Special guests on the Tuesday Ed-ition of the Morning Show were De Queen Fire Chief Dennis Pruitt, Sevier County Judge Greg Ray, and Office of Emergency Services Director Walter Smith. Today's topics included a burn ban in Sevier County, drive - through flu shot clinic, and tonight's town hall meeting in Gillham concerning the proposed 1 per cent sales tax to build a new hospital in Sevier County.
UA Cossatot Honors Employee Service
Click on pic above to continue to next… (Pics Include: Mary Collom, Sunni Davis, Beverly Foreman, Katy Garcia, Wendy Garcia, Sonya Robinson, Crystal Sims)
The University of Arkansas Cossatot honored staff and faculty members for 5, 15, 20, and 25 years of distinguished service during the colleges August and September faculty/staff meetings. Recipients are Sonya Robinson, Sunni Davis, Bruce Franklin, Crystal Sims, Beverly Foreman, Mary Collom, Katy Garcia, and Wendy Garcia.
Robinson, a resident of Mineral Springs, Arkansas, has been with the college for 25 years. In 1994, she was hired to work at UA Cossatot as an English instructor. A few years later she became a full-time psychology instructor, which she says is not a job, but something that she loves to do. Outside of the classroom, Robinson also serves as an advisor to all Associate of Psychology majors and works to provide them with the necessary skills to transfer and be successful at the bachelor level. She also lends a helping hand whenever anyone asks.
Davis, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas, began her time at UA Cossatot as a student. While working on her Bachelor and Master degrees at Texas A&M University in Texarkana, she began volunteering her time as a friend of the college and a tutor in the AIM center. Sunni started her career here as an adjunct instructor in 1998 and became full time in 2000. She received her doctorate in E-Learning and Teaching Online from Northcentral University in 2009. During her tenure, Sunni has worked with thousands of students, teaching them to become better readers, writers, and speakers. She volunteers her time to work with students in the ERC and always makes herself available for students both day and night.
Franklin, a resident of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, recently completed his twentieth year as a full-time social science instructor at UA Cossatot. Before that he was an adjunct instructor for three years, starting in
1996. Bruce has taught many different social science courses, served on several different committees and has been named teacher of the year three times. He considers the community college atmosphere to be ideal for both teachers and students. He values each of the students he has had the pleasure of working with over his teaching experience. Franklin is willing to go the extra mile to help both students and his fellow employees, serving on various committees and teams. He also always has a smile for anyone who stops by his office.
Sims, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, has been with the college for 15 years. She is a full-time instructor who teaches both biological sciences and chemistry courses. In 2015, along with teaching, she became the Division Chair of General Education. She completed the Arkansas Community College Leadership Institute in 2016 and was awarded both the Arkansas Community Colleges and Sevier County Teacher of the Year in 2008. Crystal serves as a member of the American Associate of Chemistry Teachers. Crystal continuously researches methods to improve the classroom experience in her courses to help students reach success. She empowers the faculty within her division to own their subject matter and be the best instructors they can be. Crystal displays comparison in all her tasks, especially in the classroom, to her students, and to those she supervises and UA Cossatot is fortunate to have a leader like Crystal.
Foreman, a resident of Horatio, Arkansas, has been with the college for five years. Beverly earned an Associate of Applied Science in Business degree from UA Cossatot in 2006. She started out working solely as a tutor for the former Learning Center in 2014. While being a tutor, it became evident that her combination of dedication and work ethic would be best utilized as an Educational Resource Technician. She earned an Associate of Science in Business Accounting degree at UA Cossatot in 2015 while working at the ERC. Beverly is an asset to UA Cossatot and a vital member of the ERC. She gets to know every student who visits the ERC personally, and students gravitate toward her.
Collom, a resident of Nash, Texas, has been with UA Cossatot for five years. Mary serves the college as a member of the English faculty. She was awarded the UA Cossatot Sevier County Teacher of the Year Award in 2018. During her time as an instructor, Collom has assisted students in accomplishing their academic and career goals. As a faculty member, she is committed to the worthwhile experience of serving her students, the
college, and the community. Since starting at UA Cossatot, Mary has diligently worked with students on both the De Queen and Ashdown campuses as well as helping with student advising.
