Polk County Pulse January 26, 2022

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600

January 26, 2022

Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 FM & MyPulseNews.com

Grass fire causes minimal damage

INSIDE:

By Ethan Nahté

Polk County Spelling Bee

Page 9

Dazzle Downtown Winners

Page 14

tree line dividing the property from ACCI. Other local law enforcement, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Southwest EMS were also on hand to assist.

mower, which could have resulted in personal injury.

A grass fire broke out Monday at Although a grass fire may not appear the former residence of Dwayne Millto be much, considering the weather er, located at Bronco Lane and the inconditions, dry grass and proximity to tersection of Polk County 733. The businesses, includlog cabin sits atop a hill overlooking ing Ouachita Pellet Mena Feed & Supply to the south.

Fuels just north of ACCI Restoration & Resources is the event, it would north, adjacent to the property. not have taken The fire is believed to have begun much to spread. by a blade striking a hard object, Despite the beeither a rock or another piece of low-freezing temmetal, while the property was being peratures the region mowed. The dry grass and a consisis expecting for lows tent 6 mph southwest breeze fueled most of this week, the flames, which scorched a large conditions will be patch of area, away from the cabin. dry and windy. Any Several emergency vehicles, in- A spark is the possible cause of a grass fire that was contained by purposely set fires various fire departments from around Polk County. cluding the Mena Fire Department, should be done with (Photo by Ethan Nahté) along with the volunteer fire deextreme caution partments from Potter and Wickes, and supervised. Achelped contain the fire with the usage Matters could have been much worse, cording to the US Forest Service, Polk of brush trucks and mini-pumpers, as the riding mower had just been filled and adjacent counties are at low wildshovels and rakes before it spread be- with fuel. The flames were put out be- fire danger while the northwest quadyond the open grassy area and into the fore any major damage occurred to the rant of the state is at moderate risk.

New Heights Gymnastics wins big at tournaments

Coach Spigner Honored

Page 18

New Heights Gymnastics competed in the 2022 Snow Globe Classic tournament on Jan. 8 and the Priceless Princess Invitational on Jan. 21.

At the Snow Globe Classic, held at the River Center in Benton.The New Heights team took first place in the Xcel Bronze, which is the first level in

the Xcel program.

The individual gymnasts placed as follows: Lily Berry placed 1st on vault (9.750), 1st on bars (9.900), 2nd on beam (9.250), 1st on floor (9.450) and 1st all-around (38.350). She also received a special award for highest

event score (9.9) out of anyone in the meet.

Jaslynn Turner placed 3rd on vault (9.300), 2nd on bars (9.750), 4th on beam (9.050), 2nd on floor (9.350), and 2nd all-around (37.450).

See GYMNASTICS continued on page 12

2 News

January 26, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Second annual Paint Your Pet event

Wild Hare Art Glass Studio & Gallery held their second ever “Paint Your Pet” event on Jan. 21. Participants filled the room to enjoy a night of art, food, and fun. The event was a fundraiser for the Humane Society of the Ouachitas.

(Photo by Trey Youngdahl)

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

January 26, 2022

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Your Pulse!

I recently read an article that New York City was to allow non-citizens (I suspect this is a euphemism for illegal immigrants) to vote in their local elections starting in 2023. The article estimated the number to be over 800,000.

This proves the importance of your vote and how fragile the future of our republic is. This is a first step to implementing changes to our laws that most think can never happen here.

I do not ever want to see Sharia Law as the law of our land, but it is only a generation or so away. Elections at the local level all lead to the top level eventually. Unless we elect those to office who protect what so many have fought and died for, then we may wake up one day and not recognize our country. If being a taxpaying citizen has no meaning, then what is next? Absentee ballots from any country that wants a say in our leadership.

Looking closer at this, I discovered that there are 11 towns in Maryland and two in Vermont that already allow this practice. This erodes our election process and the foundation of our republic. Why are we so cavalier and ready to give up our freedoms, our safety, our form of government, our borders, our independence, and our pioneer spirit that has stood the test of time for over 200 years?

There is a saying that may apply here...you do not know how important something is until you have lost it forever. Is that what it will take to wake us up?

So, you ask...Why should I be concerned about what happens in NYC? I do not live there. I do not vote there. I do not pay taxes there. But what I do have in common is that their actions are like a cancer. Cancers start small and before you know it, have infected the whole body. In so much as NYC is the financial center for our country, what happens there should matter to us all.

I have no issue with honest hard-working immigrants who seek a better life and come here legally. Those who respect the rule of law and want to contribute to rather than become a burden on an overburdened welfare system. But to come here illegally and then want a say in our elections is beyond the pale. If voting matters so much, perhaps they should have practiced it in their homeland rather than fleeing it. To our liberal/progressive citizens, I ask what you have sacrificed or suffered. I ask how you have served your country or community. Besides running your mouth and deciding what others must give up in the name of the greater good, I ask what you might contribute. Do not give up our freedoms and values so quickly. How many of those streaming into our country illegally are you willing to house in your home? Our freedoms and rights were paid for with the blood of patriots. While the history of our country and the sacrifices of others may not matter to you, it does to me. To

ignore history leaves you doomed to repeat it.

Sound familiar?

Ending in 2021 was a news blip honoring those lost in 2021. Not surprising was they were all TV celebrities, authors, movie stars, and politicians. Sure, their deaths were sad.

All death is. But to not mention the military, fire, health care workers and police who perished…not by individual name, as the list is too long, but by profession if nothing else… who died serving their country and community…seemed to me to lessen their service and sacrifices. It was as if they were lesser, and their passing had no meaning. To the liberal media...news flash...they matter to me.

I will always respect your right to your opinion, even when I might not agree. But know that I will always vote and peacefully try to change what I think needs changing.

Know that I watch, listen, and ask questions.

Please do the same, but most importantly…

VOTE. Thank you for the forum you provide me to voice my opinions and enjoy the freedoms we all have, but often take for granted.

With kindest regards, Ronald Goss, Mena, U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran, Retired Virginia Beach Police Department

Letters 3

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4 Politics

THE POLK COUNTY

January 26, 2022

From the

State House of Representatives

of Children and Family SerMembers continued to vices, the division of DHS review agency budget proposals in preparation for the responsible for child abuse 2022 Fiscal Session. prevention, protection, foster This week, the hearings focare, and adoption programs. cused on requests for public The requests for DHS also safety and for the Departinclude $37.6 million to ment of Human Services.

John Maddox provide services for Arkansans with intellectual and The Governor is requesting a $7.4 million increase in developmental disabilities. the budget for Arkansas State Police. Currently, more than 3,000 ArkanIf approved, this money would be sans are on a waitlist for services. used to help raise the starting salary of Those services could include medical state troopers to an amount between and hospital, mental health services, $52,000 and $55,000 a year. Current- early intervention day treatment, ly, the starting salary is $42,357. adult day treatment, personal care, Arkansas State Police Director Bill and occupation, physical, and speech Bryant testified this week that out therapy. of 525 trooper positions, 61 are curThe latest general revenue report rently vacant. Director Bryant told shows net available revenue at 6.1% members an increase in starting sal- above this time last year. ary would make the agency more Members of the Joint Budget Comcompetitive when it comes to new mittee review agency requests and current revenue reports before filing recruits.

