June 15, 2016

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FREE WEEKLY

June 15, 2016

THE POLK COUNTY

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1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600 ...............................................................................................................................................................................

Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 FM & MyPulseNews.com

Plane Crash Claims Life of Local Man, Injures Passenger Passenger hails pilot as his “hero”

Guns & Hoses Set to Battle it Out

BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com

L ast week’s plane crash near Pine Bluff claimed the life of a local Mena man. Phillip Sloan, age 6 6 of Mena, was pronounced dead at the scene when the small engine aircraft he was piloting crashed in a wooded area of rural southwest Jefferson County near the Grant County line. Sloan carried one passenger, R oss Goodner, age 19 of Boles, who was inj ured and transported from the scene by ambulance and taken to a Pine Bluff hospital where he has since been released. According to Bill Sadler, head of media relations for Arkansas State Police, a call was received at 5 : 01 p.m. W ednesday, June 8 , reporting the plane crash CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Harjo Sentenced to 136 Years in Prison BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com

L ance W . Harj o, age 4 4 of Mena, was sentenced to 136 years in Polk County Circuit Court last Thursday [ June 9 , 2016 ] by a j ury of his peers following a one day trial where he was found guilty of seven criminal counts. Harj o was arrested in January of this year after a year-long collaborative investigation by the 18 th W est Judicial Task Force and Polk County Sheriff’s D epartment led to a search warrant being ser ed at his home where officers found a large amount of guns and methamphetamine. D uring his testimony, Harj o’s own defense attorney asked him if he was sorry

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7-8

Businesses Join Together to Launch ‘Third Thursday Downtown’ BY LEANN DILBECK • editor@mypulsenews.com

The momentum from the resurgence of Mena’s downtown continues. The streetscape proj ect is nearing completion, new businesses continue to add to the landscape and now they are all j oining together in a collaborative effort by forming ‘ D owntown Business Partners.’ U nlike many downtowns in rural areas that are vacant and crumbling, Mena’s downtown district continues to come ali e with new businesses as well as signifi cant remodels and capital improvements. Serving as the gateway to the Talimena N ational Scenic Byway j ust adds to the many reasons to visit the area.

STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 • ALSO CHECK OUT CENTER SPREAD ON PAGES 12-13 FOR SPECIALS

[PHOTO BY MELANIE BUCK] Fire Pup from the Mena Fire Department & Safety Pup from the Mena Police Department are hoping everyone will come support their teams as they battle it out during the annual Mena Guns & Hoses blood drive Monday, June 27, at the Saint Agnes Parish Hall to see which team ca raise the most lood atfield is also hosti a u s oses e t as ell ee page 7 for more details on both blood drives. Surrounding their mascots from L-R are: Kyle Rowland, Mena Fire Chief John Puckett, Mena Police Chief Brandon Martin and Norm Gray.

Stache's Cookery L.L.C proudly sponsoring the for more details go to

www.stachescookery.com


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