Polk County Pulse February 16, 2022

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

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Two escaped inmates still on the loose

INSIDE:

February 16, 2022

Missing woman found in lake

By Ethan Nahté

JP District Changes

After four inmates escaped from the McCurtain County Jail during an evening with temperatures below 20 F and a mixture of sleet and snow, one of the four, Kolby Russell Watson, was captured two nights later on Saturday, Feb. 5, on Old Hochatown Road. Watson’s capture

Page 14

Justin Michael Hughes

Jerome Lynn Rutherford, Jr.

Constructing New Sports Fields Page 12

Arvest Bank Changes

X X

Donnie Kale Middlebrooks Page 17

Kolby Russell Watson

See ESCAPE continued on page 20

Alyssa Walker-Donaldson occurred in close proximity to where Alyssa Walker-Donaldson, 24, was last seen alive. Her disappearance may or may not be related to the escaped convicts, but it is a factor police are investigating.

Walker-Donaldson’s family reported

See VICTIM continued on page 20

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February 16, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

THE POLK COUNTY

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Letters 3

February 16, 2022

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Your Pulse!

I’d like to say that my favorite part of the Pulse is the articles written by Ray Shelley.

He does a lot of research to write them.

Wish he had one in each week! I read, then save them to send to my 87-year-old cousin who lives in Oregon. She just loves them. Please, Mr. Shelley, don’t make your articles a two-parter.

Of course, I do read other articles in the Pulse, but don’t send other articles to other people.

On another subject: Why do you not publish all fires that have happened? A Fire Chief had a chicken house burn completely down and there was no mention of it. Was it because the Fire Chief was a volunteer Fire Chief? Do they not count?

Was it because the fire occurred late in the night? Other fire departments also assisted in this chicken house fire. Many came to assist. Just asking.

Jim Pinson - Morning Personality Jackye Pruitt - Senior Account Executive Jodi Croft - Account Executive Ariel Varner - Receptionist Distribution & Insertion Staff: Dan & Linda Deramus, Jason Sharp, Edward Werkhoven The Polk County Pulse is the area’s premiere and fastest growing news publication. The Polk County Pulse is FREE and published weekly on Wednesdays, with a distribution of 8,000 and an estimated readership of 10,000.

MyPulseNews.com has hundreds of visitors daily and KENA and KQOR have thousands of listeners hourly.

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Want to share your opinion?

Letter to the Editor:

Donna Lay, Mena. Ark. Editor: We enjoy Ray’s historical columns, as well. Unfortunately, due to recent changes, we have been alternating some of our columns, resulting in them being published on a bi-weekly basis. As far as the multi-part articles, that is at the discretion of the columnist.

Regarding the fires, I was made aware a fire was burning late Wednesday afternoon in central-to-southern Polk County.

You stated the chicken house fire was late at night. I doubt it was the same fire.

My reason for not reporting the fire is I was unaware of the incident. Pulse Multi-Media attempts to keep track with everything that goes on within Polk County and, to a degree, the surrounding counties, without prejudice.

At times, being alerted to the news requires being notified by the general public.

First responders rarely, if ever, notify us of emergency situations unless it is something that may affect the public-at large, such as tornado activity, escaped convicts in the area, bomb threats, etc. Monitoring the emergency bands of the scanner is not a possibility 24-hours a day. Many times, we are alerted by the public more efficiently via a Facebook message.

Sincerely, Ethan Nahté Production Manager/Editor

:

I

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Letters may be submitted by e-mail to news@mypulsenews.com; mailed to P.O. Box 1450, Mena, AR 71953 or dropped off at 1168 Hwy. 71 South, Mena, AR. A dropbox is provided by the front door for after-hour convenience.

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CORRECTION: In the February 9, 2022, edition, a sentence stated the Bucks had picked up two wins. The sentence should have stated that the Bucks softball team had picked up two wins.

4 Obituaries

THE POLK COUNTY

February 16, 2022

Marlene E. Evans

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Marlene E. Evans of Shady, Arkansas passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022, at her home.

She was born on Friday, March 27, 1936, to Guy and Doris Reynolds in Spencer, Nebraska, and was raised in Kansas City, Missouri.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one grandchild, TJ Evans; and daughters, Denise and Mechille.

Marlene is survived by five other children; Terry, Rena, and Lee Evans and Kayse Evans Brown, all living in Texas, giving her grandchildren she cherished; and Sandi Montgomery of Shady, Arkansas.

We lost the heart of our family.

She had a kindness and a capacity of unwavering love and forgiveness that was impossible to replicate.

Marlene spent over 40 years owning daycare centers in Missouri and Texas, loving and touching the lives of countless children.

A fun-loving lady who loved a good road trip, good clean fun, and her family.

Our loss is Heaven’s gain.

Rest well and know we will always love and miss you.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Pulse Sharon Lee Mayo Sharon Lee Mayo, age 75, passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022, at her home in Vandervoort, Arkansas.

She was born December 10, 1946, to the late Clarence Glen and Esta Lee Alexander Caswell.

Mrs. Mayo was a home health aide by profession and was a very kind and nurturing soul. She loved helping with fundraisers for community members who had become ill. She also took care of those around her when they would be sick or unable to take care of themselves. She enjoyed crafting, reading, and “yard-saleing”.

She was also a founding member of the Cossatot Hockeypott Tribe.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Glen and Esta Lee Alexander Caswell, and by her brother, Butch Caswell. She is survived by her son, William Glen Miller and wife Renee; daughter, Angela R, Hopton and husband Dale; grandchildren, Angela Elizabeth Buckley, James Travis Buckley, Savannah Hicks and husband Jason, and Austin Miller and wife Jozsa; great-grandchildren, Madyx Boquin, and Jayce Hicks; sister, Essie Jeanelle Lloyd; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

A celebration of life for Mrs. Mayo will be held March 19, 2022, at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Mena, Arkansas, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cremation services are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral.

In lieu of flowers, please bring, stories, memories, and photos to the celebration of life.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

February 16, 2022

Wayne Lynn Hansbrough

Danny and wife Beverly, Jerry and wife Barbara; brother-in-law, Dane Warnock; niece, Dana Egger; several great-nieces and nephews; special caregiver, Casi Rose, Daniel Wood, Scott Sawyer and all his friends in law enforcement as a well as a host of other family and friends. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Loyd Hansbrough and Clarice (Katie) Holland, his sister, Juanita Warnock and his niece Shanna Hansbrough.

Wayne was of the Baptist faith.

Graveside funeral services will be Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Concord Cemetery in Ink, Arkansas, with Brother Ron Ladd officiating, under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 9, from 6- 8:00 at Beasley-Wood Chapel.

Pallbearers are Daniel Wood, Scott Sawyer, Doyle Deramus, Randy Deramus, Seth Smith, Randy Jewell, Bo Hayes, and Jeff Cunningham.

jewelry making. He married his loving wife, Mary Jane “Mariah” Evans in 2009 and were married until his passing. Robert was a Jeweler by profession and owned and operated the MoonRaven Jewelry Store with his daughter Melissa from 2011 to 2013. He enjoyed fishing and playing soul/rock and roll music; however, his greatest passion was art and jewelry making.

Mr. Mallory is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil R. and Iola Jane Day Mallory; 2 sisters, Verna Mae and Joyce; 2 brothers, Patrick and Mike; by beloved son, Nigel Christian Mallory; and by his two grandchildren, Deja and Darius. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary “Mariah” Jane Evans; daughters, Melissa Harber and husband John, Bobbi Mallory, and Atiya Senegal and husband Joseph; grand-daughters, Ashley, Khadijah, Pandora, Esmerelda, Damiana, Seraphina, and Destiny; grandson, Khalil; sisters, Cecile and Suzetta; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

In his final selfless act, Mr. Mallory made sure his gift as an organ donor was fulfilled.

Cremation is entrusted to BeasleyWood Funeral Home. No services are planned at this time.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Wayne Lynn Hansbrough, age 65, passed from this life on Monday, February 7, 2022, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Wayne was born June 2, 1956, in Mena, Arkansas, to Loyd and Clarice Counts Hansbrough.

Wayne was a hard worker and always tried to do a good job. He was raised on a farm at Ink, Arkansas, and grew up raising chickens and hauling square bales and pulpwood with his brothers. During high school he worked as a sacker and a stocker at Piggly Wiggly and later he worked as a butcher at Dobbs Slaughterhouse. He worked in the logging industry and then truck driving became his profession.

