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Hi Folks, Abby here. Hi folks, you know back in January, I was made the Official Animal Ambassador of Horseshoe Bend. I thought what should I do with my new position? So I asked Mom and Dad to take me down to the nursing home and rehabilitation center here in Horseshoe Bend, Diamond Cove. We made our trip today!...

Hi Folks, Abby here. My Mom saw a photo from Animal Control looking for a home for nine puppies. Something tugged at her heart. Why are there so many dogs and kittens with no homes? She went on a mission to find a solution. So I’m helping her with my blog...

I have so much to say this week! Peggy Flood is the “Queen of the Capital.” It was a great honor for our Ms. Missouri Nursing Home Queen to be invited to the Capital. We were Missouri Healthcare Association’s guest at the Capital Plaza Hotel on Tuesday and Wednesday...

Hi, Abby here! We took a ride to Walmart on Day Road from Horseshoe Bend to Ash Flat. My Mom got so sad. She said, “look at all the trash on both sides of the road.” We live in such a beautiful state, why do we want to litter it up? Then we started noticing everywhere you go, there is litter. ...

Hi folks, Abby here, meet my friend, Jeda. She is a 14-year-old rescued Corgi mix. She lives here in Horseshoe Bend, and I’m hoping she’ll come to the Dog Park and play. She loves treats and has been spoiled with treats by her dad and now her mom who has cut back, and she’s lost a little weight. ...

The Abbymobile Hi Folks, Abby here. Here are me and Dad in the Abbymobile. It was so fun to ride in the 4th of July Parade last year, and can’t wait ‘til this year’s parade. Thanks Joe and Avis for lending us your ride. Well folks, spring is right around the corner. ...

I’ve been the subject of Adoration! Because there’s been a Proclamation! Didn’t know what the City Council wanted to see me for – But you see, I’ve been named an Animal Ambassador! The Mayor said I’ve done a lot for our town – A Dog Park – my weekly blog, good times all around...

Ace and Claire Hi Folks, Abby here. Meet my “mom and dad’s” great granddaughter, Claire. She’s hanging with her aunt’s dog Ace. This is a milestone for Claire, because most dogs she’s been around, their nose is just even with her eyes, and Claire’s been a little nervous around them, because to her, they’re huge. Can you see Claire’s got her arm placed gently on Ace’s back?...

This is the year for legislative action. The elections are past and it is now time for newly elected and re-elected state officials to begin the 2019 term in office, as the 92nd General Assembly. The Arkansas State Constitution requires the General Assembly to meet in regular session on the second Monday in January of each odd-numbered year. ...

Political pundits welcomed the 116th Congress with think pieces on a divided Congress. Can we work together? Can we get things accomplished for the American people? Will there be constant gridlock? It is understandable that Americans are pessimistic about the chances of much getting done, especially in light of the fact that the new Congress has inherited an ongoing partial government shutdown. Even with that, I believe there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic...

11-Year Medicare Part B Penalty…Why?? Toni: My husband is finally retiring from the company he has worked at since 1995 and now our Medicare nightmare is beginning. Jim’s company has changed ownership many times since he turned 65 in 2001 and we can only receive verification paperwork which goes back to 2012, leaving an 11-year gap...

A new year and a new Congress are just around the corner. Nancy Pelosi will become Speaker next week, and its uncertain if she’ll want to work with President Trump on common ground for the American people, or if she will use her power to obstruct the president and fight him on behalf of her friends running for president. ...

Christmas is a special time at the Capitol. The halls are decorated with trees and garland. School choirs from across the state come to carol in the rotunda and we host a party every year that creates lasting memories for our state’s most vulnerable. At that party, many of us in the Capitol bring gifts for the boys and girls in Arkansas’s foster care program...

We are getting ready to close the book on the 115th Congress. The past two years have been busy in Washington as we passed historic tax reform, rolled back needless regulation and implemented improvements to help Main Street lenders and job creators. ...

11-Year Medicare Part B Penalty…Why?? Toni, My husband is finally retiring from the company he has worked at since 1995 and now our Medicare nightmare is beginning. Jim’s company has changed ownership many times since he turned 65 in 2001 and we can only receive verification paperwork which goes back to 2012, leaving an 11-year gap...

