De Queen Booster Club at De Queen Church of Christ Family Center
The Booster Club will be at the De Queen Church of Christ Family Center on Tuesday, September 3rd from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. We will be handing out passes and shirts for any members that have not picked theirs up yet. You may also stop buy and purchase shirts, jerseys, hats or any other merchandise we have available. Open to anyone, you do not have to be members to purchase merchandise. We will have forms available if you want to sign up to become a member. Fawn Dykes Becky Honea Rogers Barry Reed
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
During the 2019 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed several pieces of legislation concerning our elections.
One of those pieces of legislation will change the date of our primaries.
Arkansas will join 13 other states holding a March 3, 2020 primary. Only 4 other states will hold their caucus or primary before March 3.
Act 545 provides for a March preferential primary election in the years in which the office of President of the United States is voted on and a May preferential primary election in the years in which the office of Governor is voted on.
The general election for non-partisan races, which includes judges and prosecutors, will also be held on March 3 of next year.
Early voting will begin on February 17, 2020. The deadline to register for the primary is February 3.
Act 545 also makes changes to the timing of fiscal sessions. Fiscal sessions have been held on the second Monday in February on even-numbered years. Act 545 states that on years in which the preferential primary is held in March, the General Assembly will instead meet for a fiscal session on the second Wednesday of April.
Other legislation passed this year concerning elections include:
ACT 199 which allows the election officials at a polling site with fifteen (15) or more ballot styles to post the sample ballots on a public website and in bound volumes.
· ACT 664 which provides ten (10) minutes for a voter to mark his or her ballot.
· ACT 684 which allows digital photographic identification cards to be used as the voter identification required to vote.
· ACT 949 which provides for a modification in the law concerning the number of voting sites in a city of the first class.
· ACT 328 which allows high school students to volunteer as election officials.
For more information about voting dates and deadlines visit www.sos.arkansas.gov.www.sos.arkansas.gov.
Arkansas Secretary of State
Copyright © 2017 Arkansas Secretary of State. All Rights Reserved.
Sevier County 1% Hospital Sales Tax Public Meetings
Have questions about the proposed hospital tax?
Sevier County residents will be asked to vote on the 1% Hospital Sales Tax in the special election to be held October 8, 2019. This is an important decision for Chamber members to consider. There are several opportunities to get this information and have questions answered at scheduled public meetings:
All are open to the public and begin at 6 p.m.
Sept 9, Monday, De Queen School Cafeteria
Sept 10, Tuesday, Horatio Elementary School Cafeteria
Sept 16, Monday, In Spanish, De Queen School Cafeteria
Sept 17, Tuesday, De Queen Mena Coop Conference Room, Gillham
Sept 30, Monday, Lockesburg Senior Citizens Center
Fact Sheets with a ballot example are available at your Chamber of Commerce office, and can also be emailed. Call 870-584-3225 or come by 215 W. Stilwell (downtown De Queen).
Local Brothers Keepers Group in Ed 88 Studios on Friday
Brothers Keepers drawing for a rocket cooker to raise funds for the 911 Memorial Stair Climb.
Carmen Sansom Named 2019 Ashdown High School Homecoming Grand Marshall
Ashdown Public School's Retiree Carmen Sansom has been named the 2019 Ashdown High School Homecoming Grand Marshall. Mrs. Sansom will lead the parade on Friday, September 13th at 2 p.m.
She is married to Dale Sansom and they have been residents of the Hicks Community in Ashdown for 42 years, where they raise cattle. They have three daughters Jennifer Sansom, Katie Phelps, and Mollye Cobb who all graduated from Ashdown and five grandchildren Bandera, Ty, Bannon, Cayce, and Colt. Bandera, Bannon, and Colt attend school in Ashdown and Cayce and Ty attend school in Simms, TX where Mrs. Sansom graduated.
Mrs. Sansom taught 25 in the Ashdown School District. She was a math teacher at AJHS for 10 years and 15 at AHS. She said, “I thought I would only teach until our daughters graduated from college, but I loved it so much, I just couldn’t stop! I loved not only teaching but getting to know so many young people and watching them grow into amazing adults with children of their own."
Winthrop Labor Day Reunion Sunday, September 1st
The city of Winthrop will be hosting the Labor Day reunion on Sunday, September 1st. It will be at the cafeteria from 11-? The city will provide plates, cups, napkins and silverware. It’s potluck so everyone bring food and enjoy! The museum will be open for people to walk through also. Look forward to seeing everyone!
