Arkadelphia Dispatch - August 13, 2020

Vol. 2, No. 29

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020

Arkansas state parks COVID response ensures safety, promotes the outdoors Kim Williams Travel Writer, AR. Dept. of Parks & Tourism

For nearly nine decades, Arkansas State Parks have been a destination for generations of residents and visitors alike. During the pandemic, parks throughout Arkansas were a respite during unprecedented times.

The department’s mission, to “enhance the quality of life through exceptional outdoor experiences, connections to Arkansas heritage, and sound resource management,” has never been as important or necessary for visitors than over these last few months. In the early days of the health emergency, Arkansas State Parks realized that safety of its guests and staff needed to become paramount as thousands headed to the parks in efforts to maintain some semblance of normalcy.

Working closely with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a plan was developed to ensure the safety of guests and staff yet expanding park services, all while monitoring and addressing the changing situations caused

by COVID-19.

Over the past few months, Arkansas State Parks shifted regular protocols to ensure safety for all involved. Reservations at lodges, camper cabins, cabins, YURTs and Rent-A-RVs are managed to allow 24-48 hours between guests, allowing thorough cleanings after each use.

Day-use areas remain open with limited capacity and limited services when necessary for public safety. Social distancing messaging is posted in parking lots, trailheads and other high-traffic areas throughout the parks.

Restaurants are open with limited capacity and social distancing measures.

Swimming beaches and pools are open at 50 percent capacity, first-come, first-served. Physical distancing should be observed in all pool areas, including slides and diving boards.

All state park museums and visitor centers are open and welcoming visitors.

Playgrounds and enclosed pavilions are now open with restrictions. Group lodging remains closed for the safety of visitors and staff. Most important, all visitors must wear cloth face-coverings inside any Arkansas State

Photo courtesy of Arkansas Parks and Tourism A socially distanced tourist relaxes in the sun at Arkansas’ famous Big River Trail in West Memphis.

Park building.

During this challenging time, why not explore some of the “off-the-beaten path” parks that you may not have visited before? Check out the Arkansas State Parks passport program. There

are many outdoor activities within the parks that lend themselves to social distancing – fishing, hiking, biking and birding are great options.

From the Ozarks to the Delta, the 52 Arkansas State

Parks feature some of the best experiences Arkansas has to offer – biking, hiking, water adventures, digging for diamonds, history…and so much more. From the lodges and cabins to some of the most beautiful camp-

sites you’ll ever find, you’ll have an unforgettable stay, surrounded by the beauty of The Natural State, all while knowing that numerous protocols are in place to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Henderson State’s COVID-19 plan Henderson State University Comm. Dept.

Henderson State University has announced its intent to return to in-person instruction for Fall 2020. This COVID-19 Operational Plan provides guidance for students, parents, faculty, and staff as we prepare to transition back to on-campus instruction. This plan will continue to evolve based on local conditions related to

COVID-19 and our response to federal and state guidelines and requirements.

Flexibility in operational planning will be necessary in the coming months as the university follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arkansas Department of Health.

Guiding Principles Henderson State University will continue to pro-

vide a quality educational experience for our students through a flexible combination of in-person, remote, and hybrid instructional methods.

We will be ready to transition between in-person and remote instruction depending on local conditions and guidance from the Arkansas Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-

vention. Non-instructional employees also will be ready to pivot between on-campus and remote work assignments pending developing conditions.

We will work with the Arkansas Department of Health to determine and implement processes for self-assessment, monitoring, and contact tracing.

We will follow instructions from the Arkansas

Department of Health and the Governor’s Office directive to wear face coverings to minimize the potential of COVID-19 virus spread.

Face coverings must be worn in classrooms, offices, public spaces and areas used by multiple people. Face coverings should fit snugly, completely cover the nose and mouth, and consist of at least two layers of cloth. The university will provide one

face covering for students, faculty, and staff. Some additional face coverings will be available primarily for students.

We will follow best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Environmental Protection Agency for cleaning and sanitizing facilities.

honor the Tunes spirit.”

As OSF’s premier fundraiser each fall, and a highlight of Ouachita Baptist University’s Homecoming Week activities, Tiger Tunes raises more than $100,000 in scholarships each year for students to continue their education at Ouachita. The 46-year-old tradition features themed and elaborately choreographed performances by Ouachita social clubs and student organizations, attracting thousands of Ouachita alumni, friends and members of the surrounding community.

