NEWS--Winter Weather Arrives, WVNA February Meeting Cancelled
As the forecast models had predicted, winter weather arrived in Hot Springs on February 12th, 2012 in the early morning hours. With temperatures below freezing, snow began falling in the Valley around 7:00 am and patches of snow and ice quickly accumulated on the ground. Total snowfall was less than one inch. As daytime temperature rise into the mid-30's, much of the accumulated snow may melt. However, there remains the possibility that sleet and freezing rain may occur this afternoon as the storm front continues moving over the area. The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a Winter Weather Advisory effective through this evening for the Hot Springs area.
The good news is that temperatures are predicted to be in the 50's on Tuesday so any snow or ice should quickly disappear. Highs on Wednesday will be in 60's.
Out of an abundance of caution for everyone’s safety, the meeting of the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association scheduled for the evening of February 12th, 2012 has been cancelled. In an email sent out to Association members, WVNA President Mark Toth stated, “I spoke early this morning with both Darthy Tyrity (our treasurer) and John Lewis (our Vice President) who both felt that asking people to come out when the roads and sidewalks are icy was both unreasonable and unduly risky.”
The next monthly meeting of the Neighborhood Association will be on Monday, March 12th, 2012 at 6:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 213 Whittington Avenue. WVNA President Toth asks that if a member has any questions or concerns, to please contact him or another WVNA Board member by phone or email.
The full text of the Winter Weather Advisory from the National Weather Service in Little Rock appears below:
Mon, Feb 13, 2012, 4:06 AM CST Updated Feb 13, 2012, 10:50am CST
Winter Weather Advisory now in effect until 6 pm CST this evening.
* Timing: Snow and sleet will continue and move east during the morning hours. As warmer air moves north later this afternoon the precipitation will change over to a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain for the afternoon before changing over to all rain. The precipitation will begin to taper off later this evening but drizzle and freezing drizzle will be possible through the overnight hours.
* Snow Accumulations: One to two inches of snow and sleet are expected.
* Ice Accumulations: Ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch are possible although just a few hundredths will be more common.
* Impact: Travel conditions will be treacherous as roadways become ice and snow covered.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving.
- Posted 2/13/12 by MT
NEWS--Winter Weather Possible Monday, February 13th, 2012
The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a warning for possible snow and winter weather on Monday, February 13th, 2012. According to the Weather Service, warm Gulf moisture will collide with cold arctic air over Arkansas on Monday, with snow and freezing rain strong possibility. It is currently predicted that snow or freezing rain may fall during the early morning hours on Monday, making the morning commute tricky and dangerous for drivers.
Area residents are advised to prepare for possible winter weather on Monday. Current forecasts show midday temperatures on Monday rising just above freezing, however forecast models are being revised regularly and are subject to change. Check back for updates.
The full text of the Advisory from the National Weather Service in Little Rock appears below:
Fri, Feb 10, 2012, 7:17 AM CST Updated Feb 10, 2012, 10:15am CST
Special Weather Statement for Garland, AR Issued by The National Weather Service Little Rock, AR
Wintry precipitation on Monday.
Arctic high pressure will build into the region this weekend. Well below normal temperatures are in the forecast with perhaps the coldest air of the winter thus far. High temperatures Saturday and Sunday will only be in the 30s and 40s with some 20s in the northwest. Low temperatures by Sunday morning will only be in the teens and lower 20s.
Heading into next week it will remain cold on Monday as a new storm system approaches from the southern plains. The system will pull moisture northward from the gulf coast and wintry precipitation will break out.
As Monday begins snow and sleet are expected in northern and central Arkansas. In the southern counties there may be a combination of rain and freezing rain. The rush hour drive could be tricky across much of the state.
As the day progresses warmer air will try to overspread the region from the south. Snow should continue toward the Missouri border with rain or snow in central sections and rain in the south.
This could be a significant winter event in parts of the state. The pattern is very complex and forecast tweaks are likely leading up to the event. Arkansans are advised to monitor the forecast this weekend and plan accordingly.
-Posted 2/10/12 by MT
NEWS--Habitat Dedicates Last Home in Whittington Avenue Development
Under partly cloudy skies, a large crowd of more than sixty friends, family members and well-wishers gathered mid-morning on Saturday, February 4th , 2012 to dedicate a new home in the Whittington Valley. The residence, with three bedrooms and one bath, was built by Garland County Habitat for Humanity and is located at the west end of the Valley on Regal Street. The comfortable house--with brown siding, dark shutters and a covered front porch--will be home to Kateena Walker and two her daughters, Araven and Jariah.
At the dedication ceremony, Dick Mattson (center) was recognized for participating in a "Walk Across America" fundraiser that helped defray construction costs on the new house. Also pictured Habitat Associate Director Sue Ann Albers (left) and Habitat Board President Steve Trusty (right).
Steve Trusty, Habitat Board President, began by welcoming everyone. After the pledge of allegiance and flag raising by members of the VFW Post 2278, Habitat Associate Director Sue Ann Albers introduced the new homeowner, Kateena Walkers, to the assembled group. Albers next introduced Paul Scrivner, residential carpentry instructor at National Park Community College and several of his students. Albers explained that the new house was build with assistance from the college’s residential carpentry training program whose students gained practical experience in home construction while also aiding Habitat’s mission of providing affordable housing.
