UA Cossatot Adult Education Honors Spring GED® Graduates

UA Cossatot’s Adult Education students have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic like all public schools. During this time, students are not able to complete their GED® testing requirements to earn their high school equivalency diploma. Some students were only one test away from earning their credential. Nine students, however, did finish all of their test requirements and have earned their diploma.

Students who have passed their GED® tests and earned their diploma this spring semester include: Andrew Shelton, Gillham; Keith Perkins, Murfreesboro; Jeffery Scott Kimmel, Gillham; Dalton Saxour, De Queen; Brittany Kaylor, Murfreesboro; James Sellers, Gillham; Hector Barreto, De Queen; Brandon Gonzalez, Murfreesboro; and Memphis Jackson, Murfreesboro.

Adult Education offers many services other than GED® test preparation. Services offered include literacy, basic skills remediation, English as a Second Language, citizenship, digital literacy, employability skills, financial literacy, Accelerating Opportunities, and college preparation.

“Adult Education is a valuable part of community services,” says Jennifer Black, Director. “We help individuals to make a positive impact on their life. Students often come to adult education to earn their diploma to get a job, earn a job promotion, or go to college. It is so rewarding to be a part of students’ successes. They are often so grateful when they accomplish their goals, and that is what we are here to do, help each one succeed!”

For more information, please call UA Cossatot’s Adult Education department at 870-584-1467 or 870-584-1114.

Cossatot Community College

The Adult Education Department of Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas is committed in providing students with an opportunity to reach their educational goals and instilling in each student a dedication of "Learning for Life". If you need a copy of your GED transcript, please click on the the link below: Call 870-584-1114 and ask for Jennifer Black or Cathy Billingsley.

From the Superintendent of De Queen Public Schools

Below are several important updates from De Queen Public Schools:

Grab and Go Meal Program Ending
De Queen School District will regretfully cancel the Grab and Go Meal Program after Friday April 10th. The rise of positive Covid-19 cases in our county along with our concern for the health of our students, employees, and their families has caused us to make this difficult decision. The district is currently working with community stakeholders to create options of serving students and families who need assistance with meal services. Any family needing assistance is encourage to contact the De Queen School District Administration Office by phone at 870-584-4312 or by email at jsanders@dequeenleopards.org.

AMI Information
Under the direction of Governor Asa Hutchinson, all schools in the state will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year to in-school instruction. Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) will continue until Friday, May 8th, 2020. Teachers will continue to provide AMI packets which can be picked up in front of each school or found on the school’s website. Starting Monday, April 13th, there will be containers placed in front of each school for completed AMI work that needs to be turned in. AMI work should be focused on core subject areas and curriculum that has already been taught. We ask our students, staff, parents and community to continue the excellence you have displayed in the previous weeks of AMI and for students and parents to contact teachers if there are any questions or concerns.

Graduation
Graduation for the Class of 2020 has been postponed until a later date. There has been no date set as of yet and we will proceed with large public events at the direction of the AR Department of Health. We are committed to honoring our seniors and are looking at a possible summer commencement ceremony as well as other options.

AAA Dead Period
We remind the community that the Arkansas Activities Association has extended the “Covid-19 Dead Period for all AAA member schools through May 30, 2020. During this time all school athletic facilities will be closed. This includes the track, football field, practice fields, etc.

School Office Hours
Beginning Monday, April 13th, the administration office and school offices will move to a summer working schedule. Office hours will be Monday through Thursday from 8am to 3pm. We understand that many of our community members and stakeholders may need to contact the school to acquire information and conduct business. The district offices will be staffed in compliance with social distancing guidelines and directives by the Governor and the Department of Health regarding work requirements. For everyone’s safety, we ask the public to reach us by phone.
Administration Office: 870-584-4312 De Queen Primary: 870-642-3100
De Queen Elementary: 870-584-4311 De Queen Middle School: 870-642-2428
De Queen Junior High 870-642-3077 De Queen High School: 870-642-2426

Samaritan Fields is Taking Shape in De Queen

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Samaritan Fields is taking shape east of the Sportsplex

A decade long dream of two De Queen men is coming ever closer to fruition. Samaritan Fields is taking shape on the north side of Collin Raye Drive, just east of the Sportsplex. De Queen High School alums Esteban Ochoa and Franklin Bahena have worked for years to create a local soccer facility.

