What’s ahead

WCA Workforce One Stop to hold teleconference

The West Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board One Stop Committee will have a teleconference at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The board’s staff will be at 1000 Central Ave. to answer any questions from the public.

Free cataract screenings offered at HS eye clinic

McFarland Eye Care will offer free cataract screenings Wednesday at its clinic, 3604 Central Ave., in conjunction with National Cataract Awareness Month.

Cataracts are the clouding of the eyes’ normally clear lenses and are the principal cause of blindness worldwide. For people with cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is like looking through a frosty or foggedup window, a news release said.

Most cataracts develop slowly and don’t disturb eyesight early on, but, with time, cataracts can severely interfere with vision, causing a loss of mobility and independence, and may negatively impact common functions of day-to-day life like driving, reading, watching television or using a computer, it said.

“As people grow older, one of the greatest fears is losing their independence. Good vision is often the key to keeping that independence,” Dr. Evan Newbolt, M.D. at McFarland Eye Care, said in the release. “At McFarland’s, we offer the latest technology in cataract surgery which allows our seniors to keep their active lifestyles, and continue to enjoy work, hobbies and time with family.”

Call 501-318-1111 to schedule an appointment in advance or visit McFarlandEye.com for more information about the clinic and the event.

Historic commission to hold public hearing

The Hot Springs Historic District Commission will hold a public hearing at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at City Hall, 133 Convention Blvd., to consider the following certificate of appropriateness requests:

• 322 Garden St., Rehabilitation Project — Certificate of appropriateness application request to perform multiple exterior renovations to this structure.

• 500 and 600 blocks of Malvern Avenue — Certificate of appropriateness application request for sidewalk and other street improvements along the odd side of the 500 and 600 blocks of Malvern Avenue.

• 511 Pleasant St., Pleasant Street Pocket Park — Information item to historic district commission for a neighborhood pocket park located in the Pleasant Street Historic District.

Pruning work to close part of Bridge Street

The westbound lane of Bridge Street, from Central to Malvern avenues, will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. today for overhead tree pruning.

Signs will be posted, and motorists are asked to use caution when traveling in the work area.