Category Archives: News

Ridgefield Christian School Basketball Series Continued

Posted on by

This week’s story includes two different interviews discussing the loss of their one and
only senior last year and how they expect the season to go after losing such a valuable player.
We are joined by Head Coach Morgan Colburn and Assistant Coach Dustin Ellenburg.

Garrett Finnicum: Hello everyone, my name is Garrett Finnicum, today we are joined
by head coach Morgan Colburn and assistant coach Dustin Ellenburg. We are getting some
insights as to how the team has progressed since last season as they only lost 1 senior last
year in Sam Ellenburg. Starting with Coach Colburn.


Coach Morgan Colburn: Yeah, so we lost a very valuable player last year, Sam
Ellenburg, and the stats don’t always talk about how much of an impact he had with just his
leadership. He consistently worked hard, never backed down from challenges, and was the
model of what you would want in a captain. So, we lost a good player last year, but one thing he
did for us is he set us up to do well this year because guys saw his leadership and how he was
encouraging. He was quick to laugh, did all the right things, so it was a big loss losing Sam, but
he set us up well with his character. Now, as for what we are bringing back, we bring back a lot
of good players, and I just feel like we understand each other better this year. We’re also
bringing in some really strong tenth graders, and I feel like there are six tenth graders that can
play high school basketball this year at the 1A varsity level. So, I think we will be much deeper,
and some of the seniors have really stepped up in their leadership. It really helps to only lose
one, but having lost Sam is really tough.

Assistant Coach Dustin Ellenburg: That’s a great question. So, Sam Ellenburg was
our only senior last year, and going into last year, the majority of our team had been together
since 3rd or 4th grade. We’ve seen groups come through Ridgefield. We had one when you
guys were coming through junior high, and sophomores, juniors, and seniors were successful.
This was back a few years ago. We could kind of see that if we could keep everyone together,
this would be the year to make that next little jump. We made a jump last year, made it to
regionals—of course, we lost in the first round—but this year, having most, or the majority, of
our players back, we have some sophomores this year that were on the junior high district
runner-up team that are talented and can play. I think with that mixture, I feel like this season
has a chance to be very successful. It’s going to be as successful as the kids want to make it. I
think with Coach Colburn leading them, they have a shot to have a great year.

LISTEN: Ridgefield Christian School basketball coach Morgan Colburn

Posted on by

Audio Story by Garrett Finnicum

Garrett: Hello everyone, I’m Garrett Finnicum, and today we have an exciting story about a local high school basketball team that has captured the community’s attention. Joining us today is the team’s head coach, who will share some insights. Coach, please go ahead and introduce yourself.

Coach Colburn: Hi, I’m Morgan Colburn, and I am the coach here at Ridgefield Christian School. This is my second-year coaching, and I feel so blessed to be here.

Garrett: Well, first off, I just want to ask, what are your expectations coming into this upcoming season?

Coach Colburn: Our expectations have a lot to do with character, so we want to be a humble and hungry team. We talk about that nearly every day: being a team first. I mean, being humble is being team-first and not really caring about our own accomplishments so much and being hungry and wanting to come out and give our best every game. That’s my expectation of the boys, and that’s their expectation of themselves as well.

Garrett: How would you say the school community impacts the team?

Coach Colburn: Man, that’s a good question. I will say that our boys love playing together; they seem to really enjoy one another. We have done retreats; they have also played other sports together, and they just enjoy playing together. And then the school community—I have only been here one year, but I know that as we started to do well last year, more people started to show up to the games, and it was very enthusiastic. So, it was just a great atmosphere here at the school last year, and I would like to make it better. I would like us to have more support, and I would like our guys to be more supportive of other things and other events at the school, so that is a hope of mine. But I would say that we have great families, just great family support. And then when we do well, I think we get even more school and community support.

Garrett: How has past coaching experience helped you prepare for this job going into year two?

