Two new members were inducted into De Queen Lions Club Tuesday, Manya Wood and Robert Byrd.
Manya Wood is the District Judge for Sevier County and was sponsored by Chief Scott Simmons of the De Queen Police Department.
Robert Byrd is the Athletic Director and UA Cossatot Colts and Lady Colts Head Coach. He was sponsored by Jon Bunyard, also of UA Cossatot.
Halle Harp was recognized as Student of the Month for December at Tuesday’s Lions Club meeting. Halle is a senior at De Queen High and is a member of the National Honor Society and cross country and track teams. She is in the Gifted and Talented Program and is student council reporter. Halle was the 2020 Homecoming Queen at De Queen High. She is a DHS Cheerleader, 2-time All American Cheerleader and is cheer captain. She was selected twice to cheer in Orlando, FL at Varsity Spirit Spectacular.
Allen Hong was recognized for Student of the Month for January at Tuesday’s meeting of the De Queen Lions Club. Allen, a senior at De Queen High School, is an office worker and is a member of the Leopard football, cross country, tennis, basketball, track and soccer teams.
State and local organizations of Arkansas have teamed up to provide information and resources for spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in the natural state this month. The "Starting a Business in Arkansas" workshop will be held virtually on Thursday, January 28th from 6:30-830pm and this event will be delivered in spanish.
Information presented will include legal requirements, licensing, key issues for success in small businesses and more.
This workshop is free of charge and is being sponsored by CREATE BRIDGES, The De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center(ASBTDC), U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) and Henderson State University School of Business.
For Questions, Please contact 870-230-5184 to reach ASBTDC.
The CARES Act Steering Committee, created by Governor Asa Hutchinson to recommend the best use of federal COVID-19 aid, meets virtually at 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
House members are now ready to begin the second week of the 2021 Regular Session.
Nearly 200 bills have been filed so far in the House and more than 135 have been filed in the Senate.
House members elected to serve in the 93rd General Assembly took the oath of office in the House Chamber on Monday. Upon swearing-in, members then voted to name Rep. Matthew J. Shepherd of El Dorado as the Speaker of the Arkansas House. This will be his second full term to serve as Speaker.
Speaker Shepherd announced the chairs for all House committees. You can find a complete list of committee assignments at www.arkansashouse.org.
On the second day of the Regular Session, Governor Asa Hutchinson addressed the General Assembly and outlined his legislative goals for this session.
He said he will be asking the General Assembly to affirm the current health emergency order and direct federal COVID-19 relief funds for vaccine distribution.
The Governor’s legislative agenda also includes the following:
· Increase teacher pay by $2,000 over the next 2 years
· Reduce the used car sales tax
· Reduce income tax for new Arkansas residents
· Appropriate $30 million for increased broadband in rural areas
· Implement a computer science requirement for high school graduation
· Increase sentencing for hate crimes
On Thursday, the House passed resolutions outlining new rules and changes to procedure due to COVID-19. These include mask requirements, changes to committee agendas, and remote voting options for members.
The House will not meet on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday or on Wednesday during the Presidential Inauguration. We will meet on Tuesday and Thursday next week. Schedules and agendas will be available on our website.
As a reminder, the House live streams all of our meetings on the website. We also posted the guidelines for members of the public who wish to participate in the process at the Capitol.
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 55
Active Confirmed Cases: 30
Active Probable Cases: 25
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 38
Active Confirmed Cases: 24
Active Probable Cases: 14
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 51
Active Confirmed Cases: 32
Active Probable Cases: 19
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 139
Active Confirmed Cases: 113
Active Probable Cases: 26
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 65
Active Confirmed Cases: 42
Active Probable Cases: 23
Nominations are now being accepted for the Arkansas Country Music Awards. Singer / songwriter Rachel Edge of Umpire and a UA Cossatot alumnus is eligible to be nominated. To make a nomination, visit:
https://arkansasmusic.org/vote
The Arkansas Country Music Awards, Inc. is a non-profit entity aimed at cultivating the music of the Natural State. The highly anticipated annual red carpet event covers the current music scene, honoring legends, producers, independent artists, and more.
Singer / Songwriter Rachel Edge of Umpire
De Queen Public Schools understands that Valentine’s Day brings a lot of excitement for our students, families, and local businesses. We understand that our local florists and other businesses depend on the income generated with the excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day. Having said that, the health of our students and staff remains our top priority, especially during this challenging time. Below are guidelines and procedures for Valentine’s day deliveries. These guidelines and procedures are to ensure a smooth and safe school day on Friday, February 12th.
