Sevier County Library Snippets

Wow what an eventful month January was. Let’s hope February will be a lot better!

We have added new books and DVD’s to the circulation system. You can access our card catalog at www.seviercountylibrary.com/county-card-catalog.Kelsie will be having two story times on February 9th will be make Valentine’s for our Seniors at Bear Creek at 4 pm, and February 23rd at 4 pm will be “Wintertime Fun”. If we are still at curbside she will have “Take and Make” activities for the children on the day of the story time.

Thanks to Tri-County Regional Library System for allowing our patrons the opportunity of E-books, via the Libbyapp by Overdrive. You can follow the instructions to download the libbyapp from our Facebook.com/seviercountylibrary or simply go to your play store on your device. Remember you must search “Arkansas Digital Library Consortium” and hold a valid library card to browse our selection. For more information, you can call 584-4364.

Amy at Horatio Library says, Boy how time flies. It’s hard to believe it’s 2022. I have some good news for you A.J. Rivers fans. We have a new series, “Ava James Mystery” series. The first book is “Ava James and the Ivy Grove.” It is about a detective named Ava James she shadowed Emma Griffin during the Windsor Island investigation. Jayne Ann Krentz has written a third Foggy Lake novel called “Lightening in a Mirror”. We also have new books by Danielle Steel, Diane Chamberlain, Jodi Thomas, Lisa Regan and James Patterson's “The Horsewoman.” We have several new DVD this month.   We have Season 1 and 2 of Wanted Dead or Alive, Season 1 of Gunsmoke, new seasons of The Walking Dead, we have ordered the entire season of Hee Haw. Call Amy at 832-6882 for more information. Remember you can always go on Libby and check out books. Stay safe and Healthy.

Here at the Lockesburg Library a special invitation is extended to “Take Your Child to the Library” during the month of February for families in our community, according to librarian, Wendy Clay. “Take Your Child to the Library” is a wonderful way for people in our community to learn about the early literacy programs, educational resources and fun events that are provided for free to the community every day of the year. For more information about “Take Your Child to the Library” and upcoming library activities, please contact: Wendy Clay at the Lockesburg Library at 289-2233 or visit our Facebook page: Lockesburg Library.

Hello from Gillham Library. We have been busy getting things done for our move into our new place. We will be moving across the street from our present location soon and hope to have a few surprises for our patrons. A huge shout-out and thank you to the Gillham Alumni and DMESC for helping us out with the new space. We are at curbside at the present time but just call or come knock on our door and we will get you books or DVD’s. We have some great new reads: James Patterson’s “The Horsewoman”, P.J Tracy’s “Desolation Canyon” Danielle Steel’s “Invisible” and RBP’s “Bye Bye Baby” to name a few. New DVD’s are The Addam’s Family 2, Space Jam, Respect, and Cry Macho. Rhonda, Kelsie and Mr. Bob thanks each of you who have been patient with us and will continue to be patient as we make our move.

Johnye Fisher Head LibrarianSevier County Library System200 W Stilwell Ave
De Queen, AR. 71832
870-584-4364 (Phone)870-642-8319 (Fax)www.seviercountylibrary.com

Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas Wednesday and Thursday 01/25 & 01/26/22

Click on photo above for the 6-page weather briefing.

UA Cossatot Food Pantry Food Drive now through January 29th

How would you like to help tackle hunger, and score a new big screen tv?

Just in time for the Super Bowl….thanks to a generous donation from Gayla Irvan, when you give a non-perishable food item to the UA Cossatot Food Pantry on our De Queen, Nashville, or Ashdown campus, you’ll receive an entry in a drawing to win a 50 inch Samsung television.

Gayla will also accept food donations at the Chalice Food Cupboard on Saturday, January 29th. And you can even donate at UA Cossatot Colts basketball games. We will draw the winning ticket at the February 12th Colts home game when they host SAU Tech.

With your help, we can defeat hunger in our community. Please give during the Super Bowl Food Drive, now through February 12th.

