Dustin Roberts of UA Cossatot Foundation and Jimmy Carver of Carver’s Refrigeration Heating and Air in Lockesburg
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas Update
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 44
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 28
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 14
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 17
Active COVID-19 Cases Update in SW Arkansas from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 44
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 30
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 17
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 5
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 21
Aerial Photos of Construction on the New Sevier County Medical Center
Photos by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon
FRIENDS Foundation Announced a One Million Dollar SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program Grant for Sevier County Small Business Assistance
COVID-19 Update for SW Arkansas from the Arkansas Department of Health
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 49
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 37
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 29
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 6
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 20
Aerial Photos of the New Sevier County Medical Center
Photos provided by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon
Scenes from the Veterans' Day Breakfast at UA Cossatot
“This is Home” -Sixty years of Scissors, Succession and Service in Sevier County, Arkansas
DE QUEEN, AR— After finishing High School, Gehri Packnett was looking for a job when he discovered an opportunity that ended up lasting him a lifetime.
In February of 1962, he walked into a Barber shop in De Queen, Arkansas and he hasn’t had any other job since being given a chance that day.
After completing barber college in Little Rock, Gehri began his career at the shop that was then called “George’s,” and after 10 years he bought the business and changed the storefront’s name to his own in 1972. The shop changed ownership again 36 years later in 2008 when Gehri’s stepson, Jeff purchased it and gave the store his name. Now, the duo work side by side together and provide services for a faithful base of clients who have counted on them since the days of their first childhood trims.
Cutting hair on the Downtown Square in De Queen was the first job Gehri ever got, the only job he has ever had, and the only job he says he ever wants. In February 2022, the Oklahoma native will celebrate 60 years of visiting with customers, sharing stories, preparing locals for special occasions and “making those guys look good.”
For six decades, Gehri has watched the community change and grow as businesses in the Southwest border town have come and gone over the years. Despite receiving offers in Texarkana, Arkadelphia, and Little Rock, Gehri has turned down every business proposition to come his way because he only wants to live and work in De Queen. “This is home,” he says. “I grew up 8 miles from De Queen on the state line near the Rock creek area of Oklahoma. I’ve given a lot of these guys their first haircuts and I still cut their hair to this day.”
Patrons of the shop can build a relationship with guys who know the town’s history and have run a family business in the same location for more than half a century. The Father and Stepson team are currently the shop’s only employees, but in the past, Gehri’s Wife Judy, sister Terri, and his son, Scott have helped out with maintaining the family-owned operation.
When asked the secret of his business and career longevity, Gehri says simply “Sticking with it” is the key. Continuing to “stick with it” is exactly what Gehri Packnett intends to do, as he says he has no plans for retirement, and he intends to cut hair in De Queen Arkansas until his last days.
Jeff’s Barber Shop is located at 308 West De Queen Avenue in Downtown De Queen, Arkansas, and they are open Tuesday-Friday from 7:00am-5:00pm and Saturdays 7:00am-2:00pm.
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 64
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 42
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 50
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 10
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 12
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 86
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 23
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 55
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 9
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 12
Area County Judges in SW AR Proclaim This Week as Colts Week
De Queen Lions Club Distributed Candy to Pre-K and Kindergarten Students in De Queen and Horatio
De Queen Lions Club members: Jeff Brown, Teri Hart, Meagan Blanton, Christie McCullough, and Jon Bunyard distributed candy to Pre-K and Kindergarten students in De Queen and Horatio Thursday.
Colts and Lady Colts Read "Salt in His Shoes" to De Queen Elementary Students Wednesday
“The students and staff at De Queen Elementary had an exciting day interacting with the Lady Colts and Colts of UA Cossatot yesterday. They learned about perseverance and acceptance through the reading of Salt in His Shoes and enjoyed conversations with the team members. Receiving a Colts tee shirt from UA Cossatot served as the icing on the cake for DES students. Thank you UA Cossatot for the experience!”
UA Cossatot to Host Veterans Day Breakfast
UA Cossatot will host its annual Veterans Day breakfast on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at the UA Cossatot De Queen Campus in the Skilled Trades Building.
The event will take place from 8:30 am until 10:00 am. Along with food, the event will include a presentation, guest speaker, and door prizes to celebrate and honor local veterans in Southwest Arkansas.
All veterans and their families are invited to attend.