● We highly encourage parents/guardians to deliver their V-Day gifts on Thursday, February, 11th from 3:30 to 5 PM.
● District staff will be on hand to accept the deliveries
● We are asking flower shops to deliver 3:30 to 5 PM on Thursday, February, 11th.
● There will be no outside food accepted.
We want to again thank you for your continued patience and support during this difficult school year. It is because of that patience and support that De Queen Public Schools continues to have a great school year despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Beau McCastlain
De Queen Public Schools
Communications Director
By TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS STAFF
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and officials with Mars Petcare were in Fort Smith on Friday to announce a $145 million expansion of the company’s plant at Chaffee Crossing that will create more than 120 jobs.
Officials with Mars Petcare – based in Brussels, Belgium, with a U.S. headquarters south of Nashville, Tenn. – announced in November 2007 they would build the Fort Smith pet food production and packaging plant, and the $80 million facility opened in September 2009. The average annual salary at the plant was then estimated at $35,300.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/mars-petcare-expand-fort-smith-operation-add-more-120-jobs
The Fort Smith manufacturing plant will undergo a $145 million dollar expansion that will add at least 120 jobs in the Arkansas River Valley area.
CREDIT TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS
As hospitalizations for COVID-19 throughout Arkansas remain at all time highs, the state and its healthcare partners are preparing for the continued upward trend in cases by opening two alternative care sites next week. The facilities, which will provide 124 additional beds, will be located in Little Rock and Van Buren and will mostly be used to care for low-acuity COVID-19 patients.
Many industries across Arkansas have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the medical marijuana business is not one of them. According to Medical Marijuana Commission Spokesman Scott Hardin, the industry closed out 2020 having made about $175 million in sales on 26,000 pounds of product. The state also started last year with fewer than ten open dispensaries but is starting 2021 with 32, as well as a lot more patients with medical marijuana cards.
STOCK IMAGE
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 63
Active Confirmed Cases: 31
Active Probable Cases: 32
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 54
Active Confirmed Cases: 34
Active Probable Cases: 20
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 61
Active Confirmed Cases: 36
Active Probable Cases: 25
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 171
Active Confirmed Cases: 135
Active Probable Cases: 36
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 84
Active Confirmed Cases: 51
Active Probable Cases: 33
LITTLE ROCK – The 93rd General Assembly convened this week, and today I’d like to talk about the goals that I shared with legislators in my State of the State address.
I expect legislation that will boost our economy from tax cuts to reduced regulations. We need laws that will assure that our police officers have the highest standards, and are fully trained, funded, and supported. We also want laws to increase accountability and oversight.
Two years ago, legislators raised the pay of our dedicated public-school teachers. I support another round of pay increases. My goal is to raise average teacher salaries by $2,000 over the next two years, and I expect there will be great legislative support for this effort.
During my time in office, we have become a national leader with our computer science initiative. But we can’t relax in our success. This year, I am asking the general assembly to support legislation that will require all students to take at least one computer science course in order to graduate, and to require all schools to employee at least one certified computer science teacher. We will have to increase the training of our teachers even more, but we are ready to do it because this will give our young people even greater opportunities right here in Arkansas.
During each regular session while I have been governor, we have lowered taxes on hard-working Arkansans. As a result, we have moved $800 million from the government bank account into the hands of Arkansans.
This session, I am asking for two specific tax cuts. I would like to reduce the sales tax on used cars that sell between $4,000 and $10,000. The tax would be reduced from 6.5 percent to 3.5 percent. This would give relief to thousands of Arkansans who depend upon used vehicles for getting to work and to school.
To pay for tax cuts, we need to continue to grow our economy and bring people to Arkansas. To help with that goal, I am recommending a second tax cut. And that is that we lower our tax rate for new residents to 4.9 percent for the first five years they live in Arkansas. That will attract new Arkansans, who will spend money and pay taxes, and companies that will create jobs and contribute to our economy.
This year the individual income tax rate has been reduced to 5.9 percent, and I hope that within the next five years, Arkansas will reduce the rate to 4.9 percent for all residents.
We are entering 2021 with a balanced budget, a strong economy, and the strength of Arkansans to pull through these tough days. As I established my legislative goals for the 93rd General Assembly, I am mindful that the most urgent task is to respond and recover from the pandemic and to do everything needed to get our vaccines out to everyone in need.
