Energy assistance program application period

Now Open

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –Entergy Arkansas customers who need help paying their summer utility bills can apply now for up to $475 through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program’s application period runs today through Sept. 30, officials said, or until funds are expended. LIHEAP is funded through several federal programs and is designed to lower the energy cost burden by paying benefits for home energy bills for lowincome households, who pay a higher proportion of household income for home energy costs. Bill assistance is available for all utilities, with an online application available for most Entergy Arkansas customers, based on which community action agency serves them. Applications can also be made in person at local community-based organizations.

In Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment manages the program, but applications for assistance must be made through a communitybased organization. Eligibility is determined by household size and income. For example, a single individual with a maximum monthly countable income of $1,859 and a family of four with $3,574 would both be eligible.

The program is offered in all 75 counties in the state through community-based organizations, which can be found online at https://www.adeq.state.a r.us/energy/assistance/ca ad.aspx, along with a complete list of eligibility and required documentation to complete the application. Once approved for LIHEAP funding, Entergy Arkansas allows agencies the opportunity to “pledge” on an account to prevent disconnection. LIHEAP funds can also be used to reconnect a customer account. For additional ways to help with managing your Entergy Arkansas bill, such as Level Billing or Pick A Date, visit https://www.entergy-arkansas.com/residential/, where energy efficiency tips can also be found.

ACHI warns h ig h temperat u res can a ff ect medication

From Arkansas Center for Health Improvement

With the heat breaking records this year, it is important to know that the risk of heat-related illness and death can be higher for people who use certain medications.

Some medications can interfere with the body’s natural defenses against heat, such as sweating or other temperature regulation functions.

Others can reduce the body’s fluid level or increase the risk of falling or fainting in the heat. These medications include:

Tranquilizers such as thioxanthenes, phenothiazines, and butyrophenones, which can reduce sweating.

Psychotropic drugs such as haloperidol or chlorpromazine, which can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac, which can increase sweating, leading to dehydration.

Diuretic medications, which cause your body to lose more water, leading to dehydration.

Medications for Parkinson’s disease, some of which can reduce sweating.

Blood pressure medications, which may increase the risk of dizziness, falls, and fainting in the heat.

If you are on any of these types of medications, it is especially important to take precautions against heatrelated illnesses when temperatures are high. Additionally, medications themselves can be affected by extreme temperatures and moisture, which may make them less potent. This is particularly true for insulin and medications for hypothyroidism. Prevent medication degradation by storing medications according to the label instructions, keeping medications away from heat-generating appliances, not leaving medications in the car, picking up any mail-order prescriptions immediately, and avoiding storing medications in rooms with high humidity and frequent temperature changes.

Consult with your doctor before altering your medications or if you have any questions or concerns about how your medications are affected by high temperatures.

As summer winds down and the excitement of a new school year builds, families across the state are planning for the added expense of backto-school shopping.

This year, consumers are expected to spend close to $600 per child on clothes, shoes, and school supplies. That is why we want to take this time to remind you about the upcoming Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday.

This year, the sales tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, and will continue until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 6. Act 757 of 2011 provides for a sales tax holiday in Arkansas during the first weekend of August each year. A sales tax holiday is a temporary period when state and local sales taxes are not collected or paid on the purchase of certain products. Arkansas is one of 17 states that provides a sales tax holiday before the beginning of the school year.

Clothing less than $100 per item is exempt during the weekend, as well as clothing accessories less than $50 per item.

Clothing accessories include handbags, cosmetics, jewelry, umbrellas, and more. Most school supplies, including book bags, binders, paper, crayons, pencils, and rulers, are also exempt.

In 2021, the General Assembly passed Act 944. The act expanded the sales tax holiday to include electronics.

Arkansas State Senate Report

By Senator Ron Caldwell

Examples include a calculator, desktop computer, cell phone, e-reader, computer mouse, laptop, monitor, printer, keyboard, and tablets. It does not include video game systems or televisions.

The sales tax holiday does include purchases made online.

The Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday benefits families, students, and local businesses. Providing financial relief to parents, the holiday is helping to ensure children have the necessary tools for learning.

We have posted a comprehensive list of eligible items and answers to frequently asked questions on our website www.arkansashouse.org.

B a p ti s t H ea l t h o ff ering f ree b ac k- to -s c h oo l imm u ni z ation s

STUTTGART, Ark. –

As the new school year quickly approaches and many parents with young children are already thinking of back-to-school supplies, it’s also important to not forget about immunizations required by state law.

Baptist Health

Community Outreach is offering free back-toschool shots Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Baptist Health Medical Center-

Stuttgart, 1703 N. Buerkle St. COVID-19 vaccines will also be available for children ages 12 and older. Free backpacks filled with school supplies will be given to the first 50 children who receive immunizations at each location. Each child’s shot records as well as proof of Medicaid coverage or other health insurance, if applicable, must be presented before shots are given.

