Sevier County Judge Greg Ray And Callie Miller of the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce were in the Ed 88 Studio Thursday to talk about the Tri Lakes Big Bass Festival coming up September 5th.
Thursday's COVID-19 Numbers
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 1,009
Active Positive: 50
Recovered: 949
Deaths: 10
Negatives: 4,579
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 360
Active Positive: 57
Recovered: 299
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 2,586
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 189
Active Positive: 27
Recovered: 161
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,239
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 154
Active Positive: 21
Recovered: 132
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,338
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 118
Active Positive: 36
Recovered: 81
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,933
Arkansas Department of Agriculture Issues Warning on Mystery Seed Packets
Since July, residents across the state and country have reported receiving unsolicited packets of seeds that appear to come from China. The Arkansas Department of Agriculure warns not to plant the seeds and to turn them over to the department or a local extension office.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-department-agriculture-issues-warning-mystery-seed-packets
Arkansas Department of Agriculture Issues Warning on Mystery Seed Packets
Since July, residents across the state and country have reported receiving unsolicited packets of seeds that appear to come from China. The Arkansas Department of Agriculure warns not to plant the seeds and to turn them over to the department or a local extension office.
Message from the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association and doctors are urging people to seek medical help when needed during the pandemic.
Don't Die of Doubt
The American Heart Association and doctors are urging people to seek medical help when needed during the pandemic.
Wednesday's Arkansas COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 996
Active Positive: 47
Recovered: 939
Deaths: 10
Negatives: 4,571
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 355
Active Positive: 59
Recovered: 292
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 2,575
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 185
Active Positive: 27
Recovered: 157
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,234
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 150
Active Positive: 17
Recovered: 132
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,322
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 111
Active Positive: 32
Recovered: 78
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,918
Cotton Statement on 8th Circuit Ruling on Dismemberment Abortions
Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals vacated an injunction imposed by the district court preventing enforcement of Arkansas's law prohibiting "dismemberment abortions":
"After years of obstruction and delay, Arkansas is one step closer to protecting unborn babies from the barbaric method of dismemberment abortion. Today's ruling moves us toward a society that respects the dignity and worth of every human being."
Cotton Reacts to Chinese Sanctions
Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement after China announced sanctions against him:
"The Chinese Communist Party imposed these impotent sanctions against me because I defend the real victims of Chinese Communism: the millions of Americans harmed by the Wuhan coronavirus, the workers whose factories shut down and moved offshore to China, the businesses and inventors whose property has been stolen, the Chinese Christians and missionaries whose churches have been razed by bulldozers, the Uighurs and other minorities languishing in concentration camps, the Hong Kong students fighting desperately for their democracy, and the Chinese people trapped in a high-tech communist tyranny. Chinese Communism is the most dangerous threat to freedom in the world, and I will never back down from fighting it. If China thinks my opposition to its communist tyranny to date warrants these sanctions, I have two words for them: just wait."
The Governor's Working Group with the AAA Announcement
Domtar Changes for 2021
Domtar to shutter paper machine work in Ashdown, transition to soft wood and pulp production
Domtar Corp. announced Friday (Aug. 7) it would permanently shutter its paper machine operations at its Ashdown plant to save $200 million by 2021. The South-Carolina based company will transition its Ashdown operations to soft wood and fluff pulp production.
This transition, which leaves part of the site operational, will cost up to $20 million and could take 14 months to complete. The company did not note the impact on the 142 employees who have been laid-off since April due to COVID-19 slowdowns.
Domtar to shutter paper machine work in Ashdown, transition to soft wood and pulp production - Talk Business & Politics
Domtar Corp. announced Friday (Aug. 7) it would permanently shutter its paper machine operations at its Ashdown plant to save $200 million by 2021. The South-Carolina based company will transition its Ashdown operations to soft wood and fluff pulp production.
