Food commodities distribution on July 20 Beekeepers challenge quilters

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) commodities will be distributed Thursday, July 20, at the Polk County Fairgrounds, Polk Road 43, Mena, from 10 a.m.-noon. The information for the Commodity Distribution is listed below. We are still following all safety precautions therefore this will be a drive through only distribution. Please do not exit your vehicle. An application will be completed at the distribution site.

Submitted by the Ouachita Beekeepers Assoc. and the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild

The above income guidelines are based on 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You cannot pick up commodities for more than two households. Rules for acceptance and participation in the program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, or handicap. For more information call the local ARVAC, Inc. office at 479-394-4707 located at 606 Pine Ave, Mena.

The Ouachita Beekeepers Association has challenged the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild to help promote pollinator and honeybee awareness by making pollinator-related quilt blocks to be featured in a Block Challenge at the 2023 Ouachita Quilt Show. The guild officially extends the challenge to all area quilters.

Pollinators include bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, continued on page 18

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On June 2, 2023, I read an article published by the Washington Examiner headlined “How George Soros is Spreading Addiction, Death, and Chaos Across the US.” A group known as the Drug Policy Alliance has received millions in funding from Soros to “create cutting edge policies that have fundamentally transformed the direction of drug policy in the U.S.” The alliance has been instrumental in legalizing marijuana in 11 states and Washington, D.C. Take a moment and Google organizations funded by George Soros and his Open Society Institute. A few are Move On.org, Tides Foundation, Media Matters For America, Human Rights Watch, Priorities USA Action, America Coming Together, and America Votes. There are many more, but their stated objectives have a common theme. Do not be fooled by an innocent sounding name for a group. Read and draw your own conclusions.

The article suggests that marijuana is addictive and as time goes by its strength increases and the side effects become greater. “It is particularly dangerous for young users if used habitually causing brain damage (in particular to the frontal cortex) and has been linked to schizophrenia.”

The benefits of tax revenue where marijuana is now legal have not met expectations and the reverse has happened. An illegal market, not burdened by regulations and taxes, has flourished. Law enforcement has had to deal with the increase in marijuana growing operations and crime with little, if any, additional funding. Funding for addiction rehab has not met the increase in demand. The advertised benefits have not been realized. The article was eye opening, but sadly like so

Want to share your opinion?

many, did not get the national spotlight or coverage it deserved.

There are those who are quick to argue that marijuana is no worse than alcohol or tobacco. Neither of those are good for you. It has always been tedious hearing that argument to justify a point of view. To argue something shown to be bad for you is somehow less bad by comparing it to something also bad for you is an insult to your intelligence.

Maybe we should ask what part drug use plays in the uptick in violence. Do you know anyone who lost a loved one to drug use/ abuse/addiction? I do. It was heart wrenching to watch the decline and be helpless to intervene.

I am not talking big cities, but here in Mena. Sadly, the problem is everywhere. It crosses all lines of race, economics, social status, community, age, and sex. The impact is not limited to family and friends, but to the victims of an addict’s crimes as they seek money to fund their addiction.

In my mind accepting marijuana use only sends us further in decline as a society. It is an escape that is more a trap than a solution. It leads to other drugs and weakens rather than strengthens the minds of our future, our young people. Is it possible that is what is being planned to begin with?

As always, I thank you for a forum to address my thoughts, though we may peacefully disagree.

With respect and kindest regards, Ronald Goss, retired, Mena

The Polk County Pulse welcomes letters to the Editor addressing any topic of interest to our readers. To be published, letters must not contain obscene or libelous language. Letters do not reflect the viewpoints or opinions of Pulse Multi-Media.

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In 2022, the Arkansas State Crime Lab reported 457 drug overdose deaths. Fentanyl was a contributing factor in 251 of those deaths.

And from January to March of this year, the crime lab reported 87 drug overdose deaths. Once again, fentanyl was a contributing factor in more than half of those cases.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.

This year, the 94th General Assembly passed legislation aimed at preventing overdose deaths and legislation to hold drug traffickers accountable.

Act 584, titled the Fentanyl Enforcement and Accountability Act, creates death by delivery felony offenses, including aggravated death by delivery, death by delivery in the first degree, and death by delivery in the second degree, that apply when a person delivers or conveys fentanyl or another controlled substance that causes the death of another person. The act provides that trafficking of fentanyl is an unclassified felony that carries a penalty of 25 to 60 years or life imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000. The act creates the felony offense of predatory marketing of fentanyl to minors that applies when the packaging, shape, color, or other appearance of fentanyl is created in a way that appeals to minors. The act also decriminalizes fentanyl testing strips.

Act 739 creates the offense of knowingly exposing another person to fentanyl as a Class A felony if the victim is a first responder or employee of a correctional facility and a Class B felony otherwise.

Act 811 requires that by January 1, 2024, each public high school campus have a clearly visible and labeled opioid overdose rescue kit and requires that the location of each opioid overdose rescue kit be registered with the school nurse and school resource officer of each public high school.

Overdose numbers are more than just data. Each number represents an individual who lost their future, and families, friends, and entire communities left in devastation. If you or a family member is struggling with opioid addiction you can find a list of resources available at www.artakeback.org.

The governor announced that the state would provide about $11 million to local school districts to help them pay the steeply rising costs of property insurance premiums.

In her announcement, the governor said premiums are going up for schools by an average of 130 percent, and the state aid would help them pay for about 30 percent of the increase.

The Legislative Council will consider the governor’s proposal, which was developed with input from lawmakers over the past several weeks.

An insurance plan purchased by the Arkansas School Boards Association covers 179 districts and a plan purchased by the state Insurance Department covers 78 districts, according to news reports.

Part of the dramatic increase in premiums is attributed to the cost of repairing damage caused by severe weather events such as tornadoes, flooding and sudden freezes. The increased insurance costs are not limited to Arkansas, but are being experienced nationwide. Not only schools but also homeowners are seeing increases in the cost of insuring property.

Education Week, a national news magazine that focuses on issues affecting schools, reported that in Davis, Oklahoma, the cost of liability insurance has increased more than threefold percent since the 2019-2020 school year, when the cost of insurance to the district was about $68 per student. It is now $167 per student and is going up to $290 per student.

According to the superintendent, the district pays $261,000 for property insurance. That amount would cover the pay of two teachers, or an entire grade level of math and science text books, he said.

The article in Education Week said that other factors, in addition to se- vere weather events, are causing rates to go up. New laws allowing more lawsuits over sexual abuse have contributed to rate increases.

Cybercrimes were cited also. The Little Rock School District was victimized last year by computer hackers who demanded and received $242,000 in extortion payments. They had stolen sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and other types of identification.

Shakeout within the insurance industry is also a factor. In markets where some companies have stopped writing policies, there is less competition and therefore less pressure to hold down rates.

Major companies have stopped issuing new homeowner policies in California because of the prevalence of wildfires. Spokesmen for the insurance companies attributed their decisions in part to inflation and the higher costs of re-building homes and structures.

New Drug Laws

Earlier this year the legislature approved Act 584, which creates a new felony of “death by delivery” for dealers who lace their illegal drugs with fentanyl, resulting in the death of users. The penalties range from 20 years to life.

Prosecutors in Searcy relied on Act 584 when they filed felony charges recently against a couple who allegedly sold drugs laced with fentanyl to two people who died from overdoses.

Last year 487 people in Arkansas died from a drug overdose, and so far this year 133 Arkansans have died from fatal doses of drugs. In the past few years fentanyl has become the leading cause of fatal overdoses.

So far this year, emergency medical personnel and first responders have administered almost 2,000 doses of Naloxone to Arkansans at risk of death from an overdose.

LA ROXX continued from page 1 high enough to add to the heat. Once the sun set, the evening was clear and the temperature relented.

They lit a fire under the crowd of approximately 500-600 people.

Lead singer Kriss D. Deville said, “Mena sounds a whole lot louder than L.A. right now, I’ll tell you that. Everybody brought it tonight.”

“They did,” bassist J.J. Savage agreed.

The audience age ranged from children to several adults who were probably 70-plus like rockers such as Ozzy Osbourne and David Coverdale whom L.A. ROXX paid tribute to performing “Crazy Train” and “Still of the Night.”

The latter song saw Brandon Blaze Micheals emulating Whitesnake’s music video with the guitar being played with a violin bow. He shares lead guitar duties with his brother Gabriel, who also plays keyboards.

Drew Dye plays drums, including playing a solo while blindfolded during the Van Halen medley. He remained blindfolded while playing Van Halen’s “Unchained.”