Coach Colburn: Yeah, so I have coached high school basketball at different levels and different places, mostly in Washington for probably 15 years. I have coached some good teams over the years. I coached in Honduras for a few years, and we got second in the nation—and you would not really think of Honduras as a basketball hotbed. We would have won in any six-foot-and- under league; we were tough, we were just small. Then I coached at a high school where we played in the state championship three years. Unfortunately, every year we got second. Really sharp kids, talented. I would say, honestly, the years that prepared me the most to do well—not just here at Ridgefield—were the years that I struggled. Not because it’s a struggle here, but the years where you have to find a way to put guys in the right situations make you a better coach than when you can just throw out eight studs and just be good. So, the years that were a struggle —you learn how to adapt your defenses, you learn how to attack people with only a couple players on offense—and those years make you more creative, make you sleep less, and make it hard. There is good in that struggle. I would say my worst years have prepared me the best.

Garrett: Well, that is all the time that we have today. Coach Colburn, thank you so much for doing this and giving us some inside information on this up-and-coming basketball team. I am just as excited as you are for the upcoming season to see them play.

Coach Colburn: Thank you, Garrett!

LISTEN: Students have a new food delivery service option this semester: Kiwibots.

Posted on by

Audio and story by Jerry Don Burton

The cube-shaped robots on wheels autonomously deliver from Godfather’s Pizza, Einstein Bros Bagels and Freshens to over 60 locations on campus. The Kiwibots also deliver food from virtual dining services including Mr. Beast Burger and AQ BBQ.

Richard Matthews, Sodexo interim general manager, said Arkansas State University is the first college in Arkansas to use the Kiwibot service.

“This was the technology that Sodexo suggested that might benefit the campus,” Matthews said. “We want to make sure this is something that is not only utilized but something that you guys want here.”

Around 300 Kiwibot deliveries have been completed since the semester began. Matthews said A-State’s current fleet of 15 Kiwibots could comfortably handle 500 to 700 deliveries every day.

Luke Caldwell, a senior history major from Conway, Arkansas, used the Kiwibot service during the first week of school.

“I heard about it, I downloaded the app and I gave it a shot,” Caldwell said. “It was fairly user friendly.”

Orders are placed using the Everyday app. From the app, users can select a delivery location, arrange a time for pickup and choose a payment method. The Everyday app accepts payment via Flex dollars.

Caldwell said his order was cheaper than he anticipated. He said his order cost the same as it would if he had ordered in person because there was no delivery fee.

Justin Lewandowski, retail operations manager for Sodexo, said Sodexo uses Everyday as their food hub app. Kiwibots cannot deliver food from Chick-Fil-A and Starbucks because they partner with Grub Hub, a competitor food delivery app.

Caldwell said his experience ordering with Kiwibot was pleasant overall, but the wait time was slower than expected.

“I think the estimated time was 15 or 20 minutes. An hour and a half later, it had not even left the Union yet,” Caldwell said.

Matthews said Kiwibots may encounter issues in very cloudy conditions or when the network is busy or slow. He said they ordered network boosters to increase the effectiveness of Kiwibots in areas that may see disruptions.

Caldwell said he submitted a support ticket concerning his delayed order. He said a Kiwibot customer employee messaged him apologizing for the wait and offered free orders as compensation.

He said when he received his order, the Kiwibot stopped at a designated location outside his dorm at North Park Quads. Caldwell said he scanned a QR code on the Kiwibot to open the chassis and retrieve his food.

Caldwell said he will keep using the Kiwibot service, but would like to see more accurate wait times in the app.

According to Kiwibot’s website, the bots can detect people, cars, and other bots. Kiwibots utilize GPS, artificial intelligence, cameras and sensors to travel autonomously, plan routes and avoid obstructions.

Matthews said Kiwi Campus, the company that owns the Kiwibot service, sent an employee to A-State for two weeks over the summer to help create routes for the Kiwibots. He said they utilized geo-mapping to plot out optimal pickup locations and delivery routes.

Sodexo employees underwent training over the summer to learn how to use the Kiwibots. Matthews said there are also two Kiwi Campus employees stationed at A-State.

“Each employee has been trained on how to load it, how to accept the orders, how to open the bot and load the food in,” Matthews said.