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 2,491 new cases; 24,740 active cases; 1,295 hospitalized, which is down 67 from Wednesday; 241 on ventilators, which is down 14 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 42, for a total of 4,228; a total of 264,511 cases; 193,321 recoveries; PCR tests, 12,294; antigen tests, 3,161.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 327; Washington, 212; Benton, 175; Garland, 127; and Sebastian, 99.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"Today's report shows over 800 fewer cases with higher testing than this time last week. We also saw a decrease in hospitalizations and ventilator usage. This will relieve some of the strain on our health care system as we continue to distribute vaccine doses."
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 2,225
Confirmed Cases: 1,606
Probable Cases: 619
Total Active Cases: 62
Active Confirmed Cases: 32
Active Probable Cases: 30
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,217
Confirmed Cases: 864
Probable Cases: 353
Total Active Cases: 47
Active Confirmed Cases: 34
Active Probable Cases: 13
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 924
Confirmed Cases: 738
Probable Cases: 186
Total Active Cases: 55
Active Confirmed Cases: 36
Active Probable Cases: 19
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,502
Confirmed Cases: 1,308
Probable Cases: 194
Total Active Cases: 164
Active Confirmed Cases: 131
Active Probable Cases: 33
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 813
Confirmed Cases: 641
Probable Cases: 172
Total Active Cases: 80
Active Confirmed Cases: 54
Active Probable Cases: 26
Our Continuing Education & Workforce Development Department has announced a wide range of classes at UAC for the Spring 2021 semester!
Public participation is an essential part of our democracy. In preparation for the upcoming session, House and Senate leadership have agreed to a few rules so Arkansans can participate in an environment that is as safe and healthy as possible.
With limited exceptions, a mask or other cloth face covering will be required to enter committee rooms and public comment holding rooms. All individuals will be submitted to a temperature check and onsite health screening at the entrance to either the State Capitol Building or the adjacent MAC Building.
We have provided nearby space for committee rooms for members of the public to watch the live stream while they wait for their turn to testify for or against a bill. These rooms will provide ample space for social distancing.
Staff will direct you to sign up sheets and they will be available at www.arkleg.state.ar.us .
In an effort to prevent crowds in committee rooms, the rules call for revised committee agendas. These are designed to let the public know what bills will be heard on a given day. Committee agendas will be divided into three categories.
(A) Regular Agenda–bills to be considered by the committee on the date of the agenda.
(B) Consent Agenda–bills on the committee agenda for which there is no known opposition or expected public testimony and that may be taken up at any time by the committee.
(C) Deferred Bills–bills for which committee consideration has been deferred either for failure of the sponsor to appear or at the request of the sponsor.
Committee agendas will be posted at least eighteen (18) hours prior to the committee meeting.
There is limited public seating in the House chamber. Our chamber proceedings and every committee is live streamed and archived on our websitewww.arkansashouse.org.
On Monday, January 11, members will be sworn into office and officially elect the Speaker for the 93rd General Assembly.
On Tuesday, January 12, the Governor will give his State of the State address in the House Chamber.
We will continue to update you during the session.
Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Sevier County
Our Spring semester application process is now open. Just go to aspsf.org to apply for a single parent scholarship. Click on find my county for Sevier County and submit your application. Please include all required forms and downloads before the May 2nd. Deadline. Only fully completed applications will be awarded scholarships.
ELECTION INFORMATION FROM THE SEVIER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE FOR UPCOMING SCHOOL ELECTION: May 18, 2021
First Day for School Board Candidates to begin getting petition signatures was December 1, 2020.
Filing dates for School Board Candidates begins on Monday, February 22 at 12:00 Noon and ends on Monday, March 1 at 12:00 Noon
Positions to be elected in 2021 are as follows:
Horatio School District – Zone 1, Incumbent is Joe Jones
Zone 4, Incumbent is Sherri Hodges
De Queen School District – Zone 3, Incumbent is Gloria Caldwell
Filing requirements are a Political Practices Pledge, an Affidavit of Eligibility, and a Petition with required number of signatures. ( 20 signatures – be sure to get extra)
The last day to register to vote in the May School Elections will be April 19, 2021.
The last day to transfer from another county in Arkansas is Friday, May 14.
Early voting begins Tuesday, May 11 Early voting is from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mon. – Fri.
Early voting ends on Monday May 17 at 4:30 p.m.
If you have questions please feel free to call the Sevier County Clerk’s office at 870-642-2852.
ANYONE INTERESTED IN BEING AN ELECTION WORKER IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS SHOULD CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE AT 870-642-2852.
BE SURE TO MAKE ADDRESS OR NAME CHANGES TO YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY!
IDENTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED FROM ALL VOTERS IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.