The only break was about 45 minutes into the band’s set when children and adults competed in ‘80s garb for the costume contest, ranging from aerobic outfits and side-high tails to rocking concert T-shirts, leather and spandex, mullet wigs and some even strapping on a guitar. The audience voted by cheering for their favorites. Children’s category winners:

• First - Brinlee Basehar

• Second - Chandler Howard

• Third - Lily Arender

Adult category winners:

• First - Vince Rudman

• Second - Leah Taylor

• Third - Yvonne Newland

The band performed quite a few hits from Poison, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe and Van Halen. They also threw in some Ratt, Night Ranger, Warrant, and finished with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

“We came in here last year and we didn’t know what to think,” Deville said. “We were trying not to be stinkers about it, hoping the night wasn’t going to be a drag. We were outside, it was hot, and there might be a couple of people in chairs clapping. Man, last year everybody exploded and this year it doubled. It was awesome!”

“They brought the power,” Savage said.

The band hung out for another hour signing autographs and doing photo ops with some of the fans, cracking jokes and being accommodating.

The Mena performance was L.A. ROXX’s last live show before going into the studio to record all-original material with the ‘80s arena rock feel. They were scheduled to start recording on July 17.

Deville said, “We’re going in the studio Monday through Friday, then we’re going back on tour, headed toward Louisiana. We want it to sound like it will fit right between your Whitesnake albums and your Def Leppard albums, or your iTunes collection or whatever.”

“It’s going to be an EP to start,” Savage said. “We’re hoping to have it released by the end of the year.”

“We’re going for five songs,” Deville said. “We’re going to test the waters and see how people respond with purchase, play, streams… however it works in 2023. We’ll put a couple of songs out and if people respond, maybe we’ll do a whole album next year.”

You can keep up with them by searching L.A. ROXX Band on various social media platforms.

More photos of LA ROXX continued from page 12

Arkansas Farm Bureau Officers and Leaders Conference in Hot Springs

Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 75th annual Officers and Leaders Conference is set for July 20 - 21 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Themed “Navigating the Future,” the event will feature professional development sessions, commodity division meetings, recognition of outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher families, and wrapping up with a keynote from Steve Roberts, a former football coach. The annual event is expected to draw more than 500 Farm Bureau leaders to Hot Springs.

Workshops at the conference will cover topics and issues important to the agriculture industry such as sustainable production practices, net metering and demand rates, among others. ArFB’s summer commodity division meetings will be held to discuss potential policy issues impact- ing every commodity produced in Arkansas.

“The future of agriculture is essential for every citizen of our state and we must work together to ensure our industry is prepared to take on the challenges that lie ahead,” said Rich Hillman, president of Arkansas Farm Bureau and a sixth-generation farmer from Carlisle. “In order to be prepared, we’ve asked ArFB leaders from all 75 Arkansas counties to take a short break from their operations and focus on the future of our industry for the greater good.”

ArFB will also announce winners of its Young Farmer & Rancher competitions, which identify and highlight successful farm and ranch operations and the young farmers who are engaged in those efforts.

Patsy June Jenkins

Mrs. Patsy June Jenkins, age 89, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Livingston, Texas. She was born June 22, 1934, in Mena, Arkansas, to the late Homer Ford Meridieth and Iona Lola (Medford).

Mrs. Jenkins was known as a family oriented and godly woman who always made church a priority, she enjoyed ceramics. She was united in marriage to her husband Burrel Jenkins on September 23, 1951, and married for 53 years until his passing July 4, 2004.

Mrs. Jenkins is survived by her son, Michael Jenkins and wife Ressie; grandchildren, Brigitte Gonzalez and husband Eddie, Patti Jo Selph and husband Michael, Heidi Cronin and husband Clayton, Tiffany Jenkins and partner Bob Loshelder; great-grandchildren, Asa Selph, “Jocie” Jocelyn Selph, Kip Cronin, Kate Cronin, Edie and Jill Loshelder; as well as a host of other nieces, nephews, other family and friends too numerous to mention.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Burrel Jenkins, mother and father-in-law, Cashus and Josie Jenkins; daughter, Karen Marcantel; sisters, Mary Sue Varner and husband Sam, Coy Jean Quinn and husband Perry.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Jenkins will be held, Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Doug Quinn will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Brent Tibbs, Douglas Quinn, Asa Selph, Dusty Tibbs, Quinn Dahlem, and Dylan Brown.

The Honorary Pallbearer is Brien Quinn.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Eugene Paul Wenner

Eugene Paul Wenner (Papaw), 90, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2023. He was born on April 18, 1933, to the late Eugene Paul Wenner and Dorothy Irene Hague, in Sidney, Ohio. He was a graduate of Sidney High School when shortly after he joined the Air Force and served as an airplane Mechanic and Jet Engine Tech. He worked at Ford for 30+ years till he retired and then moved to Mena, Arkansas, in 1991.

