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City workers continue to adjust to pandemic
It's business as usual at De Queen City Hall, other than the doors being locked and everyone doing business through the phones or the drive-through window. According to Mayor Jeff Brown, the water continues to flow, the trash is being picked up and the police are just a phone call away.
Noah Reed will be attending Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas. He was awarded the highest and most prestigious scholarship available at SAU: the Presidential Scholarship. This financial aid package is only allowed for those with a score of 30 or higher on the ACT and gives the future student $5,500 per semester for eight consecutive semesters. He also received the Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholars Award which is $10,000 per year for four consecutive years.
At SAU, Noah will major in Biology, Pre-Heath, specifically Pre-Medicine. He plans to join religious associations and the Biology Club while attending SAU. During his freshman year, he will be a part of the Leadership College Living Learning Community, and will attend a Leadership Academy at SAU over the summer.
Noah is involved in several extracurricular activities, such as Fellowship of Christian Students, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Science Bowl, and History Bowl. This year he was elected President of National Honor Society and retained his position as President of Fellowship of Christian Students. He is the Quiz Bowl captain for the third consecutive year, and achieved the award of 5A South Regional MVP with an average of nineteen questions per game. Additionally, he is the captain of both the Science and History Bowl teams. Noah is taking three Advanced Placements courses this year: Calculus, World History, and Biology. Noah has also been named the 2020 De Queen High School salutatorian. He is the son of Barry Reed and Jocelyn Phillips.
The De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce met on Tuesday and voted to postpone the Annual Sr Citizens' Appreciation Day and the Tri-Lakes Big Bass Festival until the Labor Day weekend. Sr Citizens' Appreciation Day is now scheduled for Friday, September 4th. The Big Bass Festival will take place on Saturday, September 5th.
Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, will provide an update to media this afternoon, Wednesday, April 15, at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response. (Press play button above.)
Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, will provide an update to media this afternoon, Tuesday, April 14, regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response. (Press play button above.)
The De Queen School District School Board met in regular session Monday, April 13, 2020 in the high school cafeteria. Before discussing regular agenda items, the board listened to Superintendent Jason Sanders and High School Principal Bryan Blackwood as they presented several options being explored to reschedule graduation for the Class of 2020 and the junior/senior prom. The two events have been postponed due to the Covid-19 social distancing guidelines.
The district is taking direction from the state government so dates for the two events cannot be set until the Governor gives directives allowing group events to resume. Mr. Sanders and Mr. Blackwood explained to the board how they are looking at all options and hope to be able to hold both events in the near future. If the rescheduled dates land in the summer months, changes in venue are possible to avoid the summer heat.
The board and district are committed to honoring the Class of 2020 and understand how important graduation ceremonies are to these seniors and their families. Once a new date is set and if there is a change in venue, the school district plans to communicate with the public in a timely manner which allows students and families to make the appropriate plans.
The original graduation date was Monday, May 11th and was set to be held on Bill Blackwood Field at Leopard Stadium. In order to honor the seniors, the lights and scoreboard will be turned on this night until midnight as a show of support and appreciation for the Class of 2020. It is a small gesture by the district in hopes of bringing something positive the seniors can lean on during this difficult time.
The district is asking everyone in the community to join in and show support for the Class of 2020 on May 11th by dressing up your business windows and marquees with messages of support for this year’s seniors. In addition, the district asks community members to support the local businesses that are honoring the Senior Class of 2020.
The 2020 Fiscal Session is now underway.
As we did in the recent special session, the House met at the Jack Stephens Arena at UALR to provide enough space for social distancing. We will continue to meet at that venue next week.
On the opening day of the session, the Governor told the General Assembly our state’s economy is not slowing down, but rather is on pause out of necessity.
The Governor is asking the General Assembly to cut $205 million from the previous balanced budget proposal presented before the pandemic. We intend to accomplish this while still fulfilling our obligations to education, public safety, and Medicaid.
While the legislature works on the state budget, we recognize many of you are struggling with your personal budget.
More than 132,000 unemployment claims have been processed in Arkansas. Arkansans who filed unemployment claims before March 28 should have received compensation by now. Those who filed before April 4 should receive payment this Monday.
Regular unemployment benefits now include an additional $600 weekly benefit payment for any workers eligible for state or federal unemployment insurance. There is no need to apply for this, these payments will automatically be issued, along with your regular UI benefit.
