Senator Pryor on Oklahoma's devastation

My heart goes out to the families and communities affected by the severe storms in Oklahoma. Arkansas knows devastation, and we feel for Oklahoma’s enormous loss and suffering. But they’re not alone. With hard work and help from fellow Americans, they’ll rebuild, recover, and stand strong. Like I said when I cast my vote for the Hurricane Sandy Supplemental Disaster Assistance Appropriations bill in January, I’ll continue to support disaster relief for communities in need. Arkansas is here for you, Oklahoma.

McDaniel also calls for Shoffner's resignation

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued the following statement today: "Having reviewed the Criminal Complaint filed this morning, I am deeply disturbed about the allegations against State Treasurer Martha Shoffner. If proven to be true, these actions are a betrayal of her oath to our constitution and to our people.

Although Ms. Shoffner is presumed innocent, I believe that she should resign immediately to allow the work of the Treasurer's Office to continue."

Crater of Diamonds State Park schedule

We’re programming for fun this summer at the diamond mine

By Margi Jenks

Summer is right around the corner, so mark your calendars for all of the fun programs that we have scheduled at the Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Visit with an Expert Diamond Miner—May 25, June 1, July13

Talking to one of our seasoned diamond miners is one of the best ways to get your diamond mining questions answered.  The programs are at 2:00 PM, are free and open to the public and are held in the Visitor Center theater. 

Diamond Water Park Pool Parties—June 8, July 13

The park staff enjoys putting on our pool parties for our guests.  The June 8^th party has an Under the Sea theme, and the July 13^th is an Independence Day party.  The usual fee for getting into the water park also brings games and prizes for all ages, food, music, and decorations to get you in the mood.

Prospector Gemboree—July 15

Our annual celebration of diamond prospectors, past and present, is a day of family fun.  We have games and contests, free watermelon (for the watermelon seed spitting contest), door prizes, and a hunt for buried treasure out on the search field (orange bottles filled with prizes).  Also don’t miss the Diamond Exhibition held in the park classroom.  Many long time searchers will be exhibiting their gorgeous collections of Crater Diamonds.

Teacher’s Workshop—June 20

Five area parks will be sending their interpreters to speak to teachers needing professional credits.  The topics will range from biology to history, and is always fun and interesting. The workshop, from 9:00 AM-3:00PM, will earn 6 credit hours and includes lunch in the $20 workshop fee.  Dawson Educational Co-operative website is the place to register.

Finally, don’t forget our daily programs, Diamond Mining 101 and Ask an Interpreter.  Everyday we have several diamond mining demonstrations.  Learn how to look for diamonds, including the best places to go, the characteristics of diamonds and how to use our rental screens most affectively.   Our Ask an Interpreter program meets you out on the search field, where we answer any questions and talk with you about diamond mining strategies.  The daily program schedules can be found by clicking on the event calendar on our web site—www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com. 

Search area last plowed:  April 23, 2013; Most recent heavy rain:  May 15-17, 2013—3 inches!

Total diamonds found in 2013: 221

Diamonds registered for May 12-18, 2012 (100 points = 1 carat): 

May 12 to 14 – No diamonds were registered

 May 15 – Ron Cudmore, Murfreesboro, AR, 3 pt. white; Renee Duhon, Sweeny, TX, 14 pt. white; Faye Weeks, Coffee Springs, AL; Cubby, Daytona Beach, FL, 4 pt. white, 5 pt. white

May 16  – Jentry David Weeks, Enterprise, AL, 21 pt. white

May 17 – Cubby, Daytona Beach, FL, 8 pt. yellow

May 18 – No diamonds were registered

Arkansas breast cancer program releases annual report

BreastCare, a program of the Arkansas Department of Health, has released its state fiscal year 2012 annual report, Advocating for Underserved Arkansas Women. BreastCare provides breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnosis for eligible Arkansas women. The annual report provides a comprehensive overview of BreastCare and its program results. 

