Vol. 2, No. 30
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020
Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness recieves $3.5 million grant for expansion Renee Bartholomae Dir. of Mark. OBHAW
Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness is excited to announce that we have been awarded a two year 3.4-million-dollar grant through the SAMSHA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) expansion grant. OBHAW was one of 98 awardees across the United States (only one of 3 in Arkansas) to receive this grant that will allow our agency to expand our person-and family-centered integrated services (combining physical and behavioral health with focus on whole client recovery). “There is a gap in services for many individuals coming out of the acute psychiatric hospitals, probation or parole, inpatient substance abuse stays, courts, jails, etc. Our care coordinators will help close that gap and follow up with these persons upon discharge and assist them in getting the continued care they need”,
said Susan Smith, Chief Operating Officer. These expanded services will help prevent the revolving door of the same mentally ill individuals frequenting psychiatric hospitals and jails. Through the CCBHC Expansion grant, OBHAW will provide more community access to services – including 24/7 crisis intervention services for people with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or Substance Use Disorder. OBHAW will enhance current services including opioid use disorders, services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED), people who have co-occurring mental and substance disorders (COD), and physical health care all in a single location. OBHAW will begin a new program called Assertive Community Treatment or ACT. “The ACT program is a community-based program that offers treatment, rehabilitation, and support services using a person-centered recoverybased team
approach to individuals who have been diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. Often, a mental illness interferes with living in the community, attending appointments, and managing mental health and health symptoms and can lead to difficulty maintain housing or problems with the legal system. The ACT team will to go to the clients in the community to meet the clients where they are and provide more coordination to help coordinate their needs, whether it be physical health care, addiction, or behavioral health, to improve and stabilize symptoms and receive more effective care”, said Michelle Kveum, CCBHC Project Director. Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness has offices in 5 counties that include Garland, Hot Spring, Pike, Clark, and Montgomery. We provide outpatient counseling and substance abuse services, as well as a Medication Assisted
Photo courtesy of OBHAW. Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness has been awarded a two year, $3.4 million grant for expansion. Pictured is a location of OBHAW in Glenwood.
Treatment program for Opioid Abuse. If you have a need, please call us at 501624- 7111 or visit our website at www.OBHAW.org for a list of our services and programs we provide. Our website also contains
information on how to become a client or apply for any of our growing employment opportunities. For questions about our CCBHC grant and its services, please contact Michelle Kveum, CCBHC
Project Director. If you need any marketing material on this information or any of our other services, please reach out to Renee Bartholomae, Director of Marketing at 501-624-7111.
Arkansas state police to crack down on impaired driving on Labor Day weekend Bridget White AR State Police Safety Off.
As Arkansans prepare to celebrate the final warm weather holiday of the year, law enforcement officers across the state are also making plans to be vigilant and on the lookout for drivers who choose to drink and drive. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is joining with law enforcement agencies nationwide to remind everyone about the dangers of drinking and driving. Leading up to the coming
Labor Day weekend holiday, NHTSA and Arkansas law enforcement agencies will be spreading the word about impaired driving dangers. However, beginning August 21st and continuing through September 7th local and state law enforcement officers on patrol will hold the line with zero tolerance for drunk driving. The high-visibility national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, will include increased state and national educational messaging about the consequences for drivers who choose to ignore drunk driving laws
coupled with an increased presence of local officers, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers prepared to arrest drunk drivers. “We want to see Labor Day celebrated, but celebrated safely,” said Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “We must work together to keep our streets and highways clear of the dangers caused by drunk drivers.” During the 2018 Labor Day holiday period (6 p.m. August 31 – 5:59 a.m. September 4), there were 439 traffic fatalities nationwide.
Forty-three percent of the fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking (.01+ BAC (blood alcohol concentration). More than one-third (38%) of the fatalities involved drivers who were drunk (.08+ BAC), and nearly one-fourth (24%) involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC). Additionally, data indicates age is a particularly risky factor. Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday period in 2018, 47% of those drivers were drunk, with BAC’s of .08 or higher.
