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March 23, 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
An Egg-stra Special Hunt
[PHOTO BY ILANA BURK] An egg-stra special fun time was had at Dallas Avenue Baptist Church’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. McMillan Park was filled with eager egg hunters this past Saturday for one of Easter’s favorite traditions, and Raelea Pate, daughter of John & Torri Pate, was among those enjoying the fun Another local Easter tradition will be the
Community Sunrise Service Sunday Easter Morning (March 27) - 6:30 a.m. at Bearcat Stadium.
Death Row Inmate Granted Another Appeal by State’s High Court BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com
The legal maneuvering of a death row inmate is continuing, over 15 years after his conviction by a P olk County jury. The Supreme Court of Arkansas has ruled that Polk County erred’ in its findings that convicted murderer and rapist, K arl D. R oberts, has the ‘ capacity to choose between life and death and to knowingly and intelligently waive his right to postconviction relief,” according to the most recent official opinion filed by the state’s highest court. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Higher ISO Rating Translates to Savings for Homeowners in Ink District BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com
Ink V olunteer Fire Department is seeing the fruits of their labor via a new ISO rating that will not only benefit the department, but the homeowners they serve in their district. Ink Fire Chief Dan Hostetler said they have jumped from a classification of to a 6, a large leap in fire department standards. This is something we’ve been shooting for over the last six years. We have worked hard, trained hard, completed all the paperwork, and more,” Hostetler exp lained. IS is an acronym for Insurance Service ffice and rates departments on the fire prevention and fire suppression capabilities of individual communities or fire protection areas. The scale is rated 10-1, with 1 being the top notch. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Bell Honored as ‘Optometrist of the Year’
BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com
Dr. Bill Bell of Mena Walmart’s V ision Center has been named R egional O ptometrist of the Y ear in the state of Arkansas by the Health and Wellness division of Walmart’s corporate offices. Bell has been with Walmart Vision Center in Mena for more than 17 years and as stated by R egional Manager, Chip Bentley, “We are proud to have him as part of the Walmart family and for all the years he’s given to better the vision of his patients.” Bell was nominated by his coworker, R andy Webster, Mena’s V ision Center CONTINUED ON PAGE 3