This week on "What's Up Doc", Dr. Randy talks about the differences in the various weight loss procedures and the associated risks.
Wednesday COVID-19 SW Arkansas Active Cases and Vaccinations Update from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 11
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 6
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 7
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 3
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee reviewed a presentation regarding Arkansas’ inland waterways.
This year marks 50 years of service from the McClellan‐Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The system serves a 12 state region and provides a cost-effective form of transportation to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and surrounding states.
The anniversary reminds us of the importance of our waterways and our duty to ensure this infrastructure is well maintained. Arkansas’s inland waterways system is vital to our economic growth. The inland waterways efficiently, sustainably, and cost-effectively transport critical commodities like agricultural goods, energy products, building materials, and industrial chemicals.
Arkansas has over 1,860 miles of navigable inland waterways, ranking it third in the nation. Arkansas’ inland waterway assets include the Mississippi, Arkansas, Ouachita, Red, and White Rivers. The waterways account for $4.4 billion in gross state product and contribute more than $270 million in state and local tax revenue. The Mississippi River is the main trade corridor for goods produced in the northern part of the U.S. traveling to gateway ports near the Gulf of Mexico. As trade between the U.S. and Latin America grows, the importance of Arkansas waterways and the strategic location of the state will enhance manufacturing and distribution opportunities.
There are 11 public ports in the state. Arkansas’ ports, inland waterways, and inland waterways-dependent industries support more than 50,000 jobs.
The waterways can often be the most economical choice for transportation. One standard 15-barge tow moves the equivalent of 216 rail cars or 1,050 trucks. Waterborne transportation requires significantly less fuel than rail or trucks.
The Arkansas Waterways Commission is the sole state agency responsible for developing, promoting, and protecting waterborne transportation in Arkansas.
You can find more information about our waterways system on their website at www.waterways.arkansas.gov.
Monday's SW Arkansas COVID-19 Active Case Numbers and Vaccines
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 12
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 11
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 6
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 4
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 0
Sevier County Home to Arkansas’ Longest Duration of 2024 Eclipse
DEQUEEN, AR | On April 8 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America. The passage marks a significant opportunity for Arkansas and, more specifically, Sevier County.
Located along the centerline of the path of totality, several towns in Sevier County will have the longest duration of full totality in the state of Arkansas. National eclipse experts define totality as the moon being close enough to the earth in its orbit to cover the Sun’s visual surface as they pass.
For some, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it holds incredible tourism and business opportunities for the local community. “We would be doing Sevier County a disservice if we let this opportunity pass without doing something,” stated Christy McCullough, Executive Director of the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce.
County leadership and an initial Eclipse Planning Team met recently to establish a few core ideas and action steps to plan an educational series and festivals and events leading up to the April 2024 eclipse.
The community is encouraged to educate themselves on future opportunities, follow the Sevier County-AR Eclipse Community Events page on Facebook and share this news and information with friends and visitors who might be interested in visiting our community for this historic event.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to invite and include visitors in our local community,” shared De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown. “We want to be creative and are beginning to plan for this to be a fun place for people as they experience the best place in Arkansas to view the Eclipse.”
Community members interested in helping plan events for the Eclipse or who want to learn more about what is coming are encouraged to visit www.visitsevierar.com/eclipse.
Tamla Heminger Recognized as UA Cossatot's Teacher of the Year
Thursday COVID-19 Active Cases Update from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Confirmed Cases: 6
Active Probable Cases: 4
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 1
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 0
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 6
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 8
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 4
SW Arkansas Crisis & Resource Center Smoked Chicken Dinner Fundraiser Friday
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
This week, we would like to remind families of an upcoming scholarship deadline. July 1 is the deadline to apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.
The scholarship provides tuition assistance to traditional and non-traditional students attending universities and two-year colleges – both public and private – in the state.
Freshman students at four-year colleges receive $1,000 from the scholarship. Second- and third-year students receive $4,000, and senior-level students are awarded $5,000 per year.
At two-year colleges, first-year students receive $1,000 annually, while second-year students are awarded $3,000. To maintain eligibility, students must keep a 2.5-grade point average.
Traditional students must score at least 19 on the ACT to qualify for the scholarship. The latest ACT score accepted by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education will be from the June testing. Students who have yet to achieve a score of 19 make take the Accuplacer test as a substitute.
