SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR 237 AM CDT MON JUL 30 2012 ARZ003>007-012>016-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-311100- ARKANSAS-BAXTER-BOONE-BRADLEY-CALHOUN-CLARK-CLEBURNE-CLEVELAND- CONWAY-DALLAS-DESHA-DREW-FAULKNER-FULTON-GARLAND-GRANT-HOT SPRING- INDEPENDENCE-IZARD-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-LINCOLN-LOGAN-LONOKE- MARION-MONROE-MONTGOMERY-NEWTON-OUACHITA-PERRY-PIKE-POLK-POPE- PRAIRIE-PULASKI-SALINE-SCOTT-SEARCY-SHARP-STONE-VAN BUREN-WHITE- WOODRUFF-YELL- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALTHEIMER...AMITY...ARKADELPHIA... ARKANSAS CITY...ASH FLAT...AUGUSTA...AVILLA...BATESVILLE... BAUXITE...BEARDEN...BEE BRANCH...BEEBE...BENTON...BISMARCK... BONNERDALE...BOONEVILLE...BRINKLEY...BRYANT...BULL SHOALS... CABOT...CALICO ROCK...CAMDEN...CAVE CITY...CENTER RIDGE... CHIDESTER...CLARENDON...CLARKSVILLE...CLINTON...CONWAY... COTTON PLANT...DANVILLE...DARDANELLE...DE VALLS BLUFF...DE WITT... DEER...DES ARC...DONALDSON...DRASCO...DUMAS...EL PASO...ENGLAND... FAIRFIELD BAY...FLIPPIN...FORDYCE...FOURCHE JUNCTION... GASSVILLE...GEORGETOWN...GILLETT...GLENWOOD...GOULD...GRADY... GRAVELLY...GREENBRIER...GREERS FERRY...GURDON...HAMPTON...HARDY... HARRISON...HASKELL...HAZEN...HEBER SPRINGS...HECTOR...HERMITAGE... HORSESHOE BEND...HOT SPRINGS...HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE...HOUSTON... HUMNOKE...HUMPHREY...JACKSONVILLE...JASPER...JESSIEVILLE... KINGSLAND...LACEY...LEAD HILL...LEOLA...LESLIE...LITTLE ROCK... LONOKE...MALVERN...MAMMOTH SPRING...MARSHALL...MAUMELLE... MAYFLOWER...MCCRORY...MCGEHEE...MELBOURNE...MENA...MONTICELLO... MORO BAY...MORRILTON...MOUNT IDA...MOUNT MAGAZINE... MOUNTAIN HOME...MOUNTAIN VIEW...MURFREESBORO...NEWPORT... NORFORK...NORMAN...NORTH LITTLE ROCK...OIL TROUGH...OKOLONA... OLA...OMAHA...OXFORD...OZONE...PARIS...PARON...PELSOR... PERRYVILLE...PINE BLUFF...PINE RIDGE...PLEASANT PLAINS...POYEN... PRATTSVILLE...REDFIELD...RISON...ROHWER...ROSE BUD... RUSSELLVILLE...SALEM...SEARCY...SHERIDAN...SHERWOOD...STAR CITY... STEPHENS...STUTTGART...SUMMIT...SWIFTON...THORNTON...TUCKERMAN... VILONIA...VIOLA...WALDRON...WARREN...WESTERN GROVE...WICKES... WRIGHTSVILLE...Y CITY...YELLVILLE 237 AM CDT MON JUL 30 2012 ...DANGEROUS WILDFIRE CONDITIONS CONTINUE IN ARKANSAS... HIGH PRESSURE IN THE PLAINS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES ACROSS MUCH OF THE STATE WILL CONTINUE TO TOP 100 DEGREES....WITH SOME AREAS APPROACHING OR POSSIBLY EXCEEDING 110 DEGREES. AS HEATING OCCURS...DRY AIR ALOFT WILL TEND TO MIX TO THE GROUND...AND AFTERNOON HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL DROP BELOW 30 PERCENT...POSSIBLY BELOW 20 PERCENT IN SOME LOCATIONS. THIS WILL BE ESPECIALLY TRUE ACROSS THE NORTHWEST HALF OF THE STATE CLOSEST TO THE CENTER OF THE HIGH PRESSURE. IN ADDITION TO VERY HOT TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITY VALUES... VEGETATION IS BONE DRY IN MOST OF ARKANSAS. NINETY SIX PERCENT OF THE STATE IS EXPERIENCING AT LEAST SEVERE DROUGHT...WITH EXTREME TO EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT IN THREE QUARTERS OF THE STATE. THE REGION EXPERIENCED THE DRIEST APRIL THROUGH JUNE ON RECORD...AND BENEFICIAL RAIN HAS BEEN SPOTTY SO FAR IN JULY. WITH LITTLE TO NO RAIN IN THE FORECAST...AND DETERIORATING DROUGHT CONDITIONS EXPECTED...DANGEROUS WILDFIRE CONDITIONS WILL BE NOTED THROUGH AT LEAST THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK. FIRES WILL TEND TO START EASILY...AND THEY WILL SPREAD QUICKLY GIVEN LITTLE MOISTURE IN THE GRASS AND TREES. WINDS IN EXCESS OF 15 TO 20 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE ON MONDAY WHICH COULD CAUSE FIRES TO SPREAD MORE QUICKLY. THE ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION HAS THE ENTIRE STATE IN A HIGH FIRE DANGER. MOST COUNTIES ARE UNDER BURN BANS...EXCEPT FOR COUNTIES MAINLY IN THE SOUTH AND EAST. OUTDOOR BURNING IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED IN ARKANSAS UNTIL WIDESPREAD SUBSTANTIAL RAIN FALLS. ANY UNCONTROLLED OR ACCIDENTAL FIRES COULD QUICKLY GROW OUT OF CONTROL.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Special weather statement still valid
Today's hazardous weather outlook
