On this week's edition of Fit-4-Life, Dr Andi encourages everyone to assist with the UA Cossatot Colts Adopt-A-Player program.
VIDEO: Sevier County Hospital Board Meeting Thursday
Friday COVID-19 Numbers
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,163
Active Positive: 14
Recovered: 1,136
Deaths: 13
Negatives: 5,608
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 429
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 392
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,194
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 296
Active Positive: 22
Recovered: 259
Deaths: 15
Negatives: 1,457
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 230
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 211
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 3,170
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 179
Active Positive: 8
Recovered: 170
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,780
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update from Searcy Friday (09.04.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media from Searcy on Friday, September 4, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Governor Asa Hutchinson Announces Intent to Grant Executive Clemency
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced his intent to grant 17 pardons, one restoration of firearm rights only, and two commutations. An additional 52 clemency requests were denied and four had no action taken upon them. These include requests from both inmates and non-inmates.
The applicants intended for pardons have completed all jail time, fulfilled all parole and probationary requirements and paid all fines related to their sentences. There is a 30-day waiting period to receive public feedback on the notices before final action is taken.
Governor Hutchinson intends to grant pardons to the following people:
Lisa Kirk Buchanan (Fayetteville): Failure to Appear (C Felony) (CR 97-1146), Violation of Arkansas Hot Check Law (C Felony) (CR 97-393), Violation of Arkansas Hot Check Law (C Felony) (CR 97-1178), Failure to Appear (C Felony) (CR 97-1656), and Forgery in the Second Degree (C Felony) (CR 98-243
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2018 – Washington County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Marwan Darnell (Maumelle): Theft of Property (C Felony) (CR 2000-700)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2000 – Pulaski County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Markus G. Fender (Greenwood): Theft of Property (C Felony)(CR 86-517)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1986 – Sebastian County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
James W. Ferguson (De Witt): Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony) (CR 2001-277)
This notice is issued based on the date of convictions (2002 – Lonoke County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Aaron W. Hickey (Texarkana): Manufacturing Methamphetamine (Y Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver (Y Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with Intent Manufacture (B Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony), and Failure to Keep Records (D Felony) (CR 2001 000203)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2001 – Pulaski County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
JoLynn Branscum Hoover (De Queen): Theft of Property (C Felony) (CR-99-128)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1999 – Sevier County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Kenneth D. Huff, Jr. (Mountain View): Criminal Attempt to Manufacture-Marijuana (D Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance w/Intent to Deliver-Marijuana (C Felony), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony) (CR 2005-22)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2005 – Stone County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Dennis D. Inskeep (Salesville): Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine (C Felony) and Carrying a Weapon (A Misdemeanor)(CR 97-258)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1997 – Baxter County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Michael Johnson (Mc Rae): Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, namely Methamphetamine (Y Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony) (CR-2005-450)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2006 – White County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Daniel King (The Woodlands, TX): Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) (C Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony) (CR 2009-256).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2009 – White County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Kevin King (White Hall): Residential Burglary (B Felony), Theft of Property (B Felony) (CR 2004-30), Residential Burglary (B Felony) (CR 2005-8), Theft of Property (C Felony) (CR 2005-8), Residential Burglary (Revocation) (B Felony) (CR 2004-30A), Theft Property (Revocation) (B Felony) (CR 2004-30A), Possession of Methamphetamine (C Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony) (CR 2005-017-1)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2004 - Cleveland County, 2005 - Cleveland County, and 2005 - Bradley County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Cordia E. Purifoy (Warren): Endangering Welfare of Minor, 2nd Degree (Misdemeanor) (CR 87-987) and Hindering Apprehension (Misdemeanor) (CR 87-988).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1987 – Pulaski County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Darryl E. Simmons (Pine Bluff): Theft of Property and Burglary (Felony) (CR 1977-212)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1978 – Jefferson County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Michael S. Stogsdill (Cabot): Manufacture of Methamphetamine (Y Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony), Maintaining a Drug Premises (D Felony)(CR 2000-002799), and Possession of Ephedrine with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine (D Felony)(CR 2002-500
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2002 – Pulaski County and 2002 - Faulkner), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. The Faulkner County Judge has objections to the application.
Troy L. Stogsdill (Alexander): Manufacture of Methamphetamines (Y Felony), Possession of Meth with Intent to Deliver (Y Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia w/Intent to Manufacture (B Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Felony), Maintaining Drug Premises (D Felony) (CR 2000-002799), Possession of Ephedrine w/Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine (CR-2002-501)
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2002 – Pulaski County and 2002 - Faulkner County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. The Faulkner County Judge has raised objections to the application.
