Jeff Tollett, Manager of the Four States Fiber Outside Fiber Plant, updated De Queen Lions Club at Tuesday's noon meeting. As part of the Diamond State network, a coalition of 13 Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, the wholesale broadband provider in the state aims to provide high-speed internet access to 1.25 million rural Arkansans. Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative was awarded $53 million in FCC funding to provide high-speed fiber service to over 26,000 homes in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The benefits include 100 megabits per second upload/download for $49.95/month and 1 gigabit per second upload/download speeds for $79.95. Tollett also talked about the service reliability focus of Four States Fiber.
UA Cossatot Shooting Sports Team Tryouts Scheduled For September 9th
In preparation for their inaugural shooting sports season this October, UA Cossatot will hold team tryouts on Friday, September 9.
UA Cossatot already competes in the NJCAA Division II Region 2 in men’s and women’s basketball, and Shooting Sports is the latest foray into collegiate sports. Current students who are interested in participating in the Shooting Sports tryouts on September 9th, should contact Coach Brett Blackburn at 941-726-2245. Scholarships are available for Shooting Sports and all men and women are invited to tryout. UA Cossatot hopes to have a competitive team in place this year and plans to add men’s and women’s soccer in Fall of 2023.
Again, for more information about the UA Cossatot shooting sports program, contact coach Brett Blackburn at 941-726-2245 or via email at bblackburn@cccua.edu.
Relinda Ruth of UA Cossatot contributing to OER and OEN national events
Relinda Ruth of the UA Cossatot OER and Arkansas OEN
Our money-saving textbook policy is one aspect of a UA Cossatot educational experience that is different from many other colleges. Relinda Ruth not only heads up our Open Education Resources, but she is a recognized leader in the state in this field. Relinda was recently interviewed by the Open Education Network. That interview can be found at https://open.umn.edu/.../member-spotlight-arkansas...
Recently, the ACC joined the OEN. The OEN recently interviewed Relinda Ruth about Arkansas’s move toward OER and the ACC’s recent membership to the OEN. They published the interview on their blog- https://open.umn.edu/oen/blog-and-events
As the Arkansas OEN leader, Ruth participated in a 3-hour synchronous Zoom session on Wednesday morning. The presenters for the train-the-trainer event were Meggie Mapes, Introductory Course Director at the University of Kansas, and Cheryl Casey, Open Education Librarian at the University of Arizona.
There are 8 OEN delegates around the state, and institutions can select three individuals to serve as OER ambassadors. Arkansas can have 75 Open Educational Resource (OER) ambassadors among the ACC’s institutions. Ambassadors will be trained to bring expertise, mentorship, and best practices back to their member community. They will learn to facilitate workshops to engage and support faculty through a train-the-trainer event.
Library Snippets from Johnye Fisher of the Sevier County Library System
School is back in session, and we have finally gotten some much-needed rain. We hope to be moving into fall soon, so don’t be surprised if you come in and see lots of fall decorations in the library. We just love fall!
September is Library Card Sign-up month, so if you don’t have a library card, stop in and get one. We will tell you just what you have to have. This card entitles you to Books, DVDs, Audio Books, as well as the Libby App to read or listen to books online on your phone, kindle, or tablet.
Ms. Catherine has moved to Horatio Library, and we miss her but are glad she is still with our system. We will sure miss Kelsie, so please give her a big send-off on her new journey in Dentistry. Also, please welcome Carolyn and Freda. These ladies have been training for a few weeks and are learning to take care of our patrons. Thank you all for your patience.
This month there will be only one storytime since school has started, and everyone is getting back in the groove of things; it will be September 21st at 4 pm. It will be on Grandparents since Grandparents day is this month.
We still have seeds for checkout to plant. However, we do ask that if you have seeds from your harvest, you share them with us so we can keep our seed program going.
And don’t forget you can access our card catalog anytime at:
www.seviercountylibrary.com/county-card-catalog.
Don’t forget we have the LIBBYAPP. You can follow the instructions to download the Libby app from our Facebook.com/seviercountylibrary or simply go to your play store on your device. Remember you must search “Arkansas Digital Library Consortium” and hold a valid library card to browse our selection. For more information, you can call 584-4364
Catherine says so many exciting things are going on at the Horatio Library! We are having our new library dog, Dusty, on September 10th at 10:00 am. We will learn about therapy dogs and what they do, plus the kids will hear a story about another library dog. Our gigantic book sale is still going on, and you can find some wonderful books that need new homes. Our new outside little free library box has been installed and is just waiting for you. We are continuing to do some rearranging inside, and we hope you will like the changes. Be sure to check out our new DVD section plus our series DVDs. Tuesdays are open if your group would like to get together to play cards or games. Just give us a call. We would love to see you check out books or just say "howdy."
Have you peeked into the Lockesburg Branch Library lately? A new project is underway. Mz. Wendy is refurbishing the older juvenile hardback books. “New and clean” or “old and tired-looking,” which would you choose? By creating new dust jackets with updated fonts and graphics, a new life is being given to these books. Who knows what real gem may now be discovered that was overlooked because the book looked old and used. It is an inescapable fact of life; “we do judge a book by its cover.” If you haven’t visited the Library recently, you need to do so now that school is back in session and find a good read for yourself. Our library is amazing and getting better all the time. Call Mz Wendy at 289-2233
Hello from Gillham Library! We want to welcome Mz. Freda Kyles to the Gillham Library. She will be working on Friday afternoons. We hate to lose Kelsie, but you can see her at Smile’s Dentistry. As always, we have some good books for you to check out. David Baldacci’s 6:20 Man, James Patterson’s Shattered, and Catherine Coulter’s Reckoning. For the kids, we have Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sing DVDs. We are busy playing dominoes on Tuesday mornings 9-12 if you like to play, come on by. We have Notary services available on Tuesday’s and don’t forget you can make copies.
Aerial photos of the new Sevier County Medical Center
Photos provided by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon
Active Cases of COVID-19 for SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 122
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 47
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 46
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 64
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 17
Active Cases Data for Miller County
Total Active Cases: 178
Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Sevier County
Aerial Photos of the new Sevier County Medical Center in SW Arkansas
Aerial Photos provided by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon
Current Active COVID-19 Cases Reported in SW AR
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 150
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 119
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 65
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 32
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 23
Active Cases Data for Miller County
Total Active Cases: 166
Janna Morse 2022 Arkansas 4-H Governor's Award; Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County was a Finalist
GOVERNOR'S AWARD — Janna Morse, center in white jacket, was named the 2022 Arkansas Governors' Award winner in a ceremony July 27, 2022, in Fayetteville. The award is highest given in the Arkansas 4-H program. From left to right: John Thomas, managing director of the Arkansas 4-H Foundation, Deacue Fields, vice president of agriculture for the UA System; Darlene Baker, 4-H Foundation Board member; Morse; Angie Freel, director of Arkansas 4-H; and Bob Scott, head of the Cooperative Extension Service. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Ryan McGeeney)
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Janna Morse’s service to others took root in Washington County more than a decade ago and has since expanded far beyond Arkansas’ borders. On Wednesday, the West Fork teen received the 2022 Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award, the highest honor an Arkansas 4-H member can receive.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Morse, 18, as the winner on July 27 in a recorded message played during the Arkansas 4-H Awards of Excellence ceremony at the University of Arkansas, where more than 300 4-H members from across the state are competing in statewide events.
Magon James, 17, of Arkansas County, and Ethan Wolcott of Sevier County also were finalists for the Governor’s Award.
“This award is given to the individual who best embodies the 4-H spirit,” Hutchinson said. “The three finalists have shown a drive for success, and today we honor them. I’m proud of all three for their commitment to 4-H and their representation of our state.”
The Governor’s Award, started in 1983, is available to former state 4-H record book winners. Applicants are judged based on their project record books, their application and an interview.
Morse, a member of Washington County 4-H, has excelled in her food and nutrition project with a focus on combating food insecurity and hunger. She has represented Arkansas 4-H at the 4-H Healthy Habits Conference and the National 4-H Healthy Living Summit, both in Washington, D.C., as well as at National 4-H Congress in Atlanta.
A self-described “shy child,” Morse said 4-H has taught her to step outside her comfort zone.
“4-H has given me a foundation of confidence and made me an avid goal-setter,” she said.
In Washington County, Morse has shared her diverse American, Asian and Hispanic heritage through food. When the Fayetteville-based M & N Augustine Foundation had to cancel its international food fundraiser due to COVID-19, Morse marketed Eastern cuisines, helping the nonprofit exceed its fundraising goal. She continues to work with the nonprofit, which assists people affected by catastrophic loss.
Morse also created a teen community service group that raised $600 for the Salvation Army, packed 180 meals for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, and gathered and distributed feminine products to 100 local women in need.
Morse’s work extends well beyond Arkansas wherever she sees a need. After Sri Lanka experienced its deadliest day of terrorism, Morse organized a wound care supply drive that collected 70 pounds of medical supplies that were sent to Sri Lanka’s National Hospital. Her service group also sent supplies to a rural school in Sri Lanka and made puppets for children in Honduras.
This fall, Morse will attend the University of Arkansas to study international and global relations, with an emphasis on peace, security and human rights. One day, she said she hopes to have a career as a foreign service officer. Her parents are James Morse and Palika Dias-Morse.
Morse received a $3,000 scholarship, an engraved silver tray, and her name will be added to a plaque on permanent display at the C. A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center. The other finalists each received a $1,000 scholarship and an engraved silver bowl. Both are longtime 4-H member with extensive achievements.
Magon James
Magon James, 18, of Arkansas County showed livestock at the county, district and state levels before switching her project to fashion. She competes in national scholarship pageants and modifies clothing to create one-of-a kind designs. Earlier this year, she was selected to be a runway model at New York Fashion Week to model CharJean Couture. Through her project, she learned to sew and design and has made numerous dolls, pillows and other items for hospital and nursing home patients.
While fashion is her main project, James remains passionate about animals and volunteers with Passionate Paws, a nonprofit that helps abandoned animals. She plans to attend veterinary school and one day have her own veterinary practice with a rescue center for cats and dogs.
Ethan Wolcott
Ethan Wolcott, 18, Sevier County, has been a 4-H member for nine years. He initially had a livestock project but switched his project to leadership and community service, which quickly became his passion — so much that he started the Sevier County Community Changers 4-H Club, which focuses on community service. Wolcott is the club president and looks for ways to serve. Last year, he raised money to buy fans for Sevier County residents without air-conditioning. He’s also organized Santa for Seniors and been involved with numerous food drives, disaster relief and clothing drives.
4-H is the premier youth development program of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. Programs are offered in every county in Arkansas. To learn more about 4-H, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension.
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 89
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 135
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 56
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 40
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 31
Active Cases Data for Miller County
Total Active Cases: 205
Notice from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Share Post)
(Photo by David George)
Arkansas Cattlemen's Association
All of Arkansas is in a drought for the first time in 10 years. Conditions are rough for all of agriculture.
Hay production has all but stopped in the majority of the state, with estimates of drastically less hay harvested this year and a need to start feeding it soon because of limited grass.
Cattle are being sold at a drastically increased rate at Arkansas livestock markets because of limited grazing.
The ACA and Governor Asa Hutchinson have requested a USDA Drought Disaster Declaration for the entire state of Arkansas.
The ACA has also requested $3.5 million for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to create a new program to help producers through this time - the Arkansas Emergency Feed Assistance Transportation Program.
This program would provide financial assistance to producers on transportation costs of feedstuffs, including hay, during this drought.