Wayne made friends wherever he went. He loved to joke, play pranks, and was rarely serious. He enjoyed Robert sports and was proud to be a memCecil ber of the Mena Bearcat football Mallory team in high school. He loved good music, good food and loved spendMr. Robert ing time with “his boys.” He was a “Doc” Cecil gun enthusiast, loved horses, his Mallory, age cats, and his special canine com73, went home panion, Roxie. to the lord on He is survived by his brothers, Monday, February 7, 2022, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born February Donald 22, 1948, in Monroe, Louisiana, to Ray the late Cecil R. and lola Jane Day Quinn Mallory.

Donald Ray Mr. Mallory was a proud member Quinn “Donof the United States Marine Corps. nie,” age 74, He bravely served his nation in the passed away Vietnam War, where he was wounded We d n e s d a y, in action for which he was awarded the purple heart. Robert attended February 9, 2022, in Hot Springs, college and received his degree in Arkansas. He was born January 26,

Obituaries 5 1948, in Mena, Arkansas, to the late Lloyd Samuel Quinn and Grace Mildred Gortemiller Quinn.

Mr. Quinn attended transmission school in Dallas, Texas. He was a transmission specialist for over 50 years and was highly respected for his expertise in the transmission field. Donnie was also owner and operator of Quinn’s Wrecker Service for several years. He loved tinkering in his shop and restoring old cars and tractors. He was a member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church in Acorn, Arkansas.

Donnie is preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Sammy Quinn. He is survived by his loving wife Jean Quinn of 43 years; son, Travis Dewayne Quinn and wife Valerie; daughters, Donna Jean Milam and husband Rodney, Sabrina Maree Bird and husband John; grandchildren, Derek Quinn, Polly McLain, Ethan Ramthun, Colton Milam, Clayton Milam, Sydnee Welch, Baylee LaFont, Katy Bird, Chris Bird; great-grandchildren, Chloe McLain, Lawson McLain, Ella Ramthun, Marvin Ramthun, Colby Milam, and Ember Welch; sister, Chyrel Berry; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Graveside services for Mr. Quinn will be Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., at the Board Camp Cemetery, in Board Camp, Arkansas. Brother Floyd Folsum will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com Mrs. Marjorie Ann Gilliam, 88, of Amarillo, Texas, formerly of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Amarillo.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home.

6 Obituaries Elizabeth Rose Klutts

Elizabeth Rose “Liz” Klutts, age 75, of Oden, Arkansas, passed away Friday, February 11, 2022, at her home.

She was born May 25, 1946, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Adrain A. Whitham and Desma Joyce Forth Whitham. Liz was united in marriage to Byron “Lee” Klutts. Liz was worked for UPS for many years where she developed several friendships through her deliveries. She enjoyed antiquing and yard saleing; she was a devoted member of the Little Hope Baptist church for 40 + years and was saved at that very same church. She loved her family and friends, dearly.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Adrain A. and Desma Joyce Forth Whitham; son, James Darrel; and grandson Zachary Dean. She is survived by her loving husband, Byron “Lee” Klutts; son, Byron “Preston” and wife Barbara Jean; grandchildren, James Lucas, Eston Lee and wife, Bailey; and by her great-grandchildren, Lilly and Laney.

Graveside services for Mrs. Klutts will be held Monday, February 14, 2022, at the Edwards Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Brother Rusty Lewis, David Birdsong and David Rouse will be officiating, under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at the Little Hope Baptist Church 1 hour prior to the service.

Pallbearers are Shawn Lewis, Don Henry, Eston Klutts, Tony Thacker,

February 16, 2022 wife Rachel; his grandkids, Aslynn & Jenna; a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers Chris, Jason, and Justin Jackson, and Cashe Beaty.

Honorary Pallbearer, best friend, J.R. Walker. There will be no visitation.

Graveside service be at Witherspoon Cemetery, Vandervoort, AR, Saturday, February 19th, 2022, at 2pm. Preacher and cop Boots Donaldson will be officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home in Mena, AR. Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

and Janette Schnell.

He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Schnell; sons, Eric Schnell and wife Julie of Mena, Arkansas, James Schnell and wife Emily of Mena, Arkansas, Aaron Kyle of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Joshua Kyle and wife Ashly of Hatfield, Arkansas, and Adam Kyle and wife Cynthia of Jerry Mena, Arkansas; daughters, JeanLee nette Fairless and husband Jarred Beaty of Mena, Arkansas, Janel Atkinson and late husband Terry of GaleJerry Lee na, Missouri, Charlene Fagan and Beaty, 64, was husband Jim of Mena, Arkansas, born in Mena, Tammy Joyce and husband Bob of Ark. He was Manhattan, Kansas, Betty Jo Brown born on Sepand husband Mark of Mena, Arkantember 6th, 1957, to Harold W. sas, and Rhonda Byers of Ozark, Beaty and Bertie B. Author Beaty.

James Arkansas; 32 grandchildren; 25 He was a diesel truck driver for 46 Ronald great-grandchildren; stepfather, years. He loved hunting, fishing, David Peake of Hot Springs, ArkanSchnell, Sr. working on ol’ hot rods and spendsas; brother, Randy Schnell of Duing time with family. He lived and James Ron- vall, Washington; sister, Kayla Sullibreathed trucking and ol’ cars. He ald Schnell Sr., van of Austin, Texas; 11 nieces and was a mild-mannered man who age 71, passed nephews; as well as a host of other had no enemies. He really loved his away Friday, family and friends. grandkids. They meant the world February 11, Memorial services for Mr. Schnell to him. Jerry Beaty was known as 2022, at Hot Springs, Arkansas. He will be held Saturday, February 26, the man, the myth and the legend, was born June 19, 1950, in Tilla- 2022, at the Beasley-Wood Chapel “Six Pac”. He had many truck-driv- mook, Oregon, to the late Ronald at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held ing friends that he thought so much Frank Schnell and Jaequelin Au- Friday, February 25, 2022, from 5-7 of. Some of them would even call deen Hollingsworth. Mr. Schnell p.m. at the Beasley-Wood Chapel. him for directions, so that’s why his was a truck driver by profession, With Brother Donnie Jewell officifamily would call him the “Walking and bravely served his country in ating, under the direction of BeasAtlas.” He was a very loyal man and the United States Marine Corps in ley-Wood Funeral home. would give the shirt off his back to the Vietnam War for two tours. He Cremation services entrusted to anyone, especially his granddaugh- was an avid outdoorsman, he loved Beasley-Wood Funeral Home ter, Aslynn Jackson and his daugh- fishing, hunting, and riding his moOnline obituary at beasleywoodter-in-law, Keri Jackson. torcycles. He loved his two “Pups” funeralhome.com He was preceded in death by his Jumper and Tuffy; and was a loving father, mother and his brother Dale and caring family man and friend Beaty. above all else.

Mr. Beaty is survived by his sister He is preceded in death by his Roberta Ebbs of Grandview, Texas; parents, Ronald Frank Schnell and his wife Karen S. Jameson Beaty of Jaequelin Audeen Hollingsworth; Cove AR; his two sons, Chris Jack- brother, Jack Schnell, and by his first ~Queen Elizabeth son, wife Keri Mena AR, J.L. Beaty and second wives, Pamela Schnell Bill Hiaumet, and Ben Gaither.

Honorary Pallbearers are Truman Lewis and Tims Edwards.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Genesis Cancer Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Grief is the price we pay for love.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Politics 7

February 16, 2022

From the

State House of Representatives

All appropriation bills will be On Monday, the 93rd Genheard first in the Joint Budget eral Assembly will convene at Committee. That committee the State Capitol to address the has spent several weeks reviewbudget for Fiscal Year 2023. ing agency proposals.

Fiscal Sessions began after

By Friday afternoon of this Arkansas voters approved what week, more than 90 budget bills would become Amendment 86 had been filed in the House. in 2008. This will be the 7th John Maddox And more than 80 bills had Fiscal Session held in state been filed in the Senate. history.

If the General Assembly is to take up Governor Asa Hutchinson is expected to address the General Assembly any bills outside the scope of the budshortly after we convene at noon, Feb- get, they must first have a 2/3 vote in both chambers for a resolution describruary 14.

During the address, the Governor will ing the bill. The deadline for those resoutline his budget proposal. Previously, olutions is by the end of the first day of in budget hearings the Governor rec- the session, February 14.

The deadline for filing both appropriommended a 3.3% increase in spending. His proposal included increases for ation bills and non-appropriation bills state police salaries and more funding is Monday, February 28.