The goal of the operation Colonel Bryant said, “Is to work together and put an end to drunk driving, with zero tolerance, thereby saving lives. Simply stated, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office recommends the following: Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
Promptly contact law enforcement to report drunk drivers you see on the roadways Always wear your seatbelt. If you’re on a motorcycle, use protective safety equipment. For more information on the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, visit TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov or contact the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136. For more on the ongoing “Toward Zero Deaths” campaign, visit TZDarkansas.org.
Wood product company Koppers to invest millions, create jobs at its North Little Rock facility NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 25, 2020) – Koppers, a global provider of treated wood products, today announced that it plans to invest a minimum of $23 million and increase
the number of workers at its North Little Rock facility over the next two years. The investment will be used for new construction and to purchase equipment that will allow Koppers to
upgrade and modernize the company’s processes and further improve its environmental footprint. “When Koppers had the opportunity to invest in the future, we chose the
Hutchinson on legislators and hate crime legislation draft Asa Hutchinson AR Governor
The draft of hate-crime legislation that members of the Senate and House have crafted moves the state closer to the goal of passing and implementing a muchneeded hate-crime law, Governor Asa Hutchinson said today during a press conference in the Capitol’s second-floor rotunda. The Governor joined members of the General Assembly, administration
officials, and business leaders as they introduced a draft of the proposed law that legislative leaders are preparing for the 93rd General Assembly in January. “I want Arkansas to say plainly and clearly that we will not tolerate violence against anyone because of their race, their religion, or because of who they are,” Governor Hutchinson said. “We don’t need new laws. We need to enhance the penalty for a crime when
someone targets a victim because of a specific characteristic. “We are at the point in our history that we must hold to a greater degree of accountability those people who target individuals because of where they were born, how they worship, or how they choose to live. I commend the legislators for their leadership in moving ahead with this legislation.”
dedicated workforce and exceptional community of North Little Rock,” said Chris Martin, plant manager of Koppers North Little Rock. “This is a place where people work hard, and we support each other.” The company cited support from the state, Pulaski County, and the city of North Little Rock among the reasons for its decision to expand at the North Little Rock site. “I am very pleased by Koppers’ decision to grow its business in Arkansas,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “The North Little Rock facility has been an establishment for more than a century, and we are grateful that the company has chosen to continue this legacy by investing millions into the site. I am confident that the company’s entrepreneurship, combined with our pro-business environment,
will contribute to the continued success of Koppers in Arkansas.” “Koppers has been a reliable contributor to Arkansas’ economy for decades,” said Secretary of Commerce and Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Mike Preston. “Koppers directly serves one of the most prominent railroads in the state and sources many of its materials from timber production sites across the state. I appreciate Koppers’ continued investment in Arkansas.” “I’m proud of the economic development team’s efforts on Koppers’ expansion,” Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde said. “Koppers has been a good member of the business community here for years. They care about their people and they care about the community.” “On behalf of a grateful
community, I want to thank the Koppers management and board of directors for their decision to remain and expand in North Little Rock,” North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith said. “Just a short time ago, it didn’t seem as though this would be the final outcome. But an aggressive and effective rapid response by our state and local economic development team, as well as this facility’s fantastic employees, made it happen. Finally, I sincerely appreciate Governor Hutchinson’s support and involvement.” Koppers has been a part of the Central Arkansas community for more than 30 years. The North Little Rock facility, built in 1907, sits on 157 acres and currently employs approximately 80 people. The plant processes and treats more than 1.5 million wooden railroad crossties each year.
2 News
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020
Rep. Westerman on the post office Bruce Westerman AR Representative
If you turn on the news, you’ll likely hear someone talking about the Post Office. Let’s look at the facts. Speaker Pelosi allowed negotiations on another COVID-19 relief bill to stall in Congress, but she called a so-called “emergency session” of Congress to vote on legislation to fund the Post Office. This is nothingmore than a political attempt to capitalize on fears that the USPS is somehow in crisis. The Post Office is currently funded until August 2021 and received an additional $10 billion in funding from the CARES Act. It’s
not going anywhere, and is essential to rural areas like Arkansas. The Post Office delivers 471 million pieces of mail every day. About 158 million people are registered to vote, and many will still likely vote in person. When you look at the numbers, it’s clear the Post Office is equipped to handle a substantial increase in absentee ballots during the 2020 election, and then some. What we should be doing is reforming the Post Office to make it better and more efficient, and the Postmaster General is already taking steps to accomplish that goal.