Garcia, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, has been with the college for five years. Katy graduated from UA Cossatot with her Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting in 2014, while also working as a Financial Aid Work-Study at the college. In July of 2014, Garcia was hired to work as a part-time Financial Aid Receptionist. In 2016, Katy was hired full-time as a Financial Aid Specialist/Scholarship staff member. Katy’s duties include: awarding Foundation/Institutional scholarships; ADHE scholarships and grants; Arkansas Rehab, WIOA, and all outside grants and scholarships. Katy is also responsible for all UA Cossatot waivers. She is an excellent asset to UA Cossatot and works great with students and fellow employees.
Garcia, a resident of De Queen, Arkansas, has been with the college for five years. After working in a part-time position at the college, she quickly ascended to the role of Assistant to the Chancellor, where she makes a difference every day. Wendy is the consummate UA Cossatot employee. She juggles many different issues on a daily basis. UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole said, “I cannot imagine the Chancellor’s office or college without her talents.”
Hospital Sales Tax Public Meeting in Spanish in De Queen Tuesday Evening
Master Bladesmith Logan Pearce on Ed 88 Morning Show
Master Bladesmith Logan Pearce was our guest Monday morning and discussed knife making in Southwest Arkansas and the upcoming Hoo Rah Festival. Logan Pearce is a third generation bladesmith. Logan is the first American knifemaker to do Russian Filigree on knives and is only 1 of 6 knifemakers in the world to do it. His Remnant knives are carried in over 30 countries, with dealers as many, that sell his work. Logan is also the creator of the 'Sharpest Man Contest', a bowie cutting competition, where makers show how well their knives perform. In 2017, Logan became the show promoter for the Arkansas Knife show.
Pearce Knives
Third Generation Bladesmith, Logan Pearce. Logan Pearce carries on the family tradition of creating knives out of everyday objects. Best know for creating the wrench knife, bolt knife, tiretool knife, horseshoe knife, and many others that have inspired thousands of makers to pursue knifemaking.
Karen Mills Guest of Got Time Ministry on Monday's Ed 88 Morning Show
Special guest in the Monday Ed-ition of the Morning Show was Karen Mills of Got Time (g.o.t.t.i.m.e.) Ministry, which meets each Tuesday night at 6:30 at the Lockesburg Methodist Church.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
By April 1, 2020, each of you will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Responding to the census will be easier than ever, as this will be the first time you can respond online.
The Constitution mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790.
The Governor recently announced the formation of the Arkansas Complete Count Committee. The 30 member task force includes two state senators and two state representatives who have agreed to help promote statewide participation in the 2020 Census.
When you respond to the census, you help your community gets its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.
The census tells us much more than just the population of our state and our communities. It tells us about the makeup of those populations, from ages and races to how many people own their home.
Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories and offices. Developers use the census to build new homes.
Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness. The data can help inform where your community needs a new fire department, more funding for school lunches, or new roads.
The census helps determine how many representatives each state gets in Congress. The information is also used redraw state senate and house district boundaries. Redistricting counts are sent to the states by March 31, 2021.
The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics. You are kept anonymous. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or anyone else in your home.
For more information visit: www.2020census.gov
2020 Census | United States Census Bureau
When you respond to the census, your answers are kept anonymous. They are used only to produce statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.
Ribbon Cutting at Lansdell Family Clinic in De Queen
Colts Pep Band Begins at UA Cossatot
As the fall basketball season approaches, UA Cossatot has announced that the college will be starting a Colts Pep Band. Members of the band will provide musical entertainment at the Colts home basketball games. The Colts Pep Band is a social, musical opportunity that is open to the general public, including UA Cossatot students, faculty, and staff.
Fine Arts-Music Instructor, Dr. Laura Riddle, will be the Colts Pep Band leader and director. She has asked for people who can play musical instruments to contact her if they would like to play in the band. She is looking primarily for individuals who can play the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, baritone, trombone, drums (set), electric guitar, bass guitar, or keyboards.
Everyone in the pep band needs to be able to provide their own instrument and musical gear. Dr. Riddle does, however, have guitar and bass amps, and a drum set if needed.
When the Colts Pep Band members have been selected Dr. Riddle will schedule an initial meeting for everyone to attend so everyone can plan rehearsal practices.
If anyone is interested in joining the Colts Pep Band or would like to learn more information, please contact Dr. Laura Riddle at 870-584-1137 or lriddle@cccua.edu.
Housing Option for Students is Discussed at Board of Visitors Meeting
On September 9, 2019, UA Cossatot held their bi-monthly Board of Visitors meeting at the college’s Lockesburg Campus. At the meeting, division reports were given, announcements were made, the board passed nine new and edited policies, and UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole spoke about the possibility of the college having dorms in the future.