Amendment 86 states that each Fisfor services for Arkansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. cal Session shall not exceed 30 days.

The Governor has also said publicly he The Fiscal Session may be extended will be asking the legislature to direct a one time, however, for no more than 15 portion of surplus funds for a state pris- days, by a ¾ vote of both the House and Senate. on expansion.

We will continue to update you The latest revenue report from the Department of Finance and Adminis- during this upcoming session. You can tration shows net available general rev- find the daily agendas and watch the enue at $275 million or 7.1% above this meetings live at www.arkansashouse. org. time last year.

Contact Your Legislators!

John Maddox

John.Maddox@ arkansashouse.org 520 Church Avenue Mena, AR 71953 Call: 479-394-6060

Larry Teague

Larry.Teague@senate.ar.gov P.O. Box 903 Nashville, AR 71852 870-845-5303

John Boozman

1120 Garrison Ave. Suite 2B Fort Smith, AR 72901 Phone: (479) 573-0189 Fax: (479) 575-0553

Bruce Westerman 101 Reserve St. Suite 200 Hot Springs, AR 71901 Phone: (501) 609-9796 Fax: (501) 609-9887

From the

State Senate For decades prison overcurity space in state prison crowding has sparked a fiunits, he said. nancial tug-of-war between There are consequences the state and Arkansas caused by the backlog of counties. serious offenders in county In recent months the issue jails. In some counties viohas taken on a greater urlent offenders are housed in gency. It has become more general population alongLarry Teague than a battle over budgeting, side drunk drivers and shopaccording to county sheriffs. lifters. In other counties, It’s a matter of safety that is reaching the jail has to let all misdemeanor crisis proportions. offenders walk, in order to make Three sheriffs and a representa- sure there is space to keep violent tive of Arkansas counties told the offenders behind bars.

Senate Judiciary Committee that The legislature appropriated jails are more dangerous for staff about $20 million this year to reimand for people being held on minor burse counties for holding state inviolations, because counties have mates. That assumes an average of to house so many more serious of- about 1,800 state inmates per day in fenders than they used to. county jails.

When state prisons are filled to According to county officials, the capacity, newly-convicted offenders average cost of housing those inare held in county jails until space mates is more than $63 per inmate in a state unit becomes available. per day. The state reimburses counMany Arkansas sheriffs and ties $32 per inmate per day. county finance officials say that the For inmates waiting space in a state does not sufficiently reimburse state prison unit, the average length counties for the cost of holding of stay in county jails has increased those inmates. to 14 or 16 months, the sheriffs said.

The Washington County sheriff The sheriffs and the chief counsel told the committee that 25 percent for the counties recognized several of the prisoners in his jail are state recent laws that have helped, such inmates. There has been a rise in vi- as a Senate bill enacted in 2021 deolence against staff at the jail. In one nies parole for repeat offenders who year the number of workers’ comp use a firearm. claims increased from 30 to 75, all Also, the legislature has appropridue to inmate attacks on employees. ated funding for four special jails The sheriff of White County told for people suffering a mental health senators that 15 years ago his jail crisis. They get treatment for mentypically held one or two prisoners tal illness until they are stabilized, charged with a capital crime or ho- rather than spend time in jail. micide. Now, there are 15, he said.

Members of the Judiciary ComThe chief legal counsel for the As- mittee said they would consider sociation of Arkansas Counties said legislation to address the problem, that since 2015 counties have built because expert consultants have additional space for 2,154 jail beds, predicted that the Arkansas inbut the state has not built new pris- mate population will continue to on beds since 2003. The problems increase. By 2028 the inmate popfacing county jails demonstrates the ulation is predicted to be 19,000 need for additional maximum se- people.

8 News

February 16, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

2022 Arkansas Century Farm Applications due May 31

LITTLE ROCK, AR. – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Arkansas Century Farm program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years.

“Arkansas Century Farm families have persevered for at least ten decades and have contributed greatly in making Arkansas agriculture the success story that it is today,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

“As Arkansas’s largest industry, agriculture contributes $19.4 billion to the state’s economy annually and provides one in six jobs.”

To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria: •

•

The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2022. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage or adoption.

The farm must be at least ten acres of the original land acquisition and make financial contribution to the overall farm income.

Online and printable applications are available at agriculture.arkansas. gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-services/arkansas-century-farm-program/.

Applications must be received via email or postmarked on or before May 31, 2022, to be eligible for designation as a 2022 inductee.

There is no cost to apply for the program.

Qualifying Arkansas farms will receive a personalized Arkansas Century Farm certificate and metal sign listing the farm name and year established. Contact Beth Moore at 501-539-4027 or beth.moore@ agriculture.arkansas.gov with questions.

Arkansas is home to more than 42,200 farms, of which 96 percent are family owned and operated.

Since the program began in 2012, 526 farms have been certified. Find a list of previously inducted Arkansas Century Farm families at agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-services/ arkansas-century-farm-program/.

The Department is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

By Richie Lawry On Hacksaw Ridge, soldiers lay dead or dying. Over the noise of gunfire and artillery, voices yelled, “Medic!” The enemy had caught them by surprise. Mortar rounds were exploding, and bullets were flying.

The order came, “Retreat!” While soldiers scrambled away from danger, one soldier ran toward the enemy, looking for wounded soldiers left on the battlefield. More than 75 men remained behind, too wounded to retreat.

For hours, without any help, he carried injured soldiers through enemy fire, lowering each man on a rope-supported litter he had devised to a safe spot over 40 feet below the ridge. He used double bowline knots he had learned as a young boy, tying the makeshift litter to a tree stump serving as an anchor. Many hours later, after rescuing countless injured soldiers, he refused to stop even though he was at the point of exhaustion. He was determined to find every fallen soldier who was still breathing. His motto was, “As long as there is life, there is hope.”

At the beginning of the day, his company had launched the assault of Hacksaw Ridge with 155 men. After the vicious enemy attack, fewer than one-third could retreat down the escarpment to relative safety. The rest lay wounded, scattered across the enemy-controlled ground. One lone soldier charged back into the firefight to rescue as many men as he could, knowing that he would probably die that day. The soldier had a strong faith in God, and his prayer after each rescue was, “Please Lord, help me get one more.” He was an example of the principle found in John 15:13 (NKJV), “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

The soldier in this story was Desmond Doss. He enlisted in April 1942 but refused to kill or carry a weapon into combat because of his strong belief in the commandment that says, “Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13 (KJV). The Army gave him the designation of conscientious objector. Desmond

Faith 9

February 16, 2022

An Arkie’s Faith The Medal of Honor

worked at the Newport News Naval shipyard and could have requested a deferment.

But he desired to do his part for the war effort. For him, that m e a n t saving lives, not taking them. He described himself as a “conscientious cooperator.” He became a medic and served in the Pacific theatre.

H i s refusal to carry a gun caused trouble with his fellow soldiers. They called him a misfit. One man in the barracks warned him, “Doss, as soon as we get into combat, I’ll make sure you won’t come back alive.” His commanding officers wanted to get rid of Desmond. They saw him as a liability. Nobody believed a soldier without a weapon was worthwhile. They tried to intimidate him, scold him, assign him extra-tough duties, and when that didn’t work, declared him mentally unfit for the Army. Then they court-martialed him for refusing a direct order; to carry a gun. But they failed to find a way to throw him out, and he refused to leave. He believed his duty was to obey God and serve his country. But it had to be in that order. His unwavering convictions were most important.

Desmond never held a grudge. With

kindness and gentle courtesy, he treated those who had mistreated him. He lived by the words of Jesus, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.”

M a t thew 7:12 (NASB) When the men in his unit saw him in action, displaying incredible courage and selflessness, his tormentors became his biggest supporters.

Because of his bravery during the American assault on Okinawa in May 1945, Desmond was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Truman on October 12, 1945. As he shook the hand of Corporal Desmond Doss, President Truman said, “I’m proud of you. You really deserve this. I consider this a greater honor than being President.”

Before being discharged from the Army in 1946, Desmond developed tuberculosis.

He would spend most of the next six years in hospitals. Doctors surgically removed his left lung along with five ribs. He survived on a single lung for the rest of his life.

At the age of 87, Cpl. Desmond Thomas Doss died on March 23, 2006.