“We are so excited to see what Tunes REWIND brings for the Ouachita community,” said Mason Woolbright, a senior business administration/management and entrepreneurship double major from Benton, Ark., and OSF president. “The reactions and feedback that we have already received from future, current and past students is encouraging. OSF is still trying to bring the same energy that is normally associated with Tiger Tunes in a COVIDappropriate way, and I cannot wait to see how it goes.”

While Tiger Tunes 2020 performances originally were scheduled in-person for Oct. 1-3, Tunes REWIND will showcase video recordings of Ouachita clubs and organizations from years’ past in a single virtual event.

Show recordings will be chosen by club and organizations’ current members and alumni in the coming months and revealed during the Oct. 3 livestream.

Tunes REWIND also will be streamed at no cost, with viewers encouraged to donate the cost of the ticket or tickets they would have purchased for the live event to benefit current Ouachita students.

“OSF believes that this will be the perfect occasion for alumni to reconnect with college friends and a fun way for students on campus to engage with Ouachita traditions while still observing physical distancing guidelines,” Barton added.

“Above all else, we hope that Tunes fans watch the show and continue to aid in OSF’s mission of ‘Students Helping Students.’”

“We are working toward having a full Tiger Tunes

performance in Spring 2021, but if we are unable to, this may be our only chance to raise significant scholarships for students,” Merryman said. “Last year, OSF raised $118,000 for student scholarships, and that resulted in 80 students who are able to return this fall – many of whom said they definitely or probably would not have been able to return and finish their education here without the help.”

According to the Tiger Tunes website, a traditional Tiger Tunes performance would have required performers to maintain a sixfoot distance while wearing masks or a 12-foot distance without masks, which would have limited the number of students able to participate.

Merryman said the guidelines “made not only the performances impossible, but also rehearsals.”

Additionally, the capacity of Ouachita’s Jones Performing Arts Center – which seats an audience of roughly 1,500 – would be decreased significantly in order to adhere to the six-foot distancing standard.

One aspect of Tiger Tunes that will remain largely unchanged is the student host and hostesses. Tunes REWIND host and hostesses will introduce the lineup of shows during the livestream much like a traditional Tiger Tunes show, but they will perform 12-feet apart on stage in accordance with CDC guidelines.

“I am so thankful to be a student at a university that not only places priority on our safety, but also on raising money for student scholarships – and us being able to have some fun for the first ever Tiger Tunes REWIND!” said Wade Wilson, a sophomore Christian studies/Biblical studies and Christian ministries double major from Springdale, Ark., and 2020 Tunes REWIND host. “​I hope that everyone will choose to take full advantage of this unique opportunity and participate in the show through the voting and audience participation element.”

“I think that Tunes REWIND is going to be something that people will remember for a long time,” said Autumn Romines, a se-

nior musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark., and 2020 Tunes REWIND hostess.

“We didn’t cancel because we know how necessary Tiger Tunes is to raise money for scholarships.”

During the livestream, current students, alumni and friends can text-to-give to determine the winner of Tunes REWIND, similar to the Tiger Tunes People’s Choice Award process in previous years. Winners will be announced live on stage in Jones Performing Arts Center at the end of the performance.

“As soon as we made the announcement about the livestream event, we heard stories of club group messages and alumni Facebook pages blowing up with what each person thought was the best past show – and that’s really the first step in getting everyone excited for this Tiger Tunes REWIND experience!” Merryman said.

OSF plans to host a live, in-person Tiger Tunes weekend in Spring 2021, pending health guidelines, with dates to be announced in January 2021.

Find OBU’s plan • Page 3

Ouachita Baptist to livestream Tiger Tunes with “Tunes REWIND” theme Rachel Moren0 OBU Editorial Coordinator, Comm. and Marketing

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.— The Ouachita Student Foundation has announced that it will livestream Tiger Tunes, its annual fundraising event for student scholarships, with the theme “Tunes REWIND” on Saturday, Oct. 3. The decision to move the event to a virtual format comes in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are focusing on doing everything possible to protect the health and safety of our students and any guests who come to campus,” said Jon Merryman, director of alumni relations and the Ouachita Student Foundation.

