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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

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Memorial Day will be different this year. The threat of the coronavirus will limit the large gatherings of people who typically come together at ceremonies.

But the virus cannot stop us from taking a moment of private reflection to honor the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform who died protecting freedom.

Arkansas was and is home to so many brave men and women who deserve our recognition. Our state lost 2,183 Arkansans in World War I.

World War II had a great economic and social impact on the people of Arkansas. During the war, an estimated 194,645 Arkansans served the nation in the various branches of the U.S. armed forces. That was approximately 10% of our state’s population in 1940. As a result of combat, 3,519 Arkansans lost their lives.

Arkansans continued to answer the call to serve. There were 461 Arkansans who lost their lives in the Korean War and 588 during the Vietnam War.

We lost 4 of our own in Desert Storm, 33 in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 29 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

And today, there are thousands who serve willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedom still.

In 2017, the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 281 which instructed the Secretary of State to erect a monument honoring Gold Star Families. The monument is located directly behind the Capitol and was dedicated last fall. The Gold Star Family Memorial Monument honors those families who sacrificed more than most of us, and illustrates that the United States has citizens in every community willing to make such sacrifices. It further illustrates that families suffer and grieve when a dear relative is lost, and without their sacrifices, freedom could not and would not have been preserved.

Monuments and ceremonies are just two of hundreds of ways to honor our men and women in uniform, but the one act of appreciation each of us can do, even in the middle of a pandemic, is to be the kind of American worth fighting for.

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AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Memorial Day in 2020

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LITTLE ROCK – Monday is Memorial Day, and today I’d like to pay tribute to the Arkansans who have given their lives through military service to ensure that Americans continue to live in freedom.

Memorial Day 2020 will be different than any of us has ever observed. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to alter most of our traditions, including Memorial Day. This year, we can’t congregate for memorial services at cemeteries and churches. But we can still honor the memory of those who died on our behalf by remembering them and all those who are still willing to go to the front lines.

Since last Memorial Day, we have dedicated a new monument just outside the west doors of the capitol. It is in memory of those who have died in war and in memory of their survivors, the Gold Star families. This monument acknowledges that these families have had to move on with their lives even as they grieve their loss. Their sacrifice never ends.

The monument also is a promise to them that to the best of our ability, we will continue to fight for freedom at home and around the world. We hope that we will never need to add another name to this roll of honor of those who have died on our behalf. But if a situation requires it, we will take up the fight. We will find inspiration in their courage and valor. We will battle to preserve the liberty they bought with their lives.

Those who fight for us understand that serving others requires us to put the interests of others ahead of what we want. That has never been more evident than during this pandemic. Wearing a mask in public is perhaps uncomfortable and inconvenient, but we wear masks because that protects others.

Right now, every retail shop in Arkansas is open to do business. As we head into summer, we will be able to lift even more limits as we reengage our economy, while at the same time we continue to wash our hands frequently and keep a safe distance from others in public.

Because of Arkansans’ willingness to work together, we have been able to allow greater use of our state parks, with all their lodges, cabins, trails, lakes, and rivers. This is a good weekend to begin to explore our life under new circumstances. It’s also a good time to honor the sacrifice of those who went before us.

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From the Office of the Chancellor

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We are now several months in to the COVID-19 outbreak and UA Cossatot has been working diligently to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community. Now that we know our summer courses will be offered online, our attention has already shifted to how we will approach the Fall 2020 semester.

While we will keep relying on guidance from the Governor’s office, our state health care professionals and the University of Arkansas System, we will also be developing a local plan so our campuses can safely be open for students this fall.

To aid in our Fall 2020 decisions, I have appointed the UA Cossatot COVID-19 Task Force. This is a task force that is comprised of committees that will oversee developing our campus strategy for a safe Fall 2020 semester. The task force is comprised of the following committees: Contingency Planning, Academics and Student Assistance, Communicable Diseases, Communications, Events, Facilities/Partners/Contractors/Logistics, Finances, Health and Safety/Environmental Safety, Human Resources, Outreach/Alumni, Athletics, Information Technology.

These committees have already started working on contingency plans in all of these areas. They will be taking into account several different scenarios that UA Cossatot could face this fall. The scenarios range from the most likely to the most unlikely and will include how UA Cossatot will respond to each.

We feel that this contingency plan, along with continued input and guidance from the Governor’s office, health care professionals around the state and the University of Arkansas System will allow UA Cossatot to be fully prepared to have a safe and productive fall semester for our students, staff, and the community members we serve each day.

While we do not know what the future holds in regards to the COVID-19 outbreak, we do know we need to be prepared and we feel that the COVID-19 Task Force will create the blueprint that will allow this to happen.

We are seeing many students already enrolling for summer and fall and our registration is certainly still open for both semesters. We have made our entire registration process available online for the safety and convenience of our students. We are also working on virtual tours of our campuses. Our website contains all the information students need to register: https://www.cccua.edu.

These are unprecedented and unexplored times but we will all make it through by working together. You can always find more UA Cossatot information on Facebook (ED88 and UAC) and on our http://www.ed88radio.com and http://www.cccua.edu websites.

Thank You,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

Cossatot Community College

UA Cossatot embraces diversity and is committed to improving the lives of those in our region by providing quality education, outstanding service, and relevant industry training. The University of Arkansas - Cossatot Community College offers degrees and certificates in more than two dozen fields.

