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Limited Dine-in Restaurant Service May Resume May 11, Governor Announces

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LITTLE ROCK – Restaurants in Arkansas may resume limited dine-in service on May 11 under Phase 1 guidelines that require daily health screening of staff, use of face masks and gloves, and strict social distancing, Governor Hutchinson announced at his daily press briefing today.

“Based on current data that shows we have slowed the spread of COVID-19, we have decided it is safe to resume dine-in restaurant service with some common-sense limits,” Governor Hutchinson said. “This is a significant but cautious step on the path back to normalcy. We will monitor the success of this step, and move to Phase 2 as quickly as we safely can.”

The restrictions on dine-in service under this directive include:

Phase 1

  • Restaurants must limit number of customers to one-third of total capacity.

  • Tables must be ten feet apart so that diners will be seated six feet away from diners at other tables.

  • Each employee who directly interacts with patrons must wear a face mask that completely covers nose and mouth. Kitchen staff and others are encouraged to wear a mask.

  • Each employee must wear gloves. Gloves should be changed between each customer, customer group, or task.

  • Management must conduct a daily health screening of all employees before they enter the restaurant. An employee with a cough, sore throat, fever, or shortness of breath must not enter the restaurant.

  • Patrons must wear a face covering until the food or drink is served.

  • Salad bars, buffets, and other self-serve features will remain closed.

  • Groups must be 10 or fewer customers.

  • Tables, chairs, salt/pepper shakers, condiment containers, and napkin holders will be cleaned and disinfected after each customer.

  • Bars and entertainment operations (such as live music, in-seat gaming devices, or arcades) are prohibited.

  • Normal service of alcohol within the restaurant seating area is allowed.

  • Restrooms should be disinfected frequently.

  • Service may be declined to patrons not wearing masks. 

These Phase 1 restrictions will remain in place until Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith determines that they may be relaxed or discontinued.

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New Grant for Businesses: "Arkansas Ready for Business"

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Governor Hutchinson announced the Arkansas Ready for Business grant which will offer $15 million to help businesses re-start during the first phase. A company will be eligible for $100,000 in assistance through the grant program.

Eligible expenses include: personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer stations, cleaning supplies and services, and other one-time expenses to enable a business to re-open or resume normal operations.

Application for the grant can be found on ArkansasEDC.com.

Arkansas Economic Development Commission

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission works to create new economic opportunities for Arkansas, building a more prosperous future for everyone.

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Enterprise Rent-A-Car Makes Donation to UA Cossatot

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Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company donated $2,500 to UA Cossatot Foundation to support Arkansas students and education.
UA Cossatot Board Member, Jay Dooley, recommended that UA Cossatot Foundation be considered for the Enterprise community grant. After the recommendation, Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Little Rock chose to make a donation to UA Cossatot Foundation and support its mission.
Cori Cunningham of Rent-A-Car said, “Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a company that is family owned. Our founder, Jack Taylor was passionate about strengthening communities, employees, and customers everywhere. Enterprise Rent-A-Car gives donations to many good causes and we are excited to support UA Cossatot and its students!”
UA Cossatot Board Member, Jay Dooley said, “My family and I love UA Cossatot and think the opportunities the college provides for its students is great! We appreciate this donation from Enterprise and its impact on local college students. I am proud to be a part of UA Cossatot as it proves to be a powerful force in our community.”
To learn more about the UA Cossatot Foundation or ways to support the college’s students, please contact UA Cossatot Foundation Director, Dustin Roberts at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu.

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State Parks Lifting Some Restrictions  For Arkansas Residents, Governor Announces

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LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas State Parks will begin a limited reopening of some facilities for Arkansas residents starting May 1, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today.

“Closing our parks, campgrounds, and visitor centers has been one of the toughest restrictions during this pandemic, but it was necessary,” Governor Hutchinson said. “I am elated that we can give Arkansans the opportunity to get out of their homes to enjoy our natural resources again.”

