MAY 22, 2019
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THE POLK COUNTY 1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600
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Mena High School Graduation Ceremony
(MENA) The 111th graduating class of Mena High School was held on Sunday, May 19th at Bearcat Stadium in Mena. The class made history as they crossed the field and received their diplomas, in
Janssen Park Improvements
which 43% of the graduating class received college scholarships that totaled $2.3 million. As student Matthew Bowser received just over $621,000 in scholarship dollars, to continue his secondary education. Nearly a dozen other graduates received over $100,000 or more in scholarship awards for their education efforts. Principal Shane Torix presided over his last graduation ceremony as principal of Mena High School. The ceremony also heard musical selections from the Spotlight Singers, singing along with the senior class, the school Alma Mater and “A Million Dreams” by Emerson. The 2019 Class Speaker was Christo-
pher Thompson, who gave a rousing and encouraging message to his fellow classmates. Thompson also thanked the teachers and parents for keeping them on a rigid path for success as students. Superintendant Benny Weston and Mena Public Schools Board President Edd Puckett presented the senior class of 2019 awarded the diplomas to the 108 students.
2019 Relay For Life Event Held (MENA) Park improvements are underway at Janssen Park in downtown Mena. A much needed new basketball court has been poured and city officials expect to have that project completed by the time the annual Lum and Abner Festival arrives three weeks time. Gazebo work and the reshingling of various roofs within the park are also being undertaken by city workers. The thousands of people who attend the festival will see not only the gazebo work and new concrete for the court but also that Janssen Park has undergone a thorough cleaning and landscaping. Electric and water lines have already been installed by contractors and are good to go for the festival.
(MENA) Hundreds came out on Friday evening to show their support and to also participate in the Polk County Relay for Life event at Mena’s Janssen Park. Around a dozen teams, ranging from four team members to as many as two dozen members, put on their walking shoes and raised nearly $50,000 for the area. Activities, crafts, food and various events went into the night, making this years event a success. Plans are already underway for next year’s events. With various fundraisers being planned and making the event a bigger event than this years. For more information you can visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/Polk County Relay For Life.
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Mena Council Approves Items (MENA) Mena City Council decided to change their service plan for telephone and internet service from A T & T and Network Services in Little Rock to a local service provider. Velocity of Mena was awarded the contract to provide those services. Just on the internet costs alone, it will cost approximately $1224.64 per month on average. This is a slight increase of $21.64 per month in what they have been paying A T & T. Mayor Seth Smith stated that he felt that the City would be able to get faster service with a local provider, as compared to the current provider that would come out of Little Rock. The significant benefit seen by administrators was the fact that internet service would increase from 10 Megabytes per second, that is provided by A T & T to 50 Megabytes per second, that will be provided by Velocity. One other bid was submitted by Vyve, which was $1800 more than the other bidders. Currently, the city pays about $2864 per month for combined services with A T & T. Council also approved an Ordinance permitting a member of the Mena Advertising and Promotions Commission, Tim Kiser, to be allowed to conduct business with the City, on the purchase of a Power Washer from Kiser’s business, Tim’s Yamaha. The power washer will be used at Tapley Park. The power washer will cost approximately $602.24. Mayor Smith said that the opportunity of keeping the city’s business with a local firm is definitely a consideration whenever purchases of equipment is needed by the City. In other business, Gregg McDonald was appointed to the Mena Airport Commission, filling the unexpired term of Nancy Wright, which ends in February 2023. Council was informed that the final touchups are almost completed with Janssen Park