Arkansans receiving the two-shot COVID-19 vaccine are being asked to report any systemic side effects, says Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, state epidemiologist and medical director for immunization and outbreak response at the Arkansas Department of Health.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/health-department-asks-arkansans-report-covid-19-vaccine-side-effects
COURTESY / DANIEL SHLUDI/UNSPLASH
The House began the 4th week of the 2021 Regular Session on Monday.
This morning, the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced HB1112. This bill eliminates the option for individuals to complete a sworn statement in order to cast a provisional ballot if they did not have the required photo identification.
With a vote of 75-13 and 5 members voting present, the full House passed HB1195. This bill requires that any woman seeking an abortion be notified of the availability of medical, welfare and private assistance programs. It instructs the Department of Health to establish a hotline for pregnant women seeking an abortion in Arkansas to call in order to receive a resource access assistance offer. If enacted, this legislation would take effect January 1, 2023.
The House passed HB1115 which amends the law concerning the weight threshold for commercial vehicles. This changes the definition of a commercial motor vehicle from one that has a gross weight at least 10,000 pounds to one that weighs at least 26,001 pounds. It also changes the passenger threshold from 10 to 15.
The House passed SB100. This bill seeks to enhance fiscal accountability and transparency in higher education. It instructs the Division of Higher Education to maintain a link to each state-supported institution of higher education on the division’s website. Each institution website would be required to list the name and email address of each member of the governing board, the date and location of board meetings, annual audit reports, and the board’s conflict of interest and commitment policy. SB100 also requires state-supported higher education institutions to provide a student accounts receivable aging report to the governing board.
The House convenes at 1 pm on Tuesday.
The Chalice Cupboard will be distributing food boxes on Monday, February 8 from 1-3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Please come south down Fifth Street and enter the back of the church and exit on Fourth Street. The boxes will be distributed to the first 50 people. There will be one box per automobile. We ask that you do not get out of your automobile. Please pop your trunk so that the box can be put in the trunk.
Steve Copley
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 1,226 new cases; 16,665 active cases; 889 hospitalized, which is down 24 from Sunday; 146 on ventilators, which is down 2 from Sunday; deaths added today, 27, for a total of 4,895; a total of 296,494 cases; 220,771 recoveries; PCR tests, 7,803; antigen tests, 398.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 175; White, 79; Benton, 76; Washington, 54; and Faulkner, 53.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"We continue to see a decline in active cases, with over 1,100 fewer than this time last week. Over 422,000 tests were performed in the month of January, and there are over 7,200 fewer active cases than on January 1. We are seeing the effects of our combined efforts of vaccine distribution, mask wearing, and social distancing. Some positive trends have started to emerge, but we cannot use this as a reason to relax in following the guidelines.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 2,355
Confirmed Cases: 1,659
Probable Cases: 696
Total Active Cases: 47
Active Confirmed Cases: 25
Active Probable Cases: 22
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,359
Confirmed Cases: 927
Probable Cases: 432
Total Active Cases: 70
Active Confirmed Cases: 32
Active Probable Cases: 38
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,043
Confirmed Cases: 812
Probable Cases: 231
Total Active Cases: 46
Active Confirmed Cases: 33
Active Probable Cases: 13
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,664
Confirmed Cases: 1,444
Probable Cases: 220
Total Active Cases: 80
Active Confirmed Cases: 70
Active Probable Cases: 10
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 879
Confirmed Cases: 683
Probable Cases: 196
Total Active Cases: 16
Active Confirmed Cases: 12
Active Probable Cases: 4
LITTLE ROCK – Tax season is upon us. This year, unfortunately, many Arkansans have the added stress of dealing with fraudulent unemployment compensation claims when filing their taxes. Victims of unemployment fraud may have income wrongfully reported in their name that could add to their tax burden. Many consumers have been rightfully concerned about the safety of their personal and financial information due to this type of fraud.
“Con artists who try to steal from taxpaying Arkansans will be caught,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “I will always hold these criminals accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Attorney General Rutledge offers the following tips for Arkansans filing their tax returns who have encountered unemployment fraud.
Be sure that you have contacted the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services’ fraud hotline at (501) 682-1058 or completed the secure fraud reporting form online at dws.arkansas.gov.
After filing the initial police report, send a copy to the Department of Workforce Services to stop the fraudulent income from being reported to the IRS.
Do not report the fraudulent earnings as your own or file an amended return.
Independently contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to review your earnings for accuracy. This step could take several weeks for the SSA to update their records.
