Dr. José Romero, chief medical officer at the Arkansas Department of Health
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas top health official was confirmed by the state Senate on Thursday despite pushback from some Republican lawmakers over the state s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Senate voted 25-8 to confirm Dr. Jose Romero as state health secretary. Romero was named permanently to the position by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in August after serving about four months as interim secretary.
Romero faced a rare confirmation fight, with critics opposing him over the state s restrictions and over his position on hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug touted by former President Donald Trump as an effective treatment for COVID-19.
(2010)
The Conway Symphony Guild presented a check for $9,000 to the Conway Symphony Orchestra from proceeds of the 2010 Designer House. The Designer House was co-chaired by Lori Quinn and Katherine Thomason, with major support from The Village at Hendrix. CSO Board President Allison Vetter and Conductor Israel Getzov accepted the donation from Guild President Mary Mosley at the December Symphony Board meeting.
Residents living in the Holland fire district will receive an early Christmas present this year. Members of the Holland community will have lower insurance premiums beginning Jan. 1, thanks to the effectiveness of the Holland Volunteer Fire Department. After meeting the ISO standards, the Holland department has lowered the districtâs insurance service rating from a 9 to a 6. âThis is great news,â said Holland Fire Chief Charlie Parsons.