However, we know many other Arkansans are experiencing difficulty in processing claims and getting through the hotline. On Friday, the Joint Budget Committee passed an amendment for additional funding for extra help and overtime for the agency overseeing the unemployment hotline
If you are experiencing delays in filing your claim online or by phone, please understand that your claim will be processed and backdated. If eligible, you will receive your benefits based on your date of separation from your employment.
To assist the local Department of Workforce offices around the state with the massive volume of claims and questions, the Department of Commerce is utilizing almost 80 staff from the DWS central office and other Commerce staff and volunteers to answer the hotline calls and to file claims. They will continue to train available state employees. They are also evaluating the availability of an external call center. The external call center could provide a way for hours to be extended.
The website, www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov is available to process applications Sunday-Saturday from 6 am to 6 pm.
The hotline numbers 1-844-908-2178 or 501-534-6304 accept calls Monday – Friday, 8 am-3:30 pm.
ADWS EZARC - Welcome to EZARC
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 6:00AM - 6:00PMSaturday: 6:00AM - 6:00PMSunday: 6:00AM - 6:00PM This system is not compatible with mobile devices using older browsers. This site operates best with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher or Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or higher.
We have posted a link to frequently asked questions about unemployment on our website
The House will convene again on Wednesday at 11 am. Schedules and live stream information can also be found on our website.
Visit 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?
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced the formation of the Governor’s Medical Advisory Committee for Post-Peak COVID-19 Response. The committee, established by Executive Order 20-17, will identify the criteria to guide public health strategy after Arkansas reaches the peak of COVID-19 cases.
The committee will examine testing capabilities and social distancing protocols and make any recommendations necessary to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19. Dr. Nathaniel Smith, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), will serve as the committee chairman.
Members of the Governor’s Medical Advisory Committee for Post-Peak COVID-19 Response are:
Dr. Nathaniel Smith – Secretary of ADH (Chair)
Dr. Jose Romero – ADH Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Pediatric Infectious Disease at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)/Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Dr. Naveen Patil – ADH Medical Director for Infectious Disease
Dr. Jennifer Dillaha – ADH State Epidemiologist
Dr. Austin Porter – ADH Deputy Chief Science Officer and Assistant Professor at the UAMS College of Public Health
Dr. Greg Bledsoe – Surgeon General of Arkansas
Dr. Jerrilyn Jones – ADH Medical Director for Preparedness and Response and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at UAMS
Dr. Sam Greenfield – ADH Medical Director for Family Health and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UAMS
The committee will provide its first briefing to the Governor later this week.
With social distancing in practice, many 4-H’ers in our county are still at it. 4-H has many educational opportunities, and 4-H’ers are taking full advantage. Here are some of Sevier County’s 4-H’ers doing what they do best – “learning by doing”
For more information on the programs that are offered through 4-H, please contact the Sevier County Extension office at (870) 584-3013. We are still open during the COVID-19 crisis and ready to serve you.
Dana Stringfellow
Administrative Specialist III
Ouachita District Director – Chi Epsilon Sigma
Sevier County Extension Service
P O Box 990
De Queen, AR 71832
Email: dstringfellow@uaex.edu
Phone: (870) 584-3013
Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, will provide an update to media this afternoon, Monday, April 13, regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response. (Press play button above.)
Governor Asa Hutchinson and First Lady Susan Hutchinson deliver an Easter greeting for all Arkansans.
LITTLE ROCK – Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin issued the following statement regarding the noncompliance of abortion clinics with Governor Asa Hutchinson's directive to cease elective procedures during the public health crisis. Lt. Governor Tim Griffin issued the following statement:
"As I indicated at my press conference Wednesday, abortion clinics should cease procedures. I am pro-life, but abortion rights advocates describe the decision to abort as a 'choice.’ That, by definition, means we can all agree that abortion procedures are elective. Abortion procedures should not be occurring in Arkansas, and I applaud the Health Department's letter ordering them to cease and desist."
Transcript of the press conference on Wednesday, April 8, 2020:
Reporter: "In Texas they’re trying to outlaw abortions. ...The courts have said women’s rights, constitutional rights, can be suspended due to the emergency declaration. Do you think Arkansas should ban abortion during this public health emergency."
Griffin: "Well, the governor has already put out through the Department of Health some very specific guidance on what health care providers should and should not be doing, what they can be doing, in terms of elective surgeries, what’s essential, what’s non essential. That guidance was put out , I believe, last week and it specifically mentions in that guidance, abortion clinics. So I can’t speak for the governor but my understanding is, based on the guidance of the Department of Health, that the abortion clinics should not be operating under the current guidance."