Review the IRS Guide to Employment-Related Identity Theft at www.irs.gov.
Additionally, consumers can also protect their identity and personal information by contacting the three credit bureaus.
For more information about unemployment fraud contact, the Attorney General’s Office at OAG@ArkansasAG.gov.
UA Cossatot would like to announce that the online Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship application is available for students to complete at www.aspsf.org. The final deadline for students to complete the scholarship is February 15, 2021 for the spring 2021 semester.
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship is available for students to apply for during the spring, summer, and fall semester. To apply for the summer and fall scholarship, students can also visit aspsf.org to complete the application. The deadline for the summer is July 1 and the priority deadline for the fall is July 15. For more information about the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship, please visit www.aspsf.org
BENTON – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today awarded the Howard County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Corporal Kyle Jones with Arkansas State Police. Rutledge presented the county winners at the annual awards and recognition luncheon during the 2020 Officer of the Year luncheon at the Benton Event Center.
“It’s my honor to recognize our law enforcement officers from around the state for their dedication to protecting Arkansans,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Every day, these brave men and women leave their families without knowing if they will safely return home. Today’s recipients have gone above and beyond for all of us and we are grateful for their dedication and sacrifice.”
In addition to the statewide and regional Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards, Rutledge recognized an Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer winner from counties around the State. Recipients were selected based on recommendations for their dedicated service to Arkansans and can hold law enforcement positions at a college or university, municipal, county, federal or State level. Nominations were provided to Attorney General Rutledge from police chiefs, county sheriffs, county judges, mayors, prosecutors and other State law enforcement leaders from across Arkansas.
Several bills are now making their way to the Governor’s desk including one that could expand broadband services across the state.
SB74 had unanimous support in both the House and the Senate. This bill allows cities, counties, and improvement districts to partner with established providers to expand broadband services for those who currently do not have service or those who are underserved.
SB74 has an emergency clause which means it will become effective after the Governor signs it.
Other bills passed by the House in recent days include:
HB1151-This bill suspends the public school rating system for the 2020-2021 school year due to the disruption to education caused by the pandemic.
HB1009- This bill allows a public school or an open-enrollment public charter school to distribute excess food to students for consumption on the school campus or at home.
HB1113-This bill amends the Commission of State Lands Urban Homestead Act. Currently, the Commissioner of State Lands can donate land to community organizations to develop low-income housing. This bill states that if the donated land has not been used for that purpose after three years, the commissioner can allow the land to be used for the development of a public school or open-enrollment charter school in an area with a high poverty rate.
HB1032-This bill allows taxpayers with military retirement benefit under $6,000 to claim a total retirement exemption up to that amount if the taxpayer has additional retirement income. The Department of Finance and Administration estimates this bill affects 700 Arkansans.
HB1202-This bill requires counties to post sample ballots on the Secretary of State website at least 20 days before each preferential primary and general election and at least ten days before each general primary, general runoff, school, or special election.
HB1211-This bill states the Governor shall not prohibit or limit a religious organization from continuing to operate religious services during a declared emergency.
HB1003-This bill ensures respectful language is used in Arkansas code regarding individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and removes from the Arkansas code the term "hearing impaired".
SB76-This bill creates a permitting process for excursion trains to serve and sell alcoholic beverages.
HB1056-This bill amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act by allowing public meetings to be held via phone or video conference during a declared emergency.
HB1009- This bill authorizes the Veterinary Medical Examining Board to promulgate rules for the use of telemedicine.
HB1013-amends Arkansas Music Appreciation Day to add James "Jim Dandy" Mangrum, Buddy Jewell, and Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm. September 1 was established as Arkansas Music Appreciation Day by the 92nd General Assembly.
The House will reconvene on Monday at 1 pm. You can find all agendas and links to live-streams of meetings at www.arkansashouse.org.
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 41
Active Confirmed Cases: 26
Active Probable Cases: 15
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 75
Active Confirmed Cases: 35
Active Probable Cases: 40
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 42
Active Confirmed Cases: 33
Active Probable Cases: 9
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 78
Active Confirmed Cases: 71
Active Probable Cases: 7
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 18
Active Confirmed Cases: 14
Active Probable Cases: 4
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Tri-County Regional Library System Board for February 8, 2021 has been CANCELLED. The NEXT meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2021 at 5 p.m. at the Sevier County Library-De Queen location.