Lewandowski said employees use a tablet to accept orders and open the Kiwibot. Employees then load the order, close the bot and the rest of the process is hands-off.

Matthews said Sodexo is looking to promote the Kiwibots across campus. He said he wants to raise awareness by having the Kiwibots participate in events like football games and hosting giveaways.

“We are going to make things fun with Kiwi. This October, coming up, you should start seeing more,” Matthews said. “We are going to have you guys name the robots so instead of them having a number they would have a name and they can respond to their name.”

Lewandowski said they run their ideas and plans through Kiwi Campus. He said the two Kiwi Campus employees at A-State also help with planning.

Lewandowski said he wants Kiwibot to become another member of the A-State community.

“We really want it to be a part of this campus where it is a reliable resource for the students,” Lewandowski said. “This is a partnership with Kiwi that we want to see grow and expand in the future.”

Dr. Brendan Kelly Begins Tenure as New President of Arkansas State University System

Posted on by

LITTLE ROCK – Dr. Brendan Kelly today officially began his appointment as only the third president of the Arkansas State University System. The ASU System Board of Trustees voted to hire Kelly, who had served as president of the University of West Georgia since 2020, on June 5. He succeeds interim president Dr. Robin Myers and the second system president, Dr. Chuck Welch, who left the system in January after nearly 13 years to become president and CEO of the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU) in Washington, D.C.

“The ASU System is open for business and will expand the state’s economy by improving lives and opportunities – starting with our students and their families,” Kelly said. “I believe strongly that if we do what’s right for a student, and then we make it work for the institution, we’ll never go wrong. The energy that exists in most communities emanates from institutions like the ones that we represent. I’m excited that the ASU System comprises not only seven outstanding campuses, but also some terrific communities in Arkansas.

“We have the opportunity to galvanize communities, look to the future to ensure the ASU System is ready to meet it and work to expand the impact of higher education within Arkansas and beyond,” he added. “From cutting-edge research initiatives to skilled workforce training, I’m confident the ASU System has the ability to meet the demands of our rapidly evolving economy.”

Kelly said the ASU System role appealed to him “because it represents one of a handful of roles in the United States in which one has the ability to influence and shape higher education throughout an entire state. I am grateful to each member of the ASU Board of Trustees for their faith in me to offer leadership to a university system that has the capacity to provide access to high quality, higher education to the vast majority of Arkansans and many more beyond the state borders. This is an opportunity to support the economic evolution of the state at large.”

Prior to joining UWG, Kelly was chancellor at the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg and Greenville from 2017-2020 and was appointed as interim president of the University of South Carolina in 2019. He was vice president of university advancement and president of the UWF Foundation, Inc., at the University of West Florida in Pensacola from 2013-2017, where he led a successful $50 million capital campaign. His teaching career spanned 13 years in Florida and Michigan in communication arts.

His focus at UWG has been innovative programming both inside and outside the classroom with an emphasis on creating valuable life and career outcomes for students, with a commitment to launch and advance student careers upon graduation. He served on the board of directors of multiple regional and state economic development entities, as well as the Atlanta Regional Higher Education Consortium.

While leading and implementing the “Becoming UWG” Institutional Strategic Plan, Kelly has led UWG to record-breaking fund-raising efforts, including the largest gift in institutional history, and oversaw an enrollment resurgence. The UWG campuses in Carrollton, Newnan and Douglasville have a combined 12,769 students and are expected to exceed 14,000 this fall.  Its spring enrollment was 11.4% higher than last year, while its graduate enrollment surged 41%. UWG recently completed a move in athletics from the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference to the Division I Atlantic Sun Conference.

“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Kelly officially beginning his leadership of the ASU System,” Board Chair Christy Clark said. “I know he is eager to get busy, and our board is eager to support him and his vision for the System and our campuses. We look forward to a smooth transition as he leads our experienced System team and chancellors.”