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR 354 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2012 ARZ003>007-012>016-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-011000- ARKANSAS-BAXTER-BOONE-BRADLEY-CALHOUN-CLARK-CLEBURNE-CLEVELAND- CONWAY-DALLAS-DESHA-DREW-FAULKNER-FULTON-GARLAND-GRANT-HOT SPRING- INDEPENDENCE-IZARD-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-LINCOLN-LOGAN-LONOKE- MARION-MONROE-MONTGOMERY-NEWTON-OUACHITA-PERRY-PIKE-POLK-POPE- PRAIRIE-PULASKI-SALINE-SCOTT-SEARCY-SHARP-STONE-VAN BUREN-WHITE- WOODRUFF-YELL- 354 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2012 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR A LARGE PART OF ARKANSAS. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT VERY HOT CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED AGAIN TODAY...WITH AFTERNOON HIGHS NEAR OR ABOVE 100 DEGREES FOR MOST OF THE AREA. SOME LOCATIONS COULD APPROACH 110 DEGREES. AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL RANGE FROM 105 TO NEAR 110 DEGREES IN MUCH OF THE AREA. AS A RESULT...A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT. MOST OF THE STATE IS NOW IN SEVERE WILDFIRE DANGER DUE TO THE SEVERE TO EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND RESULTING DRY VEGETATION. MOST COUNTIES HAVE BURN BANS IN PLACE. OUTDOOR BURNING OF ANY KIND IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED AS FIRES COULD QUICKLY SPREAD OUT OF CONTROL. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS COULD DEVELOP DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE AFTERNOON. WHILE WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED...ANY STORM COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING DOWNBURST WINDS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PART OF ARKANSAS FOR WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY DUE TO THE CONTINUED HOT TEMPERATURES AND ELEVATED HUMIDITY. AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL RANGE FROM 105 TO NEAR 110 DEGREES. SOME PORTIONS OF CENTRAL...EASTERN AND SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS COULD SEE HEAT INDEX VALUES APPROACH 115 DEGREES ON WEDNESDAY. AS A RESULT...AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY...INCLUDING AREAS GENERALLY ALONG AND EAST OF A LINE FROM NEWPORT...TO LITTLE ROCK...TO WARREN. THE WILDFIRE DANGER IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN HIGH TO SEVERE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS DUE TO ONGOING SEVERE TO EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT AND VERY HOT TEMPERATURES. ONLY ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS...WITH NO WIDESPREAD RAINFALL EXPECTED IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE TO BRING MUCH RELIEF. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME.
Today's heat advisory
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR 256 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2012 ARZ021-022-030>033-037>043-052>055-062-066-067-312100- /O.EXT.KLZK.HT.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-120803T0000Z/ CALHOUN-CLARK-CONWAY-DALLAS-FAULKNER-GARLAND-GRANT-HOT SPRING- JOHNSON-LOGAN-MONTGOMERY-OUACHITA-PERRY-PIKE-POLK-POPE-SALINE- SCOTT-WHITE-YELL- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ARKADELPHIA...BEEBE...BENTON... BOONEVILLE...BRYANT...CAMDEN...CLARKSVILLE...CONWAY...DANVILLE... DARDANELLE...FORDYCE...GLENWOOD...HAMPTON...HOT SPRINGS... MALVERN...MENA...MORRILTON...MOUNT IDA...MURFREESBORO...NORMAN... OLA...PARIS...PERRYVILLE...RUSSELLVILLE...SEARCY...SHERIDAN... THORNTON...WALDRON 256 AM CDT TUE JUL 31 2012 ...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THURSDAY... THE HEAT ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THURSDAY. * EVENT: HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL WARM INTO THE TRIPLE DIGITS... WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES RANGING FROM 105 TO NEAR 110 DEGREES. * TIMING: HEAT WILL BECOME EXTREME DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS THROUGH THURSDAY. * IMPACT: THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL MAKE HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES MORE LIKELY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...GO TO AN AIR-CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENT... STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES... NEIGHBORS AND PETS.
Mount Riante fire in Hot Springs
About 125 acres have burned on Mount Riante in south Hot Springs off Highway 7. Residents are watching the fire to see if they will need to evacuate. The wildfire started over the weekend. Firefighters from the Arkansas Forestry Commission, U.S. Forest Service and at least six volunteer fire departments battled the wildfire Monday with three bulldozers and two single engine tankers as it moved closer to several homes and communication towers.
Court closed Wednesday
Hot Springs District Court will be closed to the public on Wednesday, August 1
for judges’ and clerks’ training. It will re-open at 8 a.m. on Thursday, August
2.
Arkansas Civil War sesquicentennial events set for August
Seminars in Fayetteville and Little Rock, living history at Mammoth Spring, lectures and exhibits are among the events the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission has sanctioned for August, ACWSC Chairman Tom Dupree announced today. A complete listing of scheduled sesquicentennial activities, as well as additional information on the activities listed below, can be found at http://www.arkansascivilwar150.com/events/.
Among the Civil War sesquicentennial events during August are:
* Arkansas History Seminar, an Arkansas History Commission event that includes a session on Civil War history, will be held at Powhatan Historic Courthouse State Park on August 4; call (501) 682-6900 or email jane.hooker@arkansas.gov for more information.
* “The Stresses of War in the Communities,” a lecture by James Johnston in partnership with the Buffalo National River, will be held at the Marion County Library in Yellville on August 7; call (870) 449-6015 or email librarian@marcolib.org for more information.
* “An Empire in Extent: The Civil War West of the Mississippi,” a symposium hosted by the ACWSC and the National Park Service, will be held at the University of Arkansas Global Campus in Fayetteville August 9-11; for more information, visit http://www.arkansascivilwar150.com/symposium/.
* “The Life of a Refugee,” a living history program about civilians in Civil War Arkansas, will be held on August 11 at Mammoth Spring State Park; call (870) 625-7364 or email glynda.pryor@arkansas.gov for more information.
* Lead Hill Historical Marker Dedication will be held at the Lead Hill Rodeo Arena in Lead Hill on August 11; call (870) 365-9273 or email mosbcg@cox.net for more information.
* “Fought in Earnest: Civil War Arkansas,” the Arkansas History Commission’s traveling exhibit, will be at Lake Dardanelle State Park August 12-28; call (479) 967-5516 or email lakedardanelle@arkansas.com for additional information.
* “Civil War Arkansas 101,” a program with Mark Christ of the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, will be held on August 16 at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton; call (501) 778-4766 or email sperdue@saline.lib.ar.us for additional information.
* “Civil War Arkansas 1861-1865,” the ACWSC traveling exhibit, will be at the Arkansas State Library in Little Rock August 6-19; call (501) 682-2053 or email Carolyn@library.arkansas.gov for more information.
* “A Divided Arkansas,” a free seminar featuring Carl Moneyhon, William Shea and Daniel Sutherland, will be held on August 25 at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock; call (501) 324-9685 or email info@oldstatehouse.org for more information.
* Civil War Roundtable of Arkansas will host a free lecture on the Sultana at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock on August 28; email RMeadows@aaamissouri.com for more information.
* “Jacksonport in the Civil War,” a Brown Bag Lunch Lecture by Mark Ballard of Jacksonport State Park, will be held on August 30 at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock; call (501) 324-9685 or email info@oldstatehouse.org for more information.
* “Washington 1861: A Community Decides” Exhibit will continue at Historic Washington State Park during July; call (870) 983-2684 or email HistoricWashington@arkansas.com for more information.
* “Invasion or Liberation? The Civil War in Arkansas,” an exhibit from the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, will be on display during August at the Arkansas Studies Institute in Little Rock; call (501) 320-5700 for more information.
* “The Civil War in Arkansas,” an exhibit at Little Rock’s Historic Arkansas Museum featuring artifacts from its collection, will be on display during August; call (501) 324-9351 or email info@historicarkansas.org for more information.
* “Battle Colors of Arkansas,” highlighting the museum’s battle flag collection, will be on display at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock during August; call (501) 324-9685 or email info@oldstatehouse.org for more information.
For more information on these and other sesquicentennial events, visit http://www.arkansascivilwar150.com/events/.
The Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission is housed within the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. The AHPP is the Department of Arkansas Heritage agency responsible for identifying, evaluating, registering and preserving the state’s cultural resources. Other agencies are the Arkansas Arts Council, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and the Historic Arkansas Museum.
Among the Civil War sesquicentennial events during August are:
* Arkansas History Seminar, an Arkansas History Commission event that includes a session on Civil War history, will be held at Powhatan Historic Courthouse State Park on August 4; call (501) 682-6900 or email jane.hooker@arkansas.gov for more information.
* “The Stresses of War in the Communities,” a lecture by James Johnston in partnership with the Buffalo National River, will be held at the Marion County Library in Yellville on August 7; call (870) 449-6015 or email librarian@marcolib.org for more information.
* “An Empire in Extent: The Civil War West of the Mississippi,” a symposium hosted by the ACWSC and the National Park Service, will be held at the University of Arkansas Global Campus in Fayetteville August 9-11; for more information, visit http://www.arkansascivilwar150.com/symposium/.
* “The Life of a Refugee,” a living history program about civilians in Civil War Arkansas, will be held on August 11 at Mammoth Spring State Park; call (870) 625-7364 or email glynda.pryor@arkansas.gov for more information.
* Lead Hill Historical Marker Dedication will be held at the Lead Hill Rodeo Arena in Lead Hill on August 11; call (870) 365-9273 or email mosbcg@cox.net for more information.
* “Fought in Earnest: Civil War Arkansas,” the Arkansas History Commission’s traveling exhibit, will be at Lake Dardanelle State Park August 12-28; call (479) 967-5516 or email lakedardanelle@arkansas.com for additional information.
* “Civil War Arkansas 101,” a program with Mark Christ of the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, will be held on August 16 at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton; call (501) 778-4766 or email sperdue@saline.lib.ar.us for additional information.
* “Civil War Arkansas 1861-1865,” the ACWSC traveling exhibit, will be at the Arkansas State Library in Little Rock August 6-19; call (501) 682-2053 or email Carolyn@library.arkansas.gov for more information.
* “A Divided Arkansas,” a free seminar featuring Carl Moneyhon, William Shea and Daniel Sutherland, will be held on August 25 at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock; call (501) 324-9685 or email info@oldstatehouse.org for more information.
* Civil War Roundtable of Arkansas will host a free lecture on the Sultana at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock on August 28; email RMeadows@aaamissouri.com for more information.
* “Jacksonport in the Civil War,” a Brown Bag Lunch Lecture by Mark Ballard of Jacksonport State Park, will be held on August 30 at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock; call (501) 324-9685 or email info@oldstatehouse.org for more information.
* “Washington 1861: A Community Decides” Exhibit will continue at Historic Washington State Park during July; call (870) 983-2684 or email HistoricWashington@arkansas.com for more information.
* “Invasion or Liberation? The Civil War in Arkansas,” an exhibit from the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, will be on display during August at the Arkansas Studies Institute in Little Rock; call (501) 320-5700 for more information.
* “The Civil War in Arkansas,” an exhibit at Little Rock’s Historic Arkansas Museum featuring artifacts from its collection, will be on display during August; call (501) 324-9351 or email info@historicarkansas.org for more information.
* “Battle Colors of Arkansas,” highlighting the museum’s battle flag collection, will be on display at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock during August; call (501) 324-9685 or email info@oldstatehouse.org for more information.
For more information on these and other sesquicentennial events, visit http://www.arkansascivilwar150.com/events/.
The Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission is housed within the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. The AHPP is the Department of Arkansas Heritage agency responsible for identifying, evaluating, registering and preserving the state’s cultural resources. Other agencies are the Arkansas Arts Council, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and the Historic Arkansas Museum.
Blood Thanksgiving day is August 2
Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI)
encourages Arkansans to participate in “Blood Thanks & Giving Day” Thursday,
August 2. This is a day to celebrate those whose lives have been saved by loyal,
blood donors.
Anyone who has received blood is
encouraged to show gratitude by sharing the story of how blood donation affected
his/her life. When blood recipients fill out cards to share the stories at
Arkansas Blood Institute donor centers, not only will they be an encouragement
to blood donors, but will also receive “I’m Alive Thanks to A Blood Donor”
T-shirts.
Those, 16 and older, and generally,
in good health, can donate blood. Blood can be donated every 56 days.
Every two seconds someone needs
blood. Yet, of those eligible to donate blood in the U.S., less than ten percent
actually donate each year.
“Blood given by donors with Arkansas
Blood Institute meets the needs of every patient in 17 medical facilities in the
River Valley area,” said John Armitage, MD, Arkansas Blood Institute president
and CEO. “So blood donors know they are saving the lives of their friends,
family and co-workers. Often, people have no idea they will need blood in an
urgent situation.”
People who have had surgeries and
returned to good health can donate blood as early as two weeks after their
procedures. Those who receive blood during surgery can give blood after a
year. Cancer survivors can donate just one year after being cancer free, except
for those who have had hematologic blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma and
multiple myeloma.
To schedule an appointment to donate
blood at any ABI site, call (877) 340-8777, or visit www.arkbi.org.
Sports message from Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel
While coaches are drawing up plays for the upcoming football season, solicitors
are dialing up Arkansas businesses asking them to purchase advertisements on
sports schedules and calendars.
Arkansans are passionate about their hometown athletic
teams and they want to do their part to support those teams as the fall sports
season approaches. Business owners often decide to buy advertising space on
schedules, and proceeds from those ads typically benefit schools or their
athletic programs. However, some solicitors see sports calendars as a way to
make a profit for themselves while merely appearing to be affiliated with a
school or organization.
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued this consumer
alert today to inform business owners about state law regarding those who
solicit advertisements for school calendars or schedules, and to encourage
advertisers to research the solicitor’s sales pitch before buying an
ad.
“Sometimes, business owners who believe their
advertising dollars are supporting an athletic program down the street may
instead be sending money to an out-of-state company,” McDaniel said. “To avoid
that, business owners should know that state law requires solicitors to disclose
whether they are affiliated with a school or whether schools receive any
proceeds from their sales.”
Anyone who solicits advertisements for posters or other
printed material depicting a school name, mascot or emblem in conjunction with
an athletic program is subject to the state’s school calendars disclosure law.
Those solicitors must disclose whether a school will receive money as a result
of the solicitation, and if so, how much.
Those solicitors who do not give any money to the school
must disclose -- both orally and in writing at the time of the solicitation --
that the school will not receive any funding as a result of the
sale.
Violators are subject to penalties under the Arkansas
Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
McDaniel said business owners should remain cautious as
it relates to these types of solicitations, citing a recent instance in
Jonesboro where an advertiser was solicited to buy ad space on an Arkansas State
University football schedule. A business reported that the solicitor claimed to
be affiliated with the university, although he was not. The solicitor also
promised mentions of the schedule sponsorship during radio broadcasts of ASU
football games, according to the business. He had no authority to do
so.
To avoid similar situations, McDaniel said business
owners should contact a school directly to make sure school officials are aware
of the solicitations or are working with the advertising company. Although it is
natural to assume that anyone promoting a school’s athletic schedule has
permission to do so, that isn’t always the case.
Also, ask questions of the solicitor and read the fine
print of any contract before signing it.
Arkansans with questions about this or any other
consumer-related issue can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection
Division at (800) 482-8982 or (501) 682-2341, or visit www.GotYourBackArkansas.org.
Expansion of Medicaid coverage in Arkansas
The Arkansas State Board of Health adopted a resolution at its quarterly board meeting July 26, supporting the expansion of the Medicaid program to cover individuals and families earning up to 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. The resolution was proposed by board member Clark Fincher, MD, FACP.
Fincher said, “Opting out of the Medicaid program expansion places an economic burden on hospitals and other health care providers who will not be reimbursed for services they may provide. One of the major challenges in improving the health of Arkansans is the fact that almost 600,000 of a population of 2.9 million have no insurance coverage. They cannot afford to pay for healthcare themselves. Providing basic services to these citizens consumes a great deal of the state’s resources. It places the burden of payment for care on institutions like hospitals and health care providers, who must, by law, provide very expensive care when Arkansans present to hospitals and emergency rooms with urgent needs and no insurance. This does not lead to good quality care.”
It is estimated that an additional 250,000 Arkansans would be covered under this Medicaid expansion. The program will be 100 percent federally funded for the first three years gradually scaling back to 90 percent in 2020. Currently, the State assumes 30 percent of Medicaid costs, so there is a huge potential for the State to realize substantial savings. Based on conservative estimates, the Arkansas Department of Human Services estimates that this Medicaid expansion would create a net savings of $89 million for the first full year of implementation and a net savings to the State of $372 million over seven years.
This large influx of funds can boost employment, stimulate the State’s economy, be of benefit to health care providers and hospitals and actually increase state and local revenues. Emergency rooms will be less crowded as patients seek care prior to emergent health needs at their Medicaid primary care physicians, thus, allowing more timely and cost-effective care to those who truly need to use emergency rooms.
Fincher also cited a survey released yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine in which states that voluntarily expanded their Medicaid program over the last decade had mortality rates over 6 percent lower than neighboring states.
He said, “If Arkansas does not accept expansion of the Medicaid program, the state will still bear the financial burden through federal taxation to pay for the program for states that do participate, thus, paying the bill without receiving the benefit.” Further, Fincher noted that for a state that currently has the strictest standards for Medicaid eligibility, “Arkansas stands to gain the most.”
