News

Aug. 18 - Pocahontas - Away - 3:30 p.m.

By PAM LOWE Clay County Courier The fiscal information from the 2022 Corning 4th of July Homecoming Picnic has been revealed after the Chamber Board met to discuss the financial report during their monthly meeting on Monday, August 8. Corning Chamber of Commerce Vice President Amanda Wiedeman shared the information with the Clay County Courier last week.

There will be a Ballot Draw for the General Election on Friday, August 26, at the Piggott Courthouse at 4:00 p.m. Opposed candidates are encouraged to attend and draw for ballot position or may send someone to draw for them. Anyone is welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please call the county election coordinator, Karen Cagle, at (870) 240-3295.

LITTLE ROCK – The recent auction of tax-delinquent properties in Clay County raised over $237,000, the Commissioner of State Lands announced. The auction drew 42 bidders, who purchased 45 of the 66 available parcels for a total of $237,022.90 for county and state government.

Little Rock - Members of the Civil Air Patrol, Arkansas Wing are once again ready to help teachers make an impact in their classrooms. Civil Air Patrol, the auxiliary of the Unites States Air Force, provides Aerospace Education Curriculum, along with free STEM kits for educators across the country is gearing up for another year of assisting teachers implementing high quality, project- based instruction in their classrooms across the state. “We currently offer over 20 different STEM kits for teachers in all grade levels, K-12”, states Maj Garrick St. Pierre, Director of Aerospace Education Arkansas Wing of CAP. “Each of these STEM kits come with lesson plans and student materials written by experienced teachers and aerospace experts who have firsthand knowledge of the challenges in the classroom”, he went on to say. “All of our materials are Next Generation Science Standards compliant and are totally free to Arkansas teachers and school districts”. Maj St. Pierre went on to mention that “the membership fee of $35.00 is being covered by a generous grant from the NASA’s Arkansas Space Grant Consortium” (ASGC). Dr. Keith Hudson said, “The NASA Arkansas Space Grant Consortium sponsors aerospace research, training and other related activities at Arkansas colleges and universities as well as doing K-12 outreach.”. Dr. Hudson, the Director of ASGC added, “The Civil Air Patrol’s Aerospace Education Member (AEM) program is an outstanding way for teachers to become involved in space, aeronautics, rocketry, and other STEM activities. Arkansas Space Grant is a proud sponsor of AEMs in Arkansas and provides grant support to Civil Air Patrol towards AEM/teacher success and K-12 projects” Civil Air Patrol has provided hundreds of STEM kits to Arkansas classrooms all across the state, impacting thousands of students at a cost of over $100,000. Perhaps the most sought-after benefit to becoming an AEM is the Teacher Orientation Flights, or TOP flights. AEMs/teachers who join this program are entitled to a free flight each year in our aircraft. Currently Arkansas Wing operates 9 Cessna 172s and 182s across the state. Teachers flying with us will have the opportunity to grab hold of the yoke and experience firsthand the trill and excitement of flight. Additionally, the Arkansas Wing Aerospace department hosts educator workshops offering 6 professional development (PD) hours to teachers, This workshop ensures teachers are current on how to best utilize CAP materials to achieve maximum impact with their students. Civil Air Patrol, in partnership with the Air and Space Force Association, offer many types of grants to educators for STEM education. Additionally, Arkansas Wing, in partnership with ASGC, offer grants as well for Arkansas educators. “You do not have to be a traditional teacher to qualify for this program.”, Maj St Pierre stated. “Anyone who has direct influence over children is welcome to apply and use our free products.” He went on to add, “The reason we do this is simple. Last year, Aerospace took over the number one slot for exports from Arkansas. Also, we, as a country, are projected to be over 10,000 pilots short by the end of this year. Growth and income potential in the Aerospace Industry both in and out of state are exploding.” Missy Stubblefield and Sabrina Ketter, both science teachers with the Charleston School District have used many kits from CAP. According to Sabrina Ketter, “The STEM kits we have received from Civil Air Patrol have aligned with my 5th and 6th grade science curriculum very well. The process of applying for the kits and submitting evaluations is an easy process to complete.” “The STEM kits from Civil Air Patrol have given my students opportunities that they otherwise would not have had, led to in-depth discussions, and allowed students to explore different fields of science and technology,” says Missy Stubblefield. Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 555 single-engine aircraft, 2,250 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of all search and rescue operations within the contiguous United States as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 108 lives last year. CAP’s 58,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Members also serve as mentors to over 24,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. For your local unit, questions, or to become a member visit ARWG.CAP.GOV, or call the Arkansas Wing Recruiting NCO at 479.285.1482.

JONESBORO — Arkansas State University will conduct its 2022 Summer Commencement at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug.