Weekly Fishing Report

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Oct. 31, 2018. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email AGFCfishingreport@outlook.com with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.

Central Arkansas

North Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas

Northeast Arkansas

Southeast Arkansas

Southwest Arkansas

South-Central Arkansas

West-Central Arkansas

East Arkansas

Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk

For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt

For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality.

10-31-18 2:24 p.m. kawx.org

SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of October 22, 2018 – October 28, 2018. The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts. Individuals charged and whose names appear in this column
may submit documentation to us at a later date that the charges have been dismissed or that they have been found innocent and we will include that information in this space in a timely manner.

October 22, 2018
Request for assistance looking for two hikers lost on the Caney Creek Trail. Deputies responded. The hikers were found.
Report from complainant on Kodiak Lane near Mena of an unwanted person on their property. Deputy responded and advised subject to leave the property.
Report from Mena Regional Health System of a dog bite victim. Owner was advised to quarantine the animal for ten days.
Report of a disturbance on Gardenia Lane near Potter. Deputy responded. Information has been provided to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration.

October 23, 2018
Report from complainant on Polk 53 near Mena of possible identity theft.
Arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department was Jennifer A. M. Emfinger, 33, of Pine Bluff, on a Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Arrested was Thomas L. Kidwell, 39, of Mena, on a Warrant for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.

October 24, 2018
Report from complainant on Polk 676 near Acorn of damage done to a vehicle at an unknown time.
Report from complainant on Polk 280 near Cove of an individual doing damage to their property with a vehicle led to a 17-year-old male being issued a Juvenile Citation for Criminal Trespass. The juvenile was released to the custody of a parent/guardian. Report from complainant on Highway 8 East near Big Fork of a forged check, totaling losses at $300.00. Investigation continues.
Report from complainant on Highway 71 South near Hatfield of missing household items and damage done to clothing. Investigation continues.
Arrested was John T. Puckett, 44, of Mena, on three Body Attachment Warrants.

October 25, 2018
Report from complainant on Highway 88 East near Mena of fraud, totaling losses at $2,500.00. Investigation recovered $1,000.00.
Report from complainant on Polk 238 near Mena of a break-in to a residence. Investigation continues.
Arrested was Donathan L. E. Herron, 21, of Oden, on a Warrant for Failure to Comply with a Court Order.
Arrested by a trooper with the Arkansas State Police was Robert R. Treat, 38, of Mena, on a Charge of DWI.

October 26, 2018
Arrested was Nickolaus E. W. Sorel, 19, on a Charge of Public Intoxication.
Arrested was Logan E. Pitts, 39, of Mena, on a Warrant for Probation Violation.
Arrested was Jeffery A. McAllister, 49, of Mena, on Warrants for Probation Violation, Failure to Comply with a Court Order and Failure to Appear.

Arrested was Elizabeth M. Tidwell, 33, of Wickes, on a Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Arrested was Jonathan M. Tidwell, 40, of Wickes, on a Warrant for Possession of Meth/Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

October 27, 2018
Arrested was Shaon D. Watts, 40, of Mena, on Warrants for two counts each of Failure to Appear and Failure to Comply with a Court Order.

October 28, 2018
Report from complainant on Polk 43 near Mena of damage done to their vehicle by another passing vehicle. Deputy responded.
Report from complainant on Highway 71 South near Hatfield of damage done to a vehicle and a mailbox. Investigation continues.
Report from complainant on Big Bear Lane near Mena of theft by deception, totaling losses at $160,000.00. Investigation continues.
Report from complainant on Polk 164 near Rocky of the theft of a tractor, valued at $10,000.00. The tractor was located. Investigation determined the matter may be of a civil nature. Information has been provided to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration.
Arrested by a trooper with the Arkansas State Police was Carlos G. Gonzalez, 61, of Wickes, on Charges of Failure to Register a Vehicle, No Proof of Insurance and Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License and a Warrant for Failure to Comply with a Court Order.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked five vehicle accidents this week. Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 24 Incarcerated Inmates, with 4 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

PC18-00727

10-30-18 7:45 p.m. kawx.org 

Mena Trick-or-Treating and Downtown Daylight Trick-or-Treating Moved To Tuesday

Due to rain and thunderstorms in the forecast for Mena on Halloween, October 31st, Mayor George McKee and Chamber of Commerce manager Ashley Smith are encouraging everyone to be ready for trick-or-treaters on Tuesday, October 30th.

UPDATE-Mena NOAA Weahter Radio is back on the air as of Monday afternoon, October 29th. 

Mena's NOAA Weather Radio Station (KXI97 162.400 MHz) is currently off the air while a new generator is being installed to operate the station when commercial power is not available. 

By order of a Presidential Proclamation, the United States flag and the state flag of Arkansas are to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims of the tragedy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, until sunset, October 31, 2018.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, October 31, 2018. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

DONALD J. TRUMP

10-28-18 1:51 p.m. kawx.org 

President Donald Trump has ordered flags at federal buildings throughout the United States to be flown at half-staff in "solemn respect" for the shooting victims at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Flags to remain at half-staff until October 31st. 

Historical buildings tell a story.  They help us understand the people and community who built it at the time.  Historical preservation helps ensure that story continues. 

That is why investments are made to preserve our State Capitol.  Thousands of visitors from across the country and even around the world tour our Capitol every year.

This week, the House proudly opened its chamber doors to let the public see the work of the latest restoration project.

The entire floor of the chamber has been restored to what architects had in mind more than 100 years ago.

The desks, which were originally installed in the 1960’s, were replaced.  The Capitol historian had discovered 1914 blue prints from architect F.H. Peckwell. Although, the House began using this chamber back in 1911, this original design for the desks had never been utilized until now.

Our architect, Gary Clements and Associates, and contractor, Baldwin and Shell, used the blue prints to design the quarter sawn white oak desks and Speaker’s rostrum.  This design not only creates more space but brings the chamber back to what the first designers of the Capitol had in mind.

We also replaced the carpet and added new technology to assist members who are hearing impaired. The outdated voting machine, which records all votes taken in the House, was replaced with digital technology.

The completion of project was the final step of phased restoration for the chamber that began in 2008.  It began when cracks began to appear in a plaster column.

Since then, every section including the galleries and the stained glass dome has been restored back to the original designs for the building.

The costs for the latest project totaled close to $1 million. All construction projects go through a bidding process and are approved by the House Management Committee.  While restoration can be costly, the cost of not maintaining the building is far greater. Prior to this latest series of restorations, there had not been a significant update to the chamber in more than 30 years.  

It is a humbling experience to make decisions in the chamber.  The historical character of the building forces us to think of the decisions made decades ago that either moved our state forward or set us back. 

Although we have the privilege of working here, the House chamber belongs to Arkansans.  We invite you to the see the work for yourself next time you are at the Capitol.  In the meantime, check out the photos of what the chamber looked like before, during construction, and the completed restoration at www.arkansashouse.org.

10-26-18 7:59 p.m. kawx.org 

Hidden fees in ticket purchases, delays on the tarmac and seats that feel smaller every time you a board a plane. These are just a few of the common frustrations we all encounter when taking a commercial flight these days.

While we are far from the smiling faces that graced the advertisements in the “golden age” of air travel, progress has been made since the dawn of commercial air travel. Flying is by far less dangerous and much more affordable than it was during that time. It is, however, also a more frustrating experience. 

There can be a middle ground. Flying can be safe, affordable and comfortable.

In recent years, Washington has taken steps toward fixing the problems that plague commercial air travel by including much-needed, commonsense reforms when we reauthorize funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These reforms put passengers first, taking on the most visible—and often most egregious—practices of airlines.

The most recent passenger protections set to be enacted were just included in a comprehensive, five-year reauthorization of the FAA that was signed into law by President Trump. Once implemented, the new rules will ensure that passengers who have boarded their flight aren’t forced off the plane due to airline overbooking and that commercial airline seats do not continue to shrink to the point of absurdity. The new reforms also ensure that airlines promptly return fees paid for services, including seat assignments and early boarding, that were not delivered and baggage fees will be refunded when items are lost or unreasonably delayed.

One additional provision in the new law hasn’t received much attention, but could have a big impact. The new law directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish an aviation consumer advocate to help usher in positive changes in how airlines treat consumers. The office will monitor enforcement of issues, including deceptive ticketing practices and tarmac delays; help customers resolve carrier service complaints; and identify and recommend policies that can more effectively resolve carrier service complaints. It requires the DOT to report certain consumer complaint statistics to Congress to ensure lawmakers can address any shortcomings. If the new office does its job properly, the aviation consumer advocate could dramatically reduce the stress of air travel for customers.

These important consumer protection reforms build off those instituted in the 2016 FAA reauthorization, which one Washington Post columnist called the “most passenger-friendly” ever. The 2016 reauthorization required airlines to disclose fees to consumers and provide families with information about the availability of seats together at the time of booking. It also directed the DOT to review how airlines provide information on decisions to delay or cancel flights that may be fully or only partially due to weather.

Taking a “passenger-first” approach—coupled with modernizations to airport infrastructure and enhancements to aviation security—can help transform the flying experience into something travelers enjoy again. That would be a win for consumers and a welcome relief for us all.

10-26-18 3:51 p.m. kawx.org

LITTLE ROCK—Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed Nov. 11, 2018, as “Bells of Peace: World War I Remembrance Day.” The Arkansas WWI Centennial Commemoration Committee is calling on people and organizations around the state to ring bells 11 times at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, to celebrate the end of World War I and to remember the millions who fought, suffered and died in what was hoped to be “The War to End All Wars.”

Anyone wishing to participate can send the name of their organization and the address at which the memorial bell-ringing will take place to info@arkansaspreservation.org and their information will be added to the list at https://www.wwiarkansas.com/events/2018-11-11-bells-of-peace.

