Another of the 2021 Reasons to Attend UA Cossatot Next Spring

2021 Reasons to Attend UA Cossatot in the Spring....Reason #629....UA Cossatot offers college credit to high school students through several different programs.

Secondary Career Center: This is a skill driven program for students to be bused from their high school to a UAC campus for training in Automotive Service Technology, Collision Repair, Medical Professions, Education, and Welding. these classes are offered at no cost to the students!

Dual Credit Courses: These courses are traditionally taken on your high school campus and count for both high school and college credit

Concurrent Courses: These courses are taken in addition to your coursework in high school and count only for college credit. To find out more about what we offer our area high school students, please visit:

https://www.cccua.edu/apply-enroll/how-to-apply-enroll/concurrent-students

Wednesday's Arkansas COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 82
Active Confirmed Cases: 34
Active Probable Cases: 48

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 86
Active Confirmed Cases: 44
Active Probable Cases: 42

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 23
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 8

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 116
Active Confirmed Cases: 100
Active Probable Cases: 16

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 23
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 8

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

Pilgrim’s to Build Splash Pad with Remaining Hometown Strong Funds

GREELEY, Colo. Dec. 8, 2020 – In November, Pilgrim’s announced a $715,000 investment in De Queen, Ark., to support the community’s future through the company’s Hometown Strong program. Pilgrim’s worked with local leaders to determine where the funds could best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs.

Today, the company announced it is contributing $480,000 to partner with the City of De Queen and build a splash pad at Herman Dierks Memorial Park. The state-of-the-art splash pad will provide outdoor entertainment for the community, and construction will begin in the first quarter of 2021.

“We believe this project will allow our team members and neighbors to enjoy a fun outdoor recreation activity and provide a place for families and friends to come together and socialize,” said Eddie Halter, Pilgrim’s De Queen/Nashville Complex Manager. “Supporting projects that help improve the quality of life for our community is something we are very passionate about at Pilgrim’s, and we’re grateful our Hometown Strong program is making this possible.”

“We are extremely blessed to have Pilgrim’s call De Queen home,” said De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown. “Their $480,000 contribution to build a splash pad in Herman Dierks Park goes above and beyond their ongoing support of our community. We are thankful for this donation as it will ensure that families have the opportunity to spend quality time together for decades to come.”

In November, the company announced it would be funding a one-mile walking trail around the new Sevier County Medical Center. This trail will provide landscaped and lighted outdoor space for hospital staff, patients, visitors and the broader community.

The Pilgrim’s De Queen/Nashville facility employs more than 1,400 people with an annual payroll of more than $53 million. The facility supports 238 growers, paying them more than $36 million per year for their livestock. Consistent with its long-term commitment to the local economy, the Pilgrim’s De Queen/Nashville complex has invested more than $134 million in capital improvements over the last five years.

Pilgrim’s anchors dozens of rural communities – operating more than 30 meat poultry and prepared foods plants and employing 31,000-plus people in the United States. Nationally, the Hometown Strong initiative is a $20 million investment from Pilgrim’s, which is part of a $50 million nationwide contribution from JBS USA. Visit hometownstrong.jbssa.com to learn more.

About Pilgrim’s

As a global food company with more than 58,000 team members, Pilgrim’s processes, prepares, packages and delivers fresh, frozen and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.pilgrims.com.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ALERT: Secret Santa Is a Not-So-Secret Scam on Social Media

LITTLE ROCK – Secret Santa and Secret Sister scams are popular on social media. They are often disguised as a fun holiday exchange, when in reality, they can turn into a devilish scam costing money, your personal information, and heartache during the holidays. The scam works by requesting that you send online “friends” relatively inexpensive gifts, gift cards or money to those on an email or social media chain, with the promise that you, too, will receive gifts in the exchange. At the very least, participants will spend money and send gifts without getting anything in return. At worst, scammers will use personal information posted on social media, often leading to identity theft.

“It may seem harmless to participate in an online gift exchange, but always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “There are scammers online looking to take advantage of Arkansans’ good nature and consumers should carefully protect their wallet and personal information.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips for consumers to avoid the Secret Santa and Secret Sister scam:

• Consumers should never disclose their personal information to an unknown person online because it could result in identity theft or the opening of other accounts in their name.

• It is unlikely that a consumer will receive any gifts in response to such a scheme; if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

• Consult the terms of use for Facebook and other social media platforms as they may prohibit such schemes – report these scams to the social media platform.

• Review guidance available from the U.S. Postal Service because it may be illegal to send the requested gift cards.

• Consumers should safeguard their banking and financial information to prevent theft due to scams.

• When using the internet, consumers should ensure that they are using a verified, secure, and encrypted website when sharing any personal or financial information online.

For more information about consumer-related issues, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at consumer@ArkansasAG.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov.

About Attorney General Leslie Rutledge

Leslie Carol Rutledge is the 56th Attorney General of Arkansas. Elected on November 4, 2014, and sworn in on January 13, 2015, she is the first woman and first Republican in Arkansas history to be elected as Attorney General. She was resoundingly re-elected on November 6, 2018. Since taking office, she has significantly increased the number of arrests and convictions against online predators who exploit children and con artists who steal taxpayer money through Social Security Disability and Medicaid fraud. Further, she has held Rutledge Roundtable meetings and Mobile Office hours in every county of the State each year, and launched a Military and Veterans Initiative. She has led efforts to roll back government regulations that hurt job creators, fight the opioid epidemic, teach internet safety, combat domestic violence and make the office the top law firm for Arkansans. Rutledge serves as co-chairs of the National Association of Attorneys General Veterans Affairs Committee, re-established and co-chairs the National Association of Attorneys General Committee on Agriculture and was the former Chairwoman of the National Association of Attorneys General Southern Region. As the former Chairwoman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, she remains active on the Executive Board.

A native of Batesville, she is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Rutledge clerked for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, was Deputy Counsel for former Governor Mike Huckabee, served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Lonoke County and was an Attorney at the Department of Human Services before serving as Counsel at the Republican National Committee. Rutledge and her husband, Boyce, have one daughter. The family has a home in Pulaski County and a farm in Crittenden County.

LIVE VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides Weekly COVID-19 Update Tuesday (12.15.20) 130PM

Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas’s COVID-19 response.

AG Rutledge Discusses PBM Legal Victory, Reasons for Challenging Presidential Election

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, R-Ark., had a busy week centered around rulings involving the U.S. Supreme Court.

Arkansas’ top legal officer won a landmark lawsuit before the high court involving the pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) industry, but by week’s end, the Supreme Court dashed the hopes of a Texas lawsuit aimed at overturning the election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Rutledge joined a Missouri brief to intervene in the Texas case arguing that Arkansas voters’ ballots would be “diluted” if the results weren’t overturned.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/12/ag-rutledge-discusses-pbm-legal-victory-reasons-for-challenging-presidential-election/

First Doses Of Vaccine Administered In Arkansas As COVID Deaths Near 3,000

In what’s hoped to be a turning point for the pandemic, Arkansas began administering a vaccine Monday for the coronavirus. It came just hours after Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the state had received its first shipment of a vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech.

Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Greg Bledsoe and four other health care workers rolled up their sleeves or exposed their shoulders during a press conference at the Arkansas Department of Health to get the shot.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/first-doses-vaccine-administered-arkansas-covid-deaths-near-3000

Kelley Garner, Healthcare-Associated Infection program coordinator and epidemiology supervisor at the Arkansas Department of Health, was one of five frontline workers to be given the coronavirus vaccine Monday.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

Tuesday's COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 77
Active Confirmed Cases: 30
Active Probable Cases: 47

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 82
Active Confirmed Cases: 45
Active Probable Cases: 37

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 19
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 6

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 126
Active Confirmed Cases: 113
Active Probable Cases: 13

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 60
Active Probable Cases: 12

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.

In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,355 new cases; 20,691 active cases; 1,050 hospitalized, which is down 7 from Sunday; 180 on ventilators, which is down 1 from Thursday; deaths added today, 45, for a total of 2,990; a total of 187,057 cases; 141,264 recoveries; PCR tests, 9,244; antigen tests, 925.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 194; Washington, 102; Benton, 95; Faulkner, 66; and Saline, 58.

Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:

“Today is a hopeful day. After months of work, a COVID-19 vaccine is in Arkansas, and the first vaccine was given to Sherian Kwanisai today. The FDA should approve additional vaccines soon, and we will be set to cover our long-term care facilities. Brighter days are ahead, but we must continue to follow public health guidelines. This virus continues to rapidly spread, and it's up to each of us to do our part to slow the spread."

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

Sweat Family of McCaskill Named Arkansas Farm Family of the Year

Chris and Denise Sweat of McCaskill (Hempstead County) are the 2020 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The honor was announced last week during a virtual event honoring the county and district Farm Families of the Year.

The Sweats have two daughters,17-year-old Sara and 13-year-old Anna. Their 505-acre farm consists of natural mixed timber, along with hay, cattle, registered seedstock, hair sheep and Californian and Jersey Wooly rabbits.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/12/sweat-family-of-mccaskill-named-arkansas-farm-family-of-the-year

Nashville Chamber Christmas Parade

The Nashville Christmas parade in the City park was a great success.

We know that we had over 500 come through the park because

Kids Dental Center said that they gave out all of the 500 toothbrushes

that they had on hand. We know that there was a good number

that continued to flow through the city park.

The Nashville Chamber of Commerce wants to thank the UA Cossatot

student ambassadors, Diana Ramirez of DeQueen, and MacKynze

Dollarhide of Ashdown for tabulating the winners of the parade.

The winners were: 1st place Poblanos of Nashville, 2nd place Kids

Dental Center of Nashville, and 3rd place was Special Moments also

of Nashville. The best decorated vehicle was Mark McCammack

A great thank you to the Nashville and Dierks fire departments for

bringing their equipment to make the parade more festive. And of

course Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to greet the kids.

Also, the Christmas Bucks winner last week was Sheila Toliver of

Nashville for $100. Congratulations from the Nashville Chamber!

Monday COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,863
Confirmed Cases: 1,466
Probable Cases: 397
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Confirmed Cases: 30
Active Probable Cases: 44

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 929
Confirmed Cases: 713
Probable Cases: 216
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 38
Active Probable Cases: 34

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 694
Confirmed Cases: 573
Probable Cases: 121
Total Active Cases: 18
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 5

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,020
Confirmed Cases: 934
Probable Cases: 86
Total Active Cases: 138
Active Confirmed Cases: 124
Active Probable Cases: 14

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 494
Confirmed Cases: 439
Probable Cases: 55
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 61
Active Probable Cases: 11

UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors with Santa at the Nashville Christmas Parade Saturday, December 12th

A special thank you from the Nashville Chamber of Commerce to UA Cossatot Student Ambassadors Diana Ramirez & MacKynze Dollarhide for their help during the Nashville Christmas Parade!

Sunday's COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health

COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 73
Active Confirmed Cases: 28
Active Probable Cases: 45

COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 73
Active Confirmed Cases: 37
Active Probable Cases: 36

COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 21
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 6

COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 143
Active Confirmed Cases: 128
Active Probable Cases: 15

COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 69
Active Confirmed Cases: 59
Active Probable Cases: 10

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Hope and a Bright Day Ahead

LITTLE ROCK – On Thursday, the Advisory Committee of the Federal Drug Administration said “yes” to the emergency use authorization of the first Coronavirus vaccine in the United States, and today I’d like to talk about what that means for Arkansas.

This is a historic development in this pandemic. Now we can move forward with confidence and hope that we will win this fight.  It’s only a matter of days until the Pfizer vaccine arrives in Arkansas. I have authorized the first dosages to be distributed to our health care workers.  The next round of vaccine will be distributed to our nursing homes.  

Although in the first delivery there will not be enough vaccine to cover every health care worker, the hospitals will prioritize the distribution. And then there will be second and continuing deliveries until everyone is covered. 

It is essential that we provide the vaccine to our most vulnerable citizens in our long-term care facilities.  In Arkansas, 79.5 percent of our COVID deaths occur in those 65 years or older.  I expect the FDA to approve additional vaccines this month, which will accelerate our immunization program and increase the number of people we can vaccinate.