The narrative Democrats have crafted regarding the Post Office is false. Your right to vote by mail is not at risk. I am extremely disappointed in Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats for creating a sense of urgency for a problem that doesn’t exist, while simultaneously refusing to address COVID-19, leaving millions of Americans wondering how we will continue to move forward. Even in an election year, our priority should be serving the American people, not crafting misleading political narratives that do nothing but stir up uncertainty.
A challenging year in education: Sen. Maloch Bruce Maloch AR Senator
Arkansas teachers and students are beginning the most challenging school year in living memory. Last March schools were forced to close because of the spread of the coronavirus, a decision that affected more than 470,000 students and 33,000 teachers. Arkansas has been trying to close the achievement gap between children in underprivileged homes and those in more prosperous families. Elected officials and educators are concerned that the changes made necessary by the virus could make that gap wider. When so many students must study from home and take their classes online, it’s critical that they all have access to the same technology. That’s why state officials have beefed up the Arkansas Rural Connect program, which has distributed more than $10 million in grants to expand broadband access in isolated areas. More grants will be announced over the coming weeks. Other grants of up to $75,000 help rural communities apply for federal dollars to expand broadband access, through the Rural Broadband I.D. Expenses Trust Fund Grant. It is managed by the Institute for Digital Health & Innovation
at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Also important will be the presence of a parent or family member who is computer literate, who can help students connect with their teachers every day. According to surveys, when schools had to convert to distance learning last spring, the amount of time that students spent in virtual classrooms was significantly less than when those students physically attended school. Virtual classrooms last spring focused on reviewing subjects already introduced earlier in the year. This year the challenge will be introducing new material electronically. The disruption of standardized testing in the spring will have an effect because teachers won’t begin the school year with a clear picture of each student’s individual academic level. This is particularly important this year, when students will experience the so-called “summer slide” to a greater degree because they have spent more time away from school. In many communities, going to virtual learning will bring attention to how many social services, apart from academics, are provided in schools. Those services include after school programs,
meals, mental health counseling and health care. Educators and elected officials expect an outbreak before the school year is over, either among students or staff. When that happens, they will have to make quick decisions about how to respond. For example, they may have to decide whether or not to close a school temporarily, and if so for how long. State health officials will provide input. The state Board of Education has waived numerous standards so that local schools have the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. The legislature has always prioritized public education, which accounts for almost half of the money spent from the general revenue fund. Legislators are updating the formula to make sure that state aid to local schools is adequate, in preparation for the regular session that begins in January. Safety precautions necessitated by the coronavirus will greatly affect the meetings of the Senate and House Education Committees during the 2021 legislation session. The committee’s meetings are almost always filled to capacity, with people in attendance overflowing into the hallways.
A busy Gurdon means a happy fall for citizens Sherry Kelley Gurdon Mayor
There is no shortage of things for the City of Gurdon to do. Thank you to Bonner Plumbing and Hartsell Farms and Excavating for our recent repair on aging infrastructure. This cooler weather in August is a treat but we still have mowing everywhere and all the time. Equipment repair is aslo a constant. Fixing old backhoes, pick-up
trucks and our trash truck, that keeps us on our toes. Thank you to our workers within city hall and in the field. You all do a great job, which I appreciate. The big excitement in Gurdon is back to school and the school workers have been working hard prior to next week’s return. Thank you to Stephanie Manning for inviting me to provide a welcome back to school video that will be part of a
cohesive message for our children. Looking for the Gurdon Light sounds like a delightful and spooky way to social distance and have fun. I hope to make a super fun announcement soon. Let’s all get a good count on the U.S. Census. Government workers have utilized The Gurdon Business Center to train Census Workers on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday of this week.
