COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS:

PETIT JEAN RIVER MONSTER FESTIVAL

Coordinators of Yell County's Petit Jean River Monster Festival have decided to cancel their 2020 event, as a result of Covid-19 concerns.  Bill Gilkey, event organizer, made the announcement earlier this week. Gilkey said that plans are to re-organize early in 2021 for a big event next fall. The concern this year was that after last year's success, larger crowds were expected in 2020, and there was a concern of an increase in virus transmission.  Funds raised from the festival go toward the County's Mainhart Scholarship Fund, in memory of Yell County Sheriff's Lieutenant Kevin Mainhart. 

TYSON FOODS MEDICAL CLINICS

Tyson Foods says it is planning to open medical clinics at several of its U.S. plants to improve the health of its workers and better protect them from the coronavirus. The Springdale, Arkansas-based company, which processes about 20% of all beef, pork and chicken in the U.S., said Thursday that its plan to open the clinics was in the works before the coronavirus struck this year, but that they will undoubtedly help the company respond to the pandemic. Tyson joins a long list of companies that have clinics on or near their worksites.

READY FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE CALL CENTER

The Arkansas Department of Education has established a Ready for School Resource Call Center. The purpose of the call center is to provide Arkansans with information and resources regarding the reopening of schools. The call center will be staffed by education and health professionals, as well as community partners. The operating hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number is 1-833-353-6050.

DRIVER’S LICENSE TESTING

Effective now until the end of 2020, local driver's license testing will only happen at the Russellville Troop J State Trooper headquarters located at 765 Hob Nob Road. There will be no tests given in Danville, Clinton, Morrilton, or Perryville for the remainder of 2020. The driving portion of the test will be by appointment only and you can schedule your appointment online at www.ark.org. Written tests are given Monday-Friday from 1-4 PM, walk-ins welcome. If under age 18, items needed for the written test include the original birth certificate and one of the following: health insure card, state ID, photo school ID, passport, or certified school transcript.

ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY PANDEMIC RECOVERY

For ongoing updates and plans concerning the Arkansas Tech University pandemic recovery plan and back to school details, please visit www.atu.edu/pandemicrecovery.

ONGOING

DARDANELLE FARMER’S MARKET

On Saturday, June 6^th, the Dardanelle Farmers Market will open to the public and will practice social distancing. Masks will be on-site and encouraged, as well as hand sanitization. For more details about vendors or other restrictions, please visit the Dardanelle Farmers Market page on Facebook.

POPE COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET

The Pope County Farmers Market is open for the 2020 season at Depot Park in Downtown Russellville. The Saturday morning market runs from 8 AM – 1 PM and the Tuesday evening market runs from 4-7 PM. For more information, or to get in touch with coordinators, please follow the Pope County Farmers Market page on Facebook.

RUSSELLVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET

The Russellville Community Market (RCM) is an online farmer’s market operating year-round. Many of the vendors you know and love with traditional markets can still be shopped from with RCM as well. The market is open for ordering Fridays at 12 PM through Sundays at 10 PM, then patrons pick up and pay for their order on Tuesday evenings from 4-8 PM at the Train Depot in Downtown Russellville. (No payment or financial information is submitted online.) Sign up online to become a free member at www.russellville.locallygrown.net and start ordering farm-fresh food for your family this weekend!

SEPTEMBER

ATU FACULTY BIENNIAL 2020 EXHIBITION – Through Oct. 23^rd

Twelve Arkansas Tech University faculty members are displaying their artistic talents during the ATU Department of Art Faculty Biennial 2020 exhibition. The show will remain open at Norman Hall Art Gallery, 203 West Q Street in Russellville, through Friday, Oct. 23. The gallery is open to the public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (excluding holidays). Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, gallery occupancy is limited to 10 guests at a time and individuals in the gallery are required to maintain six feet of social distance. As is the case inside all ATU facilities, face coverings are required. The exhibition features works by Summer Bruch Lyn Brands, Dr. Lynnette Gilbert, Jasmine Greer, Neal Harrington, Andy Huss, Manami Ishimura, John McGrew, Jessica Mongeon, David Mudrinich, Dustin Simpson and Jonathan Welch. Learn more at arkansastechnews.com.

