A Better REGION 8

Have your say on the future I-555

As I get more acquainted with Region 8, I have come to appreciate Highway 63 because it's the road I use to go see my family in Tennessee. I've become familiar with signs along Highway 63 that say Future I-555. As you probably know, these signs have been up for a long time. Too long it seems and it's time to change that. There's a group of people led by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce who are working tirelessly to get this project moved along. Get this, when a business or industry considers locating to Region 8 one of the first things they ask is are you located on an interstate? We have to say sort of. And did you know more than 200 million dollars has already been spent on a plan that now comes down to roughly 2 miles. That's all that has to be completed in order to convert Highway 63 into I-555. Here's where you come in. The Arkansas Highway Department needs to hear from you. Log on to www.arkansashighways.com. Look under recent public meetings and find the date 4-19-12. Click on that entry and then click on the link that says Project Packet. There you will find the form to fill out. The deadline for submitting the form is May 17th. If you need any help with this, please call the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce at 870-932-6691. If you believe in this project or even if you don't, your voice needs to be heard. I believe converting Highway 63 into Interstate 555 will help make this A Better Region 8.

Come on Mayor! We need to hear from you.

The story that caught my attention this week was an excellent example of investigative journalism by Region 8 Anchor Josh Harvison. The Mayor of Fisher, Arkansas has hired an attorney to represent him in an ongoing dispute with a company that claims they entered into two lease purchase agreements with the city for a police car and a police dog. In a letter sent to the company, the attorney for the Mayor claims the Mayor's signature was forged on the documents and a news release the company made to KAIT was slanderous toward the Mayor. In December, Mayor Homer Don Anschultz interviewed with Region 8 News and told Josh then he didn't sign the documents and never approved the purchase. Council minutes showed the Mayor told the city council the city had purchased a car from the Pope County Sheriff's Department and each council member had agreed to it. Now Mayor Anschultz has clammed up and will no longer talk to Region 8 News. Come on Mayor - don't you owe it to the people of Fisher to keep the lines of communication open? This impacts their tax dollars. Open lines of communication help make this a Better Region 8.

Tracey Rogers : Joining the Region 8 Family

Region 8 joined together recently to welcome Coach Gus Malzahn as the new head football coach at Arkansas State University. Cheers went up from the crowd as Coach Malzahn spoke about his plans for the future and talked about taking the ASU Football program to the next level.  Coach Malzahn declared he is here to win championships and is looking forward to building on the success at ASU.  He called ASU a program on the rise and said he knows this is the place for him. 

Like Coach Malzahn, I am also joining the Region 8 family and I also know this is the right place for me.  I am the new Vice President and General Manager of KAIT 8 taking the reins from the incomparable Tim Ingram who has moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri to lead KFVS-TV.  I am excited to be taking over “a program on the rise”.  KAIT 8 is known for the highest quality of journalism and programming and I look forward to serving you in the years to come as we work together to 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

Welcome to 'A Better Region 8'

Welcome to the new blog from KAIT VP/General Manager Tim Ingram

Here we will discuss ongoing commentaries as presented on KAIT-TV in 'A Better Region 8'