Michael D. Jones and Linda Croy of Bentonville Establish Howard County Scholarship
UA Cossatot Foundation recently received a $5,000 gift from Michael D. Jones and Linda Croy of Bentonville, AR.
The gift will establish the Michael D. Jones Sophomore Scholarship and award five students from Howard County a $1,000 scholarship each. In addition, students must have completed at least 30 credit hours, be in a degree-specific field of study, and have a financial need.
Jones said, “I grew up in Howard County and my parents, Darwin and Effie Jones, were educators in Mineral Springs, Arkansas. I wanted to contribute to the education of students attending the UA Cossatot to give back to that area.”
The UA Cossatot Foundation welcomes gifts of any amount to support scholarships and help UA Cossatot achieve its educational mission.
Dustin Roberts, UA Cossatot’s Director of Development, said, “We greatly appreciate Michael and Linda’s generous donation to support our Howard County Students. This gift will truly make a difference and help local college students achieve their educational goals.”
For more information or to make a gift to the UA Cossatot Foundation, contact Dustin Roberts at 870-584-1172 or droberts@cccua.edu.
UA Cossatot Receives Harvest Regional Bank’s 2022 Outstanding Partner in Education Award
UA Cossatot was selected as Harvest Regional Food Bank’s 2022 Outstanding Partner in Education at this year’s Hunger Action Luncheon held on September 27, 2022, in Texarkana, TX. Erika Buenrrostro and Alisa Cooke with UA Cossatot attended the luncheon and accepted the award.
Harvest Regional Food Bank recognized UA Cossatot and the work the college’s Center for Student Success’s food pantry has done to help combat hunger on all four campuses.
“Joining during an unprecedented global pandemic and jumping right in to provide food assistance to students in not one but four of our counties is no small task! This is why we will be honoring our partnership with UA Cossatot and our other award recipients,” said Callie Buckley, Harvest Regional Food Bank Impact Coordinator.
“We are super excited to receive the “Harvest Regional Bank’s 2022 Outstanding Partner in Education Award” recognition presented by Harvest Foods. Food insecurity is an issue in every community but also impacts college campuses nationwide. While food and housing costs continue to increase, we wanted to create a safe place on campus where students could receive weekly food voucher cards and bags, allowing them to focus more on academics. The Center for Student Success takes pride in its services and feels honored to be
chosen as the recipient of this award. Opening the Center in 2017 has been one of our most significant accomplishments on campus,” said Erika Buenrrostro, Director of Student Success and Enrichment.
For more information, contact Erika Buenrrostro at 870-584-1133 or ebuenrrosto@cccua.edu.
AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address Celebrating the Heritage of Hispanic Americans
LITTLE ROCK – Today I would like to talk about Hispanic Heritage Month and what this occassion represents. Hispanic influence can be seen in all aspects of American life and culture.
In the 1980’s Arkansas saw a growth in the Hispanic population, which continued well into the 21st century. According to the 2020 census, Arkansas was one of 15 states where the Hispanic population made up more than half of all population growth in the state. Hispanic roots in Arkansas run deep and have become a vital part of our communities around the state.
In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a week-long celebration for Hispanic Heritage. He believed that it was important to celebrate the heritage of our American citizens who were of Hispanic descent because it was those who came before them who helped settle our land and built our country into what it is now.
Later in 1988, Hispanic Heritage Week grew into Hispanic Heritage Month after President Ronald Reagan signed it into law.
It is no coincidence that this falls in September as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their independence on September 15. But also, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
Hispanic Heritage is American heritage because the American story is about every person who takes responsibility, works hard, and dreams big. When we take the time to honor those who made this American story possible, we can overcome America’s challenges and continue to be a beacon of freedom for the world.
When President Reagan signed into law the month-long celebration, he did so because he believed that the celebration of Hispanic Heritage was an example of how fundamental family is to our country.
He believed that the strength of America’s families translated into the strength of our country. This time of celebration looks into a culture’s strongest qualities, and Hispanic Heritage Month is a time where we can honor a love for family and connect through the stories of those who came before us.
UA Cossatot Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Old Lockesburg Middle School
UA Cossatot hosted an open house on Thursday, September 15, to showcase Phase I completion of the old Lockesburg Middle School restoration project. Visitors toured the Blue Darter Museum, the Community Room, and six classrooms. Dr. Steve Cole, Chancellor of UA Cossatot, was on hand to answer questions about the project and the future plans for the updated facility. New to Lockesburg will be a nursing medical simulation lab and plenty of new classroom space to offer new training and programs.
The Lockesburg restoration project was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Phase 2 of the project is scheduled to begin the week of September 19 and will include the south side of the old middle school facility. According to Dr. Cole, when Phase 2 is completed, UA Cossatot plans to ask the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program to name the entire 9.8-acre Lockesburg campus as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places, with the renovated buildings designated as contributing buildings.
Members of the public who wish to donate money or artifacts to the Blue Darter Museum or the campus beautification effort may contact UA Cossatot Director of Development Dustin Roberts at droberts@cccua.edu or call (870) 584-1172. In addition, bricks, classrooms, and the exterior building are available for naming as part of the Blue Darter Heritage Campaign.
Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas
Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 62
Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 38
Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 23
Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 39
Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 11
Active Cases Data for Miller County
Total Active Cases: 106
Lockesburg Middle School Restoration Project Open House September 15th
Work is wrapping up on the latest phase of the restoration project at the old Lockesburg Middle School. UA Cossatot will host an open house at the location on Thursday, September 15th from 11:00 AM till 1:00 PM. The public is invited to the event to tour the remodeled facility, which will house a Lockesburg School Museum as well as classrooms for UA Cossatot.
Weekly Update from State Representative
Labor Day is a time to reflect on the social and economic achievements of American workers. The labor force in Arkansas and its forecasted potential is worth celebrating.
The most recent report from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) shows unemployment in our state at 3.2 percent. The jobless rate nationwide stands at 3.5 percent.
According to an ADWS report titled Long-Term Industry and Occupational Projections, Arkansas will add 124,387 new jobs by the year 2030. That’s a 9.05% increase.
Goods-Producing industries are expected to add 14,340 new jobs, while the Services-Providing industries should see most of the growth, with 114,345 new jobs being added.
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations is estimated to add 21,219 jobs during the projection period, a 21.11 percent increase, making the major group the top and fastest growing in the state. Restaurant cooks are slated to be the second fastest growing occupation in the major group, increasing employment by 51.77 percent.
Nurse Practitioners are slated to be the fastest growing occupation statewide, increasing by 54.04 percent. Healthcare Support Occupations is projected to add 11,271 jobs by 2030 and be the second fastest growing major group, increasing the workforce by 20.13 percent.
Fastest growing occupations by expected percentage changes also include fundraisers, occupational therapy assistants, speech pathologists, and operation research analysts.
When it comes to the highest paying jobs in the state, Obstetricians and Gynecologists topped the list with an annual salary of $258,940. Anesthesiologists, with an average annual salary of $234,970, ranked second on the Occupations Paying the Most list. Surgeons, physicians, and pediatricians are also in the top 5.
Whether you are searching for the right job or the right person for the job, the Division of Workforce Services can help. ADWS offers a variety of services, like job search and résumé assistance, career counseling, workforce readiness training, and referrals to employers who are hiring. Learn about the labor market and the occupations that are most in-demand in your area by visiting www.dws.arkansas.gov .
Jeff Tollett of Four States Fiber at De Queen Lions Club
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.