Federal Disaster Declaration approved for local area
A number of counties in North Central Arkansas are in the major disaster declarationn approved Thursday by President Trump at the request of Governor Hutchinson. The request is a result of damages due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding during the period of April 26 to May 19, 2017. The declaration will allow residents and governmental bodies in the affected areas who meet certain criteria to apply for assistance.
Individual Assistance (IA) for individuals and households will be available in 13 counties, including locally Boone and Fulton counties. Additional designations may be added to the declaration if requested by the state and warranted by results of further damage assessments. ADEM encourages citizens affected in these counties to apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) or at www.disasterassistance.gov.
In addition, Public Assistance (PA) for emergency work and repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities will be available in 28 counties, including locally Baxter, Boone, Izard, Marion, and Newton counties.
Governor Hutchinson says the federal declaration is welcome news for the Arkansas families and businesses who have been waiting patiently for relief from these disasters. These emergency funds will provide much-needed relief that will help those coping with the aftermath of these storms to recover, rebuild and get back on their feet.
Through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, funds will be available for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards for all areas of the state.
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials will soon announce plans to open offices throughout the affected areas to accept assistance applications.
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Public assistance available for 27 Missouri counties, 12 Arkansas counties
Public assistance is now available for 27 Missouri counties and 12 Arkansas counties affected by severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in April and May. Eligible homeowners and renters may be able to receive money for disaster expenses not covered by insurance to help pay for basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance and other needs such as replacing personal property. FEMA Individual Assistance is grant money that does not have to be repaid.
Across the listening funds available so far in Missouri, are for Douglas, Howell, Ozark and Taney counties. Governor Asa Hutchinson Monday, June fifth, submitted his formal request for a federal disaster declaration to the Trump administration for 31 Arkansas counties. 12 Arkansas counties, in primarily the southern portion of the state, are listed for available public assistance on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website.
Locally, Governor Hutchinson requested the emergency declaration for Baxter, Boone, Fulton, Izard, Marion and Newton counties. Hutchinson says he formally requests President Trump to issue a federal disaster declaration due to more than $13 million in damage. Governor Hutchinson declared the 31 affected counties as state disaster areas earlier in May. Due to the extensive nature of the flooding and the inaccessibility of certain areas, the in-depth damage assessment for the federal declaration of emergency took longer to complete.
FEMA urges residents of the 27 Missouri counties, designated to register with the agency, to register without delay. To register go to disasterassistance.gov , get the FEMA app at FEMA app or call 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Central Standard Time.
Multilingual registration assistance is available. People who use 711 or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362. Those who use TTY may call 800-462-7585.
Although a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened Monday in West Plains, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Parker says it is not nessecary to wait for a Disaster Recovery Center to open in your area. He encourages local residents to register now so the application process and qualification determination can begin.
Filing an insurance claim does not start the FEMA registration process. Neither does registering with the American Red Cross or other agencies. To be considered for FEMA grant assistance, applicants must register directly with FEMA. Even if they have insurance coverage, FEMA might be able to assist with disaster expenses that arent covered by insurance.
After registering with FEMA, all businesses and most residents will be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA provides federal low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters impacted by this disaster. SBA disaster loans are to help pay for disaster repair or replacement costs not fully covered by insurance or other sources. In addition, for small businesses and most nonprofit organizations SBA disaster loans can help meet disaster-caused working capital needs. There is no cost or obligation to apply to SBA.
Homeowners and renters should apply to SBA, even if they are not sure if they will need or want a loan. If SBA cannot approve their application, in most cases SBA refers them to FEMAs Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program for possible additional assistance.
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Mountain Home native seeks judgeship
Melanie Martin, a Mountain Home native and senior deputy prosecuting attorney in Pulaski County, has announced her candidacy for First Division Little Rock District Court judge in the election in May 2018.
According to the Arkansas Times, Alice Lightle retired from the seat early and Hugh Finkelstein was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to fill the vacancy, but, by law, he may not run for the office.
Martin, a 25-year veteran of the prosecutor’s office, is president of the Pulaski County Bar Foundation and former president of the County Bar Association.
A release said that Martin oversees the gangs/major crimes unit, asset forfeitures and two circuit courts and prosecutes homicide cases. In addition to being a Mountain Home native she is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the UALR law school.
The first division is the criminal division of district court. The seat is elected countywide. It began as the criminal division of Little Rock Municipal Court, but such courts have now been folded into the state court system.
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Mountain Home Public Schools receives Google recognition
Mountain Home Public School officials were notified last week the district has received recognition from Google as a “Google for Education Reference District.” According to Mountain Home Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jake Long, the recognition goes to districts that have demonstrated a high level of excellence through leadership, innovation and technology, particularly for using G Suite for Education, formerly known as Google Apps for Education, and Chromebooks, to drive impact and positive learning outcomes.
Long says membership to this category is by invitation only.
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Long goes on to say over the past two years the district has been aggressively pursuing technology and its interaction with students. Every student and staff member now has a Google e-mail address and multiple Google classrooms are being set up.
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Long credits the staff, students, parents and the Board of Education for making technology a top priority.
High usage of Google technology brought the invite to apply for designation as an Education Reference District. Long credits Chris Knight, Director of the Technology Department, Janet Wood Director of Research and Development and Rosemary Thomas, Instructional Technology Specialist, as being instrumental in technology implementation across the district.
Thomas started the application process.
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Thomas says transitioning to a Google school has created a tremendous degree of flexibility and has improved student and parent engagement.
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New Gainesville superintendent resigns
The interim superintendent for the Harrison School District, who was set to lead the Gainesville R-5 School District effective July first, says he has instead accepted the position of assistant superintendent in Harrison and will remain there.
Dr. Aaron Hosman of Mountain Home was hired in April and was scheduled to replace current Gainesville Superintendent Joe Donley who resigned in February after the school board voted not to extend his contract.
Hosman says the decision was extremely difficult however, the Harrison School District was potentially in a bind after he learned two weeks ago of the resignation of High School Principal Bill Keaster and the Director of Curriculum Dr. Doris Ellison. For that reason, coupled with the fact incoming Superintendent Dr. Stewart Pratt, who is transferring from Willard, Missouri, will be dealing with his first Arkansas school district, Hosman said he couldn’t, in good conscious, leave Harrison in disarray. He says he’s gotten to know the district over the past four-and-a-half months, and he felt Harrison is where he should stay.
His contract is for a one-year term.
Hosman says the Gainesville Board was very supporting and accommodating and took the news in stride.
The Gainesville board says they are looking for a replacement to begin July first.
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