This week, members also reviewed appropriation bills.

The 2022 Fiscal Session begins at requests from the Department of Human Services (DHS). noon on February 14. You can watch The Governor has proposed an all House sessions and committee $11 million increase for the Division meetings at www.arkansashouse.org.

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

Pulse

State Senate The state Division of Childepartment would like to exdren and Family Services pand the intensive family serintends to try out a new vices to 16 more counties. method of intervention, by DHS has a Division of assigning cases to a team of County Operations. It staffs workers instead of to an inoffices around the state where dividual. people apply for a wide variThe Division is part of the ety of benefits, such as food Larry Teague state Department of Human stamps, Medicaid and welfare.

Services (DHS). The departDHS is seeking about $2 milment’s directors appeared during lion in additional funding for the Dilegislative budget hearings to explain vision because it is paying more for their requests for funding increases utilities, janitorial services, rent and and their requests for authority to re- other costs that have gone up due to allocate funds. inflation.

When the legislature convenes in Also, the Division wants to expand fiscal session next month it will de- and make permanent an automated cide whether to approve the DHS address verification system. It has been request to add 109 positions in the a pilot program.

Division of Children and Family SerDHS anticipates additional one-time vices. costs when the federal medical emerOne reason for a “teaming ap- gency expires. During the period of proach” is that it would better ensure emergency the state has not been able the safety of caseworkers. to lower the number of people who are When they visit a home to inves- eligible for the health care program, tigate an allegation of child abuse or because of federal restrictions. neglect, they would no longer have to As a result, Medicaid participation visit alone. There would always be at has increased during the pandemic. least two workers on the visit.

Increases in enrollment are a main The department wants to add $11 driver in the rising costs of Medicaid. million to the Division for added For the current fiscal year, Arkansas personnel costs. The additional mon- Medicaid officials estimate the proey would not only pay for more staff, gram will spend about $9.39 billion. but would allow DHS to pay over- The state’s share of that amount is $1.8 time and to pay staff when they’re on billion and the rest is provided by the call. federal government.

Those measures help reduce the Next fiscal year, which begins on high turnover rate among family case July 1, Arkansas Medicaid will spend workers, who burn out due to high an estimated $9.4 billion. The state’s caseloads and the emotional nature share will be $2.269 billion, the head of their jobs. of DHS told legislators during budget Also, the department wants to ex- hearings. pand an intensive family services apAfter the federal emergency declaraproach that it now has in about half tion has expired, Arkansas should be the state. According to the top official able to hold down Medicaid spending at the agency, it has made “a massive because it will re-determine the eligidifference” in reducing the number bility of people enrolled. State officials of children who end up in the foster expect that the number of people encare system. rolled will drop by a “significant numWith an additional $4 million the ber,” the DHS official told legislators.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

January 26, 2022

Benjamin D. Kulp

Benjamin D. Kulp of Y-City, Arkansas, passed away quietly and unexpectedly at his home during the early morning hours of January 22, 2022, at the age of 83.

Ben was born to the late Rev. Harvey and Mrs. Katherine Kulp in Limerick, Pennsylvania, in 1938. After graduating high school, Ben worked for the Woolworth corporation, pioneer of the modern retail concept department stores, helping start and manage new stores. A brilliant student, he received a scholarship to Purdue university to study engineering. Spending some time in the program, he was soon disenchanted with the lack of integrity growing in modern academia. Feeling a calling on his life, he transferred to Messiah Bible College; a school that specialized in training teachers and missionaries.

At this time, Ben met a young nurse, Rochelle Kujet. They were married September 7, 1962. After graduating from Bible college, he established Wayside Christian School, an outreach of Wayside Chapel in Pottstown, PA, which was in continuous operation for over 50 years in the hands of his late brother, Paul Kulp of Oley, PA. A passion for children and Christian work led him to serve in many capacities in other Christian schools where he was highly respected for his gift of administration. In the mid 1970’s, Ben and his wife Rochelle felt a calling to move to Arkansas, where they purchased property in Scott County. The abilities recognized when he was offered the scholarship to Purdue were put to use as he built his own home on the newly purchased property in Y-City. Ben’s talents were many. He was industrious, thorough, and his quality of work was unrivaled. Ben and Rochelle were faithful for many years, working and building a new life in Arkansas, serving in their commu-

nity and church.

Ben soon felt led to pursue further education in Christian ministry, completing the requirements for ordination with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He was accepted as a new worker to plant a church in Y-City in early 1990; naming it Wayside Chapel after the church his father planted many years ago in Pottstown, PA. The current program document for ordination with the C&MA clearly outlines the passion Ben felt for Christian work, specifically that, “In every generation there must be men and women who choose to walk deeply with God, embrace His mission as their own and fully aware of the rigors of the higher path, choose to pour out their lives so that the Kingdom may advance unhindered into the future...intentional and aggressive about advancing the Kingdom of God, with a focus on the priorities of: desperate dependence on the Holy Spirit; missional living; and godly leadership development.”

He hosted several studies for the development of Christian families, encouraging them to raise their children in the ‘fear and admonition of the Lord’. In 1993, Ben published a book he had penned over ten years prior, entitled “Kidnapped! No, not my Child!’ through which he sought to warn Christian parents that the public education system in the U.S. is anti-Christian and is seeking to control the minds of each child. On the cover of the book, he acknowledged his own parents’ keen awareness of the influences of the public school system, slowly eroding the spiritual life of the children and youth of his generation. He attributed their personal sacrifices, allowing him to attend a Christian school, to the dedication of his life to children and youth; serving as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader and pastor; active in the Christian school ministry since the 60’s as a teacher, administrator, and consultant in various states. After 40 blessed years of serving the Lord together, Ben surrendered his wife Rochelle to the Lord as she passed away in 2002.

Ben later met Dianna Fiedler, a retired

teacher, also passionate for the Lord, in 2003. They were married in 2004 and together they began a Christian school at the Wayside Chapel in Y-City; ministering to Christian families and troubled youths for several years. He continued strong until the very end, recently completing construction on their new home and improving access to it with a beautiful concrete drive.

Family and friends knew Ben as a perfect gentleman, with a large heart, who cared deeply for people; a light in his generation. After he retired from full-time church ministry, he continued serving, active with his church family at First Baptist Church in Mena, AR. His ministry and work expanded even into Belize where his contributions and service were well received and deeply appreciated, touching many lives.