POW/MIA REMEMBRANCE EVENT – Sept. 18^th

On Friday September 18th (POW/MIA Recognition Day), the Russellville Rogers-Rye VFW Post is holding a POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony. The Ceremony will start at 7:00 PM and generally lasts 30 minutes or less. It will consist of candle lighting and a reading of the explanation of the missing man table. For more information, please email Tom Hughes at southernmountainman@gmail.com.

NWTF Banquet – Sept. 19^th

The River Valley Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF will host their annual Hunting Heritage Banquet on Saturday, September 19^th.  The event will begin at 6 PM at the Boys and Girls Club in Russellville.  Tickets may be purchased at the door.  Live and silent auction items will be offered and a meal will be served.  For more information call Richard Pierce at 479-970-1333 or Chuck New at 479-970-5514.

SHADE TREEDS ON PLAYGROUNDS (STOP) – Deadline Sept. 25^th

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2020 Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program through September 25th for schools needing additional shade on playgrounds. The STOP program application and program guidelines can be found online at www.agriculture.arkansas.gov. Selected schools receive five shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines. Officials with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division will help plant the trees during a ceremony with students in the fall. Urban forestry staff began the STOP program 18 years ago to help lower adult skin cancer risk by reducing childhood exposure to direct sunlight on school playgrounds. Since then, more than 125 Arkansas schools have received trees. The STOP program also provides teachers with a full curriculum about the environmental benefits of trees, how shade reduces skin cancer risks, and tips for keeping trees healthy. With program questions, contact Kristine Kimbro Thomason at 479-228-7929 or Harold Fisher at 501-580-4054.

MEAT & POULTRY PROCESSING GRANT PROGRAM – Deadline Sept. 30^th

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has received $5 million in CARES Act funding for a Meat and Poultry Processing Grant Program.  The program was created to support new and existing meat and poultry processing facilities with less than 200 employees, address supply chain disruptions, and mitigate health and environmental impacts as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Project proposals should aim to improve food supply resilience through increasing livestock and poultry slaughter, expanding meat or poultry processing capacity, or promoting worker safety as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Grant awards may reimburse up to 90 percent of eligible expenses for workforce assistance, equipment, capital improvements, and other eligible costs incurred from March 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020.  Applications must be received no later than September 30, 2020.  Program guidelines and the application can be found online at www.agriculture.arkansas.gov.

OCTOBER

ATU FACULTY BIENNIAL 2020 EXHIBITION – Through Oct. 23^rd

Twelve Arkansas Tech University faculty members are displaying their artistic talents during the ATU Department of Art Faculty Biennial 2020 exhibition. The show will remain open at Norman Hall Art Gallery, 203 West Q Street in Russellville, through Friday, Oct. 23. The gallery is open to the public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (excluding holidays). Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, gallery occupancy is limited to 10 guests at a time and individuals in the gallery are required to maintain six feet of social distance. As is the case inside all ATU facilities, face coverings are required. The exhibition features works by Summer Bruch Lyn Brands, Dr. Lynnette Gilbert, Jasmine Greer, Neal Harrington, Andy Huss, Manami Ishimura, John McGrew, Jessica Mongeon, David Mudrinich, Dustin Simpson and Jonathan Welch. Learn more at arkansastechnews.com.

18^th ANNUAL ARKANSAS LAW ENFORCEMENT SUMMIT

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today announced the agenda for the 18th Arkansas Law Enforcement Summit, which will be held on October 6 on an entirely virtual platform. The annual event is hosted by Rutledge as a free training and educational opportunity for Arkansas’s law enforcement community, including officers, prosecutors and criminal justice personnel. Former police officer, licensed psychologist and author Dr. Stephanie Conn will present on how first responders can take proactive and responsive steps to adaptively respond to chronic stress and trauma.  Little Rock Police Officers Michelle Hill and Henry Moore will present on officer mental health and wellness.  This training has been approved for 6 hours of Continuing Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE). Registration is open and available at ArkansasAG.gov under the trainings tab.

