Callie Miller and Daniel Martinez of the De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce discuss this year’s Christmas Parade in De Queen.
Friendship Baptist De Queen Community Thanksgiving Meal
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
The 2021 Regular Session begins in less than two months. We want to take this week to update you on the ongoing budget hearings in preparation for the session.
Pre-session budget hearings have been extended. They began last month and will continue from now to November 19. This week, members were presented with the General Revenue Forecast and the Governor's Balanced Budget Proposal. The Governor's plan calls for a reduction of sales tax on vehicles priced less than $10,000. His proposal also calls for a reduction in the income tax rate for new residents moving into Arkansas.
The proposal includes recommendations for one-time funding from the $240 million expected budget surplus. Those recommendations include a transfer of $100 million to the Long Term Reserve Fund and a $30 million transfer to the Department of Commerce for rural broadband.
By law, the Governor is required to submit a balanced budget proposal. While we take the proposal from the executive branch into consideration, appropriation bills and the budget are ultimately drafted and voted on by the legislature.
The House and Senate Education Committees have recommended an increase of $99.7 million in funding for k-12 education for the next fiscal year. The committees recommended an increase of $86.9 million for Fiscal Year 2023.
Currently, state funding is $6,985 per student. The committees' recommendation increases the amount to $7,131 next year and to $7,281 in Fiscal Year 2023. The committees' proposal is also reflected in the Governor's proposed budget.
This week, the Department of Finance and Administration issued its economic forecast. For the next fiscal year, the department expects state revenue to increase by $172 million or 3% more than the current fiscal year. The short-term outlook for the Arkansas economy remains mixed. The forecast states there are noticeable lags in recovery by travel, conventions, and full-service restaurants.
Blue Darter Heritage Campaign in Lockesburg
The UA Cossatot Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign called the Blue Darter Heritage Campaign. Donations received from this campaign will go towards finishing the UA Cossatot Lockesburg Campus. 20% of all proceeds raised for this campaign will also go into a scholarship fund for UA Cossatot students who reside in the 71846 Lockesburg zip code. Naming opportunities exist for donors who want to honor Lockesburg's past and leave a heritage in the name of a family member, business, or their name. For more information about the Blue Darter Heritage Campaign, please visit the link below.
https://www.cccua.edu/news/ua-cossatot-foundation-launches-blue-darter-heritage-campaign
UA Cossatot Foundation Launches Blue Darter Heritage Campaign
The UA Cossatot Foundation has recently begun a new fundraising campaign called the Blue Darter Heritage Campaign. The Blue Darter Heritage Campaign has been established to create revenue to complete renovations to UA Cossatot's Lockesburg Campus.
Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,601
Confirmed Cases: 1,344
Probable Cases: 257
Total Active Cases: 97
Active Confirmed Cases: 42
Active Probable Cases: 55
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 728
Confirmed Cases: 617
Probable Cases: 111
Total Active Cases: 67
Active Confirmed Cases: 38
Active Probable Cases: 29
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 572
Confirmed Cases: 488
Probable Cases: 84
Total Active Cases: 56
Active Confirmed Cases: 34
Active Probable Cases: 22
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 609
Confirmed Cases: 564
Probable Cases: 45
Total Active Cases: 174
Active Confirmed Cases: 160
Active Probable Cases: 14
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 326
Confirmed Cases: 300
Probable Cases: 26
Total Active Cases: 37
Active Confirmed Cases: 27
Active Probable Cases: 10
Tuesday's COVID-19 Numbers and Maps
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,308 new cases; 16,485 active cases; 861 hospitalized, which is up 31 from Sunday; 123 on ventilators, which is up 7 from Sunday; deaths added today, 42, for a total of 2,225; a total of 134,348 cases; 105,468 recoveries; PCR tests, 10,329; antigen tests, 620.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Washington, 161; Pulaski, 130; Benton, 70; Sebastian, 64; and Craighead, 63.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
“The new cases are higher than last Monday, and this may be an indication we are in for a tough week ahead. The 42 new deaths is regrettably an all-time high in a single day. While there is good news on the vaccine front this morning, we have to work together to reduce cases, hospitalizations and save lives.”