For more information on this year’s Veterans Day breakfast, contact Loren Hinton at 870-584-1179 or lhinton@cccua.edu. ###
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
There are two big developments this week regarding our state’s economy.
Unemployment in Arkansas continues to decline, and our budget forecast was adjusted to reflect an increase in revenue.
The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services says Arkansas’ unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage point from 4.2% in August to 4.0% in September.
This is the third month in a row that we have seen a decline in unemployment, and we continue to remain below the national rate of 4.8%.
We were also informed this week of a forecast revision to the general revenue budget. The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) now says the forecast for Fiscal Year 2022 is $246.2 million more than previously forecasted.
The forecast revision for FY 2023 was also increased to $6.454 billion, which is an increase of $298.5 million over the prior release.
Individual income tax and sales and use tax are the two largest sources of general revenue to the state.
This week, the Governor outlined an income tax cut proposal but added he would not call for a special session the week of October 25 as originally planned.
The Governor’s proposal would lower the top rate from 5.9% to 5.5% in the next year and then lower it to 5.3% by 2024. His proposal also provides a low-income tax break and increases the individual tax credit.
Members continue to review tax cut proposals. It is anticipated that we will be called into a special session for that purpose at a later date.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that nine states have passed reductions in either personal or corporate income tax this year. Several other states are considering proposals.
We will continue to update you on any developments.You can find the latest news from the House of Representatives atwww.arkansashouse.org.
UA Cossatot’s OER Program Has Saved Students Nearly 2.5 Million Since 2015
PRESS RELEASE
183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832
870-584-1172
www.cccua.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 25 October 2021
CONTACT: Dustin Roberts, Director of Development
UA Cossatot’s OER Program Saves Students Nearly 2.5 Million Since 2015
UA Cossatot’s Open Educational Resource (OER) program has saved students of the college nearly 2.5 million in textbook rental fees. Since 2015, the program has saved students $2,238,961.07.
“We began our innovative internal textbook rental and OER program with a primary goal of removing the financial barrier expensive textbooks posed to our students and it’s clear that we’ve accomplished that goal. In six short years, we’ve saved our students millions of dollars in textbook expenses and we continue to lead Arkansas in OER usage among two-year colleges,” said OER Specialist and Director of Educational Resources Relinda Ruth.
UA Cossatot students have saved $433,793.85 for the three semesters of 2020-21. In addition, UA Cossatot’s OER adoption has grown significantly. At the end of the 2015-16 academic year, UA Cossatot was 35% OER. Currently, the college is at 65%.
Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “In 2015, we decided that college did not have to cost as much as it does and we knew that if we developed a way students could save money, it would help students reach their goals. Eliminating most, if not all, of the costs associated with textbooks was something that we knew would help students clear a major hurdle in their educational pursuits. Six years later, our faculty have converted 65% of all UA Cossatot courses to Open Educational Resources (OER), meaning zero textbook cost for their courses. We will always keep looking for creative ways to make college more affordable to our students.”
Director Ruth will present at Open Florida, speaking on “Zero to Sixty in Five Years: University of Arkansas-Cossatot Pathway to 60% Participation.” In addition, Ruth will travel to Atlanta next year and present at the SREB conference, speaking on “Developmental Education and College Readiness.”
For more information on UA Cossatot’s OER program, contact Relinda Ruth at 870-584-1181 or rruth@cccua.edu.
###
The University of Arkansas Cossatot is a community college in Southwest Arkansas accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Offering technical certification and Associate degrees, UAC also collaborates with other colleges and universities to offer bachelor's degrees on its three campuses. UAC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 and other Civil Rights laws and offers equal opportunity for admission and employment. Employment preference is given to applicants possessing a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) with all other qualifications being equal. Programs and activities of UAC are provided to all students without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, Vietnam era veteran or special disabled veteran status, or sex. Questions or concerns regarding affirmative action can be directed to the Compliance Officer, c/o UA Cossatot, 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832. For Arkansas RELAY Voiced Services call 711 or 800-285-1121. Visit www.cccua.edu for more information.
UA Cossatot Colts Basketball Season Tips Off November 1
Severe Weather Briefing for Arkansas
The potential for severe weather remains for Sunday night into the early morning hours on Monday. All severe hazards will be possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and some tornadic activity. Please refer to the attached briefing for the latest information.
Active Cases of COVID-19 in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 67Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 43Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 29Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 23Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 22
