March 25, 2020
FREE WEEKLY
THE POLK COUNTY
Stay Connected!
1168 Hwy 71 S ● Mena, AR 71953 ● 479.243.9600
Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 FM & MyPulseNews.com Courthouse Operations Reduced Due to COVID-19 As of March 18th, and until further notice, operations in the Polk County Courthouse will be extremely reduced. We will be operating under a contingency of operations plan that will require many employees to work from home. This practice will allow us to have a replacement should a co-worker(s) become quarantined. To be clear, the courthouse is open, but, we are discouraging visitors for every reason, except urgent business. If you happen to have urgent business, we are asking you to call that respective office in advance so that you can be advised of protocol. The COVID-19 Pandemic is a serious threat and the measures we are taking should ensure that there is not a lapse in the urgent business of the people of Polk County. Many items of business can be done by telephone, email, or US mail.
Mena School Board Accepts Weston’s Retirement Recommendation The Mena School Board met Tuesday, March 17, and in the Superintendent’s Benny Weston’s report, he presented a Mitigation Report to the Board per guidance and direction of the Governor, DESE, and CDC. Board members approved Weston’s recommendation to renew the Arkansas School Boards Association Model Policy Service Contract effective the first day of February, 2020 and terminating on the last day of January, 2022, in the amount of $2,850.00.
Board members unanimously approved the School Choice Capacity Resolution for school choice applicants for the 2020-2021 school-year under the provisions of policy 4.5 - School Choice and applicable Arkansas Law. Following a presentation by Ray Bearrdsley of First Security Beadsley, board members approved a motion to submit an “Application for a Permit to Issue Bonds”, with related documents, for $14,830,000 in Refunding Boards to the State Department
of Education and to employ First Security Beardsley as Fiscal Agent, and to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to accept or reject the best bid submitted in connection with the publics sale of the proposed bonds in consultation with the fiscal agent. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. The board also approved a motion to submit an “Application for a Permit to IsSCHOOL BOARD CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
Daughters of the American Revolution Program Shines Light on Patriotic Symbols A "Patriotic Symbols" presentation was given during the regular meeting of the James K. Polk Chapter March 12, 2020. Presenters were Regent, Cortez Copher, and Photographer, Kay Dye, who ran a
power point and youtube videos on a tv screen. First, the group took a recognition test of 10 patriotic symbols. Next was recognition of the first five Founding Fathers and a historic symbol for each one. A brief
history of the "WAR of 1812" was given to lead into the next group of symbols. At first, no one recognized a picture of SamDAR CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
COURTHOUSE CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
Meeting Held for Polk County Providers and Local Leaders
Dr. Joseph Aldrich, Mena Regional Health System Chief of Staff, called a special meeting for all Polk County providers and local city officials to collaborate community-wide measures that have been implemented to safeguard our residents and minimize the possible impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition to health care administrators and providers, those in attendance included: Seth Smith, Mayor; John Maddox, State Representative; Melinda Wise, Elite Home Health; Robby Hines, Southwest EMS; Brandon Ellison, Polk County Judge; Doreen Tapley and Phyllis Cunningham, Healthy Connections, Inc.; and Dr. David Brown, Rich Mountain Nursing and Rehab. “We were very pleased with the level of participation at the meeting and the MEETING CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Group picture of the James K. Polk Chapter with speaker, Cortez Copher, who presented “Patriotic Symbols” for program.Submitted photo by Kay Dye.