The following organizations have already registered to participate:

Arkansas WWI Centennial Commemoration Committee, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. 9th St., Little Rock

Friends of the West Fork Library, Library Hall, 210 Garfield, West Fork

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Shiloh Meeting Hall, 121 W. Huntsville Ave., Springdale

Dean B. Ellis Library, 322 University Loop State University, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro 

Faulkner County Museum, 801 Locust Street/Courthouse Square, Conway 

Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, 513 Fairview Street, Malvern

Jacksonville Museum of Military History and Major Jacob Gray Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 100 Veterans Circle, Jacksonville

Rick Steele, 2924 Balding Road, Traskwood

Searcy County Veterans Memorial Association, 108 Noah Horton Memorial Drive, Marshall

First Baptist Church, 200 Stewart Street, Rector

Perryville United Methodist Church Bell Choir, 123 Cross St., Perryville 

Provincia de La Sal Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, 21941 Interstate 30 S, Bryant

Arkansas Sabbath Fellowship, 21941 Interstate 30 S, Bryant

Peace Lutheran Church, 800 S. Donaghey Ave., Conway 

Elks Lodge #781, 124 Elks Drive, Mena

South Cross Roads Church, 249 Lone Star Rd., Hopewell community, Rose Bud

First Presbyterian Church, 302 North 4th St., McGehee

First Presbyterian Church, 1220 Pine Street, Arkadelphia

Daughters of the American Revolution, McCollum-Chidester House Museum, 926 Washington St., Camden

Grand Prairie Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, John B. and Margaret Moore Jacobs Park and Museum National Historic Site, 500 N. Main Street, Clarendon

Saline Missionary Baptist Church, 8210 N Main Street, Tull

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17^th Street, Little Rock.

For more information, send an email to the address above or call (501) 324-9886.

Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100^th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended hostilities in World War I at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918 – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Seventy-two thousand Arkansans, including more than 18,000 African Americans, served in the armed forces during WWI. More than 2,000 died during their service and more than 1,700 were wounded or injured. The Arkansas World War I Centennial Commemoration Committee has been working with public and private organizations and citizens around the state to remember the Arkansans who served in the Great War, including the planting of memorial trees in all 75 counties in partnership with the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

The Arkansas World War I Centennial Commemoration Committee is part of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Other DAH divisions are the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Arkansas Arts Council, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Historic Arkansas Museum and the Arkansas State Archives. 

10-26-18 3:22 p.m. kawx.org 

Farmers Insurance in Mena will be hosting a Halloween Costume Contest on October 31st at 5:30 p.m.

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Larry Teague

October 26, 2018

LITTLE ROCK – Thanks to a concentrated effort over the past two years, the Arkansas foster care system has shown several notable improvements.

A 14 percent decline in the number of children in the system is the most important evidence of improvement. In late 2016 there were 5,196 children in foster care and today there are 4,471.

The 14 percent decrease goes hand in hand with another improvement: the proportion of children who are placed with relatives has increased from 23 percent to 27 percent. Of all the children who are placed with relatives, more than a third are placed on the same day they are removed from their parents.

Another improvement is that 82 percent of foster children are now placed in a family setting, as opposed to a group home. In late 2016 the percentage was 78 percent.

The state Division of Children and Family Services runs the foster care system. In 2016 a child welfare expert issued an alarming report on the status of the agency, where high caseloads and a seeming lack of support contributed to inordinately high employee turnover.

The effect was that the number of foster children was growing alarmingly, because employees were not processing many of their cases in a timely manner.

The governor proposed a budget increase for the Division, and the legislature approved funding for more staff. As a result, the Division has added 187 new positions over the past two years, bringing the total number of authorized positions within the Division to 1,215 for Fiscal Year 2018.

Adding staff meant that those who work directly with families have seen a decrease in caseloads, from 28 to 20.

The turnover rate went down from 48 to 41 percent, which is still too high. Staff with experience are better able to assess a families’ needs, and to work with them on solutions.

In 2016 attorneys for the Division also had high caseloads. Last year they averaged 115 cases for each attorney, and the turnover rate for attorneys was 60 percent.

The Division added two attorneys and two legal support staff, from other areas within the Department of Human Services. Caseloads for attorneys went down to 99, and the turnover rate dropped to 26 percent.

The ultimate goal is to reduce the number of children who suffer from abuse and neglect, therefore the challenge for the Division is to focus the efforts of its staff on approaches that are the most effective.

With that in mind, it expanded a proven program called Nurturing Families of Arkansas. It is an intensive program teaching parents how to be better. It used to be for families with children between five and 11, but has been expanded to include families with children up to 18.

SafeCare is another program teaching parents about health and child safety. It also teaches communication between parent and child, as a means to reduce physical abuse and neglect.

Family service workers try to connect families to informal and formal support systems. They may include relatives, churches and social organizations. They coach children to improve their behavior, and they help parents improve their ability to communicate with their children’s teachers.

10-26-18 9:29 a.m. kawx.org 

The annual Mena Fall Clean Up will get underway on Monday, October 29th, according to Mena Mayor George McKee. City crews will start Monday morning picking up yard waste only.

Weekly Fishing Report

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Oct. 24, 2018. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email AGFCfishingreport@outlook.com with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.

Central Arkansas

North Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas

Northeast Arkansas

Southeast Arkansas

Southwest Arkansas

South-Central Arkansas

West-Central Arkansas

East Arkansas

Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk

For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt

For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality.

10-24-18 2:45 p.m. kawx.org

October 30th, 2018 will be the 80th anniversary of the War of the Worlds radio drama that forever proved the power of the relatively new media, radio. My father, James L. "Bo" Daniel, was a 12 year old boy in the small sawmill town of Wright City in southeast Oklahoma. The radio drama was on the radio on a Sunday night when he would usually be in church with his family. Dad told me that sometime during church, a man known to all in the community came screaming through the doors that "Martians had invaded" and that "the world was coming to an end". Had this fellow not been known by the locals, they might have been more shook up about the "news". Many did panic around the country and it would be days before some knew it was just a dramatic play on the radio. Even though I didn't know this man and have long forgotten his name, I can imagine he was like many today who tend to believe anything they hear on the radio or TV, or see on social media, and rebroadcast it before checking the facts.

To listen to the full broadcast that aired October 30, 1938, click anywhere on this line.

KAWX will air the full broadcast at 6:00 p.m. on October 30th. Listen locally at 93.1 FM or 94.9 FM, anywhere at kawx.org or with a free KAWX app, on any smart device with the TuneIn app, or on Amazon Echo. 

The airing of War of the Worlds on KAWX is in no way an endorsement of Halloween as it has evolved. Happy little princesses and rowdy cowboys trick-or-treating is fun and harmless, the occult and gore sometimes associated with this annual event is not. 

"The War of the Worlds" is an episode of the American radio drama anthology series The Mercury Theatre on the Air. It was performed as a Halloween episode of the series on Sunday, October 30, 1938, and aired over the Columbia Broadcasting System radio network. Directed and narrated by actor and future filmmaker Orson Welles, the episode was an adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds (1898). It became famous for allegedly causing mass panic, although the scale of the panic is disputed as the program had relatively few listeners.

The one-hour program began with the theme music for the Mercury Theater on the Air and an announcement that the evening's show was an adaption of The War of the Worlds. This was followed by a prologue read by Orson Welles which was closely based on the opening of H.G. Wells' novel. The next half hour of the broadcast was presented as typical evening radio programming being interrupted by a series of news bulletins. The first few updates interrupt a program of dance music and describe a series of odd explosions observed on Mars. This is followed soon thereafter by a seemingly unrelated report of an unusual object falling on a farm in Grover's Mill, New Jersey. Another brief musical interlude is interrupted by a live report from Grover's Mill, where police officials and a crowd of curious onlookers have surround the strange cylindrical object. The situation quickly escalates when Martians emerge from the cylinder and attack using a heat-ray, abruptly cutting off the panicked reporter at the scene. This is followed by a rapid series of increasingly alarming news bulletins detailing a devastating alien invasion taking place across the United States and the world, climaxing with another live report describing giant Martian war machines releasing clouds of poisonous smoke across New York City. After a short break, the program shifts to a more conventional radio drama format and follows a survivor dealing with the aftermath of the invasion and ultimately discovering that the Martians have been defeated not by humans, but by microbes.

The illusion of realism was furthered because the Mercury Theatre on the Air was a sustaining show without commercial interruptions, and the first break in the program came almost 30 minutes after the introduction. Popular legend holds that some of the radio audience may have been listening to Edgar Bergen and tuned in to "The War of the Worlds" during a musical interlude, thereby missing the clear introduction that the show was a drama, but research in the 2010s suggests that happened only in rare instances.

In the days after the adaptation, widespread outrage was expressed in the media. The program's news-bulletin format was described as deceptive by some newspapers and public figures, leading to an outcry against the perpetrators of the broadcast and calls for regulation by the Federal Communications Commission. The episode secured Welles's fame as a dramatist.

10-27-18 11:28 a.m. kawx.org 

The Polk County Quorum Court will hold their regular monthly meeting for October on Tuesday, October 23rd at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the courtroom of the Polk County Courthouse this month since the regular meeting place in the county office building is being used for early voting.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas firefighters and families are invited to attend the 2018 Rural Fire Show, hosted this Saturday, Oct. 27 by the Rural Fire Protection (RFP) division of the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC). This annual celebration will take place at the Greenbrier AFC Office, #20 Industrial Boulevard, Greenbrier, Ark., 72058 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 2018 Fire Show is free to all attendees and recognizes and thanks rural firefighters for their work in the suppression and prevention of wildfires. This casual event is family-friendly, and lunch will be provided. 

Attendees can network with crews from across the state, connect with industry partners and agencies, and even have a chance to win door prizes tailored for fire departments, firefighters and children.  Additionally, a variety of fire service vendors will showcase equipment and vehicles.

“We have more than 30 vendors and several great door prizes lined up for the 2018 Fire Show, including a set of Power Hawk rescue tools, generators, and tool boxes,” said Kathryn Mahan-Hooten, RFP  Program Administrator.  “We have a strong partnership with rural fire departments, and this show is a great way to demonstrate our appreciation to firefighters and their families.”

Attending crews are encouraged to RSVP by contacting Carisa Aycock at 501-679-3171 or Carisa.Aycock@arkansas.gov.

The mission of the AFC is to protect Arkansas’s forests, and those who enjoy them, from wildland fire and natural hazards while promoting rural and urban forest health, stewardship, development, and conservation for all generations of Arkansans. The AFC is a part of the Arkansas Agriculture Department.

