Sevier News

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Kathy Beavert Honored at UA Cossatot Board of Visitors Meeting

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The UA Cossatot Board of Visitors said goodbye to outgoing chairperson Kathy Beavert at their July meeting in Lockesburg on Monday. Beavert has served on the board for 21 years and was presented an award from UAC Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole. New officers for the coming year are:

Jimmy Tumey - Chairman

Tim Pinkerton - Vice Chairman

Angie Walker - Secretary

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Wednesday COVID-19 SW Arkansas Active Cases and Vaccinations Update from the Arkansas Department of Health

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Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 22

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 11

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 10

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 16

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 19

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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

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Arkansans know that no summer barbecue is complete without fresh watermelon. Our state may not be the largest producer of watermelon, but Arkansas communities lay claim to being the home of the world’s largest and the world’s sweetest. 

The month of July is known as National Watermelon Month. July is typically the largest shipping month of the year, with over 15 states harvesting simultaneously. 

The United States currently ranks 7th in the worldwide production of watermelon. Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown across 96 countries worldwide. But the impact the crop has on communities here in Arkansas has been a cause for celebration for decades.  

In Arkansas, we have more than 200 farms harvesting more than 1,500 acres of watermelons. Crops are valued at more than $5 million. 

The city of Hope annually celebrates its claim as the home of the world’s largest watermelons with a yearly watermelon festival. The event first originated in 1926 and has been ongoing, though not continuous, since 1977. 

And since 1980, the residents of Cave City have been coming together to celebrate the "World's Sweetest Watermelons" and reconnect with family and friends. Now, in its 40th year, the watermelon festival is the largest festival in the region. 

Researchers are now finding out that watermelons are even more nutritious than previously known. The USDA's Agricultural Research Service recently identified over 1,500 small molecules of diverse chemical characters in the fruit, known as phytochemicals. They concluded that eating watermelon is an excellent way to increase your intake of antioxidants, non-protein amino acids, and lycopene. This means that every time you eat watermelon, you’ll be improving the health of your cells, organs, and nervous system. 

In addition to farmer’s markets and fruit stands across the state, you can find Arkansas watermelons and any Arkansas grown produce at supermarkets by looking for the “Arkansas Grown” label. The “Arkansas Grown” logo is a registered trademark of the Department filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State. It may appear in black and white or black and green versions.

 We’ve posted more information, including recipes and expert tips on finding the perfect watermelon, on our website www.arkansashouse.org.

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

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Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 21

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 21

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 10

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 12

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 19

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UA Cossatot Announces their LPN Graduates

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UA Cossatot hosted a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) graduation and pinning ceremony on Friday, June 25, at the UA Cossatot Bank of Lockesburg Historic Gymnasium.

Graduates included: Sanjuana Alvarez-Hernandez, Victoria Boyd, Heather Bradshaw, Dondria Burdette, Rosio Cisneros, Brittany Crumpler, Elizabeth DiBucci, Yatzari Dominguez, Hannah Fry, Myranda Gross, Caitlin Harding, Evie Harris, Crystal Hernandez, Alondra Lerma, Haley Manasco, Ana Martinez, Leslie Martinez, Emily McCarley, Hannah Pate, Alexis Rubio, Gabriela Ruiz, Shyla Schwartz, Maeghan Vaughn, Caylee Young, Victoria Alfaro, Ada Camarillo, Aldair Guerrero, Kimberly McCauley, Samantha Molina, JaQuasha Ogden, and Hailey Oglesby.

The Practical Nursing Program offers two educational formats for students, an 11-month day program that begins in August and ends in June and an 18-month evening program that begins in January and ends in June of the following year. Students successfully completing the Practical Nursing Program Course are awarded a Technical Certificate. The course of study meets the requirements of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, and after graduation, students are eligible to apply for the State licensing examination to become an LPN.

Dr. Ashley Aylett, Vice Chancellor for Academics, stated “we are extremely happy we were able to gather in-person to celebrate these LPN graduates. We are always proud of all our graduates, but we are especially proud of this LPN cohort. The COVID-19 pandemic made the past year extremely difficult to navigate for most everyone. This particular group of LPN students experienced a complete change in the way the nursing program was delivered—requiring them to transition to several months of virtual learning, testing, and clinical. These students’ dedication and determination are evident through the successful completion of the program during a time like none of us have experienced. This was also our first time hosting the nursing pinning combined with the conferral of degrees. This allowed students and families to gather for a single ceremony versus two as we have done in the past. We feel the single ceremony was extremely meaningful and successful.”