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,586
Confirmed Cases: 1,341
Probable Cases: 245
Total Active Cases: 98
Active Confirmed Cases: 46
Active Probable Cases: 52
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 721
Confirmed Cases: 613
Probable Cases: 108
Total Active Cases: 67
Active Confirmed Cases: 40
Active Probable Cases: 27
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 563
Confirmed Cases: 482
Probable Cases: 81
Total Active Cases: 52
Active Confirmed Cases: 30
Active Probable Cases: 22
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 584
Confirmed Cases: 542
Probable Cases: 42
Total Active Cases: 157
Active Confirmed Cases: 146
Active Probable Cases: 11
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 320
Confirmed Cases: 294
Probable Cases: 26
Total Active Cases: 33
Active Confirmed Cases: 23
Active Probable Cases: 10
UA Cossatot Student Scholarships Thank You
Monday COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,577
Confirmed Cases: 1,335
Probable Cases: 242
Total Active Cases: 103
Active Confirmed Cases: 47
Active Probable Cases: 56
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 721
Confirmed Cases: 612
Probable Cases: 109
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Confirmed Cases: 42
Active Probable Cases: 32
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 558
Confirmed Cases: 476
Probable Cases: 82
Total Active Cases: 50
Active Confirmed Cases: 26
Active Probable Cases: 24
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 567
Confirmed Cases: 525
Probable Cases: 42
Total Active Cases: 155
Active Confirmed Cases: 139
Active Probable Cases: 16
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 317
Confirmed Cases: 291
Probable Cases: 26
Total Active Cases: 32
Active Confirmed Cases: 21
Active Probable Cases: 11
Meat Processing Facility Coming to Sevier County
Ground was recently broken for a new meat processing facility in Sevier County. Loren Hinton visits with Charles Morris and Walter Deshazo about their new business venture.
Saturday COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,565
Confirmed Cases: 1,329
Probable Cases: 236
Total Active Cases: 115
Active Confirmed Cases: 48
Active Probable Cases: 67
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 709
Confirmed Cases: 604
Probable Cases: 105
Total Active Cases: 71
Active Confirmed Cases: 41
Active Probable Cases: 30
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 547
Confirmed Cases: 470
Probable Cases: 77
Total Active Cases: 42
Active Confirmed Cases: 22
Active Probable Cases: 20
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 539
Confirmed Cases: 500
Probable Cases: 39
Total Active Cases: 146
Active Confirmed Cases: 125
Active Probable Cases: 21
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 312
Confirmed Cases: 290
Probable Cases: 22
Total Active Cases: 27
Active Confirmed Cases: 19
Active Probable Cases: 8
Friday COVID-19 Update from the Arkansas Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,545
Confirmed Cases: 1,318
Probable Cases: 227
Total Active Cases: 110
Active Confirmed Cases: 41
Active Probable Cases: 69
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 702
Confirmed Cases: 601
Probable Cases: 101
Total Active Cases: 72
Active Confirmed Cases: 44
Active Probable Cases: 28
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 536
Confirmed Cases: 464
Probable Cases: 72
Total Active Cases: 33
Active Confirmed Cases: 17
Active Probable Cases: 16
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 507
Confirmed Cases: 468
Probable Cases: 39
Total Active Cases: 120
Active Confirmed Cases: 97
Active Probable Cases: 23
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 307
Confirmed Cases: 286
Probable Cases: 21
Total Active Cases: 24
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 8
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Thursday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,809 new cases; 14,491 active cases; 805 hospitalized, which is up 4 from Wednesday; 116 on ventilators, which is unchanged from Wednesday; deaths added today, 18, for a total of 2,144; a total of 128,09 cases; 102,355 recoveries; PCR tests, 11,164; antigen tests, 1,740.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 154; Washington, 70; Sebastian, 66; Craighead, 60; and Benton, 58.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"Yesterday was a strong day of testing for Arkansas. Our increased testing efforts continue to reveal consistently high numbers of new COVID-19 cases throughout the state. When you get out each day, be mindful of the pressure on our hospitals, doctors, and health care workers. Let's reduce the hospitalizations by doing our part to protect each other."
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Thursday COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,541
Confirmed Cases: 1,316
Probable Cases: 225
Total Active Cases: 121
Active Confirmed Cases: 44
Active Probable Cases: 77
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 697
Confirmed Cases: 598
Probable Cases: 99
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Confirmed Cases: 47
Active Probable Cases: 27
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 526
Confirmed Cases: 460
Probable Cases: 66
Total Active Cases: 28
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 12
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 488
Confirmed Cases: 449
Probable Cases: 39
Total Active Cases: 105
Active Confirmed Cases: 81
Active Probable Cases: 24
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 306
Confirmed Cases: 286
Probable Cases: 20
Total Active Cases: 25
Active Confirmed Cases: 18
Active Probable Cases: 7
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Wednesday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 1,962 new cases; 13,691 active cases; 801 hospitalized, which is down 9 from Tuesday; 116 on ventilators, which is down 11 from Tuesday; deaths added today, 14, for a total of 2,126; a total of 126,197 cases; 101,583 recoveries; PCR tests, 9,390; antigen tests, 2,247.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 172; Benton, 144; Garland, 136; Washington, 121; and Sebastian, 116.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"Today we saw another record number of reported new cases. There was a small decline in hospitalizations but the high number of cases is a profoundly serious reminder of the emergency that continues. Susan and I just spoke about our holiday plans and we are taking extra precautions and limiting the number. Plan safely."