9^th ANNUAL HFHPCA GOLF TOURNAMENT – Oct. 25^th
Habitat for Humanity of Pope County are hosting their 9^th Annual Golf Tournament on Sunday, October 25^th at the Chamberlyne Country Club. There will be a 1 PM shotgun start for the 4-person scramble. Entry is $50 per person or $200 per team, with sponsorships available ranging from $200 - $1,000. For more information, please email contact@hfhpca.org.

ONGOING & RECURRING (ALL ON HOLD DURING COVID-19)

WHAT: Domestic Violence Survivor Support Group
WHEN: Every Thursday! | Women: 10 AM | Men: 12 PM | LGBTQ+: 1 PM

WHERE: McElroy House | 420 S. 2^nd St. | Dardanelle
PRICE: Free!
The River Valley Shelter for Battered Women and Children have partnered with the McElroy House of Dardanelle to provide a weekly support group for domestic violence survivors. The support group meets every Thursday at 10 AM for women, 12 PM for men, and 1 PM for LGBTQ+. The purpose of the group is to provide emotional, psychological, educational, and practical support to individuals who share a problem or similar situation. Sharing your story and experiences can aid in helping yourself and others heal by having a sense of support, increasing overall well-being, and reducing stress. The outcome of participating in the weekly Domestic Violence Survivor Support Group can include positive changes in self-esteem, depression, self-efficacy, and ego strength. For more information, please call 479-219-5148.

WHAT: Forget Me Nots
WHEN: 4^th Tuesday Monthly | 2 PM
WHERE: Brookdale Senior Living | 240 S. Inglewood | Russellville
PRICE: Free!
Forget Me Nots is a monthly support group for caregivers of those with dementia. Forget Me Nots meets on the 4^th Tuesday every month at 2 PM at Russellville’s Brookdale Senior Living Center. Participants share experiences, hear from those who work in the dementia-related field, learn coping strategies and support one another. For more information, please email Rhonda Horton at rhorton@arkansashospice.org.

WHAT: All Saints’ Yoga
WHEN: Every Tuesday! | 5:30-6:30 PM
WHERE: All Saints’ Episcopal Church | 501 S. Phoenix Ave. | Russellville

PRICE: Free!
Since beginning in the fall of 2014, All Saints’ Yoga is a basic/beginning class, but modifications are taught for all levels. This free Tuesday evening practice is an extension from the class Deacon Kay Staggs taught for many years. In the winter, All Saints’ Yoga focuses on arm strengthening, and in the summer they choose a strong pose and work toward it. All Saints’ Yoga has a consistent warm-up and sun salutation and then sprinkle the rest of the practice with new or challenging poses or sequences. There is a mixture of sitting, kneeling, balancing and standing poses all with a variety of music for background. We stop and workshop certain areas/poses as needed and always have fun doing that. There is also dharma reading each week with meditation/breathing practices. All Saints’ Yoga is always open to new/beginning yogis. Bring a mat and a friend and come join! Shanti (Peace). For more information please contact Cindy by email at cindyeisemann@aol.com or by phone at 347-285-8249.

WHAT: Dardanelle Area Chamber Member’s Luncheon
WHEN: Third Wednesday Monthly | 12 PM
WHERE: Tarasco’s Restaurant | Front Street | Downtown Dardanelle
The Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly Member's Luncheon on the third Wednesday each month at 12 PM at Tarasco's Restaurant located on Front St in Dardanelle, AR. Lunch is a dutch treat in a casual setting. The Chamber acknowledges the Chamber Member of the Month and a guest speaker will inform you of relevant business topics, local government changes or a local benefit for our community. Monthly Chamber Member Luncheons are a great time to build relationships, swap ideas, get solutions or give advice. For more advice, please call the Dardanelle Chamber at 479-229-3328.