Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Monday, June 22, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response. (Press play button above.)
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
A few weeks ago, we reminded Arkansans of the upcoming deadline for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship. This week, we received word that the deadline has been extended to August 1.
Unlike in prior years, students who are already receiving the scholarship, have a sufficient number of hours, and have earned satisfactory academic progress before March 27 are automatically eligible for the scholarship for the 2020 fall semester.
Traditional students must score at least 19 on the ACT to qualify for the scholarship. The latest ACT score accepted by Arkansas Department of Higher Education will be from the July testing. Students who have yet to achieve a score of 19 on the ACT may take the Accuplacer test remotely as a substitute.
Meanwhile, we want to remind Arkansans of another valuable scholarship funded by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.
The Workforce Challenge Scholarship was created in the 2017 legislative session and is funded by lottery revenue. The purpose of the scholarship is for workforce training in high demand areas of healthcare, information technology, and industry. Classes are not limited to credit-bearing programs. Non-credit, workforce-training classes that fit into the three above categories may also qualify.
To meet minimum eligibility requirements, those applying for the Workforce Challenge Scholarship must be 1) an Arkansas resident, 2) a high school graduate or received high school equivalency, 3) cannot be a current recipient of the Academic Challenge Scholarship, and 4) be accepted for admission into an approved program as defined by ADHE. The degree list for the 2020-2021 academic year can be found on our website www.arkansashouse.org.
Arkansas Workforce Challenge is a non-renewable grant. Students who successfully complete their program of study will be allowed to reapply for award in another eligible program. Students who receive funding from Workforce Challenge and do not successfully complete their program will be allowed to reapply one time.
The Workforce Challenge Award will be the cost of a certificate program or program of study not to exceed $800. Students must apply at least 30 days prior to enrollment in an eligible program. There is no deadline to apply, however applications should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the start of the program.
To apply for either scholarship visit the Department of Higher Education’s website, scholarships.adhe.edu, and complete the Arkansas YOUniversal Scholarship Application. The online YOUniversal application is your one-stop-shop for state and lottery-funded financial aid.
Monday's COVID-19 Arkansas Area County Active Case Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 588
Active Positive: 201
Recovered: 382
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 2,973
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 68
Active Positive: 29
Recovered: 39
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 950
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 35
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 32
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 793
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 64
Active Positive: 11
Recovered: 53
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,057
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 7
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 6
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,375
Monday's Ark-La-Tex Weather from the National Weather Service in Shreveport
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will keep our temperatures at or below normal for today. A few severe storms with damaging wind gusts cannot be ruled out.
A line of strong thunderstorms, which may produce gusty winds and
brief heavy rainfall, will move southeast across the area today.
Redevelopment is possible this afternoon across Southeast
Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, and Northeast Texas, but this is
very uncertain. If thunderstorms redevelop this afternoon, a few
storms could be severe. Damaging winds and large hail will be the
primary threats. The threat for severe weather should diminish
this evening.
Widespread thunderstorms are expected Tuesday as a cold front
slowly moves into the area. A couple of severe storms cannot be
ruled out, especially south of the Interstate 30 corridor.
Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threat.
More thunderstorms are expected along the from Wednesday and
Thursday. Severe weather is not anticipated, but multiple rounds
of locally heavy rainfall could lead to isolated flooding.
Rain chances will decrease after Thursday, but isolated to widely
scattered thunderstorms will remain in the forecast Friday through
Sunday.NPR: China Suspends Poultry Imports From Tyson Foods Plant In Arkansas
NPR
June 21, 2020 12:18 PM ET
JASON SLOTKIN
China is halting the import of poultry from a Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas following an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the facility.
Tyson Foods confirmed to NPR that the announcement pertains to its Berry Street facility in Springdale, Ark., where 227 workers tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month. All but four of them were asymptomatic, according to Tyson.
The company said that tests of its facilities in northwest Arkansas showed that 481 employees, or 13% of 3,748 employees, had tested positive. The company said 455 of those employees (95%) were asymptomatic.
China Suspends Poultry Imports From Tyson Foods Plant In Arkansas
China is halting the import of poultry from a Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas following an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the facility. The nation's General Administration of Customs office made the announcement on Sunday, saying shipments from the plant would be temporarily suspended, while products that have already arrived will be seized.