Rental of camp sites, cabins, lodges, and RVs will be limited to Arkansas residents.

Beginning May 1, Arkansas residents with self-contained RVs will be allowed to stay overnight in campgrounds. Bath houses will remain closed. Check in and check out will be automated.

On May 15, State Parks will open visitor information centers, museums and exhibits, gift shops, golf pro shops, marinas, and equipment rental. Staff will limit the number of visitors allowed into the visitor centers and shops, and will enforce social distancing.

On May 15, State Parks also will reopen to Arkansas residents cabins, lodges, and RV rental. Rentals will be limited to Friday through Monday to allow for deep cleaning between visitors.

“Arkansans love their parks, and we want to invite Arkansans back,” said Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst. “This proposal was reviewed and approved by Secretary of Health Nate Smith before going to the Governor for final approval.  These precautions will allow Arkansans to enjoy camping while maintaining guidelines for social distancing.”

Some high-use trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Devil’s Den State Park, and Petit Jean State Park will remain closed.

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Thank You, Arkansas Teachers

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Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8. As a professional association that serves Arkansas teachers, and as parents and educators ourselves, we at the Arkansas State Teachers Association have the utmost confidence in the women and men serving our state’s students. Your professionalism and dedication have shined during these disruptive times. As you work tirelessly to meet the needs of our children and demands of your districts, you also manage the care and learning of your own children and loved ones who need you.

The care, encouragement, and learning provided students at this time is nothing short of heroic. Yes, heroic, as we also take your distressing calls on a daily basis and know the realities behind the smiles and hope you bring students. We have cried and problem-solved with you as you worry over serving children with special needs, living in difficult home environments, and whose families are struggling – and all while learning new technology and methods and striving to meet the expectations of administration. You certainly carry one of the heaviest loads at this time. Thank you for all you do during these tough days and always. Thank you for choosing education. Thank you for your dedication to our state’s most precious treasures, our children. Your value is beyond measure.

Fellow Arkansans, it’s Teacher Appreciation Week. We encourage you to join us at the Arkansas State Teachers Association as we celebrate our teachers and recognize their efforts during these extraordinary times.

Michele Ballentine-Linch, Phd

Executive Director

Arkansas State Teachers Association

Arkansas State Teachers Association

The Arkansas State Teachers Association (ASTA) is our state's fastest-growing nonunion professional teachers association, advancing the profession through teacher advocacy and professional development, as well as promoting excellence in education, so that our members receive the respect, recognition and reward they deserve.


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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

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Child abuse does not stop during a pandemic. But since many of the state’s mandated reporters such as teachers and pastors are not interacting face to face with Arkansas children right now, the number of reports coming into the hotline have decreased by 50%

The director of Children Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, Elizabeth Pulley says that during times of isolation, child abuse happens in secrecy because signs of abuse go undetected. When school starts back, the number of cases is expected to rise.

April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, a time to place a special emphasis on increasing awareness and providing education and support to families to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

This week, Arkansas First Lady Susan Hutchinson and DHS Director of the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Mischa Martin asked for the help of Arkansans to report suspected abuse in their communities. Since the health emergency began, there have been 3,148 calls to the hotline. That is nearly half the number of calls that came in this time last year.

DCFS continues to provide services to families in need and they continue to serve and support the 4,400 foster families in Arkansas.

In addition, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, with 17 centers located across the state, remain open and are continuing to serve children in person and through telemedicine.

Child abuse and neglect can have a tremendous impact well into adulthood. Exposure to violence in childhood increases the risks of injury, future violence victimization, substance abuse, delayed brain development, lower educational attainment, and limited employment opportunities.

Nationwide, it is estimated that 1 in 7 children have experienced abuse or neglect in the past year.

