Independence County Judge Robert Griffin has released a statement on county operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It reads:
Independence County is fortunate to not have additional cases of COVID 19 reported. We will likely have more in the future, but with our citizens practicing social distancing of 6 feet separation or more, washing hands 20 seconds or more, using soaps in washing, avoiding large group settings, and checking on neighbors, we hope to have a slow trend of new cases.
I want to commend Gary Paxson and the staff at White River Medical Center for being resourceful and finding enough adaptable room to almost double the number of negative pressure beds available by repurposing space. In our partnership, I have offered to provide transportation for PPE (personal protective equipment), when they are notified it is available, from the recent purchases announced by the governor.
Currently, the Independence County Senior Citizens Programs under its director, Selina Wallis, has and will assist citizens of need, aged 60 and above, in transportation to the store or deliveries on request. As a beginning, I ask that Selina be contacted for this need at (870) 793-8821. If no one is there, leave a message and you will be contacted.
In anticipation of growing needs beyond the Independence County Senior Citizens Center programs abilities to provide as this shut down continues, I am working with Glen Willis, the director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management, to devise a plan of assistance for shut-ins. This will likely involve our first responders, churches, and civic groups to serve this need. There are details such as online abilities to order and pay that will have to be overcome. The goal is to keep our “shelter-in-place” populations safe by keeping them at home. Secondly, we do not want to put our volunteers at risk by having them go into stores for groceries and pharmacy needs. Whatever plan we devise, the Independence County Senior Center will be leading the effort. Again, that number is (870) 793-8821.
What a great county and country in which we live in times of need.
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The new White River Now mobile app has started featuring regular COVID-19 updates and podcasts. In addition to the updates featured on the White River Now family of radio stations, the COVID-19 podcast section also features new interviews with Sen. James Sturch, Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh, Stone County Judge Stacey Avey, and state Rep. Stu Smith. Download the free White River Now app today from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, and keep up-to-date on all local and state coronavirus information and to listen to the streams of White River Now radio stations.
We also carry live feeds of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s COVID-19’s briefings on-air, online, and through the White River Now app on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ and on White River Now’s Facebook page.
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest sports and weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. on Ozark Newsline, broadcast from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and 99.5 Hits Now. Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Add don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