“In order to protect the health of all its citizens, especially those most in need, and to promote the fiscal soundness of the health care system in Arkansas, the Arkansas State Board of Health strongly urges the State of Arkansas to participate in the expansion of the Medicaid Program under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
Fincher said, “Opting out of the Medicaid program expansion places an economic burden on hospitals and other health care providers who will not be reimbursed for services they may provide. One of the major challenges in improving the health of Arkansans is the fact that almost 600,000 of a population of 2.9 million have no insurance coverage. They cannot afford to pay for healthcare themselves. Providing basic services to these citizens consumes a great deal of the state’s resources. It places the burden of payment for care on institutions like hospitals and health care providers, who must, by law, provide very expensive care when Arkansans present to hospitals and emergency rooms with urgent needs and no insurance. This does not lead to good quality care.”
It is estimated that an additional 250,000 Arkansans would be covered under this Medicaid expansion. The program will be 100 percent federally funded for the first three years gradually scaling back to 90 percent in 2020. Currently, the State assumes 30 percent of Medicaid costs, so there is a huge potential for the State to realize substantial savings. Based on conservative estimates, the Arkansas Department of Human Services estimates that this Medicaid expansion would create a net savings of $89 million for the first full year of implementation and a net savings to the State of $372 million over seven years.
This large influx of funds can boost employment, stimulate the State’s economy, be of benefit to health care providers and hospitals and actually increase state and local revenues. Emergency rooms will be less crowded as patients seek care prior to emergent health needs at their Medicaid primary care physicians, thus, allowing more timely and cost-effective care to those who truly need to use emergency rooms.
Fincher also cited a survey released yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine in which states that voluntarily expanded their Medicaid program over the last decade had mortality rates over 6 percent lower than neighboring states.
He said, “If Arkansas does not accept expansion of the Medicaid program, the state will still bear the financial burden through federal taxation to pay for the program for states that do participate, thus, paying the bill without receiving the benefit.” Further, Fincher noted that for a state that currently has the strictest standards for Medicaid eligibility, “Arkansas stands to gain the most.”
“In order to protect the health of all its citizens, especially those most in need, and to promote the fiscal soundness of the health care system in Arkansas, the Arkansas State Board of Health strongly urges the State of Arkansas to participate in the expansion of the Medicaid Program under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
Supporting inland waterways
During the 2012 Summer meeting of the Western States Land Commissioner’s Association (WSLCA), Commissioner John Thurston introduced a resolution encouraging Congress and the Administration to support the nation’s inland waterways.
Commissioner Thurston says, “Arkansans know the importance of waterway infrastructure; we often take river transportation for granted, but most of the 23 member states of WSLCA do not have navigable waterways. Still, the members recognize that they too benefit from the waterways through cost efficient and environmentally friendly transportation of goods and commodities.”
The resolution was adopted unanimously and became an official position of the organization upon adoption. “I would like to thank my fellow commissioners for helping us express to Congress and the Administration that waterways are regional in nature and benefit us all.”
Also at the meeting, Commissioner Thurston was selected to chair a special committee to examine the association’s membership dues.
Arkansas has long been involved in WSLCA, with several previous Commissioners serving as President of the organization. WSLCA was founded in 1949 in response to a need for more coordinated management of federal and state lands. Membership is open to any entity that manages or has title to surface or submerged public lands. Together the 23 member states manage over 447 million acres of land, mineral rights and submerged lands.
Commissioner Thurston says, “Arkansans know the importance of waterway infrastructure; we often take river transportation for granted, but most of the 23 member states of WSLCA do not have navigable waterways. Still, the members recognize that they too benefit from the waterways through cost efficient and environmentally friendly transportation of goods and commodities.”
The resolution was adopted unanimously and became an official position of the organization upon adoption. “I would like to thank my fellow commissioners for helping us express to Congress and the Administration that waterways are regional in nature and benefit us all.”
Also at the meeting, Commissioner Thurston was selected to chair a special committee to examine the association’s membership dues.
Arkansas has long been involved in WSLCA, with several previous Commissioners serving as President of the organization. WSLCA was founded in 1949 in response to a need for more coordinated management of federal and state lands. Membership is open to any entity that manages or has title to surface or submerged public lands. Together the 23 member states manage over 447 million acres of land, mineral rights and submerged lands.
Old State House to salute Louis Jordan
The Old State House Museum will salute Louis Jordan, the Brinkley, Arkansas, native and the father of rhythm and blues on August 10, 2012, as part of downtown Little Rock’s Second Friday Art Night. The event will take place at the museum from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
As a saxophonist and vocalist, Louis Jordan charted more than 50 top-ten hits during his 1940s heyday. Owing to his continuing appeal, the Greasy Greens will perform as part of the celebration. The long-lived and dynamic group performs “jumpin’ jive” music, with the band line-up similar to the classic instrumentation of Jordan’s band, the Tympani Five.
The celebration of Louis Jordan will continue with a screening of the 60-minute documentary film Is You Is: A Louis Jordan Story. Producer Stephen Koch and assistant director Zachariah McCannon will introduce the film and provide commentary afterward. Koch is a champion of Jordan and the host of Arkansongs, the weekly syndicated radio program highlighting Arkansas music and musicians.
