Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 156
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 131
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 118
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 167
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 119
by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)
Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) have been confirmed in Arkansas in horses at two separate locations in Pulaski County, according to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
EEE is an extremely rare but serious and fatal infection that causes encephalitis, an acute inflammation of the brain. The disease is spread by biting insects, primarily mosquitoes and flies that have bitten birds infected with the EEE virus (EEEV). Insect control and vaccination are the recommended preventative measures.
EEE can infect a wide range of animals other than horses, including other mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. While humans can also contract the disease through biting insects, they cannot get the disease through direct contact with an infected animal.
https://talkbusiness.net/2021/09/rare-communicable-brain-disease-found-in-horses-in-arkansas/
by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
A federal jury in Fayetteville has found two Arkansas men guilty of fraud and money laundering in connection with the development of a wind turbine that was never operational and a proposed wind farm project in Washington County that was never constructed. The convictions were detailed in a press release Friday (Sept. 3) from the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jody Davis of Searcy and Phillip Ridings North Little Rock formed a limited liability company in Texas in 2014 called Dragonfly Industries International LLC. They also created an Arkansas LLC called Arkansas Wind Power (AWP). They told investors they planned to develop a revolutionary wind turbine design on a 311-acre wind farm proposed for construction in Elm Springs.
by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)
After guiding the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture through a decade of growth, vice president for agriculture Dr. Mark J. Cochran will retire effective Sept. 30.
During his tenure, Cochran encouraged the growth of the entrepreneurship and commercialization of research products and obtained funding to continue the Division of Agriculture’s research and extension work, enabling the traditional land grant mission to remain strong in Arkansas.
“After 39 rewarding years in the University of Arkansas System, retirement is not a decision that was made casually or in haste,” he said. “It’s been an honor to lead the Division of Agriculture and there is still much that can be accomplished. However, the time has come to pass on that responsibility to the next leader of the division and to enjoy time with my family and especially my granddaughter.”
Nine months after announcing her candidacy for Arkansas governor through a produced video, Sarah Huckabee Sanders is now taking her campaign to the people. This Labor Day weekend she began a series of 15 appearances around the state.
On Monday evening, the former White House press secretary spoke to an enthusiastic crowd at a rally in Benton. Sanders was introduced by her father, former Gov. Mike Huckabee.
“She understands why she wants to run, what she will do when elected, and I believe with all my heart – and this is hard to say for reasons that will make perfect sense when I say it – I think she will be the best governor Arkansas ever had,” Huckabee said.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaking to a crowd of supporters Monday evening in Benton.
CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS
By KYLE KELLAMS
Our monthly update from ArkansasCovid.com includes higher rates of infection for younger Arkansans and a steady number of new cases diagnosed throughout August.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/schools-hospitals-navigate-covid-19
COURTESY / ARKANSASCOVID.COM
By JACQUELINE FROELICH & KYLE KELLAMS
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has launched a new multiplatform website connecting schools engaged in gardening and agriculture to local farmers and growers. Sarah Lane who serves as Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture says the new portal features interactive maps of school gardens, local procurement activities, participating farms and producers – which number around 800 statewide.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-department-agriculture-links-farms-schools
Sarah Lane is Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
COURTESY / SARAH LANE
By Marty Trieschmann
Aug. 30, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK — The first UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Center is now open on the campus of Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock, bringing the full spectrum of cancer research, diagnostic and treatment services available at UAMS’ Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute to more Arkansans.
“This collaboration benefits the people of Arkansas by bringing the most advanced cancer care in the state closer to where people live,” said Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health. “Building on our longstanding relationship, UAMS and Baptist Health are taking steps to expand the innovative and unique oncological care found at UAMS’ Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute into all corners of the state.”
“The opening of UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Center on our Baptist Health Medical Center North Little Rock campus is just the beginning of our cancer partnership and another example of our shared commitment to bring the best health care to the people of Arkansas,” said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “Uniting together against cancer, this partnership will leverage our network of 11 hospitals and 100 clinics to bridge the gaps in state-of-the-art cancer care where patients need these services most across the state.”
https://news.uams.edu/2021/08/30/new-uams-baptist-health-cancer-center-opens-in-north-little-rock/
Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a briefing to media at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 8, 2021.
LITTLE ROCK – The county fair is one of the traditions that we missed last year because of the pandemic, and today I’m very excited to talk about the reopening of the fairs this fall.
The first known organized fair in the United States was a sheep-shearing contest in 1807 in Pennsylvania. Fairs expanded to include the judging of homemade muscadine jelly and green beans in Mason jars, merry-go-rounds, beauty pageants, basketball toss, and foods we eat only once a year. Fairs are a big deal in dozens of communities in Arkansas.
Barbie Washburn, president of the Arkansas Fair Managers Association, says the loss of last year’s fair season hurt small towns such as Marvel, where she lives and works. She also is president of the TriCounty Fair, which includes Philips, Lee, and Monroe counties.
She has loved the fair since childhood. She said, “As soon as it started rolling in, I could hear it and feel it. I couldn’t wait to ride the Ferris wheel and eat cotton candy.”
Now she lives three blocks from the TriCounty fairground. She said that last year, she missed walking outside onto her patio to listen to the sounds and see the lights.
She said, “Our attendance is usually 10,000. People come to town, buy gas, eat at the local diner. When the carnival’s here, the washateria is used 24/7.”
The fair buys feed from the local feed store, and supplies from the hardware store. That didn’t happen last year.