Trustee Price Gardner, who chaired the search on behalf of the board, said: “We are excited to welcome Brendan Kelly as our new System president. We believe Dr. Kelly’s experience and outstanding record of achievement throughout his career will continue the growth and development of our System and lead us in addressing the ever-changing challenges facing higher education and our focus on student success. He has been described as a visionary, talented communicator and a person with the ability to elevate the reputation of the institution and further its mission. Our board looks forward to the opportunity to work with him.”

Kelly is a member of the AASCU board of directors and was named “One of the Most Influential Georgians” by Georgia Trend magazine and James Magazine. He was active with the National Forensic Association (NFA) and speech/debate competitions for many years and was honored as a NFA Hall of Fame inductee and with the NFA Eddie Myers Distinguished Service Award.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations and a Master of Arts degree in communication at Eastern Michigan University and his Doctor of Philosophy in rhetoric and political communication at Wayne State University.

Kelly and his wife, Dr. Tressa Kelly, have three children – Bree Luckey (married to Drew Luckey), Liam and Kieran.

A-State receives almost $2 million grant to conduct research into oral health

Posted on by

Courtesy of Arkansas State University

The team that will be leading the research includes (from left) Ana Karen Solano Morales, master’s student in biology; Sangam Chudal, biotechnology major; Dr. Robert Shields, principal investigator; Emanuel Cazano, biological sciences major, pre-professional program; Shawn King, lab manager; and Bikash Kumar Dwivedi, doctoral student in molecular biosciences. Image courtesy of Arkansas State University.

The team that will be leading the research includes (from left) Ana Karen Solano Morales, master’s student in biology; Sangam Chudal, biotechnology major; Dr. Robert Shields, principal investigator; Emanuel Cazano, biological sciences major, pre-professional program; Shawn King, lab manager; and Bikash Kumar Dwivedi, doctoral student in molecular biosciences. Image courtesy of Arkansas State University.

JONESBORO – While most people know that tooth decay can result in an unsightly smile, the impact of this disease has serious implications for one’s overall health.

A faculty member in Arkansas State University’s Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics has secured a federal grant to conduct extensive research into the problem with the goal of better understanding the causes and effects.

Dr. Robert Shields, assistant professor of microbiology in the Department of Biological Sciences and principal investigator for the grant, sought the funding through the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases affecting people,” he added. “It has a significant health and economic burden on the U.S. population.”

Shields will guide a team of faculty members, doctoral degree candidates, student researchers, and lab professionals who will delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying tooth decay pathogens.

The research team also includes Dr. Lisa McLellan at Purdue University – Fort Wayne who is a molecular microbiology expert with her own research lab.

“In this study, we will investigate the movement of genetic information between bacteria, a process that spreads antibiotic resistance and fuels pathogen evolution,” Shields explained. “We will focus our studies on understanding this process in the oral cavity and determining the role it plays in assisting in the development of tooth decay.”

The $1.77 million grant over a five-year period will support the work of the research team and provide a supply of chemical reagents, travel expenses to present results at scholarly conferences, and other expenses associated with their work.“

Dr. Robert Shields’ grant is an exciting opportunity to enhance his research in oral health,” stated Dr. Jennifer Bouldin, dean of the Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics. “This highly competitive NIH R01 grant supports health-related research by an investigator in their area of expertise. The Beck College is excited to see Dr. Shields receive this prestigious award and further his research in this important topic.”

Dr. Travis Marsico, vice provost for research, innovation and discovery, and executive director of Arkansas Biosciences Institute at A-State, noted this grant, the NIH R01, is the premier funding mechanism for those researching human health. The NIH R01 is the gold standard because it supports important hypothesis-driven research that is backed by preliminary data; recent funding rates are just over 21% of applications received nationwide.

“I am thrilled that Dr. Rob Shields has secured an NIH R01 award for his work on dental decay bacteria,” he stated. “The discoveries that will result from his team’s work have important basic science and human health implications for the people of Arkansas.”

This new grant represents only the second R01 and only the eighth NIH award in A-State history. It is also the largest NIH grant in the university’s history, he said.

“With our recent emphasis on expanding research development, the goal of the Research and Technology Transfer team is to help make these kinds of awards a regularity on campus.”

