The Weekly Vista

News

State virus cases rise to 5,775; governor seeks contact tracing strategy The number of coronavirus cases in Arkansas rose by 163 Saturday, bringing the state’s total to 5,775, according to numbers provided at Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s daily news conference. by Rachel Herzog

Arkansas schools to open up for some activities The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education has released a list of school-related education activities and programs -- such as individual and small-group summer tutoring -- that can resume on campuses, effective June 1. by Cynthia Howell

State virus cases spike by 455; governor calls jump ‘a concern,’ tied to tests Arkansas' count of coronavirus cases rose Thursday by 455, the largest one-day spike since the state's first infection was found March 11. by Andy Davis, Joseph Flaherty

Some team sports can resume practice next month, gov says; State sees record number of 455 new virus cases Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Thursday that some team sports can resume practice and competition June 1 under restrictions similar to those placed on industries. by Nyssa Kruse

State reports 5 more virus deaths; record testing as cases top 5,000 Five more Arkansans died of covid-19, state Department of Health Secretary Dr. Nate Smith said Wednesday, and the total number of cases since the beginning of the outbreak crossed 5,000. by Nyssa Kruse

Results of board election live-streamed on Tuesday Janice “Jan” Sims, Sandy Fosdick and David Brandenburg each won a three-year term on the Bella Vista POA Board of Directors on Tuesday. The POA annual membership meeting took place online and was only 2o minutes long. It was live-streamed. by Lynn Atkins

More POA facilities to open Not long after the POA fitness centers reopened, plans were in place to reopen the outdoor pools. On Memorial Day weekend, POA pools will open with some new restrictions. by Lynn Atkins

Golf committee working through coronavirus restrictions Even though they can't meet face-to-face, the Joint Advisory Committee on Golf is working though the coronavirus shutdown. During a virtual meeting on Wednesday, June 13, committee members heard an update on two cart bridge projects, changes to the summer junior golf program, and rounds played in April. by Lynn Atkins

Community

Early history of the Bella Vista police department When the city of Bella Vista incorporated on Jan. 1, 2007, the first municipal service to transfer to the city was the police department, which happened by city ordinance on June 25, 2007. But getting to that point was somewhat of a challenging road. by Xyta Lucas Special to Weekly Vista

Where did Lake Rayburn get its name? Below is a reprint of Xyta Lucas' Past Perspective column in the Weekly Vista April 24, 2013 by Xyta Lucas Co-president Bella Vista Historical Museum

OPINION: Quarantine poem I'm bored with this here quarantine by Jack Sadenwasser Bella Vista

Keeping you updated Courtesy Van by Staff Report

Lottery Missouri Lotto by Staff Report

Weather History Monday, May 11 by Staff Report

Colorful flowers surround Bank OZK Photos submitted by Xyta Lucas Flowers are very colorful all around the building and the parking lot of Bank OZK at Sugar Creek Center. by Courtesy of Xyta Lucas

Cards and Games Friday Gold Return Putting by Staff Report

Opinion

OPINION: Virus will impact local cattle, poultry farmers in Arkansas Who has been thinking about that cow and her yearling calf in the rural pasture or those many thousands of broilers in that farmer's chicken house during this pandemic? by Maylon T. Rice Columnist

OPINION: Global but local I don't know how many times I've told my out-of-state friends that Northwest Arkansas is the best place to be in a viral pandemic. The population of Benton County is densest around the Bentonville-Rogers area but, if one travels a few miles west, you encounter farms and homes with plenty of space between them. I guess we all practiced social distancing before it was fashionable -- or mandated. by Devin Houston Write On

LETTER: I Don't Get It What is so difficult about wearing a mask when you are out around other people. I read with great interest about Allen's grocery store's efforts to protect from covid-19. Thanks for the effort, but why isn't every employee and manager wearing a mask? by Mike DeShon Bella Vista

Weekly Cartoon Ready, set.... by Staff report

OPINION: Life, politics have changed due to virus in Arkansas Yes, things have changed in 2020 in a dramatic fashion. The outbreak of a modern virus epidemic -- the COVID-19 pandemic -- has thrown us all in a tailspin. by Maylon T. Rice Columnist

OPINION: The forgotten disease I and most others of my generation carry a scar on our upper arm. It is a reminder of a disease, eradicated 40 years ago this month, that killed 400 million people in the 20th century. by Devin Houston Write On

LETTER: Dancing through WWII The draft was still on when I was a senior in Racine, Wis., at Horlick High School in 1946. I was age 18 while in school and was drafted into the Army, but the service let me finish high school. by Leonard N Eisert Bella Vista

LETTER: Mountain Lion I have been jogging the Highlands Golf Course most mornings for 15 years. I recently spotted a mountain lion off the 15th fairway. Those of you with small animals may wish to be extra cautious should it still be in our area. by Stu Sorensen Bella Vista

Religion

RELIGION: A rare spirit Maybe you remember Jan Struther, the British novelist. Particularly, you may remember her beautiful story, Mrs. Miniver, and the film by the same title. Jan Struther died a few years ago. Since then, attention has been given to a little poem she had written, and which was read at her funeral. It not only reveals a rare spirit but also has a bright light to throw on all of life. Here is the verse: by Pastor "Skip" French

RELIGION: Bella Vista Church News Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista by Staff Report

RELIGION: 'Your kingdom come' "Your kingdom come." Matthew 6:10a by Randy Moll

RELIGION: 'Hallowed be Your name' "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." Matthew 6:9 by Randy Moll

Aren't you glad to be a part of God's creation? We seem to have a little problem. Way back when the King James Bible was authorized by King James (not God) in 1611, James Ussher (1581-1656), a bishop from Ireland, postulated that, according to the Bible, creation occurred in 4,004 B.C.; and this date and his name were inserted in the introduction to the book of Genesis in many Bibles. And so this inquisitive teenager called upon her pastor (me) asking for an explanation about when the world was created. Apparently, she had been reading a lot of scientific material that disagreed with the footnotes in her Bible. by Robert Box Columnist

The opera A group goes to the opera. The members of the party sit in the same box. One of them is there hoping to be seen by his fellow box holders. Another goes because he thinks opera improves his general culture. Another is present in order to be able to discuss the production at a forthcoming dinner party, and another feels the need of relaxation and thinks music will be good for her health. by Pastor "Skip" French

RELIGION: Bella Vista Church News Highland Christian Church by Staff Report