Thursday the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Student Empowerment Act, authored by Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) and Senator Ted Cruz (TX), to expand the use of 529 College Savings Plans to allow families to save for K-12 education expenses...

The major political headlines of 2018 include voter approval of a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling in four Arkansas locations. Voters also approved an amendment to require citizens to present a government-issued photo ID in order to receive a ballot. An initiated act to gradually increase the minimum wage also was approved in the November election...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Our annual family Thanksgiving meal was such a wonderful event with 104 family members joining our residents for lunch. The Mammoth Spring Floral Express donated 19 fresh fall flower arrangements for this special day. Thank you Sharon Bowers for making our residents’ week bright with these gorgeous flowers in their dining room! Also, thank you to Three River’s Hospice for volunteering and serving at our celebration...

“It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts.” ~K.T. Jong My Grandmother was a remarkable woman. I remember how simple her life always was. ...

One hundred years ago, an armistice was signed that brought an end to the hostilities of “the war to end all wars.” Signed on the eleventh day in the eleventh month on the eleventh hour, the armistice ended World War I. Unfortunately, WWI would not be the war to end all wars as had been hoped, but the date of Nov. 11 would play a special role in honoring those who fought to defend our country during WWI and the wars and conflicts that followed it...

This Sunday, Nov. 11 was the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, which marks the official end of World War I. Today we call the anniversary celebration Veterans’ Day, but the meaning is the same – a day where our country expresses its sincere gratitude for everything our nation’s veterans have done to defend us at home and protect our way of life...

The Arkansas House continued a long standing tradition to hold a House Caucus the Friday after the election. The freshmen members drew for seniority positions and then all members chose their seat in the chamber for the duration of the next two years...

When the Arkansas legislature convenes in regular session in January for the state’s 92nd General Assembly, the 35-member Senate will have 26 Republicans and nine Democrats. That ratio did not change after this year’s elections. The Senate will have seven women and three African-Americans...

“A weak faith is weakened by predicaments and catastrophes, whereas a strong faith is strengthened by them.” - Victor Frankl Rain poured down and thunder boomed one dark night in September in western Oklahoma. It had been a quiet, pleasant evening at the nursing center and nurses and residents alike were enjoying the cooler weather when the scream of the local tornado siren tore through the night sky, warning of impending danger hovering unseen in the darkness...

Arkansas has 1,034 public schools and each one recently received a letter grade, from A to F, to give parents an easy method of evaluating them. The release of school report cards usually occurs in April and it creates quite a bit of discussion among principals, administrators, elected officials and of course, parents...

There are a few updates this week from the Capitol. Budget hearings continue. A new revenue report was released. We have new recommendations for funding education. And there are several important dates ahead leading to the next legislative session...

As I write this, a 7,000-person migrant caravan is marching across Mexico towards the United States’ southern border. From the politicians that helped inspire and form the caravan to the immigration holes it highlights, it should serve as a wakeup call showing our need for a more secure border. It’s a massive, unprecedented look in slow motion at almost every aspect that makes up our broken immigration system...

On Nov. 6, Missourians will head to the polls to cast their votes for numerous candidates and important issues, including four proposed amendments to the Missouri Constitution. In this legislative column, we will discuss two of the ballot measures appearing on the ballot in the upcoming general election...

Historical buildings tell a story. They help us understand the people and community who built it at the time. Historical preservation helps ensure that story continues. That is why investments are made to preserve our State Capitol. Thousands of visitors from across the country and even around the world tour our Capitol every year...

Thanks to a concentrated effort over the past two years, the Arkansas foster care system has shown several notable improvements. A 14 percent decline in the number of children in the system is the most important evidence of improvement. In late 2016 there were 5,196 children in foster care and today there are 4,471...

With the adoption of a rate increase by SID, much animosity and turmoil has arisen in the city. Representative Scott Baltz listened to public concerns at a recent meeting and stated he would return with some answers on Saturday, Oct. 27, when the Fish Fry is held to raise funds for the senior center. ...