Tuesday's COVID-19 Case Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 992
Active Positive: 51
Recovered: 931
Deaths: 10
Negatives: 4,569
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 342
Active Positive: 53
Recovered: 285
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 2,511
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 181
Active Positive: 66
Recovered: 114
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,234
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 148
Active Positive: 16
Recovered: 131
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,313
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 108
Active Positive: 31
Recovered: 76
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,903
COVID-19 Case Numbers for Monday
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 989
Active Positive: 53
Recovered: 926
Deaths: 10
Negatives: 4,553
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 340
Active Positive: 64
Recovered: 272
Deaths: 4
Negatives: 2,499
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 181
Active Positive: 70
Recovered: 110
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,226
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 142
Active Positive: 13
Recovered: 128
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,283
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 101
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 74
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,878
Sunday's COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 988
Active Positive: 55
Recovered: 923
Deaths: 10
Negatives: 4,545
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 336
Active Positive: 74
Recovered: 259
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 2,478
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 180
Active Positive: 72
Recovered: 107
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,221
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 140
Active Positive: 12
Recovered: 127
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,258
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 101
Active Positive: 26
Recovered: 74
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,864
Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Arkansas’s New Secretary of Health
LITTLE ROCK – I have appointed Dr. José Romero as Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, and today I’d like to share some things about the man who is assuming this job in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Romero moved to Arkansas in 2008 as Director of the Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He also served in a similar position at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He served as the Director of Clinical Trials Research at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute from 2008-2019.
Dr. Nate Smith, our former Secretary of Health who has now taken a position with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, named Dr. Romero as the department’s chief medical officer in the spring. When Dr. Smith left for his new job, I named Dr. Romero interim secretary. And this week, I offered him the job as secretary.
It was an easy choice. Dr. Romero has devoted his career to public health, and he has earned a distinguished national reputation for his work in infectious diseases.
Dr. Romero was born in Mexico, where his grandfather worked the land, taught himself to read and write, and eventually owned a small grocery story. His grandfather’s goal for his children was simple. He wanted them to learn to read and write. Shortly after Dr. Romero was born, his parents moved to Michigan, where his father earned a master’s degree in civil engineering. Many of the bridges he designed in California are still standing.
Dr. Romero, who was a competitive swimmer as a teenager, spent most of his childhood in California. His brothers and sister were born in the United States. He became a citizen when he was in the sixth grade. At his naturalization ceremony, the judge asked young José to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
He knew from a young age that he wanted to be a doctor, and he returned to Guadalajara for medical school, where he graduated in the top 1 percent of his class.
His resume includes an impressive list of jobs, appointments, and accomplishments. He is chairman of the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is providing guidance nationally on the development and administration of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Much of his work has involved the study of pediatric infectious diseases. In his well-rounded career, Dr. Romero has done almost everything – from research to leading hospital departments – which has prepared him well to lead the Arkansas Department of Health.
We are blessed that Dr. Romero chose to make Arkansas his home. I am grateful he has agreed to become our Secretary of Health at this difficult time.
Friday's COVID-19 Updated Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 969
Active Positive: 49
Recovered: 910
Deaths: 10
Negatives: 4,478
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 322
Active Positive: 68
Recovered: 251
Deaths: 3
Negatives: 2,446
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 164
Active Positive: 69
Recovered: 94
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,209
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 137
Active Positive: 13
Recovered: 123
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,202
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 91
Active Positive: 21
Recovered: 69
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,784
Public Comments Being Heard on Southwest Trail Linking Little Rock and Hot Springs
Seven years after a proposal was announced for a pedestrian and cycling trail linking Little Rock and Hot Springs, a key step toward creation of the Southwest Trail is underway. A virtual public hearing is taking place online through Aug. 26 allowing people to view the preferred alignment for the route, an interactive map, and offer comments on the project which has an estimated construction cost of $43 million.
Public Comments Being Heard On Southwest Trail Linking Little Rock And Hot Springs
Seven years after a proposal was announced for a pedestrian and cycling trail linking Little Rock and Hot Springs, a key step toward creation of the Southwest Trail is underway. A virtual public hearing is taking place online through Aug.
Low Response Rate on 2020 Census Could Cost Arkansas Billions
Arkansans could lose billions in federal funding as a result of changes to the 2020 census. Earlier this week, the U.S. Census Bureau announced the deadline for states to accept responses is now September 30, a full month earlier than previously planned.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Arkansas's response rate of 57.7% is among the lowest in the nation. The national self-response rate is 63%. The census count, which is taken once every decade, is also used to determine political districts and representation.
https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/low-response-rate-2020-census-could-cost-arkansas-billions
Low Response Rate On 2020 Census Could Cost Arkansas Billions
Arkansans could lose billions in federal funding as a result of changes to the 2020 census. Earlier this week, the U.S. Census Bureau announced the deadline for states to accept responses is now September 30, a full month earlier than previously planned.
