The CALL in Howard County Invites Local Churches to Participate in Soup Fundraiser

The CALL in Howard County will host a soup fundraiser on November 12 in conjunction with Stand Sunday.  Stand Sunday is a day set aside for churches across the United States to take a ‘stand’ for children and families impacted by foster care. The soup fundraiser gives local church congregations an opportunity to be ‘soup’er heros by making and selling soups to support the day-to-day ministry of training, equipping and supporting local foster and adoptive families. 

“Not everyone is called to foster, but everyone can do something to support local kids and families impacted by foster care,” local CALL Coordinator Holli Boyett said. “This soup fundraiser is as much about awareness as it is financial support. We ask churches to be ‘soup’er heros to make and sell their favorite soups for $8 per quart after morning service on Sunday, November 12. We provide churches with soup containers and labels.” 

Churches wishing to participate may contact Boyett to sign up. She can be reached 501-607-8035 or howardcounty@thecallinarkansas.org 

The CALL is an Arkansas based non-profit ministry whose mission is to educate, equip and encourage the Christian community to provide a future and a hope for children in foster care in Arkansas.

Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 112

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 105

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 94

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 157

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 75

COSL Announces Howard County Tax Auction

(September 7, 2021) LITTLE ROCK, Ark – Commissioner of State Lands Tommy Land announced that his office will auction tax-delinquent land in Howard County on Wednesday, September 22, at 2:00 p.m. The auction will be held at the Carter Day Training Center in Nashville, with registration beginning at 1:30 p.m.

“Since we were unable to hold public auctions in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, we are auctioning properties that were scheduled for sale last year,” Land said. “These are properties whose taxes have been delinquent since 2015.”

Next year, during the 2022 auction season, the COSL office will auction two years’ worth of properties. “That will catch us up so that we’re current on all sales,” Land said.

Prospective bidders can find an online Public Auction Catalog, including a buyer’s guide; statutes governing sales; auction date, time and location; and a complete listing of parcels offered. This resource is on the Commissioner’s website, www.cosl.org, and is regularly updated.

The website also includes an instructional video demonstrating how to research information about each parcel available for sale.

“We open the bidding at the amount of taxes, penalties and interest due,” Land said. “Anyone who has delinquent property going up for auction should be aware they only have 10 business days after the auction to redeem property sold there.”

Bidders must register for the auction, but the registration is free. The first $100 of any parcel’s purchase price must be paid in cash, while the remainder may be paid by cash, check or credit card.

“Property taxes help fund schools, roads, libraries and public services including ambulances,” Land said. “Everyone benefits from paying those taxes — and the property owner benefits from paying on time, by avoiding interest and penalties on delinquent taxes.”

Properties that do not sell at auction will appear on the COSL’s post-auction sales list 30 days after the auction date. From there, they can be purchased through an online auction system. Another instructional video on the COSL website demonstrates that process to bidders.

Owners of delinquent parcels may redeem those delinquent taxes online at www.cosl.org using a credit or debit card. Those who prefer to pay by check or money order can print a Petition to Redeem from the website or call the office at 501-324-9422 to request the petition, which must accompany their payment.

Howard County 4-H Youth Compete in Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge

On Friday, August 6, 2021, nine Howard County 4-H youth attend the first Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge at the Pulaski Tech Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute in Alexander, Arkansas. Teams from 8 counties and 50 plus youth participated in the competition which required them to plan, prepare and present a nutritious meal in under forty minutes using readily available items found at the Dollar Store, Family Dollar or Dollar Tree. For people who live on a tight budget and in areas with limited access to food, eating nutritionally balanced meals can be a challenge. Through 4-H, youth are learning this important life skill, and just how creative they can be in preparing an inexpensive and nutritional meal in a short amount of time.

Howard County had three teams consisting of one senior team and two junior teams. This year’s senior team, know as Seniors with Spatulas, is made up by Adelene Westfall, Alex Trombley and Sarah Lamb. These three youth where named this year’s winners in the Senior division qualifying for the National 4-H Food Challenge event in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 28. Alex Trombley was also given the Specialty Award for his great leadership skills he demonstrated during the event. He received a golden spatula as his award. Two junior teams competed. One team, known as the Howard County Food Choppers, placed second overall in the junior division. This team is made up by Anna Kate McKinnion, Abi Webb and Christian Trombley. Our other junior team, known as the Howard County Cuties (and that is exactly what they were), is made up by Julianna Webb, Gracie Woodruff and Peyton Bagley.

If you are interested in joining Howard County 4-H, and finding out how you can be a part of all our 4-H youth activities, you can contact Samantha Horn at the Howard County Extension office at 870-845-7517 or shorn@uada.edu.

Nursing Assistant Training Program at UA Cossatot in Nashville Beginning in July

Nursing Assistant Program

This 90-hour training combines classroom instruction, lab activities, and supervised practical training in a nursing facility. It prepares students for all aspects of nursing assisting. Successful completers receive a certificate, and are eligible to take the State competency exam. $691 (includes $645 tuition plus $46 for textbooks)  

Register by: July 7

Date: July 15 – August 12 (Mondays  - Thursdays)

Time: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Location: Nashville

Instructor: Melba Hess

16 hours of clinical training will be conducted in a long term care facility within the UA Cossatot service area.

Friday COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 0
Active Probable Cases: 2

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 2
Active Confirmed Cases: 1
Active Probable Cases: 1

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Confirmed Cases: 4
Active Probable Cases: 5

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: 6
Active Confirmed Cases: 5
Active Probable Cases: 1

In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 161 new cases; 1,923 active cases; 171 hospitalized, which is down 4 from Wednesday; 22 on ventilators, which is down 2 from Wednesday; deaths added today, 3, for a total of 5,711; a total of 334,222 cases; PCR tests, 4,672; antigen tests, 965.

The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 22; Benton, 13; and Craighead and Faulkner with 9 each.

Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:

“Today's report shows a decline in new cases compared to last week and a slight decrease in active cases from yesterday. As we vaccinated the 1 millionth Arkansan today, around one-third of our population has received at least one dose. These are good numbers, but we can do better. Do your part by getting your vaccine as soon as possible.”

Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:

Nursing Assistant Training Program at UA Cossatot in Nashville

Upcoming Continuing Education Classes at UA Cossatot include:

Nursing Assistant Training Program

This 90-hour training combines classroom instruction, lab activities, and supervised practical training in a nursing facility. It prepares students for all aspects of nursing assisting. Successful completers receive a certificate, and are eligible to take the state competency exam. $645, plus books

CED 5004 01 202Q

Register by: May 7

Date: May 17 - June 22

(Mondays - Thursdays)

Time: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Location: Nashville

Instructor: Melba Hess

16 hours of clinical training will be conducted in a long term care facility within the UA Cossatot service area.

Howard Memorial Plaque Presentation to Dr. Chinedu Ede

Dr. Chinedu Ede will be leaving Howard Memorial Hospital on April 15. He was presented a plaque today in honor of his dedicated service to our patients and their families. Dr. Ede, you will be greatly missed.

Heart Saver CPR Classes and Stop the Bleed Classes at Howard Memorial in Nashville

Howard Memorial Hospital will be resuming the Heart Saver CPR Classes and Stop the Bleed Classes. Class size will be limited to 20, masks will be required and social distancing guidelines will be in effect. For information or to schedule a class, please contact Jeff Williams, RN at 870-845-4400.