During the July Board of Visitors meeting, the board approved for Dr. Cole to move forward with research regarding student housing. On August 20, Dr. Cole attended a UA Trustees retreat that included a session on explaining the positive benefits of colleges pursuing public/private relationships, or P3s. He shared his research results with the Board of Visitors.
Dr. Cole stated that a P3 arrangement for dormitories would allow UA Cossatot to have better access to capital for major construction projects. It would also allow for turnkey development and management options for student housing and other projects.
At the beginning of September, the college published a student housing survey that went out to over fifteen hundred current and potential UA Cossatot students. Almost three hundred surveys were completed, and the results were shared at the meeting. The three most positive pieces of the housing survey were that 79% of those polled indicated they would definitely live in on-campus housing, they would prefer to live on campus year round, and DeQueen (62%) and Nashville (31%) were the campuses where students would be most interested in living. The feedback will be used in the college’s decision-making process as UA Cossatot moves forward with student housing plans. More research will take place this fall to uncover accounting and legal issues so that the college can possibly make student housing an option for students at UA Cossatot.
UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole said, “I think that for UA Cossatot to always remain competitive and growing, we will, at some point in our history, have to develop student housing. This will aid in the growth of not only our in-demand academic programs, but our growing athletic programs as well.
Other information discussed at the Board of Visitors meeting included the college beginning new development on a strategic plan for 2025. The college has selected an employee strategic planning committee, and surveys will be released to stakeholders and shareholders of the college very soon.
Lauren Volarvich was recently hired as an English instructor at UA Cossatot. The first PTA class graduated this summer from UA Cossatot’s PTA program. Also, the enrollment report revealed fall enrollment this semester at UA Cossatot was higher than last year, showing an 8% increase over last fall.
The college also invited UA Cossatot Student Ambassador, Jessica Aguilar and Miss UA Cossatot 2019, Perri Lowrey to attend the Board of Visitors meeting as special guests.
The next UA Cossatot board of visitors meeting is scheduled to take place on November 4, 2019.
Cossatot Community College
Click here to learn how to login to campus email, Blackboard, and Campus Connect! The University of Arkansas - Fayetteville's Chancellor, Dr. Joe Steinmetz has announced that the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville will now charge associate degree graduates from UA Cossatot the same tuition rates those graduates were charged at UA Cossatot.
UA Cossatot’s Diesel Technology program is underway!
UA Cossatot's program will prepare students for enry-level positions in the diesel technician trade in light, medium, and heavy duty applications. Students learn to work on brake systems, drive trains, electric and electronic circuits, hydraulic systems, and diesel engines, all of which are valuable skills for a successful career. The program will consist of stackable credentials beginning with 4 Certificates of Proficiency in each discipline area, a Technical Certificate that includes each of the four discipline areas leading to an AAS degree in General Technology.
Public Forum in Horatio Tuesday Night
Tonight, the second in a series of town hall meetings in Sevier County to discuss a proposed 1% sales tax to construct a new hospital, will be held at the Horatio Elementary School Cafeteria. The meeting gets underway at 6 and will be live streamed on the Ed 88 Facebook page.
Burn Bans Across South Arkansas Counties
Stephanie Barrett Lions Club Speaker in De Queen Tuesday
Lion Jeff Brown introduced Stephanie Barrett as the guest speaker to the De Queen Lions Club noon meeting today. Barrett explained her duties as prosecuting attorney for the 8th Judicial District South in Arkansas, which serves Miller and Lafayette counties. Barrett also serves on the AR Prosecuting Attorneys Board of Directors and the APAA Legislative Committee.
Landsdell Family Clinic in De Queen Grand Opening Thursday September 12th
Thursday from 11 AM – 1 PM at 500 E Collin Raye Dr, in De Queen
Sevier County Promotes an Online Tourism Review Campaign
This fall, the Sevier County Tourism Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and the Sevier County Economic Development Director are asking for the community’s support as they launch a “Love Local” online tourism review campaign. This campaign will involve everyone’s input from local community members to visitors of Sevier County.
The county leaders are challenging residents of Sevier County to speak up and share reviews online about local dining, shopping, events, attractions, and service-related businesses in Sevier County. By leaving an online review through Trip Advisor, Facebook, Google, or another online platform, Sevier County will receive more promotion. Individuals who blog or write in any platform are also encouraged to share more about why they love Sevier County and highlight specific locations. “We know that so many people use these online tools to plan their vacations, day trips, and weekend destinations,” shared Keisha McKinney, Economic Development Tourism Chairperson. “When they find one of our local Sevier County spots through tier research, we want them to know what we love about our town; our favorite dish at a local restaurant, why we love a certain spot at the lake, or who always has the clothes or accessories that fit our individual style.”
