December 2023

Road signs. They are made to save us from making terrible mistakes in our lives. Yet, you see crashes everyday. Is it because we fail to read the sign? Is it because we refuse to heed the sign? Or is it because the sign was misleading? You would think that as an “intelligent” species that we would have the knowledge to read and make the proper judgment. Yet, many times we see that it doesn’t happen. I see laws passed and set down in the books, and then I see people come along and break those laws. Some get caught and get punished, some don’t. But those that do, here again, would think that after the first time one would never go back and do it again. But that is not the case either. There are all kinds of illustrations I could quote, but I will use this one. Drunk driving kills more people a year than anything else in our country. During the upcoming holidays, police forces all across America will be setting up road blocks and trying to catch those examples of people who choose to do as they wish with no regard to their family, their friends, their neighbors or their fellow citizens. The very interesting part of this phenomena is that we have centuries, nay, we have thousands of years of reference as to what alcohol does to the human brain. Yet when a holiday comes around or many social functions are planned, even small get-togethers, the first question is, “How much and what kind of alcohol do I buy?” By now, you are saying, “Larry, you are no fun, what a party pooper! I wouldn’t want to invite you to my party!” LOL, and that is fine, it is always your choice. I have been to lots of parties in my life. Really lots of parties. It seems they start off alright. People converse and discuss their favorite topics. Then, the more alcohol that is poured in, the less the conversation remains sensible. Oh, to some of those drinking it will seem most profound. But to a sober person, much less so. It does change even a rational person’s thinking. It loosens

Corning High School art students are sharing Christmas spirit and creating ceramic ornaments to give as gifts to middle school students. Ornaments being made will be ready by Wednesday, Dec. 13 for every CMS child in grades 5-8 to choose to take home. Art teacher Christina Patterson-Swint stated this is the first time for high school students to provide gifts to younger students since before COVID.

This week, the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee approved two interim studies regarding tax incentives. Thefirstinterimstudy proposal approved directs the committee to study the sales and use tax exemptions for farm machinery and equipment and the potential use of sales and use tax exemption cards.

LITTLE ROCK – The Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism publishes a report every year on the health of the state’s tourism industry. According to the most recent statistics available, tourism in Arkansas has never been stronger.

POCAHONTAS, AR — Black River Technical College’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program (LPN) has been ranked 3rd in the state by praticalnursing.org. The website praised BRTC’s program: “Black River Technical College offers an outstanding practical nursing program at its campus in Pocahontas, Arkansas.