Maddox and Rice honored at Mena City Council meeting

By Ethan Nahté

Mena City Council held their regularly scheduled city council meeting on Aug. 8, and the agenda had a couple of items that are not matters that occur too often.

Item A in New Business was the appointment of Brooke Hines to the council. Hines will fulfill the remainder of Dwight Douglas’ term. Mayor Seth Smith had stated in the July meeting that Douglas had officially given his resignation. After a unanimous vote to appoint Hines, city clerk/treasurer Kacie Rose swore Hines in.

Item B was a presentation by John Wilkerson, general counsel for the Arkansas Municipal League. Wilkerson manages the operation of the legal department staff and caseload for the League and its optional programs. Wilkerson spoke about the work that both Representative John Maddox and Senator Terry Rice accomplished regarding “Act 605.”

Wilkerson first started speaking about Maddox. He said, “Representative Maddox is one you can walk up to… and it’s a hard job out there just being in legislature. Sometimes it’s like summer camp, sometimes it’s not,” he joked. “Representative Maddox is always there to listen to us, work with us, and tries to find common ground and solutions.

“One issue in particular would be the amendment of what we call ‘Act 605.,’ which is the water bill of 2021. That bill was passed to do a lot of great things for water in the state of Arkansas. After it was passed, we identified some issues and people in this area had identified some issues. Representative Maddox took the initiative and got a bill drafted, then worked with us, worked with the state and worked with the stakeholders to come to what I consider to be a great piece of legislation that expanded the state’s ability to make sure that water in this state is always viable.”

On behalf of the Arkansas Municipal League and the city of Mena, Wilkerson presented Maddox with The Distinguished Legislator Award.

After Maddox accepted his award, Wilkerson then spoke about Rice. “Senator Rice was also involved with this water bill. One thing that you know about him is that when you go to him and you have an idea or solution, he’ll say, ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ and that’s it. You know that he’s thought about it. He is honest and open and forthright, and I can tell you, sir, how much we appreciate that. If you don’t agree with us, you tell us. If you agree with us, I love it, because I’ve figured it out and he is wise, thoughtful and appreciative, and I really thank you so much for everything.

“He was also helpful with the water bill. When Representative Maddox had the idea, we worked on it. The House do their thing. The Senate do their thing. Before it ran to the House, we wanted to make sure Senator Rice was part of this because he was also hearing issues with the water bill.

“Like Representative Maddox, every time we came to them with an issue about the water bill, the first question out of their mouth was, ‘Does this help my folks? Are my constituents benefit- ing from this?’ It was every conversation we had with them.

“I still remember, sir, bringing the water bill to you in the lobby of the Bureau of Legislative Research, I was excited. I said, ‘I think we’ve got it.’ But I needed him to say yes, because I knew if he said yes, it meant that it was a good thing. We sat down and the first words out of your mouth was, ‘Does this help my folks?’ I said, ‘Yes, sir, it does. It helps the state of Arkansas. Let me show you how.’ He asked questions, like Representative Maddox did, to make sure it works.

“When he finally said, ‘I agree. I will run the bill,’ I thought that means something to us when two people like this agree with your concept, agree with your focus, agree with your idea, it means the world to us. Senator Rice, you’ve always been there to listen to us and you’re honest with us. We appreciate it very, very much,” Wilkerson said.

Again, on behalf of the Arkansas Municipal League and the city of Mena, Wilkerson presented Rice with The Distinguished Legislator Award.

The mayor also thanked Maddox and Rice for all that they do on the state level.

Items C and D were to create enter- tainment districts during the Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run, one for Aug. 25 at Mena Street and Sherwood Avenue and the second for Aug. 26 on Mena Street throughout the intersections of Martin, Gillham, and Oak avenues. Both passed and were respectively recorded as Resolution 1479 and Resolution 1480.

Item E was a resolution transferring certain vehicles from the Mena Police Department to the Mena International Municipal Airport. Airport manager Fred Ogden had mentioned the vehicles during his department head report. It passed as Resolution 1481.

Item F was to consider a resolution approving and adopting the reconciled 2023 operating budget for the City of Mena. It passed as Resolution 1482.

Item G was to consider a resolution accepting a lending agency for the Prairie Creek Regeneration Facility construction financing. It passed as Resolution 1483.