Ben began and ended each day with the Lord, singing, praying, and reading the Bible. His favorite songs included, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Nothing is Impossible,” and “Only Believe.” He faced many trials, as children of God often do; but, through every trial he testified, “Well, the Lord’s still testing me. I hope I pass this time. I just want people to see Jesus in me.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. and Mrs. Harvey Kulp also of Y-City, AR; his dear wife of 40 years, Rochelle Kulp; brothers, Harvey Kulp of Gilbertsville, PA and Paul Kulp of Pottstown, PA; and a much-loved stepdaughter Lisa Taylor. He is survived by his beloved wife of 18 years, Dianna Kulp, of Y-City, AR; a sister, Ruth Rice of Colorado Springs, CO; a brother Edward Kulp of Oley, PA, a brother Tim Kulp, also of Y-City, AR; several stepchildren and grandchildren;16 nieces and nephews; and many grand-nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date in early Spring. Friends and family are invited and encouraged to share photos, memories and testimonies of the life and ministry of Ben through his tribute wall at bowserffh.com.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Obituaries 5 Patricia Anne Trulock

Patricia Anne Trulock, age 72, passed away January 21, 2022, in Mena, Arkansas. She was born January 26, 1949, to Augustus Delma Cook and Madge Pauline Chaney Cook. Patricia was an avid photographer, and it was her favorite thing to do. Watching crime dramas and DIY shows were also some of her pastimes. She loved talking and visiting with family and friends and was a great listener and problem solver. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

Patricia is preceded in death by her parents Augustus Delmar and Madge Pauline Cook. Her husband Ray Dean Trulock; brother Mike Cook and sonin-law Michael Faughn. She is survived by her Son Vincent Trulock; daughter Minnie Faughn; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; brother Larry Cook; sister Penny Cook, and many, many nieces and nephews.

Cremation services are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

6 Obituaries

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

January 26, 2022

John Stephen Hilton

John Stephen Hilton, age 88, of Mena, died Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at his home in Mena, Arkansas. He was born on Thursday, July 27, 1933, to Vessie Newton Hilton and Emma (Hendricks) Hilton of Board Camp, Arkansas.

John loved God, family, and his country. He strongly believed in upholding our country’s freedoms and rights. He served in the National Guard from 1950 -1953. He went to Korea where he had the task of loading guns for the 937 Field Artillery. John was a conversationalist and made small talk with anyone he met. Many people describe John as truly one of the kindest and nicest men they had ever met. He was humble and proud of the life he built with his loving wife, Trevia, and their children. John and Trevia were married for 62 years.

John loved his grandchildren and enjoyed being around them any chance he was given. He also greatly adored his nieces and nephews. He was a devoted Christian and was a member of the Panther Creek Christian Church. In 1996, John retired from Emerson Electric and was the former caretaker for Pinecrest Cemetery in Mena for many years. He loved to hunt and fish and was a member of the NRA. John was a naturalist.

He loved observing the woods and often asked, “What kind of trees you got around here?” John was also an avid

611 Janssen Street Mena, AR 71953

(479) 394-1310

Rock Hound. He simply couldn’t pass by a pretty rock without picking it up for a closer look. He served his community many years providing well-witching for anyone who asked. He loved helping others. For those who knew John well, knew he could fix anything with just super glue, copper wire, and duct-tape!

He was a child of the Great Depression.

John was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend and will be missed by all who knew him along with his wit and funny one liners.

John is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Marvin Hilton and Richard Hilton; one sister, Helen Parsons; and one grandson, Chase Hilton.

John is survived by his loving wife Trevia; one son and daughter-in-law, Johnny Hilton and wife Fran of Mena; one daughter and son-in-law, Becky May and husband Terry of Center Ridge, Arkansas; one brother and sisterin-law, Brian Hilton and wife Francis of Mena; one sister, Dollie Reed of Edmond, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Conn Hilton of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Jesse May of Conway, Arkansas, Jacob May of Conway, Arkansas and Katie Jewell May of Center Ridge, Arkansas; one great-grandchild, Harper Hilton of Batesville, Arkansas; several nephews and nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena with Pastor Artie Carnes officiating. Interment will follow in the Liberty Cemetery in Mena.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 23, 2022, from 2- 4 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Junior Bruce, Clancey Fairless, Jimmy Standridge, Jesse May, Jacob May, and Conn Hilton.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Brent Gorden, Tom Copelin, and the men of Panther Creek Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Cemetery, Board Camp, Arkansas. 712 Polk 59, Mena, Arkansas 71953.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Robbin Lynnette Bunyard

Mrs. Robbin Lynnette Bunyard, age 47, passed away January 20, 2022, at Mena Regional Health System in Mena, Arkansas. She was born May 6, 1974, to James Craig Pate and Pamela Carolyn (Jones) Pipkin. Mrs. Bunyard was an LPN by profession and enjoyed crocheting, cooking, camping and watching the news. She loved to spend time with her family, as well as going for mani-pedis and drinking Dr. Pepper.

Robbin is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Louis Lillian Jones and Fred Columbus Jones, as well as her paternal grandparents, Marie and Doyle Pate. She is survived by her loving husband, Chris Romero; son, James Robert Bunyard and wife Whitney; daughters, Holly Robinson and husband Ricky, Lillian Sierra Marie Basehar and husband Bradley, and Kylie Brooke Romero; grandchildren, Noah James Bunyard, Lily Rae Arender, Brinlee Basehar, Nevaeh Daugherty, Kyzer Daugherty, Leelynn Fernandez, Darren Lee Robinson, Ricky Isaiah Robinson, Samuel Clark, and Hayden Christian Robinson; father, James Craig Pate; mother, Pamela Carolyn Pipkin and husband Robert; sisters, Ericca Pate and wife Shannon Morgan, and Hannah Kiersey; brother, Bill Pate; nieces and nephews, Madison Andrews, Ariana Andrews, and Aidan Rogers; as well as by her great nephews and nieces, Asher, Onnika and Lovee.

Services for Mrs. Bunyard are Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. Interment will follow at Owens Chapel Cemetery in Acorn, Arkansas.

Brother Donnie Jewell will officiate under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Brad Basehar, James Bunyard, Bobby Bunyard, Bill Pate, Ricky Robinson, and Michael Squier.

Visitation is general Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Shirley Kay Pearl

Shirley Kay Pearl, age 73, passed away January 22, 2022, in Mena, Arkansas. She was born to Kermit Fay White, Sr. and Mary Almeda Reed White. Shirley was a jack-of-all-trades. She was an LPN and also retired from Aalfs as a factory worker. She loved to cook for her family, playing cards and truly enjoyed fishing. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Kermit Fay and Mary Almeda White; husband William Pearl; brothers William F. White, Kermit Fay White, Jr., and Dewayne White; sister Brenda White, and one granddaughter Timmie Jolynn Jewell. She is survived by her children Terri Armijo and husband Frankie; Tina Jo Laws and husband Timothy; Jammey Anderson and Wife Rhonda, and Regina Webb. 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.

Cremation services are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. A memorial service to be announced at a later date.

“The darker the night, the brighter the stars, The deeper the grief, the closer is God!” ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

By Richie Lawry On the mornings that I pick up my auto glass order, the alarm rings at 4:30 a.m. I never worry about the alarm going off.

My cell phone knows what time it is and always wakes me up, even if the electricity has been off during the night. But it hasn’t always been so easy to measure time.

Before medieval times, humans measured time with oil lamps, candles, water clocks, and sundials. By the mid-14th century, large mechanical clocks began to appear in the towers of several cities. These clocks were not very accurate. Christiaan Huygens made the first pendulum clock in 1656. His timepiece had an error of less than one minute a day, and his later refinements reduced his clock’s errors to less than 10 seconds a day.

Even so, time measurement was still haphazard in the 19th century, with time being kept differently in each community.

In the United States, there were over 140 local times in 1883, resulting in slight time differences between adjacent towns and cities. That year, major railroad companies in the U.S. began to operate on a coordinated system of four time zones. It was not until 1884 that a conference at Greenwich reached an agreement on global time measurement and adopted Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as the international standard. The world was beginning to get a handle on standardized time.

But it still wasn’t easy to coordinate with GMT. One enterprising London family had a solution. Every Monday, Ruth Belville stood at the entryway of a London watchmaker. Ruth was in the unusual business of selling time with her watch named Arnold.

When the door opened, the storekeeper greeted the weekly visitor with “Good morning, Miss Belleville. How is Arnold today?”. Ruth replied, “Good morning.

Arnold is one-tenth of a second fast.” Then she reached into her handbag grabbed a

January 26, 2022

An Arkie’s Faith Ruth and Arnold

pocket watch and passed it to the watchmaker. He used it to check the store’s main clock and then returned the pocket watch to her.

Once a week, Ruth would get up early and take the three-hour journey from her cottage west of London to the Greenwich Royal Observatory, reaching its gate by 9 a.m. She rang the bell and was greeted by the gate orderly, who formally invited her inside. There she would hand over her watch, Arnold, to an attendant.

The officials compared Arnold to the observatory master clock, then returned the timepiece to Ruth with a certificate stating the difference between its time and their central clock. Ruth walked to the Thames and caught a ferry to London with the official document in her hand. She then began making the rounds, visiting her customers.

The Belville family fell into this business accidentally. In the 1830s, Ruth’s father, John Belleville, worked at the Greenwich Observatory as a meteorologist and astronomer. The observatory leadership grew frustrated by the many interruptions caused by local astronomers desperate to know the precise time for their observational work. Instead of having unannounced visitors coming to the observatory and disrupting their scientific activities, they devised a plan to bring the time to

those who needed it. They gave John Belville the task of providing time to nearly 200 customers using a very accurate timepiece that he nicknamed Arnold.

Arnold was formerly known as John Arnold, No.485 and named after its maker. It was a highly accurate pocket watch built in 1794. John Arnold originally designed No. 485 as a gift for Prince Augustus Frederick, the original Duke of Sussex. The Duke thought the timepiece was too large and refused it. The watch ended up at the Greenwich Observatory.

When John Belleville started the time service, he used the most accurate portable timepiece available, John Arnold No. 485. In 1892, the watch was passed down to 38-year-old Ruth, who continued the family business until she was 86 years old.

When Ruth and Arnold were retiring from the time business, a clock was installed in the United States that consistently drew a crowd. In 1939, New Yorkers headed downtown to get the precise time at 195 Broadway in Manhattan. The art deco clock sat in the window of the AT&T corporate headquarters. It was not just any clock; it was the most accurate public clock in the world. A unique piece of quartz crystal provided its accuracy. Every day, hundreds of pedestrians stopped in front of the clock and held their finger on their watch stem waiting for the sweeping sec-

Joke of the Week:

As I put my car in reverse, I thought to myself... “this takes me back.”

Faith 7 ond hand to reach the top so they could set their watch accurately. Quartz clocks and watches were sold in large quantities during the 1970s when technological advances made them affordable.

But before long, there were even more accurate clocks. Lord Kelvin first suggested using atomic transitions to measure time in 1879. Louis Essen and Jack Parry built the first accurate atomic clock in 1955 at the National Physical Laboratory in the U.K. Atomic clocks are highly accurate with an error of only one second in 100 million years. Today we can all have the accuracy of an atomic clock by purchasing a clock that automatically synchronizes itself to the atomic clock in Boulder, Colorado.

Why do we place such emphasis on measuring time? Some 200 years ago, Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Dost thou love time? Then use time wisely, for that’s the stuff that life is made of.” Being able to measure time helps us to use it wisely.

Because of the fragile nature of time, Moses prayed, “So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.” Psalm 90:12 (NRSV) That is another way of saying it is the use, not the length, of our days that counts.

Gentle Reader, there are many inequalities in life. But when it comes to the amount of time you have, everybody falls into the same category, and there is perfect equality. Every day, 24 hours, no more or no less, is given to every person. The way we use our time is essential. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15,16 (NIV) The great thing about the nature of time is that it is entirely ours to do with what we will. We can, right now, decide to make the best use of our time. May you find peace, joy, and purpose in the ways you spend your time today.

Replacing windshields in Polk County for forty years.

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

8 Education

January 26, 2022

RN classes of 2020 and 2021 pinned

[December 15, 2021 | MENA, Ark.] In a tradition that dates back to the mid-1880’s, UA Rich Mountain held its pinning ceremony for the college’s RN Classes of 2020 and 2021 on Thursday, Dec. 2 in the Ouachita Center on campus. The time-honored pinning ceremony signifies membership in a proud and loyal society of nurses. Nurses are an important part of the global health-

care workforce.

The RN graduating class of 2020: Shannon Abbott, Jordan Bass, Faith Boyd, Chelsea Cabello, Staci Clark, Sherri Edmonds, Chelsie Fechuch, Allyson Hoyle, Anna Kilpatrick, Toni Lawrence, Elizabeth Lopez, Emily McMillan, Velina Miller, Alisha Parnell, Sydni Pena, Mackenzie Pepper, Adrienne Ralls, Olivia Self, Andrew Tem-

Group photo of the UA Rich Mountain RN class of 2021. (Photo courtesy of UA Rich Mountain)

NEED HELP PAYING THAT LATEST UTILITY BILL? POLK COUNTY ENERGY ASSISTANCE Salvation Army 479-437-3110 ARVAC 479-394-4707 Nin Ninth Street Ministries 479-394-2541

Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative, Inc. Owned By Those We Serve

515 Janssen Ave, Mena, AR 71953 (479) 394-4140 W W W. R M E C . C O M

pleton, Hope Valdovinos, Rebekah Williams, Paige Zimmer. The class of 2021 RN graduates: Chelsey Arender, Amanda Barrett, Enchantres Carroll, Samantha Cole, Annaliz Del Carmen, Sheryl Felix, Erika Fusher, Devin Gage, Samantha Gough, LaBrisha Green, Kristin Henderson, Alicia Jackson, Misty Scott, Andrea Smith, Chelsey Warren, Brittany Wilhite, Sadrinne Wilson, and Morgan Wittwer The UA Rich Mountain is a member of the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium (ARNEC), which is comprised of eight community and technical colleges located in rural areas of Arkansas. ARNEC was created to provide LPN’s/LVN’s with the opportunity to take the next step towards advancing their careers in nursing by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree, which prepares them to sit for the RN licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN. Many LPN’s/ LVN’s have not taken this step because they were not able to stop working and travel to colleges that offered Registered Nurse (RN) completion programs. ARNEC was created to help rural nurses meet this need.

ARNEC provides a way for Arkansas’ higher education institutions to serve LPN’s/ LVN’s who want to become RN’s without leaving the communities in which they live and work.

Charla Hollin, UA Rich Mountain’s Allied Health Division Chair, noted how sentimental the pinning ceremony is not only tradition and symbolic, but also more intimate for the students and their friends/families, even beyond the graduation ceremonies. Hollin noted during the ceremony the tremendous

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse challenges faced by these students due to the ongoing pandemic and personnel changes but congratulated them for their perseverance.

Two were selected to receive the pres-

Florence Nightingale Award recipients (l-r) Samantha Cole and Enchantres Carroll.

(Photo courtesy of UA Rich Mountain)

tigious Florence Nightingale Award this year: Samantha Cole and Enchantres Carroll.

As part of the ceremony, they have a lamp lighting, inspired by Florence Nightingale, who used a lamp to light her way as she made her rounds to the sick. To the injured, her visits brought feelings of comfort and friendliness.

The bright flame has come to symbolize knowledge, enlightenment, experience, and hope.

This time-honored pinning ceremony signifies membership in a proud and loyal society of nurses, who are an important part of the global healthcare workforce. A video of the night’s ceremony can be found on the UA Rich Mountain channel on YouTube.com.

UA Rich Mountain’s mission is to provide transformative education to all learners.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Education 9

January 26, 2022

Acorn students attend Winter Leadership Conference Polk County Spelling Bee Winners 2021-2022 Submitted by Mindy Lyle

Acorn FCCLA attended the District VI Winter Leadership Conference at Lake Hamilton High School on January 12. Students listened to various speakers and took part in District Star Event recognition.

Colten Quebedeaux, Acorn ninth grader, also took part in the District VI Officer Induction Ceremony. Quebedeaux was in-

ducted in as the 2022-2023 District President.

Next year, all district-level events will bring the 51 schools in District VI to Acorn.

Star Events results were as follows: Colten Quebedeaux, Job Interview Level 2, Gold; Damon Cruz, Repurpose & Redesign Level 2, Silver; Emma Arnold, Career Investigation Level 1, Bronze. All three students will advance to the state level in March.

Acorn Elementary’s Drew Mabry, a fifth grader, outspelled the other Polk County fifth graders, as well as all the competition in the grades above him to take the grand prize in the Polk County Spelling Bee, sponsored

by Union Bank. Mabry’s winning word was “throes.”

First Grade • 1st Wyatt Vaughn • 2nd Jason Baldridge • 3rd Benz Dees

Colton Quebedeaux, Damon Cruz and Emma Arnold displaying their awards, recognized at the District VI Winter Leadership Conference.

(Submitted photo)

Drew Mabry holds his trophy for being the overall winner. He and his family; parents Leo and Jennifer, and sister Vee, stand amongst his first-place trophies for the fifth-eighth grade.

(Submitted photo)

Vandervoort Elementary Acorn Elementary Vandervoort Elementary

Second Grade • 1st Blayze McCoy • 2nd AmberLee Jeanes • 3rd Wyatt Vaughn

Vandervoort Elementary Wickes Elementary Vandervoort Elementary

Third Grade • 1st Rajesh Dandikar • 2nd Brody Ward • 3rd Jeffery Robertson

Acorn Elementary Vandervoort Elementary Acorn Elementary

Fourth Grade • 1st Adelyn Barton • 2nd Channing Wimberly • 3rd Rayleigh Brown

Vandervoort Elementary Holly Harshman Elementary Wickes Elementary

Fifth Grade • 1st Drew Mabry • 2nd Brayden Wimberly • 3rd Paxton Boyd

Acorn Elementary Holly Harshman Elementary Wickes Elementary

Sixth Grade • 1st Drew Mabry • 2nd Alexis Miller • 3rd Zoie Horn

Acorn Elementary Wickes Elementary Acorn Elementary

Seventh Grade • 1st Drew Mabry • 2nd Adileni Herrera • 3rd Taylar Kesterson

Acorn Elementary Cossatot River High School Acorn High School

Eighth Grade • 1st Drew Mabry • 2nd Vanessa Flores • 3rd Kinzy Hernandez

Acorn Elementary Cossatot River High School Cossatot River High School

Overall Winner • Drew Mabry

Acorn Elementary

10 History

January 26, 2022

Henry Andrew ‘Heck’ Thomas United States Marshal (Part One)

By Ray Shelley Do you remember what you were doing at 12 years old? I played ball with my friends, cut grass for neighbors to make a dollar, or sat by the radio on Saturday night listening to “Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch” sponsored by Doublemint gum.

I sang along with Gene and his opening theme “Back in the Saddle Again.”

There was one 12-year-old boy whose childhood was opposite of mine. He was a courier for his uncle, a Confederate Colonel in the Civil War. The boy’s name is Henry Andrew Thomas. He was born the 12th child of Martha Ann and Lovick Thomas on January 6, 1850.

Henry was better known by a name his school chums gave him, “Heck.”

Heck thought helping his uncle Edward in the 49th Georgia Infantry would be like “going on a picnic.” The second day with his uncle found the 12-yearold Heck delivering dispatches in the

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middle of the second battle of Manasses (Eds: aka Second Battle of Bull Run, it was the deciding battle of the Civil War in northern Virginia, August 29-30, 1862, Prince William County, Virginia).

A few days later he was at the Battle of Chantilly (Eds: aka Battle of Ox Hill, was the concluding battle of the Civil War in northern Virginia, September 1, 1862, Fairfax County, Virginia).

General Sherman’s march through Georgia destroyed the state. 30,000 Union and Confederate troops were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Heck walked over dead men at some points three feet deep that were shot in the face, neck, or head.

Those were scenes he never forgot.

In the winter of 1863, after 14 months as a courier, Heck was sent home after being affected with typhoid.

Heck recovered from his illness then helped his dad, who owned a grocery store in Atlanta.

One afternoon while taking a break sitting on the steps of his dad’s small grocery store in Atlanta, two drunken soldiers came up to Heck and snatched his rabbit skin hat from his head, and proceeded to rip it apart. He was so angry that he flew off the steps cracking the jaw of one of the soldiers. The other soldier pulled a pistol and pointed at Heck’s head. Heck’s dad came to the door in the exact moment with a hatchet in one hand and a pistol in the other.

The one soldier grabbed his buddy, and they both fled. Heck was 15 at the time.

A close friend of the Thomas family was the district superintendent of churches around Atlanta. Heck’s mother always wanted her son to become a minister. Heck attended Emory University but soon lost interest in school; his

dad had become the first city marshal of Atlanta by that time. So, at 18, Heck drops out of school to begin a law enforcement career as a city policeman.

