will be eligible for the new HOSPITALITY AWARD and recognition at the 2021 Annual Community and Business Awards Banquet! ** De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce
UA Cossatot Currently Not Hosting Public Meetings
UA Cossatot is not hosting public meetings in their facilities until further notice due to the Coronavirus, Therefore, Sevier County Extension has moved the Pesticide Applicator Training to the Farm Bureau Bldg. in De Queen. What: Pesticide Applicator Training When: Thursday, March 19, 202 at 5:30 pm Where: Farm Bureau Bldg. in De Queen
UA Cossatot Scholarship Application Due April 1st
The 2020-2021 UA Cossatot scholarship application is due April 1. The online application can be found here: https://cccua.awardspring.com/
Students are encouraged to finish their application early and then follow up with whomever they have chosen to provide their recommendation letters.
Completing this online scholarship application before April 1 is the best time for students to apply for scholarships for the upcoming academic year and gives them access to all the scholarships we have available.
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Miss UA Cossatot Pageant Cancelled
The Miss UA Cossatot Pageant scheduled for March 28 in Lockesburg has been cancelled due to health concerns.
From the Office of the Chancellor
UA Cossatot is working closely with the University of Arkansas System Office, UAMS, and other entities to ensure our pandemic plan regarding COVID-19 protects our students, employees, and other stakeholders. Our team has met non-stop for the past several weeks to enact measures to address the COVID-19 outbreak. These measures include sharing more information campus-wide regarding prevention, altered course scheduling, restricted campus usage, and campus closures, should that need arise.
We have communicated this link on our UA Cossatot webpage to all students and employees: https://www.cccua.edu/novel-coronavirus
This link includes useful information regarding what UA Cossatot is doing locally and it offers students and employees health and safety information about COVID-19.
UA Cossatot campuses continue to prepare for our college community’s safety as well as possible closure as we have:
Created online versions of all non-technical courses offered at UA Cossatot. We are currently working on all technical courses to ensure students can maintain learning, even while being away from campus. Initiated a policy where, until further notice, we will not be allowing the use of our facilities by outside groups.
Directed our Medical Division to cancel clinical rotations at local health care facilities and teach Medical Department lecture courses via Zoom software. Developed an IT plan that allows personnel VPN access to their workstations. This will allow UA Cossatot to operate from a business standpoint while not being on campus.
Cancelled the second annual UA Cossatot Scholarship Pageant that was to be held on March 28th. We do not have a reschedule date. Encouraged UA Cossatot employees to limit non-essential business travel. While no members of the UA Cossatot community have been diagnosed with COVID-19, UA Cossatot is preparing for the potential of local transmission and we are aligning our efforts with local leaders, The UA System, UAMS, and the Arkansas Department of Health.
These are just a few of the preparations we have made to keep our students and campus community updated and better protected from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Campus leaders are meeting daily to assess this very fluid situation. We will continue to monitor and adjust our efforts, keeping student, public and, employee safety in mind.
Regards,
Dr. Steve Cole Chancellor, UA Cossatot
Cossatot Community College
Information as of: March 16, 2020 At UA Cossatot, health and safety of our campus community are top priorities. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak rapidly evolves in the U.S. and worldwide, UA Cossatot will continue to provide the latest updates and guidance for the campus community in one place online: cccua.edu/coronavirus.
Money for Sheriff's Vehicle is Approved by Sevier County Quorum Court
The Sevier County Quorum Court, at its regular meeting on March 9, postponed further discussion on the use of time clocks by county employees until the budget committee has had more time to meet and discuss it.
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Quorum Court approves money for sheriff's vehicle
The Sevier County Quorum Court, at its regular meeting on March 9, postponed further discussion on the use of time clocks by county employees until the budget committee has had more time to meet and discuss it. The court also revisited talks about providing the Sevier County Sheriff's Department with vehicles to replace two that had fallen victim to accidents earlier this year.
Dr Steve Cole Updates Quorum Court Members about New Hospital
The Sevier County Quorum Court heard an update from Dr. Steve Cole, who chairs the hospital committee that is overseeing the construction of a new hospital north of De Queen, at their regular meeting on March 9 at the courthouse.