“Tiger Tunes is such an important part of the Ouachita culture,” said Brady Barton, a senior political science and graphic design double major from Russellville, Ark., and this year’s Tiger Tunes director for OSF. “When we realized that we would not be able to host an in-person Tunes this fall, OSF and Ouachita set out to find a way to still

2 News

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020

Arkadelphia Dispatch

Westerman: an investment in America’s future Bruce Westerman AR Representative Arkansas is home to 2 million acres of national forest, a national park, America’s very first national river and several national wildlife refuges. I’ve made countless memories in these and other parks across the country, which is why I was glad to see President Trump sign the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) into law on Aug. 4. This bill marks the single greatest investment into U.S. public lands since President Theodore Roosevelt.

Unfortunately, deferred maintenance projects have plagued our public lands nationwide. To address this

issue, the GAOA establishes the long-overdue National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, which will receive up to $1.9 billion per year to fund the maintenance. These improvements will range from fixing potholes to clearing overgrown trails. The GAOA also invests in future recreational access by permanently funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Since its inception in 1965, LWCF has been used to improve public recreational access and protect Arkansas federal recreation areas like the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests and the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge.

However, passing the

GAOA doesn’t mean we can pack up and call it a day. Our current situation is indicative of a greater underlying problem in how we manage public lands. Congress needs more oversight when it comes to public lands, and it also needs to start using money for long-term solutions. These issues did not arise overnight; they’ve stemmed from years of neglect. We need a comprehensive plan to manage every acre of public land, monitoring and improving it as needed. I hope that the GAOA kickstarts this effort and that we can continue conserving our public lands for generations to come.

Hutchinson on Arkansas’ New Secretary of Health Asa Hutchinson AR Governor I have appointed Dr. José Romero as Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, and today I’d like to share some things about the man who is assuming this job in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr. Romero moved to Arkansas in 2008 as Director of the Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He also served in a similar position at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He served as the Director of Clinical Trials Research at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute from 2008-2019.

Dr. Nate Smith, our former Secretary of Health who has now taken a position with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, named Dr. Romero as the department’s chief medical officer in the spring. When Dr. Smith left for his new job, I named Dr. Romero interim secretary. And this week, I offered him the job

as secretary.

It was an easy choice. Dr. Romero has devoted his career to public health, and he has earned a distinguished national reputation for his work in infectious diseases.

Dr. Romero was born in Mexico, where his grandfather worked the land, taught himself to read and write, and eventually owned a small grocery story. His grandfather’s goal for his children was simple. He wanted them to learn to read and write. Shortly after Dr. Romero was born, his parents moved to Michigan, where his father earned a master’s degree in civil engineering. Many of the bridges he designed in California are still standing.

Dr. Romero, who was a competitive swimmer as a teenager, spent most of his childhood in California. His brothers and sister were born in the United States.

He became a citizen when he was in the sixth grade. At his naturalization ceremony, the judge asked young José to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

He knew from a young age that he wanted to be a doctor, and he returned to Guadalajara for medical school, where he graduated in the top 1 percent of his class.

His resume includes an impressive list of jobs, appointments, and accomplishments. He is chairman of the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is providing guidance nationally on the development and administration of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Much of his work has involved the study of pediatric infectious diseases. In his well-rounded career, Dr. Romero has done almost everything – from research to leading hospital departments – which has prepared him well to lead the Arkansas Department of Health.

We are blessed that Dr. Romero chose to make Arkansas his home. I am grateful he has agreed to become our Secretary of Health at this difficult time.

Hutchinson issues executive order on absentee voting LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson issued an executive order [Aug. 7] that allows Arkansans to vote absentee if they are concerned that voting in person may be a risk to their health or the health of others because of COVID-19. Executive Order 20-44 also allows elections officials to start processing the absentee ballots a week earlier than usual to allow for an anticipated increase in the number of absentee voters. He issued the executive order in response to an official request from the Arkansas Association of County Clerks.

“This order affirms Sec-

retary of State John Thurston’s position that the fear of exposure to COVID-19 or of exposing others at the polls is reason enough for a voter to cast an absentee ballot,” Governor Hutchinson said. “If a significant number of voters chooses that option, elections officials could be overwhelmed.