UA Cossatot’s 2022-2023 Online Scholarship Application Open

PRESS RELEASE

183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832
870-584-1124
www.cccua.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 18 January 2022
CONTACT: Dustin Roberts, Director of Development

UA Cossatot’s 2022-2023 online scholarship application is currently open, and the deadline to apply is March 1, 2022. The online scholarship application portal allows students to apply for many different foundation and institutional scholarships by completing just one online application. The online application can be found at cccua.awardspring.com.

There are scholarships available for an assortment of students; incoming freshman, returning students, non-traditional, and program-specific scholarships. Most UA Cossatot scholarships are donor-funded and there are scholarship opportunities for students attending classes on all four UA Cossatot campuses; De Queen, Nashville, Ashdown, Lockesburg, and online.

UA Cossatot’s Director of Development Dustin Roberts said, “There are a variety of scholarships and award amounts available for fall 2022 and spring 2023. It’s incredible to see donors supporting local college students and investing in their futures.”

For more information, contact Dustin Roberts at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu. ###

Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice & Allergy Clinic Donates to UA Cossatot Foundation

UA Cossatot Foundation recently received a $2,500 donation from Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice & Allergy Clinic. The donation supports local scholarships for students attending UA Cossatot.

Angie Walker of Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice said, “There is nothing more important or powerful than community. We need to be consistent and accountable in our lives, and it all starts with our connections in our community. CCCUA is a huge force in our community, and we are lucky enough to be a part of what they do in Sevier County.”

The UA Cossatot Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit governed by a Board of Directors comprised of business and community leaders in Southwest Arkansas. The foremost objective of the foundation is to increase philanthropic support from individuals, alumni, businesses, organizations, and friends as a means to directly invest in the educational mission of UA Cossatot.

UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “ Over the years, our Foundation efforts have grown exponentially, and I feel there are three major reasons for this; we have joined forces and become part of the University of Arkansas System Foundation, we have a great local Foundation Board and leadership, and most importantly, we have people like Angie and Dr. Randy Walker who give so any student has a chance to get the

education that will change their life. I envision a day where we totally eliminate the financial barriers our students face because of people making local donations to the Foundation”.

For more information or to make a gift to the UA Cossatot Foundation, contact Dustin Roberts, Director of Development, at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu.

Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute’s Radiation Oncology Center Becomes First and Only Center in Arkansas to Earn APEx Accreditation

By Marty Trieschmann

Jan. 20, 2022 | The Radiation Oncology Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received the highest national accreditation from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

The center, which is part of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, is the only radiation oncology center in the state to be granted full accreditation by the Society’s ASTRO Accreditation Program for Excellence (APEx®). The accreditation is voluntary and granted by ASTRO for a four-year term ending in November 2025.

Accreditation was awarded after a site visit in November 2021 and a review of the center’s modalities, techniques, equipment, information and treatment planning systems for compliance with APEx safety and quality standards. APEx is the society’s highest honor, recognizing centers that meet the most rigorous standards for safety and performance.

https://news.uams.edu/2022/01/20/winthrop-p-rockefeller-cancer-institutes-radiation-oncology-center-becomes-first-and-only-center-in-arkansas-to-earn-apex-accreditation/

The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute's nationally recognized team of radiation oncologists includes (l to r) Richard Crownover, M.D., Ph.D., Fen Xia, M.D., Ph.D., Adam Wolfe, M.D., Ph.D., Leslie Harrell, D. O. and Gary Lewis, M.D. Not pictured is Sanjay Maraboyina, M.D. Image by Bryan Clifton

Attorney General Alert: Buyer Beware of Door-to-Door Meat Sales Says, ‘Arkansans should be cautious when purchasing food products from door-to-door salesmen’

LITTLE ROCK -- Shopping at home can be a safe and convenient way to make necessary purchases, especially for older adults, stay-at-home parents, and people with chronic health conditions that make it difficult to leave the home. Most grocery shopping from home occurs over the internet with delivery or curbside pickup orders, but some consumers make purchases from sellers who come to their doors. While purchases from licensed door-to-door sellers can be safe, questionably sourced meats may be low quality or rancid. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is urging Arkansans to use caution when making door-to-door purchases.

