Arkansas
Some Arkansas Veteran Affairs Department staff set to receive bonuses • Arkansas Advocate
A panel of Arkansas lawmakers approved special compensation awards for maintenance workers at the Department of Veteran Affairs on Wednesday.
Current and incoming full-time maintenance staff at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemeteries, located in North Little Rock and Birdeye, and the Arkansas State Veterans Homes in North Little Rock and Fayetteville will be eligible for the $3,000 one-time awards, according to the request from the state’s Office of Personnel Management.
The Arkansas Legislative Council is expected to approve the measure Friday. The Uniform Personnel Classification and Compensation Plan Subcommittee gave approval with no debate or dissent.
The bonuses should “increase successful recruiting, and [lead to] better retention” of the employees in question, OPM Director Kay Barnhill wrote in the request to the subcommittee. Recruitment and retention of state employees has been a priority for state officials in recent months.
In October, lawmakers approved $5,000 one-time bonuses as recruitment and retention measures for nurses who care for people with profound intellectual disabilities at seven state-run facilities. The cumulative totals for the one-time payments were projected to be $510,000 at the Human Development Centers, $467,000 at the Arkansas State Hospital and $283,000 at the Arkansas Health Center, according to the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
Barnhill said at the time that she expected an upcoming pay plan overhaul across all agencies to increase nurses’ pay. In November, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the overhaul, highlighting salary increases with double-digit percentages for the positions most difficult to fill. Besides nurses, those positions included correctional officers, social services employees and Arkansas State Police officers.
The pay plan restructure will require legislative approval. Barnhill told the Personnel Subcommittee on Wednesday that OPM is “putting the finishing touches on it right now” after feedback from state agencies.
OPM “can certainly work toward” finishing the plan and sending it to lawmakers before the legislative session begins on Jan. 13, Barnhill said in response to questions from Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia, co-chair of the Joint Budget Committee.
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A bee swarm attack in Texas sent three people, including a firefighter, to the hospital this week, while Arkansas medical experts said most bee stings are not dangerous but can become life-threatening in certain cases.
Authorities in San Antonio said the three victims were hospitalized after being swarmed and stung by aggressive bees. Officials have not released details on what triggered the attack or the species involved.
Doctors in Arkansas said the biggest risk from a bee sting is not the sting itself, but a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
“The concern when you have a bee sting is if you develop a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis,” said Dr. Garrett Lewis, chief medical officer at St. Vincent Infirmary.
Lewis said warning signs include throat swelling, difficulty breathing and feeling faint, which require immediate medical attention.
“If you’re experiencing any throat swelling or severe shortness of breath, you need to seek medical care immediately,” Lewis said.
He added that people who are stung multiple times may also be at risk even without a known allergy, because each sting introduces additional venom into the body.
In the event of a swarm, Lewis said the priority should be escaping the area as quickly as possible and removing any stingers once safe.
“Seek water, seek indoor,” Lewis said. “Once you’re away from the swarm, you want to make sure that you are removing any stingers that might still be in your skin.”
Lewis also said symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and widespread hives can indicate a serious reaction.
While the Texas incident resulted in hospitalizations, a recent swarm outside a Little Rock business ended without injuries after bees briefly gathered on a tree limb before being safely removed by a beekeeper.
Lewis said the best prevention is awareness of surroundings and understanding when medical care is needed after a sting.
CORNING, Ark. (KATV) — Regulatory Enforcement Agents with the Department of Finance and Administration, along with local police, seized a significant amount of illegal THC products from Pacific Green in Corning on Tuesday.
According to the DFA, more than a dozen agents joined the City of Corning Police in the day-long operation that resulted in two arrests.
DFA agents seized more than 25 pounds of illegal products consisting of flower, vapes, and edibles.
Owner Ben Bennett and employee Sharia Shipman were arrested and both charged with the following:
- Delivery of a Schedule VI controlled substance (Class D Felony)
- Possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with the purpose to deliver (Class B Felony)
- Controlled substances – Offenses relating to records, maintaining premises (Class C Felony)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class D Felony)
- Unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate certain crimes (Class C Felony)
Bennett’s bond was set at $150,000, while Shipman’s bond was set at $100,000.
“In addition to selling illegal products, investigators confirmed violations involving underage access at this location,” said David Potter, Director of the Regulatory Enforcement Division. “This retailer, which was located within 1,000 feet of a school, presented significant public health and safety concerns. We are proud to partner with the Corning Police Department in addressing these violations. We seized a substantial quantity of illegal products, including flower, vapes, edibles, and other items, during the operation. We appreciate the cooperation of local law enforcement and information received from the community that led to yesterday’s operation and stopped this blatant disregard of the law.”
Note: All suspects accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
The Department of Finance and Administration said Arkansans can use Apple Wallet to present their license or ID in person, online and in apps at select organizations, including at more than 250 Transportation Security
-
Los Angeles, Ca11 minutes agoMan claiming to be armed robs Culver City bank, gets away with $10,000
-
Detroit, MI31 minutes agoFired Detroit TV anchor Taryn Asher files sex discrimination lawsuit against old station, claims new GM protected men
-
San Francisco, CA41 minutes agoSan Francisco family devastated as they face nearly 90% rent increase
-
Dallas, TX46 minutes agoWings’ top pick Azzi Fudd hosts clinic as Cash App donates to Dallas nonprofit
-
Miami, FL53 minutes agoPatients left scrambling for care after Miami-Dade woman accused of operating an unlicensed surgery recovery center
-
Boston, MA56 minutes agoClover plans to reopen some locations after sudden closure, thanks to an anonymous investor
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoNew report finds Denver metro home buyers and sellers experiencing ‘unattainability fatigue’
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoSeattle mayor grilled over public safety, affordability, CCTV