A related development with A-State’s blossoming research enterprise will get underway early next year.“As part of our expansion of NIH-funded programs, A-State has been selected in a new program called Engagement and Access for Research-Active Institutions (EARA), which will assist campus researchers with identifying appropriate funding opportunities from NIH,” Marsico continued. “The program should begin in February 2025. Fourteen faculty members have expressed interest, and Dr. Shields has agreed to mentor faculty pursuing NIH funding. His efforts have been successful, and he has built a strong relationship with his NIH program director.”

ASU-Newport Awarded $200K ITAC Planning Grant for Training Program

Posted on by


NEWPORT, AR — Arkansas State University Newport (ASUN) has been selected to receive a $200,000 award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the DOE’s Industrial Training and Assessment Centers(ITAC) program. This funding will support the development of an Industrial Controls Technician Registered Apprenticeship and an Industrial Maintenance apprenticeship readiness program, aimed at enhancing technical education and economic prosperity in the Northeast Arkansas Delta region.

The ITAC Planning Project at ASUN will create new pathways for incumbent workers at small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to gain valuable skills and improve their workplace efficiency and productivity. By collaborating with local manufacturers, the program will provide hands-on training that addresses the growing demand for skilled technicians in the clean energy and industrial sectors.

Dr. Typhanie Myers, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at ASUN, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative: “This grant represents a significant step forward for ASUN and our community. It not only provides essential training opportunities for our local workforce but also supports the broader goal of enhancing industrial efficiency and sustainability. We’re excited to partner with local manufacturers and provide high-quality education that will help our region thrive in the evolving economic landscape.”

The ITAC program, managed by DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, aims to reduce barriers to decarbonization and promote clean energy jobs that do not necessarily require a four-year degree. The initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, which seeks to bolster workforce training opportunities and support union labor.

ASUN’s project is one of 21 selected projects across 20 states, supported by a total of $24 million in funding. These projects will help train over 4,000 students, apprentices, and incumbent manufacturing workers, preparing them for quality careers in emerging sectors like advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and more.

For more information, view the official press release at energy.gov:*

*****************



$3.5 Million in Federal Funding for Jonesboro Advances in U.S. Senate

Posted on by

Courtesy of the City of Jonesboro/Johnathan Reaves, Delta Digital News Service

Copenhaver said the funding would provide additional resources to prevent and fight crime in the city and keep Jonesboro on the leading edge of incorporating technology into its policing efforts.  “When we talk about improving Jonesboro, public safety is a top priority,” he said. “This is reinforcement that we are on the right track, and I thank Senator Boozman for his efforts and for the hours he and his staff have dedicated to meeting with our Jonesboro team to discuss the wins and benefits of the system. He believes in it, and it shows.”

Jonesboro’s innovative Real-Time Crime and Intelligence Center now boasts more than 700 cameras strategically positioned around the area and has been referenced more than 600 times in cases this year alone. Data collected and retained also provides a valuable resource in building evidence to close cases, helping resolve accident disputes and identifying needed traffic and safety improvements, according to Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott, “Our system provides officers and detectives with critical information that saves lives, immediately alerts us when a vehicle of interest enters the region and provides helpful information on the scene of an active incident or operation. The technology investment in policing is making a difference, and it shows.”

Craighead County Sheriff Marty Boyd talked about the importance of information sharing between agencies, “We work closely with the City of Jonesboro and share 911 facilities. Quickly transferring data, license plate alerts and video information is a huge benefit toward the safety of our area.”

######

NEA Baptist Urgent Care Plus opens imaging center

Posted on by

Outpatient imaging center provides computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, X-ray and lab testing in an urgent care setting. 

Delta Digital News Service

By Brayden Morse | Contributor

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

JONESBORO, Ark. – The Northeast Arkansas Baptist Urgent Care Plus Clinic opened an outpatient imaging center March 4, providing computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, X-ray and lab testing in the urgent care setting. 

“Free hand CT scan image“/ CC0 1.0

The outpatient imaging center, located in the middle of the building, right off I-555 and Red Wolf Boulevard. The urgent care side of the building, located on the north side of the building.