Item H was the approval to open a new bank account for the same project.

Item I was to allow Ogden to have online access to airport accounts at Union Bank.

Item J was to appoint James Earl Turner to the Mena Planning Commission to fill the unexpired term of Dwight Douglas, which expires Oct. 31, 2024.

The meeting was then adjourned.

A brief mention that during the July 18, 2023, regular meeting, the council passed an emergency ordinance along the same lines as the Polk County Quorum Court ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline related to the data/crypto mines. City Ordinance 2387-23 does not prevent a data/crypto company from setting up a business in Mena, but companies must adhere to the same rules and regulations any other company must follow concerning external noise attenuation and to prevent noise disturbance within the city limits.

Loretta

“Elaine” Edwards of Big Fork, Arkansas, passed away on 08/10/2023 in the town of Big Fork, Arkansas. Elaine was born in Mena, Arkansas, to Majoric and Frances Nault on 10/17/1945. She went to school in Mena and married Donald Edwards on July 10, 1965, in Mena, Arkansas.

Elaine worked as a loving Nursing Assistant for 30 years and was loved by all she cared for. She was a coordinator for the Catholic Church CCD program at St. Agnes church in the 70’s and was an avid quilter. She loved everyone, especially her family who she protected and supported up until her passing.

Elaine is preceded in death by her husband Donald Edwards, her sisters Christine Count and Elizabeth Beaton, brother Eddie Nault, mother Frances (Bigge) Nault, father Majoric Nault, and a Great-Grandchild Mariah Edwards.

She is survived by her children, Lisa (Edwards) Cooper and husband John of Cordova, TN and Leslie Edwards and his wife Sharon of Mena, AR, a sister, Mary Lemieux of Fort Myers, FL, sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy Edwards of Mena, AR, Martha Nault of Mena, AR, Jewell Roberts of Bowie, TX, and Rush Counts of Fort Myers, FL; grandchildren, Cody Edwards and wife Kimberly of Mena, AR, Matthew Cooper of Cordova, TN, Amanda (Cooper) Colegrove and husband Benjamin of Cordova, TN, and Mckinzy (McGee) Castor and husband Justin of Russellville, AR; great-grandchildren, Zoe Edwards of Mena, AR, Jolene Edwards of Mena, Arkansas, Nora Castor of Russellville, AR, and Salem Grace Colegrove of Cordova, TN

Elaine requested a private service in the event of her death. A private viewing of the body will be conducted for the immediate family with a later graveside ceremony as per Elaine’s wishes.

In Lieu of flowers and food, the family requests that you please donate to the Mermorial fund account under Sharon or Leslie Edwards at Union Bank in Mena to assist with medical and funeral expenses. Additional funds will also be used to honor her day-today caregivers as they did a wonderful job of taking care of her over this past year which was priceless to her and her family.

The family of Elaine wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Area Agency Hospice, Dr. Henderson, Wendy Medford, Martha Nault, and Sharon Kreiner. She was well loved and cared for during this past year and we will forever be grateful. Arrangements are entrusted to the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

Mr. Larry Verlon Dugan, age 73, passed away Monday, August 7, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born October 2, 1949, in Mena, Arkansas, to the late John Lester Dugan and Helen Francis (Beasley) Dugan.

Mr. Dugan was a proud veteran of the United States Army, bravely serving in the Vietnam War as a dog handler. He worked as maintenance at US Motors after his discharge from the military. He was known as an outdoorsman, loving to go fishing and hunting. Larry was also a fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks, and could often be found at the Skyline Café for breakfast followed by the Branding Iron for lunch.

Mr. Dugan is preceded in death by his parents, John Lester Dugan and Helen Franceis (Beasley) Dugan; ma- ternal grandparents; O.V. Beasley and Lela Beasley; paternal grandparents, Frank and Josephine Dugan.

He is survived by his daughter, Lori Matejek and husband Jeff; grandchildren, Dylan Matejek and wife Kaylin, Lorin Matejek; great-grandchild, Maren Matejek; sisters, Belinda McKee and husband Johnnie, Brenda Parker and husband Rodney; nephews, Jason McKee, Murphy Parker and wife Lynn; special cousin, Duane Richmond; as well as a host of other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Services for Mr. Larry Verlon Dugan will be held Friday, August 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Beasley-Wood Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Donnie Jewell will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas at 1:00 p.m.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Kaye is preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Shirley Cross.