The first of six times Heck was wounded in his career started as a peaceful evening in Atlanta. Heck and his partner were called to a disturbance in town. The partner arrested the agi-

tator but was rebuffed by the agitator’s friends. The incident escalated into mob violence. Heck, his partner and three other policemen fought off the fist and clubs of the mob. Shots were fired, and Heck went down wounded in the arm and leg. He returned fire, and the crowd dispersed. No one else was injured, except some cracked jaws and knots on their heads. Heck’s bravery had been demonstrated early and would follow him throughout his law enforcement career.

In 1871, he married Isabelle Gray.

Their first child was a son born in 1872.

In 1873, Isabelle had a daughter.

Heck stepped away from law enforcement when he and two friends engaged

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse in the wholesale grocery business. But he missed the excitement of law enforcement and the outdoors. So, he moved his family to Galveston, Texas, where his cousin Jim Thomas had gotten him a job as a railroad messenger and guard.

The first train robbery occurred on Oct. 6, 1866, committed by the Reno brothers in mid-America. The James-Younger gang perfected the robbery method in their first holdup on July 21, 1873.

The Texas Express railroad began its run in Galveston and ended in Denison, Texas. The train had been held up before Heck’s employment while his cousin Jim was the guard. When Heck started his new job, he planned to foil any attempt to rob the train on his watch. Heck cut paper in the shape of money and placed them in a Texas Express bank bag, placing the bag in the safe. He then took the real money and put it among the burnt embers in the stove.

Luckily, one particular run Heck had made the switch, putting $20,000 in the stove. It wasn’t long into their run when the train was robbed. Stuffing the bandit’s sack with the counterfeit money, Heck noted the culprit’s appearance.

When they arrived at the station, Heck relayed the description to railroad detective W.R. Cornish. The description fit Sam Bass, a known gambler and robber of trains and stagecoaches.

Heck volunteered to ride with agent Cornish to pursue Bass. It wasn’t until three months later that Sam Bass was killed with two gang members on the streets of Round Rock, Texas, north of Austin, by the Texas Rangers. He had been betrayed by gang member Jim Murphy, who was seeking immunity for bank robbing charges, as well as the reward money. Mortally wounded, Bass died on his 27th birthday.

For his ingenuity of saving the money from the robbery, Heck was awarded $200 and a promotion to chief agent by the Texas Express Railroad Company.

This is the first part of a two-part article on Heck Thomas. The following article will follow Heck from Fort Worth, Texas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Indian Territory, where he made a name for himself as a United States Marshal.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

January 26, 2022

The Best Care 2022 training available Submitted by the U of A Extension Office The Best Care training, a professional development course that reaches thousands of Arkansas childcare professionals annually, will be offered virtually and in-person in 2022. Family and consumer science agents with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture plan to conduct 35 Best Care trainings from January to May this year.

“Best Care is an important resource for childcare providers and families because it connects trusted research to the adoption of best practices in early childhood and personal development,” said Rebecca Simon, program associate for Early Childhood and Family Life with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Best Care is offered free statewide through the division’s Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education.

The training provides professional development to about 2,000 childcare professionals annually, Simon said.

“What is unique about Best Care is that it is offered statewide using the network of county family and consumer science agents, who serve as contacts for their

county or cluster’s early childhood training needs,” Simon said.

“Childcare providers begin calling their counties in November and December to ask about Best Care training available in their communities because of the longterm success of the program. The curriculum is developed at the state level, but the success of the program is really due to the FCS agents across the state and their reputation at the county level as the ‘go-to’ person for annual training.”

This year, four virtual trainings are scheduled, and the rest are slated to be in-person. Moving in-person classes to virtual is decided on as-needed as COVID numbers progress, Simon said.

Best Care training topics for this year include Growing Young Gardeners, Healthy Habits: Nutrition and Fitness Practices, STEAM in Outdoor Learning, Infant Care and Self-Regulation, When Accidents Happen: Basic First Aid, Child Care Prepared: Disaster Preparedness, Music in Early Learning, Making a Clean Sweep, Effective Communication, and Playground Safety.

Anyone interested in Best Care training should contact their local Family and Consumer Science agent at uaex.uada.edu/counties/ for information about upcoming trainings offered in their area.

News 11

12 News

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

January 26, 2022

GYMNASTICS continued from page 1 Jaslynn Turner placed 3rd on vault (9.300), 2nd on bars (9.750), 4th on beam (9.050), 2nd on floor (9.350), and 2nd all-around (37.450).

Morgan Knittig placed 4th on vault (9.300), 3rd on bars (9.650), 3rd place on beam (9.400), 1st on floor (9.500), and 1st on all-

around (37.850).

Rhyen Henry placed 1st on vault (9.600), 4th on bars (9.600), 7th on beam (8.750), 6th on floor (9.250), and 4th all around (37.200). Raelea Pate placed 6th on vault (9.00), tied for 1st on bars(9.700), 8th on beam (8.650), 8th on floor (9.150), and 7th all around (36.500).

While competing at the Priceless Princess invitational in Conway, New Heights con- The New Heights Gymnastics team took first tinued to do place in the Priceless Princess in the Xcel Bronze (Submitted Photo) well, despite Division.

Jaslynn Turner placed 3rd place the absence of two of their team- in vault (9.850), 2nd place bars mates. Lily Berry (9.550), 5th place beam (9.30), placed 4th in vault 7th place floor (9.350), and 2nd (9.80), 1st place bars place all-around (38.050).

Morgan Knittig placed 1st place (9.60), 3rd place beam (9.35), 2nd place floor in vault (9.70), 1st place bars (9.650), and 1st place (9.40), 3rd place beam (9.20), 1st place floor (9.70), and 1st place all-around (38.40). all-around (38.0).

The New Heights Gymnastics team took first place in the SnowGlobe Classic in the Xcel Bronze Division.

(Submitted Photo)

(l-r) Chris and Valeri Woods of 5W Welding & Fabrication; Brenda Miner, Director of Library Services; and Dr. Diann Gathright, Director of Development.

(Photo courtesy of UARM)

New metal sculpture adding to school spirit

New metal artwork now adorns the front lawn of the campus of the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain thanks in part to a grant and the artistic vision of the creators.

Director of Library Services, Brenda Miner, pursued and received a grant through the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries that would allow for the addition of additional sculptures on campus. Working with Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson and Director of Development Dr. Diann Gathright the concept of adding “school spirited” designs to the campus evolved.

“Our campus has vastly transformed since the addition of on-campus residential housing was added. When recruits would tour our campus or on our ‘move-in’ days, we would observe students looking for the ‘picture perfect post worthy photo opp’ and now we’ve added to that experience and have another planned,” said Brenda Miner.

The college provided the artwork to Chris and Valeri Woods of Cove, Arkansas, who fabricated the design and did the installation. They opened 5W Welding & Fabrication in 2020.

“They were phenomenal to work with and very eager to please. From start to finish, they took our concept and perfectly reproduced it. It catches your eye as soon as your turn onto College Drive from Morrow,” said Gathright.

