The CARES Act Steering Committee, created by Governor Asa Hutchinson to recommend the best use of federal COVID-19 aid, meets virtually at 3:30 p.m. Monday, August 17, 2020.
Summer Forums Detail University of Arkansas Reopening Plan
Fall classes on the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville campus begin Monday August 24th. Over the summer the UofA hosted a series of virtual forums for faculty, students and staff on what to expect and how to prepare for return to campus, after the UofA shut down last March due to a global pandemic. The final summer forum was hosted by Chancellor Joe Steinmetz last week. We provide highlights, as well as analysis from Provost Charles Robinson.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/summer-forums-detail-university-arkansas-reopening-plan
Summer Forums Detail University of Arkansas Reopening Plan
Fall classes on the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville campus begin Monday August 24th. Over the summer the UofA hosted a series of virtual forums for faculty, students and staff on what to expect and how to prepare for return to campus, after the UofA shut down last March due to a global pandemic.
Procedures for Voting Absentee Ballot for the November 3, 2020 Elections
Any registered voter who would like to vote absentee can apply for a ballot immediately. I have attached an absentee ballot application. The areas that are hi-lighted must be completed. If you are unsure about which box to select as your reason for voting absentee, we will accept any application that has checked ,[ Will be unavoidably absent from your polling place on election day]. To get an application you may call the County Clerk’s office at 870-642-2852 or you can request by e-mail at countyclerk@sevco.ar.gov. Applications are also available by going to the Secretary of State website, www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections. You would need to print the application and send to the County Clerk’s office. Completed applications can be mailed to Sevier County Clerk, 115 N. 3rd Street, Room 102, De Queen, AR 71832. They can also be faxed to 870-642-3896, or they can be returned by e-mail to countyclerk@sevco.ar.gov. The earliest date that ballots will be mailed is September 18. If you choose to handle the process entirely by mail you are encouraged to promptly return as the mail service is not always as dependable as we would like.
When filling out the application a voter may request to have someone to pick up and return the ballot for them. That person must be designated by filling out the appropriate information on the Absentee Application. (Designated Bearer) A Designated Bearer is only allowed to pick up and deliver 2 ballots for any election.
Deadline for Submission of Application:
• In Person: by close of business the day BEFORE the election
• By Designated Bearer or Administrator: by close of business the day BEFORE the election (Designated Bearer is anyone you choose to pick up or deliver your application or ballot)
· By Mail or by Electronic Means: by 7 days before the election
• By Authorized Agent: by 1:30 p.m. ON election day.
Deadline for Ballot Pickup:
• By Designated Bearers: no earlier than 15 days before a preferential primary election, general election, school election or special election and no earlier than 7 days before a runoff election.
• By Anyone Else: no deadline specified in Arkansas law. You should base your ballot pick up on the ability to return it to the County Clerk on time.
Deadline for Delivery of Vote-d Ballot to County Clerk:
• In Person: by close of business the day BEFORE the'! election
• By Designated Bearer: by 7:30 p.m. ON election day
• By Mail: received at clerk’s office by 7:30 p.m. ON election day
You may NOT fax or email a ballot. UOCAVA voters must vote their ballot by Election Day, and it must be received by their county clerk by 5:OOp.m. 10 days after the election.
Vote Centers that will be used for this election:
VOTE CENTER 3 De Queen Community Building
VOTE CENTER 7 Ben Lomond Community Building
VOTE CENTER 6 Lockesburg Methodist Church
VOTE CENTER 9 J.L. Walker Fellowship Hall
VOTE CENTER 1 De Queen Church of Christ
VOTE CENTER 4 De Queen-Mena Educational Co-op
EARLY VOTING WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE De Queen Community Building October 19 – Nov. 2. Mon. - Fri. 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. and Saturday 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Arkansas Secretary of State
Amidst the global pandemic, election officials are hard at work to provide safe and secure voting opportunities for Arkansans. Voting in person on election day, early voting, or absentee voting are options available to voters. CLICK HERE to view your registration Information or to search for your polling place.
Being Social is Good for your Health
Did you know being social is good for your health?
Research has found that being socially active is as equally healthy as quitting smoking or exercise. In a study published in the journal PLoS Medicine, BYU professors Julianne Holt-Lunstad and Timothy Smith report people with stronger social relationships had a 50% increased likelihood of survival than those with weaker social relationships.
"When someone is connected to a group and feels responsibility for other people, that sense of purpose and meaning translates to taking better care of themselves and taking fewer risks," Holt-Lunstad said.
"This effect is not isolated to older adults," Smith said. "Relationships provide a level of protection across all ages."
Extension Homemakers Club (EHC) members not only benefit from being socially active they also gain knowledge and skills through monthly program topics, special interest workshops and project activities. Members come up with ideas for programs, which are developed cooperatively with the Extension agent to meet interests. Education is a character builder! A lifelong process that is never finished. Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council (AEHC) members keep up to date in these rapidly changing times through lessons on all phases of family living and special interest topics presented by speakers, educators and other club members.
In addition to being social and educated, they also give back to their community by choosing a yearly volunteer service project according to their interests.
And, of course, we like to have fun, too!
EHC members are just like you! They work, shop, and sit next to you at ballgames. They like to learn everything from A to Z to better themselves for their families, neighborhoods and for their community. They are young and old, men and women, working or retired. They come from diverse backgrounds and a rich history. They’ve come a long way from the home demonstration era of the 1900's.
Gather your friends and give us a call. We currently have two clubs that would love to have new members, but we would be happy to start a new club just for you and your friends! Their meeting schedules are:
DeQueen EHC - 2nd Wednesday each month - REA Building in DeQueen at 9:30 a.m.
Gillham EHC – 2nd Friday each month - members’ homes in Gillham at 10:00 a.m.
For more information, please contact Janet Cantrell, Sevier County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences at 870-584-3013 or jcantrell@uaex.edu.
Students Are Back Today for the Beginning of the Fall Semester at UA Cossatot Campuses
Welcome back! First day of the fall semester at UA Cossatot with indoor, outdoor, and online classes. Fall registration continues thru tomorrow, Tuesday, August 18th, at 4:00 pm. For more info, check out our website, www.cccua.edu or call us at (870) 584-4471.
Students preparing for Lynze Greathouse's Monday morning class on the De Queen campus.
Kelli Harris' agri students took advantage of the mild August morning temps to start their first day of the Fall 2020 semester!
Hayden Harp and Quinshaun Bennett-Hale log on at the ERC.
Howard County Farmers Market Open Monday Afternoon
Market Monday, 17 August starting at 3 pm.
For those who may not be able to come to the Friday morning market, we will be having a Monday afternoon market day on Monday, August 17th starting at 3pm. We have some vendors who will be bringing their items to the market.
Here is who's coming and what they plan to bring:
- Wenta Farm -
Hand-picked figs (fresh and frozen), peppers, tomato plants
- Grandma Sylvia's Creations -
Crocheted facemasks, earrings
Green's Farm -
Plum Jelly, peanut butter cookies, various baked goods
- Threat Farm -
Free-range eggs
If more vendors contact us we will update our facebook page.
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!
Bill and Nancy Wilson Scholarship to Ismael Montero
The UA Cossatot Foundation is excited to highlight Ismael Montero as a 2020-2021 scholarship recipient of the Bill and Nancy Wilson Scholarship. Ismael is a 2020 De Queen High School graduate. This scholarship awards full tuition and general fees for the fall and spring semester. Please help us congratulate Ismael!
COVID-19 Maps and Numbers for Monday
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,058
Active Positive: 69
Recovered: 978
Deaths: 11
Negatives: 5,110
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 374
Active Positive: 55
Recovered: 315
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 2,701
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 218
Active Positive: 37
Recovered: 178
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 1,330
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 161
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 134
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,715
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 140
Active Positive: 48
Recovered: 91
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,517
Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Monday (08.17.20) 230PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Monday, August 17, 2020, live at 2:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response. Click play button above.
Restart Of Keystone Pipeline To Benefit Welspun Plant In Little Rock
An order for more than 1 million feet of 36-inch pipe for use on the Keystone XL pipeline project will keep around 500 Welspun manufacturing employees in Little Rock busy through “at least” early 2021, Welspun announced Thursday.
The company did not disclose the value of the TC Energy order.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/restart-keystone-pipeline-benefit-welspun-plant-little-rock
Protests Over School Reopening Continue In Little Rock
Governor Asa Hutchinson's plan to reopen schools for in-person instruction on August 24 continues to draw criticism from some parents and community members. Thursday, a group of close to 40 demonstrators drew 95 chalk outlines of bodies on the street outside the governor's mansion in Little Rock.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/protests-over-school-reopening-continue-little-rock
Protests Over School Reopening Continue In Little Rock
Gov. Asa Hutchinson's plan to reopen schools for in-person instruction on August 24 continues to draw criticism from some parents and community members. Thursday, a group of close to 40 demonstrators drew 95 chalk outlines of bodies on the street outside the governor's mansion in Little Rock.
Fire At UA Little Rock Friday
A fire Friday afternoon damaged part of a building at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock that houses KUAR and KLRE, the Sequoyah National Research Center and campus police. No one was injured in the blaze at University Plaza, which was eventually extinguished by the Little Rock Fire Department.
Officials say the fire started in a janitorial closet toward the back of the building, with that area being extensively charred. The Sequoyah Center, which houses rare Native American materials, and the radio stations sustained only smoke damage.
Fire At UA Little Rock Disrupts KLRE-KUAR Operations, Sequoyah Collection Is Safe
A fire Friday afternoon damaged part of a building at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock that houses KUAR and KLRE, the Sequoyah National Research Center and campus police. No one was injured in the blaze at University Plaza, which was eventually extinguished by the Little Rock Fire Department.
Sunday's COVID-19 Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,053
Active Positive: 68
Recovered: 974
Deaths: 11
Negatives: 5,096
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 367
Active Positive: 54
Recovered: 309
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 2,691
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 215
Active Positive: 40
Recovered: 172
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 1,323
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 159
Active Positive: 25
Recovered: 133
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,681
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 138
Active Positive: 48
Recovered: 89
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,508
Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Leveling the Broadband Playing Field
LITTLE ROCK – COVID-19 has highlighted some of the shortcomings of our broadband connectivity, but the pandemic also has created opportunities for us to accelerate our expansion of internet service, which I’d like to talk about today.
Earlier this year, I created a steering committee to study our needs and recommend the best use of federal money that is returning to the state through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. The members of the committee recognized that many rural communities in our state are in dire need of better access to high-speed internet.
Senate President Jim Hendren and House Speaker Matthew Shepherd of the General Assembly advocated for the expenditure of $100 million for Arkansas Rural Connect, a great program to assist our local communities in expanding internet access.
The coronavirus has limited many of our normal activities, such as attending school and visiting a doctor. The internet has allowed us to adapt to the difficulties. Without effective broadband, many Arkansans would not be able to adapt and access distance learning or keep a telemedicine appointment with a doctor.
The state has made grants to seven companies: $1.6 million to Arkansas Telephone Company to serve parts of Fairfield Bay; $1.9 million to Pinnacle Communications for parts of Ozark; $2 million to CableSouth Media 3 to serve Lonoke and $2 million for Hamburg; $449,000 was granted to Premier Holdings for Nashville; Hillbilly Wireless will receive $497,000 for Cotton Plant and another $804,000 for Cave City. Magazine Telephone Company will receive a little more than a million dollars in non-CARES Act money for Magazine.
In another of our ongoing efforts to expand broadband service, the legislature created the Rural Broadband I.D. Expenses Trust Fund. This money is being awarded as one-time grants to help service providers meet rigorous requirements for due diligence for large federal grant programs with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Federal Communications Commission.
Rural Broadband I.D. is based at UAMS’s Office of Digital Health and Innovation. With Rural Broadband I.D., we are deploying a broader and more detailed strategy for expanding broadband across the most rural parts of our state.
Broadband service must download at a rate of at least 25 megabits per second and upload at 3 megabits per second, which would load a normal song in one second and a two-hour movie in 10 minutes.
Broadband at these speeds will level the playing field as we compete on a global scale. Arkansans in rural communities will have access to the same information and services as people in Fort Smith and Fayetteville.
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Friday (08.14.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Friday, August 14, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Book Aims to Ease Kids' Fears of Masked Teachers
To help little ones cope with fears that may come with having an instructor with a partially covered face, Arkansas State University Childhood Services and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences partnered to create an informational book called My Teacher Wears a Mask. The book helps children understand the mask is for safety and contains activities adults can complete with kids to help them feel more comfortable with masks.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/book-aims-ease-kids-fears-masked-teachers
Book Aims to Ease Kids' Fears of Masked Teachers
To help little ones cope with fears that may come with having an instructor with a partially-covered face, Arkansas State University Childhood Services and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences partnered to create an informational book called My Teacher Wears a Mask .
Friday's COVID-19 Updated Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,017
Active Positive: 48
Recovered: 958
Deaths: 11
Negatives: 4,588
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 362
Active Positive: 55
Recovered: 303
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 2,593
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 193
Active Positive: 27
Recovered: 164
Deaths: 2
Negatives: 1,244
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 157
Active Positive: 22
Recovered: 134
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,366
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 126
Active Positive: 41
Recovered: 84
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,953
VIDEO: William Cheatham of the Arkansas DOT
William Cheatham of the Arkansas DOT addressed the De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday concerning road projects in Sevier County.
Healthy School Guide Published for Opening Schools
State officials have published a 20-page “Healthy School Guide” they say will help return hundreds of thousands of students, teachers and staff to more than 1,000 school facilities on Aug. 24 “in the healthiest way possible.”
The new guide includes the latest information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Arkansas Department of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It was produced in a collaborative effort between the Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). (Link here for a PDF of the document.)
'Healthy' guide published for opening schools; COVID-19 active cases decline, deaths rise - Talk Business & Politics
State officials have published a 20-page "Healthy School Guide" they say will help return hundreds of thousands of students, teachers and staff to more than 1,000 school facilities on Aug. 24 "in the healthiest way possible." The new guide includes the latest information from the U.S.
Message to Parents of De Queen Students
Attention parents of De Queen Students in grades 6-12 who are enrolled in virtual school this year: We are sending you a packet of information that will give you step by step instructions plus access to video tutorials to help you with all your child's needs for this year's De Queen Virtual School.
Please note this information is for De Queen Virtual Students in grades 6 through 12 only!! Please be looking for this packet in your mailbox. If you are in need of a device, the district will provide one for you.