Just about all of the county fairs are reopened for this fall. Now, some of the fairs that are reopening won’t have a midway with rides and games because some of the carnival companies didn’t survive the pandemic. But Freddy Miller, whose parents Johnny and Sue started Miller Spectacular Shows in Greenbrier, said his family’s company has had a phenomenal recovery this year.
The survival of county fairs is important to our communities. In July, I asked the Department of Agriculture to release $1.8 million in premium and construction funding to fairs. Going back to 2019, the state has allocated $3.8 million.
Barbie really wants county fairs to survive. She fears losing another event that brings a community together. That’s what the county fair is for. You see people you may not see any other time of the year. The fair is especially important for making memories for children. And for me that is really important. Each year my daughter, Sarah, and I look forward to going to the fair. We ride rides and look at the exhibits from across the state.
I am confident that county fairs will continue to thrive. The Saline County Fair, Bull Riding, and Rodeo is returning this year, and I happen to know that because I am riding in the parade. I am happy to note that I’m doing it for the fun of it and to show my support for the fair.
by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)
The Arkansas Medical Society board of trustees adopted a policy Monday (Aug. 30) calling for the required vaccination of health care workers.
In a statement released broadly, the AMS said the Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association had endorsed the position and “more medical organizations are expected to do the same.” The AMS is the largest and most influential physician lobbying group in Arkansas.
“The physicians of Arkansas are deeply concerned about their patients and the citizens of our state as we continue to wage a battle with the COVID-19 virus and its highly contagious variants. Our ethical obligations, as well as the ethical obligations of most health care workers, teach us to always put patients first. To live up to that moral and ethical standard, it is imperative that we lead by example and take a stand in support of required vaccination for health care workers,” the AMS statement said.
by Talk Business & Politics staff
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s (AEDC) Division of Rural Services announced Monday (Aug. 30) it will award more than $769,000 to Arkansas schools and educators to support conservation education programs in the 2021-22 school year. Funds for these grants come from wildlife fines collected by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).
AEDC awards conservation education grants to schools in the same counties where the fines are collected. Any school or conservation district in Arkansas may apply through Oct. 26.
“Each year, AEDC is excited to be part of this opportunity to expand educational support for our schools while also enhancing conservation efforts in the Natural State,” Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston said. “This ongoing partnership with the AGFC serves our communities, our students, and our economy.”
Arkansas could lose over $100 million in federal aid for renters. On Monday, the state was identified as having one of the lowest disbursement rates for funding provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance program.
Over $173 million has been earmarked for rent relief in Arkansas as part of COVID-19 assistance provided directly to states by the federal government. According to Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Arkansas has distributed less than 3% of its allotment, which could expire at the end of September.
Rep. James Clyburn (D) of South Carolina, the chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, says states like Arkansas can do a better job of disbursing rent relief funding.
CREDIT ZOOM
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 128
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 141
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 108
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 151
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 112
by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)
Lyon College President W. Joseph King resigned Thursday (Aug. 26). King, who was under fire for comments about President Donald Trump supporters and white supremacist in the Ozark Foothills tendered his resignation to the Lyon College Board of Trustees.
“I’m writing to let you know that the Lyon College Board of Trustees has accepted President W. Joseph King’s resignation effective immediately. We are thankful for Dr. King’s service and guidance during his presidency. The College has established numerous programs and initiatives that have flourished under his leadership including the College’s ROTC program and military science concentration. We are also grateful for Dr. King’s leadership in keeping our campus and our students safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are especially grateful for his leadership in establishing our ongoing exploration of a strategic partnership with the University of the Ozarks,” Board of Trustees Chairman Perry Wilson noted in a statement.
by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)
The University of Arkansas announced Wednesday (Aug. 25) a $30 million partial challenge grant from the Windgate Foundation to further expand the Windgate Art and Design District, a home for the UA’s School of Art. The money will be for the district’s second phase that will include the 58,000-square-foot Windgate Gallery and Foundations Building.
In 2017, the Windgate Foundation gave $40 million to the UA to create the Windgate Art and Design District in south Fayetteville. The district will include the Windgate Studio and Design Center, which is expected to open in fall 2022. The first phase of the overall Windgate Art and Design District project is under construction.
Construction continues on the Windgate Studio and Design Center in south Fayetteville. The Windgate Foundation will provide an additional $30 million to support the further expansion of the University of Arkansas' Windgate Art and Design District.)
By DEBRA HALE-SHELTON/ ARKANSAS NONPROFIT NEWS NETWORK
Federal prosecutors plan to retry former lobbyist and political fundraiser Gilbert Baker on bribery and other charges after a mistrial earlier this month.
On Aug. 12, a jury on its fifth day of deliberations acquitted Baker, a former state senator from Conway and former chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas, of one count of conspiracy. The jury deadlocked on eight other charges, including one count of bribery and seven of wire fraud.
In its notice to the court Thursday, the U.S. attorney’s office stated only that it intended to retry Baker and did not elaborate on what may have led prosecutors to that decision. The office had earlier sought and been granted permission to interview jurors who heard from the first trial who were willing to discuss the matter. Such interviews could have given prosecutors information on how jurors were divided on the case and why.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/former-arkansas-lawmaker-face-retrial-federal-bribery-charges
Gilbert Baker (right) and his attorney, Blake Hendrix, exit the U.S. courthouse in Little Rock during Baker’s first trial.
CREDIT BRIAN CHILSON
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 147
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 156
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 118
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 164
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 121
