Community Polk County Broadband Initiative meeting

By Ethan Nahté

The members of the Polk County Broadband Initiative (PCBI) met the morning of Aug. 17 at the Polk County Extension Education Building. This was the group’s second meeting. In the July 17 meeting, they discussed the purpose of the committee to boost public support, involve stakeholders for selecting internet service providers (ISPs), identifying resources, determine priorities and grant applications.

At that meeting, Polk County Judge Brandon Ellison said that 98% of Polk County citizens are either unserved or underserved according to the new standards for internet, which is a speed of 100:20 Mbps — 100 being megabits

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Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run Blood Drive will be taking place 1:30-6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 25. Find the OBI Bloodmobile parked by the train station. Each donor receives a vintage Life is Better T-shirt and one free entry to Magic Springs. Go to obi.org

The Polk County Housing Authority will be closed Monday, Sept. 4th in observance of Labor Day.

The Back Country Extension Homemakers Club meets the second Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at the UA Extension’s Education Building, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. We are a service organization affiliated with UA’s Division of Agriculture with a mission to have fun and learn new things while enriching our community and creating a more contented family life. We believe the greatest force that molds character comes from the home. Come join new friends and old as we together grow. For more info, contact Ginger at Gingerkm@protonmail.com.

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, noon - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 6 p.m. on Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at (479) 234-5289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

The First United Methodist Church of Mena will be collecting dry cat and dog food for the Humane Society of the Ouachitas, a no-kill animal shelter, during the month of August.

If you’d like to donate to this wonderful organization, bring the food to the church, 501 Ninth St., across from Janssen Park, Monday-Thursday between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or bring it on Sunday at 10 a.m. and stay for church. Everyone is welcome.

Come play Pickleball! Open play Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:30

a.m., Aubrey D. Tapley Park - 2562 U.S. Hwy 71, Mena.

Bring your own equipment and come have fun. All levels are welcome. Unsure or interested? Come watch before purchasing equipment.

The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing.com

First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a study, “The Evolution of the Bible”, in its Adult Sunday School Class on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:45. The class will be conducted by Earl Harrell. Anyone with an interest in this study is invited to attend. Classes will be at the church in the parlor, 904 Church Ave., Mena.

The Ouachita Beekeepers Association is now meeting on the second Thursday of the month, 7 p.m. in the Education Building of the UA Extension Office, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. Come early and enjoy refreshments and bee talk with other beekeepers.

GriefShare continues to meet every Thursday from 10 a.m.noon at First Presbyterian Church Mena for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

The Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from noon-4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.

The Cove Branch Library is open Monday and Thursday from noon-5 p.m. The Library is located next to Cove Town Hall at 5568 Hwy. 71 S.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

Bluegrass Jam Session is open to musicians and fans alike. Bring your instruments for an unplugged session to the Daisy Room (behind Janssen’s Avenue Florist & Gifts) the first and third Thursdays of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. Free event. Some snacks are provided.

Free meal and a message at Living Word, 171 W. Johnson, Hatfield, Wednesdays @ 6 p.m.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234 Hwy. 71 S, Cove gathers every Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.

Hatfield First Baptist Church

“Shepherd’s Closet” Open Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Large selection of good, used clothing & a limited supply of non-perishable food items. Free to anyone in need.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at

5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

The Food Pantry at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church is open every first and third Monday of each month, 4-6 p.m., located at Fair Grounds Road. For more information, call (479) 437-4018.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows.

Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street and Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 243-9600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!

The following information was received from Polk County law enforcement agencies. The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts. Individuals charged and whose names appear in this column may submit documentation to us at a later date that the charges have been dismissed, or that they have been found innocent, and we will include that information in this space in a timely manner.

August 14, 2023

Aramis Candelaria, 21, of Hatfield was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Warrant for Absconding.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 62 near Board Camp in reference to a physical domestic disturbance. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

August 15, 2023

Kathy Harper, 43, of Mena was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

August 16, 2023

A disturbance on Roach Avenue near Mena led to the arrest of Ronald Rogers, 46, of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 71 near Mena in reference to a disturbance.

Darin Lewis, 56, of Lowell was arrested on a warrant for Nonsupport.

Robert Lanham, 31, of Mena was arrested on a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Carter Creek Lane near Mena in reference to a Physical Domestic Disturbance.

August 17, 2023

Deputies responded to a report of a land dispute.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to vehicle damage.

Deputies were dispatched to an area on Polk 67 near Mena in reference to a welfare check. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 S near Cove in reference to a person being threatened. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a vehicle being damaged at a residence on Hwy 71 North near Mena.

Humberto Delgado, 43, of Grannis was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery.

August 18, 2023

Phillip Gobellan, 53, of Mena was arrested by an officer with the Arkansas State Police to be held for another agency.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to an altercation leading to the arrest of Annie Lance, 37, of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Claro Perez, 54, of Waldron was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication.

August 19, 2023

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 75 near Mena in reference to an altercation. Also leading to the arrest of Braxton Kyle, 19, of Mena on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.

Meagan Czarnetzki, 29, of Mena was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication.

August 20, 2023

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to the unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 2 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail

Population: 41 Incarcerated Inmates with 9 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.