Kaye is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Larry Stewart of Mena, Arkansas; her two sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Jennifer Stewart of Midway, Utah, and Brian and Tiffny Stewart of Conway, Arkansas; and one adopted son, Roger Bazan of Santa Cruz, Bolivia; one brother and sister-in-law, Ralph “Poke’’ and Patricia Franklin of Ozark, Arkansas; three sisters and two brother-in-laws, Donna and Charles Ray White of Ozark, Arkansas, Tuffy and Kenny Edwards of Pleasant View, Arkansas, and Fluffy Sory of Ozark, Arkansas; nine grandchildren, Seth Patrick Stewart of Midway, Utah, Brendon Jeffrey Stewart and Tess Kaitlyn Stewart both of Heber, Utah, Aidan Cross Dunagan Stewart and Ian Killian Franklin Stewart both of Midway, Utah, Sydney Alena Stewart, Zachary Aaron Stewart, Amelia Grace Stewart, and Jude Lyric Stewart all of Conway, Arkansas. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Lynda Kaye

Stewart, age 75, of Mena, passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Mena Regional Hospital. She was born on February 24, 1948, to Guy Henry and Helen June Chancey Franklin in Hills Chapel south of Ozark, Arkansas. She was married to Larry Scott Stewart on May 28, 1966, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ozark, Arkansas by her father-in-law the Reverend Stephen Guice Stewart.

The void left by Kaye’s departure is profound, but her memory continues to bloom in her flower beds and in the hearts of those she touched. Her life was a testament to love, service, and perseverance. As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate a life beautifully lived.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Church in Mena with Reverend Rob Williams officiating. A graveside service will follow at a later date at the Highland Cemetery in Ozark, Arkansas. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to St. Jude’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude. org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_ icid=header-btn-donate-now and The Hometown Hero Memorial Scholarship Fund at Mena High School at 1200 Dallas Avenue, Mena, Arkansas 71953.

By Patrick Massey

The summer is almost officially over for most students across Arkansas. That’s right, school will be back in session for students at many school districts in the state this week and next.

Students at Mena Public Schools return to class Wednesday, Aug. 16. Cossatot River students returned with their four-day schedule on Aug. 15 while the Ouachita River School District returns Aug. 21. And while the summer heat is very much still with us, these dates mark the end of summer vacation for those students and time to get back at it.

With the start of school comes the start of heavier morning and afternoon traffic. Educators and local law enforcement ask everyone to begin thinking about taking extra caution while commuting once school starts, especially in the morning and afternoon.

The roads will see a lot more traffic and there will be lots of kids traveling to and from school on foot. Remember, school speed zones will be back in effect so keep an eye out and slow down when nearing a school zone. Cell phone use is also restricted within school zones and texting while driving is always illegal in Arkansas.

Arkansans need to keep an eye out for one important feature during their daily commutes this time of year — a stopped school bus with its flashing lights and extended stop arm.

Every day during the school year, more than 350,000 Arkansas chil- dren are depending on school buses to transport them safely to and from school. These buses make multiple stops in every community.

As the 2023-2024 school year is about to begin, the public is reminded that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus. The fines, penalties, and punishment for anyone found guilty of illegally passing a stopped school bus were increased dramatically by “Act 2128 of 2005,” also known as Isaac’s Law. The legislation was named in honor of Isaac Brian, an elementary school student in the Bryant School District who was struck and killed when a driver illegally passed his school bus while students were exiting the vehicle.

The law requires drivers to stop on 2-lane and 4-lane highways in both directions, even those with a middle lane. Drivers cannot attempt to pass in any direction until the school bus vehicle has finished receiving or discharging its passengers and is in motion again.

Drivers must come to a complete stop no less than 30 feet from the bus when it stops to load or unload passengers. This 30-feet perimeter would apply to public roads, private or public property open to the general public, and any driveway or parking lot belonging to a public school.

When a school bus comes to a halt and activates its flashing lights and stop arm, it’s an indication that children are entering or exiting the bus. Remember: Flashing Red means Kids Ahead.