Paul was a jack of all trades, but he was known for his gardening skills and had some of the best tomatoes and peppers. He was a welder, hunter, and a fisherman. When you went to visit Papaw he always had the news or weather on the TV while sorting through his mail, and always finding time to take a break to eat Reese’s cups.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary Lou Wenner; one brother, Ron Wenner, of Homosassa, Florida; one sister, Linda Wenner, Wood Island, Washington; one son, Gordon and Bryan Wenner, of Ellenton, Florida; two daughters, Becky Hughes of Lima, Ohio, and Gina and Yankton Lawrence of Mena, Arkansas; three Grandchildren, Brian and Brandi Townsend of Lima, Ohio, Courtney Lawrence of Mena, Arkansas, and Ashton Lawrence of Conway, Arkansas.

He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Larry, Jerry, and Joe Wenner; and three grandchildren Randy Kelly, Jo Kelly, and Raymond Kelly.

Graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 17, 2023, at Pinecrest Cemetery in Mena, Arkansas. Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Adrian Gunn

Adrian Gunn, age 45, of Mena, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at his home. He was born on Wednesday, October 5, 1977, to Anthony Gunn and Cathy Breedlove in Denver, Colorado.

Adrian loved fishing, snowboarding, and airplanes. When Adrian moved to Mena, he and Adam and Jonathan built the kind of relationship with each other that only brothers have.

Adrian spent several years working for Family Fun Pools, Scott Kiersey Heat and Air, and most recently again working as an electrician with Randy Varner. He was taking classes and working toward his own electrician license when he passed away. Adrian was most proud of buying his own home. He was working so hard to fix it up.

Adrian was baptized at Grace Bible Church. He had a beautiful smile and an infectious laugh that can never be replaced and will forever be missed. Rest high on that mountain brother.

Adrian is survived by his mother and step father, Cathy and Nick Austin of Grand Junction, Colorado; his father, Anthony Gunn of Phoenix, Arizona; his only brother and sister-in-law, Adam and Delta Gunn of Mena; his nephew (but really more like a brother) Jonathan Gunn of Fayetteville; two nieces, Ivy Gunn of Fort Smith, and Maddison Gunn of Mena; lifelong friends, Maria and Michael Kirchner of Oklahoma; and the most absolute precious thing on this earth to him, his cat, Meow Meow.

A memorial service will be held at the Grace Bible Church in Mena on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 10:00 AM with Dr. Lamar Austin officiating. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Arron Ray Harris

Mr. Arron Ray Harris, age 46, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born October 24, 1976, in De Queen, Arkansas, to Ray Harris and Glenda Allene (Saylors) Gregory.

Mr. Harris was known as a loyal and dependable man; he enjoyed fishing and spending time with his daughter.

Mr. Harris is survived by his daughter, Elayna Harris; stepfather, Chris Gregory; brother, Allen Salls; sister, Sabrina Davis; and uncle, Charles Saylors.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Glenda Gregory, and by his grandparents, Genevieve Saylors and Charles Allen Saylors.

Cremation services for Mr. Harris are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home, there are no services planned at this time.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Albert Authur Steven Mason

Mr. Albert Authur Steven Mason (Steve), age 70, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Steve was born in Mena, on March 8, 1953, to Albert (Fritz) Mason and Sylvia Mason.

Steve graduated from Van-Cove High School in 1972. Steve moved to Wenatchee, Washington, where he met Suzie Trapp. Steve and Suzie had two children, Nicholas Mason and Camie Mason. Steve was always involved in or doing something outdoors. He was involved in Nascar racing, boat racing, and dirt bike motorcycles. What time he was not involved in racing, he loved going hunting and fishing. Which helped bring him back to Mena, after retiring from Chelan Fruit.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Albert (Fritz) Mason and Sylvia; his wife Suzie; sisters, Debbie and Mary; and brother, Joe.

Steve is survived by children, Nicholas, Camie and husband Anthony; grandchildren, Kaydence and Poria; sister, Sandra Mason and Delilah Hampton; brothers and their wives, Rick and Erma Mason, and Doyle and Diana Mason.

There will be a celebration of life gathering at Steve’s home on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m., located at 703 Meadowbrook Drive Mena, Arkansas, 71953. Cremation services for Mr. Mason are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com