For more information and to preregister, call (501) 202-1540. Walkins are welcome.

In addition to immunizations, Baptist Health Community Outreach offers nonemergent health care services at wellness centers and health fairs, flu-shot clinics, chronic disease management, and more – all at no cost for the underserved and uninsured in central Arkansas.

Lu ng Ass ociation o ff er s ti ps to p rotect lu ng s d u ring h eat

LITTLE ROCK, AR –(July 26, 2023) –

Extreme weather conditions, including the current heatwave throughout the United States, can make breathing more difficult, especially for those living with lung disease. As the continued effects of climate change are apparent throughout the country, the American Lung Association offers these simple steps to protect lung health during extreme heat:

Monitor air quality. Air pollution can be very high during summer and other extreme heat periods. Those with asthma and other lung diseases are at higher risk of being negatively impacted by air pollution during these times.

Do not exercise outdoors during extreme heat. It’s not just uncomfortable, it can be deadly.

Take steps to keep your body cool. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrat- ed, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Wear lightweight, loosefitting clothing. If you do not have working A/C in your home, locate air-conditioned spaces such as shopping malls and stay there during the late afternoon when temperatures are highest. Many areas offer cooling centers at libraries, community centers, or other public buildings. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you return home. Electric fans may lend a false sense of comfort when temperatures reach 95 degrees or higher due to creating air flow, but not reducing body temperature. This could increase your risk of heat-related illness. Instead, take a cool shower or bath to cool your body temperature. Keep your medications with you. It is important for those with chronic lung diseases such as

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Highway has held four events around the state to commemorate the 31 projects paid for with a half-cent sales tax approved by voters 10 years ago.

In 2012 Arkansas voters approved the sales tax increase and since then it has generated about $1.8 billion in revenue, which has paid for improvements to about 200 miles of highway.

The projects are collectively called the Connecting Arkansas Program, or CAP, and they represent one of the largest highway programs in the history of the state.

In 2011 the legislature voted to place the sales tax measure on the 2012 ballot, and it was approved in a statewide election by 58 percent of Arkansas voters.

In 2019 the legislature referred to the ballot a proposal to make the half-cent for highways permanent. It had been scheduled to expire in 2023, after being in effect for 10 years. In 2020 Arkansas voters approved the proposal, with 55 percent of voters in favor of making the half-cent sales tax permanent. Approval of a sales tax as a funding source for highway programs was an important milestone.

Historically, the major source of revenue for road improvements had been the motor fuels tax, which is paid by motorists at the gas pump. The state motor fuels tax on gasoline is 24.5 cents per gallon, and for diesel it’s 28.5 cents a gallon.

With motor fuels taxes as the foundation of highway funding, the problem for highway officials is that revenue has been steadily declining even as costs of construction goes up. For one thing, cars and trucks are much more fuel efficient nowadays.

Typically, to build a new interstate costs $9.4 million to $14 million per mile. A rural twoline highway costs $4 million a mile.

For example, 30 years ago a typical sedan used 30 gallons to drive 400 miles, and today a sedan is capable of going 400 miles on just 15 gallons.

In other words, that typical family sedan now pays half in motor fuels taxes what it did 30 years ago. Sales tax revenue increases with inflation. If the price of a candy bar goes from one dollar to two dollars, the sales tax collected by the state is doubled.

However, even when inflation raises the price of a tank of gas, the state Transportation Department does not collect more in motor fuels taxes.

It doesn’t matter if it costs $3 a gallon or $4 a gallon, if you buy 10 gallons of gas the state will collect 24.5 cents a gallon, or $2.45 for each 10 gallons of gasoline you buy.

The federal government also collects a motor fuels tax, in addition to the state taxes. They are 15.44 cents a gallon for gas and 21.44 cents per gallon of diesel. Arkansas has been getting on average about $780 million a year in federal highway grants. Arkansas has 16,454 miles of state highway, built and maintained by the state Transportation Department. We are the 12th largest state highway system in the country. Also, there are 65,553 miles of county roads and 17,240 miles of city streets in Arkansas. The state maintains 7,356 bridges. Counties maintain 4,267 bridges and cities maintain 1,096 bridges.

New 327 area code coming to 870 area code region

COPD and asthma to always keep quick-relief medications with them and to follow their asthma or COPD action plan. If you know extreme weather is coming, make sure you have enough medication on hand to last a few days and contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve or become worrisome. Ask for help. The American Lung Association Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA is staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists and is a free resource to answer any questions about lung health – including how to protect yourself during extreme heat. Help others. Check on elderly and vulnerable neighbors frequently to ensure their homes are safely cooled and vented. For more information and to get involved, visit Lung.org/disaster.