A Better REGION 8

Thank you Mr. Griffin

I want to give a great big KAIT salute to Arkansas State University Alumnus Neil Griffin. Griffin returned to ASU to establish a 5 million dollar scholarship endowment fund. Griffin said he wanted to establish the Griffin Scholars Endowment Fund because he believes education is a cornerstone for the opportunities available to young people. Griffin said he's passionate about helping those who may not be able to afford it. The 1948 ASU graduate made his money in accounting and banking and it's clear to me he had a lot of choices when it came to investing his money. The fact he remembered his alma mater after all these years says a lot about Griffin's character and serves as a good lesson for all of us. Mr. Griffin said quote, "I'm sorry that I'm so late getting here in my life, but I'm glad to be a part of it." Mr. Neil Griffin, it was not late for us. Thank you for making this fund possible for future ASU students and in turn making this a Better Region 8.

Counseling services can help avert family tragedies

March 19, 2012

A MOTHER AND 3 DAUGHTERS -- AGES 8 YEARS OLD, 6 YEARS OLD AND 3 YEARS OLD WERE FOUND SHOT TO DEATH OVER THE WEEKEND.

POLICE IN BOURBON, MISSOURI SAY THEY SUSPECT THIS WAS A MURDER-SUICIDE.

I WAS HORRIFIED WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE DEATHS AND EVEN MORE SHOCKED WHEN I LEARNED THESE CHILDREN MAY HAVE DIED AT THE HANDS OF THEIR OWN MOTHER.

WE HEAR ABOUT THESE TRAGEDIES AND IT'S SO HARD FOR US TO IMAGINE HOW MUCH PAIN A PERSON COULD BE IN TO KILL HER OWN DAUGHTERS.

BUT THEN I REALIZE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN PAIN OUT THERE AND THEY NEED HELP.

WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE SEVERAL COUNSELING SERVICES IN REGION 8 - PLACES PEOPLE CAN TURN TO WHEN THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN UNBEARABLE PAIN. 

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO END LIKE THIS. 

YOU CAN FIND A LIST OF COUNSELING SERVICES AND PHONE NUMBERS BY LOGGING ON TO KAIT8.COM AND CLICKING ON THE COMMUNITY TAB AT THE TOP OF OUR HOME PAGE.  YOU WILL FIND A LINK TO MY EDITORIALS THERE AND CONTACT NUMBERS.

• Better Life Counseling:  (870) 935-4673
• Life Strategies:  (870) 972-1268
• Mid-South Health Systems:  1-800-356-3035
• Hope Gilchrist:  (870) 910-3730
• ASU Counseling Center:  (870) 972-2318
• Families, Inc. Counseling Services (870) 268-7680

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP MAKE THIS A BETTER REGION 8.

 

Dangers of Drunk Driving

March 12, 2012

WHEN I THINK OF DRUNK DRIVING, I TYPICALLY THINK OF HOLIDAYS LIKE NEW YEAR'S EVE.

BUT ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED HOLIDAYS OF THE YEAR IS COMING UP THIS WEEKEND.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY IS THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 17TH.

SO IT'S A GOOD TIME TO REMIND YOU OF THE DANGERS OF DRINKING AND DRIVING.

IF YOU LOG ON TO THE MOTHER'S AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING WEBSITE, YOU WILL FIND A SOBERING STATISTIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOME PAGE -- ONE IN THREE OF US WILL BE IMPACTED BY DRUNK DRIVING.

IF YOU PLAN TO DRINK THIS WEEKEND, DO SO RESPONSIBLY. 

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO DRIVE YOU HOME. 

YOU CAN ALSO HELP BY LEARNING HOW TO SPOT A DRUNK DRIVER.

A FEW OF THE THINGS TO LOOK FOR ARE SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN, TAILGATING, WEAVING, STOPPING FOR NO REASON, SLOW RESPONSE TO TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND TURNING ABRUPTLY OR ILLEGALLY.  EXPERTS TELL US DON'T TRY TO INTERFERE WITH A DRUNK DRIVER -- CALL POLICE.

BOTTOM LINE - IF YOU DRINK, STAY OFF THE ROADS.

AND IF THAT'S NOT DETTERENT ENOUGH -- POLICE OFFICERS AND SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES WILL BE OUT IN FULL FORCE THIS WEEKEND.

SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF TROUBLE AND HEARTACHE AND MAKE THIS A BETTER REGION 8.

 

Pink for Life

This year 1,830 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Arkansas, 410 will die. When I was 9 years old I lost my grandmother to this horrible disease. I wish that she known back then what we know now.

You see, early detection is the best defense.  Now is the best time.  Even if you feel healthy. Getting checked

regularly can put you mind at ease.  And finding cancer early could save your life.

 

KAIT and St. Bernards have partnered together to increase breast cancer awareness in Region 8 with a campaign called Pink For Life.

On the 8th of every month, KAIT and St. Bernards Healthcare will send you an email reminder to do your self exam and provide you with details of events in the area supporting breast cancer awareness, and information about other women's health issues.

log on to kait8.com and register today!

by doing so you can make a difference in your life, your loved ones lives,  and we can make this A Better Region 8

St. Bernards Pink For Life Campaign

Lend a helping hand

The end of Summer is upon us. Now Ryan Vaughn would probably argue and say that we have about a month until Fall arrives, but for all intents and purposes, another summer has come and gone. Labor day is a couple of weeks away, farmers are harvesting rice crops, and school has started back for most every Region 8 student. Growing up I always hated to see school start back every August. Then again, I wasn't the best student to ever crack a book either. A lot of things have changed since I was in school. But some have stayed the same. There are still school aged kids here in Region 8 that need a helping hand. For one reason or another they aren't getting the support and help that they need to be successful in school and in life. Whether it is being a tutor, a mentor, or an anonymous supporter, I challenge each and every one of you out there to get involved in a young person’s life. Your efforts will reap great rewards, give you much happiness and make this a better Region 8.   

A Better Region 8: Lend a Helping Hand