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
Horatio Elementary School Closing Temporarily due to COVID
The Horatio School District has decided to close Horatio Elementary School onsite instruction after two students tested positive for COVID-19. The district's contact-tracing identified several staff members and two kindergarten classrooms that must be quarantined until December 1st.
As a result of minimal availability of substitutes and the number of staff members that will be quarantined, the PK-6 Horatio Elementary will pivot to online instruction and elementary teachers will continue to teach virtually beginning Wednesday, November 11. Onsite instruction will resume on Tuesday, December 1st as the district already has a digital day planned for November 30th.
The district will continue to partner with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide a safe and healthy environment for onsite instruction.
Wednesday COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,522
Confirmed Cases: 1,315
Probable Cases: 207
Total Active Cases: 117
Active Confirmed Cases: 50
Active Probable Cases: 67
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 694
Confirmed Cases: 598
Probable Cases: 96
Total Active Cases: 78
Active Confirmed Cases: 50
Active Probable Cases: 28
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 523
Confirmed Cases: 458
Probable Cases: 65
Total Active Cases: 28
Active Confirmed Cases: 16
Active Probable Cases: 12
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 466
Confirmed Cases: 430
Probable Cases: 36
Total Active Cases: 89
Active Confirmed Cases: 66
Active Probable Cases: 23
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 295
Confirmed Cases: 277
Probable Cases: 18
Total Active Cases: 19
Active Confirmed Cases: 13
Active Probable Cases: 6
U.S. Navy Veteran at Tuesday's De Queen Lions Club Meeting
With Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11th, the Lions Club invited a local U.S. Navy Veteran to speak to the group Tuesday. Don Hogg discussed his service in the military in the U.S. Navy at Tuesday’s De Queen Lions Club noon meeting. He also brought Navy ship photos of the vessels he was on. He was pictured outside on the deck of the tug boat in the first ship photo.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
Veterans live and work in every community of Arkansas. We are their friends, their family, their co-workers, and their neighbors. It is up to us to ensure that every veteran feels that his or her service to this country is appreciated.
There are ways every Arkansan can help our veterans. Shop at your local businesses that support the military and hire veterans. Reach out to your veteran community and find ways to volunteer. We can all teach our children about the sacrifices veterans have made and create a new generation of appreciation.
But the easiest way is to simply say, "Thank you for what you have done for our country."
On this Veterans Day, we would like to say a special thank you to the more than 219,000 veterans who call Arkansas home.
Every session, we introduce legislation to make Arkansas a better place for our military members and vets. In the most recent session, we passed legislation to make it easier for military spouses to find employment quickly and legislation paving the way for an extensive study on veteran affairs in our state.
Act 551 directs the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, and Legislative and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs to meet jointly to conduct the Arkansas Legislative Study on Veterans Affairs. The study aims to examine veterans' issues in the state, including the occurrence of suicide among the veteran population. The committees have conducted town-hall-style meetings across the state to hear from veterans. They will use the information they've gathered to make recommendations for the 2021 Regular Session.
We also passed Act 820. This legislation states an occupational licensing entity shall grant active military members and returning veterans, as well as spouses of active military and returning veterans, with automatic licensure to engage in an occupation or profession if they have an equivalent license in another state.
And in 2017, we passed legislation exempting military retirement benefits from state income tax.
We look forward to continued progress. May we continue to make our state a place our vets are proud to call home.
Sevier County Library Snippets for November
by: JOHNYE FISHER
November is here, and you know what November is right? It’s Thanksgiving!!! Gobble till you Wobble! Please stop and give Thanks for all things you have and do not have for it makes you who you are. We hope you have safe travels and enjoy loved ones this year!
November is also Food for Fines Month and The Sevier County Library System Sweater Drive. November 1-30, bring any nonperishable food item into any Sevier County Branch Library for a one-dollar reduction per item in existing overdue fines. Food accepted for fines on returned library materials only, not for replacement fees of lost or damaged items. November 1-30 is the Sweater Drive you can bring any new or gently used items to any branch location and all of our donations area kept local in each community. Won’t you help keep someone one safe, warm and fed for the winter?