Sunday's COVID-19 Maps and Numbers from the Arkansas Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 563
Active Positive: 182
Recovered: 376
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 2,913
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 62
Active Positive: 24
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 927
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 35
Active Positive: 4
Recovered: 31
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 770
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 63
Active Positive: 13
Recovered: 50
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,051
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 7
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 6
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,344
A Message from Dr. Steve Cole to All UA Cossatot Students and Future Students
Saturday's COVID-19 Maps and Numbers from Arkansas Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 550
Active Positive: 186
Recovered: 359
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 2,861
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 54
Active Positive: 20
Recovered: 34
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 902
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 35
Active Positive: 7
Recovered: 28
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 761
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 62
Active Positive: 14
Recovered: 48
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,040
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 7
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 6
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,300
AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | The Wait for Nursing Home Visits is Almost Over
LITTLE ROCK – We set a goal to test every resident and staff member in long-term-care in June, and today I’m pleased to say that nursing homes, and assisted-living and residential-care facilities will be able to resume limited family visits and other activities on July 1 if they have complied with the public health guidelines of the Arkansas Department of Health.
This is an important step. The residents of nursing homes have been cut off from direct visits with family and friends for three months. This isolation is very difficult on our loved ones, and because of our testing and other measures in place, we are ready to have visitors again.
In terms of testing, as of this week, we have tested over 19,000 of our nursing home residents and staff with only 150 positive cases. This indicates we are doing a good job of protecting some of our most vulnerable Arkansans.
Many of our nursing homes are completely free of COVID-19. Arkansas’s rate of positive cases is less than half the national average.
The Arkansas Health Care Association is coordinating with the Arkansas Department of Health on the June initiative. Executive Director Rachel Bunch said that for the comfort of the elderly, the testers will use the least-invasive swab available.
She points out that the increase in testing will initially produce an increase in the number of positive cases, but the testing will allow us to create a baseline to guide our decisions. She also said that a large number of patients who test positive don’t show any symptoms. A person with a positive test isn’t necessarily sick.
We issued the directive that visitors would not be allowed into nursing homes on March 14. This decision hit close to home. A member of my own staff wasn’t allowed to visit her father. The directive included an end-of-life exception for family members, so that she was allowed to put on personal protective equipment to see him before he passed.
During this time of isolation, the caregivers have assisted residents with window visits and internet visits. The family of Louis Strickland, an Army veteran, threw a party for his 100th birthday, but his family had to watch through a window at the Veterans Home. But nothing is as good as an in-person visit of a family member.
We are close to our testing goal. The long wait for families and their loved ones in nursing homes is almost over.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Friday (06.19.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Friday, June 19, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response. (Click on Play Button Above)
Governor Asa Hutchinson Announces Appointments
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced the following appointments:
Steve Sutton, Marion, to the State Board of Education. Appointment begins July 1, 2020, and expires June 30, 2027. Replaces Diane Zook.
Dr. Beatrice Reed, Little Rock, to the State Board of Optometry. Appointment expires April 26, 2025. Replaces Dr. Robert Smalling.
Daryl Bassett, Little Rock, to the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System. Appointment expires March 9, 2026. Reappointment.
Dennis Wiederkehr, Altus, to the Arkansas Wine Producers Council. Appointment expires March 1, 2023. Reappointment.
Frank Wilson, Rison, to the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2029. Reappointment.
Ed Spaeth, Greenbrier, to the Arkansas Manufactured Home Commission. Appointment expires September 1, 2023. Replaces Dewight Mack.
Katherine Holmstrom, Little Rock, to the War Memorial Stadium Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2026. Replaces Brenda Scisson.
David Mattingly, Benton, to the War Memorial Stadium Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2027. Replaces Kevin Crass.
Dan York, Foreman, to the Red River Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2027. Reappointment.
Dwayne Raper, Ashdown, to the Red River Commission. Appointment expires January 14, 2026. Reappointment.
Robert Liner, Fort Smith, to the Oil and Gas Commission. Appointment expires February 20, 2025. Replaces Lee Dawkins.
Frank Morledge, Forrest City, to the Oil and Gas Commission. Appointment expires February 20, 2026. Reappointment.
Robert Passwaters, Bryant, to the Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities. Appointment expires June 1, 2024. Reappointment.
Craig Reinhardt, Little Rock, to the Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities. Appointment expires June 1, 2024. Reappointment.