UAMS Releases New Short-Term Forecast, Examines Impact of COVID-19 on Children
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock released its latest COVID-19 forecast on July 30. Short-term models predict Arkansas will have a total of 55,000 coronavirus cases by Aug. 10. The report includes projections for hospitalizations, the need for intensive care and deaths, as well. It also examines the impact of COVID-19 on children and young adults as students get ready to return to school.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/uams-releases-new-short-term-forecast-examines-impact-covid-19-children
UAMS Releases New Short-Term Forecast, Examines Impact of COVID-19 on Children
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock released its latest COVID-19 forecast on July 30. Short-term models predict Arkansas will have a total of 55,000 coronavirus cases by Aug. 10. The report includes projections for hospitalizations, the need for intensive care and deaths, as well.
Sevier County 2020 Census Contest
We hope by now, you have seen that we have launched a Sevier County 2020 Census Contest where we are giving away 2 FREE iPads!
What do you need to do, by August 31 to qualify for the contest?
complete your census report - 2020census.gov (easiest on your phone)
screenshot your confirmation page
mark out your address
post your confirmation page with the marked out address in the comments on the FB post announcing the contest. English | Espanol | Marshallese
It's that simple - 9 questions. 4 minutes.
And, we need you. Not only is it the law to complete your census, but our community depends on you for important funding for essential departments like schools, roads, community assets. August began the door to door information collection phase, meaning census tackers will be in our community collecting information from those who have not completed their census. To avoid unwanted porch guests, complete your census today!
Continue to follow Sevier County Economic Development and De Queen/Sevier Chamber of Commerce for updates and more information throughout the rest of the month.
Other links and information you may find helpful.
FAQ for popular questions - https://2020census.gov/en/help.html
Census takers in your neighborhood - https://2020census.gov/en/census-takers.html
Required by law to report - https://2020census.gov/en/am-i-required.html
Our community is counting on you!
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook. Participation by each individual indicates a complete release of Facebook. Participation also waives Sevier County Economic Development, the De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce, the City of De Queen, the Sevier County Quorum Court, and UA Cossatot of any liability.
English
By law, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. That's protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Code.
Thursday's COVID-19 Numbers and Maps
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Cases
Total Positive: 958
Active Positive: 44
Recovered: 904
Deaths: 10
Negatives: 4,455
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Cases
Total Positive: 308
Active Positive: 61
Recovered: 245
Deaths: 2
Negatives: 2,415
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Cases
Total Positive: 160
Active Positive: 70
Recovered: 89
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 1,205
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Cases
Total Positive: 134
Active Positive: 13
Recovered: 120
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,189
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Cases
Total Positive: 88
Active Positive: 20
Recovered: 67
Deaths: 1
Negatives: 2,719
Governor Hutchinson Appoints Dr. José Romero As Health Secretary
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has appointed Dr. José Romero as Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Governor Hutchinson announced the appointment today at his COVID-19 briefing.
Dr. Romero, who has been serving as interim secretary of health, replaces Dr. Nate Smith, who has accepted a position at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Romero previously served as ADH’s chief medical officer. He currently chairs the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which is providing guidance nationally on the development and administration of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“This was an easy decision,” Governor Hutchinson said. “Dr. Romero has a national reputation for his work with infectious diseases. He has been involved in our fight against COVID-19 from the first day. His vast knowledge of viral infections has been integral to our decision making as we have refined our response to the pandemic. His years of work within the state’s medical community will allow a seamless transition as he assumes this important role.”
Dr. Romero moved to Arkansas in 2008 as Director of the Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He served as the Director of Clinical Trials Research at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute from 2008-2019.
“I am honored to be named to this important role and look forward to ensuring that the Department of Health fulfills its mission of protecting and improving the health and well-being of all Arkansans,” Dr. Romero said. “I’m excited to work with the governor, the Legislature, our partners at the local, state and federal level, and the people of this state to help Arkansans live healthier lives.”
He has been a member of the Arkansas Vaccine Medical Advisory Committee since 2008 and chair of the committee since 2015. Since 2012, he has been the ADH Pediatric Tuberculosis Physician.
During his time at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Dr. Romero was Director for Latino Health-Related Research Affairs and Director of the Minority Health Education and Research Office.
Dr. Romero lives in Little Rock with his wife of 12 years and their Scottish Terrier.
AUDIO: UAMS Scientists Offer Guidance on Types of Face Coverings
Opinions on the use of face coverings continue to evolve since a COVID-19 pandemic was declared. Two experts with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences reveal which masks are best to wear, how to use them and what protections face coverings offer.
https://www.kuaf.com/post/uams-scientists-offer-guidance-types-face-coverings
UAMS Scientists Offer Guidance on Types of Face Coverings
Opinions on the use of face coverings continue to evolve since a COVID-19 pandemic was declared. Two experts with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences reveal which masks are best to wear, how to use them and what protections face coverings offer.