Of the people, By the people, For the people
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John and Pat French
TUESDAY, June 16, 2020 / Vol. 6 Issue 24 / 75 cents
Coronavirus By the numbers/June 15
Van Buren County • 2 cases • 2 deaths
Arkansas • 401 new cases • 12,501 total cases • 179 deaths • 4,212 active cases • 8,110 recoveries
Phase 2 begins as cases rise Even as the number of Covid-19 cases rise by the hundreds in Arkansas, Monday marked the beginning of Phase 2 reopening of the state for business. "Americans are on the move," Hutchinson said last Wednesday in announcing the planned Phase 2. "They can't be tied down and they can't be restrained.” Restaurants and
other businesses that have been limited to operating at one-third capacity may now allow two-thirds capacity. They must still maintain 6-foot physical distancing. Hutchinson said Arkansans should continue to take voluntary precautions and listen to the science. Businesses will be encouraged to let employees work from
home and should "strongly consider" special accommodations for people who are members of a vulnerable population. Arkansas had entered Phase 1 on May 4. This allowed restaurants and other businesses to begin opening, with limitations. Hutchinson said there is no evidence of a correlation between the limited re-
opening and the recent spike in numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases. He said the spike is due to expanded testing and the virus’ natural peaks. Top counties for new cases: • Washington County • Madison • Lee • Pulaski • Sebastian • Benton
Covid testing - LPN Michele Henderson, of Boston Mountain Rural Health Clinic, prepares to swab Voice correspondent Jeff Burgess, during the last day of free drive through testing for Covid-19 in Clinton. BMRHC moves their testing to Huntsville on Tuesday, Marshall on Wednesday, Harrison on Thursday and Mountain View on Friday. (Photo by Jeff Burgess)
Council hears plans for industrial rate City Councilors heard about a dog attack on a child in Clinton at their meeting Thursday evening. The child required 25 stitches and is currently in a Little Rock hospital, according to Animal Control Officer Tim Pike. The dog is in quarantine at SNYP Arkansas and will undergo rabies shots then will be moving to Searcy, Pike said. The dog had received shots already from a feed store but they were not administered by a veterinarian. In his report, Water Department Manager Will Hinchey said chemical costs for the month were 9 cents per 1,000 gallons and that water loss was 33 percent. The council unanimously approved a first reading on setting new industrial rates based on 100,000 gallons per month. Hinchey also said roadwork on north Highway 65 continues to plague the department as water lines, old and new, are con-
sistently being broken. Police Chief John Willoughby reported that officers have written 151 citations, 25 warnings, and filed three felonies. He said if the department needs to send someone to jail, he will try to place them in Searcy since the Van Buren County jail is still not accepting prisoners but is holding only federal inmates at this point. In another proposed ordinance that was approved on first reading, the city will require a $2,000 bond before utilities, except for the city water department, can make cuts in roads. The council approved two resolutions, one a $30,000 CARES grant and another a $155,000 FAA grant to install beacons. On a question from an audience member, Mayor Richard McCormac acknowledged that no review has yet been held on the city’s clean-up ordinance passed earlier this year.
SNYP Director Lori Treat airs her griefs against The Voice at Thursday’s City Council meeting. (Photo by Warren Johnson)
Quorum Court agenda
Vaiva Pack of Clinton share a photo of her gorgeous roses.
Among items on the Van Buren County Quorum Court’s agenda this week is a half-cent sales tax for Ozark Health Medical Center. The vote would be held Nov. 3, 2020. Also on the agenda is an emergency ordinance amending sections of the county’s personnel police. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. June 18 at the Courthouse Annex. The meeting is open to the public.
Marijuana sales near $100 million
Over 7 tons of medical marijuana has been sold in Arkansas in just more than a year since sales began, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. DFA said Saturday that 22 dispensaries have sold 14,714 pounds of marijuana for more than $92 million since the first dispensary opened in May 2019. The sales of medical marijuana are expected to surpass $100 million by July 1, DFA said in a news release.
Traffic stop spurs arrest A traffic stop led to the arrest of a Little Rock woman on May 26. Deputy Ethan Ward stated that he observed a Chevrolet Silverado crossing the fog line and stopped the vehicle on Highway 92 East and Resin Lane. A search of the vehicle turned up several bags of (about 21 grams) of a white crystalline substance sus-
pected to be methamphetamine, as well as 11 pills identified as morphine, according to the affidavit for arrest. Sheila Laverne Long Brown, 41, has been charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, a Class A felony, and possession of schedule I/II controlled substance, a Class C felony.