10-22-18 1:38 p.m. kawx.org 

Last year, there were 227 flu-related deaths reported in Arkansas.  This week, the health department announced that one Arkansan has died from flu-related symptoms during this flu season.

Since September 30, 2018, over 150 positive influenza tests have been reported in 21 counties.

The majority of reports came from Independence, Saline, Benton, Pulaski, Craighead, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Hempstead, Sebastian and Sevier.

It is important to get a flu vaccine every year, because the flu virus changes from year to year. This year’s vaccine protects against the flu viruses that are expected to cause the most illness this flu season.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is providing flu vaccines across the state in preparation for the 2018-19 flu season. Each county health unit in Arkansas will be hosting a mass flu vaccine clinic, which is typically a day-long event when the health unit and numerous community volunteers come together to provide flu vaccine to as many people as possible.

People should bring their insurance cards with them to the flu vaccine clinic. If anyone does not have insurance, or the insurance does not cover flu vaccine, the vaccine will be available at no charge. Please contact the nearest local health unit for information about mass flu clinics. Local health unit contact information can be found at www.healthy.arkansas.gov.

People of all ages can get the flu. Certain people are more likely to have serious health problems if they get the flu. This includes older adults, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions, people who smoke, and people who live in nursing homes. Therefore, the health department strongly recommends that people in these groups get a flu vaccine.

It is also recommended that friends, family members and people who provide care to people in these groups also get a vaccine—not only to protect themselves, but also to decrease the possibility that they might expose the people they love and care for to the flu.

For more information, go to www.healthy.arkansas.gov or www.flu.gov.

10-19-18 5:26 p.m. kawx.org 

Early Voting for the November 6th General Election will get underway in Arkansas on Monday, October 22nd. In Polk County, registered voters may cast their vote early at the Polk County Office Complex (old hospital), located at 606 Pine Street in Mena. Hours will be 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. weekdays, and 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturdays. On the Monday before the General Election, early voting will end at 5:00 p.m.

To determine if you are a registered voter, click anywhere on this line.

To learn more about the candidates and issues on the ballot, click anywhere on this line for the Family Council's Voters Guide.

10-19-18 5:10 p.m. kawx.org 

To listen to the Governor's radio address, click anywhere on this line, or you can read the text below.

LITTLE ROCK – The National Law Enforcement Museum opened last week in Washington 18 years after President Clinton approved the site.

The building which houses the $100 million museum has three levels and 57,000 square feet, and two of the levels are underground. The site for the museum is adjacent to the National Law Enforcement Memorial at Judiciary Square. Of the 21,000 names of fallen officers inscribed on the wall, nearly 300 of them are Arkansans.

George H.W. Bush, who was president when the memorial opened in 1991, spoke these words about it: “Carved on these walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream."

Now, in addition to the memorial, we have the National Law Enforcement Museum.

The new museum tells the story of law enforcement in America with 20,000 artifacts and exhibits such as the desk that J. Edgar Hoover used as director of the FBI and the handcuffs that police snapped onto the wrists of Sirhan Sirhan moments after he shot Robert F. Kennedy.

The museum offers interactive exhibits that allow visitors to play the role of a 911 dispatcher. Another exhibit is a shoot-don’t shoot exercise that puts visitors in the place of an officer who has a split-second to decide whether the person coming around the corner is a good guy or a threat.

One of the exhibits includes the truck that Arkansas Game and Fish officer Michael Neal drove at 50 miles per hour into a van to stop a father and son who had just killed two West Memphis police officers.

Four years after the May 10, 2010, tragedy in West Memphis, Mike Neal became sheriff of Monroe County. Sheriff Neal, his wife and their three daughters were among the guests who attended the private opening of the museum last week.

The museum is a tribute to the officers who protect us on a daily basis and a reminder of the risks they take to do their job. I am grateful for the police officers at all levels – federal, state, county, and city – who devote their lives to protecting ours. Thank you.

10-19-18 4:05 p.m. kawx.org 

Recognizing Arkansas Veterans

Arkansas has a long and proud history of supporting our nation’s defense. Our state is home to military installations, businesses and jobs that contribute to our national security and the protection of our nation’s servicemembers. It’s also where brave men and women learn to serve a cause higher than themselves.

Sergeant Major (retired) John Canley a native of Caledonia, Arkansas in Union County was inspired to join the Marine Corps after watching the WWII movie the “Sands of Iwo Jima.” Using his brother’s birth certificate, he enlisted in the Marines, as a 15-year-old.

At a White House ceremony earlier this month, President Donald Trump praised Canley’s “unmatched bravery” for saving “the lives of more than 20 marines” during the 1968 Battle of Hue in Vietnam.

Canley recently received the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest and most prestigious decoration, for his valiant actions and courage in combat while serving as gunnery sergeant assigned to Company A, First Battalion, First Marines.

While those who wear our nation’s uniform do not often seek recognition, awards or honors, they deserve nothing less than our public and private displays of appreciation for their service. They are often unassuming individuals who have done great things under extraordinary circumstances. Their stories of immense sacrifice, courage and service should be preserved as we can all learn from them.

The Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame (AMVHOF) was created in 2011 to honor the service, sacrifice and accomplishments of Natural State veterans. The achievements of inductees are preserved in the Hall of Fame display in the state Capitol. This exhibit is a testament to the willingness of Arkansans to do their part to serve and defend our country and serves as inspiration for future generations.

The 15 inductees of the 2018 class come from all corners of the state and have served in conflicts from WWII through Operation Iraqi Freedom. This distinguished group of men and women have demonstrated selflessness in uniform and continued service to their communities.

As the son of a Master Sergeant in the Air Force, I’m committed to veterans’ outreach. Members of this year’s class, including both current and former members of my staff, have demonstrated that devotion throughout their lives. Col (retired) Anita Deason’s hard work has led to hundreds of Arkansans being trained to collect the memories of our veterans for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Lt Col (retired) Steve Gray’s tireless devotion to veterans as a member of my team was known for, among other things, the many medal presentations he conducted throughout Arkansas. In retirement, he continues his commitment to his fellow veterans through his work as an active member of Arkansas’s veteran service organizations.

Honoring the service, sacrifice and commitment of veterans with commendation medals, induction into the AMVHOF and other special events shows our appreciation for their immeasurable sacrifice. Emphasizing the stories of sacrifice and bravery exhibited by Arkansas veterans really is about preserving the people and the values that make the Natural State the best place to call home.

10-19-18 3:59 p.m. kawx.org 

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Larry Teague

October 19, 2018

LITTLE ROCK – The legislature has begun budget hearings in preparation for the 2019 regular session.

Generally, budget bills do not generate as much publicity as high-profile social measures, such as bills affecting firearms, unborn children or school choice. However, for many legislators the most time-consuming responsibility is consideration of state agency budgets.

Lawmakers begin work on budgets in mid-October, and put the finishing touches on the state’s budget in March of the following year, in the final days of the session. The 2019 legislative session begins on January 14.

State government is in Fiscal Year 2019, which will end on June 30, 2019. Legislators are now working on proposed budgets for Fiscal Year 2020, which begins on July 1, 2019.

The state general revenue budget for this year is about $5.63 billion, and at the end of the fiscal year there will be an estimated surplus of about $64 million. One of the challenges for lawmakers will be to estimate how much the Arkansas economy will expand next year. That estimate will determine how much state agencies will have to spend.

A red letter date is November 14, when the governor presents a balanced budget plan for next fiscal year, based on the most recent revenue forecast. The governor’s balanced budget proposal will also set the stage for serious discussions about tax cuts, and how much income tax relief is possible.

The proposed balanced budget will be the starting point for debate over fiscal matters, such as how much to spend on public education and school safety, how much should the Medicaid program receive and whether any state agencies should get a greater budget increase than all the others.

It is not unusual for an agency to receive a bigger-than-average increase in funding, compared to the rest of state government. For example, in 2017 the governor proposed and the legislature approved funding increases for the foster care system that were proportionately much greater than increases approved for other agencies. The goal was to reverse a recent trend of high turnover among staff, and extended periods in which children had to wait for placement with foster families.

This year there are 36,516 authorized employee positions in state government, and another 39,878 positions in higher education.

Public schools from kindergarten through grade 12 receive the single largest share of state general revenue, about 41 percent, but teachers and other school staff are not counted among the total of state government employees.

The largest agency is the Department of Human Services, with 8,357 employees spread throughout various divisions. The largest branch within the department is the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, with 2,597 positions.

The Department of Transportation, which maintains highways, has 4,712 positions. The Correction Department, which runs prisons, has 4,740 positions and the Department of Community Correction, which hires parole officers and staffs halfway houses and drug courts, has 1,488 positions.

Law enforcement also is provided by three other state agencies. There are 1,063 employee positions in the Arkansas State Police and 144 in the state Crime Lab. The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) does criminal background checks and runs license numbers for local police departments and law enforcement agencies. It also keeps the sex offender registry up to date. ACIC has 74 authorized positions.

10-19-18 1:58 p.m. kawx.org 

The Acorn Mighty Oaks 4-H Club will host a Pancake Breakfast this Saturday morning, October 20th, from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., at the Extension Education Building located at 211 De Queen Street in Mena.

Delivery is available for 5 or more orders. To order for delivery, call (479) 216-1778, (479) 216-4955, or (479) 216-5408.

One the menu is pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, coffee, milk, and orange juice!

Have breakfast with The Acorn Mighty Oaks 4-H Club and enjoy great food and fellowship while supporting this 4-H club.

10-19-18 8:15 a.m. kawx.org 

LITTLE ROCK – The prescription drug epidemic is wreaking havoc across our state and country. More than half of Arkansas teens report it is easy to obtain prescription drugs from their parents’ or grandparents’ medicine cabinets. The bi-annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day is the ideal opportunity to turn in unused and expired medication, to ensure it stays out of the hands of addicted Arkansans.
 
“Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have unknowingly become drug dealers to family members,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “Properly disposing of medication is imperative and can save the lives of family members, friends and fellow Arkansans. This epidemic impacts a staggering number of families across Arkansas and it takes action by all of us to make a difference.”
 
Attorney General Rutledge is reminding Arkansans about the national Prescription Drug Take Back Event and the various drop-off locations available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Days are held twice a year, but to find event sites and year-round drop-off locations near you, visit ARTakeBack.org.
 