I have known the story of Desmond Doss

Joke of the Week:

for many years. When I was a young boy, I read “The Unlikeliest Hero” by Booton Herndon. The book is an in-depth look at the life of Desmond Doss. One story that I remember happened three weeks after Hacksaw Ridge. In a night attack, Desmond remained in exposed territory while the rest of his company took cover. A grenade blast seriously wounded his legs. Rather than call another aid man, he cared for his injuries and waited five hours before litter bearers reached him and started carrying him to safety. When Desmond saw a more critically wounded man nearby, he crawled off the litter and directed the litter bearers to take care of the other man. While he was waiting for the litter bearers to return, he was hit by enemy fire, this time suffering a compound fracture of his arm. In extreme pain, he bound a rifle stock to his shattered arm as a splint and then crawled 300 yards over rough terrain to the aid station.

In 1999, I had the honor of meeting Desmond Doss. I had taken a group of young boys, ages 10 to 14, to hear him speak. After his talk, my boys wanted to meet him.

We waited for a chance to talk to him. Desmond stayed until everyone who wanted to meet him had a chance. He took the time to speak to each of the boys personally. The boys loved him and were very impressed.

They said to me, “We got to meet a real American hero.”

Gentle Reader, I’m proud to have been able to meet this humble man. His story made an impression on me when I was a boy. When I met him, I was impressed by his humility. Even though everyone in the audience wanted to hear about his Medal of Honor, he was uncomfortable talking about his actions. He focused more on being prepared and being willing to help others. He stressed the importance of standing up for your convictions. His life reminded me of the words found in Proverbs 15:33 (NCV), “Respect for the Lord will teach you wisdom. If you want to be honored, you must be humble.” The world needs more people like Desmond Doss.

What’s the difference between a well-dressed man on a bicycle and a poorly dressed man on a unicycle? Attire.

Replacing windshields in Polk County for forty years.

Give Richie a call at 479-394-9938 Located at 3008 Hwy 71 South

10 News

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

February 16, 2022

NOMINATION FORM FOR PULSE MULTI-MEDIA'S WOMEN IN BUSINESS IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

YOUR NAME: ___________________ YOUR PHONE NUMBER: _______________ NOMINEE'S NAME:-----------------NOMINEE'S PHONE NUMBER:--------------Pulse Multi-Media is celebrating Women's History Month, highlighting local women who have been successful in their career or endeavors.

Community members are asked to nominate women who currently, or in the past, work or volunteer in Polk County at a place of business, a non-profit or an organization.

A third party will review the nominations, eight nominees will be chosen to be highlighted in a special section of the Pulse. Nominations should be submitted to Pulse Multi-Media by Friday, Feb. 18.

The form below may be dropped off at the Pulse Multi-Media office, 1168 Hwy 71 in Mena; mailed to P.O. Box 1450 Mena, AR 71953; or emailed to news@mypulsenews.com

DEADLINE: This Friday, Feb. 18 by end of the business day @ 5 p.m.

NOMINEE'S EMAIL ADDRESS:______________ NOMINEE'S PLACE OF BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION:________ DESCRIPTION OF NOMINEE'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS/EFFORTS WHICH MAKE THE NOMINEE A GOOD CANDIDATE TO BE RECOGNIZED:

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

February 16, 2022

Reflections from History and Faith:

By Jeff Olson

Healing a Broken Nation

Nearly 20 years ago, our family visited Washington, D.C. One of the most memorable sites for us was the Lincoln Memorial, which includes not only the larger-than-life sculpture of our 16th president, but also two of his most notable speeches inscribed on an inner wall. One is “The Gettysburg Address” and the other is his “Second Inaugural Address.”

In anticipation of observing the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial this spring, I would like to highlight one of these speeches. President Lincoln gave his “Second Inaugural Address” at the U.S. Capitol 157 years ago during the last several months of the Civil War when it was all but certain that the Union would be victorious. What an opportunity the president had to enter the Capitol in a posture of triumph and claim victory, mission accomplished, job well-done, and perhaps some other boastful self-serving phrases.

Instead, in his message delivered just over a month before his death, Mr. Lincoln spoke most emphatically and eloquently about healing a broken nation. He spoke of mutual forgiveness and accountability, North and South, and his immortal words of reconciliation and healing set the tone for reconstructing the South and restoring the nation. Mr. Lincoln encouraged his countrymen to maintain their faith in God’s wisdom as they began to “bind up the nation’s wounds.” The transcen-

dent and eternal principles of truth and its message of unity in this address still speak relevantly to us today—if only some will listen and respond in kind.

“Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said ‘the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.’ With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

As we recognize the 213th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth this month, I also want us to be reminded of another one of his most important addresses.

Lincoln’s “Lyceum Address” was presented before the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois, on January 27, 1838. This speech not only held broad implications for Lincoln’s later public policies but perhaps as important has had a timeless and potent message for America ever since, especial-

ly over the past several years. This speech was effectuated by a fire set in St. Louis by a mob a few weeks earlier. Lincoln’s subject was “the perpetuation of our political institutions.” Following are some pertinent excerpts and points: Lincoln warned of two results of a growing disregard for the rule of law. The first was mob rule: “… whenever the vicious portion of population shall be permitted to gather in bands of hundreds and thousands, and burn churches, ravage and rob provision-stores, throw printing presses into rivers, shoot editors, and hang and burn obnoxious persons at pleasure, and with impunity; depend on it, this Government cannot last.”

Lincoln also warned of, “…those of great ambition who thirst and burn for distinction; and, if possible, he will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves, or enslaving freemen. Is it unreasonable then to expect that some man possessed of the loftiest genius, coupled with ambition sufficient to push it to its utmost stretch, will at some time spring up among us?

And when such a one does, it will require the people to be united with each other, attached to the government and laws and generally intelligent, to successfully frustrate his designs.”

Regardless of one’s political or religious affiliation, we all can agree that mob rule and its ensuing chaos represent a breakdown of the moral order because it displays decisions and behavior reflective of humanity’s unrestrained base passions rather than by personal self-restraint and self-government possi-

History 11 ble only through applied religious [Christian] principle, spiritual authority and a belief in a future state of rewards and punishments. As Aristotle expressed it: “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.” In the end, Lincoln’s solution must also be ours.

“Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;--let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children’s liberty. Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap--let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs;--let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice.”

12 Education

February 16, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

UCA honors and graduation

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) congratulates more than 1,200 students who were named to the fall 2021 President’s List and 1,350 students named to the fall 2021 Dean’s List. Polk County students include: President’s List Dean’s List • Nathaniel Aleshire of Mena, AR • Sumer Brown of Mena, AR • Charity Cameron of Mena, AR • Whitley Cline of Mena, AR • Leilani Day of Mena, AR • Makenna Goss of Mena, AR • D’Wayn Grinder of Mena, AR • Sophie Jackson of Cove, AR • Jayden Quebedeaux of Mena, AR • Rachel Murr of Mena, AR • Emiley Sorge of Mena, AR To qualify for the President’s List in a given semester, a student must earn a 4.0 GPA on a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate degree credit with no incomplete grades.

To qualify for the Dean’s List in a given semester, a student must earn a 3.50 or higher grade point average on a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate degree credit with no incomplete grades.

UCA’s fall 2021 commencement was held Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11 in the Farris Center on campus. Degrees and certificates were conferred to 664 graduates from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and the Graduate School. Polk County students include: • •

D’Wayn A Grinder of Mena, AR April Marie Rose of Mena, AR

Mena Middle School seventh and eighth grade students are attending the FBLA Conference in Fort Smith Wednesday, Feb. 9.

Front Row (l-r): Addie Look, Kaytlynn Parkin, Makenzie Vega, Katie Rowe, Kate Wilson, and Finleigh Robertson.

Back Row (l-r): Christian Staggs, Beck Vacca, Max Rocha, Dax McMellon, and Eli Swall (Submitted photo)

New superintendent takes care of business

By Trey Youngdahl

After sitting uncompleted for four years, long-awaited construction on Cossatot River School District’s athletic fields is finally underway.

The Cossatot River School District (CRSD) board has voted to continue the construction of their soccer, baseball and softball fields, as well as adding a track and space for shot put, long jump and discus.

Construction will be done by Nabholtz and will start as early as this

month. The process is projected to take four months, finishing in June.

“I wanted to be at this point earlier in the fall, but Nabholtz had to come in and re-assess four-years-worth of unfinished work,” said CRSD Superintendent Tyler Broyles. “I’m proud that our school board decided to move forward with our general contractors.”

