The CARES Act Steering Committee, created by Governor Asa Hutchinson to recommend the best use of federal COVID-19 aid, met virtually at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Thursday's Updated COVID-19 Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 769
Active Positive: 89
Recovered: 671
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,559
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 115
Active Positive: 29
Recovered: 85
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,531
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 0
Recovered: 40
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 877
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 81
Active Positive: 9
Recovered: 72
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,586
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 12
Active Positive: 5
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,883
Maddie Martin of De Queen Receives 2020 Rotary Club Crystal Award
Maddie Martin received the 2020 Crystal Award from the De Queen Rotary Club. This award is given to an outstanding female athlete. Check out the story on dequeenbee.com
Martin receives 2020 Rotary Club Crystal Award
Maddie Martin received the 2020 Crystal Award from the De Queen Rotary Club. This award is given to an outstanding female athlete. Martin participated in Lady Leopards basketball for four years where she received All Conference and All State honors. She also received All Conference in track.
Arkansas Voters First Group Seeks a Change in Redistricting Process
Every 10 years, legislative and congressional districts in Arkansas are shifted based on population. A proposal to change who is in charge of the process might be on the November ballot after the group Arkansas Voters First handed in its signatures supporting the measure Monday. Activists have argued for years that redistricting is often plagued by gerrymandering, which is the practice of drawing district boundaries to achieve political advantage for legislators.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/campaign-independent-redistricting-commission-submits-signatures-ballot
Open Primaries of Arkansas Plan to Add Ballot Measure to November's Election
The Open Primaries Arkansas group turned in its signatures to the Arkansas Secretary of State's Office Monday. Their initiative would place an open primary concept in front of voters in November. If the measure is approved, it would change how candidates are selected for office in the state.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/ballot-initiative-group-seeks-open-primaries-arkansas
Arkansas Nursing Homes Have Reopened to Visitors
As visitations resume in nursing homes, visitors will have to follow new Arkansas Department of Health guidelines, like limiting visits to two guests per resident, wearing face masks, and passing a health screening. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities closed to the public March 13 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to vulnerable residents in these facilities.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-nursing-homes-reopen-visitation
Amazon's New Shipping Center in Little Rock will Create 1,000 Jobs
Amazon announced Tuesday plans to open its first fulfillment center at the Port of Little Rock. The new fulfillment center, which is anticipated to launch in 2021, will create over 1,000 new full-time jobs.
The 825,000 square-foot distribution facility will be located on 80 acres at the port and will benefit from yesterday’s announcement of upgrades to road infrastructure.
Amazon Says New Little Rock Fulfillment Center Will Employ 1,000
Amazon announced Tuesday plans to open its first fulfillment center at the Port of Little Rock. The new fulfillment center, which is anticipated to launch in 2021, will create over 1,000 new full-time jobs. The 825,000 square-foot distribution facility will be located on 80 acres at the port and will benefit from yesterday's announcement of upgrades to road infrastructure.
COVID-19 Latest Maps and Numbers for Wednesday
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 758
Active Positive: 86
Recovered: 663
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,538
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 106
Active Positive: 24
Recovered: 81
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,508
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 1
Recovered: 39
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 875
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 80
Active Positive: 9
Recovered: 71
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,574
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 11
Active Positive: 4
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,865
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Wednesday (07.08.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
UA Cossatot Now in Phase 2 of Reopening
Just a reminder that during our Phase 2 of reopening, all UAC campuses are closed on Fridays. You can schedule an appointment to visit with any department on campus Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm.
Arkansas Activities Association School Athletics COVID-19 Update
The Triple A released a statement this afternoon regarding fall sports in Arkansas in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Tuesday (07.07.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Tuesday's COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 748
Active Positive: 89
Recovered: 650
Deaths: 9
Negatives: 3,512
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 102
Active Positive: 25
Recovered: 76
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,486
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 869
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 80
Active Positive: 9
Recovered: 71
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,563
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 10
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,852
COVID-19 Update for Monday, July 6th
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 743
Active Positive: 100
Recovered: 635
Deaths: 8
Negatives: 3,487
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 101
Active Positive: 27
Recovered: 73
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,450
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 867
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 77
Active Positive: 7
Recovered: 70
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,540
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 10
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,839
Message from the Howard County Farmers Market
Market Monday, July 6th starting at 3 p.m.
