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UA Cossatot Partners with Ashdown High School to Provide Nursing Assistant Training 

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(Pictured L-R): Zebbie Launius, Sharon Shelton, Holly Jones, Angel Hamilton, Deniyah Hemphill, Ariyonna Trotter, Alicia Hale, Madison Johnson, Taneka Hamilton, and Destinee Robinson, (not pictured: Jasmine Richard)

(Pictured L-R): Zebbie Launius, Sharon Shelton, Holly Jones, Angel Hamilton, Deniyah Hemphill, Ariyonna Trotter, Alicia Hale, Madison Johnson, Taneka Hamilton, and Destinee Robinson, (not pictured: Jasmine Richard)

For the first time during the 2018-2019 academic school year, UA Cossatot offered a nursing assistant training program to Ashdown High School seniors. A pinning ceremony took place at Ashdown High School on Thursday, May 16, 2019, where nine Ashdown students received a training certificate and a pin for completing the training program. 

The college's Continuing Education department and Ashdown High School partnered together to offer Ashdown High School seniors the chance to receive nursing assistant training in high school, to prepare for the certified nursing assistant training exam after graduation. After passing this exam, these students can earn a license to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Students who participated in the training program received one hundred hours of training, with sixteen hours being in a clinical setting at Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Ashdown. 

The ceremony began at 6:00 PM with a welcome by Ashdown High School Superintendent, Casey Nichols. UA Cossatot's Director of Public Services and Workforce Development, Tammy Coleman gave an overview of the program and also recognized individuals who made this partnership and program possible. The students were then presented with certificates by their instructor Sharon Shelton and then received a pin from UA Cossatot's Continuing Education Coordinator, Zebbie Launius. 

The nine students who completed the nursing assistant training program included Alicia Hale, Angel Hamilton, Ta'Neka Hamilton, Deniyah Hemphill, Madison Johnson, Holly Jones, Jasmine Richard, Destinee Robinson, and Ariyonna Trotter. 

Ashdown High School is the first high school to partner with UA Cossatot to offer a nursing assistant training program to high school seniors. The college does plan to partner with other area high schools in the future to provide this opportunity to more seniors in high school. 

Job prospects for Certified Nursing Assistants are bright. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for Certified Nursing Assistants will rise at a rate of eleven percent through 2026, which is much faster than the average job growth. As the population ages, demand for round-the-clock nursing services will continue to be needed. 

To learn more about nursing assistant training programs through UA Cossatot, please speak with someone in Continuing Education at UA Cossatot at 870-584-4471.


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UA Cossatot Announces Record-Breaking Graduates for Spring 2019

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UA Cossatot broke a record at its spring graduation ceremony in Lockesburg on May 11, 2019. The Office of the Registrar at UA Cossatot announces that the college’s spring 2019 semester hit its highest record of graduates and awards in the college’s history.

This spring semester, UA Cossatot had 241 students graduate with 332 awards. These awards include associate degrees, technical certificates, and certificates of proficiency. UA Cossatot’s 2018-2019 school year has also seen more graduates across an academic school year than ever before. The academic school year will end in August and as of June 2019, the total number of credentials awarded to graduates stands at 724.

UA Cossatot’s Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole said, “We are proud to have the third highest graduation rate in Arkansas, but for us to increase our number of credentials awarded by 58% in just four years, that is just great students coupled with great employees all working towards one goal. In Governor Hutchinson’s Closing the Gap Educational Plan, it mentions wanting to increase credentials by 40% by the year 2020. We certainly wanted to do our part…and we did, and then some. These record numbers also mean that when students come to UA Cossatot, they are more likely to graduate on time, and with one or more certificates or certifications.”

UA Cossatot offers many certificates and degrees to help people achieve their educational goals and find employment. Associate-level degrees offered at UA Cossatot involve two years of study (60-65 credit hours) and are intended to provide graduates the ability to go straight to work in their chosen field or prepare students for junior and senior level courses at a four-year institution. Technical certificates and certificates of proficiency also prepare students for careers. Technical certificates generally take less than two years to complete, and certificates of proficiency take one to two semesters and assist students in acquiring or improving work based skills. 