With baseball season approaching later this month and soccer season soon after, there was concern that the

See FIELDS continued on page 19

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

February 16, 2022

Education 13

Mena HS musicians score Submitted by Mark Hobson

Trombone Gage Gorden - Symphonic Band 6th Congratulations to the following chair Mena High School students for making the all-region band: Bass Trombone Joseph Cude - 1st alternate Flute Jesse Garcia - 2nd alternate Ranessa Ricker - 1st alternate Baritone Alyssa Thompson - Concert Band Oboe 2nd chair Annika Thompson - Wind Sympho- Layla Spenser - Concert Band 5th ny 2nd chair chair Antonio Sanchez - Concert Band 6th Clarinet chair Lexi Williams - Wind Symphony 4th chair Tuba Logan Shone - Symphonic Band 18th Samuel Cross - Wind Symphony 1st chair chair Lexi Dilbeck - Concert Band 3rd chair Daniel Mcdonald - Concert Band 4th Lily Cunningham - Concert Band chair 13th Chair Percussion Alto Saxophone Alexia Minzel - Symphonic Band 9th Cadence Barnes - Concert Band 4th chair chair Alexyss Hilderbrand - Concert Band Congratulations to the following 5th chair students for qualifying for the Arkansas All-State Band: Tenor Saxophone Kate McDonald - Symphonic Band Annika Thompson 2nd chair Lexi Williams Brenden Ricker - Symphonic Band Kate Mcdonald 3rd chair Emily Holloway Samuel Cross Baritone Saxophone Emily Holloway - Symphonic Band 2nd chair

Mena High School senior Samuel Cross. He auditioned and was accepted into the SAU Mulerider Band with a $5000 a year scholarship. Cross was also recognized as the best tuba player in Region VIII.

Mena High School senior Lexi Williams is the newest member of the Ouachita Baptist University Band. She received a scholarship in the amount of $3000 a year to play at OBU.

14 News

February 16, 2022

Census results in loss of two districts

By Ethan Nahté

Terrell chooses not to run

Filing for elected offices begins next Tuesday, Feb. 22, and this year will see a change due to a change in Polk County’s population according to the 2020 census. In all, four Arkansas counties will lose a total of eight justice of the peace positions beginning in 2023 because of a state law that bases the number of a county’s quorum court members on the county’s population. There are no counties gaining justice of the peace positions this decade.

Justices of the peace serve on quorum courts, the legislative body of counties.

The county judge is a county’s top executive.

Shelby Johnson, geographic information officer for the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Office, said Ashley, Crittenden, Phillips and Polk counties will reduce their justice of the peace districts by two each. The change will apply to justices of the peace elected this year.

“So, the current JP members will serve the remainder of their current term until the next election is held and new JPs are sworn into office,” Johnson said.

He said that because of the law, some citizens who have developed relationships with their justices of the peace over the past decade may lose them.

“Because if a County is moving from 11 JPs down to 9 JPs, then that means some of the existing members would have to be drawn into the same district,” he said. “Assuming both incumbents ran against each other, one of them will not be re-elected. The opposite would be true if a county jumped up in class.”

The other option is if the JP chooses not to run again.

The latter is the case of long-time justice of the peace Terry Terrell, of District 6. Terrell has been a justice in Polk County 24 years. What was once District 6, which mainly consisted of western Polk County around the Rocky area, has now been restructured, increasing size as the

11 Polk County districts are now nine.

U.S. Hwy. 8W now divides Districts 4 and 6. North of the highway will be the Acorn district. South of the highway will run all the way to Hatfield.

The main problem Terrell foresees is

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse that with the increased area, a JP in districts four through nine, for example, is not going to be very aware of issues or needs by their constituents in the northwest corner if they reside in the southeast. Terrell’s longevity has made him very aware of his district’s needs and many of the people.

Instead of announcing his candidacy once more, Terrell wanted to let the public know he will not run for office in 2022.

Arkansas law states that the number of quorum court districts per county in Arkansas is based upon population ranges. Apportionment of those districts is the responsibility of the county board of election commissioners and is based on federal decennial census information.

The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years. The most recent one took place in 2020, and the results were announced last year. Since then, U.S. House and state legislative districts have been redrawn based on how the population changed.

See DISTRICTS continued on page 21

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

February 16, 2022

Ouachita Bushcraft and Survival Surviving the first wave

By Steven E. Stillwell

If you’ve been paying attention to global events, the evening news, and what’s going on in the Ukraine, then you’re probably aware that the threats of nuclear war are a distinct possibility. So the question remains; what can we do to protect ourselves if hostilities erupt? First of all, we live in a great place, and the closest strategic targets are approximately 100 miles away.

This is good for us, but not for those living in the larger metropolitan areas.

When I received my nuclear training in the military, they taught us that TIME, DISTANCE AND SHIELDING were the three factors that we needed to survive such an attack. Fortunately, DISTANCE covers the first base in this equation, because Polk and the surrounding counties are not targeted zones.

Who remembers the Chernobyl disaster in 1986? I find it interesting that this also happened in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. The power plant engineers were conducting a routine test and they accidently shut the reactor down, causing an irreversible core melt down. Design flaws were the contributing factors. Several explosions occurred destroying the reactor building and the ensuing fire belched out

a dangerous amount of airborne, radioactive cont a m i n at i o n , lasting for approx i m ate ly nine days.

They estimated that 70% of the fallout traveled northward, almost 16 kilometers to the neighboring country of Belarus.

134 people were hospitalized, and 28 died within a combination of days and months following the accident. This catastrophe occurred almost 36 years ago. TIME is an interesting factor, because I recently read a sporting article about all of the game and wildlife that are now thriving in the surrounding areas. As the radioactivity dissipated, things slowly returned to normal. Of course, there are rumors about the long-term effects that will theoretically last for millions of years.

394-1938

TIRES • BRAKES • CUSTOM EXHAUST • SHOCKS & STRUTS

Winter Hours: Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm

1500 Hwy 71 South, Mena

Owners: Stacy & Julie Nash

In my humble opinion, this is only speculation, because no one has ever lived this long!

When I think about SHIELDING, I envision a fortified bomb shelter buried underground, or nestled safely in the side of a mountain. If when a nuclear missile is detonated, we should be concerned about three primary types of radiation; Alpha, Beta, and Gamma.

Some countries have Neutron Bombs, but that’s another topic. The average Atomic bomb will yield 35% thermal radiation, comprised of light and heat; 50% blasted energy, which will cause a shock wave; and the remaining 15% will be the radiation itself.

These are the cold, hard facts. Those who are living at ground zero, in targeted cities, military bases, factories, or other strategic compounds will be vaporized. People who are situated inside of the blast radius, IF THEY SURVIVE the glass shards, flying debris, collapsed buildings, bridges, and ensuing fires, will suffer third-degree burns. Depending on the strength of the weapon, kilotons, or megatons; this threat can occur up to five miles away. Temporary blindness can happen up to 50 miles away.

BEWARE OF THE MUSHROOM CLOUD. The fallout, ALPHA PARTICLES, and residual radiation are the

Outdoors 15 silent killers after the BLAST, and like we saw at Chernobyl, the jet stream can carry these particles many miles away.

If anything gets on your skin or clothes, decontaminate immediately by removing what you’re wearing, and washing off with soap and water. For those of us living in the country, get inside of your home, or storm shelter, and stay put for at least 24-72 hours. Watch the wind, pay attention to any birds, or wildlife you see, and study their reactions before venturing outside.

Chances are; America’s enemies will also use a tactical EMP (electrical magnetic pulse) weapon to disable our communications, and nuclear retaliatory capabilities. If this happens, the nation will go dark and silent for an undetermined amount of time.

The infrastructure will also be disrupted after a nuclear strike because certain roads and bridges will be destroyed and impassible. A battery, or solar powered shortwave radio will be one of your best sources for information, so be sure to include one of these in your survival kit. You’ll be able to tune into Canada, Mexico, and other countries to monitor their news reports.

All of the supplies that you stockpiled for winter storms and natural disasters will suffice during a National Emergency. A Coleman or woodstove, lanterns, candles, flashlights, a full pantry with plenty of nonperishable canned goods, dehydrated foods, plenty of water, extra gasoline, propane, matches, and something for self-defense, preferably a trusty firearm, will all come in handy.

We invite you to join our Facebook page, OUACHITA BUSHCRAFT AND SURVIVAL. If you enjoy interviews, you can listen to our podcast programs by visiting, THE OUACHITA PODCASTS. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not the Pulse Multi-Media group.