“Arkansans should be cautious when purchasing food products from door-to-door salesmen,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “There are many individuals who try to resell old meat in order to turn a profit.”

Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe while considering meat purchases:

• Know your municipality’s laws on door-to-door selling. If your municipality requires a permit to sell products door-to-door, ask to see the salesperson’s license to sell.

• Look up business reviews with your local Better Business Bureau to read any complaints about the seller.

• Be informed. Ask for a brochure or other literature from the company and read it carefully. If you aren’t sure about the sourcing and distribution of the meat, reconsider making a purchase.

• Don’t buy anything out of a truck or car trunk that isn’t refrigerated. Unrefrigerated meat may be unsafe to consume.

• Check for USDA grading information on the product. Every package should have a USDA seal of inspection, along with a label identifying the cut, ingredients, and net weight.

• If you believe that the seller is attempting to pressure or intimidate you into making a purchase instead of allowing you to make an informed decision, think about what the seller is trying to hide and consider not making a purchase.

• Get a receipt. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Cooling-Off Rule gives purchasers three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made in your home. The salesperson must orally inform you of your cancellation rights, provide two copies of a cancellation form, and a copy of your contract or receipt. The contract or receipt must contain the date of the sale, the name and address of the seller, and an explanation of the buyer’s right to cancel. Always keep your receipt in case you need to cancel the purchase or contact the seller.

For additional information about meat safety, visit the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Services website (www.fsis.usda.gov) or call the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline (1-888-674-6854).

If you wish to file a complaint against a door-to-door seller with the Attorney General’s office, you can do so by calling (800) 482-8982, emailing consumer@arkansasag.gov, or visiting ArkansasAG.gov.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Members continued to review agency budget proposals in preparation for the 2022 Fiscal Session.

This week, the hearings focused on requests for public safety and for the Department of Human Services.

The Governor is requesting a $7.4 million increase in the budget for Arkansas State Police.

If approved, this money would be used to help raise the starting salary of state troopers to an amount between $52,000 and $55,000 a year. Currently, the starting salary is $42,357.

Arkansas State Police Director Bill Bryant testified this week that out of 525 trooper positions, 61 are currently vacant. Director Bryant told members an increase in starting salary would make the agency more competitive when it comes to new recruits.

This week, members also reviewed requests from the Department of Human Services (DHS).

The Governor has proposed an $11 million increase for the Division of Children and Family Services, the division of DHS responsible for child abuse prevention, protection, foster care, and adoption programs.

The requests for DHS also include $37.6 million to provide services for Arkansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently, more than 3,000 Arkansans are on a waitlist for services. Those services could include medical and hospital, mental health services, early intervention day treatment, adult day treatment, personal care, and occupation, physical, and speech therapy.

The latest general revenue report shows net available revenue at 6.1% above this time last year.

Members of the Joint Budget Committee review agency requests and current revenue reports before filing appropriation bills.

The 2022 Fiscal Session begins at noon on February 14. You can watch all House sessions and committee meetings at www.arkansashouse.org.

Another Arkansas school year disrupted by COVID

KUAR | By Steve Brawner / Talk Business & Politics

Published January 19, 2022 at 4:19 PM CST

Arkansas’ public schools are now in their third school year that’s been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but educators at least now have plenty of practice, and they have federal dollars to help them deal with the learning loss that’s occurred.

Arkansas schools sent all their students home at the end of the spring 2020 semester when Gov. Asa Hutchinson declared a state of emergency, but the state chose to open all its schools to in-person learning in 2020-21. In the fall semester of 2021, 64% of students were learning onsite, while 22.3% were studying remotely and another 13.5% were engaged in a hybrid model.