The Old State House Museum is one of several downtown locations that host 2nd Friday Art Night, an evening of entertainment and exhibits. While here, shop the Museum Store and enjoy refreshments. Visitors may ride the trolley to visit other, participating venues. 2nd Friday Art Night is sponsored by the Arkansas Times. For more information about this event, please contact Brooke Malloy at (501) 324-8645, or email Brooke@ArkansasHeritage.org.
About the Old State House Museum
As a saxophonist and vocalist, Louis Jordan charted more than 50 top-ten hits during his 1940s heyday. Owing to his continuing appeal, the Greasy Greens will perform as part of the celebration. The long-lived and dynamic group performs “jumpin’ jive” music, with the band line-up similar to the classic instrumentation of Jordan’s band, the Tympani Five.
The celebration of Louis Jordan will continue with a screening of the 60-minute documentary film Is You Is: A Louis Jordan Story. Producer Stephen Koch and assistant director Zachariah McCannon will introduce the film and provide commentary afterward. Koch is a champion of Jordan and the host of Arkansongs, the weekly syndicated radio program highlighting Arkansas music and musicians.
The Old State House Museum is one of several downtown locations that host 2nd Friday Art Night, an evening of entertainment and exhibits. While here, shop the Museum Store and enjoy refreshments. Visitors may ride the trolley to visit other, participating venues. 2nd Friday Art Night is sponsored by the Arkansas Times. For more information about this event, please contact Brooke Malloy at (501) 324-8645, or email Brooke@ArkansasHeritage.org.
About the Old State House Museum
The Old State House Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and shares the goal of all seven Department of Arkansas Heritage agencies, that of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas. The agencies are Arkansas Arts Council, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and the Old State House Museum.
Kat Robinson of Arkansas Parks and Tourism talks Cave City and Hope Watermelon Festivals
The Food of August: Watermelon
By Kat Robinson
It’s August. It’s hot
and sweaty, and the temperatures even at night are warm and damp from the
humidity. But Arkansas has a blessing of a bounty that comes to market at this
time of year... the glorious watermelon.
gust.There are two competing festivals the second week of the month to honor the sweet, wet treat. Head to Cave City for what’s been determined to be the World’s Sweetest Watermelons. This is no idle claim. Researchers with the University of Arkansas have compared melons raised in the sandy earth around Cave City with melons from all over the US and the world. Somehow or another, the sugar content from the Cave City fruit is higher than all th
e
rest. Come to town for the festival and enjoy gospel and country singing, an
auto show for professionals and amateurs, a parade and pancake breakfast, lots
of vendors and a big lawn to park your keister and relax. At four in the
afternoon, area growers offer slices of ice-cold watermelon for free, as much as you can eat.Down in southwest Arkansas, the largest melons around are feted at the Hope Watermelon Festival. And I do mean big. We’re talking more than 200 pounds for the top melons. In fact, in 2006 Lloyd Bright's 268.8 pound melon was registered as the world’s largest by the Guinness Book of Wor
ld Records. You have to pay for your big old slice of melon
at the festival, a couple of bucks, but it’s ice cold and it’s served the entire
festival. And it’s vast -- row after row of vendors, kids racing tiny cars,
seed spitting, quilt showing and what-not. It’s also a little longer than the
Cave City Watermelon Festival, and to get the best of both worlds go to Hope on
Friday and Cave City on Saturday.You don’t have to wait til a festival to enjoy a nice cold slice of watermelon raised right here in Arkansas. Our farmers markets already have them out and ready to purchase. You’ll also see roadside stands here and there, advertising where they got their m
elons and such. Prices seem to be ranging in the $8-15 range this
year for a decent size one. Chilling is not necessary but sometimes prudent. I
eat mine over the sink or out in the yard in a t-shirt I don’t care too much
about.Some folks will argue what goes on a melon. There’s a camp of people who swear by salting their melon -- and others who insist sugar is the appropriate spice. Me? I like mine cold and by itself and plenty of room to spit the seeds.
Wondering what to do with your watermelon rind? Here’s a recipe for making watermelon rind pickles... or, if you’d rather compost your rinds, the Bryant Packing Company sells Old South Watermelon Pickles made right here in Arkansas.
CADC in Benton training tax volunteers
Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC) will hold an orientation session for new and potential volunteers in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax assistance program. The sessions will be held August 8th at 1 pm at the CADC Office, 321 Edison Avenue in Benton and on August 14th at 1 pm at the same location.
At CADC tax sites, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers work one-on-one with families and individuals to help file their tax returns and ensure that they receive the tax credits for which they qualify. The tax program orientation will provide an overview of the program and the free tax certification training required to volunteer as a tax preparer.
CADC partners with the Internal Revenue Service to provide free tax preparation and promote the Earned Income Tax Credit to low- and moderate-income families in Central Arkansas. The free tax sites also utilize E-file, which allows customers to receive their refunds in 8 to 10 days. Tax sites are located in Saline, Pulaski and Lonoke Counties.