16 Community

February 16, 2022

Around Town

Ouachita Little Theatre is holding a series of One-Act Plays on March 4, 5, and 6. Auditions will be held for the Readers Theatre version of O. Henry’s short story, “The Ransom of Red Chief.”

Auditions for “Matilda” will be held Thursday, March 3, from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, March 5, from 9 a.m.-noon. Those auditioning should come prepared to sing a song of their choosing for the directors.

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.

We kindly ask that non-vaccinated individuals wear masks.

The Polk County Health Department has new phone numbers: 479-394-1597 and 479-394-1599.

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m., Monday; at 7 p.m., Thursday; at 7 p.m.

Friday; and at 6 p.m. Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at 479-216-7249.

The Ouachita Strings and Friends present “A Celtic Celebration,” at the Ouachita Little Theatre, March 17 and March 19, 7:30 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn located at the Crossing Church. For information call 479-2348366 or 479-216-3786.

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.

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.

Mena Polk County Senior Center will be open for Grab and Go Meals from 11:00 to 11:30. Please call ahead at 394-5459. Home delivery will continue as normal.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes will remain open for drive-thru meals only until Feb. 28. We hope to reopen on March 1. Home deliveries are always available. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call 870-385-2373.

Van-Cove Alumni quarterly meeting postponed due to no immediate business on the agenda, and the prevalence

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse of COVID/flu in the community. The Van- Cove alumni and supporters quarterly business meeting, that was previously scheduled for January 20, will be postponed until February 17.

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 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.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 8 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call 479-243-0297.

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.

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 479-2439600 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 POLK COUNTY

Pulse CLASSIFIEDS - SERVICES Wendell’s Tree Service - Tree Removal and Trimming. Experienced and fully insured for ALL your tree-trimming needs. Call (479) 394-0227 or (479) 216-4328.

T0427 Land Management, Tree Service, RC Customz can handle your construction needs, mulching and more. Military discounts available. Insured. Call (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate.

T0223 Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries.

(870) 490-1191 T0302 Tree services, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light replacement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate.

T0223 Handy-man services! No job too small.

Plumbing and electrical. Call Bill Duff for details (479) 216-5204.

T0216

- FOR SALE -

For Sale–A.K.C. English Bulldog puppies. Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Call 870-642-3104 for pricing and details. For pictures, visit: www.arklatexbulldogs.com or facebook: arklatex bulldogs.

TFN

February 16, 2022

Polk County Births Mena Regional Health System FEBRUARY 1, 2022 TO FEBRUARY 11, 2022 Rachel & Ian Craig of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Feb. 1st Karley Marshall-Bard & Nathan Hunt of Waldron, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Feb. 1st Jessica & Seth Smith of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Feb. 8th Ruby Rose & James K. Smith of Horatio, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Feb. 8th Brennan Boyd & Matthew Shelley of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born Feb. 8th Sara & Caleb Reed of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born Feb. 10th

Farmers Bank & Trust acquires several Arvest banks

By Patrick Massey

Farmers Bank & Trust recently completed its acquisition of a number of former Arvest Bank branches across Southwest Arkansas.

Through a deal announced last year, Magnolia-based Farmers Bank & Trust acquired numerous branches across the region including in De Queen, Ashdown, Dierks, Nashville, Mount Ida, and Glenwood, as well as Broken Bow and Idabel in Oklahoma.

Farmers did not acquire Arvest Mena.

The conversion process kicked into gear last week and was wrapped up in time of the official launch date of these new Farmers locations on Jan. 31.

In an interview, which aired on KDQN, KENA and KQOR, Chris Gos-

nell, CEO and president of Farmers detailed some of the history of the bank, the services it provides and the role it has historically filled within the communities it serves.

Gosnell said many of its new customers may have questions or concerns regarding the conversion process and difficulties they might have experienced during the transition. He explained Farmers has seen a surge in calls to its customer service center since the conversion process began.

However, Gosnell said past customers of Arvest who are now banking with Farmers and who have questions should continue to contact the bank representatives they’ve dealt with previously, as Farmers is keeping the same staffs.

The Farmers customer service center can be called at (855) 855-3268.

Classifieds 17

A very taxing season

By John Boozman

This year’s tax season is expected to be difficult. Even the national director of the Taxpayer Advocate Service recently referred to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as an agency “in crisis” with backlogged returns, staff shortages and other historic pandemic-related challenges.

With this in mind, Arkansans need to plan ahead for filing this year.

Filing taxes electronically is recommended to speed up the process.

While some folks don’t have internet access or a computer at home, local organizations offer help and many public libraries have technology that can allow you to file online. Tax experts say it will be worth the effort if you want your return processed quickly and correctly.

Also be sure to double-check for accuracy before clicking “send.” Making corrections and filing an amended return has become much more difficult and takes an additional five to six months for processing.

I am very familiar with the frustrations Arkansans have experienced with the IRS over the last two years.

Every week I hear from people who are still waiting for the results of returns they filed in 2021 and, astonishingly, even some from 2020.

Early in the pandemic, IRS processing centers across the country were closed for months leading to historic backlogs, especially for paper returns. In addition, new tasks assigned to the IRS such as distribution of Economic Impact Payments and pandemic safety efforts for their workforce compounded the problem.

The health emergency has certainly exacerbated troubles at the agency, but the reality is it has struggled with its customer service for years. In fact, it’s common practice at the IRS to

hang up on callers in what the agency refers to as a “courtesy disconnect” during long wait times when there is no one available to take the call.

The taxpayer must be a priority, but many IRS employees are allowed to spend time on the clock completing tasks unrelated to their official duties, called Taxpayer-Funded Union Time. This policy needs to end. That’s why I support the IRS Customer Service Improvement Act so we can be sure IRS employees are fully devoted to fulfilling their mission to help Americans meet their tax responsibilities, rather than doing representational work, during tax season.

Arkansans deserve to know the IRS is working in a timely manner to answer their questions and process their tax filings. Passing this legislation is an important step to demonstrating our commitment to all taxpayers.

I will continue to press the agency and its leadership to address its lackluster customer service with this and other legislation, as well as through Congressional oversight.

For this tax season, here are some tips to help with timely processing of returns: have all of the information needed before filing to avoid an amended return, file electronically with direct deposit, and individuals or families who received advance Child Tax Credits or Economic Impact Payments in 2021 should have those payment amounts handy either from an IRS letter or through IRS. gov.

Receiving your tax return in a reasonable amount of time is not too much to ask. The IRS needs to make the changes necessary to accomplish that basic task, and I intend to keep making that case until it becomes the norm. As always, my staff and I are here to help if you encounter roadblocks with filing your taxes in 2022.

18 Puzzles

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

February 16, 2022

02.16.22

02.16.22

ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 02.09.22

A Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

Did you know a legend is ready to be part of your life? That is right! My name is legend and I am ready to find my furever home. I am a handsome boy, who is always ready for an active lifestyle. I am about 3 years old and weigh in at about 67 pounds. I am muscular and energetic. I would make a great partner in exploring the outdoors or taking walks. I then enjoy kicking back with my humans to watch your favorite movie. I enjoy kids and female dogs. I am super loving and smart. I am leash-trained and very treat motivated. Come out to HSO and meet me today!

All selected Pet of the Week animals come with a gift package.

All animals at the Humane Society of the Ouachitas are current on their vaccinations and spayed/neutered prior to adoption.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OUACHITAS TUES. THROUGH SAT. 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. 368 POLK 50, MENA, AR 479 3945682 WWW.HSOMENA.ORG

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Humor 19

February 16, 2022 FIELDS continued from page 12 ed on Jan. 31. Under the new structure,

construction could affect the already scheduled games. The teams, however, will continue to play where they were previously playing until the construction is finished.

“We’ve expressed to the contractors that this process absolutely cannot affect this upcoming season,” Broyles continued. “They’ve assured us that it will not interfere with the scheduled games.”

These big changes from Broyles are coming during his first year as superintendent for CRSD. “My two goals coming into this position were to foster unity and growth.

Completing these ball fields was a huge step, and perfectly in line with my vision for the future of this school,” Broyles said.

“I want to thank my school board for deciding to move forward with the project.

They’ve made some big decisions this year, and that’s not an easy thing to do.”

The big decisions being referenced are the restructuring of the two elementary schools in the district, which was decid-

Vandervoort Elementary will hold grades K-2 and be renamed Cossatot River Primary School, and Wickes Elementary will hold grades 3-6 and will be renamed Cossatot River Elementary School. This will go into effect during the 2022-23 school year.