UA Cossatot Alumnus Finds Rewarding Career in Education

Victor Rojas was raised and currently resides in De Queen, Arkansas. After graduating from De Queen High School in 2014, Victor became an education major at UA Cossatot. Today, Victor works for the Texarkana Independent School District as a teacher at Westlawn Elementary and credits UA Cossatot as being a big part of his journey.

In high school, Victor took college credit classes and decided to pursue a degree in education at UA Cossatot.

Victor said, "I chose to attend UA Cossatot because of affordability and location. My experience at UAC was overwhelmingly positive. UA Cossatot gave me, a first-generation college student, a first-rate education for which I am immensely grateful. My instructors were there to help when I needed it, and our Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole, was – and still is- approachable and resourceful."

For two years, Victor took classes at the UA Cossatot De Queen Campus and online. In 2016, he graduated from UA Cossatot with an Associate of Science in Education K-6 degree.

Shortly after graduating, Victor was accepted into Southern Arkansas University's off-campus teacher education program. This program allowed him to stay in his hometown and work at his former high school as a substitute teacher and as a paraprofessional for the high school's alternative learning environment.

Victor graduated from SAU with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, graduating magna cum laude, in May of 2018. In addition to being licensed in the area of elementary education, he also received authorization by the state of Arkansas to teach middle school social studies and 4th-12th grade business technology classes.

In the fall of 2018, Victor began teaching Adult Education courses at UA Cossatot. For a full year, Victor taught beginning ESL and Citizenship 101 classes. In 2020, Victor returned to UA Cossatot to teach Citizenship 101, which prepares adult learners for the U.S. Naturalization exam.

Teaching this course is a rewarding experience for Victor. Victor Rojas said, "As the son of naturalized U.S. citizens, teaching this class is a special and meaningful way for me to help others.”

Since August of 2019, Mr. Rojas has worked for Westlawn Elementary in Texarkana, where he teaches 4th-grade math and science. Victor says that he enjoys preparing students for middle school and teaching them certain leadership habits – such as being proactive and synergizing. He also says his favorite part about being a teacher is forming relationships in the classroom.

Victor is currently considering attending the University of Arkansas School of Law this fall. He was recently granted admission, and he has a desire to further his education. He also plans to teach upper-level courses in the future.

Victor enjoys helping others learn, encouraging his students to reach their goals, and is very proud of his sister, America Rojas, who is a UA Cossatot Student Ambassador. He also urges those pursuing higher education to consider UA Cossatot.

"UA Cossatot is a great place to get a top-notch education. It is welcoming, affordable, and you will find support i

Sevier & Howard Counties Cooperative Extension Services Still on the Job

In Sevier and Howard County, the Cooperative Extension Service is still on the job
Fast Facts:
Agents with the Cooperative Extension Service continue to serve Arkansans during pandemic
Agents available through phone, email and Internet communication platforms
Many resources available online for farms, families and communities at www.uaex.edu and www.uaex.edu/covid19