Rutledge released the following list of medications that will be accepted at these events across the State:
 
·       Opioids, such as OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, etc.
·       Stimulants, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine, etc.
·       Depressants, such as Ativan, Xanax, Valium, etc.
·       Other prescription medications
·       Over-the-counter medicines
·       Vitamins
·       Pet medicines
·       Medicated ointments and lotions
·       Inhalers
·       Liquid medicines in glass or leak-proof containers (up to 12 ounces)
·       Medicine samples
 
Medications may be returned in the original bottle or in any other container for increased privacy.
 
Properly destroying these medications also protects the environment. Medicines that are flushed or poured down the drain can end up polluting waters, which could contaminate food and water supplies. Wastewater treatment plants or septic systems may not remove many medicine compounds. Turning over these medications at Take Back Day events also reduces the risk of accidental poisonings by children, seniors or pets, as well as reduces the risk of drug abuse.
 
The Attorney General’s Office also partners with local law enforcement to host take back events at mobile offices around the State. Since 2016, 611.2 pounds of prescription drugs have been collected and safely disposed of by Attorney General’s office mobile offices – keeping them out of the hands of children and those with addictions.
 
Rutledge is partnering on the Prescription Drug Take Back with the Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas Rotary Clubs, Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, FBI, Office of the State Drug Director, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and over 130 additional law enforcement and government agencies, community organizations and public health providers.
 
Prescription Drug Take Back days are just one step in Rutledge’s multi-faceted approach of education, prevention and litigation to end the opioid crisis. Last fall, Rutledge launched Prescription for Life, a first-in-the-nation educational tool offered at no cost to all high school students in the State to help them understand the dangers of prescription drug misuse and how to prevent abuse. To date, it has been launched in 80 schools, across 60 counties and reached over 8,600 students. Rutledge has a new initiative, called #Rx4LifeStories, inviting Arkansans to submit videos discussing how the nation’s opioid epidemic has impacted their lives and the lives of their families.
 
Rutledge is also suing the opioid manufacturers that created the crisis in Arkansas for violations of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Arkansas Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act.
 
Each year, Rutledge partners with a number of agencies in hosting the Arkansas Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Summit. The summit is a free training and educational opportunity for law enforcement officers, medical professionals, pharmacists and educators. The seventh annual Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Summit is scheduled for Nov. 1 in Hot Springs, with more than 800 taking advantage of registration.

For more information about other common scams and consumer-related issues, please call the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov orfacebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.

10-18-18 8:48 a.m. kawx.org 

LITTLE ROCK – Deer hunting with a muzzleloader in Arkansas offers a chance to harvest a deer earlier than any other method other than archery. This year’s season opens Saturday, Oct. 20, in nearly every deer zone in Arkansas and will continue through Oct. 28. 

Brad Carner, the chief of wildlife management for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, plans to be in the public hunting woods Saturday with his 12-year-old son like many mentors passing down the knowledge and excitement of deer hunting. “Growing up in northeast Arkansas, the season framework for the deer zone and the WMAs up there required for modern gun season that you use a shotgun with slugs or a muzzleloader, so I started out using a muzzleloader there for the modern gun season and I’ve used one for 25 years,” Carner said.

The muzzleloading season has become tradition for the Carner family, he said. Carner’s son has hunted with a muzzleloader for the last 3 years and took his first deer with the gun at age 9. Carner’s wife, who “has harvested three or four deer,” he said, took her first buck during a muzzleloader season.

“It’s a good option for hunting,” Carner said. “Deer are in their pre-rut activities and still can be locked on a food source, but you’re also starting to see some buck activity on the trees now of rubs and scrapes, the precursor of the heavy rut activity that people start to see at the beginning of modern gun season.”

Ralph Meeker, the AGFC’s deer program coordinator, says this week’s spate of wet cold weather should set up for a fine weekend for the muzzleloading enthusiast and may attract more hunters than usual. Like Carner, Meeker plans to be out among the other deer hunters with a muzzleloader this weekend.

“It’s typically one of my top two favorite ways to hunt deer, along with archery,” Meeker said. “It just provides an early season and then a late season (in December for three days) opportunity. And, it seems like you’re able to connect to the more traditional style of hunting when you’ve got one shot. You take a little bit more time, you have to be a little more patient. The range is a lot different, much shorter than a centerfire rifle.”

Both Meeker and Carner note the technological advances in muzzleloaders in the past decade that have led to guns with an average range of 75-100 yards, but which can stretch out comfortably for some shooters to 150 yards or more. Hunting with a bow, Meeker says, usually means you’re targeting a deer 25-35 yards away.

“During the early days of our muzzleloader seasons, they really were primitive weapons with limited range,” Carner said, recalling starting with a musket-like Hawken muzzleloader with an open sight and a range of about 50-60 yards. “Now, you have the inline muzzleloader and the ability to have a nice scope on there … With the technical implementations, a limited range is not necessarily the case now. The effective range has been greatly extended.”

Carner suggests a newcomer familiarize himself or herself with the firearm and all its components, and not just the powder needed and type of bullet to use, before opening morning. “Practice and know the effective range of your muzzleloader,” he said.Carner lives in central Arkansas now but often will return to where he grew up hunting deer with a muzzleloader, in northeast Arkansas. As wildlife division chief, Carner says, he likes to visit as many WMAs as he can during the hunting seasons.

Meeker says that the first weekend of muzzleloader season usually sees an average of 7,000 to 9,000 deer harvested, and about 25,000 to 30,000 taken with a muzzleloader annually, or about 13 percent of the total deer harvest. Compare that to the expected 35,000 on average that Arkansas hunters take the opening weekend of modern gun deer season.

“Our total deer harvest has kind of stabilized to a little over 200,000 a year,” he said. “We’re expecting a similar number this year. We’ve had some odd weather, a fairly wet spring and a short, dry summer, and it’s starting to rain again.”

The weather patterns, he said, have caused some problems with the muscadines, persimmons and acorns that deer like to forage. Acorns in many areas have already fallen. So, a successful muzzleloading hunter will be wise to search out a good food source this weekend, he said. “You will improve your chances dramatically,” Meeker said. “There is going to be food out there for the deer, it’s just going to be used up pretty quickly. Late-season food plots will be good. The soft mast and hard mast will be used up pretty quickly because it’s already hit the ground.”

Refer to the Arkansas Hunting Guidebook at www.agfc.com/huntingguidebook for various deer zone regulations concerning muzzleloader use and harvest limits. The number of deer allowed per hunter with muzzleloaders can vary by location. Deer zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B are closed completely during the muzzleloader season, but muzzleloaders may be used during their modern gun seasons.

10-18-18 8:45 a.m. kawx.org 

New this year is our Merriment of Mena - Christmas Lights and Display Contest!

It's time to make that storefront sparkle and show off your hard work by entering our contest.

Open to all businesses IN Mena  - no entry fee - registration and display must be completed by November 26, 2018 to be eligible for judging.

Two winners will be chosen: Best Display on Mena Street and Best Display in Mena.

Registration forms can be found on our website or by contacting the Chamber office at (479) 394-2912. 

Mena High School Art Club will be available for window painting once again this year!
In order to get on the list, please contact the Chamber office ASAP so a representative from the Art Club can schedule an appointment with you.

This service is provided at no charge, we only ask you supply the paints for your display.

10-17-18 8:40 a.m. kawx.org 

Weekly Fishing Report

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Oct. 17, 2018. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email AGFCfishingreport@outlook.com with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.

Central Arkansas

North Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas

Northeast Arkansas

Southeast Arkansas

Southwest Arkansas

South-Central Arkansas

West-Central Arkansas

East Arkansas

Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk

For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt

For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality.

10-17-18 8:23 p.m. kawx.org 

Healthy Connections, Inc., has been named as one of the Best Places to Work in Arkansas by Arkansas Business and Best Companies Group.
 
The sixth-annual survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in Arkansas, benefiting the state’s economy, workforce and businesses. This is the second consecutive year Healthy Connections has been named to the list, which is made up of 40 companies.
 
Healthy Connections, Inc., is celebrating its 20^th year of taking care of Arkansas and operates nine clinics throughout Southwest Arkansas. Services include primary and preventative medical care, general dentistry, pediatrics, cardiology, behavioral health, physical therapy, and outreach services.

Shown in the picture is (left to right) Healthy Connections CEO Tony Calandro, CFO Gretchen Cannon, and Mitch Bettis, President Arkansas Business Publishing Group.
 
Learn more at: www.healthy-connections.org/best.

10-16-18 9:05 a.m. kawx.org 

Sales Tax General and Road Improvement Sales Tax are both 1% taxes coolected on retail sales in Polk County, Arkansas. In September 2018 both taxes generated $124,190.31 for a total of $248,380.62.

The total year-to-date through September 2018 for both taxes was $2,290,185.60.

The year-to-date total for the same period in 2017 was $2,161,944.10. 

Taxes collected have increased each month in 2018 over the same months in 2017 suggesting increasing retail sales in the county.

10-15-18 2:54 p.m. kawx.org 

In Arkansas, 1 in 4 women will suffer abuse in their lifetime. Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting every community regardless of age, economic status, gender, race, or religion.

To end domestic violence and sexual assault, we all need to be part of the solution. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We want to use this time to remind Arkansans about the resources available to victims and the legislation passed to help put an end to the violence.

More than 10,000 Arkansans a year will seek help in a domestic violence shelter. Arkansas has 34 such shelters across the state.  In 2017, we passed legislation to provide additional funding to these shelters without a cost to taxpayers.

Act 583 directs an additional court cost of twenty-five dollars to be assessed if an individual is convicted of domestic abuse or is the respondent on a permanent order of protection.  The money will be used to administer grants to domestic violence shelters. 

Another piece of legislation ensures victims of domestic violence have contact with family and friends.

Act 577 allows a judge to issue an order directing a cell phone provider to transfer billing and rights of a cell phone number to the person seeking protection from domestic abuse.  This legislation aims to not only provide victims of abuse with access to contacts of family and friends but it also protects records on their location.