The number to the hotline is 1-844-SAVE-A-CHILD. Professionals are there to answers calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Stress Management Seminar in Nashville May 1st

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The Nashville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a stress management seminar this Friday May 1st, starting at 1:00 p.m. Please respond to this email if you are interested in this free Dale Carnegie seminar. I will need your name, business you represent, phone number, and your email address. The seminar is from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. this Friday. Please send me your information and in return Scott Dutile , Eddie Beene’s son-in-law who is Vice President of Sales of Dale Carnegie, will email you a pass word for the seminar this Friday.

The one-hour seminar is for Chamber members and will show you effective ways to handle stress and worry since we are in uncharted waters of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please help us support this free seminar for the good of us all.

Thanks,

Mike Reese,

Chamber Director

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De Queen Juniors will Receive Rings on May 4th

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The De Queen Juniors will receive their senior rings on Monday, May 4th from 12 - 1.

Representatives from Herff Jones will be stationed in the circle drive in front of the junior high. Students are asked to write their first and last name on a paper and place it in the passenger window of their vehicle. Students will remain in the vehicle.

Anyone who has questions about balances may text or call 501-318-4386. If you text please put your first and last name along with De Queen High School.

-- Ramona Hill BSE, MSE

National Board Certified School Counselor

ArSCA Southwest Regional President-Elect

De Queen High School

1803 West Coulter

De Queen, AR 71832

870-642-2426 ext. 227

870-642-4931 fax

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Governor Hutchinson Declares 11 Counties Disasters after April 12 Tornadoes, Storms

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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has declared 11 counties disaster areas in the wake of severe storms and tornadoes on April 12, 2020.

The eleven counties are Arkansas, Bradley, Cleveland, Dallas, Drew, Grant, Hot Spring, Jefferson, Lincoln, Ouachita, and Phillips.

Under the emergency executive powers vested in the governor by Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 12-75-101, the declaration suspends certain procedures and regulations so that state departments and agencies and the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management can render rapid and orderly assistance to the counties.

Governor Hutchinson signed the declaration on April 23, 2020.

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Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | The Road Back

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LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to talk about our plans to shift our economy out of low gear as we look to life after the worst of this health crisis has passed.

I am optimistic about our economy and our ability to recover. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we had been expanding business and creating jobs at a pace that led to months of the lowest unemployment rates in the state’s history.

That was dynamic growth that Arkansans built on a firm foundation of agriculture, tourism, small business, retail, and technology growth. In Arkansas, we have extraordinary entrepreneurs that are part of Arkansas’s DNA. Our labor force is smart, creative, enthusiastic, hardworking, determined, and always willing to learn new skills.

Although COVID-19 staggered our economy, it did not damage the foundation, which is why I am assured we will be fine in the long run. This is a set-back that won’t hold us back for long.

One of the things I did as I considered the best path for Arkansas was to study the White House’s blueprint for Opening Up America Again. This plan is in four phases, and the plan serves as a common roadmap for all the states. Yet it is designed to be flexible and adjusted to the unique circumstances of each state.

The move to reopen the economy must be based on up-to-date data; it must protect the most vulnerable; and it must minimize the risk of a resurgence.

Based on those guidelines, I set May 4 as the date that Arkansas would begin lifting some of the restrictions we have put in place since March 11.

To guide us in the process, I created the Governor’s Economic Recovery Task Force and appointed 27 leaders from around the state to serve on it. I have asked the group to present an initial report by May 4. All of their recommendations will be guided by the best ongoing public health information.

The task force includes representatives from across all facets of life – health care, athletics and physical fitness, education, the faith community, agriculture, tourism, small business, and industry.

Steuart Walton, a business leader and entrepreneur, will chair the group. Steuart is engaged in the hospitality, manufacturing, and retail industries, and he understands the needs of small business.

Arkansas’s road back to recovery won’t be easy, but there is a road back. I am confident of that. I look forward to seeing the initial recommendations on how we can reinvigorate our business, build consumer confidence, and assure the best public health standards.