LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Many Arkansas families depend on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) program to help them keep their heat and air on, but a new proposal to decrease the federal deficit could cut funding for LIHEAP by more than half.

Last year more than 75,000 Arkansas households received assistance either with heating or cooling their homes.

Starting next year though, that number could be significantly fewer if Congress passes the President's proposed budget.
 
Federal funding for the program now stands at $5.1 billion nationally. The cut would bring that down to $2.5 billion. Due to the formula which determines how much states get, Arkansas' funding would be only a third of what is it is now.

This comes as administrators with the Central Arkansas Development Council say even more Arkansans are needing help.

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - The Music Department at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) will host their annual Pre-Region festival on Thursday, February 24 at 12 pm in the Hathaway-Howard Fine Arts auditorium.

High school bands from Pine Bluff, Little Rock and Jacksonville will participate. The purpose of this event is to offer meaningful feedback to directors and students in performance preparation for their respective region festivals.  Schools will receive comment sheets from the instrumental music faculty, an audio recording, and an optional clinic on stage following their performance.

 For more information, call the UAPB Band Office at (870) 575-8919.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Get ready for the first Friends of the Central Arkansas Library System (FOCAL) book sale of 2011 on February 25-27!

The Main Library basement, 100 Rock St., is fully stocked with great books, audiobooks, and VHS tapes for children and adults. Beginning Friday, shoppers can purchase $.50 paperback books and $1 hardback books. Don't miss boxes of prepackaged books available for $1, each which contains 25 books.

FOCAL members can shop the Main Library basement from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Memberships are available at the door. The sale will open to the public beginning at 10:00 a.m. Sale hours on Sunday are from 1-4 p.m.

At River Market Books & Gifts, 120 River Market Avenue, FOCAL members receive 50% off gently read books during the sale. Sale hours for River Market Books & Gifts are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5:00 p.m. Sunday.

For more information about the sale, please call 918-3000.