HOPE – Hempstead County Courthouse is closed to the public. Please call the office that you need to due business with and they will help you over the phone. If you must come to the Courthouse you will need to call and make an appointment with the office you wish to visit.
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HOPE – City of Hope says Public Works Building Closed to the Public.
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PRESCOTT – The Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet has been postponed at this time. “Due to the increasing number of Corona Virus/COVID-19 cases and implications that have unfolded and the announcement of school closures until April 17th the Prescott Nevada County Chamber of Commerce has decided in the best interests of our community that we will postpone this event until a later date. We are beyond grateful for all of our table sponsors, ticket holders and auction donors. As soon as we have a new date announced we will be in contact with you about your availability to attend. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Jamie Hillery at jhillery@pnpartnership.org”
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HOPE – President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site visitor center remains open; however, Park Rangers are only giving a guided walk through of the birthplace home.
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WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bruce Westerman says, “If you are social distancing but don’t have access to reliable WiFi, many colleges in Arkansas have expanded their internet access to parking lots. That includes the University of Arkansas Hope/Texarkana.
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LITTLE ROCK – “The Governor has declared a state of emergency and our price gouging laws have gone into effect,” said Arkansas Attorney General Rutledge. “Businesses and individuals are not allowed to charge 10 percent more than they were before.” Any business or individual attempting to price gouge on goods or services can face criminal charges and could face penalties up to $10,000 per item. Arkansans can file consumer complaints with the Attorney General’s Office if they see price-gouging activity.
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LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, in cooperation with Gov. Asa Hutchinson, voted during a specially called meeting Thursday to waive all fishing license and trout permit requirements for residents and nonresidents starting this weekend at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 21 through 11:59 p.m Sunday, March 29. The special waiver is in response to the extended spring break by many schools and voluntary measures suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to practice “social distancing” to slow the spread of the Novel Coronavirus currently affecting the world.
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HOPE – Relay for Life Hempstead County: The safety of our volunteers, patients and staff always comes first. Based on current guidance and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily postpone Relay For Life of Hempstead County. We are extremely grateful to all the cancer survivors, volunteers and sponsors who have worked to make this event a success. Your efforts will make an impact on those fighting cancer. We appreciate your understanding and patience in this stressful time, and we appreciate your continued support and dedication to the American Cancer Society’s mission. Be sure to also like our @americancancersocietyarkansas page for statewide updates.
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From ACT-“The safety of students and test center staff is our top priority. We have rescheduled the April 4 national test date across the U.S. in response to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). All students registered for the April 4 test date will receive an email in the next few days informing them of the postponement and instructions for free rescheduling to June 13 or a future national test date.
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HOPE – Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce says, “Yes, the struggle is real! The chamber team walks through “what if’s” each day as we struggle between opening the doors for everyone to walk in without question or closing our doors as one step in the social distancing plan. In hearing stories of the precious residents at Hope Haven & Heather Manor who cannot have visitors (including family) at this time, the chamber would like to send a bit of “sunshine” their way. If we receive an abundance of cards, we will also take some to Kindred at Home and Wadley Regional. We are asking you to create (or buy local) cards and notes of encouragement and love, so the facilities may distribute cards on a daily or weekly basis. Blessing Baskets will be uplifting and will help the residents know that we are thinking about them and praying for them. Since students are not in class at this time, we also encourage students to create cards and notes. The chamber will place a large basket outside the office (located at 201 S Main) each day from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. When you complete your cards and/or notes, please place them in the basket. Thank you for encouraging others!”
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PRESCOTT – Prescott/Nevada County Library Temporarily Closes in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: “After careful consideration and monitoring of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Prescott/Nevada County Library has TEMPORARILY CLOSED until further notice. This includes all classes and activities. We have decided to be closed to the public. However, staff will be reporting to work for our normal business hours. We will be answering phones and email and offering curbside service. You can call (870-887-5846), email (nevcolib@gmail.com) or (nevcolib@yahoo.com) and we will bring them to your car. The decision is a difficult one. We care deeply about serving our community and recognize that the Library and its many services are an invaluable resource. But we feel that this is the responsible thing to do at this time, safeguarding the health of patrons, employees, and the community by working to contain the virus’ spread through recommended social distancing. Patrons are asked not to return books and other Library materials via our outside drop boxes even if the items are due for return. There is no penalty as the Library will not charge fines for overdue materials.”
Also, don’t forget that our extensive menu of digital resources is still available and can be accessed from the comfort of your home 24/7 for the community to enjoy, from e-books, digital magazines, and downloadable audiobooks. Thank you for understanding as we still try to serve you in the best way possible during this time. A decision to reopen will be guided by the recommendation of public health officials In the meantime, we are encouraging patrons to stay informed on the outbreak through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Current status of Library services: The Library will continue to follow the actions and recommendations of health officials through this COVID-19 outbreak, and we’ll continue to communicate further changes in our services.
• All patrons’ loan periods for checked-out materials have been extended.
• All group activities and events are suspended until further notice.
• Library event spaces and meeting rooms are not available for booking by the public until further notice.
• 24/7 LIBRARY GUEST Wi-Fi.
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HOPE – Hempstead County 4-UPDATE: 4-H Activities: Starting March 18th, all face-to-face meetings of 10 or more have been canceled for the next 8 weeks. This includes 4-H meetings, events, and activities. After 8 weeks, the Division of Agriculture will reassess the situation. We apologize for any inconvenience this may bring. We will continue to keep you updated on new information and changes that may occur. In the meantime, we will still be working out of the Extension Office. This would be a great time to contact us if you have questions or need help with your O-Rama events. If you have any questions, feel free to call the office (870) 777-5771 or email Hayley, hlrice@uaex.edu.
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HOPE – Hempstead County Cooperative. Extension Service says, “Due to the circumstances, results from the soil lab are moving at a slower pace. Please be patient and we will get the results to you as soon as we get them ourselves. One way to insure you get your results faster is to give us an email address when you turn samples in. This way the results are emailed directly to you from the lab.”
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EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH-“In an effort to further protect the health & safety of our customers, employees and communities, ALL Diamond Bank locations will close their lobby access and conduct all banking business through Drive-Thru Lanes only. There will be limited, in-branch customer service by appointment only for lending needs, new accounts and safe deposit boxes.
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Latest changes in the area:
*CANCELED-Services Sunday, March 22nd at Union Baptist Church, 1925 Highway 53 near Bodcaw, services Sunday, March 22nd.
*MODIFIED-Southside Baptist Church in Hope: “Sunday morning we will be broadcasting our service on Facebook. If someone wants to come worship with us okay. If more than 10 show up we will put some in fellowship hall, where they can watch on tv. For those who choose to stay home and watch on Facebook, we completely understand. Our Sunday night and Wednesday nights will be the same way. No Sunday School for the next two weeks play it by ear after that…”
*CANCELED-All Wednesday night services are canceled at First Presbyterian Church in Hope for the remainder of Lent.
*POSTPONED-Hempstead County Master Gardeners Planting Seeds of Hope Spring Seminar April 13th.
*POSTPONED-27th Annual UAHT Fish Fry April 16th.