In addition, we passed legislation requiring cosmetology students to receive training in recognizing the signs of domestic violence.  This legislation does not require hair dressers to become mandated reporters, but rather opens the door to perhaps an opportunity for help.  Hair dressers could take the lessons they learned to provide information to a client about how and where to get help.

Every session, we evaluate our laws regarding domestic violence.  We will continue in this effort and welcome input from anyone impacted by this epidemic.

10-12-18 4:12 p.m. kawx.org 

The Senate added one more very important bill to its list of bipartisan accomplishments this Congress, passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act.

This bill authorizes critical water infrastructure projects across the country for the next two years, which will help ensure our nation’s continued growth and maintain our position as a leader in the global economy. It is in lock step with President Trump’s vision for modernizing our infrastructure which will lead to more economic growth, less red tape, stronger personal property protections and improved transparency—all while being fiscally responsible.

Included within the America’s Water Infrastructure Act is an innovative approach to modernizing critical water infrastructure—especially in rural areas often unable to afford upgrades to aging water systems—that is based off legislation I authored with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).

The new program will combine the best aspects of two existing funding programs to make the process easier and more affordable for states to meet their underserved or unmet water infrastructure needs. It will increase access to previously unavailable funding sources for small and medium-size communities, while removing high application fees which often prevent rural communities from applying for funding.

This policy change is the result of months-long negotiations. It blends the best ideas available to ensure this common sense, bipartisan approach will work effectively and efficiently while providing millions, and potentially billions, in project dollars to communities that have traditionally not had access to these types of funds. Making this change will allow a multitude of vetted water and wastewater projects to receive funding without the Environmental Protect Agency having to process thousands of additional applications.

With support from a diverse group of senators, ranging from Jim Inhofe (R-OK) to Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), this new initiative to address overdue water infrastructure upgrades has the opportunity to yield dividends across the country. The fact that this new policy has cosponsors from across the country, with vastly different political ideologies, underscores an important point. Infrastructure investment is not a rural issue, or a big city issue. It is not a red state problem or a blue state problem. This is a national emergency, and it is time we put partisanship aside and work together to provide safe and reliable drinking and wastewater services to every part of our country.

This message is echoed by the diverse voices in the industry and advocacy community, on both a national and state level, who have put their support behind my idea. Kristina Swallow, President of the American Society of Civil Engineers, praised our new funding option “that will improve our nation’s water infrastructure.” Dennis Sternberg, Executive Director of Arkansas Rural Water Association, applauded the policy update to extend these authorities to states and localities, noting that “small communities have more difficulty affording public wastewater service due to lack of population density and lack of economies of scale.” He agrees that this new program will be a real help to rural America.

Passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act is in itself a bipartisan victory, as it cleared the Senate 99-1 in the final vote, a strong show of support that is not often seen with a bill of this magnitude. It will soon become law, setting a great example of the good policy outcomes that can be accomplished if we work together.

10-12-18 2:48 p.m. kawx.org 

State Capitol Week in ReviewFrom Senator Larry Teague

October 12, 2018

LITTLE ROCK – Depending on the outcome of legal challenges that are being considered by the state Supreme Court, Arkansas voters could decide five ballot issues at the November 6 general election.

The legislature referred Issue One and Issue Two to the ballot during last year’s regular session. The other three issues were brought to the ballot by citizens’ groups that gathered signatures of registered voters on petitions.

The first four issues are proposed amendments to the state Constitution. The fifth is a proposed initiated act; approval by voters would place it in the statute books but not in the Constitution. The process of changing a statute is simpler than changing a constitutional amendment. It is less time consuming and less expensive, too.

Issue One would cap attorneys’ fees and the amounts that plaintiffs can be awarded in a civil case. Contingency fees for attorneys would be limited to a third of the net recovery for plaintiffs. Punitive damages would be limited to $500,000, or three times the amount of compensatory damages, whichever is greater.

The legislature could raise the cap on damages by an extraordinary majority of two-thirds of the membership of each chamber. The legislature could not lower the cap.

Opponents of the ballot measure were successful at the lower court level, when a circuit judge ruled that the various sections of the proposed amendment do not relate to each other, thus making the overall impact unclear.

For that reason he ruled that no votes should be counted, either for or against Issue One. However, his ruling is on appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Issue Two would require voters to present a government-issued photo ID in order to cast a ballot. So far there have been no legal challenges filed against Issue Two being on the ballot.

Issue Three would limit terms of elected officials even more than under our current term limits amendment.

The measure was stricken from the ballot by a special master appointed by the Supreme Court, who ruled that petitions submitted by supporters did not have enough signatures of registered voters. The Supreme Court will review the master’s findings.

Issue Four would expand legal gambling in Arkansas. It would authorize two new casinos - one in Jefferson County within two miles of Pine Bluff and another in Pope County within two miles of Russellville.

Issue Four, if approved by voters, also would authorize casinos adjacent to the dog racing track in West Memphis and adjacent to the horse racing track in Hot Springs. This ballot measure is being challenged in court.

The Supreme Court rejected two legal challenges to Issue Four, thus clearing the way for the measure to remain on the ballot.

Issue Five, the proposed initiated act, would raise the state minimum wage. It would go from $8.50 to $9.25 per hour in 2019, then to $10 per hour in 2020. Finally it would increase to $11 per hour in 2021. A special master has approved Issue Five for the November ballot, but the Supreme Court will review that ruling.

A proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage was on the ballot in 2014 and voters approved it by a vote of 66 percent to 34 percent. It phased in a minimum wage increase of $2.25 an hour, over a three-year period.

10-12-18 9:26 a.m. kawx.org 

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today joined a bipartisan coalition of 37 states calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow telephone services providers to block more illegal robocalls being made to consumers.

“Arkansans have long suffered the abusive and pesky robocalls by scammers, and the FCC needs to urge telephone service providers to protect consumers from illegal robocalls,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “I hear from Arkansans regularly asking to eliminate these unwanted and unlawful calls. Ending these types of calls will save Arkansans from being scammed out of thousands of dollars and undue stress from burdensome daily calls from con artists.”

The formal comment to the FCC explains that scammers have found ways to evade an order allowing providers to block certain calls entered last year by the FCC. Despite efforts by federal and state regulators and the telecommunication industry, robocalls continue to be a major irritant to consumers in Arkansas and across the United States. In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission received 4.5 million illegal robocall complaints – two and a half times more than in 2014. 

Last year, the FCC granted phone service providers authority to block certain illegal spoofed robocalls. But now the states seek added authority for the providers to work together to detect and block more illegal spoofed robocalls, including “neighbor spoofing.”

“Spoofing” allows scammers to disguise their identities, making it difficult for law enforcement to bring them to justice. “Neighborhood spoofing” is a technique that allows calls, no matter where they originate, to appear on a consumer’s caller ID as being made from a phone number that has the same local area code as the consumer. The manipulation of caller ID information increases the likelihood that the consumer will answer the call.

“Virtually anyone can send millions of illegal robocalls and frustrate law enforcement with just a computer, inexpensive software and an internet connection,” the attorneys general wrote in the formal comment filed with the FCC.

The added authority sought by the attorneys general will allow service providers to use new and existing technology to detect and block illegal spoofed calls – even those coming from what are otherwise legitimate phone numbers. Service providers will be ready to launch this new authentication method in 2019.

To date, the FCC has not issued a notice of proposed rulemaking concerning additional provider-initiated call blocking. The attorneys general anticipate that further requests for comments will take place on this subject.

Attorney General Rutledge was joined on the comment by the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection.

About Attorney General Leslie Rutledge

Leslie Carol Rutledge is the 56th Attorney General of Arkansas. She is the first woman and first Republican in Arkansas history to be elected to the office. Since taking office, she has begun a Mobile Office program, a Military and Veterans Initiative, a Metal Theft Prevention program and a Cooperative Disability Investigations program. She has led efforts to teach internet safety, combat domestic violence and make the office the top law firm for Arkansans. Rutledge serves as Chairwoman of the Republican Attorneys General Association and Chairwoman of the National Association of Attorneys General Southern Region. She also re-established and co-chairs the National Association of Attorneys General Committee on Agriculture.

A native of Batesville, she is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Rutledge clerked for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, was Deputy Counsel for Gov. Mike Huckabee, served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Lonoke County and subsequently was an Attorney at the Department of Human Services before serving as Counsel at the Republican National Committee. Rutledge and her husband, Boyce, have one daughter. The family has a home in Pulaski County and a farm in Crittenden County.

10-11-18 3:28 p.m. kawx.org 

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge released the below statement following today’s Arkansas Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of Act 633, which establishes procedures for verifying voter registration.

“Successfully defending our Voter ID law is a huge win for everyday Arkansans and our election process,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Today’s decision protects the integrity of every voter’s ballot and ensures that your vote cannot be stolen by someone pretending to be you at the polls.” 

10-11-18 1:43 p.m. kawx.org 

LITTLE ROCK – From food delivery to job applications, many services are available online rather than requiring Arkansans to visit a storefront, but the quality of services may diminish if completed online rather than in person. Some companies are offering medical services online, including eye and hearing exams, potentially decreasing the accuracy of the services.
 
“Arkansans should take advantage of advances in technology often to make our busy lives easier,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “But we should all do our due diligence to research companies and apps to ensure that the services are accurate, effective and legitimate.”
 
Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips for consumers who decide to pay for services online:

• Check the site’s privacy policy before providing any personal financial information and determine how the information will be used or shared with others. Also check the site’s statements about the security provided for your information. Some websites’ disclosures are easier to find than others — look at the bottom of the home page, on order forms or in the “About” or “FAQs” section of a site.
• Pay by credit card, the most secure way. Under federal law, you can dispute the charges if you do not get what you were promised. You may also dispute unauthorized charges on your credit card. Many credit card issuers have “zero liability” policies under which you pay nothing if someone steals and uses your credit card.
• Keep personal information private. Do not disclose personal information – address, telephone number, Social Security number, bank account number or email address – unless you know who is collecting the information, why they are collecting it and how they will use it.
• Review monthly credit card and bank statements for any errors or unauthorized purchases promptly and thoroughly. Notify your credit or debit card issuer immediately if your credit or debit card or checkbook is lost or stolen, or if you suspect someone is using your accounts without your permission.