Albers then explained that construction of the house was underwritten by a “Walk Across America” fundraiser. Dick Mattson and Habitat’s Executive Director John Goodman traveled by foot across the county telling people about Habitat’s mission and collecting donations. During the last leg of their “Walk Across America,” the two men raised some $31,000 which went to defraying construction costs on the new house. “This is truly a ‘Walker’ house,” Albers observed. “It will be home to Kateena Walker and was paid for by two walkers--the two men who raised money walking across America telling of Habitat’s mission.” Albers added that further construction expenses were underwritten by Habitat’s ReStore--a building materials and home furnishings resale center operated by Habitat.
Members of the "Sew What" Quilting Bee present a handmade quilt as a housewarming gift to Kateena Walker and her daughters.
Several guests then presented housewarming gifts. Glen Phillips, of the Arkansas Rice Depot explained that his organization had stocked the refrigerator with food and other stables. Marilyn Wilson and other members of the "Sew What" Quilting Bee gifted a beautiful handmade quilt to Ms. Walker, adding that on cold day one can really appreciate a warm quilt. Two knitted afghans were also presented to the new homeowner. The afghans were made by Carolyn Gustafson of the Christ Lutheran Church.
Pat Hern (left) presents housewarming gift to the new homeowner, Kateena Walker (center), and her daughters. The painting is by Pearl Burrett.
Pat Hern of the “Brush Strokes” artists group presented a large original painting to the new homeowner. The painting, by Pearl Burrett, is entitled “Tiger with Bamboo.” Vicki Crabtree from the Community of Christ Church then presented Ms. Walker with new dishes and flatware. Dee Baker of the Whitfield Garden Club told how a new plant had been planted in the side yard. “I know it looks like a couple of sticks pushed into the ground right now,” Baker told the assembled group. “But in the spring the plant, which is a Sweet Spire, will grow and the blooms, which come out in the fall, are really lovely.”
Habitat’s Associate Director Sue Ann Albers then took the opportunity to thank the Hot Springs Master Gardeners for their hard work in landscaping the yard. Finally, Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association Board President Mark Toth presented the new homeowner with a “Welcome to the Valley” gift bag containing a set of the Association’s handmade greeting cards, note paper, socks, a tin of homemade brownies and other gifts.
As part of the dedication, the Neighborhood Association presented the new homeowner with a “Welcome to the Valley” gift bag. Pictured (back, left to right): Mark Toth, WVNA President; Kateena Walker, the new homeowner; Sue Ann Albers, Associate Director Habitat and Steve Trusty, Board President Habitat; (front, left to right): Walker’s daughters Araven and Jariah.
Steve Trusty, Habitat Board President, next presented Walker with a new bible. Tiffany Moore and her daughter sang a song of blessing for the new homeowner. Then Gordon Hegg, Habitat’s Construction Supervisor, and Paul Scrivner presented Walker with the key to her new home.
Habitat Construction Supervisor Gorden Hegg (left) and Paul Scrivner, residential carpentry instructor at National Park Community College (left), present the house keys to Kateena Walker (center) and her daughters.
Reverend Nicholas Walker of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Carthage, Arkansas, then lead the assembled group in prayer. Reverend Walker is the brother of the new homeowner. The new homeowner, Kateena Walker, then addressed her friends and neighbors. “First I thank God. I thank Habitat for this house. And I want to also thank my friends and family.” Steve Trusty, outgoing Habitat Board President then told the group how it had been his privilege to serve Habitat for the past three years. Finally Albers closed the dedication by encouraging everyone to tour the new house and enjoy the supplied refreshments.
Refreshments served at the dedication included a decorated cake.
This is the ninety-sixth house built by Garland County Habitat for Humanity; and their forty-sixth home in the Whittington Valley. With the dedication of this house, Habitat completes their Whittington Avenue development. Habitat has already begun work on several new houses on Highland Street and hopes to have those homes completed by the end of the year.
Since 1996, working with volunteers in the community, Garland County Habitat for Humanity has built safe and affordable houses for families who otherwise might never own a home. Each new homeowner is required to invest “sweat equity” in their house, spending at least 100 hours working on their residence--with family and friends allowed to make up the balance of the 350 hours of required “sweat equity.” Habitat sells each house to its new owner; with the sale being financed by a twenty-year, zero percent mortgage. Garland County Habitat for Humanity expects to complete construction of its 100th house sometime in 2012.
As the forecast models had predicted, winter weather arrived in Hot Springs on February 12th, 2012 in the early morning hours. With temperatures below freezing, snow began falling in the Valley around 7:00 am and patches of snow and ice quickly accumulated on the ground. Total snowfall was less than one inch. As daytime temperature rise into the mid-30's, much of the accumulated snow may melt. However, there remains the possibility that sleet and freezing rain may occur this afternoon as the storm front continues moving over the area. The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a Winter Weather Advisory effective through this evening for the Hot Springs area.
The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a warning for possible snow and winter weather on Monday, February 13th, 2012. According to the Weather Service, warm Gulf moisture will collide with cold arctic air over Arkansas on Monday, with snow and freezing rain strong possibility. It is currently predicted that snow or freezing rain may fall during the early morning hours on Monday, making the morning commute tricky and dangerous for drivers.