Keep up with your community every week.
The Arkadelphia Dispatch Pick it up at locations across Arkadelphia every Thursday.
Arkadelphia Dispatch
Upcoming Events >>> <<< 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. >>> <<< Celebrations Fine Wine and Spirits will be having their monthly wine tasting the first Tuesday of every month from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. >>> <<< With Late ‘til 8, local businesses stay open to 8:00 pm so that customers can shop and also win door prizes! this is a monthly event that happens every first Thursday of every month. >>> <<< El Ranchito mexican restaurant in Arkadelphia is now serving alcohol along with their food. Come for taco Tuesday and happy hour and you can get tacos for $1 and margaritas for $2. >>> <<< 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
Arkadelphia Dispatch
News 3
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020
Governor Asa Hutchinson Fall and winter campground on schools opening Asa Hutchinson AR Gov.
Most Arkansas schools are starting next week, and today I’d like to offer some thoughts as we head into an academic year unlike any in my lifetime. One of my favorite things about the new school year in Gravette where I grew up was going to McAlister’s Grocery and Hardware store to buy school supplies. In my day, we bought pencils, Big Chief tablets, and little plastic tubs of white paste with a spreader built into the lid. In high school, we took notes with ballpoint pens in spiralbound notebooks. Teachers wrote on blackboards with chalk. We learned science with filmstrips and overhead projectors. The world has changed much since those simple days. Chromebooks and iPads have replaced pen and paper. YouTube has replaced film projectors. Those changes occurred gradually, and we had time
to adjust. We didn’t suddenly have to toss out everything that was familiar. But the pandemic has changed almost everything about life, and it changed it in an instant. It’s as if we woke up one morning to a world where nothing looked the same. That kind of rapid change is understandably unsettling. COVID-19 has changed education dramatically. Whether you are starting kindergarten or finishing college, this year won’t look like last year. But the basics do remain the same. Teachers will share new concepts with their students. Cafeteria workers will prepare delicious meals. After a week of learning, students will cheer the football team on Friday nights. We’ve already had some valuable experience in rethinking school. In the last three months of the spring semester, the pandemic forced us to alter the way in which we live, celebrate, and learn. This means there is a lot of change. But there
are also some important life lessons from all of this. In school and in life, some of the most valuable lessons don’t come from books, but from experience. This year, in addition to literature, computer coding, and biology, we will learn a number of important life lessons, such as we can adapt to the changes that the coronavirus has forced on us. Also, it is important that we not only start the school year but finish the school year. And to do this, all of us must perform at a higher level and work as a team. We are all individually responsible, but we are also dependent on each other to be successful in beating the virus. We are living through a historic time. We will get through this. This school year will be easier if each of us does our part. Wash your hands. Wear a mask when appropriate. Keep your distance socially. Be patient and kind to your schoolmates and teachers.
