Sevier County Coalition to Host February Lunch-and-Learn on Heart Health

February is Heart Month, the perfect time to learn lifesaving information about heart health. On Thursday, February 27, 2020, the Sevier County Coalition’s Live Well Sevier County Committee and UA Cossatot will be co-hosting a Lunch-n-Learn entitled “Early Heart Attack Care” 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 12:30 p.m.

Presenter Leah Harper will be teaching participants to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart attack including risk factors, how symptoms can differ for men and women and atypical presentations of a heart attack. Harper says, “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in the United States,” adding “Last year alone, 647,457 people died of heart disease. A number of these deaths could have been prevented.”

Harper is a registered Radiologic Technologist (RT(R), ARRT) and native of Sevier County with a background is in Radiologic Sciences. She has worked at Christus Saint Michael Health System for over 36 years, including 26 years in the Heart Cath Lab. She is currently the supervisor for the Heart Cath, Electrophysiology and Interventional Radiology labs; and active in community outreach. Harper says, “Heart health is something I’m very passionate about. Heart disease doesn’t just happen to older adults. The conditions that lead to it are now being seen in younger adults more often. My goal is to save lives by educating the public on how to be savers instead of enablers.”

All are invited to bring their lunch and join Mrs. Harper 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

Community Organization | Sevier County Coalition | United States

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Brad Chesshir Speaker at De Queen Lions Club Tuesday

Brad Chesshir, new head football coach at De Queen, was the guest speaker at today’s Lions Club noon meeting in De Queen.

February Sevier County Library Snippets by: Johnye Fisher

Each Sevier County Library Branch recently received a wonderfully generous gift of 100 new children’s book from The Brownstone Book Fund.
We would all like to say a BIG Thank you to Diane. Without folks like her our libraries could not continue to thrive.

The De Queen Library; The Caplinger family will be donating a bronze plaque in memory of their Beloved mother Thema Caplinger. She instilled upon her children the love of reading and are still avid readers. There will be a ceremony on February 5th at 1:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend.

We will have a story time and Making Valentine’s with Klondike February 12, 2020 at 4pm. Come on in and make Valentine Cards for the Nursing center folks here in De Queen.

Don’t forget those Domino games going on Wednesdays at 10am.You can contact us by calling 870-584-4364 or visiting our Facebook page www.facebook.com/seviercountylibrary

Happy Valentines Day from the Horatio Library. There are several things going on this month. We will have two children's programs one on the 1st and the other on the 15th. Both will be at 10 a.m. Every Thursday we have a Mexican train domino game at 9:30. We have a trophy for the winner so whoever wins that week gets to take a trophy home. Believe me when I say they like to have fun and laugh but they take the game very serious. We have several new books on the shelf from authors such as Stewart Woods, Suzanne Wood Fisher, Melinda Leigh just to name a few. We also had a 100 new children's books that were donated by The Brownstone Book Fund. We have had several used Christian Fiction books that we are working on getting on the shelf. We are trying to figure out if there is an interest in a Book Club in Horatio. If you would be interested in joining please give us a call at 870-832-6882. Have a Blessed month and we hope to see you at the Horatio Library.

At the Lockesburg Library there will be a book club discussion of February’s selection “Where Somebody Waits”, by Margaret Kaufman at 10:00, Saturday, Feb. 8. March’s book club selection will be available to pick up at this meeting.
Please join us on Saturday, February 22 for a “Come and Go”, “Meet the Author/ Book Talk/Book Signing” with Davida F. Wynn from 10-11:30. Davida F. Wynn is an advanced practice nurse, author, motivational coach, and speaker. She has resided in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area for the past five years. She is a 1999 graduate of Lockesburg High School. Her family continues to live in our area.
Contact Wendy Clay at 870-289-2233 for more information concerning programs, books and activities at the library.