Truc Trantham (Fort Smith): Domestic Battery-3rd Degree (A Misdemeanor) and Endangering Welfare of Minor-2nd Degree (A Misdemeanor) (CR 08-5003745).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2008 – Sebastian County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Antonio Trotter (Winchester): Possession of Controlled Substance-Crack (C Felony)(CR 99-200-1) and Second Degree Forgery, 5 counts (C Felony)(CR 2001-126-1).
This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (2000 – Drew County and 2001 - Desha County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further felony criminal-law violations. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Governor Hutchinson intends to grant the restoration of firearm rights only to the following person:
Donald M. Ferris (Mabelvale): Breaking or Entering (D Felony) (CR 2001-3567)
This notice is issued based on the date of convictions (2002 – Pulaski), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. The Sheriff of Pulaski County has signed the Recommendation of the Chief Law Enforcement Officer as required by law. There are no law enforcement objections to the application.
Governor Hutchinson intends to grant a commutation of sentence to the following people:
James D. Brooks (ADC #076656): Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Habitual Offender) (Y Felony) and Possession of Controlled Substance w/Intent (Habitual Offender) (Y Felony) (1990-1328) (Guilty Plea).
The governor has given notice of his intent to commute the sentence of James D. Brooks, who was convicted in Pulaski County in 1991 for the above offenses, from a total of 960 months to serve in the Department of Correction to making him immediately parole eligible. The Prosecuting Attorney has raised objections to applicant's request.
John A. Abdullah (ADC #091732): Aggravated Robbery (Y Felony) (1988-1629) (Jury Trial)
The governor has given notice of his intent to commute the sentence of John A. Abdullah, who was convicted in Pulaski County in 1989 for the above offenses, from a total of Life to serve in the Department of Correction to making him immediately parole eligible. There are no law enforcement objections to applicant's request.
Agriculture Education Agreement Takes Place with UA Cossatot and UA Fayetteville
On Thursday, August 27, 2020, an articulation agreement was signed, creating a pathway for UA Cossatot students to transfer to University of Arkansas Fayetteville with an Associate of Science degree in Agriculture Education. Students interested in this field of study can now earn their associate's degree at UA Cossatot and then take their 60 credit hours to Fayetteville, where they can quickly transfer into a related agriculture program to obtain their bachelor's degree.
At UA Cossatot, agriculture students can take required general education courses and classes such as Agriculture Economics, Intro to Animal Science, and Principles of Horticulture to prepare them for their junior and senior-level coursework at University of Arkansas Fayetteville.
Students can take advantage of UA Cossatot's low tuition rate, which is $74 per credit hour, and then receive that same tuition rate after transferring. The exact tuition rate will be granted to students who live on campus at Fayetteville and those who obtain their Associate of Science degree in Agriculture Education from UA Cossatot. This opportunity is possible, due to the collaboration of universities and community colleges in Arkansas.
This educational pathway can lead to an Associate of Science degree in Agriculture Education and then a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences. It can also lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education, Communication, or Technology. This partnership will provide greater access
and preparation for careers in agricultural education in Arkansas, the region, and the nation to those qualified students who complete the 2+2 course curriculum.
For more information about this articulation agreement or to learn more about UA Cossatot's agriculture programs, please contact UA Cossatot Division Chair of Professional Studies, Barbara Lacefield, at blacefield@cccua.edu or 870-584-1217.###
UAMS Modeling has Deaths at Almost 1,700 by October 15
odeling from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences that has been close to actual numbers predicts COVID-19 deaths in the state will reach 1,688 by Oct. 15, with cumulative case numbers rising to 115,000 by that same date.
The modeling, updated Tuesday (Sept. 1), predicts 63,444 cumulative cases by Sept. 7, but the real case count is likely to surpass that estimate. Cumulative cases as of Sept. 2 were 62,112. The modeling also predicted 803 deaths by Sept. 7, but the state has reported 841 deaths as of Sept. 2.
UAMS modeling has deaths at almost 1,700 by Oct. 15; state reports antigen testing results - Talk Business & Politics
Modeling from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences that has been close to actual numbers predicts COVID-19 deaths in the state will reach 1,688 by Oct. 15, with cumulative case numbers rising to 115,000 by that same date. The modeling , updated Tuesday (Sept. 1), predicts 63,444 cumulative cases by Sept.