For more information on UA Cossatot’s LPN program, contact Medical Education at 870-584-1211.

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Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

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Arkansas started a new fiscal year this week, and final reports for the previous year give us an optimistic outlook about the future of our economy.

Fiscal Year 2021 ended on June 30. We began Fiscal Year 2022 on July 1.

Results from collections and distributions for FY2021 reached $6.845 billion. This is $1.09 billion or 19% above prior-year results.

The collections fully funded the Revenue Stabilization Act for the Fiscal Year 2021 and left a surplus of $945.7 million. The fiscal year ended above forecast in all major categories of collections and above year-ago levels. The Department of Finance and Administration says there are several contributing factors.

The deadline for individual income taxes was extended last year to July. Payroll withholding tax exceeded expectations amid a faster rebound in the state economy. Sales tax exceeded expectations from the combined factors of an economic rebound, stimulus transfers, and growth in online marketplace sales.

The state’s most significant sources of revenue come from individual income tax and sales and use tax.

•• Individual income tax collections totaled $3.97 billion. That is $550 million or 16.1% above FY2020.

•• Sales and Use collections totaled $2.88 billion. That is $340 million or 13.4% above FY2020.

•• Corporate Income Taxes totaled $651.9 million. That is an increase of $169.8 million or 35.2% above FY2020.

This week, the Governor authorized the Department of Finance and Administration to increase the state forecast for FY2021 by $213 million.

This increase allowed for $86.6 million to be diverted to the Medicaid trust fund. That brings the balance of the trust fund to more than $600 million, ensuring that there are adequate funds for the healthcare of low-income Arkansans.

After the revised forecast, the state’s Long-Term Reserve Fund has a balance of $1.22 billion.

The Governor has indicated he will call a special session this fall to address future tax cuts. We will continue to update you on any developments.

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Community Fundraiser Racks up Over $15,000 for Up-and-Coming Soccer Complex in De Queen

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NEWS RELEASE

Samaritan Fields             Contact: 870-584-9928

JuLY 5th, 2021                 SamaritanFields@gmail.com   

Community Fundraiser racks up over $15,000 for up-and-coming Soccer Complex in De Queen

DE QUEEN, AR— The first-ever “Field of Dreams” fundraiser netted more than $15,000 for the Samaritan Fields Soccer project on Collin Raye Drive in De Queen this 4th of July weekend.

A diverse group of Community members teamed up to collaborate resources for the July 3rd event and celebrated with festival-style vibes, flavorful food, FIFA, inflatables, and family-friendly fun Saturday night. Several efforts were made to raise the money, including food sales, auction items, and T-shirt sales, as well as donations collected from parking for the city Firework show.

Hundreds of area residents attended the event and contributed support for the developing facilities throughout the day, including representative Deann Vaught, along with several local business owners and community leaders. The event also provided a covid-19 shot booth and voter registration tent, adding nearly a dozen Arkansans to the state’s vaccinated list.

Project organizer Esteban Ochoa reported the total amount raised was $15,898.85, including additional dollars gathered from a “50/50 day” partnership with Simple Simon’s Pizza of De Queen Monday, July 5th. Pulled together with just 3 months of planning, the “Field of Dreams” fundraiser was designed to draw up support for the project and raise awareness about the community goal of bringing the High School state soccer championship to De Queen by 2026.

Event organizers would like to express appreciation to all who attended and say “thank you” to everyone who has supported the Samaritan Fields initiative in De Queen.

Plans for future fundraisers are already in discussion as the “Field of Dreams” night is set to become an annual event for the Sevier County community. Ongoing construction and maintenance are required for the project to become both sustainable and successful, and continual community support will be needed. Businesses or individuals interested in helping bring state-of-the-art community soccer fields to De Queen can call 870-584-9928 or email SamaritanFields@gmail.com.

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Tuesday's COVID-19 Active Cases and Vaccines Update from the AR Dept of Health

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Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 14

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 18

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 10

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 13

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 13

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Widespread Shower and Thunderstorm Activity Is Expected Across SW Arkansas Thursday

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Showers and thunderstorms will become widespread across much of the state Thursday and Thursday night. While severe weather chances remain low, some storms could produce locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

Heat indices across southern Arkansas could approach or exceed 100 degrees in some locations Thursday afternoon.

Widespread showers and thunderstorms will persist across roughly the southern half of the state on Friday. Severe weather chances will remain low, but a few storms could produce locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

After a mostly dry weekend, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are back in the forecast Monday and Tuesday.

Message Last Updated: 4:32 AM local time on 7/1/2021.