The decision to finally finish the fields in addition to restructuring the district are just two of the things Broyles has done to move the district into the next phase as CRSD.

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Hogspore News

Sea horses welcome birthing dads

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson

Reminder: One day left to use the free mule hoof buffing offer down at Bickum’s Hardware. Bring Your Mule to Work Day is Friday. A reader, Alan, commented that the Mayor’s wife might not be too happy about being included in the hoof deal. It’s hard for me to say what makes a woman happy, but I sez, “How happy can she be anyway?

She’s married to Mayor Deighed Ringer and her first name is Belle.”

One more reminder: Carry plenty of pile totes to clean up after your pet during the Friday work day. These are only for mule manure. The sheriff is gonna arrest anybody who uses the bags for themselves, including folks who don’t get out into civilization too often and don’t know any better … cept for the Mayor’s wife.

Mumford Pickens says, “A male seahorse used to be the one known animal to carry its offspring before birth, but recently, there’s another evolved species joining the birthing team, the recently Woke Human Male … but he doesn’t do well in aquariums.

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

Get Your News On!

A new movie coming out stars a group of men who find themselves in a family way. The remake’s working title is Rabbit Test II, Bubba Gets Stretch Marks. The men not only prove who wears the pants in the family, they also use the Lamaze Method Pants Breathing technique too.”

Valentine’s Day was Monday. If you think a Valentine date is watching a romantic comedy film on TV, where you pause the movie to get snacks and hit the can, then you don’t even have a remote idea what a date is. If you show up for a Valentine get-together wearing wings, a diaper, and sporting a bow and arrow like Cupid, then you will probably be back home soon. If the outfit works, nobody will ever see you again.

The Widow Fenster, mystery writer, has something to share, “All writers, good, bad or brilliant, desire to write one perfect paragraph that distills the essence of life, but apparently, this is not one of those paragraphs.”

Contact at Bobsimpson1947@yahoo.com. You know you wanna.

20 News ESCAPE continued from page 1

By Ethan Nahté

Four inmates from the McCurtain County Jail in Idabel, Oklahoma, escaped the facility on Thursday, February 3. A fifth inmate was reportedly stopped by a jailer. The search is still ongoing more than a week later.

According to a social media post by Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer, at approximately 8:30 p.m. during a routine head count, jailers confirmed four inmates were missing. These inmates were being held on charges for distribution, possessing stolen property, and narcotics charges…county, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers are involved in the manhunt.

There is an award up to $2,500 being offered for information leading to the capture of the convicts, which at the moment is Justin Michael Hughes and Jerome Lynn Rutherford.

First capture The fourth escapee, Kolby Russell Watson, 28, was the first one apprehended two nights later on Feb. 5 by McCurtain County sheriff ’s deputies and Choctaw Nation tribal police. Watson was captured in Hochatown, Oklahoma, according to McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy. The tourist destination is approximately 22 miles north-northeast of Idabel. It is 37 miles northwest of De Queen, Arkansas.

Watson was captured Saturday night on Old Hochatown Road in close proximity to where Alyssa Walker-Donaldson, 24, was last seen alive.

Middlebrooks captured Texarkana, Texas, native Donnie Kale Middlebrooks, 21, was still on the loose until Wednesday evening.

Clardy says Middlebrooks was spotted around 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon in Eagletown, which is east of Broken Bow and only 15 miles from the state line.

Middlebrooks was dropping off a male and a female, who have been arrested in connection with the case.

The Sevier County Sheriff ’s Office in

February 16, 2022 Arkansas put out a BOLO (Be On the Lookout), posting on Facebook around 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 saying residents should be on the lookout for a white 2010 Buick LaCrosse. Officials there say Middlebrooks stole the Buick from a gas station in Wright City, Oklahoma earlier in the day.

He reportedly was being driven on his way to turn himself in when they stopped for fuel. Security video shows Middlebrooks exiting a pickup truck and walking around the pump to the driver’s side of the white car and speeding off. Authorities believed he could be headed to the Sevier County area.

According to the McCurtain County Sheriff ’s Department late Wednesday evening, Middlebrooks is in custody after a joint operation with USMS (U.S. Marshals Service), MCSO (McCurtain County Sheriff ’s Office) and IPD (Idabel Police Department).

On the loose Two other escapees remain at large: • Idabel, Okla., native Justin Michael Hughes, 20, who stands 5’10” tall, weighs 170 pounds and has brown hair and green eyes • Idabel native Jerome Lynn Rutherford Jr., 23, who stands 6’ tall, weighs 153 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.

Officials said Rutherford has gang connections in Oklahoma City, so leads there are being investigated as well.

Arrests A total of 12 people have now been arrested in connection with their escape.

A jailer and a contractor’s helper have been arrested with assisting in their escape. The contractor’s helper is Kason Hunter Watson, Kolby’s brother. A contractor was performing work on a second-floor jail shower when he believes that Kason purposefully left a tool behind to help the four inmates escape through the shower ceiling.

Kason, who is being held on a $1 million bond, claims in an affidavit his

brother came to his house after escaping…that he had been escaping and breaking back into the jail for the past three days. Kason allegedly neglected to contact law enforcement about his brother’s escape.

It does beg to question that if Kolby had been escaping so frequently, why did Kason allegedly need to leave a tool to assist in their escape?

The jailer, Brandon Stansbury, is in the custody of the Choctaw Tribal Police. Inmates claim Stansbury brought contraband into the jail for the inmates, including marijuana and methamphetamines. They claim they placed orders for drugs and cellphones, with Stansbury being the middleman to drop deliveries.

Stansbury also moved inmates to the pods from which they escaped without authorization or logging the move, as per policy. The times the inmates were leaving on the days prior to, and the day of escape, correlate to the shifts Stansbury was on and conducting the head counts.

Stansbury claims inmates threatened to kill his family if he did not make the deliveries. He denied having knowledge of what was contained in the packages.

On Feb. 8, six more people were arrested and charged with either harboring a fugitive or obstruction of justice.

At least four more arrests were made Wednesday, Feb. 9, in connection with the escape.

Information contact If you see any of these individuals, do not approach. Call 9-1-1 or the McCurtain County Sheriff ’s Office immediately at 580-286-3331.

Tips also can be made to the U.S. Marshals Service by calling its 24-hour tip line at (313) 202-6458, by visiting the agency’s website: https://www. usmarshals.gov/tips/.

The McCurtain County Jail is operated by the McCurtain County Jail Trust and not the McCurtain County Sheriff ’s Office.

This story is ongoing, and details are subject to change.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse VICTIM continued from page 1

her disappearance about 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7. She was last seen leaving a restaurant/bar located in a strip mall on U.S. 259 near Old Hochatown Road. McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy says surveillance video shows Walker-Donaldson leaving The Watering Hole late Saturday night shortly after what Clardy described as a heated discussion with a man, who was in Texas at the time investigators wanted to question him. The unidentified man is reportedly returning to Oklahoma to speak with investigators.

She was supposedly driving to Chiggers Bar about a mile away on Stevens Gap Road just off U.S. 259. Surveillance video from Chiggers shows her white 2018 Buick Encore driving past. The last ping off a cell tower occurred shortly afterwards before her phone lost signal.

McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office found a vehicle in Broken Bow Lake late Wednesday afternoon at the end of a boat ramp in an area known as Hippie Point after a two-day search that included utilizing drones and airplanes.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), which has jurisdiction over Oklahoma waterways, was contacted to assist. Using an underwater camera, they were able to determine it was Walker-Donaldson’s vehicle, and a body was inside.

Near sunrise, law enforcement was actively retrieving the vehicle. Family and friends were gathered at the lake Thursday, beginning around 8 a.m., awaiting retrieval of the Buick. Clardy confirmed Walker-Donaldson’s body was discovered inside the vehicle. Family members have been notified of the death.

Clardy says there are no immediate signs of foul play. A toxicology analysis will be performed. The investigation is being conducted

by OHP and the state medical examiner.

One of Walker-Donaldson’s aunts, Carolyn Janz, spoke with KSLA News, saying her niece had “run-ins” with one of the inmates who is still at-large, Jerome Rutherford Jr., and that she went to school with jailer Brandon Stansbury, who has been arrested in connection with the inmates’ escape.

The sheriff says there is no indication the case is connected to the escaped inmates in the area.