Andrea Simpson, executive director at NEA Baptist, provided what stands out with the new outpatient imaging center. 

“What stands this building apart from our other urgent cares in our community today, is our advanced lab equipment and our high-tech imaging. Hopefully this will keep those patients from having to go to our emergency room setting, and free up our ERs for true emergent patients,” Simpson said. “We really want to take care of those sicker patients, more than just flu-type symptoms that we treat today in urgent care. Like lacerations, belly pain, appendicitis, sports injuries, minor fractures, things like that we want to be able to treat in this setting.”

Urgent Care Plus creates a higher level of care for citizens than their typical urgent care setting. Treatment for more serious, yet non-life-threatening illness and injury will be provided. 

Urgent Care Plus staffed by emergency trained physicians and open from 8 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Nurses, lab staff, imaging technologists and ER-trained physicians provided, with extended hours for added convenience. 

The building took about 18 months to complete because of staffing positions, installing imaging equipment, and tearing down a pharmacy and the old medical building. 

The advanced imaging equipment needed American College of Radiology accreditation to use on patients in the clinic setting, taking an extra 90 days to complete. As mentioned earlier, sports injuries will be treated as well.

Simpson shared the importance of having the ability to treat sports injuries. 

“We are there and available to treat sports injuries much faster than an emergency room can,” Simpson said.

Ty Jones, director of marketing at NEA Baptist, expressed how this clinic impacts the community.

“It’s going to provide a side of town that has to travel to get their healthcare. This is us putting a higher level of care back on that side of town for our patients who may have to travel from the Harrisburg area or from the Valley View side of Jonesboro,” Jones said. “Something as simple as an imaging service, that’s going to be much more convenient for you if you’re on that side of our service area, to pop in that imaging center rather than having to come all the way to the hospital.”

Simpson also shared her thoughts on finally opening new parts of the clinic. 

“The construction took about 18 months, but I’ve been planning this for about two and a half years. Finally opening the Urgent Care Plus side is very exciting and kind of a checkbox for me. I’m excited for our community to be able to use it,” Simpson said.

The family practice side of the building, known as the Red Wolf Clinic of 47 years, will continue to function. New equipment and technology added to that side of the building as well. 

“New Imaging Technology in Naples” by U.S. Navy Medicine/ CC0 1.0

-30-

Brayden Morse

Brayden Morse is a multimedia journalism major in the School of Media and Journalism at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He can be reached at brayden.morse@smail.astate.edu.

Students participate in Congressional App Challenge

Posted on by
Congressional App Challenge

By James Cain
DDNS Correspondent

EL DORADO – The Congressional App Challenge encourages students each year to develop their own individual apps for a chance to win recognition and other awards.

The winning teams will have their app displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol Building, be invited to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C. and receive $250 in Amazon Web Services credits per winner.The first official Congressional App Challenge launched under the leadership of the inaugural CAC Co-Chairs Reps. Mimi Walters, R-Calif. and Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Reps. Ed Royce, R-Calif. and Seth Moulton, D-Mass. took over as co-chairs in 2016, and in the first two years of the Challenge, the CAC reached nearly 4,000 students across 33 states.

Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. were co-chairs in 2017.

In 2018, Reps. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. and French Hill, R-Ark. became the co-chairs for a two-year term.Rounding out the fourth year of the Challenge, the CAC has inspired over 14,000 students across 48 states to program an app and practice program coding through the contest.

The deadline to enter is Nov. 1. Registration and other information is available at the Congressional App Challenge website, congressionalappchallenge.us.

Editor’s Note: Featured photo by James Cain.

Moms Demand Action rally in honor of high school teen killed

Posted on by

By Nik Perry
DDNS Correspondent

EL DORADO, Ark. – Community members and students came together for a Moms Demand Action rally in honor of El Dorado High School student and Wildcat football player Octavius ‘Tay’ Critton on Aug. 17.

Former El Dorado High School students cry during a time of remembrance for those in their communities lost to gun violence. During a Moms Demand Action Recess Rally held on Aug. 17, attendees paused for 100 seconds of silence to remember the 100 people per day killed by gun violence.