schedules by Corps of Eng. Anna Owens U.S. Corps of Eng.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District has announced fall and winter schedules for campgrounds and recreation areas across its Arkansas lakes, Lake Ouachita, DeGray Lake and Lake Greeson. The following campgrounds at Lake Ouachita will be partially closed beginning 4 p.m. on Oct. 31 until March 1, 2021: Brady Mountain, Crystal Springs, Tompkins Bend, and Denby Point. Joplin Campground will close at 4 p.m. Sept. 30 and reopen March 1, 2021. Little Fir Campground will close at 4 p.m. October 31 and reopen March 1, 2021. Campgrounds at Stephens Park and Twin Creek will remain open during this time. The Spillway, Crystal Springs and Twin Creek day use areas will close Oct. 30 and reopen March 1, 2021. Hours upon reopening will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and
change to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 12, 2021. Blakely Mountain Dam day use area will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 27, and will change to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 11, 2021. Stephens Park and Avery day use areas will remain open and unaffected. All recreation areas on the north side of Lake Ouachita, including Irons Fork, Avant, Buckville, Rabbit Tail and Cedar Fourche, will remain open. Janitorial services for these areas, including permanent and portable restrooms and trash services, will cease Sept. 30 and resume March 1, 2021. Free pack-in/pack-out camping will be available during this time. The following campgrounds at Lake Greeson will be closed Nov. 1 and reopen March 1, 2021: Arrowhead, Buckhorn, Pikeville, Laurel Creek, Old Cowhide Cove, New Cowhide Cove (sites 1-9), Self Creek, Dam Area, West Kirby Landing (sites 35-79) and Jim Wylie. Parker Creek and the
remainder of New Cowhide Cove will close Dec. 15 and reopen March 1, 2021. The following electrical sites are open all winter for a fee of $20 per night: East Kirby Landing, Weston Point and Dam Area. Star of the West will be open with no charge. The following recreation areas at DeGray Lake will partially or completely close Oct. 31 and reopen March 1, 2021: Alpine Ridge, Arlie Moore, Point Cedar, Edgewood, Iron Mountain, Lakeview, Shouse Ford and Highway 7. Partially closed areas, other than Arlie Moore, as well as Lenox Marcus and Ozan Point recreation areas, will close completely on Dec. 1. Off-season campground reservations at Lake Ouachita, Lake Greeson and DeGray Lake opened August 15 for Oct. 1 to April 30, 2021 via www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservation extension requests will be accepted and reviewed during this period.
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 696 deaths have occurred in the state as of Aug. 10. In reference to ADH’s graph, there are a total of 56,894 cases with 5,509 active and 50,689 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. Schools have begun opening at both collegiate and pre-collegiate levels. They have many guidelines in place that were recommended by the ADH. 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 Sports
Thursday, Aug. 27 2020
Arkadelphia Dispatch
Amidst COVID stalls in sports and entertainment, Arkansas remains a haven for outdoors enthusiasts Jill Rohrbach AR Tourism
While travel looks a little different right now, Arkansas is still very much open for business. Locations across the state are taking special measures to make sure visitors can continue to enjoy all that The Natural State has to offer. In the Northwest and North Central part of the state, you’ll find a variety of attractions, lodging, and dining options as well as activities, indoors and out, to fill your days with safe fun. For example, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville is open during its regularly scheduled hours with added safety guidelines during this pandemic. In order to maintain proper social distancing, it currently offers free, limited capacity, timedticket entry. Visitors must
register for a time slot and will receive an email prior to their visit with information about how to prepare and what to expect. Timed tickets help ensure the museum has limited attendance per state guidelines. Visitors and staff are also required to wear face coverings. Per state guidelines, face coverings are required for visitors ages 10 years and older. At Crystal Bridges, face coverings are recommended for ages 2-9. Masks are available upon entry for those who do not have one. Like Crystal Bridges, the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa slowly implemented the phase levels as set by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. This careful and responsible attention to the safety of guests and staff has been rewarded with a return in occupancy and full employment. Jack Moyer,
executive vice president, says the hotel is also focusing its activities on open spaces and the fresh air of the Ozarks. “Most resort activities will be narrowed to single travel parties, the spa will continue temperature checks on arriving patrons, and preferential room blocks will be given so multiple guest travel parties can be closer to each other. Smaller attendance size of events, such as weddings, will be maintained, and a Eureka Springs Guidebook, listing other shops, restaurants and attractions that share strict protocols, will be given to guests,” Moyer adds. While there is change, so much remains the same. All areas of the resort are fully reopened including The New Moon Spa, SkyBar Gourmet Pizza, The Frisco