Reporter: "And do you believe that’s how it should be?"
Griffin: "Sure, yes."
Additional information:
Cease and desist letter from the Arkansas Department of Health to abortion clinic.
Arkansas Department of Health Elective Procedures Directive (letter to healthcare facilities)
LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to talk about the professionals who are on the front lines at the hospitals and clinics all over Arkansas who are treating our COVID-19 patients and doing the critically important testing work.
These nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, and doctors are our first line of defense against COVID-19. They are putting their lives at risk in the same way that firefighters do when they run into a burning building. During this pandemic, these professionals have been reporting to work because they care for people and that is their life calling.
At least 158 health care providers have tested positive for COVID-19. We hope that they recover quickly.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that sets up in the lungs and requires the skills of a pulmonologist and a respiratory therapist if ventilator treatment is necessary.
A Little Rock registered respiratory therapist has described the effect of COVID-19 on the lungs as similar to the struggle to breathe if you climbed Mount Everest without oxygen.
The respiratory therapists measure, assess, and evaluate peak airway pressure, mean airway pressure, compliance, resistance, and monitor the pulmonary infection. The symptoms of COVID-19 are especially severe and hard to control.
While COVID-19 remains somewhat of a mystery killer, I am encouraged by the numbers we see at the present in Arkansas. We are seeing these positive signs because of the way Arkansans have adapted to the temporary limitations we have imposed on our daily lives.
The best way to help our front-line professionals is to continue to wash your hands, keep your distance, and stay at home if at all possible. If you have to get out, wear a mask to protect others. The more we practice these preventative measures, the sooner we will move past this pandemic.
Thanks to everyone who has risen to the challenge, from the people who are taking samples at drive-through testing sites in our clinics, to the professionals in the emergency rooms and intensive care units. Our prayers are with you.
I also wanted to mention the importance of this weekend since we celebrate both Passover and Easter. For me, Easter has always meant getting together for church and with family. This week, the First Lady and I will celebrate Easter away from the family and by watching the service on the Internet. It is important that we resist the temptation to get together because that risks the spread of the virus. Let’s get through this so that we will have many more Easters to celebrate in the future.
Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, will provide an update to media this afternoon, Friday, April 10, regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response. (Press play button above.)
UA Cossatot’s Adult Education students have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic like all public schools. During this time, students are not able to complete their GED® testing requirements to earn their high school equivalency diploma. Some students were only one test away from earning their credential. Nine students, however, did finish all of their test requirements and have earned their diploma.
Students who have passed their GED® tests and earned their diploma this spring semester include: Andrew Shelton, Gillham; Keith Perkins, Murfreesboro; Jeffery Scott Kimmel, Gillham; Dalton Saxour, De Queen; Brittany Kaylor, Murfreesboro; James Sellers, Gillham; Hector Barreto, De Queen; Brandon Gonzalez, Murfreesboro; and Memphis Jackson, Murfreesboro.
Adult Education offers many services other than GED® test preparation. Services offered include literacy, basic skills remediation, English as a Second Language, citizenship, digital literacy, employability skills, financial literacy, Accelerating Opportunities, and college preparation.
“Adult Education is a valuable part of community services,” says Jennifer Black, Director. “We help individuals to make a positive impact on their life. Students often come to adult education to earn their diploma to get a job, earn a job promotion, or go to college. It is so rewarding to be a part of students’ successes. They are often so grateful when they accomplish their goals, and that is what we are here to do, help each one succeed!”
For more information, please call UA Cossatot’s Adult Education department at 870-584-1467 or 870-584-1114.
Cossatot Community College
The Adult Education Department of Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas is committed in providing students with an opportunity to reach their educational goals and instilling in each student a dedication of "Learning for Life". If you need a copy of your GED transcript, please click on the the link below: Call 870-584-1114 and ask for Jennifer Black or Cathy Billingsley.
Below are several important updates from De Queen Public Schools:
Grab and Go Meal Program Ending
De Queen School District will regretfully cancel the Grab and Go Meal Program after Friday April 10th. The rise of positive Covid-19 cases in our county along with our concern for the health of our students, employees, and their families has caused us to make this difficult decision. The district is currently working with community stakeholders to create options of serving students and families who need assistance with meal services. Any family needing assistance is encourage to contact the De Queen School District Administration Office by phone at 870-584-4312 or by email at jsanders@dequeenleopards.org.