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Hospital chair updates quorum court on progress
The Sevier County Quorum Court heard an update from Dr. Steve Cole, who chairs the hospital committee that is overseeing the construction of a new hospital north of De Queen, at their regular meeting on March 9 at the courthouse.
De Queen City Council Meeting on Tuesday
The De Queen City Council held a short meeting on Tuesday, March 3. The meeting opened with an update from water director Darren Higgins, who said that he had been in touch with the company that was performing a water rate study and that he would have a report in the near future. He also told the council that the recently painted water tank was gearing up to be put back online.
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De Queen City Council holds quick meeting
The De Queen City Council held a short meeting on Tuesday, March 3. The meeting opened with an update from water director Darren Higgins, who said that he had been in touch with the company that was performing a water rate study and that he would have a report in the near future.
UA Cossatot Holds Seventh Annual Come Fall in Love Event for High School Juniors
“Come Fall in Love” is an event that takes place at UA Cossatot every February. It is designed for juniors in high school to fall in love with UA Cossatot. Approximately 500 high school students visited the college to learn about careers, educational opportunities, and how they can achieve their goals by enrolling at UA Cossatot.
This past month, UA Cossatot hosted seven “Come Fall in Love” events to seven local area high schools. The high schools that brought their students to the college included; Foreman, Kirby, Ashdown, Nashville, Dierks, Horatio, and De Queen.
Upon arrival, the students were greeted and welcomed by UA Cossatot staff. Throughout the day, several sessions took place concerning career readiness, financial planning, and testimonies from alumni. The college also designated time for students to learn about programs offered at UA Cossatot, student organizations at the college, and services the college’s Educational Resource Center provides.
Students were able to sit in on college classes, play games, receive program information, and take pictures. The college also provided the students with a free lunch before they returned to their high school.
UA Cossatot Director of Student Services, Suzanne Ward, said, “Providing the basic information regarding college prior to the senior year is crucial. The more students know about career goals, academic programs, college life, and financial planning for college, the better decisions they can make about their future.”
For more information about UA Cossatot, please contact Student Services at 870-584-4471. To learn about college opportunities offered at UA Cossatot while in high school, please contact the Director of High School Programs, Julie Rhodes, at 870-584-1343.
Edge Vote for Growth at Lions Club Meeting Tuesday
Lion Teri Hart introduced today’s guest speakers at De Queen Lions Club. Monica Pearce, Kathy Tallant, and Mary Dooley were speaking for Edge Vote for Growth, made up of 35 local business owners, to build community development in Sevier County. Edge has a petition to place on the ballot in November the vote for or against the sale of alcohol in Sevier County. Edge wants to to let the people and businesses decide. Edge is for keeping the tax dollars that are going to neighboring counties and states to stay right here in Sevier County. If you are interested in signing the petition, they are available in area businesses
International Women's Day was March 8th
International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women throughout the world. UA Cossatot celebrated across all three campuses on Monday, March 09, 2020 bringing awareness to all students, faculty and staff of the college by wearing a pink or purple shirt. Thank you to all who participated!
Sporting Clay Tournament in Texarkana March 28th
Hunter’s Education Class at UA Cossatot De Queen on Saturday, March 28th
A one day Hunters Ed class will be held on Saturday, March 28, at the Adam’s Building on UA Cossatot Campus in De Queen from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. You will need to bring a sack lunch and you must attend all day in order to test.
Anyone born after 1968 must complete a hunter’s education course and carry a valid hunter’s education card to hunt in Arkansas. Children under 16 may hunt without the class as long as they are under the direct supervision of an adult who is 21 years old or older. There is no specific age requirement to enroll in hunter’s education however, the educational material is based on a sixth-grade reading level. Arkansas recognizes hunter’s education cards from other states. Arkansas’s hunter’s education program is recognized in all states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. You must sign up by going to: https://register-ed.com/events/view/159688. There is a limit of 20 participants so you may want to sign up early. If you have any questions, please call Kim Frachiseur at the Sevier County Extension Office at 870-584-3013.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
With spring just around the corner, it's important to remember that state and federal income tax forms are due soon. Both state and federal income tax forms must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2020, to avoid penalties and late fees.