Marilyn B. Archer, MLS
Director
Tri-County Regional Library System
Serving 11 Public Libraries in Howard, Little River and Sevier counties in Southwest Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Friday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,707 new cases; 17,326 active cases; 951 hospitalized, which is down 45 from Thursday; 144 on ventilators, which is up 1 from Thursday; deaths added today, 47, for a total of 4,831; a total of 292,563 cases; 217,633 recoveries; PCR tests, 13,027; antigen tests, 3,565.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 271; Benton, 171; Washington, 147; Sebastian, 89; and Faulkner, 74.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"Today we saw a decrease of over 450 new cases from this time last week. We have also distributed over 84,000 doses of vaccine in the past week. With a decline in hospitalizations, we remind ourselves that watching our distance and wearing a mask does make a difference. Please keep the guidelines in mind as we go into the weekend.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 2,341
Confirmed Cases: 1,658
Probable Cases: 683
Total Active Cases: 42
Active Confirmed Cases: 26
Active Probable Cases: 16
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,348
Confirmed Cases: 920
Probable Cases: 428
Total Active Cases: 79
Active Confirmed Cases: 37
Active Probable Cases: 42
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,031
Confirmed Cases: 807
Probable Cases: 224
Total Active Cases: 42
Active Confirmed Cases: 32
Active Probable Cases: 10
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,652
Confirmed Cases: 1,438
Probable Cases: 214
Total Active Cases: 83
Active Confirmed Cases: 77
Active Probable Cases: 6
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 877
Confirmed Cases: 682
Probable Cases: 195
Total Active Cases: 21
Active Confirmed Cases: 17
Active Probable Cases: 4
LITTLE ROCK – We are in our second month of inoculating Arkansans against COVID-19, and today I’d like to talk about the progress we are making.
We have received nearly 473,000 doses of the vaccine, and we have administered right at 252,000 of the first dose. Arkansas ranks in the Top 15 states in the number of doses administered, and we are also giving out the second dose of the vaccine on schedule with a separate supply for the second dose.
Our goal is to vaccinate all those who are eligible in the 1-A category by the end of January. This includes health care workers, nursing home residents and staff, and first responders. We expect to meet that objective. We also added to the mix some elements of Phase 1-B, which includes people older than seventy, teachers and school staff, and daycare workers. Once we complete these categories, we will go into other essential workers. Those are identified on our Arkansas Department of Health website. You should remember that this is subject to adjustment as we receive additional information and different CDC guidance.
I have designated Colonel Robert Ator to coordinate and oversee the distribution of the vaccine.
Colonel Ator, whose friends call him Gator, is a retired wing commander of the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard.
With his experience in logistics and supply-chain, Colonel Ator is the perfect person to oversee this mission.
As part of our distribution plan, we are working with pharmacies and with state hospitals and other providers to streamline the administration of the vaccines. Our Department of Health team is tracking the supply and redistributing excess vaccine to ensure that the doses are at the sites where they are most needed. The team also is attempting to increase the supply of vaccine and to improve communication with the public and our medical providers.
The vaccine is our best hope for containing COVID-19, and while the number of new COVID cases are gradually trending down, this is no time to let up.
Bryan Duffie, who is superintendent of the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, reports that about 55 percent of the district’s staff has received the vaccine. We do hope that number increases.
The district partnered with Baptist Hospital North Little Rock, and on the first day, 115 staff members took the vaccine.
Danyelle Musselman, wife of Razorbacks basketball coach Eric Musselman, wants the vaccine so that she can safely visit her sister, who had a heart transplant and is in the high-risk category. She said she has studied vaccines. She said she likes to read and know things for herself rather than listen to opinions.
Danyelle said that “it’s time to get to the other side of this, and the vaccine is the way to do it. We all want to spend time with our friends and family. We want to have birthday parties. We want to have dinners out. We want to have fans at Razorback games.”
Now that we have vaccines, and we have folks such as Colonel Ator and the incredible team at the Department of Health, Superintendent Duffie, and Danyelle Musselman leading the way, we are going to beat this. The First Lady and I have had our vaccine, and there were no side effects. I encourage all of you to get the vaccine at your first opportunity. We’re all ready to get to the other side of this pandemic.
De Queen Middle School January Good Citizens
L-R: Addison Gray, Ty Wagner, Elajay Ferretiz & Alorah Cox
With a vote of 94-0, the House passed legislation to expand broadband access in Arkansas.
SB74 allows cities, counties, and improvement districts to partner with established providers to expand broadband services for those who currently do not have service or those who are underserved.
The House passed HB1113, which amends the Commission of State Lands Urban Homestead Act.
