Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
The Arkansas Department of Health is partnering with Little Rock-based Baptist Health to boost COVID-19 testing capacity by 20%. Governor Hutchinson said the ADH lab has grown capacity from being able to do about 20 tests a day when the pandemic hit Arkansas in March, to now performing up to 3,000 tests a day.
LITTLE ROCK – This is Labor Day weekend, which means summer is over, and we’re heading into the election season. This election will be unlike any our nation has ever experienced, and today I’d like to talk about some of the things we are doing to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to safely cast a ballot during the pandemic.
After consulting with Secretary of State John Thurston, I issued an executive order that clarifies questions about absentee voting. Anyone who is concerned that voting in person poses a risk of exposure to COVID-19 may request an absentee ballot.
For those who choose to vote in person, the Secretary of State’s office has provided gloves, masks, and hand cleaner, which the office already has delivered to every county.
Those who vote on touch screens will mark their ballot with a disposable stylus. Once you have voted, you may throw the stylus away. But you might want to consider keeping it as a memento of this unusual election. Also, the stylus will show others that you voted. This year, in order to abide by social distancing rules, poll workers won’t give you an “I Voted” sticker. Instead, “I voted” is printed on the stylus. You can also use the stylus on any of your personal touch-screen devices.
In order to prepare for the unexpected, the Secretary of State’s office has surveyed county officials for their needs. Perhaps the biggest difference this election year will be the number of requests for absentee ballots. Some counties are predicting an increase in requests of 500 percent or greater. The Secretary of State is allocating some of its CARES Act funds to help counties pay for the anticipated increase in the cost of mailing out that many ballots. We want to make sure that every eligible voter who requests an absentee ballot receives one.
For larger counties, the state is providing devices that will count absentee ballots more quickly so we don’t have to rely on a hand count for the thousands of absentee votes cast.
We have made other exceptions to ensure a fair and complete election. My executive order gives counties an extra week to open the outer envelope of the absentee ballots, but they can’t start the count or open the ballot itself until Election Day.
My hope is that every person who is eligible to vote will vote. This is one of the easiest yet most important ways to participate in democracy.
As you prepare to celebrate the end of summer this Labor Day, I trust you will continue to take the precautions to minimize exposure to the coronavirus. I can’t say it too often: Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. COVID-19 won’t take the holiday off.
Message from the Howard County Farmers Market:
Market Friday, Sept 4th starting at 7 am.
For those who may not be able to come to the Friday morning market, we will be having a Monday afternoon market day tomorrow, 4 Sept starting at 7am. We have some vendors who will be bringing their items to the market.
Here is who's coming and what they plan to bring:
- Grandma Sylvia's Creations -
Crocheted facemasks, earrings
-Dupree & Myers Farm -
Pink squash bread, facemasks, hand sanitizer
Green's Farm -
Plum Jelly, peanut butter cookies, various baked goods
- Wenta Farm -
Hand-picked figs (fresh and frozen), blackberries, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers
- Sproles Garden -
Sweet Potatoes, okra
If more vendors contact us we will update our facebook page.
We recommend you get there as soon as we open for the best selection. We also request you wear protective masks and follow social distancing of 6 feet separation from others as you shop at the market.
Most importantly, please stay home if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. We want everyone to have a safe time at the market.
WIC and SNAP Accepted by participating vendors. We thank you for your patronage!
On this week's edition of Fit-4-Life, Dr Andi encourages everyone to assist with the UA Cossatot Colts Adopt-A-Player program.
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,163
Active Positive: 14
Recovered: 1,136
Deaths: 13
Negatives: 5,608
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 429
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 392
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,194
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 296
Active Positive: 22
Recovered: 259
Deaths: 15
Negatives: 1,457
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 230
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 211
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 3,170
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 179
Active Positive: 8
Recovered: 170
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,780
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media from Searcy on Friday, September 4, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
On Thursday, August 27, 2020, an articulation agreement was signed, creating a pathway for UA Cossatot students to transfer to University of Arkansas Fayetteville with an Associate of Science degree in Agriculture Education. Students interested in this field of study can now earn their associate's degree at UA Cossatot and then take their 60 credit hours to Fayetteville, where they can quickly transfer into a related agriculture program to obtain their bachelor's degree.