Wilson commended the work of all involved. “Our college is staffed with people who you can share a vision with and they will find a way to make it happen.

We are also thankful to the Woods for their wonderful creation and look forward to planning future projects with them.”

Grants awarded through the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities is supported through a private donor.

UA Rich Mountain’s mission is to provide transformative education to all learners.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

January 26, 2022

Hogspore News Sipping sassafras tea

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson

I’m sitting on the porch on a sunny day, sipping Sassafras tea and working my way through the first of many Bavarian cream doughnuts. You can spot an amateur when he spells it donuts.

It doesn’t get any better than this, till you approach the Pearly Gates. I gotta think to wipe off any devil doughnut DNA from my face before I get to the front of the line. I hope it’s not a day where a lotta politicians

have died. It would probably slow down the line with all those judgment proceedings.

Remember in el- ementary school w h e n you were learning your numbers?

I caught on about numbers on the streets.

I could find any street in any town, if it was a number, like 14th Street or 8th Avenue. You know, there’s not a lot of boule-

vards in small towns. Some wise guy in the third grade asked old lady Feeney, if a larger number could go into a smaller number.

I can’t recollect her answer, cept that it sounded like it woulda been an abomination to try it.

Then, in the fifth grade, (the second time), they tried to learn us how to divide a bigger number into a little number. We got the decimal point shoved at us. I couldn’t concentrate, cause I was mad at the system that lied to me about the dividing thing.

Now, I just found out another lie. Monday was National Peanut Butter Day. No, that’s not the lie.

The National Peanut Board says peanut butter has existed since the Ancient Incas and the Aztecs turned roasted peanuts into a paste. It gets worse. The Pea-

Humor 13 nut Board lists the three creators as Marcellus Gilmore Edson, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, and Dr. Ambrose Straub. I guess they get the credit cause the Inca and Aztec fellers didn’t call it peanut butter.

But, my school book back then said George Washington Carver invented peanut butter. The constant rewriting of history has been happening for a while. So much for George. At least he could brag that he was descended from the father of our country, George Carver.

Mumford Pickens says, “According to crossword puzzle makers, an enormous increase in sword fights is an Epeedemic.”

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

14 Community

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

January 26, 2022

Dazzle Downtown winners chosen

Dazzle Downtown was a holiday effort of the Mena Downtown Partners to brighten up downtown Mena during the Christmas season. Winner of the Dazzle Downtown Window Display with full bragging rights was The Fair Lady. People’s Choice winner of the Dazzle Downtown Outdoor Display was the Mena Fire Department.

(Above) Judy Thompson, MDP Downtown Business Liaison, prepares to present trophy to Amber Goodner, owner of The Fair Lady. (l-r) Tom Byrd, MDP vice-president; Judy Thompson; Amber Goodner,; Holly Cummins with The Fair Lady; and Pasha Watson, MDP secretary.

(Photo courtesy of Mena Downtown Partners)

Around Town

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.

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 479216-7249.

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 479-234-8366 or 479-216-3786.

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 closed for dine in until further notice.

Home deliveries will still be made. Grab and go meals are available from 11:00 to 11:30. Please call ahead, 479-394-5459 to schedule picking up or delivery. Suggested donation for meals is $3.

Tom Byrd, MDP vice-president presents the trophy with full bragging rights.(l-r) Pasha Watson, MDP secretary; Chief Steve Egger; Firefighter Ben Vincent; Firefighter Wes Kimp; Assistant Chief Charles Hankins and Tom Byrd.

(Photo courtesy of Mena Downtown Partners)

The Cossatot Senior Center will be closed for congregate dinners through Jan. 31. Drive-thru and Home deliveries will continue uninterrupted.

The Rich Mountain Conservation District will have their Annual Poultry Registration Meeting and Chili Supper at the Polk County Fairgrounds Commercial Building, Monday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. Come join them for chili and new information presented by guest speakers. RSVP 479-437-6054 Van-Cove Alumni quarterly meeting postponed due to no immediate

business on the agenda, and the prevalence 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 Health Department has new phone numbers: 479-394-1597 and 479-394-1599.

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 479437-4018.

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.

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.

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 POLK COUNTY

Pulse

January 26, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS - EMPLOYMENT - 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.

T0202

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

(870) 490-1191 T0223 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.

T0202

- FOR SALE For Sale–A.K.C. English Bulldog puppies. Seven girls and three boys. Will be eight weeks old, and ready to go to their new homes on January 27th. Priced at $2,200.

Father and Mother have six champions in their bloodlines. English Bulldog puppies have not been raised in a kennel but have been raised by the owners of the radio station in their home with children. For more information, call 870-642-3104…go to: www. arklatexbulldogs.com or Facebook: arklatex bulldogs.

TFN

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1168 Hwy 71 So - Mena, AR You can call, fax or email BUT all ads must be pre-paid.

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Demolition of old Janssen Park bathrooms

By Trey Youngdahl

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

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

T0222

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced CNC Machine Operator.

Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

T0222

F.M. Dix Foundry is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

T0222

Classifieds 15

Demolition began on the old restrooms at Janssen Park, Jan. 19, in preparation for construction of up-to-date replacements. The restrooms were located on the southeast portion of the park adjacent to the intersection of Janssen Ave. and Eighth St. Approved by Mena City Council in July 2021, the park will receive two restrooms. One restroom will be constructed on the north side, and the other on the south side.

Mayor Seth Smith is expecting

construction to begin on the project in early spring, if weather permits.

A new restroom will also be added at McMillan Park near the pavilion and playground, replacing the long-standing portable toilet.

“I am thrilled with the upcoming construction of new restrooms at both Janssen and McMillan Parks.

Especially happy with being able to now have two restrooms at Janssen Park,” Smith said. “These will definitely be an improvement for citizens and visitors.”

Filing dates announced

By Ethan Nahté

Kathy Hagler, secretary for the Polk County Republican Committee informed Pulse Multi-Media the filing dates for the upcoming mid-term elections have been announced. The filing period will begin at noon on February 22, 2022, and end at noon on March 1, 2022. Filing will take place in the basement of the Polk County Courthouse.

Candidates can come to the conference room downstairs in the courthouse from noon – 2 p.m. each day of the filing period, with the exception of the final day, March 1, when Hagler will be available from 10 a.m.noon to meet the deadline.

Hagler may be contacted at 479216-4642 if other arrangements

are needed to file outside the provided hours or for more information.

Filing fees are as follows: • County Judge - $500 • Sheriff - $500 • Constable - $100 • All other county offices (e.g., justice of the peace, coroner, treasurer, clerk, etc.) - $250 If a person would like to register to be a member of the Polk County Republican Committee, the fee is $15.

The Polk County Republican Committee meets the third Monday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Polk County Library Community Room. Tentative guest speaker is Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin.