De Queen, Ark. — The Cooperative Extension Service has been serving the people of Arkansas, from agricultural communities in rural areas to school children in the cities, for more than 100 years, through good times and bad. Our current era, in which we all face serious health risks from the COVID-19 virus, is no different.
Minimizing the effects of this virus, which is unusually contagious and particularly lethal to members of our community who are elderly or immunosuppressed, depends largely on “social distancing” and otherwise limiting close contact. But that doesn’t mean we, as cooperative extension employees, aren’t still here to support our communities in all the ways we always have been.
Whether your needs are agricultural, financial, dietary or educational, our office staff are still here to offer the best in unbiased, research-based knowledge. We are still fundamentally engaged in supporting community and economic development, helping farmers make the best choices for their crops and helping families make the best use of their resources.
Our staff are as available and ready to work as they’ve always been. Our office is still open, just come to the side door and knock or call. While public health recommendations may limit in-person contact, we are also increasingly available through online venues, including webinars and internet-based teleconferencing. And of course, we’re still ready to answer questions and make recommendations by phone.
If you haven’t visited our website in a while, we recommend you take a look. Whether you need to locate your local agent, download one of our invaluable publications, or read the latest in agricultural reporting, www.uaex.edu is a vast resource for Arkansans. We also have a wealth of resources related to coping with COVID-19 at www.uaex.edu/covid19.
The bottom line is, we’re still on the job. And we want to help you be, too.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact the Sevier County Cooperative Extension Service office at (870) 584-3013 or Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517. Visit the website www.uaex.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service

Protect you and your family during the COVID-19 outbreak by practicing proper hand washing techniques. Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap. Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

De Queen Valedictorian Luis Verdin-Gomez Awarded $69,000 in Grants and Scholarships

2020 De Queen Valedictorian Luis Verdin-Gomez has been awarded approximately $69,000 renewable grants and scholarships at Rice University.

Luis is the son of Florencio and Maria Verdin. He will attend Rice University in the fall and double major in math and statistics.

Luis is a member of gifted and talented, history bowl, science bowl and quiz bowl. His educational accomplishments include graduating as the 2020 DHS Valedictorian as well as earning a 35 on the ACT (Superscore of 36).

Amber Morris Awarded Arkansas Tech Academic and State Fair Premium Scholarships

Amber Morris, daughter of Ronald and Kimberly Morris, has been awarded an Arkansas Tech Academic Scholarship valued at $4,000. She has also been awarded a $750 State Fair Premium Scholarship.

Amber is a 2020 De Queen High School senior. She is a member of 4-H and FFA and is involved in archery and trap shooting.

Amber will attend Arkansas Tech University and major in Agricultural Education.

Jalissa Crow Awarded the Arkansas Tech Leadership Scholarship

De Queen senior Jalissa Crow has been awarded the Arkansas Tech Leadership Scholarship valued at $8000. Jalissa plans are to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
She is the daughter of Ricardo and Tevita Martinez.

Jalissa is a member of FCCLA, FBLA, FCS, Leopard Vision, President of Arkansas Hispanic Youth Leaders of Arkansas. She is also a member of the Lady Leopard Soccer team.

De Queen School District Canceling Grab and Go Meals

De Queen School district will regretfully cancel the grab and go meal program after this Friday April 10th. The rise of positive covid 19 cases in our county along with our concern for the health of our employees and their families has caused us to make this difficult decision. The district is looking into a possible food backpack program for those families with the most need. Please contact the District Administration office if you are interested in the backpack program.

De Queen's First Female Firefighter Graduates from the Academy

Jessica McGough graduated from the Arkansas Fire Academy at SAU Tech in Camden.

For the complete story, visit:

https://www.dequeenbee.com

De Queen's first female firefighter graduates from the academy

The De Queen Fire Department's first female member, Jessica McGough, graduated from the Arkansas Fire Academy at Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden on Feb. 28. McGough attended the eight-week program, where she spent the first five weeks book-learning, then the final three weeks getting hands-on experience.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The 2020 Fiscal Session is scheduled to begin April 8 at noon.

The COVID-19 crisis will have an impact on the proposed budget as well as our meeting schedules.

The Department of Finance and Administration released a revised revenue forecast on April 2. The revision was necessary because of an economic recession predicted as a result from business slowdown and negative labor markets.