At UA Cossatot, agriculture students can take required general education courses and classes such as Agriculture Economics, Intro to Animal Science, and Principles of Horticulture to prepare them for their junior and senior-level coursework at University of Arkansas Fayetteville.
Students can take advantage of UA Cossatot's low tuition rate, which is $74 per credit hour, and then receive that same tuition rate after transferring. The exact tuition rate will be granted to students who live on campus at Fayetteville and those who obtain their Associate of Science degree in Agriculture Education from UA Cossatot. This opportunity is possible, due to the collaboration of universities and community colleges in Arkansas.
This educational pathway can lead to an Associate of Science degree in Agriculture Education and then a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences. It can also lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education, Communication, or Technology. This partnership will provide greater access
and preparation for careers in agricultural education in Arkansas, the region, and the nation to those qualified students who complete the 2+2 course curriculum.
For more information about this articulation agreement or to learn more about UA Cossatot's agriculture programs, please contact UA Cossatot Division Chair of Professional Studies, Barbara Lacefield, at blacefield@cccua.edu or 870-584-1217.###
As measured by double-digit gains in sales tax revenue in the state’s August report, Arkansans continued to spend through the summer despite COVID-19 worries, with gross revenue up almost 30% to $1.331 billion during the first two months (July-August 2020) of the fiscal year.
The gross general revenue was up 29.4% compared to the same period in 2019, and up 11.2% above the budget forecast, according to Wednesday’s report from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Arkansas Revenue So Far In Fiscal Year Up 26% Compared To Same Time Last Year
As measured by double-digit gains in sales tax revenue in the state's August report, Arkansans continued to spend through the summer despite COVID-19 worries, with gross revenue up almost 30% to $1.331 billion during the first two months (July-August 2020) of the fiscal year.
The University of Arkansas School of Journalism is taking over the maintenance of www.ArkansasCOVID.com this month. The project, which also includes a Twitter account with more than 12,000 followers, analyzes statewide, COVID-19 data. Springdale resident and small business owner Misty Orpin launched the initiative in April as a way to better understand how the pandemic was affecting her community.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/ua-school-journalism-run-covid-19-website
UA School of Journalism to Run COVID-19 Website
The University of Arkansas School of Journalism is taking over the maintenance of www.ArkansasCOVID.com this month. The project, which also includes a Twitter account with more than 12,000 followers, analyzes statewide, COVID-19 data. Springdale resident and small business owner Misty Orpin launched the initiative in April as a way to better understand how the pandemic was affecting her community.
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,159
Active Positive: 22
Recovered: 1,125
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,565
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 425
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 388
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,157
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 284
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 253
Deaths: 15
Negatives: 1,448
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 225
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 207
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,113
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 177
Active Positive: 10
Recovered: 166
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,743
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Thursday, September 3, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
(from left to right) Hattie Vance, Timothy Stubbs, Jonathon Harrington, Raymond Perez, Coby Butler, and Sherriff Robert Gentry
Jayden Pope is one of the students who was unavailable for the group picture
(Left to Right) 1st row: Ashley Starks, Ra'naiya Kennedy, A'nayzia Jefferson, Mikayla Scott, Kyaira Jackson, Maya Hallman, Ashley Aguilar, and Kailynne Chaney
(Left to Right) Dustin Bissell, Jeff Brown, Cory Mc Mellon, Stephen Sprick, Jon Bunyard, and Seth Tollett
UA Cossatot Cornhole Tournament Winners – Chris Richards and Stephen Miller
Surgeries including organ transplants put at risk because of shortage
August 30th, 2020 – Imagine waiting years on a transplant list for the organ that could save your life knowing that for most – that lifesaving gift never comes. Then one day, the phone call that changes everything – the liver you’ve been waiting and praying for is available.
That’s the story of one Ark-La-Tex patient this weekend. However, what should have been a happy moment turned uncertain for surgeons as LifeShare was unable to provide the blood needed for the surgery. Fortunately, surgeons were able to go ahead with the operation, as LifeShare worked to relocate blood products.