Arkansas Tourism Shows Impact of COVID-19 between March and June
Arkansas’ tourism industry is not in ICU, but COVID-19 certainly has one of the state’s largest economic sectors on its heels. The state’s 2% tourism tax is down 30.4% between January and June, and job numbers are down almost 14%.
Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax revenue between January and June was $5.905 million, down 30.4% compared with the $8.488 million in the same period in 2019. The tax was up 7.2% in 2019. February revenue of $1.366 million set a new monthly record for the tax, but then, well, COVID.
Arkansas Tourism Ticker shows impact of COVID-19 between March and June - Talk Business & Politics
Arkansas' tourism industry is not in ICU, but COVID-19 certainly has one of the state's largest economic sectors on its heels. The state's 2% tourism tax is down 30.4% between January and June, and job numbers are down almost 14%.
Nature In The Natural State: Hummingbird Migration
This month, hummingbirds will depart our yards for their long migration to Mexico and Central America. Male birds leave first, followed by females.
In preparation for their journey, they feed voraciously and develop fat deposits that almost double their weight. While over land they travel about 20 miles a day, but over the Gulf they fly 500 miles in less than a day.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/nature-natural-state-hummingbird-migration
Nature In The Natural State: Hummingbird Migration
This month, hummingbirds will depart our yards for their long migration to Mexico and Central America. Male birds leave first, followed by females. In preparation for their journey, they feed voraciously and develop fat deposits that almost double their weight.
Arkansas Revenue So Far In Fiscal Year Up 26% Compared To Same Time Last Year
As measured by double-digit gains in sales tax revenue in the state’s August report, Arkansans continued to spend through the summer despite COVID-19 worries, with gross revenue up almost 30% to $1.331 billion during the first two months (July-August 2020) of the fiscal year.
The gross general revenue was up 29.4% compared to the same period in 2019, and up 11.2% above the budget forecast, according to Wednesday’s report from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Arkansas Revenue So Far In Fiscal Year Up 26% Compared To Same Time Last Year
As measured by double-digit gains in sales tax revenue in the state's August report, Arkansans continued to spend through the summer despite COVID-19 worries, with gross revenue up almost 30% to $1.331 billion during the first two months (July-August 2020) of the fiscal year.
UA School of Journalism to Run COVID-19 Website
The University of Arkansas School of Journalism is taking over the maintenance of www.ArkansasCOVID.com this month. The project, which also includes a Twitter account with more than 12,000 followers, analyzes statewide, COVID-19 data. Springdale resident and small business owner Misty Orpin launched the initiative in April as a way to better understand how the pandemic was affecting her community.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/ua-school-journalism-run-covid-19-website
UA School of Journalism to Run COVID-19 Website
The University of Arkansas School of Journalism is taking over the maintenance of www.ArkansasCOVID.com this month. The project, which also includes a Twitter account with more than 12,000 followers, analyzes statewide, COVID-19 data. Springdale resident and small business owner Misty Orpin launched the initiative in April as a way to better understand how the pandemic was affecting her community.
Thursday's COVID-19 Numbers
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,159
Active Positive: 22
Recovered: 1,125
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,565
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 425
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 388
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,157
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 284
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 253
Deaths: 15
Negatives: 1,448
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 225
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 207
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,113
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 177
Active Positive: 10
Recovered: 166
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,743
VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update Thursday (09.03.20) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Thursday, September 3, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
Free Meals for Arkansas Students
UA Cossatot YouthBuild Students Complete Mental Toughness Training
(from left to right) Hattie Vance, Timothy Stubbs, Jonathon Harrington, Raymond Perez, Coby Butler, and Sherriff Robert Gentry
Jayden Pope is one of the students who was unavailable for the group picture
Confederate Statue Removed From Downtown Square In Bentonville
After 112 years, a statue of a Confederate soldier has been removed from Bentonville’s downtown square. Several onlookers gathered Wednesday morning as a construction crew started to disassemble the sculpture and its base.
The controversial statue was placed on the Bentonville square in 1908 and was mistakenly considered by some as a statue of former Arkansas Gov. James Berry, who took office in 1882. The statue is not of Berry, but is a common statue that is seen in many city squares and on courthouse lawns in the South. Berry helped pay for the statue, and a small plaque upon it in his honor following his death in 1913.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/confederate-statue-removed-downtown-square-bentonville
Confederate Statue Removed From Downtown Square In Bentonville
After 112 years, a statue of a Confederate soldier has been removed from Bentonville's downtown square. Several onlookers gathered Wednesday morning as a construction crew started to disassemble the sculpture and its base. The controversial statue was placed on the Bentonville square in 1908 and was mistakenly considered by some as a statue of former Arkansas Gov.