Lockesburg Library’s Summer Reading Programs for children are
continuing in July on Saturdays at 10:00.
July 6: Take Me to Your Reader
July 13: Shoot For the Moon
These programs will be a fun way to include reading and reading-
related activities this summer while helping to maintain and
improve children’s reading skills.
Everyone is invited come in to the library and participate in our
40”x 36”, “Stick Together” poster illustrating the theme “A
Universe Of Stories”.
Visit the Lockesburg Library on Facebook for posts of our
programs, reading contests and projects or call Mz. Wendy at
870-289-2233 for more information.
Lockesburg Library’s Summer Reading Programs for children are
continuing in July on Saturdays at 10:00.
July 6: Take Me to Your Reader
July 13: Shoot For the Moon
These programs will be a fun way to include reading and reading-
related activities this summer while helping to maintain and
improve children’s reading skills.
Everyone is invited come in to the library and participate in our
40”x 36”, “Stick Together” poster illustrating the theme “A
Universe Of Stories”.
Visit the Lockesburg Library on Facebook for posts of our
programs, reading contests and projects or call Mz. Wendy at
870-289-2233 for more information.
On Saturday, Aug. 3rd at 10 AM the “That’s My Story and
I’m Stickin’ to It” Book Club will meet at the Lockesburg
Library to discuss the novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by
Margaret Atwood.
Our “Biggest Book Sale of the Year” will be held the first
two weeks in August. Paperbacks books will be available
for .50 and hardback books $1. Don’t miss this opportunity
to purchase some really nice books and support your
library’s fund raiser.
Visit the Lockesburg Library on Facebook for posts of our
programs, activities and projects or call Mz. Wendy at 870-
289-2233 for more information concerning programs and
activities at the library.
On Saturday, Aug. 3rd at 10 AM the “That’s My Story and
I’m Stickin’ to It” Book Club will meet at the Lockesburg
Library to discuss the novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by
Margaret Atwood.
Our “Biggest Book Sale of the Year” will be held the first
two weeks in August. Paperbacks books will be available
for .50 and hardback books $1. Don’t miss this opportunity
to purchase some really nice books and support your
library’s fund raiser.
Visit the Lockesburg Library on Facebook for posts of our
programs, activities and projects or call Mz. Wendy at 870-
289-2233 for more information concerning programs and
activities at the library.
Due to recent changes the hours for Gillham Library will be Saturdays 10 am- 2pm until further notice. For more information, you can contact at the Gillham Library at 870-386-5665. We are currently looking for volunteers please call the De Queen Library at 870-584-4364

Lisa Taylor, Sevier County Economic Development Director

Ed 88’s Loren Hinton visits with Sevier County Economic Development Director - Lisa Taylor

Julie Rhodes of UA Cossatot Interview

Julie Rhodes of UA Cossatot visits with Ed 88’s Loren Hinton and talks about the opportunities for high school students to earn a 2 year associate degree through UA Cossatot before leaving high school. If the student transfers to UofA, he/she will pay the same tuition fees of UA Cossatot.

Edge Vote for Growth Interview

Ed 88’s Loren Hinton in the studio with Daniel Martinez, Monica Pearce, and Bud Gentry of Edge Vote for Growth

Human Trafficking a Concern in Arkansas

Millions of men, women, and children are trafficked every year. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, reports of trafficking can be found in every state including Arkansas. In fact, 121 calls from Arkansas came into the hotline last year resulting in 41 possible cases identified.

January has been declared National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. It can happen in any suburb, rural town, or city.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline reports that of the calls placed from Arkansas last year, 35 relayed information with a high indication that trafficking was taking place. The hotline also reports 33 calls made were from victims or survivors.

In recent years, the Arkansas General Assembly has passed legislation addressing human trafficking. In the 2019 Regular Session, we passed the following:

ACT 937 requires the Department of Education and the Department of Human Services to collaborate on providing awareness and training materials to local school districts on human trafficking that include strategies for the prevention of child trafficking.

ACT 842 includes evidence of a person's prior sexual conduct that was committed when the person was a victim of human trafficking under the state's rape shield law. Rape shield laws forbid certain evidence in a trial that is believed to be prejudicial and harassing.

ACT 536 amends the offenses that disqualify an individual from receiving a first time teaching license or renewal of a teaching license, including adding as disqualifying offenses the trafficking a person or patronizing a victim of human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a crime that hides in plain sight. Often, it simply takes an astute police officer, hotel worker, or bystander to notice and speak up—and save a victim.

To report trafficking call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. You can also chat live with an operator at www.humantraffickinghotline.org .

National Human Trafficking Hotline

1-888-373-7888. We'll Listen. We'll Help. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call now.