Sheri Rogers, Hot Springs, to the Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities. Appointment expires June 1, 2024. Reappointment.
Anne Canada, Subiaco, to the Arkansas Educational Television Commission. Appointment expires March 23, 2027. Replaces Sammie Benjamin.
Ann Clemmer, Benton, to the Arkansas Educational Television Commission. Appointment expires March 23, 2022. Replaces Philip Hathcock.
Annette Herrington, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Educational Television Commission. Appointment expires March 23, 2028. Reappointment.
Stephen Horton, Maumelle, as a Special County Judge in the County Court of Searcy County, for the case styled Searcy County Court Case No.: CO-19-1. Replaces Judge Jim Harness, who has disqualified himself from the case.
Friday's COVID-19 Maps and Numbers from the Arkansas Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 506
Active Positive: 157
Recovered: 344
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 2,766
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 47
Active Positive: 13
Recovered: 34
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 894
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 34
Active Positive: 6
Recovered: 28
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 760
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 60
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 43
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,027
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 7
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 6
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,273
VIDEO: UA Cossatot Drive-Thru Registration Continues Today on Nashville and Lockesburg Campuses
Drive-thru registration Friday on the UA Cossatot Nashville campus until 11 a.m. and in Lockesburg from 4 - 6 p.m.
VIDEO: Fit 4 Life with Dr Andi Reeves - Gardening
This week on Fit-4-Life, Dr. Andi talks about square foot gardening.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Thursday from Fort Smith (06.18.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media in Fort Smith on Thursday, June 18, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response.
Thursday's Arkansas COVID-19 Maps and Case Numbers from the AR Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 498
Active Positive: 160
Recovered: 333
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 2,641
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 45
Active Positive: 12
Recovered: 33
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 877
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 34
Active Positive: 6
Recovered: 28
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 747
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 60
Active Positive: 21
Recovered: 39
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,006
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 7
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 5
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,255
VIDEO: Drive Thru Registration Thursday and Friday at UA Cossatot Campuses
Drive Thru Registration will be at De Queen and Ashdown campuses on Thursday, and at Nashville and Lockesburg campuses on Friday. For more information, call 800-844-4471.
UA Cossatot Awarded the Second Youthbuild Program in Arkansas
DEQUEEN, AR –The U.S. Department of Labor announced earlier this year that they were awarding $85 million to support and expand YouthBuild programs across the country. YouthBuild provides at-risk youth, ages 16-24, with education and occupational skill development to obtain employment in construction and other in-demand industries.
UA Cossatot was one of the awardees, obtaining a Youthbuild grant totaling $844,000 to provide local at-risk youth in Sevier, Howard, Little River, and Pike counties the opportunity to learn industrial maintenance and construction skills that lead to good jobs and better housing for the area.
According to UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole, “Being awarded the Youthbuild grant is pretty incredible. This is only the second such program in Arkansas and we think this will be a game-changer for at-risk youth in our area that need to sharpen their skills. The bonus to this program is that the participants of the program develop these skills at no cost to them, and we provide money for supportive services as well. These services can range from anything like child care, to car expenses”.
“Youthbuild focuses on job training and education and while the students are learning, they are also renovating low income housing, which is a win-win for the area”, says Cole.
UA Cossatot has already hired three new staff members to assist students in applying for and training within the Youthbuild program. While the program has not officially started their first courses, they are ramping up operations quickly and should welcome their first cohort of students sometime this fall. For more information about the Youthbuild program at UA Cossatot, please email Jennifer Black at jblack@cccua.edu, or call UA Cossatot at 870-584-4471.
Soccer Fields Coming to De Queen - Samaritan Fields
List of Blood Drives Coming to De Queen
The community relies on volunteer donors to provide this lifesaving resource for everyday medical needs and in times of emergency or disaster. Plan to donate at one of these blood drives, or another location near you.
Keith Wester
Tractor Supply
Friday, June 19
708A E Collin Raye
De Queen, AR 71832
2pm - 6pm
Pilgrim's Pride
Monday, June 22
401 South 3rd Street
De Queen, AR 71832
1pm - 6pm
DeQueen Cuffs and Hoses
Tuesday, June 23
220 N. 2nd Street
De Queen, AR 71832
2:30pm - 7pm