March 2022

Little Rock - The mission of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, is to promote and preserve the life and legacy of Dr. King in our state; and to promote the principles of nonviolence and equality among all citizens. Our community outreach projects are designed to promote education, an appreciation for history, and to encourage youth to engage in positive leadership development and roles within their communities.

Many taxpayers have encountered individuals impersonating IRS officials – in person, over the telephone and via email. Don’t get scammed. Understanding how and when the IRS contacts taxpayers can help you determine whether a contact you may have received is truly from an IRS employee.

Little Rock – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is urging poultry owners to increase biosecurity measures on their operations in response to several reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in other states to include some in the Mississippi Flyway.

Washington – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, is leading legislation to amend the tax code to incentivize businesses to hire military spouses.

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Buffalo National River, Christian Swaim, will give an historical presentation, “The History of Camp Orr High Adventure Base”, in the meeting room of the Newton County Library on Stone Street in Jasper from 5:00-6:00, on Thursday April 7, 2022. This event will be sponsored by the Buffalo National River Partners and the Newton County Library and will also be available virtually by contacting www.newtoncountylibraary.org

ARKANSAS— Wreaths Across America (WAA) is proud to announce that its Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE), will be makings stops in Arkansas to honor those who served and welcome home Vietnam veterans. “The goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is to bring the community together and teach patriotism while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America.

EXCERPT from the book— “Life and Times of the Pool Hall Kid” (not yet published) Probably it happened when I was eleven, maybe twelve. I think that’s when it was…back when I wasn’t very smart. Dad and Grandpa McNew had purchased, via bank loan, the Pool Hall about halfway down Main Street there in Houston. Dad was making some changes, putting in better spittoons and cleaning everything and putting up some big pictures. (One was of a flock of ducks, another of a fish jumping out of water.) Lights over the tables had to be cleaned and given brighter bulbs. And Grandpa wanted to move the big ‘chest’ soda machine.

Washington – The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a pair of legislative initiatives championed by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee senior member U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) to modernize breast cancer screening policies and the delivery of lifesaving care for women veterans.