County 4-H Clubs Reorganizing

The Sevier County 4-H clubs are reorganizing and seeking new members and leaders. The purpose of these clubs is to give youth ages 5-19 an opportunity to participate in the youth development educational program of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Youth in 4-H clubs will learn life skills, enhance leadership skills, and increase self-esteem while serving in a number of community service projects. Youth in 4-H clubs have an opportunity to compete in a number of competitive activities, attend camps, and earn scholarships for education.
The following is a list of the Sevier County 4-H clubs: Chapel Hill 4-H Club, Happy Face 4-H Club, Lakeside 4-H Club, Infinity∞ 4-H Club, Froglevel Hoppers 4-H Club, Shooting Sports 4-H Club, Teen Leaders 4-H Club, Goin’ Showin’ 4-H Club, Legacy 4-H After School Club and Community Changers 4-H Club.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information about meetings, 4-H club membership or program benefits, contact Sevier County Cooperative Extension Service located in the Adams Building on the UA Cossatot Campus in De Queen or call (870) 584-3013.

De Queen Rotary Bringing New Playground Accessible to Special Needs Children to De Queen

Area Schools Cancel Classes Wednesday Because of Winter Weather

Classes have been cancelled today because of weather in De Queen, Horatio, Foreman, Nashville, and Ashdown. Classes at UA Cossatot locations will run as usual with the exception of LPN, OTA, and PTA.

Alma Puga Honored as Student of the Month at De Queen Lions Club Meeting

De Queen Lion President, Bryan Blackwood, presented a certificate today to Alma Puga for Student of the Month. Alma is a senior at De Queen High School, Vice President of the National Honor Society, class president of seniors in the Student Council, member of FBLA and De Queen High tennis team, Interact Club Vice President, Girls State attendee, and Leopard filmer.

The 2020 Top 60 Online Community Colleges List Includes UA Cossatot

Intelligent.com is a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning. They recently announced their national community college list for 2020 listing the top 60 online community colleges in the United States. UA Cossatot was included on this list and was also named the “Most Affordable Online Community College” in the nation.
After comprehensive research, UA Cossatot was included in this list. Of the top 60 community colleges, UA Cossatot was ranked at number 15.
The 2020 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system, which includes student engagement, potential return on investment, and leading third-party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 286 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 60 making it to the final list.
Students who choose any one of these online schools are expected to gain employment at a faster rate. Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs.
Dr. Steve Cole, Chancellor of UA Cossatot said, on the rankings, “It is certainly an honor to be on any list that shows we are creating tremendous value for our students. We feel that when students choose us, they made a thoughtful decision based on many things, including affordability and employment once they are finished. We help students check both of those boxes at UA Cossatot”.
UA Cossatot was the first Arkansas institution of higher education to offer a degree completely online and continues to lead the way in the number of courses and programs offered online. UA Cossatot also rewards online students by offering most online courses free of textbook costs. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit www.cccua.edu

New Home Page - Intelligent

College Life When it comes time to study, there are many common study methods that can help enhance your exam prep. By Kristen Scatton STUDENT FINANCES By Nam Phan College Life By Kristen Scatton Featured The things that concern students the most about college.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Research tells us that 61% of low-income families have no age-appropriate books in their homes. Middle-income homes have an average of 13 books per child.

On average, children in poverty have been exposed to only 25 hours of one-on-one reading, compared to middle-class children who have been exposed to 1,000-1,700 hours of one-on-one reading. Only 48% of young children are read to daily.

Exposure to books provides significant academic advantages as 85% of the brain is developed between the ages of 3-5.

To provide Arkansas families with more resources, a state 501 (c) (3) partnered with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in July 2017. Arkansas is 1 of 4 states to partner with the organization.

In 1995, singer-songwriter Dolly Parton launched the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee. Her vision was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families. The new program gave each child from birth to age 5 a specially selected book each month.

The program has expanded and now delivers 1.4 million books each month to children nationwide.

Recently, the House and Senate Education Committees were updated on the progress of the Arkansas Imagination Library.

Approximately, 39,000 books are delivered each month to Arkansas children enrolled in the program. And in the last year, more than 427,000 books have been delivered to Arkansas homes. The number of books mailed monthly grew 87.3% in just two years.

