The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) produces a Weekly Viral Respiratory Diseases Report for clinicians. The report provides information on Influenza, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity in the state. The report also compares activities in Arkansas to the U.S. ADH receives reports of only a fraction of COVID-19 cases and flu cases since it only requires reports of flu hospitalizations, deaths, and outbreaks. RSV is not a reportable disease in Arkansas. Therefore, it is important to understand that the information in the weekly update is representative of the timing and location of activity, but it does not reflect the overall disease burden. It is presumed that there are many more people actually affected than the report shows. Clinicians and policymakers may find the report helpful in terms of communicating to colleagues and patients about the current status of viral respiratory diseases in the state and nationwide.

May 4th is National Star Wars Day. It's about as official as an unofficial holiday can be. Once just a silly little pun, the wordplay on the most famous phrase in the Star Wars universe has, in recent years, become recognized by city and state governments throughout the United States.

The Boone County Master Gardeners with "tall" help from the North Arkansas College Basketball team players put up 58 colorful Hanging Baskets of Flowers around the Historic downtown Harrison square Tuesday evening. Explore Harrison contributed $8,500 for the annual project. Roxana Creamer, Mayor Jerry Jackson, and Matt Bell spoke at the beginning of the event. Special thanks were noted to the Boone County Master Gardeners, Northark Pioneers, Plants, etc., Harrison Parks and Recreation, and to CS Bank. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS / LEE H. DUNLAP

Members of the Boone County Quilters met at the Countryside assisted living facility on April 17 to provide a quilt show for the residents. Several quilts by Jackie Holt and Mary Ayers were displayed and members of the group held up quilts and walked around the room so that residents could see them up close and touch them.

Amanda Furr hails from Northeast Iowa but moved to Harrison in 1996. She has been working at the Daily Times since 2008 — currently she juggles many responsibilities in the front office, including accounts payable. Furr enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and hanging out with her son, Dakota — a 2021 HHS graduate.

PINE BLUFF — In Arkansas, there are two types of armyworms–true armyworms and fall armyworms. Armyworms are caterpillars, the larval form of moths, according to Dr. David Fernandez, Extension livestock specialist and interim dean of graduate studies for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

A new program with North Arkansas College has great potential to help people in our community by tutoring low-literacy students prepare for the GED test. The program is seeking tutors — those who have some experience or related experience and an interest in teaching. At the tutor’s convenience, the tutor will meet with the student for 1-2 hours weekly at the college. NorthArk hours are Monday – Thursday 8 a.m.—5 p.m.

Harrison High School administrators were alerted to a gun on campus on Tuesday, April 23. School officials discovered that the student was in possession of a BB gun of the pistol type.

Cave Region Review and North Arkansas College Host Music and Art Festival Saturday, April 27. Music, arts and crafts, free food, activities for kids, and door prizes can all be found at the Cave Region Music and Art Festival, Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Pioneer Pavilion, located at Northark’s South Campus in Harrison.