The De Queen Library will have Virtual Thanksgiving Story Times on November 4th and November 18th. On November 23, we will present a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving virtually.Our front of the desk display will be reading with a twist. The twist is you don’t know what this book is until you open it. The book jacket will be taken off so you might get a book on how to plant flowers, read about the wild adventures of Davy Crockett, or even travel across the Atlantic Ocean to Scotland. Come take a trip or go on an adventure. Call us at 584-4364 or visit our facebook.com/seviercountylibrary page for more details.
Hello everyone from Amy at the Horatio Library. I hope you have been enjoying this nice cooler weather. I know I have. With the weather changing and all this Covid 19 and flu season on us please continue to be safe and stay well. We will be having online story time on our Horatio Library Facebook page the 14th and also the 28th. The program on the 14th will have a Thanksgiving theme. We are getting in our new Christmas themed book titles. We have also gotten several new Bestselling books along with some new DVD series to watch. Please remember those in need this holiday season and donate if you can. I hope you have a very Blessed holiday and hope to see you soon.
Ms. Wendy wants to know if you know what are some of the things you can do at the Lockesburg Library? The library has public computers, printing, faxing, and WIFI. There are audio books, magazines, and DVD’s. Special book areas for adults, large print readers, young adults, middle readers, and early juvenile readers. The library also has a special book aread dedicated to Legacy Academy for students. For your convenience there is a book drop available for returns 24/7. New books are added monthly and for your convenience our book collection can be accessed at: https://evolveopac.infovisionsoftware.com/lockesburgThe Lockesburg Library is open Wednesdays, Thursdays 8:30-5:00 and Saturday 8:30-12:30. Call Ms. Wendy for more information at 289-2233
Rhonda, Amy, and Kelsie says for the month of November their display will be Christian Fiction. To name a few, Irene Hannon’s “Dark Ambition”, Karen Kingsbury’s “To the Moon and Back” and Christy Barritt’s “Ripple Effect”. These are really good books and we have them in large print as well. We have other good books such as “Thick as Thieves” by Sandra Brown, “Silent Bite” by David Rosenfelt and “A Time for Mercy” by John Grisham. We have something for every ready taste.Virtual Story Time for Thanksgiving will be November 14th so keep an eye on our facebook.com/gillhambranchlibrary for more information. Happy Thanksgiving from Gillham Library!!
Veterans Salutes from UA Cossatot and Ed 88
Tuesday's COVID-19 Update from the AR Dept of Health
COVID-19 Metrics for Sevier County
Total Cumulative Cases: 1,505
Confirmed Cases: 1,311
Probable Cases: 194
Total Active Cases: 112
Active Confirmed Cases: 53
Active Probable Cases: 59
COVID-19 Metrics for Howard County
Total Cumulative Cases: 690
Confirmed Cases: 598
Probable Cases: 92
Total Active Cases: 76
Active Confirmed Cases: 51
Active Probable Cases: 25
COVID-19 Metrics for Little River County
Total Cumulative Cases: 519
Confirmed Cases: 457
Probable Cases: 62
Total Active Cases: 31
Active Confirmed Cases: 21
Active Probable Cases: 10
COVID-19 Metrics for Polk County
Total Cumulative Cases: 445
Confirmed Cases: 413
Probable Cases: 32
Total Active Cases: 74
Active Confirmed Cases: 53
Active Probable Cases: 21
COVID-19 Metrics for Pike County
Total Cumulative Cases: 291
Confirmed Cases: 275
Probable Cases: 16
Total Active Cases: 19
Active Confirmed Cases: 15
Active Probable Cases: 4
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson provided today's update on Arkansas's COVID-19 response.
In its Monday update, the Arkansas Department of Health reported 945 new cases; 12,488 active cases; 786 hospitalized, which is up 45 from Sunday; 116 on ventilators, which is up 13 from Sunday; deaths added today, 23, for a total of 2,108; a total of 122,811 cases; 99,861 recoveries; PCR tests, 9,358; antigen tests, 721.
The Health Department reported that the top counties for new cases are Pulaski, 128; Washington, 79; Independence, 75; Sebastian, 56; and Benton, 49.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement on today’s COVID-19 numbers:
"We continue to see a high level of hospitalizations across the state. This increase can affect everyone, even those who have not contracted COVID-19. We all have a responsibility to our friends, family, and neighbors to do our part as we fight this virus."
Here are today's COVID-19 statewide numbers:
