Polk County Pulse June 22, 2022

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

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June 22, 2022

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Hostetlers are the Polk County Farm Family of the Year

INSIDE:

James K. Polk DAR shines Submitted by Cortez Copher, Honorary Regent

While at the State DAR Conference, Annika Thompson, a senior at Mena High School, was awarded Second Place in the Arkansas Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizen Contest.

The chapter was also awarded eight other State Chapter Awards for DAR Chapters under 50 members:

District Farm Family Winners

Page 20

Article and photos by Ethan Nahté

Summer Holiday Events

Page 14

Gator Permits Drawing

Page 16

For 75 years, the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program has honored families like the Hostetler family of Polk County.

Monte and Krystal Hostetler own the MK Ranch in the Ink area. The spread is picturesque, with rolling meadows occupied by cattle and horses, 50 acres of timber, complete with a beautiful, serene view of the mountains.

Monte and Krystal Hostetler have been farming and ranching 21 years, starting out with 50 acres. Then they bought the property next door in 2021, increasing the acreage to 119 total. They’re an independent operator versus a partnership or corporation.

“I grew up right here,” Monte Hostetler said, pointing to a small house across the

pasture on his father’s side of the fence.

“I’m 43 and been here all of my life. Me and my wife have been married 21 years. She was raised on a breeder flock farm in Yocana, gathering eggs.

“It was different than like my dad, who has commercial table eggs. He’s got layers in there,” Monte said. Layers are smaller chickens exclusively raised for laying eggs to be sold and eaten. He estimated his father’s layer house has a little under 14,000 birds. “They’re the brown eggs that go to like Walmart.

“Breeder flock eggs are for hatching.

They’re a totally different chicken,” he explained, referring to his father’s farm. “His are around four pounds. The breeder flock birds are around 12 to 13 pounds. They’re bred for meat.

“We had broilers growing up. In ’92,

See MK RANCH continued on page 4

Ann Garrett, First Vice Regent, James K. Polk DAR Chapter, setting Missing Man Table in Mena for Memorial Day Weekend.

(Photo by Kay Dye)

See NSDAR continued on page 12

2 News

June 22, 2022

Bob Miller was the winner of the fourth week’s Let Us Make Your Day promotion. He signed up at Allbaugh’s Florist & Gifts and his name was chosen from our seven sponsors. Miller won a $100 gift certificate for roses and chocolate from Allbaugh’s Florist & Gifts.

There are still two more opportunities to win in our weekly Let Us Make Your Day drawing.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

The Polk County Developmental Center (PCDC) was visited by representatives for senators Tom Cotton, Bruce Westerman, and John Boozeman. They toured the PCDC retail store, recycle center, Jumpstart, and then Repops to see the work that PCDC and their clients put into our community. (l-r) Brooke Hines, Jodi Croft, Rep. John Maddox, Jeff Montgomery, Melanie Wade, Clint Montgomery, Jessi Solley, Chris Hoover, Brendan Spaulding and his intern Byron (last name unknown)

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 22, 2022

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4 News MK RANCH continued from page 1

when we bought this land, we built one broiler house. We didn’t have chickens in there for six or seven years. About three years ago, we built an egg room on the end and switched everything over to a layer house.

“Growing up, we had some cows and did construction work. We stayed on the farm as much as we could.”

One of the first things someone might see approaching the MK Ranch is a sign reading “Do Not Enter: BioSecurity” “That is to prevent diseases so not just anybody goes down there to the chicken houses, because at times they have different diseases.”

Earlier in 2022, there was an avian flu going around, killing thousands of birds, making it to Missouri, Tennessee, and eastern Arkansas. It did not make it to western Arkansas.

“There’s one going around now called LT,” Monte said.

LT is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the herpes virus, resulting in respiratory disease in chickens, turkeys, pheasants and some other species of birds., generally killing 10-20% of infected birds, but has had a mortality rate as high as 70%.

If even 10% of the Hostetler’s broilers were affected, it would be a considerable number of birds, which is why he takes precautions. The Hostetler’s farm raises around 1 million broilers per year. Monte’s father helped build the first two chicken houses on the current property.

“I’ve got two big houses. They’re 66’ wide by 600’ long. We built them ourselves. They’re steel truss with wood purlins. I built them in 2011.

“In 2015, I built the smaller ones. They’re 43’ by 510’.

“I raise the small birds. It varies a little bit now, but for a long time they put about 58,200 in the big houses. I’ve already had 60,000 born in the big ones. It’s a lot of chickens. Once they get ready to be picked up, it’s pretty full in there. Now, I run about 56,000 in the big ones

June 22, 2022 and 32,000 in the small ones apiece.”

Hostetler said his broilers are generally picked up every five weeks for wings, the birds weighing in around 3.6 or 3.7 and up to 4 pounds.

“I like when they’re 4 pounds if I can get them that heavy.

It’s a challenge.”

A few of the environmentally friendly or conservation projects the MK Ranch has undergone is working with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS) to soil test to assess how well soil performs all of its functions and develop a nutrient management plan; utilizing a litter shed to store litter until it can be properly applied to pastures; utilizing a water treatment system for the chicken houses to allow well water to be used; using the Best Management Practices when harvesting timber near creeks and other water sources on the property; and the conversion to LED lights in the poultry houses to conserve electricity. Rich Mountain Electric Co-op is their provider.

“I had a guy put LEDs in. I like it. It’s a bunch of bulbs. I’ve got four rows in my big houses.

Actually, my own house, I’m switching everything to LED.” Besides the lesser amount of energy in utilizing LED lights, it also reduces the heat output compared to the previous lights, which is beneficial during the summer heat on a day such as this where it’s 7 p.m. and the heat index is 105 F. “In my big houses, I’ve got a big generator, 130 kilowatts. I think it’s 60 for my little ones. In three seconds, it will kick on. You want to make sure they will work. I’ve got some relatives in

Nashville that earlier this year they had something go wrong with the generator and they lost a bunch of birds… it shut everything off. There was no air.”

They also are using a mix of well water and city water.

“I put a system in.

It’s a water treatment for the chickens. My well water is perfectly good with the pH.” Potential of hydrogen (pH) is a measure of the acidity or basicness of water.

“I put that system in to help that a year or so ago. It’s stuff that mixes with the water to make it better. I’ve got city back-up, too, if the well doesn’t keep up like on the real hot days.

When the cool cells are going, I go through a bunch of gallons of water.”

Cool cells are cooling pads at one end of the chicken house and a large tunnel exhaust fan at the opposite end. It is an evaporative system used to cool poultry, put into use depending upon the temperature and humidity, using water running through the pads to help cool the air temperature.

“It probably runs close to 10,000 gallons in one day when the cool cells are running. They drink probably 5,000 gallons per house in the big ones, and probably 2,500 a house for the little ones. They drink a lot of water. I’ve got four feed lines and six water lines in the big houses. They don’t have to go very far to drink and eat.”

In addition to collecting his own litter for usage, Hostetler builds for other farmers. “I do litter sheds. We do about anything somebody wants.”

Litter sheds are structures to collect litter, such as that from poultry houses, to be utilized for fertilizer. He also builds compost sheds and barns. He sells his litter and compost to other local producers.

Cattle Besides the broilers, the Hostetlers also raise cattle. They would like to grow their cattle operation if more property becomes available to own or rent.

“I’ve got 18 mommas, I think. I’ve got these three heifers in my dad’s pasture. I’ll probably keep those. My daughter and sons have got some cows. With theirs we’ve got about 22

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse head between the momma cows, the calves and the bull.

“I’d like to run more cows, but with the property we’ve got, it’s pretty full right now. This 40-some-odd acres back here that I bought, we’re fixing to clear that out and turn it to more pasture, enough to where we can have grass.

We’ll leave a tree here and there. I definitely want creeks and stuff in there for the cows.

It’s kind of on a hill. It’s basically a square 44 acres back there. We’ll cut it open. That way we’ll have two pastures for the cattle. We were going to leave it for the wildlife for hunting and stuff, but right now with the situation we’re in, I think we need more pasture.”

In addition, his father’s 66 acres has “… about 25 mommas. He originally had 26 acres and bought 40 and moved to a larger house up the hill in ’92. The guy he bought that from has 40 acres.”

The other owner’s 40 acres is split up into two 20-acre tracts. Hostetler believes his father might buy 20 acres if the owner decides to sell.

Hostetler and his sons help his father out.

He said the boys have been taking the horses out there to rope the cattle and give them their inoculations. “The boys enjoy that.”

Horses Additionally, they are wanting to grow their horse operation beyond the 20 or so mares, studs and foals. They would like to do more breaking and training. Three of their eight children, Bailey, 18, Ridge, 16, and Hunter, 14, help around the farm, plus train and ride horses.

“Yeah, we’re just starting out,” Hostetler said. “We actually bought some cheap horses we’re trying to break and take to the sale in Poteau and a few other sales around. We bought some we’ll take to the sale this fall and see how they do.

“Growing up, I think I was 12 years old when I got my first horse. I wasn’t much of a horse guy then. I got rid of that horse, then when I was 17, I bought another horse and I’ve had horses ever since.”

“Ridge has got two horses on the outside he’s riding for somebody. One horse, he’s got a problem where he spooks.”

“I think (Ridge) said he’d just prefer to buy our horses and sell them like that, but he’ll do some on the outside, and my oldest daughter, Bailey, did real good. We bought a horse that was just roaming around the neighborhood.

We found out who’s horse it was. I asked her how much she wanted for it and she said $250.

It was nine or 10 years old and never broke.

My daughter is riding that one.

“We’ve got two right now that the people just

See MK RANCH continued on page 11

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Politics 5

June 22, 2022

From the

State House of Representatives

beauty, a unique habitat for With more than 800,000 visilocal biota, and an agricultural tors a year, the Buffalo National resource to the state as a whole.

River is one of the leading tourIt is essential that we preserve ist destinations in Arkansas. of this irreplaceable natural This year, the Buffalo Naand cultural resource for future tional River celebrates its 50th generations of Arkansans. anniversary as a unit of the In the 2021 Regular Session, National Park Service.

John Maddox the General Assembly passed Former Congressman John Act 785 which creates the Paul Hammerschmidt and former Senators J. William Fulbright Buffalo River Conservation Committee and John L. McClellan introduced the to establish measurable objectives and first Buffalo National River park legis- lead partnership projects to benefit walation in 1967. The final park legislation ter quality and resource management was introduced in 1971, and hearings in the Buffalo River Watershed.

The committee is tasked with conwere held in late 1971. In February ducting an annual review of the water1972, Congress voted to establish the shed and making recommendations for nation’s first “national river.”

President Richard M. Nixon signed updates of the plan to the Governor.

We also passed Act 541 which creates the law to put the river under the protection of the National Park Service 100 the Buffalo River Community Develyears after the establishment of Yellow- opment special license plate. Fees from stone National Park, the first national the license plate benefit the development corporation. park.

If you’ve never floated the Buffalo It is one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers in the lower for- River, this summer provides a perfect ty-eight states. It runs through Newton, opportunity. The National Park Service is hosting 50th-anniversary celebratory Searcy, Marion, and Baxter counties.

The Buffalo National River is one of events throughout the year. Visit nps. the state’s and indeed the nation’s pre- gov for more information. mier rivers and is a source of scenic

Contact Your Legislators!

John Maddox

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

Larry Teague

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

John Boozman

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

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

From the

State Senate victims of bullying, most had The Arkansas School Safety a history of being disciplined Commission has been set up at school and most had exagain to update measures to perienced troubles in their protect students while they home life. are in school.

The second report, issued The governor issued an executive order to reinstate the in 2021, analyzed 67 instances when authorities were able commission in the wake of the mass murder of 19 chil- Larry Teague to prevent a planned attack dren and two adults at an eleon a school. In those cases, mentary school in Uvalde, Texas, on school staff and teachers spotted May 24. The commission was origiwarning signs in emotionally disnally created in 2018 after the mass turbed teenagers and intervened. murder of 17 people at a school in The commission’s recommendations, and legislation enacted in Lakeland, Florida.

2019 and 2021, have resulted in The newly created commission more training of school counselors will review how thoroughly Arkansas schools have enacted its original in mental health awareness. set of recommendations, and will set School officials and local police forth new ideas based on more reforces are working to streamline cent research. communications, so that response In its original report of 124 pages times are faster during an emergency. the commission issued 30 recommendations, many of which have The Arkansas Criminal Justice been put in place. For example, 20 Institute offers training for school percent of Arkansas school districts resource officers, whose duties combine law enforcement with teaching, now have an armed officer on every mentoring and counseling. The Incampus during the school day, and stitute also has a course in behavioral 84 percent of districts have an armed threat assessment in cases in which a officer on at least one campus. school is the threatened target.

Some districts hire private security guards and some rely on staff who Unlike most other state task forces have been trained how to use fireand commissions, the School Safety arms. There are 460 school resource Commission is on a tight deadline. officers in 223 districts whose job is Its first report will be delivered by security.

August 1 and its final report is due Also, 45 percent of Arkansas

by October 1. school districts have implemented a During the meeting of the newly formed commission, members system in which people can anonymously report suspicious behavior, brought up the Westside Middle and 28 percent have a team of staff School shooting of March, 1998, trained in behavioral assessment. when two boys, of 11 and 13 years The state commission reviewed of age, shot and killed a teacher and the findings of two reports by the four students. federal Secret Service.

They had set up in a field next to The first, issued in 2019, concludthe school, about two miles west of ed that the killers in 41 school shootJonesboro. The younger boy pulled ings did not share the same clear a fire alarm. As students and teacher psychological profile, although most evacuated the building, the boys fired of them shared some similar cirupon them. In addition to the five cumstances. Most of them had been people killed, 10 others were injured.

6 Obituaries

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 22, 2022

Judi Karon Beadles

Mrs. Judi Karon Beadles of Cherry Hill, Arkansas, moved to her heavenly home, June 17, 2022. She was born March 5, 1949, to Ottis and Geraldine Egger.

Judi was a member of Cherry Hill Gospel Church; her favorite color was blue. She loved to have a garden with many flowers and vegetables.

After graduation, Judi worked at the Polk County Court House, she also taught Sunday school at the Church of Nazarene for several years, later she became a beautician. She owned her shop in Mena called Hair Fantasy.

Her service was cuts and styles for everyone. Judi moved to Utah and worked at a dispatch trucking company, that is where Judi met Kenny, they moved back to Mena and Judi worked at Wal-Mart. One of Judi’s favorite songs was “If it wasn’t for the light house”.

Judi is preceded in death by her parents, Ottis and Geraldine Egger, her nephew, Tony Sterner, and by her infant stepson, Little Kenny. She is survived by her husband, Kenny; her sons, Slade and wife Angela Cunningham, Brandon Cunningham; one daughter, Crystal Cunningham; two stepdaughters, Kandy and Kelly; two grandsons, Mason Cunningham and Garret Dobbs; one granddaughter, Michaelia Cunningham; several stepgrandchildren; one brother, Larry Egger; three sisters, Phyllis Heath, Reba Bowling, Mary Etta Gillean; nieces, Charlotte Craig, Sharon Maechler, Kristy Gillean, Kim Gillean, Lindsey Ford, Amanda Andrews; and by her nephews, Matthew Heath, Travis Gillean, Dustin Egger, Joe Bowling, and Chase Egger, as well as a host of other family and friends.

Services for Mrs. Beadles will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Cherry Hill Gospel Church in Cherry

Hill, Arkansas. Pastor Andy Anderson and Tom Hartley will be officiating.

Interment will follow at Cherry Hill Cemetery in Cherry Hill, Arkansas.

Visitation will be held at BeasleyWood Chapel in Mena, Arkansas, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Debra Lynn Sexton

Mrs. Debra Lynn Sexton, age 65, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2022, in Mena, Arkansas. She was born July 7, 1956, in Mena, Arkansas, to the late Preston and Reba Rosson.

Debbie was a farmer by profession.

She enjoyed gardening, canning, and cooking for others. Deb was an exceptional cook, being known for her wonderful peanut brittle. She had an affinity for animals, especially her horses. Debbie was one of the hardest of workers. She was often found tending to her animals and garden. Debbie was also known to be very attentive to her friends and neighbors, always knowing if one of them were sick or in need, bringing eggs, plants, food or whatever she felt was necessary. She was a very loving and giving person and will be greatly missed by so many.

She is preceded in death by her parents. Mrs. Sexton is survived by her loving husband, Doug Sexton; her daughters, Callie Powell of Mena, Arkansas, Sara Gallien and husband John of Springdale, Arkansas; honorary brother, Donnie Evans; honorary sister, Sue Babel; as well as a host of friends who are thought of as family.

Services for Mrs. Debra Sexton will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 24, 2022, at Beasley-Wood Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. Visitation will be

Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arkansas Heart Foundation, 1701 South Shackleford, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Robert “Bob” Brock

Robert “Bob” Brock made his last code-three response from this world to his Lord on June 15th, 2022 in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born July 28th, 1939 to William T. Brock and Lois Irene Brock in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As a boy, he helped his parents operate their hardware store and lumber yard, Brock Builder’s Supply. At seventeen, he married his beloved wife Jeri, and joined the U.S. Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Lenawee, APA195 attack/ transport ship stationed out of San Diego, California. After being honorably discharged a Petty Officer FirstClass with two years of service, he and Jeri moved back to Tulsa where their daughter Meri was born.

There, Robert worked at Saint Francis Hospital as Assistant Operating Engineer. As a master-level steam operating engineer, he oversaw the use and maintenance of high-pressure industrial steam equipment for heating and medical purposes. He later left Saint Francis Hospital and went to work remotely for Johnson Controls, designing circuit boards and relays for use in heavy machinery and complex electrical systems for use all over the world.

In 1976, Robert and Jeri decided to pack up their daughter Meri in a Greyhound bus he had converted into a motorhome and leave the rush of the big city to settle in the first friendly town they came to: Mena, Arkansas.

It is here that they met and homesteaded with the Walstons at Shady and became lifelong friends, sharing many wilderness adventures. Robert became the head of maintenance for Mena School Systems, head of maintenance for Mena Hospital, and also an EMT-Intermediate for R.D. William’s Volunteer Ambulance Service, the first modern EMS service in Polk County.

He then joined Mena Fire Department under Chief Russel James, and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Chief himself. Robert wrote grants for the fire department to better their equipment and response capabilities, including Nomex turnouts, modernized air packs, their first-ever Jaws of Life, and many other specialty rescue/extrication tools that were generally considered unobtainable by small departments at the time.

In addition to being Fire Chief, he was an Arkansas Fire Training Academy Adjunct Instructor, the Arson Investigator, Fire Marshall, Code Enforcement Officer, and an Auxiliary Police Officer with Mena Police Department.

In 2003, he retired from his capacities to help raise and homeschool his Grandson, Collin.

He loved his family, his occupations, his God, and was a lifelong woodworker and metalsmith, master plumber, master electrician, avid outdoorsman, and superior marksman.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Jeri of 64 years.

Bob was surrounded by family in his last hours. His daughter Meri, grandson Collin, and his wife Brandi miss him terribly In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made in his name to the Mena Fire Department, the Arkansas State Firefighter’s Association, and the Mena Police Department.

