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August 22, 2018
THE THEPOLK POLK COUNTY COUNTY
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1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600
1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600 ...............................................................................................................................................................................
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BODY OF MISSING POLK COUNTY RESIDENT DISCOVERED P olk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer announced last Thursday afternoon that the Silver Alert that had been issued for 70-year-old Jerry L. Wheeler of Grannis had been canceled after a search team discovered Wheeler’s body, Thursday morning. Wheeler had been missing since Saturday, August 11th. Sawyer reported Wheeler has several medical issues and recently exhibited some mental confusion. Thursday morning, family, friends and area volunteers gathered at the Grannis Community Room and formed search groups. Search groups were organized and assigned areas in south Polk County from Wickes to Gilham and west to the
Oklahoma line. Volunteers conducted road and land searches. Officers with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission searched the Wildlife Refuge and the Cossatot River State Park. Park Rangers with the Arkansas Parks System searched along Highway 71 and other main highways. Other agencies that assisted in the search included, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Grannis Police Department, De Queen Police Department, members of the Cherry Hill Volunteer Fire Department, the Mena Fire Department, the Cove Volunteer Fire Department, Christian Motorcycle Association members and members of the Arkansas National Guard.
Family members, friends and volunteers from area agencies assisted in searching for 70-year-old Jerry L. Wheeler of Grannis on Thursday, August 16th. The search was organized by Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer and Office of Emergency Management Tommy Stueart.
FIRE CHIEF REPORTS CAUSE OF FIRE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION
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Ouchaita Little Theater presents the cast of the orignial play “Weeds and Dandelions.” The play was written by Justin Richmond, an Acorn High School student.
OLT PRESENTS “WEEDS AND DANDELIONS”
J
ustin Richmond, an Acorn High School student, has written an original play entitled “Weeds and Dandelions.” Richmond submitted his play earlier this year to the Young Playwrights competition held in Little Rock, and his work was selected as an Arkansas State finalist. Ouachita Little Theatre is excited to host this original and highly esteemed play live on-stage. Richmond is also serving as the play’s director. “Weeds and Dandelions” is described by its young playwright as a “raw depiction of a family in crisis.” At the center of the plot is a mother who is struggling to bring her children back home from foster care. At the same time, the foster parents are showing an interest in adopting the children. Richmond promises his play will “take you on a
WEEDS AND DANDELIONS CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
ugust 14th, the City Council of the City of Mena met and approved the minutes and treasurer’s reports for the month of July. Several department heads presented reports. Airport Manager Fred Ogden reported the grant funds for the Taxiway Bravo rehabilitation project are on hand and the commission is working to finalize the construction contract. He stated construction work on the taxiway should begin in September. The airport commission met last week authorized Ogden to apply for two more grants. If the applications are approved, one of the grants will be used to overlay Runway 17-35. The other grant will be used to rehab and extend Taxiway Charlie. Building Official, Kevin Wolfenbarger, reported he had issued 25 permits totaling $818.75 during the month of June. He said all of the fire suppression system had been approved for the Louise Durham construction project. Mena Fire Chief Steve Egger reported his department conducted an auto extrication. Firefighters responded to one grass fire and provided mutual aid to the Dallas
Valley Fire Department on a structural fire. Egger said the department also attended two unauthorized control burns. He said the department made two service calls and firefighters completed the Arkansas Fire Academy’s course on basic pump operations. The department also conducted four fire safety inspections and attended six public relation events. Egger reported the cause of the Sanders Moving and Storage building fire is still under investigation. He said upon entry into the building, firefighters observed heavy fire and smoke from the second story of the building, but could not suppress the fire safely. Egger said the focus then shifted to a defensive attack for the safety of the firefighters and to protect surrounding structures. Egger reported one firefighter was treated at the Mena Regional Medical System for heat exhaustion and members of the Southwest EMS ambulance company treated three other firefighters at the scene. Egger expressed his gratitude for the assistance of the Mena police department INVESTIGATION CONTINUED ON PAGE 6