On this week's Sevier County Chamber chat, president Callie Miller tells us the Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival has been re-scheduled because of high waters for Saturday, July 17, and announces this Thursday's Chamber Board meeting will take place at UA Cossatot.
Tuesday's COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the AR Dept of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 14
Active Confirmed Cases: 9
Active Probable Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 6
Active Probable Cases: 3
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 2
VIDEO: "What's Up Doc?" with Dr Randy Walker About Blood Clots
This week on "What's Up Doc?", Dr. Randy discusses the rare incidence of blood clots in the brain, COVID-19 vaccinations, and why long drives in the car can lead to blood clot formation (and bladder discomfort).
Historic Fort Chaffee Army Barracks to Become Residential, Retail Quarters
Plans to renovate more than 20 historic barracks and buildings, originally constructed in 1941 as part of Camp Chaffee, a U.S. Army base east of Fort Smith, will soon be transformed into contemporary living and commercial quarters, recently approved by the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/historic-fort-chaffee-army-barracks-become-residential-retail-quarters
An aerial view of Chaffee Crossing Historic District.
COURTESY / FORT CHAFFEE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Camp Chaffee U.S. Army training base circa 1940s.
COURTESY / FORT CHAFFEE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Court Orders Nine Members of Plant Board to be Removed
by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)
The Pulaski County Circuit Court, 6th Division, issued an order Thursday (June 10) removing nine of the 18 members of the State Plant Board from their positions on the board. The Court’s action was a result of a ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court that those nine members had been unconstitutionally appointed.
In 2017, a lawsuit was filed by six Arkansas farmers challenging the constitutionality of the statute that provides for certain members of the Plant Board to be elected by private trade associations. The circuit court upheld the constitutionality of the statute and the farmers appealed to the Arkansas Supreme Court.
The members removed from the Board are:
Tommy Anderson, Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association; Marty Eaton, Arkansas Seed Dealers Association; Terry Fuller, Arkansas Seed Growers Association; Mark Hopper, Arkansas Pest Management Association; Brad Koen, Arkansas Crop Protection Association; Scott Milburn, Arkansas Forestry Association; Mark Morgan, Arkansas State Horticultural Society; Jason Parks, Arkansas Green Industry Association; and Terry Stephenson, Arkansas Oil Marketers Association.
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/06/court-orders-nine-members-of-plant-board-to-be-removed/
arkansas.gov
Sunday COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 17
Active Confirmed Cases: 11
Active Probable Cases: 6
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 3
Active Confirmed Cases: 2
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 1
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 7
Active Probable Cases: 2
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 1
LIVE VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides Weekly Media Update Tuesday (06.15.21) 130PM
Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a weekly briefing to media at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
Renovations Continue at UA Cossatot Lockesburg Campus
UA Cossatot Partners With Pilgrim's Pride for the Better Futures Program
UA Cossatot announces its new partnership with Pilgrim’s Pride for its students and future students.
In May, Chancellor of UA Cossatot, Dr. Steve Cole signed an agreement with Pilgrim’s Pride in De Queen to be part of the local Better Futures program.
With this local program, any Pilgrim’s Pride employee and their dependents may attend UA Cossatot tuition-free for any field of study they choose.
According to Chancellor Cole, “It's a tremendous day for education in our region as this will open doors for hundreds, if not thousands, of Pilgrim's Pride employees and their family members. UA Cossatot is proud to partner with Pilgrim's Pride on this endeavor as it will be a game changer for many families and our economy as a whole."
This program will begin in fall 2021 and UA Cossatot will be working with Pilgrim’s Pride to establish a seamless recruitment and enrollment process. More information on the Better Futures program can be found at https://betterfutures.jbssa.com/.
VIDEO: De Queen City Pool - Joslynn Frachiseur
Joslynn Frachiseur of De Queen Parks and Rec was our in-studio guest this morning and talked about the popularity of the De Queen City Pool, public swim hours, pool party reservation info, and the upcoming Freedom Fest on July 3rd. To find out more about Parks and Rec activities, call the park office at (870) 642-4140.
VIDEO: Mural Girl - Darlene Taylor in SW Arkansas
VIDEOS: Flood Warning Extended Through the Weekend for Little River
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following river in
Oklahoma...Arkansas...
Little River At Horatio affecting McCurtain, Sevier, Little River
and Howard Counties.
...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following river in
Oklahoma...Arkansas...
Little River Near Idabel affecting McCurtain, Sevier and Little
River Counties.
