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JD Notae’s fundraising through NIL deal yields $45K for Samaritan Community Center capital campaign

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by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

The financial impact of University of Arkansas basketball player JD Notae’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal on a regional nonprofit has, so far, been significant.

Notae’s ongoing “Drop A Dime” fundraising campaign benefitting Samaritan Community Center (SCC) raised $22,500 from Feb. 1 through March 8. The amount results from Notae soliciting contributions through social media posts and other activity and a running tally for bids to win an official Razorback basketball signed by Notae.

Notae, an All-American guard for the Razorbacks, supports SCC through a NIL deal with Athlete Advocate Consortium (AAC).

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/03/jd-notaes-fundraising-through-nil-deal-yields-45k-for-samaritan-community-center-capital-campaign/

Courtesy Arkansas Razorbacks

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Governor Hutchinson Signs Bills To Grant Stipends, Raise Salaries for Law Enforcement, Corrections

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LITTLE ROCK – Law enforcement leaders and legislators gathered in the second-floor rotunda at the state capitol today as Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a bill that grants one-time stipends of up to $5,000 to police and probation and parole officers, and a second bill that increases the salary for Arkansas state troopers and other certified law enforcement officers of the Department of Public Safety.

“This was a public service session in which we showed our appreciation and the value we place on our law enforcement officers,” Governor Hutchinson said. “There’s not been a session of the legislature that’s done more to my knowledge for law enforcement.”

Over the past seven years, Arkansas has improved its parole and probation system, mandated crisis-intervention training for officers, and upgraded the state’s 911 system.

“Our support for law enforcement did not begin with this session,” the Governor said, “but we certainly put an exclamation point on it this time.”

Senate Bill 103 grants a one-time stipend of $5,000 to full-time certified city and county law enforcement officers and full-time certified state Department of Corrections probation and parole officers. The bill gives a one-time stipend of $2,000 to full-time certified state troopers and other certified law enforcement officers of the Department of Public Safety. 

Senate Pro Tempore Jimmy Hickey sponsored the bill in the Senate, and Speaker of the House Matthew Shepherd carried it in the House.

House Bill 1026 increases the average annual starting salary for state troopers from $42,357 to $54,000.

“That is an increase of more than $11,000 in starting salary for our state troopers,” the Governor said. “That will move us from seventh in our region for starting salaries to second in our region.”

Pay for troopers first class will increase from $53,035 to $60,006. The average annual salary for corporals will increase from $63,612 to $71,237; sergeants’ pay will increase from $74,319 to $84,439. The average annual salary for lieutenants will increase from $84,229 to $94,076; captains from $94,277 to $105,166: majors from $107,541 to $116,772.

HB1206 also funds salaries for five more forensic so that the Arkansas Crime Lab can complete testing of sexual assault kits within 60 days as required by Act 839 of 2019.

Governor Hutchinson also signed Senate Bill 101, which amends the Revenue Stabilization law in part to fund the increase in state troopers' salaries. The bill also funds an increase in the Department of Corrections budget to bump the reimbursements to county jails from $32 per day to $40 per day. SB 101 also includes money to fund a prison construction project at Calico Rock, improvements at the schools for the deaf and blind, and the Northwest Arkansas Veterans Home.

SB 101 provides $10 million for body cameras, bullet-proof vests, and other equipment “that will make our officers safer and build community confidence in their professionalism.”

The new laws were the result of recommendations from the Task Force to Improve Law Enforcement that Governor Hutchinson created after the death of George Floyd. The task force recommended that Arkansas should pay competitive law enforcement salaries and create a grant program to increase public confidence in the training and professionalism of Arkansas’s law enforcement officers.

“No responsibility is more important for government than to assure public safety,” the Governor said. “Our police officers are risking their lives ... and they deserve our support and thanks."



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Attorney General Alert: Scam Artists are Phishing for Information

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LITTLE ROCK - Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is warning Arkansans of a prevalent scam taking place across the State. The method is called “phishing,” (pronounced the same as, ‘fishing’) and it is when scam artists email messages to consumers that appear to pitch products or services, when in actuality, these emails are specifically set up to gain information. Often times, the message will alert the individual to a potential problem with their account and request the consumer provide private information like an account number, date of birth or Social Security number in order to remedy the issue. Phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the internet without your knowledge. They are not only illegal, but they are dangerous to unsuspecting consumers.

“I urge all Arkansans to be cautious if you receive an email asking for your information, it could be scam artists trying to phish for your information,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Even with online protection software, scammers and con artists will continue to try to take your information; don’t fall prey to the trap.”