AMI Information
Under the direction of Governor Asa Hutchinson, all schools in the state will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year to in-school instruction. Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) will continue until Friday, May 8th, 2020. Teachers will continue to provide AMI packets which can be picked up in front of each school or found on the school’s website. Starting Monday, April 13th, there will be containers placed in front of each school for completed AMI work that needs to be turned in. AMI work should be focused on core subject areas and curriculum that has already been taught. We ask our students, staff, parents and community to continue the excellence you have displayed in the previous weeks of AMI and for students and parents to contact teachers if there are any questions or concerns.
Graduation
Graduation for the Class of 2020 has been postponed until a later date. There has been no date set as of yet and we will proceed with large public events at the direction of the AR Department of Health. We are committed to honoring our seniors and are looking at a possible summer commencement ceremony as well as other options.
AAA Dead Period
We remind the community that the Arkansas Activities Association has extended the “Covid-19 Dead Period for all AAA member schools through May 30, 2020. During this time all school athletic facilities will be closed. This includes the track, football field, practice fields, etc.
School Office Hours
Beginning Monday, April 13th, the administration office and school offices will move to a summer working schedule. Office hours will be Monday through Thursday from 8am to 3pm. We understand that many of our community members and stakeholders may need to contact the school to acquire information and conduct business. The district offices will be staffed in compliance with social distancing guidelines and directives by the Governor and the Department of Health regarding work requirements. For everyone’s safety, we ask the public to reach us by phone.
Administration Office: 870-584-4312 De Queen Primary: 870-642-3100
De Queen Elementary: 870-584-4311 De Queen Middle School: 870-642-2428
De Queen Junior High 870-642-3077 De Queen High School: 870-642-2426
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Samaritan Fields is taking shape east of the Sportsplex
A decade long dream of two De Queen men is coming ever closer to fruition. Samaritan Fields is taking shape on the north side of Collin Raye Drive, just east of the Sportsplex. De Queen High School alums Esteban Ochoa and Franklin Bahena have worked for years to create a local soccer facility.
Victor Rojas was raised and currently resides in De Queen, Arkansas. After graduating from De Queen High School in 2014, Victor became an education major at UA Cossatot. Today, Victor works for the Texarkana Independent School District as a teacher at Westlawn Elementary and credits UA Cossatot as being a big part of his journey.
In high school, Victor took college credit classes and decided to pursue a degree in education at UA Cossatot.
Victor said, "I chose to attend UA Cossatot because of affordability and location. My experience at UAC was overwhelmingly positive. UA Cossatot gave me, a first-generation college student, a first-rate education for which I am immensely grateful. My instructors were there to help when I needed it, and our Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole, was – and still is- approachable and resourceful."
For two years, Victor took classes at the UA Cossatot De Queen Campus and online. In 2016, he graduated from UA Cossatot with an Associate of Science in Education K-6 degree.
Shortly after graduating, Victor was accepted into Southern Arkansas University's off-campus teacher education program. This program allowed him to stay in his hometown and work at his former high school as a substitute teacher and as a paraprofessional for the high school's alternative learning environment.
Victor graduated from SAU with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, graduating magna cum laude, in May of 2018. In addition to being licensed in the area of elementary education, he also received authorization by the state of Arkansas to teach middle school social studies and 4th-12th grade business technology classes.
In the fall of 2018, Victor began teaching Adult Education courses at UA Cossatot. For a full year, Victor taught beginning ESL and Citizenship 101 classes. In 2020, Victor returned to UA Cossatot to teach Citizenship 101, which prepares adult learners for the U.S. Naturalization exam.
Teaching this course is a rewarding experience for Victor. Victor Rojas said, "As the son of naturalized U.S. citizens, teaching this class is a special and meaningful way for me to help others.”
Since August of 2019, Mr. Rojas has worked for Westlawn Elementary in Texarkana, where he teaches 4th-grade math and science. Victor says that he enjoys preparing students for middle school and teaching them certain leadership habits – such as being proactive and synergizing. He also says his favorite part about being a teacher is forming relationships in the classroom.
Victor is currently considering attending the University of Arkansas School of Law this fall. He was recently granted admission, and he has a desire to further his education. He also plans to teach upper-level courses in the future.
Victor enjoys helping others learn, encouraging his students to reach their goals, and is very proud of his sister, America Rojas, who is a UA Cossatot Student Ambassador. He also urges those pursuing higher education to consider UA Cossatot.
"UA Cossatot is a great place to get a top-notch education. It is welcoming, affordable, and you will find support i
Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, will provide an update to media this afternoon, Thursday, April 9, regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response. (Press play button above.)