The forecast now reflects $5.6 billion in net available revenue for FY 2021. This indicates a decrease of $205.9 million from the prior forecast released in January.

The schedule for meetings will be posted on our website. For precautionary measures due to COVID-19, the General Assembly is not expected to meet as long as in previous Fiscal Sessions.

By law, Fiscal Sessions cannot extend longer than 30 days without a ¾ vote from both chambers. The longest it can be extended is an additional 15 days.

During Fiscal Sessions, the legislature can only address the budget and appropriation bills. In order for non-appropriation legislation to be introduced, a resolution substantially describing the bill must first be approved by a 2/3 vote in both chambers.

The House will convene at the Jack T. Stephens Center at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. We convened at this venue for the recent special session as it provides enough space for the recommended social distancing guidelines.

Arkansas PBS will stream the House meetings. You can find the links for those live-streams as well as the Senate meetings and Joint Budget Committee meetings on our website:  www.arkansashouse.org

Home - Arkansas House of Representatives

The Arkansas House of Representatives has ten standing committees, where members meet to review and discuss bills, resolutions and interim studies before Members decide whether to send the measures to the full body for consideration. View All Committees

www.arkansashouse.org.

As we prepare to address the state budget in this unprecedented time, we will continue to update and help constituents with needed assistance through this crisis.

Home - Arkansas House of Representatives

ARGIRLSLEAD #ARGIRLSLEAD is a movement started by women serving in the Arkansas House. Each of them have a unique story to share about their journey on the road to their current leadership position. Kids In The House Who says civics can't be fun?

Bear Cutoff Road Bridge Project Approved for Sevier County

Lansdell Clinic Offering COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing

Mick Martin of Lansdell Family Clinic visited our De Queen studio of Ed 88 today to talk about a pair of COVID-19 drive through testing events planned for next week in southwest Arkansas.

From the Office of the Chancellor

The COVID-19 epidemic continues to influence our lives in so many ways. The potential spread of this disease has altered the lives of our students and our employees. In the most recent press conference hosted by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, he indicated that the peak of COVID-19 infections for Arkansas could possibly occur in late April. While we all pray and hope that this will be sooner, and the peak less severe, we have a responsibility to protect our students, staff, and community.

Based on the information that we have, UA Cossatot will continue to operate as we have been since this pandemic started. We will continue to keep our campuses closed to students and visitors until at least Friday, April 17th. Our employees will continue to work either on campus or from home. Those employees that are working on campus must continue to observe the rules of social distancing and cleanliness.

We will continue to serve and provide all the resources our students need to be successful in the online environment. Our students, faculty, and staff have been unbelievable in answering these challenges in these very trying times. We will walk every mile with our students. We will make a determination regarding our hands-on technical course schedules on Friday, April 3rd. We understand that online learning is not an option for many technical students who learn many of their skills in lab and shop settings. We will be sensitive to the needs of these students and will find the best way to accommodate and allow them to complete their education in a safe setting.

As for the summer and fall semesters, our registration is open for both semesters. We have made our entire registration process online for the safety and convenience of our students. Our website contains all the information students need to register: https://www.cccua.edu. Our summer term will feature mainly online courses, but will have some in-class courses should the COVID-19 outbreak lessen enough to allow that to happen. We are planning on a full and normal fall 2020 semester. We are hoping that there will be additional educational assistance for students impacted by COVID-19.

These are unprecedented and unexplored times but we will all make it through by working together. You can always find more UA Cossatot information on Facebook (ED88 and UAC) and on our CCCUA.EDU and https://www.ed88radio.com websites.

Thank You,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

Cossatot Community College

UA Cossatot embraces diversity and is committed to improving the lives of those in our region by providing quality education, outstanding service, and relevant industry training. The University of Arkansas - Cossatot Community College offers degrees and certificates in more than two dozen fields.