No services are planned at this time.

Cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Obituaries 7

June 22, 2022

Lela Viola Cline

Lela Viola Cline, 93, of Y-City, Arkansas, died June 15, 2022. She was born Jan. 17, 1929, in Raymondville, Texas.

She was proceeded in death by her husband of 60 years, Arthur Cline.

She is survived in death by three daughters, Vicki Larru of Mountainburg, Arkansas, Cathy Keith of Y-City, and Brenda and Roger Bates of Y-City.

She had six grandkids, 18 great-grandkids, and one great-great-grandkid.

She was a devoted Jehovah’s Witness.

She was loved by all that knew her.

A private memorial will be scheduled at a later date.

Melba Lewis Head

Melba Lewis Head, age 80, of Mena, Arkansas, passed from this life to her heavenly home on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at the Mena Regional Health System in Mena, Arkansas. She was born on January 30, 1942, to Bill and Lura Carter Lewis in Opal, Arkansas.

Melba was a member of the Dallas Avenue Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school to children for many years. She was an elementary school teacher for 39 years. Melba taught in Garland, Bryan, and Sabine Texas and moved to Mena, Arkansas, in 1979 where she taught 5th graders for 30 years. Melba graduated from Oden High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree from North Texas State University and her Master’s Degree from East Texas University. Melba did graduate studies at Henderson State and received an Administrative Degree. She was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma and loved many years of teaching children. She was an auxiliary member in the gift department at Mena Regional Health System for many years. Melba was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend and will be

missed by all who knew her.

Melba is preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Delbert Lewis, Harold Lewis, Don Lewis, Doyal Lewis and Billy D. Lewis.

Melba is survived by her husband of 62 years, Joe Head of Mena, Arkansas; her son, Johnny Head of Dallas, Texas; her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Chad Humphrey of Bedford, Texas; her four adored grandsons, Dallas Head and Brandon Head of Phoenix, Arizona, Carter Humphrey and Chase Humphrey of Bedford, Texas; one sister, Etha Driggers of Pearcy, Arkansas; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary and Glenda Lewis of Prescott, Arkansas, and Anthony and Jeannie Lewis of Mena, Arkansas; sisters-in-law, Doris Lewis of Oden, Arkansas, and Charlene Lewis of Carlisle, Arkansas; her first cousin who was like a brother, Truman and Janet Lewis of Oden, Arkansas; many nieces and nephews; her church family and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at the Dallas Avenue Baptist Church with Brother Justin Leonard, Brother Rusty Lewis and Brother Andy Kennedy officiating. Interment will follow in the Board Camp Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 21, 2022, from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Russell Myers, Doug Powell, Eddie Kennedy, Jamie Reeves, Dewayne Lewis, Seth Driggers and Britt Driggers.

Funeral service will be livestreamed and viewable here: https://my.gather. app/remember/melba-head Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Grief changes shape, but it never ends.

~ Keanu Reeves

James Milliken Lesley

James Milliken Lesley, age 82, of Nunley, Arkansas, died Saturday, May 28, 2022, at his home. He was born on Sunday, August 13, 1939, to George Lee and Helen Agnes Milliken Lesley in Folsom, New Mexico.

Jim, as he was lovingly known, grew up and attended school in Hugoton, Kansas. He was very active in sports, playing football and basketball in high school. This is where he developed a love for sports that he carried throughout his life. He was class president all four years of high school. When he wasn’t in school, he worked for local farmers.

In his early adult years, Jim served in the United States Army for two years and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. Jim was a man of faith and was a long-time member of the Guymon, Oklahoma, First Baptist Church.

He served as Sunday school director for many years while in Guymon. Jim was in a Gospel Quartet and sang for many years traveling to Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma.

When he retired to Mena, Arkansas, he became a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Mena. Jim loved spending his time playing games with his grandchildren, Maddux and Maggie. He also enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing and keeping up with the youth of the church. For many years Jim worked as a meat cutter for Ideal Food Store, Safeway and Homeland. Then he started a new career as an Office machine technician.

Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and will be missed by all who knew him. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ray Lesley; and three sisters, Jean Montfort, Linda Baker, and Mary Jane Lesley.

James is survived by his loving wife

of 56 years, Loretta Lesley of Nunley, Arkansas; one daughter, Kendra Moke of Cameron, Oklahoma; three sisters, Vera Fellers of Syracuse, Kansas, Helen Williams of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, and Sharon Addington of Wichita, Kansas; two grandchildren, Maddux Moke and Maggie Moke of Las Vegas, Nevada; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Mena with Brother Russell Threet officiating. Interment will be Friday, June 3, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. at the Gem Cemetery in Gem, Kansas under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 6-8 P.M. at Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena.

Arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Maddux Moke, Myron Higerd, Curtis Linscott, Vince Schallenberg, Jason Hendricks and Matthew Bowser. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ivan Williams, Harlan Baker, Ronald Higerd, Jim Addington, Larry Higerd and Richard Higerd.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home at https://arkansasfamilies.org/give-now Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

8 Education

June 22, 2022

Mena School Board June meeting

The Mena School Board held their regular June meeting on Tuesday evening, June 14, at the District Administration Building.

The meeting began with a brief Superintendent’s report from Dr. Lee Smith. He stated that work on a new Mission and Vision Statement had been completed for the district. This effort has been a lengthy process with input from patrons as well as classified and certified personnel. The document reflects the core values of the district and direction for the future. Smith also asked that the adoption of the statement be added to the night’s agenda.

Dr. Smith was also happy to report that the Mena Public Schools had been awarded a $65,000.00 grant for tier one mathematics. The grant will be used to update curriculum and insure improvements across the math program.

Next was the appointment of a board member to the zone 4 seat. No one filed for the seat in the recent school board election. Clint Montgomery resides in zone 4 and expressed a desire to remain on the board. After a brief discussion the action was approved.

It was at this point that the new Mission and Vision Statement was added to the agenda. It was quickly adopted and approved by the board. It will be released to the public in the very near future.

The board then approved the hiring of an additional school security officer for the 2022/2023 school year. School security is always at the forefront and even more so in light of recent events across the country. Dr. Smith stated that safety will be an even bigger focus when the school year begins.

Next on the agenda was the transfer of funds in compliance with ACT 1105 of 2017. Each year at this time the district is required to transfer excess revenue over 20% of the budget to the building fund. That transfer was approved.

Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley then addressed the board con-

cerning policy updates to the policies of the Arkansas School Board Association and the 2022 Fiscal Session. Most were minor changes in wording. One change of note was the moving of the deadline for the annual report to the public. It must now be completed and be available for public view by August 1. The previous deadline had been October 1.

District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton shared a facilities update. He began by asking the board to approve a bid for repair and replacement of 61 toilets at Mena High School.

The low bid by L&M Plumbing of Mena at just over $15,000.00 was approved.

Minton then asked the board’s approval on bids for a project to replace locks and latches on the doors at Mena Middle School. Two bids were received, and the board approved the low bid of $25,169.00 by the Wesche Co. of Springdale. These had become problematic and with an emphasis on security in the coming year it was important that the issue be addressed.

Mr. Minton also said that he expects the new turf project at Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium to be completed by this Friday. Dirt work will begin immediately after, followed by an extensive paving project that will keep the stadium and track closed to the public for several more weeks.

Work continues on the traditional summer projects & several options are also under consideration to fix the drainage issues below the home stands at BCBS. The board then approved the renewal of the building and property insurance for 2022/2023. The district had a 2% increase in coverage and a premium increase of $18,833.00.

Next the board approved the switch from AR Live to Bollinger and Co. for supplemental student accident insurance for 2022/2023. That premium was actually $5,600 less than last year at $28,202.00.

The board then approved the financial reports and Dr. Smith said that

revenue continues to outpace expenses and the district remains on target and on budget.

Personnel was next on the agenda.

There were a good number of changes.

Retirement • Sherry Wood- LPN MMS Resignation • Ashley Stipe- Para MMS Lisa Standridge- Teacher HHE One Month Contract • Curtis Black- Principal LDE Restructure • Max Hartwig – Bus Driver from D route to A route • Andrea Blair- MHS SPED self-contained to HHE Resource Classroom • Wanalynn Alexander – From MMS Resource to MHS self-contained • Susan Tyler – MHS Resource to MMS Resource • Samantha Breedlove – MHS Literacy to MHS Resource • Heather Catlett – From MHS Social Studies to MHS JAG on a 210-day contract • Deedra Hooker – From MHS English to MHS Social Studies Hire • Mona Davis – Bus Driver – A.M. only C route • Rebecca Sprague – Bus Driver

C route • Debra Gagnon – Bus Driver

D route • David Chaney – MMS Band

Director • Kristin Albin – MHS English • Holly Weiser – MHS Science • Maranda Cash – MHS English • Abigail Denton – MMS SPED Self Contained Finally, all board members were reappointed to the same committees that they had been a part of in 2021 & new officers were elected.

• President – Kyle Cannon • Vice President – Susan Rowell • Secretary – Robert Hines

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

University lists

TUSCALOOSA, AL (06/15/2022)Ashley Midgette was named to The University of Alabama Presidents List for Spring Semester 2022.

A total of 11,224 students enrolled during Spring Semester 2022 at The University of Alabama were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the president’s list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s).

The UA dean’s and president’s lists recognize full-time undergraduate students. The lists do not apply to graduate students or undergraduate students who take less than a full course load.

LITTLE ROCK, AR (06/14/2022) Luz Alarcon of Wickes, Arkansas, has been named to the Dean’s List for the Spring 2022 semester at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

The Dean’s List recognized more than 610 students with superior academic performances at the end of the semester.

To be on the Dean’s List, UA Little Rock students must earn at least nine credit hours and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA. UA Little Rock announces its Spring 2022 Chancellor’s List, recognizing students with superior academic performance in a semester.

To be eligible for the Chancellor’s List, students must earn at least nine credit hours and at least a 3.9 GPA. Mena students who made the UA Little Rock Chancellor’s List include: Leslie McCourtney of Mena, Arkansas Chloe Speight of Mena, Arkansas More than 615 UA Little Rock students were named to the Chancellor’s List for the spring 2022 semester.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

WASHINGTON–– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, urged Senate passage of comprehensive legislation to deliver earned benefits for all generations of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service in our nation’s uniform.

The “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022” would deliver immediate access to health care for toxic-exposed veterans, direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate diseases for presumption of service connection and streamline the process for toxic-exposed veterans seeking disability compensation for their illnesses.

“This legislation is long overdue.

We’ve heard the struggles of veterans and their families living with toxic exposure-related illnesses. We can end the hurdles they experience and save lives by passing this landmark legislation,” Boozman said in a speech on the Senate floor.

The legislation also includes a provision authored by Boozman to expand benefits to Vietnam War-era veterans who served on military bases in Thailand.

The VA accepts that herbicides were used along the perimeters of military bases in Thailand but does not recognize the impact of the herbicides inside the perimeter. The current policy is unfair and has prevented veterans like Bill Rhodes of Mena, Arkansas from accessing benefits as a result of toxic exposure.

Boozman called Rhodes a “relentless advocate of toxic exposure benefits.”

Politics 9

June 22, 2022

Boozman advocates for landmark Toxic Exposure legislation Boozman also teamed up with Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) to better prepare the VA to respond to the anticipated increase in claims following passage of this legislation with the introduction of the “VA Workforce Improvement, Support, and Expansion (WISE) Act of 2022” last month.

This continues Boozman’s commitment to improving benefits and services for toxic-exposed veterans. Last week, President Biden signed into law the “Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act,” legislation authored by the senator requiring the VA to conduct mammograms for all women who served in areas associated with burn pits and other toxic exposures regardless of age, symptoms or family history.

The following day, June 16, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.” This landmark legislation backed

by U.S. Senator John Boozman (RAR) will deliver toxic-exposed veterans their earned Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits.

“No veteran should be denied VA benefits for the illnesses they experience as a result of burn pits and other toxic exposures. Senate passage of the Sergeant Heath Robinson PACT Act demonstrates our commitment to ensuring these veterans get the care and services they deserve and, just as important, that the VA has the capability to meet their needs,” Boozman, a senior

member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said.

The “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022” will: • Expand VA health care eligibility to Post-9/11 combat veterans, which includes more than 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans; • Create a framework for the establishment of future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure; • Add 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to VA’s list of service presumptions; • Expand presumptions related to Agent Orange exposure; • Includes Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll as locations for Agent Orange exposure; • Strengthen federal research on toxic exposure; • Improve VA’s resources for toxic-exposed veterans and training

•

for VA health care and benefits professionals; and Set VA and veterans up for success by investing in: • VA claims processing; • VA’s workforce; and • VA health care facilities.

Boozman delivered remarks on the Senate floor Thursday urging his colleagues to support this historic legislation.

It follows his prior efforts to ensure toxic-exposed veterans get the benefits they earned.

Last week, President Biden signed into law the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act, legislation authored by the senator requiring the VA to conduct mammograms for all women who served in areas associated with burn pits and other toxic exposures regardless of age, symptoms or family history.

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.

10 Faith

By Richie Lawry

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a lonely boy. In that same land, there lived a girl with beautiful golden hair.

One day as the lonely boy walked into history class, he looked across the room and saw the girl with beautiful golden hair. His heart jumped, and he knew this was love at first sight. He knew he had to get up the courage to talk to this vision of loveliness with the beautiful golden curls.

The lonely boy was too shy to talk to girls, so it was almost a year before the girl with the beautiful golden hair had any idea that the lonely boy was interested. The good Lord knew that the lonely boy needed all the help he could get, so the Lord made it so that the lonely boy and the girl with the beautiful golden hair crossed paths in several ways that year.

The history teacher selected five students to work together each week, producing learning packets for history class.

The girl with the beautiful golden hair and the lonely boy were in the group meeting in the library each week to create the history learning packets. They both worked at the furniture factory. The lonely boy worked on the dresser jig, and the girl with the beautiful golden hair made drawers. The lonely boy would spend his break time with the drawer makers, but the girl with the beautiful golden hair still didn’t catch on.

It came time for their high school graduation, and the lonely boy still had never gotten up the nerve to ask the girl with the beautiful golden hair out on a date. Finally, the lonely boy mustered up every ounce of courage he could find and asked the girl with the beautiful golden hair if she would march with him at the graduation.

The girl with the beautiful golden hair told him that she would like to, but she had already told another boy that she would march with him. If the lonely boy talked to the other boy and it was okay with him, she would march with the lonely boy.

Once again, the lonely boy summoned up every bit of courage he had and spoke to the other boy, who was very gracious

June 22, 2022

An Arkie’s Faith Love at first sight

en hair. On a wonderful June day, they were married in a fairytale wedding.

Most fairytales are not true, but I can assure you this one is true.

I was that lonely boy. If you ask me if I believe in love at first sight, I will tell you I do. I also know that God believes in love at first sight.

The Bible tells us that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NKJV).

And 1 John 4:19 (NCV) says, “We love because God first loved us.”

God created you as an object of his love.

David understood this when he wrote, “You made my whole being.

You formed me in my mother’s body.” Psalms 139:13 (ICB) He made The girl with beautiful golden hair, circa 1973. you so that He could (Photo courtesy of Richie Lawry) love you and so you and bowed out. The lonely boy was on could love him.

God’s love for you is the cloud nine. The girl with the beautiful reason you are alive. golden hair would be walking down the God has loved you longer than you can aisle beside him when they graduated. even imagine. It wasn’t love at first sight; it This fairytale had a delightful ending. was love before you were even born. EpheAfter a year of a long-distance relationsians 1:4 (NLV) says that “Even before the ship, with 500 miles separating them, the world was made, God chose us for Himlonely boy and the girl with the beautiful self because of His love.” golden hair were finally in the same place God tells us, “Before I formed you in at the same time. Then the lonely boy your mother’s body I chose you. Before knew that he wanted to spend the rest of you were born, I set you apart to serve his life with the girl with beautiful goldme.” Jeremiah 1:5 (NIRV)

Joke of the Week:

You really should try archery while blindfolded.

You don’t know what you’re missing.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse Just like a marriage relationship has its good and bad days, so does our relationship with God. Some days our hearts are full of love for God. Some days we are rebellious and angry with Him. The story of Job is fascinating and complex. When he lost everything and everyone he loved, Job’s anger is understandable. “I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer me; I stand before you, but you barely take notice.” Job 30:20 (NCB) I don’t believe that harboring blame and anger toward God is a good thing in itself.

But our emotions don’t scare God, and we must be honest about them. Despite his anger, Job rushes to God—not away. He has a dialogue with God. The good news is that God loves you on your bad days as much as he loves you on your good days. He loves you when you are angry with him. He loves you when you can feel his love and when you aren’t sure that He even exists. “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalms 103:8 (NIV) There is nothing you can do that will make God stop loving you. In Romans 8:38,39 (NCV), Paul wrote, “I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Gentle Reader, are you lonely and looking for love? God has already chosen you.

He loved you before you were even born.

If you love Him back, He has promised you a happily ever after.

In John 14:2,3 (VOICE), Jesus tells us, “My Father’s home is designed to accommodate all of you. If there were not room for everyone, I would have told you that. I am going to make arrangements for your arrival. I will be there to greet you personally and welcome you home, where we will be together.”

Don’t be lonely. Jesus wants you to be with him.

Replacing windshields in Polk County for forty years.

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

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 22, 2022 MK RANCH continued from page 4

had them out in the pasture. They didn’t do nothing with them. Their mane was tangled up and stuff. One you couldn’t even touch, hardly.

(My children) have a saddle on her already.

“A horse that you can’t touch, you’ve got to make so they can trust you. Once they get that trust, they’ll loosen up. I was surprised they had the saddle on her already. The other day the horse jumped over the fence. It tore her up a little bit, but it doesn’t act like she’s bothered and we’re doctoring it. It’s part of training horses.”

When Bailey isn’t busy with horses and chores on the farm, she also cleans houses and some small businesses. She loves volleyball.

“My daughter does some housecleaning, too, on the side for some money, like the Farm Bureau insurance place. It gives her something to do. I mean, they’ve all got plenty to do.”

The other children include Paige, 10, and Chance, 8, who attend private school and love to wakeboard. It is said Chance can ride wild ponies and is fearless, which goes without saying if he’s mounting wild ponies.

“We bought some ponies from the neighbors. It’s like a little stud horse. He’s ornery, but he’s riding him enough. He’ll pick him to ride over the other ones. We bought three of them and the other two from somebody close here.

We literally had to rope her to catch her, but he

can ride her up the steps and into the new part of the house. He’s riding her in there. He did a good job. That stud horse, I said something the other day about selling him, but he said, ‘No, he’s not ready.’ He likes to ride him.

“We got a baby pony out of one of the mares out of him the other week.

“I think with all the horses we’ve got right now we’ve got close to 30. We’ve got just about the limit. I think we’re going to have to sell some before we get any more. If they’re broke good and a good color, they’ll bring the money.”

For fun and relaxation, the family enjoys going out together to ride.

“We’ve got a mountain we ride over. Iron Fork Lake, we like to ride over there. We have plenty of places to ride. We love to ride out in the mountains and trails.”

Roping Ranching is in the Hostetlers’ blood, even amongst the younger children. Flint, 4, and Graham, 3, practice with roping dummies.

“I’d like to build me an arena one of these days, just to rope. We bought two calves from the sale barn. Flint and Graham just play around, roping out in the pastures.

“We’d like to get to where we can go rope with friends. We’ve got a bunch of friends with horses in the Clarksville area and Missouri.”

Work and Play The only child not trying their hand at farming, yet, is 1-year-old Meadow, who hangs out with mom.

Hostetler bragged on Krystal, saying “My wife makes strawberry jam and homemade bread. We get fed well.”

When time allows, Hostetler also remodels houses. Their own house is having its second addition built onto it at the moment, and they are updating the roof. He hoped to already have it finished, but he’s waiting on supplies to become available. Meanwhile, it’s the area that has been home to pony riding.

When finished working, the family likes to play. The children enjoy snow-skiing, and snowboarding.

“Usually, every winter, we go up to St. Louis to ski. It’s a good place to learn. It is a fast getaway to have fun. I’ve been to Colorado.”

In the summer, they enjoy sports involving the water.

“We’ve got a boat. We did a house roofing in town last week—tore it off and re-shingled it.

Then I took them out to Lake Ouachita Monday

News 11 to wakeboard.”

The entire family enjoys 4-wheel riding, too, not to mention they are active in the church.

Hostetler served as a member of the Ink Volunteer Fire Department, and he’s been a member of both the Polk County Cattlemen’s Association and the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association since 2012. Most recently, he became a member of the American Quarter Horse Association in 2021.

Overall, the family works hard on the MK Ranch, but they know how to kick back and enjoy life. As the family took off on their horses at dusk, the sun slipping down behind the

mountains, they moseyed down the dirt road to visit family.

Hostetler said, “We enjoy it out here. We like to live up here on the hill. I love it.”

12 News

NSDAR continued from page 1 • Certificate of Achievement for “Outstanding Use of Newspaper to Tell the DAR Story” • “Outstanding Service” as “Best Report” • “Outstanding Commemorative Events Activities” • Award for “Women in History” (Honoring Linda Johnson) • “Outstanding Service as Most Media Spots, Constitution Week” • “Best Chapter Report Honorable Mention, Constitution Week” • “Outstanding Service as Service to America,” 2nd Place Number of Service Hours per Member • “Outstanding Service as Service to America,” 3rd Place, Total Number of Service Hours.

(James K. Polk has less than 50 members and competed against larger chapters to receive this.)

James K. Polk Chapter, NSDAR, currently has 42 members. This year there were two new members and two

THE POLK COUNTY

June 22, 2022 Mena Bearcat Football Stadium that included veterans and families, special guests, citizens of the Mena area, DAR members, and many students of the Mena Middle School and High School as well as administration and faculty. Copher introduced retired Senior Master Regent Cortez Copher with new member, Julie Wiltrout.

Sgt. Linda Johnson, (Photo by Kay Dye) USAF, the recipient transfers. Julie Wiltrout was given the of the James K. Polk “Oath of Membership” April 21.

2021 “Woman in American History “Welcome Home Vietnam Vets” Award” as master of ceremony. program planned by the James K. The Pledge of Allegiance was led Polk Chapter with the help of the by Annika Thompson, the James K. Mena School superintendent, faculty Polk Good Citizen first place winner, and students, and the Mena veteran and ASDAR second place winner. organizations (VFW, DAV, American The National Anthem was sung by Legion, and Marine Corps League). the Mena Bearcat Bellas who earned James K. Polk regent, Cortez Co- a Division 1 rating and second place pher, welcomed the crowd in the for small treble ensemble at the state

Pulse

competition in April.

The speaker was Vietnam War Veteran, retired Army Col. Billy Wood.

The MHS Choir director, Lana Gail Coogan, sang “God Bless The USA.” After Steve Brann welcomed home each attending veteran, a MHS Band member, Christian Pelligreno, played taps. Col. Wood and retired USAF Lt. Col. Skip Copher carried the wreath down the ramp and placed it at the “Remember, Honor, Teach” tombstone.

James K. Polk DAR Chapter set up “Missing Man” tables, also known as “Fallen Comrade” tables, in eight dining establishments for this Memorial Day weekend in Mena.

The purpose of these tables is to not only honor the thousands of American servicemen and women who have fallen in the line of duty, became Prisoners of War, or who are Missing in Action, but they also educate children and the public in general about the sacrifices made by our military.

394-1938

TIRES • BRAKES • CUSTOM EXHAUST • SHOCKS & STRUTS

Winter Hours: Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm

1500 Hwy 71 South, Mena

Owners: Stacy & Julie Nash

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 22, 2022

Fairless to play one last All-Star Volleyball tourney for the West

By Ethan Nahté

2022 Mena High School graduate Grayson Fairless will represent the Ladycats one last time for the 2021-2022 West All-Star Volleyball team on Friday, June 24. She will be one of 14 players for the West team, playing against the East team.

The game will be played at the Farris Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway at 6 p.m.

This will be the first time since 2019 that the All-Star competitions are being held. Other games Friday and Saturday include baseball, softball, football, and both boys and girls soccer and basketball tournaments.

Sports 13

14 July 4th Events Hatfield’s Jubilee In June Friday, June 24 7 p.m. - Miss Hatfield Jubilee Pageant in the Hatfield Auditorium.

Door admissions; $5 – Adults, $3 – Students, Free - 5 and Under Saturday, June 25 Hatfield City Park There will be water slides, vendors, sno-cones, watermelon, T-shirts, and a drawing held at 8:30 p.m. for a Browning A-Bolt 6.5 Creedmoor with ammo.

Line-up of Jubilee Events: • 8 – 8:30 a.m. - 3-on-3 Basketball registration in the gymnasium • 10 a.m. - Parade “Memories” starts, Grand Marshal Buddy Bean and Ms. Sue Music in The Hatfield Park - Sponsored by UARM • 10:30 - Abby McIntyre • 11:00 - Face to Face • 12:00 - Back Road Revival • 1:00 - Shades of Gray • 2:00 - Caleb & Abi Tilley • 3:00 - Cullyn Corely • 4:00 - Sharee Boyd • 5:00 - Nick & Blakely Charlton • 6:00 - Shane & the Ramblers • 8:00 - Straight Shot • 9:30 Laura Lawson sings the national anthem & Fireworks

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 22, 2022

Holiday events

4th of July festivities Friday - Saturday, July 1-2

Vandervoort will be having a twoday event at the Vandervoort Picnic Grounds, located at 405 Hwy. 246, celebrating their 133rd Annual 4th of July festivities.