Since August of 2018, 167 students have graduated with an Associate’s degree, 269 students have graduated with a technical certificate, and 288 students have graduated with a certificate of proficiency. The college has also awarded 4,458 certificates and degrees to UA Cossatot students over the past ten years.

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LifeShare Blood Drive in Center Point on June 13th

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The Moonlighters EHC will sponsor a LifeShare blood drive on Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Center Point Community Center. All donors are asked to bring their donor card or other identification. For more information, call Karen Sief…

The Moonlighters EHC will sponsor a LifeShare blood drive on Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Center Point Community Center. All donors are asked to bring their donor card or other identification. For more information, call Karen Siefert at 903-794-3173 or Cindy Harding at 870-451-3179. A drawing will be held at the end of the blood drive....one donor will receive a certificate for two free burgers, fries and drinks compliments of the Center Point Store.



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Arkansas Tourism Open for Business and Ready to Help Make Memories 

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Check out the SW AR Tourism Attractions Page here on the Ed 88 Website. Southwest Arkansas has a lot to offer!

Check out the SW AR Tourism Attractions Page here on the Ed 88 Website. Southwest Arkansas has a lot to offer!

LITTLE ROCK, AR (June 5, 2019) – Summertime is fun time in Arkansas, and our state is open for business and waiting to welcome you to The Natural State. 
From our majestic mountains to our sparkling blue recreational waters, Arkansas is ready to help families make new vacation memories. 
“The flooding in our state has been challenging for those impacted,” said Jim Shamburger, chairman of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. “However, it is isolated and confined to areas along the Arkansas River. The rest of the state is in great shape and our interstate system, including Interstates 30 and 40, are clear for travel.” 
Only Pinnacle Mountain State Park in central Arkansas is currently closed. 
Arkansas public and private lodging accommodations, federal recreation areas, and outdoor sporting venues are open and ready for your business. 
“No matter the activity – water sports, fishing, biking or road trips – our tourism industry is ready to make this a summer to remember with the outstanding hospitality for which Arkansas is known,” Shamburger said.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Arkansas with an annual economic impact of approximately $7.5 billion and employing more than 116,000 Arkansans. 
For more information, go to Arkansas.com andArkansasStateParks.com.


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Arkansas Archeological Society Schedule in SW AR

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Preparation for the Arkansas Archeological Survey Team and the Arkansas Archeological Society Summer Program has been underway since last March. Well, June is finally here and our guests will begin arriving this afternoon! Their presence will be fel…

Preparation for the Arkansas Archeological Survey Team and the Arkansas Archeological Society Summer Program has been underway since last March. Well, June is finally here and our guests will begin arriving this afternoon! Their presence will be felt, mainly on the De Queen and Lockesburg campuses but there will be many opportunities for you to meet, visit with, and discover what their mission is all about.

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Flooding Update of Arkansas River

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Significant flooding will continue down the Arkansas River from eastern Oklahoma across the entire state of Arkansas through the week.

The Arkansas River has crested at Van Buren, Ozark, Dardanelle, Morrilton, and Toad Suck. The river is expected to crest at Little Rock Tuesday morning (6/4), Pine Bluff on Wednesday (6/5), and at Pendleton on Friday (6/7).   

Major to record flooding will continue at all points along the Arkansas River in Arkansas. This will cause flooding of property near the river, especially in low-lying areas. Backwater flooding will be an issue as well. Impacts will be felt well out ahead of the forecast crest, so our best advice is to avoid going near the river, especially for any recreational purposes, during this period of high flow/flooding.

Make sure to follow all instructions from local safety officials, and never drive past a barricaded/closed road sign. We want everyone to make it through this flood safely. Near record water levels will remain on the Arkansas River for several days, and this will put continued stress on levees along the river. Any weak point along the levees will be tested as never before, and any levee over topping or breaching will greatly impact the timing and severity of crests down river. 

Rain chances will increase over the next few days, as deep moisture moves back into the region, and several systems move through. Another potential problem could end up being tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico. Much of Arkansas is still expected to see two to four inches of rainfall. 

