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LITTLE ROCK – Thanks to legislation passed last year, Arkansas businesses will save about $31 million in taxes paid for unemployment insurance in 2024. Legislative approval of Act 196 was a priority for the state’s business community, and it passed in the Senate by a vote of 29-to-3. The act grants tax relief to businesses in a variety of ways. It lowers the unemployment insurance tax rate for new employers from 2.9 percent to 1.9 percent. The new law also repeals the rates of 14 percent and 10 percent that used to be levied on deficit rated employers. When the unemployment trust fund is above $600 million the taxable wage base is set at $7,000. The act limits increases to the taxable wage base to $2,000 a year. At the end of 2023 the balance in the fund was about $918 million. Act 196 reduces the maximum length of time for collecting benefits from 16 weeks to 12 weeks. The act also allows revenue from assessments on businesses to be used for upgrades in technology and hardware, and for training. The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services administers unemployment benefits. It also offers education and job training to unemployed people and helps them find work. Another new state law that went into effect on January 1 is Act 587, which provides that people getting unemployment shall become ineligible for benefits for any week during which they do not make at least five contacts seeking new jobs. Similarly, Act 106 disqualifies claimaints for unemployment benefits if they fail to respond to an offer of a job, or if they don’t show up for a previously scheduled job interview on at least two occasions. Act 106 took effect on January 1. Act 854 is another new law that went into effect last October penalizes claimants who fraudulently receives more than $1,000 in unemployment insurance. They shall be ineligible for unemployment benefits for 10 years. Election Laws Arkansas voters go to the polls this year and numerous new election laws will be in effect. They include Act 194 of 2023, which authorizes the state Attorney General to review ballot titles and popular names of proposed amendments and initiatives. For years the Attorney General reviewed ballot titles, but in 2019 the legislature transferred that authority to the Board of Election Commissioners. Act 194 transfers it back to the way it was before 2019. Act 766 makes it a crime to destroy signatures gathered on petitions to place an issue on the ballot. Act 300 schedules all special elections on the same day as ordinary elections. In other words, special elections will be held on the May primary or the November general election date. In years when voters elect a president, as they will in 2024, the Arkansas primary election is in March. Act 620 requires the state Board of Election Commissioners to conduct more frequent reviews of election-related documents and results. It also creates and Election Integrity Unit within the Attorney General’s office.

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79 of Fordyce, passed away Friday, January 5, 2024. She was born October 8, 1944 in New Edinburg to the late Willie Campbell and Elvie Parker Marks. She was also preceded in death by her husband Billy Sisson, three sisters, and three brothers.

99 of Hampton, died Saturday January 6, 2024 at St. John’s Place in Fordyce. Born May 17, 1924 in Woodberry, she was a daughter of the late William and Matty Strickland.

78 of Percy, Ark. formerly of Hampton, Ark. died Saturday, January 6, 2024 at her home. She was born February 21, 1945 in Warren, AR a daughter of the late Wesley Richards and Emma Alvern Martin Richards. She was a housewife and homemaker, a member of the Pentecostal Church and a graduate of the Warren and Hermitage School systems. Also preceding her in death was her son, Marvin Edward Robertson, Jr and greatgranddaughter Addison Major and a brother Michael Richards.

The Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA) announced that January is School Board Member Recognition Month in Arkansas. School board members play an essential role in our community. Hampton School District will join other districts in Arkansas in celebration of our board by thanking them for the time, talents, and knowledge they bring to our district and for their commitment to the families and children of our community.

Bulldogs face off against Bearden

For decades, they have been a common site for weary travelers along the highways of America. The Holiday Inn has become one of the largest hotel chains in the United States. And the story of the iconic hotel has its roots in one small town in Arkansas.

age 81 of Woodberry/ Hampton, Arkansas went to be with the Lord Saturday, December 30, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born December 9, 1942 to Henry T. King and Helen Marie Ables King. Henry was preceded in death by his parents; his best friend, Weldon Gray of Topeka, KS, and brothers-in-law, Dan Neely and Kenneth Neely of El Dorado. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda Neely King of Woodberry; one son, Kevin Thomas King and wife Miranda Bass King of Woodberry; one sister, Barbara King Blann and husband Laron of Fordyce; one aunt, Sue Houldridge of Sherwood; one sister-in-law, Kathy Neely McElroy and husband Mitch of Arlington, TX. He was blessed with four exchange student granddaughters, Franzi, Nina, Emilie and Mia, and great granddaughter, Ellie. He is uncle to Rusty Blann and wife Dorinda of Searcy, Aleta “Sissy” Blann Sanders and husband Ken of Fordyce, Ricky Blann and wife Amy of Fordyce, Sandy Blann of Fordcye, Tammy Powell of Arlington, TX, Chris Neely and wife Alicia of El Dorado, Becky Brantley of husband Jamie of Farmerville, LA. He was honored to be called Papaw by Erin, Megan and Kristen Carpenter, Elizabeth Gonzalez. He also had a host of extended family in Arkansas, Texas, and Kansas.

90, of Dumas, AR passed away December 22, 2023, in Dumas with her family by her side. Faye was born April 30, 1933, in Marion County, to the late Joe and Nancy Still Thornton. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roy Rodermund, one daughter Gail McCuan, twin grandbabies Roy and Oscar Peppers and one great grandson Will Bradley.

Merrit Emery, of Caraway, Ark. in Craighead County was announced as the winner of the Havoc Boat Raffel that was sponsored by Havoc Boats and the Calhoun County Office of Emergency Management.

Jaret Rushing, from the Calhoun County Extension Office will be hosting a Pesticide Applicator Training in the lower level of the administration building on Friday, January 12 at noon. Registrants will be charged $20 for the training.