This year, only 4% of the state’s public school students are attending school using digital learning plans, and only 165 of the state’s school districts submitted plans that were approved through the State Board of Education.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-01-19/another-arkansas-school-year-disrupted-by-covid

KARK News

In-class instruction was again disrupted as cases of COVID-19 again surged in Arkansas this month.

State Representative Lowery exits Secretary of State’s race, will seek Treasurer’s post

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

State Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, said Friday (Jan. 21) he would leave the Secretary of State’s race and would instead seek the Republican nomination for Treasurer of State.

Sen. Mat Pitsch, R-Fort Smith, has already announced for the Treasurer’s seat. No Democrats have announced yet.

Lowery has served in the Arkansas House of Representatives since 2013. He is the chair of the House Insurance & Commerce Committee.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/rep-lowery-exits-secretary-of-states-race-will-seek-treasurers-post/

Arkansas Children’s Hospital co-led study finds promise for peanut-allergy sufferers

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net) January 21, 2022 10:54 am

A newly released study indicated that childhood peanut allergies could be desensitized with oral immunotherapy treatments, and some children could achieve remission.

The clinical trial was co-led by Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) and UAMS researcher Stacie Jones, M.D. The results were published Jan. 21 in the medical journal The Lancet.

The youngest trial participants and those who started with lower levels of peanut-specific antibodies were the most likely to be successful.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/arkansas-childrens-hospital-co-led-study-finds-promise-for-peanut-allergy-sufferers/

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker announces for re-election

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net) January 20, 2022 8:47 pm

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker said Thursday (Jan. 20) she would seek a third term on the state’s highest court.

Baker has served two terms as a Supreme Court Justice. She completed the remaining four years of then-Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber’s term, and was elected to a full-term in 2014.

“I believe my experience at every level of the judiciary is unmatched, and I am currently the senior, most experienced justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. I want to continue to put that experience to work for the people of Arkansas,” Justice Baker said in an announcement release.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/arkansas-supreme-court-justice-karen-baker-announces-for-re-election/

University of Arkansas Town Hall on COVID-19 Provides Realistic, Yet Hopeful Future

By MATTHEW MOORE • JAN 20, 2022

A panel of campus leaders and experts from the University of Arkansas gathered on campus to answer questions about life on campus and the impact COVID-19 would have on the spring semester. Interim Chancellor Charles Robinson pointing out that as long as classrooms were safe and students continued to effectively mask, then the plan of action was face-to-face instruction on campus.

Matt Mills, the director of emergency management for University Police notes that people can report COVID-19 concerns online at report.uark.edu.

For more information about how to get a COVID-19 test on campus, how to self-report, and protocols for folks who have tested positive, you can visit the Pat Walker Health Center website.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/university-arkansas-town-hall-covid-19-provides-realistic-yet-hopeful-future

University leaders sit masked in the Faulkner Performing Arts Center.

Active Cases in SW Arkansas COVID-19

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 620

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 460

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 414

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 333

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 236

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | The Masketeers of Mountain Home

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LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to talk about two doctors and the mask-making company they started in Mountain Home.

Dr. Rob Conner, a veterinarian, and Dr. Kyle McAlister, a radiologist, created The Masketeers early in the COVID-19 pandemic because masks were hard to find.

They made it their mission to find a supply of adequate face masks to protect themselves, their employees, and Mountain Home. Their solution was to launch a company to make them.

Since The Masketeers went into full production last January, the company has sold over 2 million masks, selling them in all 50 states and worldwide on the six inhabited continents.

Their route to opening is a good guide for entrepreneurs. Their success is encouraging to anyone with similar dreams.

As with many successful companies, the doctors founded theirs to meet an urgent need, which was a face mask that would protect people from COVID-19.

They designed and manufacture a high-filtration mask, which is a respirator mask similar to the N95.

The Masketeers produces 30,000 masks per eight-hour shift, but the small company can ramp up production to three shifts, seven days a week if the demand increases.

