July 8, 2020
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THE POLK COUNTY
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1168 Hwy 71 S ● Mena, AR 71953 ● 479.243.9600
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Caddo Area Council Boy Scouts of America Sells Camp Pioneer The Caddo Area Council Boy Scouts of America last week accepted an offer for the purchase of Camp Pioneer, located near Hatfield in Polk County. The purchasers are Mena residents Danny and Renae Powell and Danny and Beverly Hansbrough. The Caddo Area Board of Directors voted in 2017 to suspend resident camp operations at Camp Pioneer due to electrical and plumbing maintenance needs. The Boy Scouts decided at that time to invest all future resources in Camp Preston Hunt,
which is located a few miles east of Texarkana. Camp Pioneer had been idle since that decision was made. Located at the confluence of the Mountain Fork River and Two-Mile Creek, the Camp Pioneer property is 215 acres of wooded hills with approximately a half mile of riverfront and creek front on both sides. It has numerous structures, several buildings, roads, city water, a relatively new resCAMP PIONEER CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Some Arkansas Cities See Income Climbs Despite Virus Several Arkansas cities saw economic prosperity in April, a month in which travel was restricted and many businesses closed because of COVID-19. The Arkansas Municipal League says that sales tax collections have been closely monitored during the pandemic. The majority of the some 500 cities and towns in Arkansas have a city sales tax. The numbers
reflected in the Municipal League report reflect only citywide sales tax revenues, and do not include any advertising and promotion taxes. Mena saw a 3% increase in city sales tax collections in April, 2020, compared to April, 2019. Sales tax revenues in Mena CITY REVENUE CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Sign on Highway 71 South that directed Boy Scouts to Camp Pioneer for the past several years.
Admissions Department Named iCARE Star Department at MRHS Mena Regional Health System recently named the Admissions Department as the iCARE Star Department of the Quarter. This team is responsible for performing all functions necessary to maintain efficient workflow of the front desk. This quarter has been an especially challenging time period for the Admissions Department. They have successfully endured many additional duties during the hospital’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to their normal workload, the staff has been responsible for overseeing the front-entrance screening process, limiting unnecessary traffic for infection control, and assuring those who have been uncertain about seeking assistance for medical emergencies. As Department of the Quarter, the team received a traveling trophy, framed certificate to be displayed on the iCARE Wall of Fame, and a pizza party.
Pictured from Left: Chandler Cox, HR Director; Rick Billingsley, CNO; Laura Richardson, Coordinator; Lisa England, Coordinator; Reta Lapenter, Supervisor; Jay Quebedeaux, CEO; and Paul Ervin, CFO. Coordinators not present: Jennifer Keiss, Marcus Youngblood, Stephanie Belknap, Destinie Williams, Natasha Brandani, Katie Rice, Myra Penny, Natalie Ford, Erica Manley, and Shannon Franken. Submitted photo.