Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media from Searcy on Friday, September 4, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Agriculture Education Agreement Takes Place with UA Cossatot and UA Fayetteville
On Thursday, August 27, 2020, an articulation agreement was signed, creating a pathway for UA Cossatot students to transfer to University of Arkansas Fayetteville with an Associate of Science degree in Agriculture Education. Students interested in this field of study can now earn their associate's degree at UA Cossatot and then take their 60 credit hours to Fayetteville, where they can quickly transfer into a related agriculture program to obtain their bachelor's degree.
At UA Cossatot, agriculture students can take required general education courses and classes such as Agriculture Economics, Intro to Animal Science, and Principles of Horticulture to prepare them for their junior and senior-level coursework at University of Arkansas Fayetteville.
Students can take advantage of UA Cossatot's low tuition rate, which is $74 per credit hour, and then receive that same tuition rate after transferring. The exact tuition rate will be granted to students who live on campus at Fayetteville and those who obtain their Associate of Science degree in Agriculture Education from UA Cossatot. This opportunity is possible, due to the collaboration of universities and community colleges in Arkansas.
This educational pathway can lead to an Associate of Science degree in Agriculture Education and then a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences. It can also lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education, Communication, or Technology. This partnership will provide greater access
and preparation for careers in agricultural education in Arkansas, the region, and the nation to those qualified students who complete the 2+2 course curriculum.
For more information about this articulation agreement or to learn more about UA Cossatot's agriculture programs, please contact UA Cossatot Division Chair of Professional Studies, Barbara Lacefield, at blacefield@cccua.edu or 870-584-1217.###
Arkansas Revenue So Far In Fiscal Year Up 26% Compared To Same Time Last Year
As measured by double-digit gains in sales tax revenue in the state’s August report, Arkansans continued to spend through the summer despite COVID-19 worries, with gross revenue up almost 30% to $1.331 billion during the first two months (July-August 2020) of the fiscal year.
The gross general revenue was up 29.4% compared to the same period in 2019, and up 11.2% above the budget forecast, according to Wednesday’s report from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Arkansas Revenue So Far In Fiscal Year Up 26% Compared To Same Time Last Year
As measured by double-digit gains in sales tax revenue in the state's August report, Arkansans continued to spend through the summer despite COVID-19 worries, with gross revenue up almost 30% to $1.331 billion during the first two months (July-August 2020) of the fiscal year.
UA School of Journalism to Run COVID-19 Website
The University of Arkansas School of Journalism is taking over the maintenance of www.ArkansasCOVID.com this month. The project, which also includes a Twitter account with more than 12,000 followers, analyzes statewide, COVID-19 data. Springdale resident and small business owner Misty Orpin launched the initiative in April as a way to better understand how the pandemic was affecting her community.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/ua-school-journalism-run-covid-19-website
UA School of Journalism to Run COVID-19 Website
The University of Arkansas School of Journalism is taking over the maintenance of www.ArkansasCOVID.com this month. The project, which also includes a Twitter account with more than 12,000 followers, analyzes statewide, COVID-19 data. Springdale resident and small business owner Misty Orpin launched the initiative in April as a way to better understand how the pandemic was affecting her community.
Thursday's COVID-19 Numbers
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,159
Active Positive: 22
Recovered: 1,125
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,565
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 425
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 388
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,157
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 284
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 253
Deaths: 15
Negatives: 1,448
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 225
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 207
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,113
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 177
Active Positive: 10
Recovered: 166
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,743
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Thursday (09.03.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Thursday, September 3, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Free Meals for Arkansas Students
UA Cossatot YouthBuild Students Complete Mental Toughness Training
(from left to right) Hattie Vance, Timothy Stubbs, Jonathon Harrington, Raymond Perez, Coby Butler, and Sherriff Robert Gentry
Jayden Pope is one of the students who was unavailable for the group picture
UA Cossatot Hosts Colts 2020 Benefit Golf Tournament August 29
(Left to Right) 1st row: Ashley Starks, Ra'naiya Kennedy, A'nayzia Jefferson, Mikayla Scott, Kyaira Jackson, Maya Hallman, Ashley Aguilar, and Kailynne Chaney
(Left to Right) Dustin Bissell, Jeff Brown, Cory Mc Mellon, Stephen Sprick, Jon Bunyard, and Seth Tollett
UA Cossatot Cornhole Tournament Winners – Chris Richards and Stephen Miller
Cooperative Extension Service Offers Free Virtual Estate Planning Workshops
Cooperative Extension Service offers free virtual estate planning workshops
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
· Free estate planning workshop series: Sept. 10, 17, 24
· Covers estate planning, wills and trusts, asset protection, power of attorney · Register at https://bit.ly/UAEXEstatePlanning
UAEX Multi-County Virtual Estate Planning Sign Up Form
The University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service in Conway, Johnson, Faulkner, Pope, and Yell counties are preparing a workshop on estate planning to be held in three sessions lasting one hour each on September 10, 17, and 24.
LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service will offer a virtual three-part workshop series covering the basics of trusts, transfer of property, wills and other estate planning tools.
Three one-hour online sessions will be held 2-3 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays, beginning Sept. 10. Topics will include:
• Sept. 10 — Estate planning basics and legal language
• Sept. 17 — Financial inventory and asset protection, advance directive and power of attorney
• Sept. 25 — Wills and trusts
Extension offices in Conway, Johnson, Faulkner, Pope and Yell counties are jointly hosting the workshop, which is free and open to all Arkansans. Register online at https://bit.ly/UAEXEstatePlanning.
For more information, contact Pope County Family & Consumer Science Agent Pamela Luker at 479-968-7098, or email pluker@uaex.edu.
To learn about other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Announcement for 6th-12th Grade Virtual Students at De Queen Schools
Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,159
Active Positive: 22
Recovered: 1,125
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,565
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 425
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 388
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,157
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 284
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 253
Deaths: 15
Negatives: 1,448
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 225
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 207
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,113
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 177
Active Positive: 10
Recovered: 166
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,743
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Wednesday (09.02.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response. Click on play button above.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Tuesday (09.01.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Flash Flood Watch in Effect for the Area
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...
The Flash Flood Watch continues for
* Portions of southwest Arkansas...southeast Oklahoma and northeast
Texas, including the following areas, in southwest Arkansas,
Hempstead, Howard, Little River, Nevada and Sevier. In southeast
Oklahoma, McCurtain. In northeast Texas, Red River.
* Through Wednesday evening
* Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated higher amounts
possible through Wednesday evening. The Watch area remains
saturated from the heavy rainfall that has fallen over the last
week. This additional heavy rainfall late tonight through
Wednesday evening will likely result in flash flooding.
* Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas. Heavy
rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should
Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
Now that in-person instruction has resumed in Arkansas schools, it is more important than ever to have an adequate level of COVID-19 testing.Without extensive testing, health experts cannot determine the level of community spread or give a reliable forecast.
This week, Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero urged Arkansans not to fall into the trap of testing fatigue. If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath OR if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 call ahead to your health care provider provider or schedule a test at an Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Local Health Unit. ADH continues to recommend testing for people who have been exposed even if that individual does not have symptoms.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance on that issue, it made exceptions for high-risk individuals and those in areas where local and state health officials feel it necessary to do so. Dr. Romero stressed this week that ADH feels it is important to test anyone who has been exposed regardless of symptoms. ADH also recommends testing if you have traveled out of state. Testing is available. Public health labs can also provide quick turn-around. Dr. Romero said they could deliver results in 48 hours. The state’s goal for August is to conduct 190,000 tests. That is close to 6% of the state’s population. As of Friday, the state was close to reaching that goal, with more than 160,000 tests conducted so far. While the health department may take your insurance information if you do not have a way to pay for the test, it is free of cost. Whether you have insurance or not, local health units will administer a test.
Here is a link to find your nearest health unit on our website www.arkansashouse.org.
VIDEO: Greg Ray and Callie Miller at Ed 88 Studios Monday
Sevier County Judge Greg Ray and Callie Miller of the De Queen / Sevier County Chamber of Commerce were in our studios this morning talking about high lake levels and the cancellation of the 2020 Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival.
Tuesday's COVID-19 Case Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,157
Active Positive: 30
Recovered: 1,115
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,559
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 425
Active Positive: 35
Recovered: 385
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,145
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 281
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 250
Deaths: 14
Negatives: 1,446
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 224
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 205
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,109
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 176
Active Positive: 12
Recovered: 163
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,737
Monday's Updated COVID-19 Case Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,157
Active Positive: 40
Recovered: 1,105
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,518
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 423
Active Positive: 35
Recovered: 383
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,132
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 278
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 247
Deaths: 14
Negatives: 1,437
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 224
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 195
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,068
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 174
Active Positive: 14
Recovered: 159
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,723
Local American Legion Post Needing Help With Names on Graves of Soldiers in Sevier County
Members of American Legion Post 54 came by our De Queen studio on Thursday to talk about the search for a number of veterans' graves in Sevier County as well as other issues of interest to our veterans.