Sporting Club, and a full schedule of resort activities with protocols in place where needed. Throughout Northwest and North Central Arkansas, other attractions and lodging establishments are taking similar measures. Most restaurants in the region are open with limited capacity for dine-in. Patrons must wear a mask until their food or drink is delivered. Open Air Fun Additionally, open air fun can be found in abundance throughout the region and staying physically active is a great way to keep your mind and body healthy. The region is full of city, state and national parks as well as trails, campgrounds, and open spaces. You can walk self-guided, public art trails in cities such as Fort Smith and Fayetteville, walk
or ride the Razorback Regional Greenway or get away from it all and immerse yourself in nature. Canoeing the Buffalo, Kings, or Mulberry rivers are popular pastimes as are water sports and fishing on Beaver, Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes. Trout fishing on the White, North Fork, and Little Red Rivers makes for a great outdoors vacation too. Hiking or biking one of the many trails offers scenic beauty and wildlife viewing. Northwest Arkansas alone has 484 miles of trails to explore. Resorts and secluded cabins cater to outdoor enthusiasts. These green spaces and wild places are the essence of The Natural State and a compelling reason visitors have long sought to visit Arkansas. Like most of the state,
Northwest and North Central Arkansas do have some tourism entities that are closed or operating with reduced hours and services due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Some events are affected as well. Please call in advance of arriving at your desired points of interest for the latest information. Many cities, large and small, like Mountain Home and Rogers, offer COVID-19 resources for travel on their websites. This website, https://www.arkansas. com/arkansas-ready-travel, provides information as well. When visiting, you can continue to support Arkansas businesses and community by taking health safety measures while in public, including social distancing, wearing masks, and washing your hands.
GAC reports on winter/ Reddies place 38 on GAC spring academic honors RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – On Monday, the Great American Conference announced that a record 552 student-athletes achieved Academic All-Conference honors in the sports of men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track & field, baseball and softball, an increase of 42 from the prior high, set last year. Harding led with 73 student-athletes earning GAC Academic All-Conference marks. The Lady Bisons collected the most All-Academic selections in women’s tennis and women’s track & field. The 18 All-Academic honorees in women’s track & field represented the highest total for any single sport. The men’s track and field program also paced the league. Oklahoma Baptist ranked second with 71 All-Academic performers. The Bison led the conference in both men’s and women’s golf. Oklahoma Baptist joined Harding as the only two GAC schools with multiple All-Academic performers in all 10 sports. Southern Nazarene finished third while Northwest-
ern Oklahoma State took fourth. In men’s basketball, the GAC regular-season champion Crimson Storm tied for the GAC lead with East Central and Southeastern Oklahoma State. Their men’s and women’s track & field teams as well as their men’s and women’s golf teams all ranked second or in a tie for second. The Rangers’ women’s basketball teams each led the GAC and the baseball team shared the lead with Ouachita. The 17 selections in baseball ranked as the second-best total for any one sport. Arkansas Tech led in softball with 15 honorees and Southern Arkansas paced men’s tennis. “Division II places the balance of athletic pursuit and academic excellence in its highest regards,” GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said. “We again shattered our record for All-Academic honorees. I commend all of these student-athletes for maintaining their commitment excellence in the classroom during this unprecedented year.” GAC baseball studentathletes garnered the most All-Academic selections,
119, followed by 108 from softball, 85 in women’s basketball and 84 from women’s track & field. For the full 2019-20 academic year, 966 student-athletes earned AllAcademic honors, 85 more than the previous singleyear high for the conference. For student-athletes to be recognized on the Academic All-Conference team, they must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing (true freshmen and redshirt freshmen are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution. In addition, their grade-point average must be a minimum of 3.30 based on the 4.0 system. The GPA shall be cumulative for the athlete’s entire collegiate career.
All-Academic Teams
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Henderson State was well represented on the Great American Conference’s 2019-20 Winter and Spring All-Academic Teams, as 38 student-athletes from seven different programs earned Academic All-Conference distinction. For student-athletes to be recognized on the GAC All-Academic team, they
must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing and must have completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution. In ad-
dition, their grade-point average must be a minimum of 3.30 based on the 4.0 system. The Reddies’ 38 honorees were split among seven different sports: baseball (14), softball (8), women’s basketball (6), women’s tennis (4), men’s golf (3), women’s golf (2) and men’s basketball (1). The baseball team’s 14 All-Academic selections were the thirdmost of any program in the conference.