We’ve already seen a significant increase in the number of applications for absentee ballots. This executive order builds in extra time for them to process and authenticate absentee ballots to ensure an accurate count and a fair election.”

The additional number of days for processing bal-

lots will coincide with the 15-day early voting period.

During that time, elections officials will be allowed to process only the registration information from the outer envelopes of an absentee ballot. By Arkansas law, they will not be permitted to open the ballots and count absentee votes until 8:30 a.m. election day. The deadlines for applying for an absentee ballot and submitting a completed ballot remain the same.

The application for absentee ballots and the deadlines are available on the Secretary of State’s website.

Gurdon Mayor Sherry Kelly on Main Street, returning to school Sherry Kelly Gurdon Mayor Main Street is a hub of activity this week. Local U.S. Census workers are using the Gurdon Business Center to enlist their new hires. Soon, the workers will begin canvasing the streets in hopes of acquiring a full count of residents. As it stands now, Gurdon’s return rate of census questionnaires is only fifty percent.

That’s too low. I encourage everyone to participate

in the 2020 Census. It is important that we get an accurate count.

One more week until school starts. This is a very unusual back to school time for parents, teachers and students. Soon we will find out how this is all going to work and if the virus will stay under control. Remember to take it one day at a time, do your best and pray for everyone.

The Gurdon City Park and Lake are being enjoyed

during this great weather.

Boaters, bank and pier anglers are reeling in a few fish.

The playground, caboose and tree house are always a hit with the kids and the pavilion is a good place to rest, cool off or picnic. The Gurdon Walking trail is very popular right now, too. It is a joy to walk in the shade of the oak and Loblolly Pine trees. Each trip around the trail is a quarter of a mile and the path is suitable for wheelchairs, too.

Upcoming Events >>> <<< Arkadelphia Bands had planned to host its first-ever Mattress Sale Fundraiser from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., April 18 at AHS, 401 High School Road, but that’s been postponed to Aug. 1. The fundraising sale will feature brands such as Simmons, Beautyrest, and more, with on-site mattresses priced up to 50% below retail. >>> <<< The Third Annual Comics Studies Society Conference will be hosted

by Henderson State University from Aug. 5 to Aug. 9. The conference exists to bring together “scolars, artists, and other members of the international Comics Studies community” to discuss topics within the area of comics. Matthew J. Smith from Radford University and Randy Duncan from HSU are the organizers. Those interested can register at comicssociety.org. >>> <<< The Spring Hazardous Household Waste event that was scheduled for last Sat. was cancelled as a result of COVID-19 precautions. The Southwest Regional Solid Waste Management District will continue with the Fall Household Hazardous Waste event on Oct. 17.

The Southwest Regional Solid Waste Management District is the planning board that oversees solid waste management for Clark, Garland, and Hot Spring Counties.

Ongoing >>> <<< Alcoholics Anonymous hosts two meetings a week in Arkadelphia. The meetings are open to anyone interested in AA’s program of recovery. The Arkadelphia Group meets at 7 p.m. every Tues. in the Sturgis Building at North 9 and Caddo Streets. For more information on the Arkadelphia Group Meetings, call 870-403-3001. The U-Turn Group meets at 7 p.m. every Thurs. on the front, upper level of Park Hill Baptist Church, 3163 Hollywood Road. For information on that group’s meetings, call 870-2302975 or 870-260-9277. >>> <<< Through the summer the Arkadelphia Arts Center will have original art on display created by members of the Caddo River Art Guild. The window exhibits will vary through the weeks so check back often. The artists’ name and contact information are displayed next to each piece. For more information about the Arkadelphia Arts Center and the Caddo River Art Guild find their pages on Facebook or visit CaddoRiverArtGuild.com or CCAHC.org. >>> <<< Al-Anon meetings, designed to help family and friends affected by alcohol, are held three days a week in the Arkadelphia area:

- Tues. at 7 p.m., Sturgis Building, corner of 9 and Caddo.

870-403-2019

- Thurs. at 6:30 p.m., Park Hill Baptist Church.

870-403-2019

- Fri. at noon, Clark County Library, 609 Caddo St., side door.

512-750-2292

Arkadelphia Dispatch

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020

Forestry and industry: a lasting relationship Bruce Maloch AR State Senator

LITTLE ROCK – More than 28,000 Arkansas residents work in the forest products industry, cutting trees, producing paper and pulp, manufacturing furniture and shipping wood products across the world.

