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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

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WEEKLY UPDATE FROM STATE REP DEANN VAUGHT:

Most students in Arkansas public schools head back to the classroom the second week of August. From recess to reading, there are several pieces of legislation passed in the most recent session which will impact the upcoming school year.

Below are some, but not all, of the acts taking effect this year.

Act 641 ensures that elementary schools provide 40 minutes of recess for students.

Act 190 states a school counselor shall spend at least ninety percent (90%) of his or her working time providing direct and indirect services to students.

Act 629 allows school districts to hire certified law enforcement officers as school resource officers.

Act 1029 requires parents of the victim of bullying be notified as soon as reasonably practicable. It requires schools to write a report on the complaint within 5 school days. The bill also requires the school notify the guardian of the student who is determined to have been the perpetrator of the bullying.

Act 288 makes it a primary offense to use a handheld wireless device in a school zone.

Act 166 raises the maximum penalty for passing a stopped school bus from $500 to $2,000.

Act 530 makes it a Class A misdemeanor if a mandated reporter fails to notify law enforcement of a serious threat regarding violence in or targeted at a school.

Act 640 amends school discipline procedures, repealing mandatory expulsion from school for possession of weapons.

Act 428 makes it against the law for students to be shamed or stigmatized for not paying for lunch. It prohibits schools from providing a different meal or snack than other students or requiring the student to dispose of the meal.

Act 602 allows school districts to develop policies for distribution of excess food.

Act 83 enhances the Right to Read Act. This bill would require public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools to include a literacy plan in their annual school level improvement plan. The plan would have to include curriculum and professional development aligned with the literacy needs of that school and based on the Science of Reading initiative.

Act 466 allows high school students to earn credit for the required family finance course starting in ninth grade.

Act 245 requires that bleeding control training be taught as part of high school health courses.

We would also like to remind families that Act 757 of 2011 provides for a sales tax holiday in Arkansas during the first weekend of August each year to help families purchase clothing and supplies needed for school. This year’s holiday will begin at 12:01am on Saturday, August 3 and end at 11:59pm on Sunday, August 4.

We’ve posted answers to frequently asked questions about the holiday on our website https://www.arkansashouse.org/

Home - Arkansas House of Representatives

ARGIRLSLEAD #ARGIRLSLEAD is a movement started by women serving in the Arkansas House. Each of them have a unique story to share about their journey on the road to their current leadership position. Kids In The House Who says civics can't be fun?

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Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Posthumously Promoting Doolittle Raider Lt. Col. Dick Cole to Colonel

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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced legislation that calls for the posthumous promotion of Dayton, Ohio native Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Richard E. Cole. This bipartisan legislation also recognizes the accomplishments, sacrifices, and legacy of Lt. Col. Cole, the last of the living Doolittle Raiders until he passed away earlier this year at the age 103. The Doolittle Raiders consisted of 80 U.S. military volunteers, commanded by Lt. Col. James Doolittle, who led the first strike on mainland Japan in World War II. The attack bolstered morale back home and changed the tide of the war in the Pacific. Lt. Col. Cole served valiantly as Lt. Col. James Doolittle’s co-pilot and together they led the Squadron of 16 Army Air Force bombers from the U.S.S. Hornet to Tokyo.

“The Doolittle Raiders volunteered for an uncertain and hazardous mission to strike back against the enemy after Pearl Harbor. Their daring raid rallied our nation for a prolonged war and showed the world that America couldn’t be cowed even by a devastating attack. The raiders knew their mission could be a one-way trip. They chose to go anyway, and so are worthy of our honor and gratitude,” said Cotton.

“Dick Cole was a son of Dayton, Ohio and an American hero,” said Portman. “During a dark time in our history, he and the Doolittle Raiders launched an audacious attack that succeeded against all odds and provided a spark to the morale of the American people that carried us through to eventual victory in the Pacific. The Doolittle Raid had a strategic effect on World War II, and flying in the lead plane as the co-pilot to Jimmy Doolittle, Dick Cole was a key factor to the mission’s success. Dick went on to live a rich and full life and was a beloved hero to all airmen. I am proud to help lead this effort to provide Dick with the recognition he so deeply deserves.”

“The Doolittle Raiders came from a generation that spoke proudly of service to their country. They rarely drew attention or talked much about their own courage. They sought no recognition but oh, how they earned it. It was an honor to help award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Doolittle Raiders in Washington four years ago –a long time coming, and so deserved. And now that these men are no longer with us, it’s all the more important that we continue to tell their story,” said Brown.