Remember these tips when safely navigating online:

  • No legitimate company will ever send you an unsolicited email asking for your personal information.

  • If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply.

  • Contact the business identified in the original email directly. Using the customer service number provided to you on a reliable statement to verify that the issue in the original email is legitimate.

  • Do not give sensitive information in response to an unsolicited request.

  • Immediately delete all suspicious emails, and never open email attachments or click on links from unknown sources.

  • Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them regularly.

The Attorney General’s Office provides a tip card for consumers, how to spot phishing scams, information for parents to spot cyberbullying and tips on internet safety.

For more information and tips to avoid scams and other consumer-related issues, contact the Attorney General’s office by calling (800) 482-8982, emailing consumer@arkansasag.gov, or visiting ArkansasAG.gov.

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UAMS-led International Study Provides Insight on Maternal Thyroid Function, Risk of Gestational Hypertension

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By Linda Satter

Results of an international four-year project led by Spyridoula Maraka, M.D., M.S., an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), were published this month in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology medical journal, clarifying an association between maternal thyroid function and a risk of gestational hypertension.

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology is part of The Lancet family of peer-review journals. Founded in 1823 and based in the United Kingdom, The Lancet is among the world’s oldest and most respected medical journals.

https://news.uams.edu/2022/03/07/uams-led-international-study-provides-insight-on-maternal-thyroid-function-risk-of-gestational-hypertension/

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UA Cossatot Career Coaches Host Career Exploration Camp for Six School Districts

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By Dustin Roberts, Director of Development, UA Cossatot

UA Cossatot Career Coaches hosted a Career Exploration Camp on March 3rd and 4th for the six school districts they serve at UA Cossatot’s LIMI campus.

The school districts included Ashdown, Centerpoint, De Queen, Horatio, Kirby, and Nashville. Career Coaches arrived early with eager tenth graders to explore careers in Cosmetology, Welding, Digital Marketing, Dental Hygienist, OTA/PTA, and CDL. The students also learned about financial literacy and student organizations offered at UA Cossatot.

Over 35 support staff helped with this event and hosted nearly 600 students in two days. “Fun was had by all, and we built relationships with students that can help them make good career choices in their future,” said Julie Rhodes, Director of High School Programs.

The Career Coaches included Deanna Triplet (Nashville), Addison Hill (Kirby/Centerpoint), Hollie Chaytor (Horatio), Kacie Metzger (Ashdown), and Lizz Garza (De Queen).

Students in the 11th and 12th grade have an opportunity to take classes with the Secondary Career Center. They can choose from Welding, Automotive, Industrial Maintenance, or Medical to explore and obtain college credit while in high school. These classes are at no cost to the student. Students may also choose to start

taking college classes to get started on their degree as early as the 9th grade, dependent upon qualifying scores, at a discounted rate.

For more information, contact UA Cossatot’s High School Programs Department at 870-584-1344.

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Why Arkansas’ best duck hunting woods are drowning

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KUAR | By Ariana Remmel

Wildlife management areas are protected public land set aside by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to conserve The Natural State’s wildlife and promote outdoor recreation. Hurricane Lake WMA is best known for its greentree reservoirs, human-made wetland structures that attract ducks — and duck hunters — from miles around.

Levees built around the forest are designed to hold water on the forest floor, imitating the seasonal flooding that occurred naturally in bottomland hardwood forests across the Mississippi Delta before dams and levees tamed the major rivers. Most of those ancient bottomland woods were long ago cleared for timber and to make way for agriculture.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-03-08/why-arkansas-best-duck-hunting-woods-are-drowning

Arkansas Game And Fish Commission

DUCK CAPITAL: More mallards spend their winter in Arkansas than any other state in the country.

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Arkansas lawmakers give initial approval of $6 billion budget

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KUAR | By Laura Jansen , Daniel Breen

Arkansas lawmakers have nearly completed the approval of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s $6 billion state budget proposal. The members of the Arkansas House and Senate voted Monday to approve identical versions of the state’s Revenue Stabilization Act.

The budget will include funding for higher education, the state's workforce, and will help address a backlog in people seeking services for those with disabilities. The fiscal year begins on July 1.

ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-03-07/arkansas-lawmakers-give-initial-approval-of-6-billion-budget

Arkansas Legislature

Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia, addresses fellow House members on Monday ahead of a vote on the governor's proposed $6 billion state budget.

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Grain, fertilizer, fuel prices impacted by Russian war in Ukraine

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by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has impacted many economic sectors on a global scale and agriculture will be directly affected on several fronts. Grain markets have become more volatile and high fertilizer and fuel prices are going even higher.