“Hospitals are being forced to make tough decisions right now that could impact the outcome for their patients,” said LifeShare Regional Director Elizabeth Cunningham. “Since Thursday, LifeShare has collected 393 units of red blood cells. That’s 26% of the blood LifeShare needs to support the transplants, traumas, and other treatments requiring a blood transfusion at our local hospitals.”
For more than a week, LifeShare has been reaching out to other blood centers for help, but because of the nationwide blood shortage, only a few blood centers were able to provide minimal assistance.
LifeShare is operating on extended hours at all of its donor centers. All donor centers will be open this week Monday-Friday from 8am-6pm and on Saturday from 8am-3pm. Several mobile drives will also be operating. All mobile locations can be found at LifeShare.org or on the LifeShare app. The donor center in Lake Charles remains closed as the facility is still without water and electricity.
This appeal is going out to everyone, but LifeShare is trying to focus on young donors. “This is a time of year when we would typically be in our high schools and colleges. Because of COVID-19, many of these blood drives are canceled or are yielding far fewer donors than usual. Most people don’t recognize that nearly one-quarter of the blood supply comes from teenagers. Young people are the backbone of the local blood supply,” says Cunningham. LifeShare is asking young people to please donate blood. Also, if you’re a parent, coach, teacher, or other influencer, please get the word out about this critical need.
Businesses and churches that want to help are urged to call LifeShare and schedule a blood drive. LifeShare has been taking extra safety precautions since the outbreak of COVID-19. Thus far, there are no reports of a LifeShare team member or LifeShare donor contracting the virus from interacting with each other during the donation process. Donating blood is as safe as it ever has been.
LifeShare doesn’t use the word “emergency” very often. The last emergency appeal was issued more than 15 months ago.
Cooperative Extension Service offers free virtual estate planning workshops
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
· Free estate planning workshop series: Sept. 10, 17, 24
· Covers estate planning, wills and trusts, asset protection, power of attorney · Register at https://bit.ly/UAEXEstatePlanning
UAEX Multi-County Virtual Estate Planning Sign Up Form
The University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service in Conway, Johnson, Faulkner, Pope, and Yell counties are preparing a workshop on estate planning to be held in three sessions lasting one hour each on September 10, 17, and 24.
LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service will offer a virtual three-part workshop series covering the basics of trusts, transfer of property, wills and other estate planning tools.
Three one-hour online sessions will be held 2-3 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays, beginning Sept. 10. Topics will include:
• Sept. 10 — Estate planning basics and legal language
• Sept. 17 — Financial inventory and asset protection, advance directive and power of attorney
• Sept. 25 — Wills and trusts
Extension offices in Conway, Johnson, Faulkner, Pope and Yell counties are jointly hosting the workshop, which is free and open to all Arkansans. Register online at https://bit.ly/UAEXEstatePlanning.
For more information, contact Pope County Family & Consumer Science Agent Pamela Luker at 479-968-7098, or email pluker@uaex.edu.
To learn about other extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,159
Active Positive: 22
Recovered: 1,125
Deaths: 12
Negatives: 5,565
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 425
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 388
Deaths: 5
Negatives: 3,157
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 284
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 253
Deaths: 15
Negatives: 1,448
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 225
Active Positive: 15
Recovered: 207
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 3,113
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 177
Active Positive: 10
Recovered: 166
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,743
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response. Click on play button above.
Governor Asa Hutchinson provides an update to media on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, live at 1:30 p.m. regarding Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...
The Flash Flood Watch continues for
* Portions of southwest Arkansas...southeast Oklahoma and northeast
Texas, including the following areas, in southwest Arkansas,
Hempstead, Howard, Little River, Nevada and Sevier. In southeast
Oklahoma, McCurtain. In northeast Texas, Red River.
* Through Wednesday evening
* Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated higher amounts
possible through Wednesday evening. The Watch area remains
saturated from the heavy rainfall that has fallen over the last
week. This additional heavy rainfall late tonight through
Wednesday evening will likely result in flash flooding.
* Flooding may occur in urban and poor drainage areas. Heavy
rainfall may also cause flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to
Flash Flooding. Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation. You
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should
Flash Flood Warnings be issued.