How can you help? Share this post to raise awareness, be prepared to contact your legislators if we make a call to action, and take care of yourself and your herd in this heat.
Latest COVID Numbers in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 99
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 119
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 53
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 56
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 26
For additional assistance or questions, call the ADH COVID-19 Call Center at 1-800-803-7847, or email ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov.
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
Research has shown that 90 percent of a person’s brain develops in the first five years of life.
That is why a child’s experiences and relationships during that time are critically important. Reading not only engages children and boosts brain development, but it also helps children and parents and children bond.
This year the Department of Human Services launched the “10 Minutes Matter” reading campaign.
Studies have shown that reading just one short book every day to a young child can increase their vocabulary by 300,000 words.
Reading creates a wonderful bonding experience between parent and child starting at birth. It stimulates the imagination and expands children’s knowledge of the world. It also strengthens social and emotional development by teaching them words to express their feelings.
Reading to your child for just 10 minutes a day can make a big difference and it is never too early to start.
For families with limited resources, there are several ways to get books a little to no cost.
The Arkansas Imagination Library works in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to send every child in Arkansas from birth to age 5 a new book each month. The books are free of cost and age-appropriate.
Research has shown that a child with 25 books in their home complete an average of two additional years of schooling compared to their peers without books in their home. The goal of the Arkansas Imagination Library is that every kindergartner begins school with 60 books in their home.
You can also check out books from your local library. We have posted a link to a map of all libraries in the state as well as a link to the Arkansas Imagination Library website on our website at www.arkansashouse.org.
Sevier County Library Snippets with Johnye Fisher
School starting is just around the corner and we hope that you have had a marvelous summer.
Well, the Summer Reading Program has come and gone but the Contest will be until July 31. So make sure you turn in your reading records in time. Those Children wishing to participate can stop by and pick up a reading record to record the books they have read and whoever reads the most books in their age group will win a backpack with school supplies.
The programs in July at 11:00 a.m. are as follows:
July 6th Seas’ your future Program
July 13th Snakes with AGFC
July 20th Story and Fun with Kelsie
July 27th Delta Dental Program
We would like to thank Klondike and Saybra with Healthcare Express, Casey and Friend with AGFC, De Queen Fire Department, The De Queen Bee, KDQN, and all parents, children and volunteers who helped make this year’s program a success.
We still have seeds of all kinds for checkout to plant. However, we do ask that if you have seeds from your harvest, you share them with us so we can keep our seed program going.
And don’t forget you can access our card catalog anytime at:
www.seviercountylibrary.com/county-card-catalog.
Don’t forget we have the LIBBYAPP. You can follow the instructions to download the libbyapp from our Facebook.com/seviercountylibrary or simply go to your play store on your device. Remember you must search “Arkansas Digital Library Consortium” and hold a valid library card to browse our selection. For more information, you can call 584-4364
Horatio Library Summer is in full force. It is so hot outside. What better thing to do than to sit at home and read a good book. We have a lot of good books this month. We have new books that are for everyone in the family. Summer is a good time for the kids to do some extra reading. We will be having our children’s program on July 16th at 10 a.m. Please make plans to come out and join us. If you haven’t you need to stop by and look at our new interactive sidewalk. Bring the kids, they will love it, come on in and see what Horatio Library has to offer you.
Kids come to the Lockesburg Library for Shark Week, July 6,7 and 9. It is s part of our summer of learning about the Ocean. The next two weeks we will explore the ocean lives of Whales and then Octopus. There are activities, books, treats and games. We will have our drawing for Summer Reading Program winners to be announced and awarded August 3rd. Also in August Mz. Wendy is continuing to providing Summer Page scheduling. Speak to her about learning some basis library science and working some at the library if you need service or volunteer hours. Wendy Clay, 870-289-2233.