Russia and Ukraine account for about 29% of global wheat trade and Russia is the world’s top wheat exporter. Ukraine accounts for about 16% of global corn exports. Scott Stiles, agricultural economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the situation will offer both opportunities and hardships for growers in Arkansas and elsewhere.

Oil prices traded at more than $122 per barrel on Monday (March 7) after it spiked for a short time to $130 per barrel. Gas prices inched towards all-time highs across the U.S. at $4 per gallon. Diesel prices are even higher and several analysts predict oil could rise to $200 a barrel before the conflict is over.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/03/grain-fertilizer-fuel-prices-impacted-by-russian-war-in-ukraine/

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Arkansas Governor’s Cup competition; awards luncheon in NWA

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by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Little Rock-based nonprofit Arkansas Capital Corp. announced Monday (March 7) the 12 finalists for its annual Arkansas Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition.

The six finalists in each division are:

Winrock Automotive Small Business Division:

  • R. Lawn; Arkansas State University, Jonesboro

  • Ascend; John Brown University, Siloam Springs

  • Bento; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

  • Kopi Koffee Company; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

  • Limitless Fitness; Central Baptist College, Conway; Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia

  • Orange Otter Toys; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

High-Growth/Technology Division:

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Fayetteville company lands distribution deal with Tractor Supply Co.

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by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Fayetteville-based Grillight has landed a national distribution deal with Tennessee-based Tractor Supply Co., the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States.

As of Dec. 25, 2021, the company operated 2,003 stores in 49 states.

Colton Knittig is Grillight’s president and co-founder. He launched the business in January 2014, about two months after developing a spatula with a built-in flashlight. Since then, new iterations have been created. The company’s product line now includes approximately 15 grilling tools.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/03/fayetteville-company-lands-distribution-deal-with-tractor-supply-co/

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Abandoned Pesticide Collection Events Scheduled April 4-7

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 03/07/2022
Contact: Amy Lyman, (501) 410-4616

amy.lyman@agriculture.arkansas.gov

  

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program has scheduled four Abandoned Pesticide collection events from April 4-7 for the following seven counties: Arkansas, Howard, Little River, Montgomery, Pike, Polk, and Sevier.  

Collection event are from 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the follow dates and locations: 

  • April 4 – Sevier County/Little River County - Sevier County Road Shop, 1155 Highway 70/71 East, De Queen, AR 77832

  • April 5th – Howard County/Pike County- Howard County Fairgrounds, 1567 US 371, Nashville, AR 71852

  • April 6th – Polk County/Montgomery County – Polk County Fairgrounds, 156 Polk Road 43, Mena, AR 71953

  • April 7th – Arkansas County- Stuttgart Municipal Airport, 2000 State Highway 980, Stuttgart, AR 72160

     

Participation in a collection event is free and anonymous to anyone. Commonly collected items include old/outdated pesticides such as calcium arsenate, 2,4,5-T, sodium cyanide, lindane, and chlordane, as well as registered pesticides unusable because they have been exposed to the elements or have been held over from previous growing seasons such as glyphosate products and 2,4-D. 

Since the program began in 2005, 5,351,431 pounds of unwanted pesticides have been collected in counties across Arkansas. 

The Abandoned Pesticide Program is conducted in cooperation with Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, Inc., the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the State Plant Board. Representatives from these agencies make up the Abandoned Pesticide Advisory Board. 

The Abandoned Pesticide Advisory Board selects county sites for collection events and moves locations by region within the state seasonally. Priority watersheds are a large consideration factor for the Advisory Board in choosing counties/regions for site collection. 

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The Agricultural Abandoned Pesticide Program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries Division. Learn more about the Plant Industries Division at: agriculture.arkansas.gov/plant-industries/, or call 501-225-1598. The mission of the Plant Industries Division is to serve the citizens of Arkansas and the agricultural and business communities by providing information and unbiased enforcement of laws and regulations set by the Arkansas State Plant Board.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

 

ANDREW VOGLER

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

 

Arkansas Department of Agriculture

1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR  72205

Office (501) 219-6392

w.andrew.vogler@agriculture.arkansas.gov

agriculture.arkansas.gov

 

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U.S. Marshals Museum CEO resigns, national search to begin

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Patrick Weeks, who faces two felony charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, has resigned as president and CEO of the U.S. Marshals Museum. Museum Board Chair Doug Babb said Friday a national search will begin for the position.