Rutledge encourages Arkansans to check a business’s status with the Attorney General’s Office or the Better Business Bureau to ensure its legitimacy.

For more information about other common scams and consumer-related issues, please call the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.

10-11-18 9:49 a.m. kawx.org 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Hutchinson has proclaimed October as Arkansas Farm to School Month, joining nationwide efforts to connect schools, early care and educational sites, and other organizations with farms to bring local, healthy food to children. Find the full Arkansas Farm to School proclamation, here.

“School gardens create valuable teaching experiences because they incorporate hands-on activities with lessons in food production and proper nutrition, and the overall importance of agriculture. I commend the efforts of educators and partners engaged in making our communities healthier through student-led food initiatives like school gardens,” said Governor Hutchinson.

More than 42,500 schools have joined the Farm to School movement across the U.S., engaging approximately 23.6 million students each year, including 192 schools and nearly 95,000 students in Arkansas. Find additional resources for Farm to School activities and support at: www.arkansasfarmtoschool.org.

Ways to participate in Farm to School Month in Arkansas include:

• Schools: Plan a school garden through your FFA or 4H Club. Farm to School grants are available through a partnership between the Arkansas Agriculture Department and Farm Credit. Find out more at https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/aad-grants.
• Schools: Create a Farm to School salad bar, using local products.
• Teachers: Organize a farm tour or trip to the local farmers’ market.
• Teachers: Connect garden-based, hands-on learning activities to curriculum.
• Families: Take the kids to your local farmers market or harvest festival.
• Families: Cook with seasonal products, and involve the entire family in meal preparation.
• Farmers: Connect with your local schools, and offer to provide farm visits or classroom presentations.
• Farmers: Connect with a local teacher to provide photos and stories to students about your farming operation.

The Arkansas Farm to School Month Proclamation is supported by a group of Farm to School state and private partners, including: the Access to Healthy Foods Research Group at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, Arkansas Department of Education Child Nutrition Unit, University Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas MarketMaker, Healthy Active Arkansas, and the Arkansas Agriculture Department.

10-11-18 8:28 a.m. kawx.org 

Weekly Fishing Report

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Oct. 10, 2018. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email AGFCfishingreport@outlook.com with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.

Central Arkansas

North Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas

Northeast Arkansas

Southeast Arkansas

Southwest Arkansas

South-Central Arkansas

West-Central Arkansas

East Arkansas

Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk

For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt

For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality.

10-10-18 4:34 p.m. kawx.org 

The Old State House Museum in Little Rock has reopened one of its most popular exhibits, "First Ladies of Arkansas: Women of their Times." The newly renovated exhibit, which first opened in the 1950s, is known for having the largest display of first ladies’ gowns outside the Smithsonian.
 
“This whole exhibit, it’s not about the pretty dresses,” said Jo Ellen Maack, the museum’s curator. “It’s about the women themselves. It’s about their causes.”
 
Issues such as education, healthcare, the suffrage movement, and the arts have been championed by the first ladies and the exhibit also highlights their life after office.
 
“All of these women, none of them just sat back and said, ‘well I was first lady that was enough,’” said Maack. “Every one of them have gone on and led extraordinary lives. We try to talk about that in the exhibit.”
 
The exhibit showcases the accomplishments of governors’ wives throughout Arkansas’s history.
 
You can learn about Mary Jane Bradley Conway, Arkansas’s original first lady. Her husband was James Sevier Conway, who took office as Arkansas’s first governor after Arkansas became a state in 1836. His final resting place is the 11-acre historic site Conway Cemetery State Park in southwest Arkansas.
 
Anne McMath’s hand painted campaign gown is in the exhibit and highlights the accomplishments of Arkansas Governor Sid McMath during his first term in office. The McMath's were the first family to live in the Governor’s Mansion, which was completed in 1950.
 
Hillary Clinton’s 1979 inauguration gown, which was designed by Little Rock designer Connie Fails, is also on display as well as more information on the accomplishments of this former first lady of Arkansas who went on to serve as first lady of the United States, a U.S. Senator, the U.S. Secretary of State and a nominee for President of the United States.
 
The well worn and duct taped hiking boots of Gay White, who served as first lady in the 1980s, are also on display from her Grand Canyon adventures.
 
The gowns and artifacts will be rotated once a year in the gallery, which now includes motion-activated lighting and temperature controlled cases. The exhibit will also be added to. Text panels include a quick bio of the first lady and information on their gowns if one is shown.

The exhibit also has touch screen kiosks where you can learn more about the first ladies. “You can see photographs and go in deeper for information and there is also a video we did with them,” said Maack. “Some talk about their dresses but mostly they talk about what they want to be remembered for as first lady. It’s really getting to know them even more.”
 
This is phase one of the permanent museum exhibit, “First Families: Mingling of Politics and Culture.” Phase two, which will be located in the next room over from the First Ladies of Arkansas exhibit, is expected to open next summer and will focus on the governors of Arkansas. “The exciting thing is that it is going to be where the original governors’ offices were when the Old State House was the state capitol,” said Maack. “I was blown away by all the governors that went on to incredible things, once again like the first ladies.”
 
The Old State House Museum, which is located at 300 W. Markham, interprets Arkansas history from statehood to the present. Built in 1836, the Old State House was the state's original capitol until 1911. Admission is free and open to the public. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit oldstatehouse.com.

10-10-18 8:15 a.m. kawx.org 

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today joined 16 other states in an amicus brief supporting the Second Amendment in response to New York City’s “premises permit” gun restrictions.

“The Founding Fathers ensured our right to bear arms with the Second Amendment, and it is important that no government try to take away that right,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Allowing a government such control sets a dangerous precedent.”

New York City requires a costly and restrictive “premises permit” to own a personal handgun for self-defense. The permit prohibits taking the weapon outside the home for any purpose other than to practice at one of the New York City shooting ranges and entirely prohibits leaving the state with the weapon. The costly “carry” permit is required to remove the weapon from the home for other purposes and is difficult to obtain.

The 17-state coalition urges the Supreme Court to review the case and provide clear guidance on the scope of the Second Amendment and specifically to confirm that the right to self-defense is not limited to the home.

The states argue that while city and state governments have an interest in public safety and crime prevention, New York City offered no evidence that demonstrated its regulations actually enhance public safety and crime prevention. In fact, its restrictive scheme has the opposite effect by arbitrarily limiting a gun owner’s ability to become proficient with his or her own weapon, requiring thousands of people to buy additional weapons and causing thousands of weapons to be left in unoccupied houses.

The states also point out the significant economic impact of hunting and shooting sports.

“New York’s regulatory scheme discriminates against interstate commerce because it ‘deprives out-of-state businesses of access to a local market’ by forbidding its citizens from hunting and patronizing ranges outside the state with their own guns,” the states wrote.

The 16 states joining Arkansas in the brief through their Attorney Generals are Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin, and the Governors of Mississippi and Kentucky.

10-10-18 7:59 a.m. kawx.org 

Mena Middle School students will be assisting with a luncheon to honor Polk County Veterans in November. There will be a video featuring pictures of local veterans shown at the luncheon, and families of veterans are encouraged to send pictures, as well as the full name, rank, branch of service, and years served to be used in the video tribute.

Pictures and information about the veteran should be emailed to polkcountyvets@gmail.com.

For more information, contact Jessica Smith at Mena Middle School.

10-8-18 12:01 p.m. kawx.org 

Early voting begins two weeks from today. Do you know who your candidates are and where they stand on the issues?

Family Council is shipping thousands of printed copies of the Arkansas Voter's Guide statewide ahead of the election in November. You can request free copies of the guide by going to ArkansasVotersGuide.com.

So far we've shipped nearly 40,000 printed copies of the guide, and we have about 10,000 left.

If you haven't already ordered copies of the guide for your family, your home school group, your church, or your friends, don't wait. Order them today at ArkansasVotersGuide.com.

Since 1990 Family Council has produced the state's leading nonpartisan voter's guide.

We survey the candidates on issues like school choice, marriage, abortion, illegal immigration, and other topics, and we published their responses in print and online.

Our voter's guide tells you who the candidates are, how to contact them, and where they stand on a number of important issues.

You can order free copies of the guide right now at ArkansasVotersGuide.com.

We can only provide printed copies of the Arkansas Voter's Guide while supplies last, so don't wait.

The Arkansas Voter's Guide is completely free, but you can help support it by making a generous, tax-deductible donation to Family Council today. Click here to donate.

10-8-18 8:09 a.m. kawx.org 

The Polk County Sheriff's Department arrested Jeremy Golden, a Mount Ida resident, on charges of internet stalking of a child and sexual indecency with a child Wednesday (October 3, 2018) in Polk County. The prosecutor wanted Golden tried in Federal Court instead of State Court. After an indictment was handed down, Polk County deputies made the arrest and the United States Secret Service was on hand to transport Golden to Hot Springs for arraignment, according to Sheriff Scott Sawyer.

10-6-18 12:59 p.m. kawx.org 

On Sunday, October 7, 2018, in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flag of the United States and the state flag of Arkansas will be flown at half-staff in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

To see the Presidential Proclamation for Fire Prevention Week, 2018, click HERE.

10-5-18 10:07 a.m. kawx.org 

On October 16, legislators will begin meeting at the Capitol to review budget needs for the next fiscal year. Budget hearings are expected to continue through the middle of November.  During that time, members will review budget requests from boards, commissions, and state agencies.

On November 14, the Department of Finance and Administration is scheduled to present an annual forecast and recommendations for a balanced budget by the Governor.

We know from recent revenue reports that Arkansas’s financial outlook looks optimistic. General revenue for the current fiscal year is already $93.7 million more than this time last year.  That is 2.3% above the forecast for that period.  Individual income tax, corporate income tax, and sales tax collections are all showing an increase from last year.

For the month of September alone, general revenue was 9.8% or $50.7 million more than September 2017.

The Arkansas Tax Reform and Relief Task Force has been meeting on a regular basis for more than a year.  The task force has been reviewing existing tax structures and the implications of possible reductions.  The task force expects to make recommendations for tax cuts and have legislation drafted before the session begins.  Any new legislation would have to be enacted through the normal legislative process during the session.

The 2019 Regular Session begins January 14. Unless extended by a 2/3 vote, Regular Sessions are scheduled to last 60 days.  Therefore, if we don’t begin drafting appropriation bills before the session begins, there would be little chance of us finishing our work on time.