UA Cossatot Foundation's Fiesta Fest 2020 Postponed

Due to safety and health concerns, the seventh annual Fiesta Fest scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2020, in Downtown De Queen, is now rescheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2020, in the same location from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Fiesta Fest is a an event hosted by UA Cossatot Foundation that focuses on bringing the community together while also raising money for UA Cossatot students. The annual event features many vendors and attractions that highlight and celebrate cultures, businesses, and people of Southwest Arkansas.

For questions about Fiesta Fest or how to participate, please contact UA Cossatot Foundation Director, Dustin Roberts at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu.

De Queen/Sevier County Chamber April 1 Updates

For the complete story, visit:

https://www.dequeenbee.com

De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce April 1 updates

Federal News New Treasury Guidance on Small Business Loan Program, Employee Retention Credit: The Treasury Department has issued new guidance on the CARES Act's $350 billion loan fund for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for loans through the "Paycheck Protection Program" starting April 3, while self-employed individuals and independent contractors can apply starting April 10.

HealthCare Express Opening COVID-19 Testing Centers in De Queen

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https://www.dequeenbee.com

HealthCARE Express opening COVID-19 testing centers in De Queen

Beginning Wednesday, April 1, the HealthCARE Express clinic in De Queen will join the ranks of the clinics HealthCARE Express has designated as COVID-19 testing centers in their communities. The test HealthCARE Express is offering will provide results within 1-3 days, drastically reducing the wait time for results compared to the previous COVID-19 test.

Restaurants Struggle to Stay Open Amidst Surrounding Business Closures

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https://www.dequeenbee.com

Restaurants struggle to stay open amidst surrounding business closures

With Governor Asa Hutchinson ordering the shutdown of many businesses in the state, the impact has left the local business community struggling to survive as many restaurants have closed as have all the gyms, barber shops and beauty salons.

Governor Hutchinson Directs State Parks To Implement New Measures for Public Health

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has approved temporary changes to Arkansas State Parks’ operations to protect public health during the COVID-19 crisis, he announced at a news conference today. 

The Governor has directed that Arkansas State Parks implement “day use” operations only, effective 8 a.m. on Friday, April 3, a decision he made in consultation with Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst.

“Arkansas State Parks will remain operational,” Governor Hutchinson said. “Arkansas is known for our outdoor recreation, and we want to allow Arkansans to safely enjoy what our state has to offer. These new safety measures will reduce the risk of overcrowding at our parks and discourage visitors from out-of-state until the threat of COVID-19 has passed.”

“This Friday, we will move to ‘day use’ only across our state parks system, eliminating all overnight stay opportunities,” Secretary Hurst said. “This is consistent with 28 other states, and we believe it will further reduce the number of out-of-state visitors. We are staying on top of the data and best practices and will adjust if further limitations are needed.”

Under the new “day use” directive, Arkansas State Parks will close overnight facilities, such as cabins and campgrounds. 

In addition, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism is temporarily implementing safety measures to prevent visitation surges in state parks. Arkansas State Parks will deploy park rangers to enforce social distancing, disperse gatherings of more than 10 people, and implement parking restrictions to limit overcrowding at popular parks.

Secretary Hurst will closely monitor problematic areas such as trails that are overcrowded or too narrow for proper social distancing and close such areas as needed. 

Information on the park closings can be found at https://www.ArkansasStateParks.com/covid-19-update.

COVID-19 Update | Arkansas State Parks

Arkansas State Parks remain open as we monitor COVID-19 and the impact of coronavirus in our state. We are taking the CDC's recommended precautions as we work to provide a safe environment for our visitors. Parks continue to be your gateway to hiking, kayaking and canoeing, golf, mountain biking, fishing and boating and other outdoor experiences.

LIVE VIDEO: Governor Hutchinson Provides COVID-19 Update to Media (04.01.20) 1:30 p.m.

Governor Asa Hutchinson will provide a COVID-19 update on live video at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon, 04/01. Press play button above.