16 Puzzles

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

January 26, 2022

01.26.22

01.26.22

ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 01.19.22

A Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

Hello! My name is Gloria. I am a little over 6 months old and weigh in at about 6 pounds. I am a sweet girl who loves to play and cuddle. I am housetrained. In fact, I have been indoors all my life and would need to go to an indoor only home. I enjoy other cats but I can also like to be independent at times. I am mostly white with silver patches and one beige stripe by my chin. I know I will be a glorious addition to your home and family! I enjoy cuddling and meeting new people too. So, stop by 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

January 26, 2022

Fresh Start Pregnancy Program guest speaker

Sarah Threet from the Fresh Start Pregnancy Program was the guest speaker at a recent meeting of Happiness Extension Homemakers Club. She explained that this Christian-based program receives most of its funding from local churches. These funds are then

used to help new moms with maternity and baby clothes, pre-natal and parenting classes, diapers, formula and more.

At the end of the program, Happiness members presented Sarah with handmade baby items for the program.

Pictured (l-r): Peggy Shinn; Margret Scott, Vice President; Jim Scott, Rose McLain, President; Sarah Threet, Fresh Start Pregnancy Program; Cathy Taylor, Kathy Hagler, Secretary; and Frieda Romine.

(Photo courtesy of the Happiness Extension Homemakers Club)

News 17

18 Sports

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January 26, 2022

Coach Spigner honored with national coaching award

By Patrick Massey

THE POLK COUNTY

ABCA believes the highest calling of a baseball coach is to teach life’s CHICAGO - UA Rich Mountain’s lessons and model the character head baseball coach Lance Spigner traits of honesty, integrity, respect was one of two coaches from across and personal responsibility. The the nation honored with the prestigious Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award.

Spigner received the award on Jan. 7 alongside Ryan McGinnis, head coach of Kimberly High School in Wisconsin. The awards ceremony was held in Chicago, Illinois, by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).

The two coaches were recognized as the recipients of the 2021 Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award.

A presentation was slated for 2021 but was delayed due to COVID-19 precautions.

According to its website, the

ABCA Ethics in Coaching Award honors individuals who embody the ABCA Code of Ethics. In 2017, the award was named in honor of ABCA Board Member, Hall of Fame inductee and former executive director Dave Keilitz.

Spigner, who is now head coach at the University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain, was one of the most successful high school baseball coaches in Arkansas for 28 years. From 1992-2019, Spigner collected over 500 wins and guided the Horatio High School Lions to 18 district championships and five state titles.

In addition, his teams captured 10 regional tournament titles and made 14 state tournament final four appearances.

While at Horatio, Spigner was a three-time ABCA/Diamond Sports Regional Coach of the Year and a five-time Texarkana Gazette Southwest Arkansas/Northeast Texas High School Baseball Coach of the Year. He received numerous Conference Coach of the Year honors during his tenure and was named the 2002-03 Horatio High School Teacher of the Year.

Spigner also served as an envoy for Major League Baseball to Great Britain during the summer of 2002.

Following the 2019 season, Spigner accepted the head coaching position at UA Rich Mountain and was tasked with starting the junior college program from scratch. The 2020 season was slated to be the program’s first.

The Ashdown native graduated and walked-on to play baseball at the University of Central Arkansas in the late 1980s. Spigner was a four-year starter and All-Conference outfielder for the UCA Bears.

Acorn winning with pins

The Acorn Tigers and Lady Tigers wrestling teams competed at Subiaco Academy Thursday, facing off against opponents from both Subiaco Academy and Perryville. The individual results: Lady Tigers • Shay Allen 1-0 • Emery Anderson 1-0 • Emma Arnold 2-0 • Olivia Tedder 1-0 Tigers • Elijah Badger 2-0 • Zack Cline 1-1 • Phoenix Lee 1-0 The boys were scheduled to compete at Pulaski Academy in the Bruin Invitational tournament Friday, Jan. 21.

The teams battle Ashdown and Lakeside in their last home meet, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

A report of robbery and domestic battery 3rd was taken at a residence on Deridder Avenue.

A report of breaking or entering was taken at Northside Laundromat. arrested on a Felony Warrant for Jaciel Romero, 19, and Hilario Failure to appear, a Felony Warrant Zepeda-Martinez, 32, were both for Residential Burglary and Theft charged with Public Intoxication of a Firearm and a charge of Crimi- after contact on South Reine Street. nal Trespass.

January 18 January 23, 2022 Matthew Miller, 40, was charged Deputies were dispatched to a with Possession of Meth, Possession report of fraudulent charges on an of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving account. on Suspended License after a traffic stop on Janssen Avenue.

Polk County Sheriff ’s Office Matthew Miller, 40, was served worked 3 vehicle accidents this with ten warrants after a disturweek. bance call to a residence on Dixon Road.

Polk County Detention Center Tiny Shores, 28, was served with Jail Population: 22 Incarcerated In- a warrant at the police department. mates, with 14 Inmates currently on A report of forgery was taken at the Waiting List for a State Facility. Rich Mountain Electric.

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 January 17, 2022 Robert Sweeney, 53 of Mena was arrested to be held for another agency.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 10 near Wickes in reference to a disturbance.

January 18, 2022 Deputies responded to a report from a walk-in complainant of a Theft of Property from a residence on Hwy 8 E near Board Camp.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Commanchee Lane in reference to property damage. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

January 19, 2022 No reports were filed.

January 20, 2022 No reports were filed.

January 21, 2022 Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Raspberry Lane near Mena in reference to a missing vehicle.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complaint of a mailbox being stolen.

January 22, 2022 Zackery Summit, 29 of Cove was

Police 19

January 26, 2022

January 19 Travis Dollarhyde, 33, was charged with Possession of Meth, and served with two warrants after contact on Bethesda Road.

Rachel Turner, 44, was charged with Possession of Meth, Public January 16 Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, A theft report was taken from a and Resisting Arrest at the police walk-in complainant. department.

A report of sexual assault was takGary Smith, 44, was served with a en at a residence on Church Avenue. warrant after contact on 10th Street.

A report of domestic battery was Jessica Fox, 40, was served with a taken at a residence on Dixon Road. warrant after a traffic stop on Dequeen Street.

January 17 A death investigation report was Altina Harned, 52, was charged taken at a residence on Finks Street. with DWI 2, Careless Driving, No Liability Insurance, and No Vehicle January 20 License after a traffic stop on MorA report of battery and disorderly row Street.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

conduct was taken from a person at Northside Super Stop.

Rachel Turner, 44, was charged with Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Arrest after contact on Highway 71.

January 21 No reports.

January 22 No reports.

Two-vehicle accident results in fuel spill A two-vehicle accident in Oklahoma on U.S. Highway 259 near Big Cedar, Oklahoma (Le Flore County), involving a Sharrock Oil tanker and a SUV, temporarily shut down a portion of 259 at U.S. Highway 63 Monday afternoon and evening, approximately a mile from the tanker until it could be grounded to prevent a spark. A major consideration was the possibility of a wildfire breaking out with the dry, breezy weather conditions.

Early reports state the accident resulted in the fuel truck rolling over and spilling across the highway. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol stated it would take some time to clean up.

We are awaiting further confirmation, but the accident may have caused at least one fatality. No official cause of the accident has been released at press time.

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January 26, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

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