Police started an investigation after Critton was found dead following a shooting in his neighborhood. Critton, 17, was an incoming senior and varsity cornerback for the El Dorado Wildcats. Critton’s case is still under investigation.

The rally, attended by students and community members, offered a safe place to talk about ways to prevent gun violence, like the incident that claimed Critton.

The rally included 100 seconds of silence in recognition of the statistic from everytownresearch.org stating that 100 people are killed every day due to gun violence. Candles were lit and participants were encouraged to think of those they know affected by gun violence. Those attending the rally held at Mattocks Park, included Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer, who spoke on how gun violence has impacted our city.

“It is a people issue. They feel like a life isn’t worth anything anymore,” Creer said. “People kill so much, that [life] is almost worth nothing anymore. One hundred people are lost daily due to gun violence.”

Ward 3 Alderman Willie McGhee, founder of the Stop the Violence movement in El Dorado, spoke of how gun violence has affected him and those close to him.

“Dropping my son off at school in the morning, it makes me feel like I’m sending him off to a war zone armed with only a backpack,” McGhee said.

He continued by saying that rallies like these are for the children, not for them to necessarily attend, but to protect them. McGhee also said, “We get so caught up in the Second Amendment, we forget how long ago it was written.” He explained that times have changed, and the threats that amendment was intended to protect against have changed as America has changed.

El Dorado High School senior Anna Craig lights a candle of remembrance during the 100 seconds of silence at a Moms Demand Action Recess Rally against gun violence held on Aug. 17.

“We as Americans are almost too smart to figure out this problem. We know our laws and stick to them, but we fail to see the length of time between when it was written and now,” he said.

The rally was hosted by Kelly Reyes, a Washington Middle School teacher, who is an active member of the Moms Demand Action group. Moms Demand Action lobbies for causes to prevent violence that the youth of America is becoming accustomed to. She referred to current events on the national level as part of the problem, referencing U. S. Senate majority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ky).

Reyes said, “Mitch McConnell refused a bill on universal background checks on all guns,” she said. “The people in office should listen to us, because 93% of people agree that they would vote for universal background checks on guns.”

For more information on Moms Demand Action and their rallies, visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Reyes said the group is in the process of also building a local  Students Demand Action chapter, that encourages younger activists to speak up about ways to stop the violence.

Editor’s Note: Feature Photo – El Dorado High School students and community members listen to others tell how they have been affected by gun violence in their communities. EHS students helped organize and advertise the Moms Demand Action Recess Rally on Aug. 17, painting posters and handing out fliers for the event. Photo by Nik Perry

NEARK Confronts the Homeless Issue

Posted on by

Charles Haven seeks assistance on Red Wolf Boulevard. (Photo by Jessica Ladd)

Students from the Multimedia Reporting course investigated homelessness in the Delta.

  • Jessica Ladd details the lives of a homeless couple coming through Jonesboro.
  • Chloe Short examines plans for a Veterans Village in Jonesboro.
  • Brooke Buckner details services and shelters for Northeast Arkansas’ homeless population.
  • Yu Bai examines food banks providing sustenance to the homeless.
  • Colby Sigears notes how governments in the Delta approach the homeless issue.

 

Bill Clinton Speaks at A-State

Posted on by
President Bill Clinton

by Chase Gage
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – Former President Bill Clinton spoke to a near-capacity crowd at the Fowler Center Monday night. The man from Hope delivered a speech about hope for the future.

At a time when America is arguably more politically divided than ever, Clinton urged listeners to love one another like human beings, not opposition. He drove home the message of treating people like people and getting rid of resentment and anger towards others.

Arkansas State University Chancellor Kelly Damphousse introduced the 42nd president to approximately 950 people.

“If you live in resentment and anger, it disempowers you. You want to be empowered,” Clinton said. “You have to open your heart and ears before you can open new doors. You’ll waste a lot of your life living in resentment and anger.”