Currently, the Commissioner of State Lands can donate land to community organizations to develop low-income housing. This bill states that if the donated land has not been used for that purpose after three years, the commissioner has the option to allow the land to be used for the development of a public school or open-enrollment charter school in an area with a high poverty rate.
The House passed HB1202. This bill requires counties to post sample ballots on the Secretary of State website at least 20 days before each preferential primary and general election and at least ten days before each general primary, general runoff, school, or special election.
The House passed HB1211, which states the Governor shall not prohibit or limit a religious organization from continuing to operate religious services during a declared emergency.
The House also passed SB76, which creates a permitting process for excursion trains to serve and sell alcoholic beverages.
The House will reconvene on Monday at 1 pm.
By MICHAEL TILLEY/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS
The overall trend of fewer new and active cases continued Wednesday with the Arkansas Department of Health reporting double-digit declines in hospitalizations and ventilator use. Deaths, however, rose by 52 to 4,742.
The ADH reported 1,777 new known confirmed and probable cases, down more than 700 from the previous Wednesday, but bringing the cumulative total to 288,964. Active confirmed and probable cases fell by 472 to 17,686. The ADH also reported 85 available ICU beds as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, up from 83 on Tuesday. Hospitalizations fell by 66 to 1,029, well below the record of 1,371 on Jan. 11.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/covid-numbers-trend-lower-uams-report-predicts-resurgence
Lines of cars with people being tested for COVID-19 stream through a garage at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences on July 13, 2020.
CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS
By MICHAEL TILLEY/ TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday he had an “optimistic” call with the White House COVID-19 coordinator on receiving more vaccines, saying that a consistent and increasing supply is needed for more efficient vaccine distribution.
More vaccines are certainly needed to contain the ongoing virus spread in Arkansas. New reported COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations all rose in Tuesday’s report from the Arkansas Department of Health. Confirmed and probable cases rose by 2,485, bringing the cumulative total to 287,187. Tuesday’s new cases are above the 1,854 on the previous Tuesday.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-governor-lobbying-more-covid-vaccines-cases-rise-again
A COVID-19 vaccine was shown during a press conference last month at the Arkansas Department of Health as the first people in the state were vaccinated.
CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS
Arkansas House Bill 1202, a bipartisan measure proposed by State Rep. Andrew Collins, D-Pulaski County, amends Arkansas election law to establish statewide online access to sample election ballots via the Arkansas Secretary of State Voter View portal.
Arkansas Democrat Rep. Andrew Collins shows his draft bill to create a statewide sample ballot portal.
COURTESY / ANDREW COLLINS
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 1,892 new cases; 17,547 active cases; 996 hospitalized, which is down 33 from Wednesday; 143 on ventilators, which is down 14 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 42, for a total of 4,784; a total of 290,856 cases; 216,277 recoveries; PCR tests, 10,326; antigen tests, 3,195.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 303; Benton, 229; Washington, 177; Garland, 129; and Faulkner, 84.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"Today's report shows over 1,200 fewer cases with higher testing than last week. The decline, as well as a decrease in active cases, shows good trends, but another day of over 40 deaths reminds us that this virus is still present in all corners of the state. We continue to work to slow the spread."
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Here are today's COVID-19 vaccine statewide numbers:
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 2,332
Confirmed Cases: 1,654
Probable Cases: 678
Total Active Cases: 40
Active Confirmed Cases: 27
Active Probable Cases: 13
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,331
Confirmed Cases: 913
Probable Cases: 418
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 38
Active Probable Cases: 34
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,016
Confirmed Cases: 793
Probable Cases: 223
Total Active Cases: 42
Active Confirmed Cases: 31
Active Probable Cases: 11
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,636
Confirmed Cases: 1,422
Probable Cases: 214
Total Active Cases: 85
Active Confirmed Cases: 79
Active Probable Cases: 6
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 875
Confirmed Cases: 680
Probable Cases: 195
Total Active Cases: 32
Active Confirmed Cases: 24
Active Probable Cases: 8
By ALEXANDRIA BROWN
The coronavirus pandemic has prompted officials to encourage people not to travel, causing the cancellation of many vacation plans. But the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and its partners are urging residents to enjoy some time off while staying in the state.
Tuesday was National Plan for Vacation Day, with officials saying there are plenty of things to do while remaining safe. Tourism is a vital part of the state's economy.
Withrow Springs at Huntsville, which features a 150-foot high bluff overlooking the creek and Ozark Mountains, is one of the places touted for vacations in Arkansas.
CREDIT ARKANSAS STATE PARKS