Since its inception in 2009, the Arkansas lottery has helped raise more than $1 billion in scholarship proceeds and awarded more than 650,000 Academic Challenge Scholarships to students.
The lottery also funds the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship and the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarships.
Students seeking certification for high-demand occupations in healthcare information technology and industrial manufacturing may apply for the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship.
And funding is available for high school students who wish to start early on receiving credit for college courses through the Arkansas Concurrent Academic Challenge Scholarship.
Every bit of education you get after high school increases the chances you'll earn good pay. Most college graduates earn more money during their working years than people who stop their education at high school earn. The more education you get, the more likely it is you will always have a job.
For more information and to apply, visit scholarships.adhe.edu.
VIDEO: Construction Site Progress of New Sevier County Medical Center
Progress continues at the construction site of the new Sevier County Medical Center.
Flag Day 2021 Flag Retirement Ceremony
Flag Day 2021, and American Legion Post 54 is conducting their annual flag retirement ceremony.
VIDEO: Tri-Lakes Bass Tournament in SW Arkansas Postponed to July 17
On this week's Sevier County Chamber chat, president Callie Miller tells us the Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival has been re-scheduled because of high waters for Saturday, July 17, and announces this Thursday's Chamber Board meeting will take place at UA Cossatot.
Tuesday's COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the AR Dept of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 14
Active Confirmed Cases: 9
Active Probable Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 6
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 2
VIDEO: "What's Up Doc?" with Dr Randy Walker About Blood Clots
This week on "What's Up Doc?", Dr. Randy discusses the rare incidence of blood clots in the brain, COVID-19 vaccinations, and why long drives in the car can lead to blood clot formation (and bladder discomfort).
Sunday COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 17
Active Confirmed Cases: 11
Active Probable Cases: 6
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 1
Renovations Continue at UA Cossatot Lockesburg Campus
UA Cossatot Partners With Pilgrim's Pride for the Better Futures Program
UA Cossatot announces its new partnership with Pilgrim’s Pride for its students and future students.
In May, Chancellor of UA Cossatot, Dr. Steve Cole signed an agreement with Pilgrim’s Pride in De Queen to be part of the local Better Futures program.
With this local program, any Pilgrim’s Pride employee and their dependents may attend UA Cossatot tuition-free for any field of study they choose.
According to Chancellor Cole, “It's a tremendous day for education in our region as this will open doors for hundreds, if not thousands, of Pilgrim's Pride employees and their family members. UA Cossatot is proud to partner with Pilgrim's Pride on this endeavor as it will be a game changer for many families and our economy as a whole."
This program will begin in fall 2021 and UA Cossatot will be working with Pilgrim’s Pride to establish a seamless recruitment and enrollment process. More information on the Better Futures program can be found at https://betterfutures.jbssa.com/.
VIDEO: De Queen City Pool - Joslynn Frachiseur
Joslynn Frachiseur of De Queen Parks and Rec was our in-studio guest this morning and talked about the popularity of the De Queen City Pool, public swim hours, pool party reservation info, and the upcoming Freedom Fest on July 3rd. To find out more about Parks and Rec activities, call the park office at (870) 642-4140.
VIDEO: Mural Girl - Darlene Taylor in SW Arkansas
VIDEOS: Flood Warning Extended Through the Weekend for Little River
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following river in
Oklahoma...Arkansas...
Little River At Horatio affecting McCurtain, Sevier, Little River
and Howard Counties.
...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following river in
Oklahoma...Arkansas...
Little River Near Idabel affecting McCurtain, Sevier and Little
River Counties.
ARC061-081-133-OKC089-121415-
/O.EXT.KSHV.FL.W.0126.000000T0000Z-210613T0532Z/
/HRGA4.3.ER.210608T2102Z.210610T1945Z.210612T1132Z.NO/
904 AM CDT Fri Jun 11 2021
...The Flood Warning is now in effect until early Sunday morning...
The Flood Warning continues for
the Little River At Horatio.
* Until late Saturday night.
* At 8:00 AM CDT Friday the stage was 30.4 feet.
* Flood stage is 27 feet.
* Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast.
* Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending
at 8:00 AM CDT Friday was 30.9 feet.
* Forecast...The Little River at Horatio is expected to fall below
flood stage Saturday morning and continue falling to 16.7 feet
Wednesday morning.
* Impact...Flooding to diminish and end through Saturday.