The legislature prioritized and passed several changes to its tax laws during the 92nd General Assembly, which means that your income tax rate may have changed from last year.
The passage of ACT 182 during the 2019 legislative session, for example, reduces the top income tax rate in our state from 6.9% to 6.6%. The income tax rate will lower again in 2021 to 5.9%. This rate reduction took effect on January 1, 2020, for individuals and will be phased in for corporations by 2021. This is in addition to previous tax cuts passed in recent years impacting every income group.
Because of these reduced tax rates, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration announced to employers that the income tax withholding tables will change. As a result, you may see an increase in the amount of your paycheck starting this month.
This increase will be offset in the future by lower tax refunds. As tax refunds issued now relate to tax year 2019 they are not affected by the withholding changes. The upcoming withholding changes will not impact annual refunds until calendar year 2021.
Many Arkansans can utilize the IRS’s Free File program. This web-based program is a free federal tax preparation and electronic filing program for the approximately 70% of taxpayers who earn less than $60,000 in annual adjusted gross income. Eligible consumers can go to IRS.gov and choose from multiple private companies that will file federal returns at no charge.
If you cannot afford to pay for tax preparation assistance, you may also be eligible to receive free help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Consumers can call (800) 829-1040 for information about VITA volunteer locations near them. Additionally, seniors can contact AARP at (888) 227-7669 to find the nearest TCE Tax-Aide site.
Internal Revenue Service | An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States Government
4-H Outdoor County O’Rama
Sevier County 4-H held their annual Outdoor County 4-H O’Rama February 17. The competitive events included gun safety and BB gun marksmanship, reel into sports fishing, and bicycle. The winners of these events will be eligible to compete at the District 4-H O’Rama that’s held in June. Even though it was a wet day, 32 4-H’ers showed up to compete. Winners from each competition are as follows:
Gun Safety and BB Gun – Juniors: 1st – Landon Frachieur, 2nd – Darrbey Courtwright, 3rd – Jake Sawyer & Kyle Williamson, 4th - Charlie Collins, and 5th - Sy Collins. Seniors: 1st – Hunter Frachiseur, 2nd – Amber Morris, 3rd – Blake Sawyer, 4th - Brayden Frachiseur, and 5th - Ethan Wolcott.
Reel into Sports Fishing – Juniors: 1st – Landon Frachiseur, 2nd – Pace Frachiseur, and 3rd – Raegan Frachiseur, 4th - Kolton Dockins, and 5th - Max Rosson. Seniors: 1st – Marcus Rosson, 2nd - Brayden Frachiseur, 3rd - Hunter Frachiseur, 4th - Ethan Wolcott, and 5th - Madison Bagley
Bicycle – Juniors: 1st – James Bartek, 2nd – Jake Sawyer, and 3rd – Evan Wolcott, 4th- Matthew Maben, and 5th - Libbie Bartek. Senior: 1st - Dori Bartek, 2nd - Blake Sawyer.
For more information on 4-H, contact Sevier County Extension Service at (870) 584-3013.
Pictured: Brayden Frachiseur takes the sports fishing test where he ID’s the parts of fish and different types of fish during the 4-H Outdoor O’Rama held on February 17.
VIDEO - Sevier County Hospital Board Met Thursday Afternoon March 5th
Valentin Hernandez Won 2nd place at the Mena Art Show
De Queen Middle School sixth grader, Valentin Hernandez, recently won 2nd place at the Mena Art Show.
Horatio FFA Auction and Chili Supper March 19th
$7 Entry-All you can eat chili with all of the fixings
Come out and support our FFA students at the annual auction & chili Supper! Student-made items such as: Hay Rings, Benches, Swings, Metal Art, Deer Stand, Tables, Custom Furniture, Entertainment Center, Pies, Hog Trap, (20) 8-hour labor lots & loads of other items will be up for bidding starting at 7pm.