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Greg Ray and Manya Wood in the Ed 88 Studios Thursday Morning

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Joining Loren on the Ed Morning Show Thursday were Sevier County Judge Greg Ray and District Judge Manya Wood discussing the rules regarding admittance to the courthouse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today on Ed 88, Judge Manya Wood discussed the new attendance requirements. For district court in Sevier County. This is a list of those requirements.

DISTRICT COURT GUIDELINES REGARDING COVID-19

Masks will be required of everyone entering the courthouse. Defendant’s, witnesses and attorneys must bring a mask.

Everyone will be screened prior to entering the courthouse per the Arkansas Department of Health and CDC guidelines.

Attorneys will be required to contact their clients and any witnesses they will be using the day of court to ensure compliance with these guidelines.

All parties present in the courthouse and courtroom will be required to maintain the six foot (6’) social distancing requirement.

Public restroom access will be limited.

You will be required to wait in your car until it is time for you to enter courthouse. You will be called when it is your turn, therefore, if you do not have an attorney, you must have a working cell phone.

All people will be required to check in through the main entrance to the courthouse on the east side of the courthouse square;

Only the person that has a court date will be allowed into the courtroom during arraignments, unless that person is a minor, then a parent or guardian will be allowed with the minor. Absolutely no children will be allowed into the courtroom unless they are involved in the case and you have permission to bring them.
District Court Arraignment check in on June 9, 2020, will be as follows:
Last names beginning with letters A – D at 8:30 am;
Last names beginning with letters E – L at 9:30 am;
Last names beginning with letters M – Z at 10:30 am;
District Court Trials on June 9, 2020 are set on an individual time slot basis. Contact District Court at (870) 584-7311 to determine when you should arrive for your trial.

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UA Cossatot Virtual Tour for Fall Registration

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Time to start planning for the future! Fall registration is underway now at UA Cossatot. For a taste of what we have to offer, check out this short video, then visit: www.cccua.edu

We would love to talk about how we can help you achieve your goals. And when you get your Associate's Degree at UAC, you can transfer to UA Fayetteville and pay the same low tuition you enjoyed at Cossatot! A member of our Cossatot family is standing by to answer all your questions and get you started on whatever career path you choose!

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Summer Employment Opportunity!

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Husqvarna, L&G facility, is currently accepting high school and college student applications for employment during the summer months for second shift. Openings include Motor Testers, Material Handlers, and Production workers.

Pay range $13.40- $15.15 per hour. Hourly pay rate includes a $2.00 per hour temporary premium.

Students must meet the minimum age requirement.

Apply at 1 Poulan Drive in Nashville, AR.

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Sevier County REA Customers were Without Power for Several Hours Sunday

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More than 260 customers in Sevier County were without power for over 7 hours Sunday, May 17, beginning at around 9:30 a.m. due to a fire at a substation. Power was restored just after 4:30 Sunday afternoon.

Sunday morning, Southwest Arkansas Electric REA posted on Facebook, “We are currently experiencing equipment issues at our De Queen Substation. We are working on the faulty equipment and hope to have it replaced soon. Thank you for your patience.”

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Tornado Warnings were Issued for the Region Saturday Evening

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Thunderstorms moved across the region Saturday evening and tornado sirens and warnings from Code Red and the National Weather Service came across between 6 and 7 p.m. A Tornado Watch remains in effect through 9:00 Saturday night, 05/16.

Pockets of heavy rainfall came across the area and prompted Flash Flood Watches and Warnings for portions of southwest Arkansas, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, and northeast Texas. According to the National Weather Service, skies should clear off Sunday bringing sunny and dry conditions throughout next week.

 

Carmelia Johnson captured this video Saturday evening, May 16, in Central.

 
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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

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The COVID-19 pandemic could be a source of stress, fear, or anxiety for many Arkansans. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a good time to remind Arkansans of the resources available to help during this time. 

If you currently visit a provider for mental health services, these services can now be accessed by telephone or tele-video. Arkansas’s Community Mental Health Centers have also temporarily changed their services to utilize tele-video or telephone technology whenever possible.  

The Arkansas Lifeline Call Center can direct you to the center closest to you.

The Arkansas Lifeline Call Center (1-800-273-8255) is available 24/7. This call center housed within theArkansas Department of Health answers calls from Arkansans to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call takers can route Arkansans to local resources. 

Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming in both adults and children. 

Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Parents can be more reassuring to others around them, especially children, if they are better prepared.

The CDC recommends the following to cope with stress:

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.

  • Eat healthy meals and exercise regularly.

  • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.

While we may all be social distancing, it’s important to still connect with others. Technology allows us to connect in new ways. As we collectively work to get our state back to normal, don’t underestimate the importance of reaching out to family and friends.

Taking care of yourself can help you cope with stress and in turn, help others. Helping others is what will make communities stronger on the other side of this crisis.

 
 
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Two Minors Caught for Damaging Mailboxes and Stolen Street Signs in Sevier County

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This mailbox was recently damaged on De Queen Lake Road

This mailbox was recently damaged on De Queen Lake Road

Two juveniles, names withheld, were apprehended Thursday by the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office for damaging mailboxes and stealing street signs in Sevier County. After hearing about the incidents, Deputy Sharp made a stop of two suspects in a truck and found a sledge hammer and several stop signs in the pickup bed. The two minors will be paying for all the damages.