2019 Fall Officers Are Elected To Serve in Collegiate FFA
Photo L-R: Reporter, Codie Jamison; Treasurer, Cody Chandler; Co-Vice President, Hadley Philamlee; President, Dusty Kesterson; Co-Vice President, Kinley Wright; and Secretary, Raven Revels
UA Cossatot's Collegiate FFA organization announces the fall 2019 FFA officers. These officers will serve for a term of one semester, and be active leaders in UA Cossatot's FFA.
The officers include President, Dusty Kesterson; Co-Vice President, Hadley Philamlee; Co-Vice President, Kinley Wright; Secretary, Raven Revels; Treasurer, Cody Chandler; and Reporter, Codie Jamison.
Being a member of UA Cossatot's FFA provides students scholarship opportunities; leadership, communication, and networking skills; and the chance to build friendships with other FFA members. Students pursuing a technical certificate in agriculture or an associate's degree in agriculture business, agriculture science, agriculture education, or natural resources can join UA Cossatot's Collegiate FFA.
This fall, UA Cossatot's FFA will be taking part in numerous activities, projects, and field trips to enhance students’ in-class experience. UA Cossatot Collegiate FFA sponsor, Kelli Harris, has announced that the FFA members will be taking part in a Gillham Lake clean-up project on September 14. They will also be making preparations for the FFA Gun Raffle and Chili Supper to raise money for scholarships on November 7 at the college.
For additional information about UA Cossatot's Collegiate FFA, please contact Kelli Harris at 870-584-1218 or kharris@cccua.edu
UA Cossatot’s Rotaract Club Attends Conference in Russellville
On Saturday, August 24, 2019, UA Cossatot’s student organization, Rotaract, attended a conference at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. The theme of the conference was how to connect, network, and get inspired to create projects that benefit people locally and across the globe.
The UA Cossatot Rotaract attendees included Eruby Rodriguez, Belen Hernandez, Joel Guerrero, Kendra Rodriguez, Ashlee Dunn, Karina Lopez, Lissette Hernandez, America Rojas, Gesille Montiel, Jhamilex Hernandez, Astrid Jasso, and Angela Vertiz. Rotaract sponsor Dustin Roberts also attended the conference. Rotaract is the college level of Rotary for individuals 18 to 30 years old. It is designed for young leaders to help develop innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
De Queen High School’s Interact club also attended the conference in Russellville. DHS Interact members that were present for the conference included Dalene Velazquez, Blanco Morales, Alma Puga, Abby Ponce, Anthony Sanchez, and Alicia Salazar. De Queen Rotary Secretary, Tammy Huddleston chaperoned the Interact students at the conference. Interact is a high school organization associated with Rotary. It is a club created to bring together young people ages twelve to eighteen to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of service above self.
Rotaract was re-established as a student organization at UA Cossatot last year. UA Cossatot employees Erika Buenrrostro and Dustin Roberts serve as Rotaract sponsors.
“It was great attending the conference where Rotaract and Interact members across the state came together for the purpose of making our communities and world a better place to live,” said Dustin Roberts.
To learn more about UA Cossatot’s Rotaract club, please contact Dustin Roberts at 870-584-1172 or at droberts@cccua.edu.
UA Cossatot FFA Gun Raffle
Blood Drive September 4th in Nashville at UA Cossatot
Ben Lomond Block Party Tuesday Night
And the winner of the Little Debbie's kids division is Thomas Brewer!
Adult Division of the Little Debbie Eating Contest
Treasure Your Health Wellness Fair in Mena September 14th
Sevier County Coalition to Host September Lunch-and-Learn on Blood Sugar Monitoring
On Tuesday, September 17, 2019, the Sevier County Coalition’s Live Well Sevier County Committee, UA Cossatot and the Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice and Allergy Clinic will be co-hosting a Lunch-n-Learn entitled “Taking the Madness Out of Monitoring” at UA Cossatot’s De Queen Campus. The presentation will begin at 12:00 noon in the Weyerhaeuser room, located in the Skilled Trades Building, and will conclude at 12:40 p.m.
Presenter Beth Polo Beckel, will be discussing the benefits of blood sugar monitoring, misconceptions regarding the frequency of testing, common testing errors that affect the accuracy of test results, specific times to check blood sugar, how to use results to change blood sugar management decisions, and the appropriate times to take a holiday from blood sugar testing. Beckel says, “Many diabetics check their blood sugar and are unsure about what to do with the information they get. I want to help individuals know how to use their blood sugar results to achieve greater control over their diabetes and improve their health.”
