Severe weather in the forecast for Wednesday according to the Garland County Department of Emergency Management

The next chance for severe weather in Arkansas will be from late Wednesday afternoon on through Wednesday night.

Scattered storms should begin to develop in western Arkansas late Wednesday afternoon or early Wednesday evening. The storms will likely form into a line as they cross the state. All of the thunderstorms should exit eastern Arkansas before dawn Thursday.

All parts of the state should have at least some chance of severe weather. Damaging winds will be the most likely form of severe weather.

The main limiting factor in regards to the amount of severe weather will be a limited amount of instability. At this point, then, it appears that some severe thunderstorm warnings will be necessary but that this will not be a big outbreak of severe weather.

Most rainfall amounts should be 1/2 inch or less. As has been the case most of the fall, the smallest amounts are likely to be in western Arkansas.

November crime victim reparation figures out

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced today that Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board awarded $236,107.64 to victims of crime in November. Awards were made in 123 new cases. Additional expenses were paid in 39 previously submitted cases.

Victims of violent crime in Arkansas are eligible for compensation from the state’s Crime Victims Reparations Program to help defray unexpected expenses associated with the crime. Crime victims may receive up to $10,000 to cover costs such as medical treatment or mental health counseling. In some instances where victims receive catastrophic injuries, awards may be as high as up to $25,000.

The Crime Victims Reparations Program was created by the Arkansas General Assembly in 1987. A portion of funding for reparations comes from fines imposed on convicted criminals. Court costs and fees are also a major revenue source for the program.

In 2011, the Crime Victims Reparations Board awarded 2,001 claims for a total of $3,820,230.84.

The Attorney General’s Office administers the Crime Victims Reparations Program. The Crime Victims Reparations Board decides which claims will be paid and how much money will be awarded.

Board members are Dr. Janice Church of Little Rock, Colleen Nick of Alma, Redious Yancy of North Little Rock, Louis Jones of Fayetteville and Bryce Brewer of Little Rock.

For more information about the Crime Victims Reparations Program, call the Crime Victims Hotline at (800) 448-3014, or visit the Attorney General’s Office website at www.ArkansasAG.gov.

Arkansas Crime Victim Reparations Board

November 2012

  

   County          New            Suppl.          Total           

            Awards       Awards                  

Arkansas	0	4	$211.85
Baxter	0	3	$2,245.30
Benton	14	0	$10,503.81
Boone	0	3	$369.72
Carroll	2	0	$860.88
Chicot	0	1	$1,738.00
Conway	1	0	$1,060.88
Craighead	2	0	$2,085.81
Crawford	3	0	$7,103.41
Dallas	1	0	$937.49
Drew	1	0	$860.88
Faulkner	4	2	$5,580.93
Franklin	1	0	$860.88
Garland	8	0	$11,882.55
Greene	4	2	$6,588.32
Howard	1	1	$4,862.91
Jefferson	10	0	$26,001.48
Johnson	1	0	$3,083.45
Logan	0	1	$495.00
Lonoke	0	1	$411.45
Miller	2	0	$7,638.40
Mississippi	1	0	$7,384.00
Ouachita	2	0	$10,917.24
Phillips	1	0	$2,895.59
Pope	4	3	$4,365.23
Pulaski	18	15	$61,149.48
Saline	2	1	$3,473.05
Searcy	1	0	$142.00
Sebastian	28	0	$31,077.66
St. Francis	3	0	$12,371.71
Union	2	2	$1,299.43
Van Buren	2	0	$1,805.33
Washington	4	0	$3,843.52
TOTAL	123	39	$236,107.64

Hot Springs honored

For the 18^th consecutive year, the City of Hot Springs has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The city's Finance Department prepared the award-winning CAFR.

"The Certificate of Achievement reflects the commitment to financial accountability of the Hot Springs Board of Directors, city manager, and other city departments," said Finance Director Dorethea Yates. "The actual document that was submitted for the award takes several weeks to produce. Special recognition goes to Joy Black, Accounting and Purchasing Manager, and her staff for compiling the majority of the report. However, without the dedication of all employees who initiate and process financial transactions, obtaining this award would not be possible. "

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL and Washington, D.C. 