UA Cossatot Hosts Colts 2020 Benefit Golf Tournament August 29
(Left to Right) 1st row: Ashley Starks, Ra'naiya Kennedy, A'nayzia Jefferson, Mikayla Scott, Kyaira Jackson, Maya Hallman, Ashley Aguilar, and Kailynne Chaney
(Left to Right) Dustin Bissell, Jeff Brown, Cory Mc Mellon, Stephen Sprick, Jon Bunyard, and Seth Tollett
UA Cossatot Cornhole Tournament Winners – Chris Richards and Stephen Miller
LifeShare Declares Emergency Blood Need Following Laura
Surgeries including organ transplants put at risk because of shortage
August 30th, 2020 – Imagine waiting years on a transplant list for the organ that could save your life knowing that for most – that lifesaving gift never comes. Then one day, the phone call that changes everything – the liver you’ve been waiting and praying for is available.
That’s the story of one Ark-La-Tex patient this weekend. However, what should have been a happy moment turned uncertain for surgeons as LifeShare was unable to provide the blood needed for the surgery. Fortunately, surgeons were able to go ahead with the operation, as LifeShare worked to relocate blood products.
“Hospitals are being forced to make tough decisions right now that could impact the outcome for their patients,” said LifeShare Regional Director Elizabeth Cunningham. “Since Thursday, LifeShare has collected 393 units of red blood cells. That’s 26% of the blood LifeShare needs to support the transplants, traumas, and other treatments requiring a blood transfusion at our local hospitals.”
For more than a week, LifeShare has been reaching out to other blood centers for help, but because of the nationwide blood shortage, only a few blood centers were able to provide minimal assistance.
LifeShare is operating on extended hours at all of its donor centers. All donor centers will be open this week Monday-Friday from 8am-6pm and on Saturday from 8am-3pm. Several mobile drives will also be operating. All mobile locations can be found at LifeShare.org or on the LifeShare app. The donor center in Lake Charles remains closed as the facility is still without water and electricity.
This appeal is going out to everyone, but LifeShare is trying to focus on young donors. “This is a time of year when we would typically be in our high schools and colleges. Because of COVID-19, many of these blood drives are canceled or are yielding far fewer donors than usual. Most people don’t recognize that nearly one-quarter of the blood supply comes from teenagers. Young people are the backbone of the local blood supply,” says Cunningham. LifeShare is asking young people to please donate blood. Also, if you’re a parent, coach, teacher, or other influencer, please get the word out about this critical need.
Businesses and churches that want to help are urged to call LifeShare and schedule a blood drive. LifeShare has been taking extra safety precautions since the outbreak of COVID-19. Thus far, there are no reports of a LifeShare team member or LifeShare donor contracting the virus from interacting with each other during the donation process. Donating blood is as safe as it ever has been.
LifeShare doesn’t use the word “emergency” very often. The last emergency appeal was issued more than 15 months ago.
Cooperative Extension Service Offers Free Virtual Estate Planning Workshops
Cooperative Extension Service offers free virtual estate planning workshops
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
· Free estate planning workshop series: Sept. 10, 17, 24
· Covers estate planning, wills and trusts, asset protection, power of attorney · Register at https://bit.ly/UAEXEstatePlanning
UAEX Multi-County Virtual Estate Planning Sign Up Form
The University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service in Conway, Johnson, Faulkner, Pope, and Yell counties are preparing a workshop on estate planning to be held in three sessions lasting one hour each on September 10, 17, and 24.
LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service will offer a virtual three-part workshop series covering the basics of trusts, transfer of property, wills and other estate planning tools.
Three one-hour online sessions will be held 2-3 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays, beginning Sept. 10. Topics will include:
• Sept. 10 — Estate planning basics and legal language
• Sept. 17 — Financial inventory and asset protection, advance directive and power of attorney
• Sept. 25 — Wills and trusts
Extension offices in Conway, Johnson, Faulkner, Pope and Yell counties are jointly hosting the workshop, which is free and open to all Arkansans. Register online at https://bit.ly/UAEXEstatePlanning.
For more information, contact Pope County Family & Consumer Science Agent Pamela Luker at 479-968-7098, or email pluker@uaex.edu.
To learn about other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