According to page two of the report, BreastCare served more than 12,000 women during the state fiscal year 2012. Other statistics in the report show:

· 13,291 Arkansas women were enrolled in BreastCare in state fiscal year 2012.

· 8,401 mammograms were provided to Arkansas women.

· 3,348 Pap tests were performed.

· 230 women were diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.

· 3,016 Arkansas women have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer since the program began offering screenings in February 1999.

In state fiscal year 2012, 331 more women received a mammogram than last year. The number of Arkansas women enrolled also increased by approximately 28 percent.

Dr. Namvar Zohoori, Chronic Disease Director at the Arkansas Department of Health, said, “BreastCare continues to make a positive impact on the number of Arkansas women who are receiving early breast and cervical cancer screening. I am proud of the progress we’ve made. Due to BreastCare’s screening, 57 percent of those diagnosed were in stage 0, I or II. Early detection continues to be the best tool in the fight against breast cancer.”

The Arkansas General Assembly passed the Breast Cancer Act of 1997 which ultimately created the BreastCare program. In addition to screening and diagnostic services, BreastCare brings awareness to the importance of regular breast and cervical cancer screenings through collaborative efforts of the BreastCare team, a network of health care providers and other partners who make education, screening and diagnostic services available. BreastCare is funded through Federal and State tax dollars as well as private grants. For more information about BreastCare or to view the annual report online, visit ARBreastCare.com and click on “publications.”

22 Democratic Freshmen call for Shoffner's resignation

Following recent news of allegations and confessions surrounding State Treasurer Martha Shoffner’s arrest, the 22 Democratic freshmen in the Arkansas House of Representatives are calling on Shoffner to resign from her office immediately. “On behalf of the 22 freshman Democrats in the House, we are outraged by Shoffner’s alleged criminal actions and her betrayal of the public’s trust”, says Representative Warwick Sabin (D- Little Rock). Sabin went on to say “the people of Arkansas should be able to trust their elected officials and have full confidence that their actions are ethical and transparent.” Representative David Kizzia (D- Malvern) said that “the members of the freshman Democratic caucus hold ourselves to the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and insist on the same from our elected officials. Elective office is about serving the people of Arkansas effectively. Ms. Shoffner’s criminal charges prevent her from being an effective steward of the people’s money and disqualify her from holding office. We encourage her to resign immediately and let the treasurer’s office get back to the people’s business”, stated Kizzia.

Last Name	First Name	Dist.
Talley	Brent	3
Hawthorne	Fonda	4
Baine	John	7
Holcomb	Mike	10
McElroy	Mark	11
Richey	Chris	12
Hillman	David	13
Kizzia	David	26
Armstrong	Charles	30
Sabin	Warwick	33
Armstrong	Eddie	37
Julian	Patti	38
Ferguson	Deborah	51
Wagner	Wes	54
Hodges	Monte	55
Jett	Joe	56
Broadaway	Mary	57
Copenhaver	Harold	58
Baltz	Scott	61
Magie	Stephen	72
McGill	George	78
Whitaker	David	85

NPCC closed Monday

National Park Community College will be closed Monday, May 27, 2013 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.


Business offices will open at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28th and the campus will be operating on its regular summer schedule.

Shoffner fall out

Statement by Senator Mark Pryor
On Martha Shoffner

Martha Shoffner should resign and be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Arkansas deserves better.

Possible road closure

Weather permitting, Columbia Hills in Hot Springs from Central Avenue to Mangum Street will be closed to through traffic Tuesday, May 21 for street repairs.

 

Signs will be posted. Motorists will need to seek an alternate route during street closing.

It is raining at 5 a.m., this will probably not happen.

Saline Quorum Court meets in the Village today

The Saline County Quorum Court will meet today, Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ouachita Activities Building, Ponce de Leon Center. The public is invited to attend. The session is sponsored by the Hot Springs Village Governmental Affairs Committee and the Property Owners’ Association.