Rosa Parks 100th birthday will be honored

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor last week joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce a Senate resolution honoring the 100th birthday of civil rights leader Rosa Parks. 

Pryor said the resolution will commemorate the legacy of Rosa Parks and celebrate 2013 as the year of her 100th birthday. The resolution was introduced by Senator Levin (D-MI) and was supported by 52 senators.

“Rosa Parks was a woman of courage, integrity, and strength who changed the face of America with a single act of defiance,” said Pryor. “As we commemorate what would have been her 100th birthday in 2013, I hope Arkansans will join me in honoring her legacy and standing up for equality and justice.”

In the 109th Congress, Pryor cosponsored a resolution supporting the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Rosa Parks. In 2005, he supported a resolution authorizing her remains to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, making her the first woman to be given the privilege of lying in state.

Home Plate providing Christmas meals

Meals, Sides & Pies
   

  

  

Turkey & Dressing         $9.99

Apricot Pork Loin           $9.99

Petite Jean Ham Steak $9.99

Roast Beef                      $9.99

Prime Rib                       $12.99

Filet Mignon                  $14.99

  

Choose two of the following sides:

  

Scalloped Potatoes, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus topped with  Hollandaise Sauce, English Peas, Green Beans Almondine, Sweet Potato Casserole and Candied Carrots.

 

All entrees include a dinner roll as well.

Homemade Pies

No Sugar Added Apple Pie  $7.99

Dutch Apple Pie                    $7.99

Pumpkin Pie                          $7.99

Pecan Pie                              $9.99

For more information call 984-6969.

  

Seeing the good in people lifts my spirit

If you are like me you have spent a considerable amount of time this weekend grieving for the loss of life at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. It is an unbelievable event that once again is bringing out the best in people.

My daughter Abbie lives in Bethel, just ten minutes from the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Her husband, Cobb, is a high school teacher in the area. They opened their home to several friends from Newtown on Friday night. They had their first of many sleepovers for friends that didn't want to be alone.

Abbie said friends and neighbors are banding together to make sure no one is left alone.

May you find your safe haven and be with friends and neighbors in good times and in bad.

Upchurch in Go magazine

Yes, that is me in this month's Go from the Sentinel Record under Friends and Neighbors. Thanks to Jeff Smith for the big shout out.

Village Animal Welfare League pets of the week

Joy - Spayed Female 2 yr old yellow Lab mix; gentle & calm; walks well on harness; would be great with family with kids.

Benjy - Neutered Male orange with white tabby medium hair; 9 weeks old; sweet and cuddly kitten who loves to be held.

"A home without a cat -- and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat -- may be a perfect home, perhaps, but how can it prove title?" -- Mark Twain

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare.  And in return, dogs give us their all.  It's the best deal man has ever made."  -- Margery Facklam

"It's funny how dogs and cats know the inside of folks better than other folks do, isn't it?" -- Eleanor H. Porter

Hot Springs fire rating a winner

Following a recent Public Protection Classification (PPC) evaluation by the ISO (Insurance Services Office), the Hot Springs Fire Department has been informed that it has retained its Class 2 fire rating, which in turn helps reduce insurance rates for city residents.   ISO is the largest and most frequently consulted organization in the nation when it comes to determining a community’s fire risk profile.

A city’s fire rating, as designated by the ISO, is the primary means by which many insurance companies determine the cost of fire insurance rates. The ISO rating is based upon the quality of the three primary segments of a community’s fire defense system: the fire department, water utility and how the community receives and handles fire alarms. Each of these segments is evaluated independently, scored then added together to produce an overall rating. The score produced from the ratings tabulation determines the cities assigned fire risk classification.

There are ten rating classifications that a community can be assigned. These classifications range from a Class 1 Fire Rating, which is achieved when a community receives a composite score between 90 and 100 points, to a Class 10 rating where 0 points are earned because there is no fire station within five miles of the rated property. During this year’s ISO evaluation, Hot Springs scored 86.66 out of a possible 100 points, increasing the city’s composite score by more than five points over the last survey, which was conducted in 2003.