Her brother said Walker-Donaldson was a former beauty queen, Miss McCurtain County in 2013, and she ran track. He also said she was always laughing and a happy person.

Her mother, Carla Giddens, said Alyssa is also the mother of a three-year-old daughter.

An account has been set up to help Giddens with expenses for her daughter at McCurtain County National Bank. Anyone wishing to donate may do so at any of the bank’s branches in Idabel, Valliant, Broken Bow and Hochatown.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

February 16, 2022

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.

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG February 7, 2022 No reports filed.

February 8, 2022 Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to being harassed via text messages and phone calls.

Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle on fire on Strider Lane near Acorn.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Buttercup Lane near Acorn in reference to harassment leading to a citation being issued to Dustin White on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

Nathen Hoover, 21 of Mena was arrested on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Deputies responded to a complaint of harassment and information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies responded to a report of an altercation in the jail.

Deputies took a report of furniture being dumped on private property.

February 9, 2022 Deputies responded to a report of Theft of Property from a residence on Hwy 8 E near Mena.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 N near Acorn in reference to a Physical Domestic Disturbance leading to a citation given to Bradley Moss on a charge of Third Degree Domestic Battery.

February 10, 2022 Deputies responded to report of Financial Identity Fraud from a walk-in complainant.

Deputies responded to a report of Theft

of Property from a residence on Polk 57 near Mena.

February 11, 2022 Deputies responded to a report of squatters in a cabin.

Deputies were dispatched to a campground on Hwy 88 E in reference to an ATV wreck leading to the arrest of Cloy Teague, 52 of Malvern on charges of DWI, Careless and Prohibited Driving and Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test.

Deputies were dispatched to an address on Polk 178 near Acorn in reference to an accident. This led to the arrest of Addam Dilbeck, 22 of Mena on charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Careless and Prohibited Driving and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

Deputies responded to a residence on Dalton Lane near Cove in reference to animal cruelty. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

February 12, 2022 Jordan Gonyea, 25 of Mena was arrested on charges of Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct after deputies were dispatched to two residences on Hwy 88 E near Ink. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Heritage Lane near Hatfield in reference to an altercation. This led to the arrest of Trae Clouse, 30 of Hatfield on charges of Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct. Also arrested was Steven Weinert, 34 of Hatfield on a Felony Warrant for Failure to Appear and to be held for another agency.

Deputies responded to an altercation at a residence on Hwy 71 S near Cove.

February 13, 2022 Deputies were dispatched to a report of a Property Dispute on Polk 10 near Wickes.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 1 vehicle accident this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 18 Incarcerated Inmates, with 12 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS February 6 A report of theft was taken from Phillips 66.

A report of battery was taken at a residence on 11th Street.

Matthew Cannon, 41, was served with a warrant at the police department.

February 7 No report February 8 A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

Abram Abernathy, 25, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and served with a warrant after a trespassing complaint on Hidden Valley Drive.

A report of theft was taken from a walkin complainant.

February 9 No report.

February 10 A report of battery was taken from a walk-in complainant.

February 11 Christopher James, 37, was charged with Animal Cruelty at a residence on Gary Drive.

February 12 A report of theft was taken from Factory Connection.

James Ledford, 63, was charged with Public Intoxication on 4th Street.

A report of violation of a protection order was taken from a walk-in complainant.

A report of theft and unauthorized uses of a credit card was taken from a walk-in complainant.

Police 21 DISTRICTS continued from page 14

Josh Curtis, governmental affairs director for the Association of Arkansas Counties, said that while a multitude of counties saw a drop in population and might be dropped in classification, the drop must be pretty steep for a county to lose two justice of the peace positions.

The number of justices of the peace in a county falls in these population ranges: • Nine positions in counties with populations up to 19,000.

• 11 positions for populations of 20,000 to 49,999.

• 13 positions for populations of 50,000 to 199,999.

• 15 positions when the population is more than 200,000.

This law means that Arkansas will have a total of 775 justice of the peace positions on the basis of the 2020 census, a decrease from the 783 positions after the 2010 census.

This, despite the fact that Arkansas’ population grew, from 2,915,918 in the 2010 census to 3,011,524 in 2020, an increase of 95,606.

Polk County’s population dropped from 20,662 in 2010 to 19,221 in 2020.

Though the population loss is only 1,441, the county still fell below the 20,000 minimum to retain 11 JPs. That will affect the districts until the 2030 census results.

County Judge Brandon Ellison said Polk County hired an outside company to redraw the area from 11 to nine districts.

“That won’t go into effect until next year, but we have a primary in May, and that is when the nine new district seats will be vied for,” Ellison said.

The general election is Nov.8.

Ellison said like most of the counties that have lost justice of the peace positions, the decline in population in his county wasn’t a complete surprise.

“We were kind of on the bubble beforehand,” he said. “I will say that 2020-21 probably wasn’t a great year for the census, and most rural counties lost population. We lost 6%, and that put us under.”

The district changes will also have an effect on voters and polling places, which has the potential to make 2022 a confusing year for voting in Polk County.

22 News Pulse Staff

Basketball Feb. 14-19 - Mena @ Arkadelphia SR District Tournament Feb. 22-26 - South Reg. Tournament Wrestling Feb. 17 - Acorn @ UALR Girls State Tournament Feb. 18-19 - Acorn @ UALR Boys State Tournament

Baseball Feb. 18-19 - Frontier Community College

Pulse

February 16, 2022

Mena vs. De Queen hard fought

Basketball Feb. 14-19 - Mena @ Arkadelphia SR District Tournament Feb. 22-26 - South Reg. Tournament

THE POLK COUNTY

The Mena senior teams traveled to De Queen Monday, Feb. 7, for makeup action and split a pair of nail biters.

The Bearcats held on for a 59-57 victory, while the LadyCats dropped a tough 4340 decision in the girls contest.

In the boys contest, Mena jumped out to a 34-28 halftime lead, behind 15 firsthalf points from 6’5” junior Trey Day. The Bearcats maintained a 6-point lead at 53-47 after the third quarter. Then Mena held off the Leopards for the hard fought 59-57 victory. Day led the Bearcats with 21 points. Ashlin Powers was also in double figures with 11. Toby Watkins added 8.

In the senior girls contest, the LadyCats trailed by six at intermission 2216. Mena took the lead briefly in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hang on as the Lady Leopards prevailed 43-40.

Grayson Fairless led the LadyCats with 15 points. Maddie Lyle pitched in with 8, while Emily Leonard added 7.

De Queen and Mena squared off again the following night at Mena, seeing the home team come away with a victory.

The LadyCats pulled away for a 4331 win, while the Bearcats outlasted the Leopards in overtime 63-58.

The LadyCats trailed 13-12 at halftime before taking command in the third quarter to post the 43-31 victory.

Grayson Fairless led a balanced Mena scoring attack with 11 points. Brooklyn Pennington added 10.

In the boys contest, Mena scored the last nine points in regulation to rally and tie the game at 54 heading into overtime. The Bearcats outscored De Queen 9-4 in the extra period to pull out the 63-58 victory. Toby Watkins led Mena with 17 points. Caleb Peters added 15.

Wrestlers head to State

By Trey Youngdahl The Acorn Tigers wrestling teams have continued to compete, bringing home both victory and injury; carrying them to compete in state tournaments.

On Sunday, Feb. 6, Jaylunn Estes and Olivia Tedder competed in the Arkansas Junior State Wrestling Tournament. Estes went 0-2 in her class and finished second. Tedder also finished second in her class with a score of 0-1, but dropped out due to a knee injury.

“Both wrestlers fought hard and have done extremely well for their first year of wrestling,” boasted Acorn wrestling coach Andy Arnold.

The Tigers continued to wrestle hard on Saturday, Feb. 12, when Zack Cline and Phoenix Lee went to Bauxite to compete in the 4A South Conference Tournament.

Cline went 0-2 and tied for 5th in his class. Lee went 1-2 and tied for 5th in his class as well. Not unlike Tedder, who competed the week before, Lee suffered a knee injury in his last match. “...looks like (Lee) will not be able to compete at the state tournament this week,” Arnold stated.

Shay Allen and Bella Tedder will go to UA Little Rock and compete in the Girls Arkansas State Tournament. This Friday and Saturday, Cline will compete at UA Little Rock in the Boys Arkansas State Tournament. The 1-4A Wrestling will begin at 5:00 Friday evening.

Arnold continued, saying, “Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement for these athletes!”

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

February 16, 2022

News 23

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February 16, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

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