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After School Program at Rainbow Learning & Therapy Center

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Rainbow Learning & Therapy Center
145 Honeycutt Road
Nashville, AR 71852
870-845-3138

Will be offering an AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
Kindergarten to 2nd Grade for afterschool Childcare 3:15-5:15 Monday – Friday 
(according to public school calendar)

$50.00 per week 
Snack, Supervised Play and Tutoring offered to children

Please call 845-3138 for application information and to reserve your child a spot

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New De Queen High School Under Construction This Summer

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Construction of the new High School at De Queen is in full swing. High School principal Bryan Blackwood told the Tuesday meeting of the De Queen Lions Club the project is scheduled for completion in April. Blackwood also reminded the Lions that the first day of school will be August 13th, and the Leopards will have a black and gold intra squad practice for the public on August 16th and will host Mansfield for a scrimmage game on Tuesday August 20th. Catch the Leopards all season long on Ed 88 and on Ed88radio.com.


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Local Art Show Takes Place at UA Cossatot

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UA Cossatot’s Ashdown Campus was the setting for the 18th Annual Little River Arts Council Mid-Summer Art Show. Over 200 pieces of art were displayed in the Barbara Horn Civic Center at the campus for the public to observe and admire. The art show lasted for three days beginning on Thursday, July 18, and concluded on Saturday, July 20. Citizens and visitors of Little River County could view the art from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Thursday and Friday and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday.

The Little River Arts Council organizes this annual event every summer for the community to enjoy and to make people aware of the artistic beauty that is in Little River County. The art show is also open for artists from different areas who wish to display their work.

Ashdown resident, Carolyn Myers said, “This art show, in my opinion, is one of the nicest shows we have in Little River County. Many people work hard all year to present this show, and the college is wonderful to let us host the event every year at their campus.”

The Mid-Summer Art Show took place for three days, but the Little River Art’s Council and the college made preparations at the beginning of the week. On Monday the artists registered, on Tuesday the artists hung and presented their work, and on Wednesday their work was judged. At the art show on Saturday, a reception was held at 2:30 PM and an awards ceremony took place at 3:00 PM. Monetary prizes were also given to the winners.

Little River Arts Council Member, Sue Taaffe of Foreman, said, “This year’s art show went great! We really appreciate the college, letting us use their facilities. We also appreciate the Director of UA Cossatot’s

Ashdown Campus, Barry Reed for helping us make preparations. He was very accommodating. UA Cossatot Campus Police Officer, Jason Curtis was also extremely helpful in helping us make sure the three-day event ran smoothly!”

Along with the art show, the Little River Arts Council also organizes a yearly art camp for youth held at the First United Methodist Church in Ashdown. They also take part in the Whistlestop Festival every year in Little River County to promote the love of art to youth and adults.

The 19th Annual Little River Arts Council Mid-Summer Art Show will take place at UA Cossatot again in 2020. For anyone interested in displaying their art, brochures, and advertisements will be released with details at the beginning of next summer.

The Little River Arts Council would like to announce that they are looking for volunteers to help with next year’s art show at the college. When the advertisements are released next year, contact information will be listed for those who wish to sign up as a volunteer

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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

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WEEKLY UPDATE FROM STATE REP DEANN VAUGHT:

Arkansas is approaching the centennial of a historic vote in the House chamber. On July 28, 1919, then Governor Charles Brough called a special session for the purpose of ratifying the Nineteenth Amendment.

The House Journal records a letter Brough sent to our chamber 100 years ago.

In it he states, “Eleven states have already ratified and, should your Honorable Body ratify, nation-wide Women’s Suffrage will have passed the first milestone, as one-fourth of the States will have then conferred full suffrage upon our splendid womanhood.”

The letter goes on to read, “I feel that the ratification of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment is of paramount national importance to the people of our country, and is a proper recognition of the patriotic activities and useful devotion to the cause of liberty and democracy of our womanhood”

The vote passed 74–15 in the House. The vote in the Senate was 29-2, making Arkansas the twelfth state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment. According to newspaper reports at the time, women filled the Arkansas Capitol carrying yellow banners reading, “Votes for Women.”

Arkansas was the second state in the South to ratify the 19th amendment. Texas was the first when it ratified on June 23, 1919.

Demands for suffrage had been made in Arkansas dating back to the Constitutional Convention of 1868.

That attempt and many others to allow women to vote failed in the Arkansas legislature over the course of the next 49 years.

Then in February 1917, Rep. John Riggs introduced legislation to allow women to vote in Arkansas primaries.