On Aug. 10, 2023, Cheryl Delarosa was sentenced to six years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections and ordered to pay $501,000 in restitution to the City of Dierks by the Howard County Circuit Court.

In June, Delarosa pled guilty to Class B Felony Theft of Property and Class B Felony Abuse of Public Trust.

Delarosa is the former manager of the Dierks Water Department.

The 9th West Judicial District Prosecutor asked Arkansas State Police to investigate in November 2020 after an audit revealed a misappropriation of funds in excess of $500,000 from 2015 through 2020.

On Aug. 8, 2023, Rodger Sorg, 24, was charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 2, 2023, death of 3-month-old Kyzer Fry.

The Mansfield Police Department asked Arkansas State Police to investigate the death after they were called to a home on Huntington Avenue by the child’s mother, Samantha Dotson. Dotson told investigators that she discovered the child unresponsive when she returned home from work.

Kyzer and two other children were in Sorg’s care.

Sorg is being held at the Scott County Detention Center.

continued from page 1 period for the backpack for each of the school districts within Polk County. Although they fell short, a mind-blowing 16,000 meals were packed.

The event took place in the UAEX education building with volunteers signing up and taking shifts. Approximately 80-100 volunteers were working at any given time, with as- out the trash. Volunteers were mostly school-age children and parents, along with some that ranged from preschool to grandparents.

Every time they reach an additional 1,000 meals packed, there is a gong that is struck to announce the milestone.

Shanea Floyd is quite involved with the BackPack program. She said, “I am in three different areas of this. I have a 4-H student, and FFA student,

It’s called FFS for FFA — it’s food, fiber and shelter. It’s going to be their community service event for the state convention, then hopefully they can carry on to the national convention event in Indiana.”

Floyd said the packed meals will remain in Polk County, the backpacks going to children in grades K-12 in all three Polk County school districts: Cossatot River, Mena and Ouachita River.

“Mena Lioness Lions Club does the Backpack Program,” Floyd said. “We fund the majority of the Backpack Program. We put food in backpacks that go home with children who need them over the weekends and stuff out of the school. Today we are packing kind of a Zatarain’s type meal of sas. Since their inception in 2013, the non-profit has surpassed 30 million meals packed for people across the USA.

“The Pack Shack has it organized to a fine science. Of course, they do this all over America. It’s called funnelology. We’re also talking with FFA about funnelology. They had a grant come in and I think they have to pack 200,000 meals. It’s funded already. They just need labor.”

That grant project is for FFA nationwide, but they cannot get a FFA organization with a facility to do it in. They have asked if the FFA in Polk County would take it on. Floyd said they were looking into help do that before the end of 2023.

Over a four-hour period, approximately 300 volunteers helped pack 16,000 red beans and rice meals for the Polk County Backpack Program. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse) sembly line stations taking up several tables as people funneled various types of rice and other healthy, natural items into plastic bags that were then sealed, or carrying 50-pound bags from table to table to refill ingredients, to sealing boxes or taking beans and rice. Of course, you can add a meat to it to make a full meal. It’s packaged to feed about five to six people.”

I’m on the Mena FFA alumni, and then also I am part of the Mena Lioness Lions.

“We’ve got about six different entities to help us. The overall project is that our FFA kids are going to be taking this to the state convention.

Red beans and rice is one of the different meals The Pack Shack offers. They also have meals non-profits can choose from, such as pasta Parmesan or cheesy rice and vegetables. Although the company offers the “parties” all over the world, they are headquartered out of Cave Springs, Arkansas, which is located about halfway between Springdale and Bentonville in northwest Arkan-

Although The Pack Shack is a non-profit, there are costs involved, depending on the size of the party. “This cost $6,000, what we’re doing here today, but it stays in our county. It goes really fast. I was trying to figure out how many people we needed for what length of time. It’s just mesmerizing because it’s so organized, how many meals they’re packing in that time frame. We’re expecting about 300 volunteers. There’s so much to help with. It’s all hands on deck. The FFA kids really wanted to have a give back program this year. This is perfect. We have all of our FFA officers here. They’re excited to give back.”

“We’ve been really blessed that our extension office and everybody worked together to make this happen. It’s a community event and everybody’s been great.