To speak .
INDEX Opinion Events Obits Sports Arkadelphian
No. 1
Vol. 4
1, 2 2 3 4 4
January 13, 2022
We need the Arkansas State Guard was last implemented during WWII. Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has asked on Twitter if it’s time for a “national divorce” prompting some to call her a secessionist. Her Twitter account was recently permanently suspended as well. With Governor Asa Hutchinson on the way out the door, the next Governor of Arkansas should start thinking about the prospect of a similar reestablishment of the Arkansas State Guard. According to Act 670 of 1985 and Act 283 of 1989, the governor can reactivate the dormant branch whenever there is a need. With two years of riots and social upheaval across our nation, I’d say that we have a need. The difference in a modern day conflict and the one that started 160 years ago is that there will likely be no clear sides. Recent civil wars around the world have been very problematic and drawn out as militias and fringe groups
Photo courtesy of Dr. Fred Worth???
Dr. Delores "Dee" Brumfield-White had a decorated career in professional female baseball playing for several teams before coming to teach at Henderson. Lance Brownfield
OCE Editor-in-Chief Last Thursday marked the year anniversary of the infamous January 6 Capitol
Riot, an event that history might come to remember as a leadup to a second American civil war. With this very real threat looming, Arkansas needs to create a paramilitary force.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has already begun plans to create such a force for his state, setting aside $3.5 million to resurrect the Florida State Guard, which
can be difficult to distinguish from regular citizens. The hallmark of modern warfare is the volume of factions that often fight amongst each other for the same goals. Similar to what major American cities have faced for decades with gangs like the Bloods and Crips, but on a massive scale in all 3,006 counties from sea to shining sea. This is why we need to do something to keep a unified Arkansas. States that have a single force keeping law and order will most likely fare better than those that splinter into city states fending for themselves. History shows time and time again that when a power vacuum is created, evil men will always sweep in to occupy that void. In the event of another civil war, we can expect much interference from outside forces. It is now well documented that Russians and other forgeign actors will use the internet to spread BLM, Antifa, KKK and other propaganda, without much
discretion for the actual message being shared. The main objective of this outside influence is to pit one side against another. And it works. I don’t have to explain how the division in America has risen in the last decade between the left and the right, but since the pandemic began in 2020, extremists on both sides have gotten even bolder and our nation has been rocked by riots and protests. That is why I suggest, for the sake of keeping our state safe, we institute an Arkansas State Guard. Half of America hates the other half while half of the world hates all of us. We don’t quite know how much help we could expect to receive from our allies and neighbors, so we need to take the steps now to ensure we have something in place should such a scenario occur. In the words of DeSantis, we need a force that is “not encumbered by the federal government.”
Shea Lewis named next director of Arkansas State Parks Arkansas Tourism
LITTLE ROCK – Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, today announced Shea Lewis as the next director for Arkansas State Parks. Lewis will replace Grady Spann, who retired Dec. 31, 2021, after 28 years with Arkansas State Parks. Lewis began in the role on Jan. 3 at a salary of $120,002. “Shea Lewis has a proven track record of accomplishment within Arkansas State Parks,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “Our parks system offers not only the outdoor recreation that The Natural State is so well known for, but it also protects and showcases our state’s history and heritage. These resources couldn’t be left in better hands, and I know Shea will continue the legacy of his predecessors Grady Spann, Greg Butts and Richard Davies.” Lewis brings 24 years of experience with Arkansas State Parks, both in day-to-day
operations and in executive leadership roles. He currently serves as deputy director, a position he has held since 2017. Lewis started his career with ASP as a seasonal interpreter at both Millwood State Park and Village Creek State Park before becoming a full-time interpreter at both Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park and Crowley’s Ridge State Park. He was promoted to superintendent at Parkin Archeological State Park in 2004 and then served as a regional supervisor for eight years. “Shea is a hard worker and a thoughtful leader,” Hurst said. “Because he has served at multiple levels within Arkansas State Parks, he is fully familiar with the complex operation of our system. I know that he will hit the ground running, and I look forward to his contributions that will make our wonderful state parks even better.” Lewis received a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies from the
University of Memphis and a master’s degree in education/ instructional resources and media design from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “Arkansas State Parks has a great tradition of protecting and managing the resources entrusted to us, as well as offering memorable experiences,” Lewis said. “It is my goal to continue that tradition while implementing innovative ways to guarantee relevancy for the next generation of park guests.” The Arkansas State Parks director is responsible for leading the operation of 52 state parks and a central office including administration, planning and development, marketing and revenue, program services and five regional offices. Additionally, the director oversees the $158 million annual budget appropriated for the division’s responsibilities. Lewis lives in Hot Springs with his wife, Sebrena, and their children Gracie, Anna and William.
Attorney General Alert: Trust But Verify Internet Sales and Auctions Leslie Rutledge
AR Attorney General LITTLE ROCK – Many Arkansans enjoy saving money after the holidays by shopping after-Christmas sales online, including social media marketplaces, internet classifieds and internet auction websites. While these platforms allow for ease of commerce and often feel like shopping from a friend instead of a retailer, they are also a hotbed for scammers who exploit that sense of community. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is urging Arkansans to use caution on auctionstyle sites, classifieds and in marketplaces because they may present opportunities for scam artists. “Arkansans should be vigilant when making online purchases,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “There are many bad actors around the world seeking to steal and defraud hardworking individuals who
Photo courtesy of HSU Student Engagement Center
do not research the site or item being purchased.” Consumers looking to make online purchases from social media, online auction platforms or online classifieds can follow these tips to ensure that they are safe when online shopping: Know the website that you are using. Know the terms and conditions. Know what you are bidding on or purchasing before you make your offer. Beware of counterfeit goods. Ask for additional photos of the item to make sure the seller has the item. Purchase the item through a website that offers protections to buyers and sellers. Use the most secure payment option for the transaction. Debit cards and credit cards offer more security than cash, check, wire transfers, or other online payment methods. Many payment methods offer buyer protections or allow users to dispute charges.
Keep all copies of your transaction information, including correspondence with the buyer or seller. Do not give out your social security number, driver’s license number, or your date of birth. Beware of cashier’s checks. Often fraudulent cashier’s checks are used in scams. If buying a product locally, meet at a designated public location. Often times, police departments and Sheriff’s offices serve as well-lit and safer public exchanges. Beware of work-fromhome opportunities and “business opportunities” listed in online classified ads. If you are told that you will make a lot of money without much effort, it is likely a scam. For more information and tips to avoid scams and other consumer-related issues, visit ArkansasAG. gov, email Consumer@ ArkansasAG.gov, or call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 482-8982.
Info from Weather.com
FRI - Jan. 14 mostly cloudy
SAT - Jan. 15 partly cloudy
SUN - Jan. 16 partly cloudy
MON - Jan. 17 partly cloudy
TUE - Jan. 18 partly cloudy
WED - Jan. 19
THU - Jan. 20 AM showers
showers
59o 38
50o 28
47o 31
52o 31
54o 38
56o 41
53o 31
Precipitation: 60% Wind: S 9 mph Humidity: 93%
Precipitation: 71% Wind: N 10 mph Humidity: 77%
Precipitation: 32% Wind: NE 6 mph Humidity 73%
Precipitation: 24% Wind: N 6 mph Humidity: 82%
Precipitation: 9% Wind: E 5 mph Humidity: 67%
Precipitation: 22% Wind: S 7 mph Humidity: 73%
Precipitation: 32% Wind: SSW 8 mph Humidty: 77%
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