“We are most grateful to Patrick for his valuable contributions to the museum project. He oversaw the construction of the museum building and worked with Thinkwell Group to design all of the museum experiences which will soon be under construction,” Babb said in a press release.

Weeks, hired in June 2014 as museum president and CEO, succeeded Jim Dunn who had served as museum president since 2009. Weeks was arrested Dec. 21 on two felony charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and was placed on administrative leave Dec. 23 by the museum board.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-03-06/u-s-marshals-museum-ceo-resigns-national-search-to-begin

U.S. Marshals Museum

The U.S. Marshals Museum under construction in Fort Smith

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Hostess Brands to reopen closed Arkadelphia factory; $120 million investment, 150 jobs

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

Snack company Hostess Brands, Inc. announced it will convert an idled factory in Arkadelphia into a state-of-the-art bakery.

The new location is expected to be operational in the second half of 2023 and bring approximately 150 new jobs to the community over the next three years.

Hostess Brands, whose iconic foods include Donettes, Twinkies, CupCakes and Ding Dongs, plans to invest $120 million to $140 million to transform the 330,000-square-foot facility in Arkadelphia into a next-generation bakery.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/03/hostess-brands-to-reopen-closed-arkadelphia-factory-120-million-investment-150-jobs/

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Despite location change, Bikes, Blues & BBQ still business as usual for many

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by John Post (jtpost87@gmail.com)

In January, the Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally announced that it would be relocating to Rogers after more than two decades housed in Fayetteville. The rally, scheduled for Oct. 5-8, relocated after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and after logistical issues posed problems for hosting this year in Fayetteville.

But, while it may not be centrally located in the city that had hosted it for more than two decades, it will still be business as usual for many in the region when the motorcycles roll into Northwest Arkansas this fall.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/03/despite-location-change-bikes-blues-bbq-still-business-as-usual-for-many/

In January, organizers of the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally announced a relocation this year from Fayetteville to Rogers.

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AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Arkansas’s Support for Ukraine

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LITTLE ROCK – In the week since Russia invaded Ukraine, Arkansas has joined most of the world in condemning the unprovoked assault. Today I’d like to share the story of a woman from Ukraine who is watching the war from Arkansas and praying for her relatives and friends who are sheltering in basements in her homeland. Kateryna Pitchford’s story highlights the reality of the war for the rest of us.

Kateryna came to the United States in 2004 and is an associate professor of business at Central Baptist College in Conway. She was born in eastern Ukraine in 1982. The Russian invasion is one more chapter of horror for Kateryna’s family. A century ago, her great-grandparents and grandmother suffered under Soviet Russia. Kateryna grew up under the USSR, and she was nine when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991.

Thirty years later, Kateryna and her family live in uncertainty and nightmare. She communicates daily with her friends and family in Dnipro and Kyiv as they send images and videos by phone. A cousin showed Kateryna the inside of her refrigerator to assure Kateryna they had enough food. A friend who has supplies for two weeks says the nearby grocery store has sold out. Some remain in their homes, comforting their children as the sirens continually pierce the air; others continue to work. Ukrainians are brave, but they are very afraid by this unprovoked aggression and air attacks on civilians.

Kateryna participated in the Arkansas Leadership Prayer Breakfast at the mansion on Thursday. She recited the Lord’s Prayer in the Ukrainian language, followed by prayer for Ukraine in English.

The international support encourages her. She is proud to inform friends in Ukraine that the Hellfire and Stinger missiles going to their country are made in her home state. She tells them Arkansas is helping.

General Dynamics makes those missile in Camden, and every Javelin anti-tank weapon carries a Camden warhead. Aerojet makes the propulsion system in Camden. The missiles are known for their power to destroy tanks, buildings, and helicopters.

The killing of innocent citizens is a terrible evil, and this invasion of Ukraine ranks as the worst attack in Europe since the end of World War II. The Russians are violating the sovereignty and freedom of Ukraine. The free world must support Ukraine with all the defensive arms it can muster. We should not pull our punches, and Mr. Putin must pay a high price for this invasion.

Mr. Putin underestimated the resolve of the Ukrainians and the reaction of the free world. He thought Ukraine would simply fold, but he has found that his attack has hardened the loyalty and courage of Ukrainians into a resistance that may save the country. Ukrainians love their country and don’t want to leave or turn it over to Russian governance.

The sanctions are essential, but we all want to do more. In Arkansas, I directed a review of our investments, and our alcohol distributers agreed to no longer buy Russian vodka. We need to do more, and I am hopeful that much more is being done covertly to help Ukraine.