Thousands of families could still benefit from the program. Any family with children ages 5 and under can sign up regardless of income. We have provided a link on our website www.arkansashouse.org

Arkansas Secretary of State

Secretary of State John Thurston to Open Northwest Arkansas Office

Ashdown Alumni Association will host John Moore on Saturday, February 22

The Ashdown Alumni Association will host Ashdown High School Class of 1980 Graduate John Moore on Saturday, February 22 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Alumni House located at 751 Rankin Street. Mr. Moore will be signing copies of his most recent books Write of Passage: A Southerner’s View of Then and Now, Volume One and Two. They are available on Amazon and copies will be available at the signing for $10 each.

John Moore is a native of Ashdown, Arkansas, but he has called Texas home for over 30 years. He is a former radio announcer and worked at several stations in Arkansas and Texas. From 1979-1982, he even worked at Ashdown’s former station KMLA. While a student at AHS, he worked on the journalism staff as a photographer for the school paper and annual.

He currently owns One Moore Production, a recording studio where he does commercial voice work and books on tape for Audible. His weekly column, Moore Thoughts appears in the Marshall News-Messenger, Tyler Morning Telegraph, the Longview News-Journal, the Texarkana Gazette, and six others.

Mr. Moore said, "I am looking forward to coming home to Ashdown to see family and friends and I'm looking forward to supporting the Alumni Association through my book signing. I hope to see everyone come out on Saturday the 22nd from 11 to 2 and thanks to the Ashdown Alumni Association and the Ashdown School District for inviting me to come.”

Bill Craig Named Paul Harris Fellow at Nashville Rotary

Bill Craig of Howard Memorial Hospital was named a Paul Harris Fellow at this week's Nashville Rotary Club meeting. Also pictured is Carol Murray who made the presentation.

30th Annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic

30th Annual Relyance Bank Arkansas Big Buck Classic returns to the Arkansas State Fair Grounds
Friday, January 24, 2020 through Sunday, January 26, 2020
Open Friday 1-8 * Saturday 9-8 * Sunday 10-6

Win Big Bucks @ Arkansas Big Buck Classic with $10,000 CASH PRIZE GIVEAWAY.
Plus, The Great Gun Giveaway! Remington and The Big Buck Classic have teamed up to giveaway
9 Remington Rifles and 3 Lazy Man Tree Stands THROUGH OUT THE WEEKEND!
More exhibits, demonstrations & FREE parking at the 2020 Big Buck Classic

THIS ARKANSAS TRADITION HAS BECOME A HALL OF FAME EVENT

Little Rock, Arkansas...01/8/20....THE BUCKS ARE BACK! The 30th Annual ARKANSAS BIG BUCK CLASSIC returns to the Arkansas State Fairgrounds JAN 24-26, 2020 Now considered the largest outdoor and hunting show of its type in the Mid-South, the 30TH Annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic offers something for all ages, as well as non-hunters. Live animals, tree stands, deer blinds, outfitters, clothing, boats, fishing equipment, exhibits, demonstrations and activities
utilize virtually every building on the State Fair Grounds. It is a tribute to the Arkansas Hunter that the Big Buck Classic continues to showcase big deer from around the State year after year. The Classic offers a place for outdoorsmen to observe hunting success from different parts of the State in one location. With so much to experience, many patrons now visit the Big Buck Classic more than once during the three-day weekend event, as there is something for the entire family and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life and interests. MONSTER TRUCKS AND BIG BUCKS
WILL BE AT THE 2020 BIG BUCK CLASSIC. THE BIG BUCK CLASSIC WILL HAVE A MONSTER TRUCK DISPLAY AND MONSTER
TRUCK RIDES! For those who love looking at LIVE animals: A Monster Deer Display, plus an Alligator Show from Gator Country in Texas, the Fetch’ n Fish dogs, Bwana Jim Live Animal Show, Live Rattesnake Handling, Chainsaw Carving, plus much more. Meet Smokey Bear with the US Forest Service and Bobber from the Core of Engineers. And the official Big Buck Classic Mascot Lucky Buck. Plus the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Big Buck Chili Cookoff benefitting Shriners Hospital for Children.

THE ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH FOUNDATION FREE KIDS ZONE
Trout Pond
BB Gun Range
Hover Ball Shoot
Free Coloring Books
Chance to win a Lifetime Hunting License from the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation

ALL at the 30th Annual Relyance Bank Arkansas Big Buck Classic.

