ARDOT set to receive an additional $91 million in federal funding for projects

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is set to receive an additional $91 million in Congressionally Directed Spending and Community Project Funding for six projects.

Members of Arkansas’ Congressional Delegation, including Senator John Boozman along with Representatives Rick Crawford, Bruce Westerman, and Steve Womack, secured the additional funding in the latest Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriation for the Federal Fiscal Year 2024.

This funding is stipulated for the following projects: · $67 million for Interstate 49 between Barling and Alma – requested by Senator Boozman; · $6 million for the Future Interstate 57 from Walnut Ridge to the Missouri State Line – requested by Senator Boozman and Representative Crawford; · $5 million for the Highway 10 Greenwood Bypass – requested by Representative Womack; · $5 million for Highway 82 Corridor improvements in Ashley, Chicot, Columbia, and Union Counties – requested by Senator Boozman and Representative Westerman; · $5 million for Highway 412 Corridor improvements of the portion that interfaces with Interstate 49 – requested by Senator Boozman and Representative Womack; and · $3 million for Highway 412 Corridor improvements in

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northern Arkansas – requested by Senator Boozman and Representative Crawford.

“Our Congressional Delegation works hard for the citizens of Arkansas,” ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor said.

“We are thankful that Senator Boozman and Representatives Crawford, Westerman, and Womack support Arkansas’ transportation infrastructure.

Not only will these investments enhance economic potential, they will also improve safety and mobility for all of Arkansas’ road users.”

“On behalf of the entire Highway Commission, we thank our Congressional Delegation,” Arkansas Highway Commission Chairman Alec Farmer said. “These projects will have a lasting impact on transportation in Arkansas. Moving us toward completion of future Interstates, be it Interstate 57 or Interstate 49; or east-west corridors like Highway 412 in northern Arkansas and Highway 82 in southern Arkansas; or investing in a bypass that will provide congestion relief and safe travel alternatives in and around Greenwood, are strong commitments to our future.”

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Young artists set to compete in Arts Across

Arkansas State Finals

MAUMELLE — The Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Division of Arkansas Heritage, will host the second annual Arts Across Arkansas State Finals at 11:30am Saturday, March 30, at the Westwind School for Performing Arts at 7308 Windsong Drive in Maumelle. The event is free and open to the public.

Arts Across Arkansas is a mentorship and professionaldevelopment program designed to encourage, enhance and expand high school students’ original thoughts, processes, personal experiences and artistic abilities.

Students were nominated by their teachers in six artistic mediums: dance choreography, film, literary arts, music composition, photography and visual arts. Those nominated were judged by Arts in Education Roster members in their selected mediums, and the students chosen to move on to the state finals were then mentored and guided by AIE Roster artists on a final piece of work.

During the Arts Across Arkansas State Finals, students will present or perform their final works before judges and the public. The winners earn cash awards.

2024 Finalists are:

· Addison Reibling, Thaden School “The Millionaire Mindset” · Lilly Hardin, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Individuals” · Allison Whitaker, Thaden School “A Story’s Grasp” · Cora Hardin, Thaden School “Persimmon” · Gwendolyn Oliver, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and Arts “Beautiful” · Charlotte Lammers, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “A Divine Intervention” · Joy Skaggs, Russellville High School “Medicated” · Olivia Busby, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Study in Planes” · Larry Ellis, Little Rock Southwest High School “Untitled” · Lyla Hill, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Strawberry Picking” · Xitali Moreno, Northside High School “Inner Child”

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· Caroline Buxton, Siloam Springs High School and Homeschool “Last Words”

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· Jeremiah Johonson, Little Rock Central High School “At The Dinner Table” · Lamis Vattoth, Little Rock Central High School “Booth” · Mason Campbell, Brookeland High School “A Mother’s Touch” · J.J. Stone, El Dorado High School “Like a Tree, Growing Up and Growing Out” · Laynee DeJarnette, Eureka Springs High School “Red Coat Chapters 1-4”

· Jamie Hernandez, Arkansas school for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Limp” · John Sullivan, Hot Springs World Class High School “Heartbreak” · Calen Long, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Oobiseum” · Madelyn Terry, Star City High School “Beautiful” · Ciara Stephens, Arkansas school for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Stages” · Corbin Pitts, North Little Rock High School “You Don’t Understand”

MUSIC COMPOSITION

· Ethan Chen, Maumelle Charter High School/Studio of Linda Kennedy “Moonlight Rainforest” · Zachary “Faith” Wesley, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Clarinet Solo in D minor” · Grace Adams, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Regal Pirouette” · Elizabeth Show, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Charolette’s Wrath” · Alexander Back, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Year One Suite”

PHOTOGRAPHY

· Austin Krug, Thaden School “Years That Go By” · Shelby Rainbolt, Star City High School “Fabulous Flamingo” · Keith Massey, Hillcrest High School “Froggy” · Gareth Brown, Hillcrest High School “Mir fällt ein Stein vom Herzen” · Jaycie Bagwell, Hillcrest High School “Rainbow’s End” · Cadyn Mizell, Star City High School “For The Love Of The Game” · Clint Newton, Star City High School “Shake Your Tail Feathers” · Jose Mondragon, Star City High School “The One in Front Always Gets Noticed” · Meera Patel, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts “Workshop” · Chasia Cooper, Eureka Springs High School “Beyond The Lines” · Sierra Layton, Hillcrest High School “Golden Hour”

DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY

· Catherine McCraw, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School “Anaphylaxis” · Madison Robinson, Little Rock Central High School “Independently Owned” · Aaliyah Davis, Hot Springs World Class High School “Said The Victims” · Maddie Arnold, Hot Springs World Class High School “Soup” · Danielle Rivera, Hot Springs World Class High School “Color of Acceptance” · Alexandra Bruce, North Little Rock High School “Dark Red” · Jamisyn Johnson, North Little Rock High School “Suit & Tie” · Kiara Davis, Hot Springs World Class High School “Lost Ambition” · Sarahi Medrano, Hot Springs World Class High School “Conflict Within” · Megan Burris, Hot Springs World Class High School “Hurt” · Jadyn Daniels, Hot Springs World Class High School “No Place To Call Home For more information, please contact Matt Boyce, Arts in Education Programs Manager, at matt.boyce@arkansas.gov.

Learn more about the event and program at www.arkansasarts.org.

About Arkansas Arts Council

Arkansas Arts Council The Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of Arkansas Heritage, advances the arts in Arkansas by providing services and supporting arts endeavors that encourage and assist literary, performing and visual artists in achieving standards of professional excellence. In addition, the Arkansas Arts Council provides technical and financial assistance to Arkansas arts organizations and other providers of cultural and educational programs.