The majority of those jobs are in rural areas. They support ancillary occupations that bring the annual payroll of forestry-related occupations to $1.7 billion.

The value of standing timber is estimated to be more than $12.6 billion.

The timber industry accounts for 5.1 percent of the total state economy, which means that forestry makes a bigger contribution to the Arkansas economy than it does in any other southern state. Forestry accounts for 4.6 percent of the Mississippi economy and 4.5 percent of Alabama’s, but only 0.8 percent of the economy of Texas.

About 55 percent of Ar-

kansas, or almost 19 million acres, is forested. Dallas County is the most heavily forested County, according to a Farm Bureau report. It is 94 percent forested. Mississippi County is the least covered in forest, with only five percent.

Most of the forest in Arkansas is hardwood, and about half of the pine forests are planted. Arkansas is the top state for planting oak seedlings in the South.

Also, Arkansas has the largest area of national forest in the South, with 2.5 million acres in the Ouachita and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.

In the 10-year period from 2008 through 2017, Arkansas lost an average of 22,740 acres of forest a year to wildfires.

The state Forestry Division was created in 1931 by an act of the legislature, with the purpose of protecting timberland from fires and natural hazards, while promoting the overall health of

forests.

Last year Searcy County lost the most acreage to forest fires, with almost 11,000 acres burned. Izard County was second, with more than 6,600 acres of forest lost to fire. Chicot County, in the farm country of southeast Arkansas, came in at the bottom of the list with only three acres of forest lost to fire.

Insects such as beetles, moths, wood borers, worms and weevils can significantly reduce the value of a forest.

Trees also can get diseased, especially when they’re under stress from drought or heat. Most of the common diseases are a type of fungus that cause blight, scale, spots, mildew and rust, according to the Cooperative Extension Service.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello has the only school of forestry in the state, but most of our statesupported colleges and universities have programs in agri-business, biology or

environmental sciences.

Last year the Extension Service Plant Clinic received 3,321 plant samples for diagnosis of a disease.

County extension agents or staff at the Forestry Commission also help landowners market their timber.

Private non-industrial landowners have about 58 percent of the forest land in Arkansas. Harvesting timber may not be their main source of income, but if managed wisely it can become a valuable investment.

Paper products made up almost 4 percent of total Arkansas exports overseas last year. Exports of paper have been on a three-year decline, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Exports of recovered waste and scrap paper, with wood pulp, have increased over the same period, from accounting for less than 2 percent of total Arkansas exports to more than 4.25 percent.

News 3

Ouachita Baptist’s COVID-19 plan OBU Comm. Dept.

On-campus classes and residential life are planned to resume for fall 2020 with additional precautions in place to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and guests. A Health Monitoring and Action Team (HMAT) is helping develop these protocols.

Through July, campus offices are open Mondays through Thursdays with additional health protocols in place for employees. Guests to campus should call or email first to conduct business, as some offices are closed to visitors and some work is being conducted remotely.

All visitors to buildings on campus must complete the screening at obu.edu/ covid19screening before coming indoors. Masks are required indoors. To schedule a tour with the Office of Admissions Counseling, see obu.edu/visit.

Campus events are canceled until further notice.

Campus dining venues,

including the Ouachita Commons cafeteria and Evans Food Court, are closed to the public through July.

The fall 2020 semester will begin early and follow a compressed schedule, concluding on-campus learning

by Thanksgiving and with final exams administered remotely after Thanksgiving: Move-in for all students will be Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 13-15, on a staggered schedule to minimize crowds.

Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 17.

Classes will meet on Labor Day, Sept. 7, and Fall Break, Oct. 8-9.

In-person classes end Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Final exams will be administered remotely Nov. 30-Dec. 4.

Online Fall Term 1 classes will run from Monday, Aug. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 11; Online Fall Term 2 classes will run from Monday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 6.

Continuing Arkansas COVID-19 case update from Arkansas Department of Health AR. Department of Health

According to the Arkansas Department of Health Administration in its COVID-19 update, a total of 544 deaths have occurred in the state as of Aug. 10. In reference to ADH’s graph, there are a total of 49,383 cases with 7,387 active and 41,452 recovered.

The counties are colored by light to dark in terms of density of cases.