The Masketeers buys its nonwoven material from a company in Ohio. The material for ear loops comes from North Carolina, and the plastic-coated wires that fit over the nose are from California.

The production of protective equipment in Mountain Home, Arkansas, is an ideal model for our country. As a nation, we must be able to manufacture our own products and not depend upon foreign suppliers.

The young man who oversees The Masketeers’s team of 10 employees is 23-year-old Hunt Nosari, who grew up in Mountain Home. Hunt returned to his hometown after he earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Arkansas.

Although there has been some confusion over the past two years about the importance of masking, there is no question that a tight-fitting respirator-style mask can slow the transmission of COVID-19. The Biden administration announced this week that it will send 400 million N95 masks to pharmacies and community centers to distribute free next week.

This is an important message as the number of actives cases continues to set records in Arkansas. The vaccine and masks remain the best weapons to fight COVID-19.

Thanks to The Masketeers and Dr. Rob Conner and Dr. Kyle McAlister for helping to slow the pandemic and for building a template for other entrepreneurs.

Governor Hutchinson Talks Increasing Cases, Expanding Hospital Capacity In Weekly Briefing

LITTLE ROCK – At his weekly news briefing today, Governor Asa Hutchinson discussed the state expanding hospital capacity and increasing case numbers.

COVID-19

Governor Hutchinson announced the new numbers for COVID-19 as of Friday with Arkansas surpassing over 100k active cases in the state. This means over 3% of the population is currently an active case and hospitalizations have increased to a new record of 1,658.

"With where we are right now in this pandemic, and with the Omicron variant we do believe we are managing our way through it," Governor Hutchinson said, "We are responding to the needs that are out there and we are hopeful we will see the cases go down."

Governor Hutchinson gave an update on hospital expansion from the approved $50 million dollars. He said that beds have been opened in hospitals that have received that money to increase capacity for the surging cases.

According to reports from Thursday, about 42 beds were open with about 54 left to be opened meaning additional capacity is coming soon with more beds coming online.

He said it is important to see the cases of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant compared to past spikes and to see how while the cases are much higher now, hospitalizations are far less in comparison to the current case number.

Governor Hutchinson presented the at-home test map that shows where the 1.5 million tests were distributed to. There are still about 370,000 available at local health units with libraries having a supply as well. These tests should help alleviate testing demands giving a cushion while waiting for federal tests to be delivered.

Greg Crain, Vice President of the Arkansas Baptist Health centers spoke during the briefing applauding the work of health care workers dealing with the COVID-19 surges. He gave thanks to the decision from Governor Hutchinson, the Department of Health, and Legislators, to expand beds for hospitals around the state including Baptist Health hospitals. He said without this expansion the Arkansas health care infrastructure would be in deep trouble.

Dr. Romero, Secretary of Arkansas Department of Health spoke about the impact the Omicron variant has had on Arkansas. He noted that while hospitalizations reflect how Omicron is less severe on an individual level, the Omicron breakout is still very severe on a societal level and still poses a threat to our health care system.

Friday's Active Cases of COVID-19 in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 631

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 464

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 421

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 324

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 261

Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas

Click on picture above for the latest briefing.

Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 566

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 476

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 374

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 256

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 264

Shane Gadberry appointed director of Livestock and Forestry Research Center near Batesville

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

After 25 years as an extension livestock specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Dr. Shane Gadberry has been appointed resident director of the Livestock and Forestry and Research Station near Batesville. It will allow him to continue to do research about beef production in the Natural State.

The Livestock and Forestry Research Station is one of six research stations operated by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the Division of Agriculture. The division also operates five research and extension centers, numerous other research sites and extension offices in all 75 Arkansas counties.

Gadberry succeeds Don Hubbell, who retired as director of the Batesville station in early 2022.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/shane-gadberry-appointed-director-of-livestock-and-forestry-research-center-near-batesville/