When county residents visit a local business or see something beautiful, unique or exciting in Sevier County, they are now encouraged to post a review about it on the Internet or through a tourism review smart phone app.
Business owners will be asked to show their support by encouraging their staff to ask customers about their experience while also promoting review participation. “We are encouraging our business owners to participate, respond to the reviews, make sure their menus and sales are shared and that their staff know there is an emphasis on customer’s experiences,” explained Lisa Taylor, Economic Development Director.
The goal of this campaign is to increase awareness of Sevier County restaurants, attractions,
entertainment venues, and service organizations and attract new and returning visitors throughout the fall travel season. “On any given day, over the next few months, our community will encounter out-of-state guests for the first time, day trippers looking for ATV trails, road bike courses or a quiet day on the lake.” McKinney continued “These visitors will be searching for beautiful views or fall’s changing colors on one of the state’s historic byways traversing a national forest. We can be a destination at the beginning or end of their trip when they need a restful spot for the evening and something to fill their hungry bellies. Sevier County can meet those needs and no one can tell them about it more than the people who get to enjoy it as a local.”
With everyone’s positive insight, thoughts, and feedback displayed and submitted online, the county’s web presence will advance, curious visitor’s questions will be answers, looming ambiguity can be erased, resulting in an increased awareness of Sevier County.
For more information about the “Love Local” online tourism review campaign, please e-mail Lisa
Taylor at ltaylor@cccua.edu
Mass Flu Clinic Friday September 27th at De Queen Fire Department
Mass Flu Clinic scheduled in Sevier County for Friday, September 27, 2019 from 7 AM – 3:30 PM at the De Queen Fire Department, 115 N 3rd St in De Queen.
14th Annual Ladies Day September 21st in Horatio
Public Forum Tonight at De Queen High School Cafeteria
A public forum to explain the proposed 1% sales tax to construct a new Sevier County hospital will be held at the De Queen High School cafeteria this evening beginning at 6. For those unable to attend, Ed 88 will be live streaming the event on our Facebook page.
We are proud to present our 2019 UA Cossatot Rotaract Officers
(Left to right) Belen Hernandez-Vice President , Eruby Rodriguez- President and Lissette Hernandez – Secretary
These students will be dedicating their time to finding innovative solutions in their communities, the world's most pressing challenges while developing leadership skills, guiding their fellow peers, and promoting the Rotary motto, Service Above Self.
UA Cossatot Basketball Players Plan to Participate in a Shoot-A-Thon at Lockesburg Gym
UA Cossatot has announced that the college's men's and women's basketball team will be conducting a Shoot-A-Thon on Monday, September 23, 2019, at the UA Cossatot Bank of Lockesburg Gymnasium. This event will be an opportunity for the players to raise funds for the men's and women's basketball programs, travel gear, and bag expenses.
The Shoot-A-Thon allows sponsors the chance to support UA Cossatot's basketball program and student-athletes. Sponsors can give money in two ways. Sponsors can either 1) sponsor a player for an amount per free throws made or 2) provide a flat donation.
Players are planning to shoot 100 free throws. The sponsor's tax-deductible pledge will be the amount the sponsor checks on their form, multiplied by the number of free throws the player makes out of 100 free throws attempted.
If one chooses to sponsor a player per free throw, sponsors can mail the completed Shoot-A-Thon form to Coach Brad Phillips, Colt's Basketball, University of Arkansas Cossatot, 183 College Drive, De Queen, Arkansas 71832. Completed forms can also be scanned and e-mailed to bphillips@cccua.edu. After the Shoot-A-Thon, Coach Phillips will let you know the results of the player and the amount of your pledge.
Sponsors can send money before the event if they choose to give a flat donation. For donations, please make checks payable to the UA Cossatot Foundation.
Sponsor Forms can be picked up at the front desk of any UA Cossatot Campus, or downloaded at www.cccua.edu.
For any questions about the Shoot-A-Thon, please contact Coach Brad Phillips at bphillips@cccua.edu
Cossatot Community College
Click here to learn how to login to campus email, Blackboard, and Campus Connect! The University of Arkansas - Fayetteville's Chancellor, Dr. Joe Steinmetz has announced that the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville will now charge associate degree graduates from UA Cossatot the same tuition rates those graduates were charged at UA Cossatot.