The Dispatch will post an updated version of this graph weekly according to what is available from the Department of Health and state officials.

As the cases continue to

rise, more and more states are reverting back to more strict quarantine and social distance rules.

Masks are nearly universally required to enter most businesses. They are available in most grocery and convenience stores.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced in early August that contact sports are expected to continue as planned in the fall. Football players may only practice in helmets, however.

People are encouraged to continue social distancing and staying at least six feet away from others. Testing is widely available in most cities.

Arkadelphia Dispatch Editor: Pete Tubbs arkadelphiadispatch@gmail.com 870-230-5221 Calls will be returned.

The Arkadelphia Dispatch is published weekly by Nashville Leader, Inc., 119 N. Main, Nashville, AR 71852.

4 News

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020

Arkadelphia Dispatch

Ouachita Baptist Men’s Tennis Team receives ITA academic awards Bates Yoakam Ouachita Baptist

Ouachita Men’s Tennis has been named a 2020 ITA All-Academic team.

Dan Kaplun, Juan Moncada, Nair Adi, Javier Sanchis-Fito, Carlos Solorzano, Francisco Oliveira, Tobias Fuerscjhuss, Santiago Kearney and Matias Parzajuk were all named 2020 ITA Scholar-Athletes.

To be named an ITA Scholar-Athlete, one must meet the following requirements: -have a grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.00 scale) for the current academic year -be listed on the institutional eligibility form To be named an ITA AllAcademic Team, programs must meet the following requirements: -have a team grade point average of 3.2 or above (on a 4.00 scale) -all student-athletes included should be listed on the institutional eligibility form -all varsity letter winners should be factored into the cumulative team GPA for the current academic year

Photo courtesy of Ouachita Baptist Athletics OBU Men’s Tennis has been named a 2020 ITA All-Academic Team.

HSU Women’s Volleyball Team nabs DeGray Lake AVCA Team Academic Award youth hunt Anna Owens Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District’s DeGray Lake will host its fourth annual youth deer hunt Oct. 3 and 4, and COVID-19 precautions will be in place.

The registration deadline is Sept. 5, and hunters must email Kolin Cogburn at kolin.p.cogburn@usace. army.mil for an application.

For more information, contact Cogburn at 870-2465501, extension 64015.

To be eligible for participation, hunters must be between the ages of six and 15 and accompanied by an assistant at least 21 years of age. Youth hunters may harvest a maximum of one buck and two does during the hunt.

USACE will implement COVID-19 prevention meaPhoto courtesy of Henderson State University Athletics sures for the safety of all participants during the event.

Henderson State University Athletics continues their streak of awards acknowledgements by gaining an AVCA Team Academic Award.

Bates Yoakam The award, which began Additionally, the Reddies The Reddies, who won 21 Interaction between participants and USACE personnel Ouachita Baptist in the 1992-1993 season, is were one of just 15 DII pro- matches in the 2019 cam- will take place outdoors at ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — given to teams with a cumu- grams who were recognized paign and have won 63 total a campground or hunting After turning in a phenom- lative grade point average for reaching the SideOut in three years under head locations. Participants and USACE employees will be enal year in the classroom, (GPA) of 3.3 or higher for Foundation’s “Dig Pink” coach Phil McDaniel, ended the entire academic year. fundraising goal supporting 2019-20 with a team GPA the Henderson State volleyHenderson was one of breast cancer awareness. of 3.39. ball team has been named a recipient of a 2019-20 AVCA 1313 teams nationally, and Team Academic Award for 171 from the NCAA Division the first time in program II level, to receive AVCA Team Academic honors. history.

required to wear masks when within 10 feet of one another, and participants will be provided with hand sanitizer. To minimize contact, hunters must provide their own equipment, ice chests and personal amenities, and utilize their own vehicles to travel from base to the hunting location.

Participants or USACE personnel exhibiting fever or any COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to participate.

Hunters and their locations will be selected through a random drawing process. All hunters will be provided with a packet outlining the hunt’s rules and regulations, as well as a detailed map of their hunting area. Each hunting area will contain ground blinds and two-person ladder stands for hunters’ use.

The purpose of the hunt is to encourage young people to become more involved in outdoor recreation and habitat preservation. Last year, five young people participated in the event and harvested a total of four deer.