Clinton, founder of the Clinton Foundation, said the current political discourse does not lay the foundation for citizens to have the types of conversations they need to be having. Instead of discussing economic inequality and how to fix it, or the emergence of artificial intelligence (an advancement that may kill more jobs than it creates), people are more worried about tearing each other down.

He proposed Americans should be more concerned about their grandchildren’s future instead of winning the next fight on a television talk show. People in disagreement are still people, and sometimes that is forgotten.

Bryant Moy, a graduate political science student at Washington University in St. Louis, said before the event that he hoped to hear the former president speak on civil discourse in the United States. He got his wish.

“He talked about trying to treat people as people. You can still have these deeply held, strong beliefs and resentment, but you have to cooperate with one another. I loved it. It was exactly what I wanted,” Moy said after the event.

Kaylee Bauman, a medical student at New York Institute of Technology from Michigan, said the speech was refreshing.

“(Clinton) talked about bringing everyone together, and then seeing all the different types of people in the room, it was great. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I thought his overall message was something that could apply to everyone in the room. I found it fascinating,” Bauman said.

President Bill Clinton

President Bill Clinton spoke for about an hour Feb. 11 to more than 900 people in Riceland Hall at Arkansas State University as part of the “Riceland Distinguished Presentation Series.” The 42nd U.S. President previously spoke at A-State on three different occasions. (Photos by Ammar Taqi)

Monday night was not the first time Clinton spoke in Jonesboro. He recounted the story of when he spoke at the Arkansas State University Commencement ceremony in the late 1970s while he was Attorney General of the state. Due to rainy conditions, the ceremony was moved into the field house, where Clinton cut his speech off after only six minutes due to the hot, humid conditions. He most recently visited the university during the 2014 election cycle while campaigning on behalf of Mike Ross for the Arkansas gubernatorial election. He also dedicated the Dean B. Ellis Library in 1995 while in office as president.

Clinton told many stories that showcased examples of people treating others with love and respect. One such story involved fellow former president, George W. Bush and how the duo was able to put partisanship aside to work on creating a better world for the American people. Another story told of how Clinton’s grandfather would give food to those in need. The differences between the two examples demonstrated how respect for others can work on any level, in any situation.

“If you want America to lead the world to a better and more peaceful place, we have to think about empowering people, not putting them down,” Clinton said. “This is not a (partisan) issue. This is not a racial issue. This is a challenge.”

His message of a hopeful tomorrow rang throughout the hour-long speech. The future is up for grabs, for whoever wants to take it.

“We all have our resentments and regrets, but all we really have is tomorrow. You only become old when the weight of all your yesterdays outweigh your hope for tomorrow,” Clinton said. “There will never be a time free of problems. We have possibilities, but you have to face them and the problems they present not with resentment, but with an open hand, a listening ear and a loving heart.”

Listen to the full speech, courtesy of KASU’s Johnathan Reaves:

Business Appreciates Veterans

Posted on by

by Caleb Booker
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO — Gearhead Outfitters hosted its annual Military Gratitude event at The Mall at Turtle Creek.

The event allowed members of the community to write letters and donate money and/or toiletries to veterans and active members of the military.

At this event, Gearhead and people of the community put together care packages that include toiletries, basic necessities to help the ones who have served or are serving in the armed forces now.

“This is an event that happens every year where we raise money, accept donations and have a letter writing event,” said Braylon Graves, an intern at Gearhead Outfitters. “All proceeds go to a military organization of our choice.”

Whitney Eldridge, the director of marketing at Gearhead, talked about what they want to do at this event.

“Unfortunately, there’s a large homeless population of veterans, so we want to encourage and emotionally support them. We’re so thankful for all of their sacrifice and service,” Eldridge said.

Bobby Cornell, the service manager of Gearhead and a former Marine remembers his time being in the armed forces.

“Receiving the letters and care packages was like receiving a piece of home, it was awesome,” Cornell said.

About 100 people came by the tables during the Nov. 10 event. The team members of Gearhead collected over 600 letters from local schools along with many care packages.

Employees at Gearhead said they are looking forward to helping more veterans and active members again next year.

« Older Entries Recent Entries »