The meetings take place in the MAC building located directly behind the Capitol.  They are open to the public.  We will post the agendas daily on our website www.arkansashouse.org as well as our social media pages.

10-5-18 4:51 p.m. kawx.org 

Strengthening the Federal Response to the Opioid Crisis

The opioid epidemic took the lives of 72,000 Americans last year. Opioid abuse doesn’t discriminate, it threatens nearly every community across the United States.

Congress is aggressively working to combat this problem by expanding prevention efforts, empowering law enforcement and increasing access to treatment. President Trump recently signed into law added opioid crisis response funding and now additional legislation aimed at turning the tide is headed to his desk.

In early October, the Senate joined the House and passed a comprehensive opioid response package. It contains a wide array of avenues to counter the crisis, including ways to get individuals the help and support they need to recover. The bill focuses on prevention, treatment, providing additional law enforcement tools and expanding research into non-addictive pain treatments.

The legislation also enhances a grant program to train first responders administering naloxone, the drug that can be used to block the effects of opioids and prevent deaths from an overdose.

Since 2017, the Arkansas Naloxone Project has trained more than 3,300 first responders to administer the drug. This effort has saved at least 142 lives. The program continues to grow. Other states can replicate the success of Arkansas by utilizing these grant funds to train first responders.

Not only does this legislation help those already impacted by this crisis, it also aims to stop even more lethal drugs like fentanyl from getting into the country by improving detection of prohibited drugs being illegally imported through the mail.

The opioid epidemic has been keenly felt within our veteran population. During a bipartisan forum on opioid abuse last month, I highlighted the work we’ve done and continue to do to help veterans living with substance abuse.

We’ve established a drug take-back program in coordination with the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); promoted flexibility in pain management by encouraging alternative treatments such as therapies that involve animals, outdoor activities and meditation; as well as provided more funding to Veterans Treatment Courts. We also improved VA policy to require practitioners to consult the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) database when prescribing medication in order to more closely monitor a veteran’s prescription history. 

The opioid epidemic directly touches veterans and virtually all Arkansans. We all have a stake in this fight. If individuals are living healthier lives they will be able to be more productive citizens, and help their communities thrive.

In recent weeks, Arkansas has received millions of dollars in additional federal funding to combat this crisis. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing more than $150,000 to convert the former Jackson County jail into the White River Women’s Shelter to provide prevention, recovery and treatment services to individuals recovering from opioid misuse. Additionally, nearly $3 million was awarded to several Arkansas Community Health Centers to help these facilities that are on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

Additional funding and policy updates are just a small piece of the puzzle. Together we can make a real difference and change the conversations we have around opioid abuse and addiction to focus not on the lives taken, but on the lives saved.

10-5-18 3:01 p.m. kawx.org 

ATTORNEY GENERAL ALERT: Military Service Members Can Vote Absentee

LITTLE ROCK – Voting at the ballot box is an important right for all Americans, including our active duty military men and women, and their families. But voting absentee may be confusing and often an option some may not be aware of. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ensures voting eligibility in the military member’s state of legal residence.

“The deadline is quickly approaching to register to vote to be able to cast a vote in November’s general election,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “It is important that all Arkansans have their voices heard in November, including our military service members who are currently stationed outside of their home State or country. Absentee ballots can be requested by contacting the county clerk where the service member is registered to vote.”

Attorney General Rutledge shares Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin’s list of qualifications for voting absentee:

·       The voter will be unavoidably absent from the polling site on election day.

·       The voter will be unable to attending the polling site on election day due to illness or physical disability.

·       The member of the Uniformed Services, merchant marines, spouse or a dependent family member are away from the polling location due to the member’s active duty status.

·       A U.S. citizen whose residence is in Arkansas but is temporarily living outside the territorial limits of the United States is eligible to vote absentee.

According to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Elections Division, absentee ballots can be delivered through either the U.S. Postal Service or Ballot Safe, a secure online website. If the military service member decides to download the ballot instead of receiving a hard copy, the ballot will need to be printed, filled out and mailed to the county clerk, postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 6.

Military and family members are eligible to vote in their state of legal residence. This could be an original address, or the families can change their legal residence at each permanent duty station change. The American Bar Association encourages military families to keep voter registration, vehicle registration and State of legal residence the same for tax purposes.

For more information about other common scams and consumer-related issues, please call the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.

10-5-18 9:44 a.m. kawx.org 

Weekly Fishing Report

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Oct. 3, 2018. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email AGFCfishingreport@outlook.com with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.

Central Arkansas

North Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas

Northeast Arkansas

Southeast Arkansas

Southwest Arkansas

South-Central Arkansas

West-Central Arkansas

East Arkansas

Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk

For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt

For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality.

10-5-18 9:38 a.m. kawx.org 

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Larry Teague

October 5, 2018

LITTLE ROCK – Since 2015, when the legislature approved Act 187 to upgrade the computer capacity of public schools, Arkansas has moved to the head of the class in national rankings.

The Arkansas Public School Computer Network can now provide Internet service at a rate of one megabit per second per user to 98 percent of the state’s schools.

That is more than any other state, according to a non-profit organization called Information Superhighway, which works to upgrade and expand computer access in public schools.

Act 187 required every Arkansas high school, including charters, to offer at least one computer science class. It also created a task force of educators, science teachers and people with expertise in computers.  Its duty was to ensure that computer courses are up to date and of the highest caliber.

The act was part of the governor’s legislative package. The progress made by Arkansas schools is even more impressive considering where they were before 2015.

In a 2011 study, 80 percent of educational administrators reported that their schools had problems with bandwidth that prevented them from offering computer and technology courses. They had to restrict student access to school computers because of a lack of bandwidth.

One problem was that too many schools relied on copper lines, which had been sufficient but had become obsolete. They were replaced with fiber optic cables, which can transmit much more data and will be able to better meet future demands.

Providing bandwidth in all areas of the state is significant because it helps level the playing field between rich and poor districts, as well as between urban and rural districts.

Academic success in the modern classroom is a parallel journey to success later in life in the modern economy. Technical skills, particularly in computers and telecommunication, are essential.

The expansion of broadband capacity resulting from Act 187 has meant that an additional 115,000 Arkansas children have access to high speed Internet.

Providing Internet access to schools throughout Arkansas was accomplished with funding from federal and state governments, as well as local school districts. They contracted with a coalition of 21 service providers.

The cost of purchasing broadband capability in Arkansas has been going down. In 2015 it cost $14 to provide 1 mbps and today it costs less than two dollars. Lower costs were a factor that allowed Arkansas officials to expand school network capacity by an average of 40 percent.

Government programs for expansion of bandwidth in schools go by a variety of acronyms, such as E-rate 2.0, Connect Ed, BTOP and Ed-Fi. The federal government provided $30 million for Internet in Arkansas schools, and there are 55 school districts that can access $8.3 million before the end of the year.

Revenue Report

The Arkansas economy was healthy during the first three months of the state fiscal year, judging by state general revenue collections. Gross collections were up 4.9 percent over the first three months of last fiscal year.

The increase was driven by strong collections of individual and corporate income taxes, as well as sales taxes, according to the director of the state Department of Finance and Administration. Increased revenue is an accurate gauge of increased economic activity because tax rates have not gone up.

10-5-18 9:30 a.m. kawx.org 

Editors Note-In addition to Corporal Vacco, Mena Police Department Officers Paul Arceneaux and Mike Wolf were recognized as outstanding police officers from Polk County.

Rutledge Names Arkansas State Police Senior Corporal Becky Vacco Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

Recognizes regional winners and outstanding officer in each county

BENTON – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today hosted the annual awards and recognition luncheon during the 2018 Law Enforcement Summit at the Benton Event Center, where she announced Arkansas State Police Senior Corporal Becky Vacco as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. A record 648 officers from across the State attended the summit, which is in its 16th year.

Corporal Vacco recently assisted three law enforcement agencies in investigations of crimes against children. One was a case of an 8-week-old child with 18 broken ribs and a leg fracture. The case resulted in the father pleading guilty to first degree battery and sentenced to 35 years. Another case was the death of a 23-month-old child that resulted in a life sentence for the suspect. In the third case, a 3-week-old male had a broken clavicle and numerous bruises including one that had caused brain swelling and seizures. Vacco conducted numerous interviews and after seven months arrested both parents. The victim, now 2, will require round-the-clock care for the rest of his life.

Vacco was nominated by Arkansas State Police Lieutenant Kim Warren who said, “Perhaps the greatest attribute of Special Agent Vacco is her willingness to take on cases involving child abuse. It’s my opinion that no other type of investigation takes as great a toll on the investigator as crimes in which children are victimized.”

“The dedication of Corporal Vacco to stand up for victims of child abuse is admirable,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Arkansas is lucky to have officers like Corporal Vacco who are willing to represent these victims against their accuser, often giving a voice to those unable to speak for themselves. It is an honor to not only recognize her, but also the regional and county winners and to thank the many brave men and women in blue who sacrifice so much to protect our communities.”

The other Regional Officers of the Year included: Wildlife Officers Troy Sayger and Matt Tenison, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Southeast Region, for their work to save a suicidal teen in inclement weather; Corporal Brandon Cook, Arkansas State Police, Southwest Region, for saving a woman who had jumped off a bridge; Lieutenant Chris Ameling, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Central Region, for tending to a woman trapped inside a structure fire by keeping her calm until firefighters could arrive; Patrolman Lyle Fultz, Fairfield Bay Police Department, Northwest Region, for entering a burning building to rescue a resident, saving his life.

A list of the outstanding officer winners from each county can be found at the conclusion of this release.

Rutledge also presented a VALOR tribute, which is given in honor of members of the law enforcement community who tragically lost their lives while in the line of duty this past year. This year’s tribute was presented to K9 Trooper Hemi with the Arkansas State Police.

Rutledge gave special recognition to Richard Davis, the Director of the Arkansas State Fusion Center, who passed away in May.

The summit was kicked off by Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, who spoke about his efforts to combat human trafficking. Attorney General Reyes has been a leader and an international voice leading Utah to aggressively fight human trafficking by introducing innovative education campaigns, support of anti-human trafficking legislations, victim recovery and advocacy. The success of his multifaceted effort has been accomplished by grassroots and non-governmental organizations efforts, partnerships with local law enforcement officers and agencies, as well as work initiated by his office through the Utah Trafficking in Persons Task Force and prosecutors of Utah SECURE Strike Force.

Dennis Debbaudt spoke to attendees about autism risk and safety management in various emergency situations, especially in regard to individuals on the autism spectrum. It is critical that first responders have working knowledge of autism and the wide variety of behaviors individuals on the autism spectrum may exhibit in emergency situations.

And the afternoon concluded with a presentation from Jeffrey McGill, formerly with the Okalossa County, Florida, Violent Fugitive Task Force. McGill discussed surviving traumatic stress to address the far reaches of a critical incident and what officers, supervisors, trainers and families need to know about traumatic stress.

County Officers of the Year

Arkansas County

Officer Paul Colvin, Stuttgart Police Department

Ashley County

Wildlife Officer Eric Smith, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Baxter County

Senior Corporal Becky Vacco, Arkansas State Police

Benton County

Officer Ericka Williams, Bentonville Police Department

Boone County

Trooper Jason Hutcheson, Arkansas State Police

Bradley County

Corporal Robert Sellers, Arkansas Department of Transportation

Calhoun County

Deputy Clifton Humphries, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office

Carroll County

Wildlife Officer Kelli Sanders, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Chicot County

Chief Percy Wilburn, Lake Village Police Department

Clark County

Investigator Sandra Jones, Clark County Sheriff’s Office

Clay County

Chief Deputy Tom Colbert, Clay County Sheriff’s Office

Cleburne County

Officer Austin Miller, Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office

Cleveland County

Chief Deputy Gary Young, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office

Columbia County

Investigator Kelly Blair, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

Conway County

Trooper Corey Earls, Arkansas State Police

Craighead County

Sergeant Philip Vanwinkle, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office

Crawford County

Trooper Joshua Elmore, Arkansas State Police

Crittenden County

Corporal Flarcell Tate, Arkansas State Police

Cross County

Sergeant Luke Cantrell and Sergeant Jeff Nichols, Cross County Sheriff’s Office

Dallas County

Chief Jimmy Vaughan, Fordyce Police Department

Desha County

Chief Everett Cox, Dumas Police Department

Drew County

Sergeant David Outlaw, Arkansas State Police

Faulkner County

Investigator Kennon Cook, Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office

Franklin County

Senior Corporal Rickey Denton, Arkansas State Police

Fulton County

Chief Deputy John Cawvey, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

Garland County

Corporal Brandon Cook, Arkansas State Police

Grant County

Corporal Tommy Holcomb, Grant County Sheriff’s Office

Greene County

Lieutenant Scott Snyder, Paragould Police Department

Hempstead County

Corporal Dennis Hovarter and Corporal Jeffery Neel, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Hot Spring County

Lieutenant Glen Pye, Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office

Howard County

Corporal Keith Teague, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Independence County

The late Chief Deputy Jeff Sims, Independence County Sheriff’s Office

Izard County

Trooper Rodney Villiger, Arkansas State Police

Jackson County

Corporal Ronald Laslo, Arkansas State Police

Jefferson County

Trooper Kevin Helm and Corporal Dustin Thompson, Arkansas State Police

Johnson County

Officer Lance Clubb, Clarksville Police Department

Lafayette County

Wildlife Officer Andrew Watson, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Lawrence County

Deputy Joseph Carey, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

Lee County

Sergeant Dale Acosta, Marianna Police Department

Lincoln County (TIE)

Captain Kenneth Tillman, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office

Sergeant Ben Reeves, Star City Police Department

Little River County

Wildlife Officer Cody Standifer, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Logan County

Trooper Jed Bolyard, Arkansas State Police

Lonoke County

Deputy Dallas Mauk, Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office

Madison County

Corporal Jonathon Cornelison, Madison County Sheriff’s Office

Marion County

Corporal Tim Davenport, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Miller County

Detective Shane Kirkland and Detective Wayne Easley, Texarkana Police Department

Mississippi County

Deputy Johnathon Boatman, Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office

Monroe County

Corporal Damon Dobson, Arkansas State Police

Montgomery County

Lieutenant Greg Harmon, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

Nevada County

Chief Joey Beavers, Prescott Police Department

Newton County

Lieutenant Kenny Seay, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Ouachita County

Deputy Ryan Coleman, Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office

Perry County

Reserve Deputy Nathan Williams, Perry County Sheriff’s Office

Phillips County

Officer Princess Burnside, Arkansas Department of Community Correction

Pike County

Sergeant Ronnie White, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Poinsett County

Sergeant Charles Jones and Assistant Chief Jon Redman, Trumann Police Department

Polk County

Patrolman Paul Arceneaux and Patrolman Mike Wolf, Mena Police Department

Pope County (TIE)

Sergeant Chris Goodman, Arkansas State Police

Corporal Brenda Stephenson, Arkansas State Police

Captain Tammy Dougan, Arkansas Tech University Department of Public Safety

*Dougan and Stephenson were jointly nominated for the same incident

Prairie County

Wildlife Officers Troy Sayger and Matt Tenison, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Pulaski County

Lieutenant Chris Ameling, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office

Randolph County

Wildlife Officer Jeff Dalton, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

St. Francis County

Corporal Frank McMillion, Arkansas State Police

Saline County

Deputy Jack Campbell, Saline County Sheriff’s Office

Scott County

Special Agent Sam Bass, Arkansas State Police

Searcy County

Wildlife Officer Ken Nelson, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Sebastian County

Officer Keith Shelby, Fort Smith Police Department

Sevier County

Wildlife Officer Sydney Grant, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Sharp County

Detective Sergeant Aaron Presser, Sharp County Sheriff’s Office

Stone County

Corporal Chad Cruce, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Union County

Deputy Aaron Galbraith, Union County Sheriff’s Office

Van Buren County

Patrolman Lyle Fultz, Fairfield Bay Police Department

Washington County

Trooper Ryan Leuer, Arkansas State Police

White County

Officer Kristen Higgs, Bald Knob Police Department

Woodruff County

Special Agent Randall Murphy, Arkansas State Police

Yell County

Sergeant Joe Carter, Arkansas State Police

10-2-18 5:32 p.m. kawx.org 

SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of September 24, 2018 – September 30, 2018. The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts. Individuals charged and whose names appear in this column may submit documentation to us at a later date that the charges have been dismissed or that they have been found innocent and we will include that information in this space in a timely manner.

September 24, 2018

Report from complainant on Polk 70 near Cherry Hill of damage done to a fence by a vehicle. Complainant refused to press charges.

Report from complainant on Highway 71 North near Acorn of the fraudulent use of a credit card. Investigation continues.

September 25, 2018

Report from complainant on Polk 41 South near Potter of problems with their neighbors’ animals. Deputy responded.

Report of a disturbance on Lil George Lane near Yocana. Subject fled before deputies arrived. Investigation continues.

Arrested was Jimmy L. Wright, 33, of Mena, on a Warrant for DWI and Careless/Prohibited Driving.

Arrested was Donnie R. Dollarhyde, 45, of Mena, on two Warrants for Failure to Appear.

Arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department was Emanuel L. Hernandez, 31, of Dequeen, on a Warrant for Failure to Comply with a Court Order.

Arrested was Martha M. Tucker, 37, of Mena, on a Warrant for Delivery of Meth/Cocaine.

Arrested was Kenneth N. Chaney, 42, of Mena, on Warrants for Delivery of Meth/Cocaine and Failure to Appear.

Arrested was Michael G. Taylor, 47, of Mena, on a Warrant for Breaking & Entering and Theft of Property.

Arrested by an officer with the Drug Task Force was Brandi M. Smith, 42, of Mena, on Charges of Delivery of Meth/Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

September 26, 2018

Report from a Vandervoort woman that her son’s wallet had been stolen, containing personal documents and $85.00 in cash. The victim was compensated for losses. Investigation continues.

Traffic stop on Highway 375 West near Mena led to the arrest of Jack A. Curry, 38, of Hatfield, on a Warrant for Delivery of Meth/Cocaine.

Arrested was Matthew E. Cannon, 38, of Mena, on Warrants for Theft by Receiving, Violation of Suspended Imposition of Sentence and Failure to Comply with a Court Order.

September 27, 2018

Arrested by an officer with Probation/Parole was Trinna E. Myers, 38, of Mena, on Charges of Possession of Meth/Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

September 28, 2018

Report from complainant on Highway 246 West near Hatfield of a missing family member. The individual was later located.

Report from complainant on Polk 701 near Cove of a disturbance that had occurred earlier. Information has been provided to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration.

Report from complainant on Polk 26 near Hatfield of the theft of prescription medication. Investigation continues.

Arrested was Richard C. Russell, 44, of Mena, on a Dallas County Warrant.

Arrested was Carolyn Y. Burrell, 34, of Mena, on a Body Attachment Warrant.

Arrested by an officer with Probation/Parole was Aaron F. Ollar, 30, of Mena, on Charges of Possession of Meth/Cocaine and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

September 29, 2018

Report from complainant on Highway 88 West near Mena of vandalism done to equipment. Investigation continues.

Arrested was Mark K. Willingham, 53, of Mena, on a Charge of Possession of Meth/Cocaine, and a Warrant for Battery 3^rd Degree and Criminal Mischief 2^nd Degree.

Traffic stop in Cove led to a 17-year-old male being issued Juvenile Citations for Obstructing Governmental Operations and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The juvenile was released to the custody of a parent/guardian.

Report from complainant on Polk 98 near Grannis of the theft of a vehicle. Investigation continues.

Arrested was Kymberlie A. Chaney, 21, of Cove, on Warrants for Failure to Comply with a Court Order, Felony Failure to Appear and a Sevier County Warrant.

September 30, 2018

Report of a disturbance on Polk 164 near Rocky. Deputy responded. Information has been provided to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration.

Arrested was Tyra N. Cornelius, 33, of Mena, on a Charge of Disorderly Conduct.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked six vehicle accidents this week. Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 22 Incarcerated Inmates, with 6 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

PC18-00652

10-1-18 4:42 p.m. kawx.org