Donation nearly triples size of Arkansas veterans cemetery
LITTLE ROCK — An Arkansas veterans cemetery nearly tripled its size with land donated from a military post, officials said. The Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock on Tuesday celebrated its 141acre expansion, which enlarged it from 82 acres to 223 acres.
The Camp Robinson military post donated the land to the state Department of Veterans Affairs. It will provide enough space to continue military burials at the site for another 100 years, officials said.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson had planned to speak at Tuesday’s official land transfer ceremony, but he didn’t attend because he said he came in contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Steve Eggensperger, a retired Air Force colonel and Hutchinson’s liaison to the Department of Veterans Affairs, read a statement at the ceremony that Hutchinson had written.
“This project represents Arkansas’ continued commitment to honoring our veterans,” Eggensperger said. “Today and every day, we recognize and remember our veterans with gratitude and respect.”
More than 9,800 veterans are buried in the cemetery, which opened in 2001.
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LITTLE ROCK — Two Arkansas lawmakers on Wednesday said they tested positive for the coronavirus, the latest in an outbreak among legislators that has prompted the suspension of state budget hearings this week.
State Sen. Missy Irvin and state Rep. Joe Cloud confirmed that they contracted the virus, the fourth and fifth lawmakers to do so this week.
“I am at home recovering,' Irvin tweeted. “Praying for my colleagues and everyone who is suffering with this virus.'
Cloud, who said he developed symptoms on Saturday, noted that he had been at budget hearings at the Capitol last week.
“There’s no way to know where exactly I contracted it, but obviously there was some spread,' Cloud added.
Legislative leaders announced Tuesday that three lawmakers had tested positive and Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he was limiting his public appearances after learning he had been exposed to someone with the virus. Hutchinson added that he had tested negative twice since the exposure.
Three senators and six House members have now tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began in March.
Arkansas ranks 13th in the country for new cases per capita, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University researchers.
The number of probable and confirmed cases in Arkansas rose by 1,155 to 101,596 on Wednesday.
The state also reported 23 more COVID-19 deaths, bringing its total fatalities to 1,751.
A day after the state hit a new high for hospitalizations, the number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 dropped by one to 636.
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LITTLE ROCK — This fall, it is more important than ever to get a flu vaccination. That’s why Baptist Health is offering flu vaccines at several locations in Arkansas. Flu shots are available at Baptist Health’s primary care and urgent care locations, and at flu shot clinic events.
Vaccinations are available while supplies last for free to adults 18 years and older on the following dates:
• Monday, Oct. 26, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Cabot Senior Center, 600 North Grant St. in Cabot
• Wednesday, Oct. 28, from
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10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Baptist Health College Little Rock, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road in Little Rock; available for first responders and city/county employees within Pulaski County, and their families
• Friday, Oct. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church’s Stewpot, 800 Scott St. in Little Rock
• Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 3 p.m., Outlets of Little Rock, 11201 Bass Pro Parkway, off Interstates 430 and 30 in Little Rock If you are a Medicare Part B cardholder, please bring proof of insurance.
Baptist Health encourages Arkansans to stay healthy and protect themselves from the flu by getting their annual flu shot, in addition to proper hand hygiene and other safety measures. The best way to prevent the flu is by being vaccinated every year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone age 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine.
The flu shot can reduce potential risks should you contract both the flu and COVID-19. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk for serious flu complications, including young children; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease; and people 65 years and older. Getting a flu shot is also important for people who live with or care for anyone at high risk for serious flu complications.
If anyone is sick with a fever, cough or any symptoms of COVID-19, they should consult with their provider and not attend a shot clinic.
Additional flu shot dates and places are available. To learn more about Baptist Health flu shot locations or to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider to get vaccinated, visit baptisthealth. com/flushot.
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PARAGOULD — For some time, Mission Outreach of Northeast Arkansas has been needing repairs and renovation to
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its facility at 901 E. Lake St. And now, thanks to the Paragould City Council, it has enough money to accomplish both the repairs and renovation.
At its Oct. 12 meeting, the council adopted a resolution to accept a Community Development Block Grant for $195,000 and to provide a matching grant of $34,552, both for the Mission. Along with $50,000 the Mission itself has contributed to the effort, the funds available come to $279,552.
'This grant will allow the Mission to install a sprinkler system,' said Finance Committee chairman Mark Rowland of Ward 1 position 1 to open discussion of the application at the committee meeting preceding the regular council meeting. Rowland added the grant will also enable the Mission to upgrade the interior of the facility, upgrade a new bathroom, add smoke alarms, upgrade the electrical system and remove the particle board.
Rowland reminded the committee members of the Mission's accomplishments and capabilities. A 58-bed emergency shelter for individuals and families in need, it provides a soup kitchen and food pantry to serve those needs.
In that regard, the Mission provided temporary housing for 354 people, served 44,595 meals and provided 4,805 food boxes to needy families last year.
Repairs started Tuesday, Oct. 20. 'Today we are tearing out the ceilings,' said Mission executive director Jana Burnett on Oct. 22. The men's quarters have been gutted, she said, and the common areas in the women's dorm have also had paneling removed. 'And we have moved the men downstairs,' Burnett said.
Mission development director Jackie Ross said the $279,000 would pay for:
• panel and ceiling demolition, and installation of acoustic ceilings
• floor repair and leveling, STATE NEWS (cont.)
and floor installation
• gypsum board wall finish and doors
• plumbing, and a sprinkler system for both the first and second floors
• rework of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
grills
• rewiring of the building's electrical systems Burnett said the work, being done by Bibiano Painting of Jonesboro, is expected to be completed in April.
Since 1982, Mission Outreach of Northeast Arkansas has helped house the homeless, feed the hungry, and care for the sick of Paragould and surrounding
*** Suspect being questioned over body found in home NEWARK — Arkansas State Police are investigating a homicide following the discovery of an body inside an apartment in Newark yesterday. Special agents of the state police Criminal Investigation Division have been requested by the county sheriff’s department to assist deputies in the investigation.
The victim is a man who agents believe resided in an apartment at 805 Long Street. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the apartment after a caretaker discovered the body inside the apartment shortly before 2:15 p.m.
The victim’s body and evidence collected by state police special agents have been turned-over to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. A forensic examination at the lab is expected to confirm the identity of the victim and tell agents when the death occurred as well as the manner and cause of death. One person has been detained and is being questioned