For those who may not be able to come to the Friday morning market, we will be having a Monday afternoon market day tomorrow, 6 July starting at 3pm. We have seven vendors who will be bringing their items to the market. Here's who's coming and what they plan to bring:
- Wildflowers -
Garden fresh potatoes, onions, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, honey, jams & jellies
- Don's Fresh Produce -
Pink-eye Purple hull peas, squash, zucchini, tomatoes
- Wenta Farm -
Hand-picked blueberries, figs, cucumbers
- Green’s Farm -
Delicious plum jelly, tea cakes, apple plum jelly
- Grandma Sylvia's Creations -
Crocheted facemasks, earrings
- Threat Farm -
Free-range eggs
- Double J Farm -
Raw honey
We recommend you get there as soon as we open for the best selection. We also request you wear protective masks and follow social distancing of 6 feet separation from others as you shop at the market. Most importantly, please stay home if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. We want everyone to have a safe time at the market.
WIC and SNAP Accepted by participating vendors. We thank you for your patronage!
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Monday (07.06.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Monday, July 6, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
COVID-19 Updated Numbers for Sunday
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 732
Active Positive: 104
Recovered: 621
Deaths: 7
Negatives: 3,447
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 100
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 73
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,408
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 864
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 76
Active Positive: 7
Recovered: 69
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,525
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 10
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,815
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
As the state began a new fiscal year this week, we received some good news about the state budget.
The fiscal year for the state budget always ends on June 30 and begins on July 1.
While general revenue for Fiscal Year 2020 was $168 million less than the year before, it was $369 million above what economic forecasters predicted in the wake of the health emergency.
This means the budget outlined in the Revenue Stabilization Act for the previous year ended fully funded with $3.2 million in excess.
The Department of Finance and Administration says the fiscal year ended above forecast as a result of the following:
1) Better than expected sales tax collections from retail activity and vehicle sales.
2) Individual income tax payments from filings ahead of the shifted July 15th due date
3) Reduced individual refund claims related to the shifted tax filing date
4) Continued gains in corporate income tax
However, the negative financial impact of COVID-19 was still evident in low annual growth from sales tax and payroll withholding tax.
State budgets are directly linked to how well the economy is performing. The recent revenue reports show while our economy is certainly not where it was a year ago, it is performing better than expected.
The latest unemployment numbers show our state unemployment rate is 9.5%. The national unemployment rate is 13.3%.
As more Arkansans are going back to work, it is imperative that we all continue to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask in public.
Saturday's COVID-19 Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 732
Active Positive: 104
Recovered: 621
Deaths: 7
Negatives: 3,447
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 100
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 73
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,408
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 40
Active Positive: 2
Recovered: 38
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 864
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 76
Active Positive: 7
Recovered: 69
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,525
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 10
Active Positive: 3
Recovered: 7
Deaths: 0
Negatives: 1,815
AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | The American Spirit in a Pandemic
LITTLE ROCK – This year, the Fourth of July will be quieter than any in our lifetime. That will be most obvious, perhaps, in small towns such as Piggott, where July 4th is the biggest event of the year.
July 4th in Piggott is the kind of small-town family-friendly Independence Day celebration many of us remember. It is a homecoming, carnival, and political event rolled into one day that ends with fireworks. Many a politician has campaigned at the Piggott Fourth of July Picnic. I attended my first one in 1986, and I campaigned there when I was running for governor in 2014.
But this year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Piggott to cancel its picnic, carnival, beauty contest, and fried-chicken dinner for the first time since 1931. The fireworks show is the only tradition the city didn’t cancel.
The picnic is Piggott Cemetery Association’s biggest fundraiser. Fred Ort is president of the Association, and he’s not sure how the association will make up the lost funds, but he’s confident it will.
Fred’s family moved to Piggott when he was 12, and he has attended every picnic since then. He’s 68 years old.
In past years, the carnival would already be up and running and members of the association would be busy with final preparations. He said life feels a little empty and eerie at the moment.
But the town’s leaders decided to go ahead with the fireworks show at 10 o’clock Saturday night. Most people watch from their own yards any way, and you can see the display from the outskirts of Piggott, population 3,700, so there won’t be a crowd in one place.
I like Piggott’s spirit. The businesses and churches have followed health guidelines to protect their residents. The school district canceled athletic programs and postponed graduation until late July. The cemetery association canceled the traditional picnic, its primary source of money and a source of pride for the city.
In the midst of it all, they found a way to safely preserve a sliver of their tradition with the fireworks show. Saturday night, members of the fire department will light up the sky.
The spirit of Piggott is the spirit of Arkansas, and the spirit of Arkansas is the spirit of American independence that we celebrate on July the 4th. We work together, whether it’s a global pandemic or the growing pains of our republic. At the end of the day, we light up our skies to show we’re still here, and we’re still strong.