Despite testimony on the House floor “That nothing would be gained by giving women access to the ballot”, the House voted 71-19 in favor of the measure. The bill later passed the Senate with a vote 17-15. Arkansas was the first state in the South to allow women in vote in primary elections.

Governor Hutchinson created the Arkansas Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemoration Committee to lead the state’s remembrance of women receiving the right to vote. You can check out the committee’s work on history and upcoming celebrations at www.arkansasheritage.com. And if you haven’t already, be sure to follow #ARGirlslead on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There you will find stories from the women who serve in the House and encouragement for more Arkansas girls to seek leadership roles.

Department of Arkansas Heritage Home

Visit the Department of Arkansas Heritage Official Site to explore the rich history and heritage of Arkansas and discover what the state has to offer in arts, culture, dance, pottery & more!

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Self-Defense Classes Coming to UA Cossatot

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UA Cossatot will be offering self-defense classes for students and community members to take in August. These classes are broken up into different age groups for adults and children 7 years old and above.

The self-defense classes are broken up into 8-week courses that will be held two nights a week for each group. The 8-week self-defense courses will cost $80 for each person. There will be 16 class sessions, and each class will last for one hour. All courses will take place at UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus.

Adults 18 and up will meet for class on Monday and Thursday from 6 PM to 7 PM starting on August 5. Teenagers ages 15 to 17 will also meet on Monday and Thursday from 5 PM to 6 PM beginning on August 5.

Children who are interested in taking a self-defense course can meet for class on Tuesday and Friday at UA Cossatot starting on August 6. Kids ages 7 to 10 will meet for class from 5 PM to 6 PM, and kids ages 11 to 14 will meet from 6 PM to 7 PM.

Instructor, Daniel Griffin will teach all courses. Mr. Griffin has been training in martial arts since 1981. He is skilled in Karate, Aikido, Tae kwon do, boxing, American freestyle, submission wrestling, kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has competed on the USA kickboxing team, fought in MMA bouts and has trained with the US Navy boxing team.

These classes will cover the basics of defending oneself and offer a social, active event for people in our area to participate in while learning new skills.

For more information or to register for a class, contact the Continuing Education Department at UA Cossatot. Their phone number is 870-584-4471.

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Governor Asa Hutchinson Statement on the Death of Stone County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Stephen

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Governor Asa Hutchinson issued the following statement on the death of Stone County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Stephen, who was killed in the line of duty Thursday morning:


"It was heartbreaking to hear that Stone County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Stephen was killed in the line of duty today. Deputy Stephen's death is a somber reminder that our law-enforcement officers risk their lives every day to protect ours. I am grateful for the men and women who willingly put their safety on the line every time they put on the uniform. My heart goes out to his wife and son, and to his fellow officers and friends in their grief at the tragic loss of Mike Stephen."

Governor Hutchinson ordered the state flag of Arkansas to fly at half-staff in honor of Deputy Stephen. The flag is to be flown at half-staff immediately through the day of interment.

In a related item, the Nashville Chapter of Arkansas Families of Fallen Officers will be giving a $5000 donation to the Stephen family to help with expenses. Anyone wishing to help with this effort can Contact Richard Curry of the AFFO at (870) 557-6813. or Timothy at (870) -681-1437, or Chantal at 557-5030.

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Amber Morris and Aubrey Seymour Represent Arkansas 4-H

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Two 4-H’ers from Sevier County were chosen as 4-H State Ambassadors this year. Amber Morris and Aubrey Seymour were chosen from kids all across the state of Arkansas to represent Arkansas 4-H. Before a youth can become an ambassador, they must first achieve several goals. They must show growth in their educational project, be an excellent speaker in front of large crowds, participate in county, district, and state level activities, prove they have above average leadership skills, mentor other youth, and do community service projects. The biggest accomplishment is being able to work outside of 4-H to better their community.

Amber Morris is the 16 year old daughter of Ronald and Kimberly Morris. With having this amazing opportunity, Amber feels like she can help others not only in our county, but all over the state. It also means that she will have the opportunity to spread 4-H opportunities to others.

Aubrey Seymour is the 15 year old daughter of Justin and Debbie Seymour. Aubrey hopes that while she is making today the best, she can make tomorrow even better. Aubrey also feels like this will give her the opportunity to promote and educate people about the 4-H program on a higher level than just Sevier County.

Both girls lead a community service project that benefits the Arkansas Children’s Hospital and are appreciative of the opportunity they have been given and hope to make a difference.