ARC061-081-133-OKC089-121415-
/O.EXT.KSHV.FL.W.0126.000000T0000Z-210613T0532Z/
/HRGA4.3.ER.210608T2102Z.210610T1945Z.210612T1132Z.NO/
904 AM CDT Fri Jun 11 2021
...The Flood Warning is now in effect until early Sunday morning...
The Flood Warning continues for
the Little River At Horatio.
* Until late Saturday night.
* At 8:00 AM CDT Friday the stage was 30.4 feet.
* Flood stage is 27 feet.
* Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast.
* Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending
at 8:00 AM CDT Friday was 30.9 feet.
* Forecast...The Little River at Horatio is expected to fall below
flood stage Saturday morning and continue falling to 16.7 feet
Wednesday morning.
* Impact...Flooding to diminish and end through Saturday.
Arkansas Commits $17 Million for Ebbing Military Mission; Governor Outlines Merit Bonuses, New School Vaccine Policy
by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)
Governor Asa Hutchinson made news on three fronts Tuesday (June 8) in his weekly press briefing. Hutchinson outlined the state’s commitment to a new military mission in Fort Smith, performance bonuses for state workers, and a loosening of student quarantines for those fully vaccinated.
The governor said Arkansas will put up $17 million as part of its commitment to the new F-35 and F-16 military mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith. The money will be used to extend the runway at the base by 1,300 additional feet. The city of Fort Smith has committed $5 million to the runway extension.
The state’s portion of the $22 million commitment will come from either legislative approval to use rainy day or restrictive reserve funds or the governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund, Hutchinson said.
With Walton Financial Support, Statewide Fund Started for Arkansas LGBTQ Community
by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)
A new statewide fund will support organizations working to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ Arkansans.
According to a news release Thursday (June 10), the $1 million fund is launching with philanthropic support from the Alice L. Walton Foundation and from Tom Walton and his wife Olivia through the Walton Family Foundation.
Organizations offering legal, health, education and advocacy services, along with other high-demand needs will be eligible for grants.
Governor Announces Raises For State Employees, New COVID-19 Guidelines For Schools
State employees in Arkansas will soon have the opportunity to earn a raise as a result of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Tuesday a 3% "performance or merit" bonus will be given to state agencies, that in turn will be distributed to their employees based on their work.
According to Hutchinson, this pay amount to state employees is the largest one since he took over as governor, costing the state around $11.2 million dollars in state general revenue and a total of $28 million from "all sources" including federal ones.
The COVID-19 numbers for June 8, 2021.
CREDIT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
Arkansas Apportionment Board Hires Former Chief Justice As Redistricting Coordinator
The members of the state Board of Apportionment, who are responsible for redrawing Arkansas’ congressional districts, on Monday approved the hiring of a former state Supreme Court chief justice to serve as the redistricting coordinator.
The three-membered board, consisting of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Secretary of State John Thurston, motioned and then approved the hiring of Betty Dickey to serve in the position at a rate of $10,000 a month until the end of the redistricting process.
After officially calling the meeting to order, the committee quickly went into executive session to interview Dickey. After reconvening, the board made a motion to hire her, which passed.
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of State John Thurston gather during the second Board of Apportionment meeting
CREDIT ARKANSAS PBS
Governor Hutchinson Declares Emergency in Response to Southeast Arkansas Flooding
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has declared a state of emergency in response to recent flooding in southeast Arkansas. This declaration comes after over a foot of rain fell on some communities in a 24-hour period.
"After discussions with community members, local leaders, and the Division of Emergency Management, it quickly became clear that assistance is needed," Governor Hutchinson said on Thursday. "Business owners, farmers, and everyone in the area are feeling the impact of this weather event, and we're moving quickly to help however we can."
The declaration will direct $100,000 from the Emergency Response Fund of the Governor's Disaster Fund to be used at the discretion of the Director of the Division of Emergency Management.
The Governor plans to visit Dumas Friday morning to assess the damage and needs of affected communities.
Grand Opening Ceremony to Mark Completion of UA Cossatot’s ERC Renovation
VIDEO: Flooded Roads in SW Arkansas
Slight traffic delay Tuesday afternoon, 06/08, on the east side of De Queen as the ARDOT manages a single lane of vehicles through the overflowing waters of Bear Creek along the Old Lockesburg Highway near the hatchery.
Sevier County Tourism Expecting Big Crowd for 2024 Total Eclipse
Keisha McKinney of the Sevier County Tourism Committee dropped by today to shed some light on preparations for the total eclipse of the sun in April of 2024.