Beckel is Registered Dietician, Licensed Dietician, Certified Diabetes Educator, owner of Unique Health Solutions and a member of the Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice and Allergy Clinic medical team. She received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Dietetics from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Veterans Administration Medical Center joint program in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has completed requirements for board certification in diabetes education through the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.
Currently the owner of Unique Health Solutions, she offers a variety of consulting services and is passionate about assisting individuals in actualizing positive lifestyle change through education and the implementation of processes to support new behaviors. Beckel has worked in a variety of settings as a registered dietitian for 20+ years in the state of Arkansas. Her experiences include acute care, long-term care, research, medical supply, billing, and private practice.
All are invited to bring their lunch and join Ms. Beckel for this free event. For more on Lunch-and-Learn programs, visit the Sevier County Coalition website at www.seviercountycoalition.com or call UA Cossatot’s Continuing Education Services at (870) 584-4471.###
Thomas Sweeten Guest Speaker at Tuesday's Lions Club Meeting in De Queen
Murray “Tuffy” Neeley introduced today’s speaker at the De Queen Lions Club noon meeting. Thomas Sweeten, Biology teacher and Quiz Bowl Instructor for De Queen schools, talked about his quiz bowl beginning and experiences over the last several years. Sweeten bragged on the many kids that came through the program and discussed team trips to regionals, state, and nationals. Sweeten in the last photo shows off the 2019 AR State Championship Ring.
Mena Regional Treasure Your Health and Wellness Fair on September 14
Free Mena Regional Treasure Your Health and Wellness Fair on September 14 at Mena Regional Health System.
Free health screenings include: Prostate, Thyroid, Blood Pressure, Glucose, Lipid Panel
Free Chair Massages
Health, Wellness, Skincare, Weight loss, Nutrition and Essential Oil Vendors
Free Medicare Card laminations
Relay for Life Concession stand
Survival Flight, Air Evac and Life Net helicopter tours
Blood Drive
Hereditary Cancer Screening Information
Behavioral Health
Drug Take Back
Bounce House, face painting, balloon animals and numerous games for the kids
Vendor freebies
Amazing Door Prizes including $75 Visa Gift Cards!
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Ben Lomond Block Party Tonight!
Our next upcoming Block Party for Tuesday, August 27, will be held at Ben Lomond Community Building from 6-8 p.m. There will be free food, water, popcorn, snow cones, bounce house for the kids, and the highlight of the night will be the Lil’ Debbie Eating Contest! Ed 88 will be there providing the music. And it's all FREE! Be sure to bring the kids and meet the Sevier County Sheriff's Department and have some fun!
Say Yes to FHS Video
Public Forums About Proposed Sales Tax For New Hospital
Special guests on the Monday Ed-ition of the Morning Show were Suzanne Babb of the De Queen Sevier County Chamber of Commerce and Lisa Taylor, the Economic Development Director for Sevier County, to discuss a number of public forums regarding the proposed sales tax to construct a new hospital in the county.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
WEEKLY UPDATE FROM STATE REP DEANN VAUGHT:
Arkansas recently set a new record low for unemployment. The unemployment rate for July was 3.4 %, breaking the previous record of 3.5% last month. There are 19,200 more jobs in our state than this time last year.
But the story of our work force does not end there. As we approach Labor Day, it’s worth taking a look at our state’s largest occupations, what occupations are in demand, and what occupations are paying the most.
This information is released annually in the Department of Workforce Services Arkansas Labor Market and Economic Report.
Retail salespersons was estimated to have the most employees across the state with 37,050 employed in 2017 with an average wage of $24,990. Combined food preparation and serving workers was the second largest occupation with 35,520 employed, earning an average wage of $19,620.
When it comes to occupations in demand, the report is divided into three categories: high skill, moderate skill, and basic skill.
The most in-demand high skill occupations in our state are operations managers, registered nurses, clergy, elementary school teachers (except special education), accountants and auditors.
The most in-demand moderate skill occupations are truck drivers, nursing assistants, bookkeeping and auditing clerks, teacher assistants, and licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
The most in-demand basic skill occupations are food preparation and food serving workers, cashiers, retail sales, farmers and other agricultural managers.
Internists topped the occupations paying the most list with an annual salary of $247,280. Obstetricians and Gynecologists, with an average annual salary of $235,130 ranked second.
The entry wage estimate for employers of all sizes was $20,160 for 2017. The median wage estimate for employers with 250-499 employees was $32,317, while wages for experienced workers averaged $50,710 for employers in all size categories.
Our labor market is expected to continue to grow. You can find more detailed information on the labor market in various regions of the state by reading the report we have linked on our website www.arkansashouse.org.
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