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Annual Pie Auction at Old New Hope Church June 8th

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Old New Hope Church will hold it’s annual Pie Auction and Supper on Saturday, June 8. A potluck supper will be available by donation so bring your favorite food to go with the meat that will be provided. The proceeds will go towards the upkeep of th…

Old New Hope Church will hold it’s annual Pie Auction and Supper on Saturday, June 8. A potluck supper will be available by donation so bring your favorite food to go with the meat that will be provided. The proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the church and cemetery.

Music will be provided starting at 6:00 pm. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy visiting with friends and family.

The church is located on Ladd Bridge Road just off of Greens Chapel Road (about 5 miles north of Hwy 70).


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Jeffress/Phillips Music School in De Queen Monday-Friday, June 10-14

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The Jeffress/Phillips Music School will be in De Queen Monday-Friday, June 10-14, from 9-11 a.m. and 7-9 p.m. each day at the Old Time Missionary Church at 7th & Fort Towson in DQ. The school will include 3 teachers and is for ages 6 and older. Cost is $10 per person. Each participant will need a writing pad, pen or pencil, and a song book to purchase when you arrive. The public is invited to Friday night's event. For more information, the contact numbers are (870) 584-8991 and (870) 584-9557.

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Field of Diamonds Poker Run June 8th

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Open to EVERYONE. Bikers, Automobilers, Etc. Prizes: 2 night stay in a tree house Cabin @ Swaha Lodge. A 2 night stay @ Kirby Landing Motel on the Lake. A days party barge rental, a 1 night stay @ Diamond Old West Cabins, on way up to Narrows Dam. 2…

Open to EVERYONE. Bikers, Automobilers, Etc. Prizes: 2 night stay in a tree house Cabin @ Swaha Lodge. A 2 night stay @ Kirby Landing Motel on the Lake. A days party barge rental, a 1 night stay @ Diamond Old West Cabins, on way up to Narrows Dam. 2 $25 gas cards. Lots of eating gift cards from Sonic, Feed Bin Cafe, Miners Diner, Southern Dine, Etc. The Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce asks bikers to participate in the Diamond Festival Parade @ 10 am, before the start of the poker run.

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Arkansas River Flood Update

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Significant flooding will continue down the Arkansas River from eastern Oklahoma across the entire state of Arkansas through this week and into next week (early June). We have attached a few images to convey the details of this flooding.

Flooding moves down river basins and crests relatively slowly from one location to another as a flood crest or wave moving down river. As of this afternoon (Thursday, 5/30) the Arkansas River was cresting in western Arkansas, but is not expected to crest fully until Friday at Ozark. The flood wave is expected to crest at Dardanelle on Saturday (June 1st) and Morrilton on Sunday. The river is forecast to crest at Toad Suck on Monday , at Little Rock on Tuesday (June 4th), and at Pine Bluff on June 5th and at Pendleton on Friday (6/7).

Major to record flooding is expected at all points along the Arkansas River in Arkansas. This will likely cause flooding of property near the river, especially in low-lying areas. Impacts will be felt well out ahead of the forecast crest, so our best advice is to avoid going near the river, especially for any recreational purposes, during this period of high flow/flooding. A record flood is forecast along the Arkansas River from Toad Suck to points northwest. This flood along the river is expected to be the worst ever recorded flood along the river! Make sure to follow all instructions from local safety officials, and never drive past a barricaded/closed road sign. We want everyone to make it through this flood safely. Near record water levels will remain on the Arkansas River for several days, and this will put unprecedented stress on levees long the river. Any weak point along the levees will be tested as never before, and any levee overtopping or breaching will greatly impact the timing and severity of crests down river. This forecast assumes that the levees remain in tact all along the river.

We have a few dry days forecast along the Arkansas river through the weekend, however rain chances return daily along the Arkansas River basin early next week, especially across north central Oklahoma and south central Kansas. The 7-day forecast calls for another 2-3 inches of rain along the upper Arkansas river basin which will place additional water in the Arkansas River system upstream. Arkansas itself is expected to see another additional 1 inch of rain next week.

We will update graphics each afternoon, but please see

https://www.weather.gov/lzk/wxcntl4.htm and

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=LZK

for the latest river forecast information!

The latest inundation forecast from the Corps of Engineers can be found at:

https://arcg.is/0fCaTe

for the latest river forecast information!

Dennis Cavanaugh
Meteorologist, NWS Little Rock