Hello from Gillham Library! The Summer Reading Program has been a success this year! We are so glad the kids enjoyed the programs and we plan to have some more things for them so watch our Facebook page. Sure want to thank Arkansas Game and Fish for coming and bringing the little alligator and having the fish program too. We want to thank Rick and Tina Robinson and Freda Kyles for supporting our program this year. It sure helps our small library to be able to provide snacks and treats for the kids. Come see us and get a library card if you don’t already have one and check out a great book or DVD. Remember we are Open Tuesday 9-1, Friday 1-5 and Saturday 10-2. Call Rhonda, Kelsie or Mr. Bob at 386-5665 for more information.
Aerial photos of the new Sevier County Medical Center
Photos provided by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon
UA Cossatot Partners with Dr. Randy Walker Clinic to Provide Mental Health Services to Students
UA Cossatot and Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice and Allergy Clinic recently partnered to provide mental health services to UA Cossatot students with no out-of-pocket expense to students.
The plan is for the clinic to bill the student’s insurance if available and then bill the college for any remainder. UA Cossatot has received HEERF funds to cover this cost, which are projected to consist mainly of copays.
Tonya Chambers, PMHNP, with Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice and Allergy Clinic, provides health coaching to patients struggling with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, tobacco cessation, grief, anger management, OCD, PTSD, Trauma, and Caregiver support.
Angie Walker, with Dr. Randy Walker Family Practice and Allery Clinic, said, “Our goal is to improve health outcomes, reduce costs and create a happy, healthy community. This Partnership is the first step!”
Mental health services will be available to all UA Cossatot students beginning July 1. “This will be super convenient for our De Queen students, but telehealth will also be available so students on our other 3 locations can also utilize these services face-to-face!” said Suzanne Ward, Director of Student Services. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, “Up to 44% of college students reported having symptoms of depression and anxiety.” Additionally, “Up to 75% of struggling students are reluctant to seek help. This increases the risk of harmful outcomes, such as dropping out of college, poor academic performance, suicide and substance abuse.”
UA Cossatot Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole said, “UA Cossatot students are the reason we exist and we want to make sure we are doing all we can to make them successful. Today's world has brought more stress than we have ever seen, and partnering with Dr. Walker's office to offer mental health counseling for our students will hopefully give our students a private and helpful way for them to deal with this stress or any other mental health matter they are facing. We also wanted to make sure there was no cost to our students for this service. We want to have healthy students...body and mind, and we feel this is a helpful way to accomplish this.”
For more information, contact Suzanne Ward at 870-584-1143 or sward@cccua.edu
Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught
If you are someone you know is caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, you may be interested in a new program launched this week.
The Arkansas Legislative Council recently approved the creation and funding for the Dementia Respite Care Pilot Program.
This program provides $500 respite grants to enable caregivers to take a break from caregiving.
It is estimated that more than 93,000 Arkansans are caring for a loved one with dementia. Full-time caregiving can take an emotional and physical toll on anyone. This program is designed to give those care-takers time to rest or just get out of the house to do routine activities many of us take for granted.
The program is the first of its kind in Arkansas. It was established by the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Advisory Council, which was created as a result of Act 391 in the 2021 Regular Session.
In addition to authorizing the Respite Program, the Council has worked to update Arkansas’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Disease State Plan.
Under the Respite Program, families can receive two grants during a calendar year (with at least six months between approved dates). To qualify, care recipients must live in Arkansas and have a primary or secondary diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other dementia. Additionally, the diagnosis must state that the patient requires daily assistance.
Respite Program grants come from a $200,000 investment, funded through the Social Services Block Grant.
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Respite Care Pilot Program is administered by the DHS Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance.
These grants are available now and interested parties can apply starting today.
To learn more about the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Respite Care Pilot Program and to apply for assistance, please visit www.ALZark.org/grants, email grants@ALZark.org, or call 501-224-0021, extension 210.
Aerial Photos of New Sevier County Medical Center Construction Site
Photos provided by Monte Bartek of Bartek Recon.