We will continue to prioritize the vaccine distribution until it is widely available and everyone is covered.  It is my belief that the determination and ingenuity of our pharmaceutical industry combined with the support of our federal partners will result in universal distribution in historic and record time.  It may be late spring before everyone in Arkansas has access to a vaccine, but we will get to that point, and if we all do our part, we will beat this silent killer together.  There is hope and a bright day ahead.

The experts say that in order for the vaccine to defeat the virus that 70 percent of our population must take the shot. I have confidence in the vaccine. In fact, Susan and I will be taking the vaccine when it is our turn. There will be no government directives to be vaccinated, but that should not be necessary when it is so important to our nation and state.

In the meantime, we must be remain vigilant with the 3 Ws: Wash your hands. Wear your mask. Watch your social distance.  

We are just two weeks out from Thanksgiving, and we are seeing the predicted surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. Christmas is only two weeks away, and we must do everything we can to avoid a third surge.

I hope that everyone will find a safe way to celebrate Christmas and that this year will be better and brighter than ever. That means we need to think about out-of-state travel and what is necessary to limit the size of our gatherings. I loved the idea of a family from Little Rock who said they are going to celebrate Christmas outside around a firepit. Be innovative. Figure out what we can do to have a meaningful holiday without spreading the virus.

Let’s team up as fellow Arkansans and slow the spread of COVID during Christmas. With the dawn of a New Year and the arrival of a vaccine, I am confident we are on the right path to shut down this pandemic and return to life without public health restrictions.

VIDEO: Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Address to the People of Arkansas

Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Address to the People of Arkansas from Thursday, December 10th.

Survey Shows Arkansas Restaurants Are Struggling To Stay In Business

A new survey conducted by the Arkansas Hospitality Association shows that restaurants are still struggling as the coronavirus continues spreading through the state. According to the survey, 36% of restaurant operators believe it is unlikely they will still be in business six months from now without additional federal aid.

Arkansas restaurants are currently limited to two-thirds capacity for dine-in service, but the trade group’s CEO Montine McNulty says many eateries aren’t seeing even that much business as people are afraid to go out to eat while the virus continues reaching record levels in the state.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/survey-shows-arkansas-restaurants-are-struggling-stay-business

More than one-third of restaurants surveyed by the Arkansas Hospitality Association say that without new assistance for businesses by the federal government, it's unlikely they will still be in business six months from now.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

U.S. Steel To Acquire Remaining Stake In Big River Steel

United States Steel Corp. is on the verge of becoming the sole owner of Big River Steel, the first “superproject” in the history of the Natural State.

U.S. Steel has exercised its call option to acquire the remaining equity of BRS for approximately $774 million from cash on hand. The company ended November with approximately $2.9 billion of liquidity, including about $1.7 billion in cash. The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including antitrust approval.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/us-steel-acquire-remaining-stake-big-river-steel

An aerial photo of the Big River Steel facility in November 2016. U.S. Steel Corporation is taking steps to acquire complete ownership of the plant.

CREDIT BIG RIVER STEEL

Arkansas Elementary Students Talk With Astronauts On Space Station

Nettleton School District STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) students did something Thursday that no one in Arkansas has ever done – talked directly to astronauts inside the International Space Station.

The Jonesboro area school became the first in the state to livestream with astronauts in space after receiving a grant from NASA. Students from around Arkansas were part of a livestream of the event held on the Nettleton campus. Gov. Asa Hutchinson was present for a pre-livestream ceremony that included video salutations from numerous elected officials and a special message from the only president to hail from the Natural State, Bill Clinton.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-elementary-students-talk-astronauts-space-station

Astronauts onboard the International Space Station took questions Thursday from students in northeast Arkansas.

CREDIT NASA

Franchise Taxes to Be Collected by Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration

The collection of annual franchise taxes in Arkansas has changed. Beginning Jan. 1, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, headquartered in Little Rock, will accept and process franchise taxes previously administered by the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/franchise-taxes-be-collected-arkansas-department-finance-administration

Nashville Chamber Office Closed until January 4

Due to Covid concerns, our office will be closed until January 4. If you need assistance, please call 870-845-7517.

Cecilia A. Harberson

Administrative Specialist III

Howard County

421 N. Main St.

Nashville, AR 71852

870-845-7517

Fax 870-845-7537

charberson@uaex.edu