The Weekly Vista

News

VIDEO: Governor pushes back against idea of state stay-at-home order; deaths rise to 12 Gov. Asa Hutchinson doubled down Thursday on his decision that a stay-at-home order is not needed in Arkansas even as a majority of other states have implemented some form of the measure. by NWA Democrat-Gazette

Hutchinson announces Bentonville covid-19 testing site for health care workers, first-responders Health care workers and first-responders in Northwest Arkansas will soon have another option for getting tested for covid-19. by Alex Golden

VIDEO: State's virus death toll up to 10; new rules announced for state parks Two more people have died of covid-19 in Arkansas, bringing the state's death toll to 10, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday at a news conference where he also announced new rules for state parks designed to limit visitors from out-of-state and stop the spread of the virus. by NWA Democrat-Gazette

POA board meeting open online The board of the Bella Vista POA met on Thursday, but it wasn't a typical meeting. Following social distancing guidelines, the meeting was closed to the public and two board members participated by phone, so only nine people were in the Country Club Board room. The meeting was live-streamed for the membership, and two members participated in the open forum via email. by Lynn Atkins

Changes allow golfers to golf Two weeks after the coronavirus shut down most POA amenities, the golf courses were having one of their best days of the year. On Thursday, when the temperatures were above 80 degrees, the golf courses were full. by Lynn Atkins

Community rallies to feed kids With schools closed and uncertainty in the air, people are working to ensure kids have a meal ahead of them. by Keith Bryant

Nursing homes, health providers exercising caution With the threat of a viral outbreak and vulnerable populations, area nursing homes and assisted living facilities are shuttering and staff is putting in more work. by Keith Bryant

Fitness online offered POA members All over Bella Vista, people were hearing the nostalgic tones of "Let's Get Physical" from their computers. Some of them may have also been smiling at the image of three members of the POA Recreation team dressed in '80's workout gear. It's more than just exercise when the team live streams exercise classes, it's also a way to keep member's spirits up. by Lynn Atkins

Community

POA updates residents on potential scams Unfortunately, with a global crisis like we are now experiencing, there are those among us who use this type of situation to try to take advantage of the rest of us. We want to make sure our members are aware of the types of scams that have already been tried in other locations. For example, we know there have already been residents in the area approached about buying fake coronavirus tests. The Federal Trade Commission offers the following general advice to all of us on being vigilant about potential scams: by BV Property Owners Association

2020 boat registration requirements and renewals The Bella Vista POA announces that registration and renewals are due for all boat usage on the Bella Vista lakes. by Staff report

ASTRONOMY: Let's talk about galaxies Pun intended: March was a washout -- too many days of rain and clouds for amateur astronomy! I am hoping in April and May to see the sky again for some longer periods and I hope to make more photographs of interesting things in the night sky. by DAVID CATER Star-Gazing

Weather History Monday, March 23 by Staff Report

Lottery Missouri Lotto by Staff Report

Benton County jury orientation canceled To avoid summoning a large crowd, the circuit judges and the Circuit Clerk Brenda DeShields have canceled the one-day jury orientation scheduled for April 10th. by Channing Barker Benton County Communications Director

Bella Vista Community TV Schedule Bella Vista Community TV by Staff Report

Mark Your Calendar of by Staff Report

Opinion

OPINION: Paying it forward Despite what you think about covid-19, there is going to be much disruption in the lives of Americans. It is not just the worry of contracting a disease. The infection will peak, then slowly fade. We don't know if it will be a seasonal issue; it may well be part of our lives from here on. More important is how we deal with the loss of income for so many in the service industries. by Devin Houston Write On

OPINION: What is said in the TP line, stays in the TP line! March 11, 2020 was a landmark day in Arkansas history. That was the day we were told that a person in Arkansas had tested positive for the covid-19 coronavirus. Every household and institution changed in a visible way. I later heard from a local grocery store manager that people flocked to the store. Shopping carts were filled to the brim with food, sanitizers and paper products, including toilet paper. by Ken Parks Columnist

OPINION: Bold budget initiative in 'Rainy Day Fund' allows quick action Leadership from the Governor's mansion this past week provided Arkansans with a sense of comfort seldom seen in modern legislative times. by Maylon T. Rice Columnist

LETTER TO EDITOR: Coronavirus blessings As I sat on my deck today and worked out in my yard, I became aware of blessings from the coronavirus I have about which to be thankful. I could hear the birds singing all around me and a bluebird sitting on the side letting me know the feeder needed to be filled. Best of all, I heard children's voices as they played outside and it came from different directions. What a wonderful sound for my ears. Even in summertime, I didn't hear it very often, which makes it doubly wonderful. by Diane Landmesser Bella Vista

Weekly Cartoon Real Deal by Staff report

OPINION: Wash, wash, your hands; stay safe; care for neighbors The story on the per diem of members of the Arkansas House of Representatives will be a column for another day. by Maylon T. Rice Columnist

Liberty Liberty by Staff report

OPINION: Pandemic preparation My hope is that, by the time these words get into print, the supply wagons will have re-stocked the area's stores with toilet paper, disinfectant, and beans. Luckily, I inherited my dad's genetic penchant for never running low on essentials. Every single time he went to the store, he would pick up a pack of toilet paper, tissues and Little Debbie snack cakes -- "just in case," he always said. He would bring it all home just to find that Mom had also bought toilet paper. I'm proud to say I've continued the practice because, you know, just in case. by Devin Houston Write On

Religion

OPINION: Scary days indeed! We are living in scary days. The attack by a microscopic coronavirus has aroused a lot of different feelings and reactions among us. In addition, our financial market has become so bad that a lot of people have lost at least a third of their life investments. This has affected everyone, even our seniors who mostly live on a fixed income. To further confuse the issue, our government has developed schemes to halt the spread of the virus and to attempt to bolster the economy. No one knows exactly how these things will turn out, but most people are finding it difficult to live among the issues with optimism. by Robert Box Columnist

RELIGION: God offers unique privilege to meet Him in corporate prayer I was recently with a company of regional pastors and church leaders in NW Arkansas. We gathered by teleconference to consider the ramifications of the present virus pandemic. Of course, large church gatherings are put on hold for a time. What are we to do? by Ron Wood

RELIGION: Who holds your breath in His hand? "And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven ... and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written." Daniel 5:23,24 (Read Daniel 5:1-31) by Randy Moll

RELIGION: Bella Vista Church News Village Bible Church by Staff Report

RELIGION: 'Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows' "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:4-5 by Randy Moll

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

OPINION: Spur-of-the-moment meeting led to a life-change for Zacchaeus One day while Jesus was passing through Jericho, a man named Zacchaeus came to see him. by Pastor "Skip" French