CADC is a nonprofit community action agency that was formed in 1965 to fight and win the “War on Poverty.” The mission of CADC is to improve the quality of life and build strong communities in Arkansas. For more information on becoming a tax volunteer, contact Susan Wills at 501-778-1133.
At CADC tax sites, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers work one-on-one with families and individuals to help file their tax returns and ensure that they receive the tax credits for which they qualify. The tax program orientation will provide an overview of the program and the free tax certification training required to volunteer as a tax preparer.
CADC partners with the Internal Revenue Service to provide free tax preparation and promote the Earned Income Tax Credit to low- and moderate-income families in Central Arkansas. The free tax sites also utilize E-file, which allows customers to receive their refunds in 8 to 10 days. Tax sites are located in Saline, Pulaski and Lonoke Counties.
CADC is a nonprofit community action agency that was formed in 1965 to fight and win the “War on Poverty.” The mission of CADC is to improve the quality of life and build strong communities in Arkansas. For more information on becoming a tax volunteer, contact Susan Wills at 501-778-1133.
Impact of Graduated Drive Licensing
The Arkansas Center for
Health
Improvement
(ACHI), in
partnership with the
Injury
Prevention Center
at Arkansas Children’s
Hospital, recently
completed
an analysis
of the
impact
of Graduated
Driver Licensing
(GDL) on
vehicle
crashes and fatalities. One
highlight
of the
report’s
findings
reveals that an estimated
32 lives were
saved in
2010 due
to the
GDL law
in combination
with
other injury
prevention measures.
Findings released
today
at a joint
news conference
presented
by ACHI,
the
Injury
Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s
Hospital, the
Arkansas Department
of Health and
the Arkansas State
Police Highway
Safety Office indicate a
statistically
significant decrease
in motor
vehicle
crashes and deaths involving
teen drivers
during
the
first full
year after
implementation
of the law. The
GDL is a
tiered
approach designed to
minimize
distractions
and reduce exposure to
higher
risk
driving
situations
as new drivers
gain driving
experience.
According
to Paul
K. Halverson,
DrPH,
Director
and State
Health Officer,
Arkansas Department
of Health,
―Teens are
at a higher risk
of being
involved
in motor
vehicle
crashes than adults,
and teens
in Arkansas die
in motor vehicle
crashes at a rate
twice that of the
national average.
Having
a single
passenger
in the
car increases
the crash risk
by 40
percent for teens, and the
risk of crashing
is four times
higher when
using
a cell
phone while
driving.‖
Just
a few years
ago, if a teenager
was 16 years
of age, he
or she had only
to pass a written
exam and
a short
driving test to
receive
an unrestricted
license. Licensed
teenagers were
free to operate
motor
vehicles
with
very little experience
or knowledge. Arkansas Code
27-16-804(f) was
passed
by the
Arkansas General
Assembly
in 2009 with
the purpose
―to
improve the
safety
of roads and
highways
in the
state
by addressing
issues related
to the licensing
of youthful
drivers; to
amend
the law regarding
restricted
driver’s licenses, learner’s
licenses, and intermediate
licenses; and for other
purposes.‖
ACHI Director and Arkansas Surgeon
General
Dr. Joe Thompson said, ―Graduated
Driver Licensing
gives parents an important
tool to
use with
their children to
help them
become
responsible
drivers
in our
state. The
reduction
in crashes and fatalities
following
implementation
of the
law is
very
good news.
Highlights
from
the ―Evaluation
of the
Arkansas
Graduated
Driver
License‖ report include:
· 59%
reduction
in fatalities
from crashes involving
teen drivers
· 22%
reduction
of crashes
for 16
year olds
· 76%
reduction
of fatalities involving
teen drivers
during the
hours of 11
p.m.
to 4
a.m.
These results
are positive
for all
Arkansans,
particularly
because motor
vehicle
crashes were
the leading
cause of death
for teenagers
between the
ages of 14
to 18
from the
year 2000
to 2007 according
to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These trends likely
reflect
many
factors, including
the new GDL
and other
policies, improved awareness
of safety
measures,
and other considerations.
Dr. Mary
Aitken,
director
of the
Injury
Prevention Center at Arkansas
Children’s
Hospital
and a member
of the UAMS
Pediatrics
faculty,
stated: ―It’s
very encouraging
to see these
positive
trends in our teen driver statistics. There is
still
a lot of work
to be done
to make
sure the
roads in Arkansas
are safer, however. The
Injury
Prevention Center
at ACH
will
continue to advocate
for strong
policies like
GDL and
provide
education
for teen
drivers
and their parents
about the
how they
can reduce risk
on the
roads—everything
from adhering
to the
GDL provisions, putting away
the cellphone, to
buckling
up on
every trip.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