Former UA Cossatot Student Creates Viral Video

Kirt Connor is a resident of Horatio, Arkansas, and a former UA Cossatot student. Kirt is a small town kind of guy, but he is also a big YouTube sensation due to his viral video Dad Guy.
Dad Guy is a parody of Billie Eilish’s song Bad Guy. This past year, Kirt created this entertaining video and submitted it to YouTube. Within its first couple of days on YouTube, the video had racked up more than 600,000 views. As of January 2020, Dad Guy has been viewed more than 2.7 million times.
Kirt’s sense of humor and love for music and videos led him to make this parody. After its release, Kirt received national news recognition. His video was mentioned on CBS This Morning, the Today Show, and Today Extra in Australia. Time.com did a story on Kirt’s video, and it was also mentioned on the Dr. Demento Radio Show. He recently received radio airplay in Ireland and has been a guest on the Kelly Clarkson show in California.
When asked about how it feels to get so many views and attention from his video, he said, “Not bad! In all seriousness, it’s incredibly humbling to have received this much attention and feedback from my silly little project. It has inspired me greatly, and I plan on releasing a lot more stuff.”
Connor went on to add that he will be releasing a full album in the first quarter of 2020, and he is currently writing and collaborating with other content creators.
Kirt has a music background and can play several instruments. He has played with the Midnight Hurricanes, was a Colgate Country Showdown national finalist, a member of Ms. Mac and the Groovetones band, and a longtime studio engineer and session musician. In high school, Kirt was introduced to making videos.
“Making videos is extremely flexible and expressive media. Your only limit is your creativity and how much money you’re willing to dish out,” said Kirt Connor.
When asked what the inspiration for Dad Guy was, Kirt said, “My wife is to blame. She started the lyrics via text message, and within five minutes, between the two of us, we had written the whole thing.”
Kirt also added that he wouldn’t have been able to make this video without his family. Kirt Connor is happily married to his wife, Kayla, and has four children; Duncan, Dovie, Korbin, and Kohen. He also works as an IT Field Tech at Howard Memorial Hospital in Nashville.
In the early 2000’s Kirt attended UA Cossatot. Kirt said, “The reason I chose to go to school at UA Cossatot was because of location, location, location! I also think it is a great college that offers a wonderful option for trades as well as transferring into and within the University of Arkansas system.”
Kirt encourages everyone to look into UA Cossatot as an educational opportunity and loves living in Southwest Arkansas

Beekeeping Program for Youths Starts This Month

Southwest Arkansas Beekeepers Association is continuing a youth beekeeping program started last year. The two-year program provides beekeeping education and guidance to youths through age nineteen and teaches them the skills to continue the hobby into later life. Successful completion of the two-year program earns the youth a hive of bees and certification. At least one parent or legal adult guardian MUST accompany Junior Beekeepers during workshops, meetings and other activities of the program. Any youths who are allergic to bee stings may not participate in this program.

Applications are available at Monday night's meeting of Southwest Arkansas Beekeepers at 6pm, Room 101, UA Cossatot in Nashville. For more information, contact Sheila Kreul at (870) 845-8524 or Jack Threat at (870) 557-4837. Applications must be received by February 1.

UA Cossatot’s Textbook/OER Program Helps Therapy Students Save Money

The University of Arkansas Cossatot Textbook Rental/Open Educational Resource (OER) Program continues to help students overcome financial barriers by including two primary medical programs.

The college’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) programs transitioned from requiring students to buy textbooks to renting, which will save students over $18,000 per year.

UA Cossatot Director of Educational Resources and OER Specialist Relinda Ruth proposed a three-payment plan for each program that allows students to rent all the required textbooks for a minimal fee.

“Textbooks are expensive and create another financial hardship for students,” said Ruth. “Our sole purpose has always been removing barriers to education for students and we are pleased that the college’s PTA and OTA programs are joining the program to help achieve that goal.”

UA Cossatot has saved students over $1.5 million since becoming the first two-year college in Arkansas to implement an internal textbook rental and OER program in early 2015. Including medical programs will greatly increase student savings.

“We are excited to be able to offer this textbook rental program to our students,” said UA Cossatot PTA Program Director Jennifer Sanderson. “Renting, rather than buying, textbooks saves our students hundreds of dollars.”

Over half of the courses at UA Cossatot do not require a textbook and instead use OER materials to supplement instruction.

For more information about textbook rentals, OER, or student services the Educational Resource Center (ERC) offers, please contact Relinda Ruth at 870-584-1181

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