. . July . . . . .12, . . .2017 ......................................................................................................................
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opment for several months. Through the Master Plan, goals are attained and often with grants attached. Through this process, new runway lights have been installed, taxiways have received extensive repairs, and now, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) wants to include the resurfacing of Runway 17-35 as well. “The FAA knows the condition of the runway and wants to help us,” said Airport Manager Fred Ogden. The project would be fully funded by the FAA, with no cost to the city. The project is still in the early development stage, so estimates are very rough, according to Greg Shipley, of Morrison Shipley, who consults the airport with engineering services. He said the rough estimates are anywhere from $1.7 million to $2.4 million, depending on the depth of the asphalt that is laid on the runway. Another improvement the Airport Commission discussed is improving their Remote Communication Outlet (RCO). The function allows pilots to talk to air traffic control from their planes, whether on the ground or in the air. The current system isn’t functioning properly and pilots must be at least 3,000 feet in the air before they can “grab the signal” to call in. If a signal cannot be attained, the pilot must call by cell phone before landing. To alleviate that issue, the commission is looking into other towers they can transmit from. A project long in the works and that was a large topic of discussion during the development of the Master Plan was the separation of Runway 17-35 (that runs north and south) and Runway 9-27 (that runs east to west). The intersection of the two runways was the source of discussion and the commission and FAA have agreed to not tear up the existing pavement of the runways, but to instead place reflective chevron markings to indicate an off-limits area. All of these developments help the airport continue to grow, which brings in more businesses, and more clients for those businesses. Longer and wider runways allow for larger aircraft to land, allowing many of the current businesses to receive government contracts in addition to private. Ogden said the airport provides around 300 jobs for community members. Not only do employees spend their hard-earned dollars in the community, travelers coming into the county via the airport also bring money to the local economy. In an Individual Airport Summary Report from 2006 (the latest data available), prepared by the Arkansas State Airport System, the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport (MEZ) had a total economic impact of $48,544,400. More than $14 million of that was in payroll alone.
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obituaries
..................................................................................................................................... LONNIE FRANK CARTER
Mr. Lonnie Frank Carter, age 69, of Mena, passed away Wednesday, July 5, 2017 in Mena, Arkansas. Lonnie was born on April 22, 1948 in Lamesa, Texas to Roger Earl Carter and Bertha Virginia Miles Carter. He was married to Susan Love Carter for 17 years and proudly served his country in the United States Coast Guard. Lonnie also worked as a police officer for the Mesquite Police Department. Lonnie enjoyed being outdoors and going hunting, fishing and playing golf with family and friends. He also enjoyed reloading ammunition. Lonnie dearly loved his family and friends. He was a loving and kind husband, father, stepfather, brother, grandfather and friend to all who knew him. He is survived by wife, Susan Carter of Mena, Arkansas; son, Clinton Carter and wife Amanda of Mosley, Virginia; daughter, Tiffany Carter of Pearl, Mississippi; stepson, Carl Bishop of Centerton, Arkansas; stepdaughter, Laura Bishop
of Maumelle, Arkansas; brother, Ronnie Carter and wife Cherry of Flower Mound, Texas; four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Paul Carter. Mr. Carter was sent for cremation under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena. Online obituary at www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com
REBA FAYE MCMELLON STANFIELD Reba Faye McMellon Stanfield, age 67, of Mena, died Saturday, July 8, 2017 at the Mena Regional Health System. She was born on Monday, July 11, 1949 to Everette William and Emma Shelton Martin in Mena, Arkansas. Reba was a Christian homemaker who loved life and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved cooking at holidays, and everyone loved her pancakes and chocolate gravy. Reba could play the piano by ear and enjoyed playing and listening to Gospel, Blue Grass and Country Western music. She liked listening to music live and always enjoyed going to Turkey Track
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and going dancing. Reba was a loving companion, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend and will be missed by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, James Embrey; her first husband, James Darrel McMellon; her loving companion of 14 years, Willard Hooper; and one sister, Helen Steinbock. Reba is survived by her two sons, Cecil McMellon and companion, Misty Martin of Mena, and Archie McMellon of Mena; two daughters, Mina Anderle and husband, Ron of Mena, and Cindy Hill and companion, Greg Tarkinton of Mena; four grandchildren, Zachary Anderle, Cooper Anderle, Shiloh Taylor, and Adileigh McMellon all of Mena, Arkansas; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at the Bows-
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er Family Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Ron Tilley and Brother Mark Lyle officiating with interment following at Concord Cemetery in Ink. Visitation was Wednesday, July 12, 2017 from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena. Pallbearers were Joe Bowling, Raymond Falls, Doug Nursery, Roger Howard, Charlie Escobar, and Roy Harris. Honorary Pallbearers were the Gang at the corner, Senior Center, American Legion, and all those that touched Reba and her family’s lives. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Acorn High School Music Program at 143 Polk Rd 96, Mena, AR 71953. Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh. com
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