Newly-introduced bill would end Daylight Saving Time in Arkansas

Newly-introduced bill would end Daylight Saving Time in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — A new bill would eliminate Daylight Saving Time in Arkansas and adopt Standard time year-round.

The bill was read in the General Assembly for the first time Monday afternoon.

It was referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs.

Filed by Rep. Sarah Capp of Ozark, a Republican filed the bill.

Arkansas is currently on Standard Time. If the bill goes into effect, Arkansans would not set their clock forward an hour in March or back an hour in November.

Arkansas would then effectively be on a Mountain Time Zone schedule from March to November.

For example, when it’s 9 p.m. in Arkansas it would be 10 p.m. in Missouri and Oklahoma, but also 9 p.m. in Colorado and New Mexico.

In 2018, Florida’s governor signed the “Sunshine Protection Act” last year to put the state on Daylight Saving Time throughout the year. However, that act requires U.S. Congress to change federal law before it can go into effect. It’s not yet clear if Arkansas would need federal approval as well.

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Flu shuts down entire school district after 300 cases reported

HORATIO — School is canceled for the rest of the week in Horatio (located in Sevier County) due to the flu.

In a post on its Facebook page, school officials say over 300 students were out Tuesday with the flu.

In order to prevent those students from falling behind on classwork and to prevent the spread of the flu to other students, classes were being dismissed at noon on Feb. 4. The district plans to reopen next Monday.

“The flu has hit Horatio Schools very badly,” said the post on the district Facebook page. “We have over 300 students out today so to prevent further illness and loss of instructional time, we plan to release students at noon and close all campuses the rest of the week. Tonight’s basketball game against Murfreesboro is cancelled, as well.”

The post instructed parents and students to check back for updates.

“Any changes to the rest of the week’s games will be posted later. We plan to resume classes on Monday, February 11th. The days we are out this week will be AMI or Digital Days.

Again, Horatio Schools will release today at noon and resume classes on February 11th.”

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Police investigating vandalism of police car

ROGERS — ROGERS, Ark. – A Little Flock police vehicle was vandalized with spray paint Sunday night.

The police cruiser was at an officer’s home in Rogers. The Little Flock Police Department filed a report with Rogers Police.

According to Chief Jesse Martinez, the department is suspecting it is gang-related activity.

Martinez said the car has spray paint all over the hood, the side doors and the trunk, including the word “PIG,” a derisive term for police officers, on the vehicle’s rear end.

The damage is likely under $1,000, according to Chief Martinez.

Rogers Police is leading the investigation.