There will be a cakewalk and auction Friday, July 1, 6:30 p.m. Baked goods are still needed. Contact Valerie 870784-6766 for details or to donate.

The Friday night dance begins at 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 2, 8 a.m., the 3-on-3 basketball tournament registration begins as well as the parade line-up. The tournament is $10 per person or $40 per team.

Following the parade, other events will follow on the baseball field.

The Little Miss & Mister Vandervoort 2022 competition will occur at 7 p.m.

The Saturday night dance begins at 8, followed by fireworks at 10 p.m.

Donations are greatly appreciated.

The concession stand will be open.

concessions, youth firefighter games, volleyball tournament, 5k Run/Walk – Endurance Race, dunking booth and more. The incredibly talented Marissa Dawn will be performing, beginning at 8 p.m. The fireworks display will begin around 9:30 p.m.

Derby details and other information available at https://visitmena.com/ events/4th-of-july-firework-celebration

Monday, July 4

The Elks Lodge of Mena, 124 Elks Lane, Hwy. 375 East. events begin at 4 p.m. They will have live music with Mike Mayberry & the Slowhands, hotdog and pie-eating contests, a rock climbing wall, waterslide, bounce house, hotdog and hamburger meals, sno-cones—all free with the exception of food and drink purchases. Fireworks begin at dusk. Bring a lawnchair and enjoy the fun.

Sunday, July 3

Sugar Creek Lodge will have their annual fireworks event Sunday, July 3.

The fireworks will be after sunset. It’s recommended you arrive early. Sugar Creek Lodge is located off Hwy. 375 just past the south trailhead entrance to Wolfpen Trails at 135 Polk Road 602.

A map to their location can be found on their website: https://cossatotriver. com/ The Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission’s 4th of July Fireworks Celebration!

Free event on Sunday, July 3, at Tapley Park. Grab your blankets, friends, and family and be awed by this incredible spectacle of fireworks. Festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. with a homerun derby (there is a fee), bouncy houses,

Outside Polk County

By Patrick Massey Saturday, July 2

Communities across Southwest Arkansas are gearing up to present their annual fireworks show in celebration of the United State’s 246th birthday.

Those celebrations include the City of De Queen’s 24th annual Freedom Fest fireworks show and Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 2.

The event will begin at the De Queen Sportsplex at 6 p.m. with the fireworks show to begin after dark. As in previous years, Freedom Fest will include

DJ music, food vendors and a water cannon provided by the De Queen Fire Department. There is no cost to attend.

For more information or to request vendor space at the event, call the De Queen Parks and Recreation Department at (870) 642-4140.

The Nashville Chamber of Commerce will present its annual Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 2.

Gates open at 6 p.m. with a patriotic show starting at 6:30 p.m. Billstown will take the stage at 7:30. The event will be held at the Nashville City Park on 1301 West Johnson St. Those aged 12 and under get in for free while admission for those 13 and up is $5. Those who purchase an event T-shirt will receive free entry.

Monday, July 4 The Little River County Chamber of Commerce will present its Fourth of July Fireworks show on Monday, July 4 at Ashdown Junior High School. Live music and food will be just part of the fun with prizes, games and giveaways also set to be part of this year’s celebration. Activities begin at 4 p.m. with the fireworks show to start at dark. For more information call the Little River County Chamber of Commerce at (870) 898-2758 or email director@littlerivercoc.org.

The City of Lockesburg will present its annual Fireworks in the Park event on Monday, July 4. The event will be held in the Ida Margaret Coulter Stone Park. Activities kickoff at 1 p.m. with a cornhole tournament. Entry fee is $20 per coupl.e. Bingo starts at 4 p.m. at a cost of $10 per card. That evening, Marlon Sharp & Cowboys at the Cross will take the stage for a live musical performance. There will be a band intermission before a recognition for veterans in attendance.

The always popular fireworks show begins at dark.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 22, 2022

Around Town Nimble Thimbles Quilt Guild will meet on Monday, June 27 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at a new location.

We will meet at the Extension Education Building at 211 Dequeen St. We will receive another pattern for our Mystery Row Quilt. Bring sewing machines, fabric and supplies if you want to work on your blocks at the meeting. You may bring one item for Show and Tell.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The Center will also start having a jamboree on Mondays in June. Contact Trena Hodge with questions, (479) 394-5459.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has re-opened. All meals and activities have reverted to their original schedules. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

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.

The Polk County Growth & Advancement Committee meets every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at The Ouachitas located at 821 Mena Street. All interested community members are invited to attend.

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

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m., Monday; at 7 p.m., Thursday; at 7 p.m. Friday; and at 6 p.m.

Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at (479) 216-7249.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 8 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur.

Discussion/Book Study for information call 479-2430297.

Free summer lunch program for all ages, every Tuesday through August 16 at Janssen Park pavilion from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sponsored by Mena Presbyterian Church.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will be having a fund raiser on July 9th from 4-7 to help raise money for our home delivered meal program, which provides meals to our home bound seniors. We will be having smoked pork butt donated by Beasley-Wood Funeral Home, potato salad, rolls and a desert for $15. We are also raffling off a cedar chest donated by Jerry Head and some knifes donated by Mountain Archery, gun and pawn. There will be a silent auction the evening of the fund raiser on several other items. Award winning entertainer, Dewayne Hodges, will be volunteering his entertainment for the event.

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation).

All men from the community are invited to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

Live Country & Gospel Music, Tuesday nights at the Daisy Room behind Janssen Ave. Florist, 800 Janssen Ave. Starting at 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Come “Pick-NGrin” with us. Everyone welcome.

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

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.

St. Agnes Catholic Church will have a food distribution on Thursday, July 7. Distribution will be from 10-12 noon at 203 8th street in Mena. Follow the signs to the Church Office.

The Small Works National Art Show will be up through June 24th at the Mena Art Gallery, 607 Mena St., Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., downtown across from the Ouachita Little Theater. 479394-3880 or email@menaartgallery.org GriefShare continues to meet every Thursday from 10 a.m. - noon at First Presbyterian Church Mena for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 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!

Community 15

16 Outdoors

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 22, 2022

Alligator permits now available Additional funds aid efforts to remove

LITTLE ROCK – Applications for the 2022 Arkansas alligator season are available at www.agfc.com from 8 a.m., June 15 through midnight, June 30. Anyone interested in pursuing alligators on public land in Arkansas must apply for one of the six hunting locations within two of Arkansas’s three open Alligator Management Zones.

The 2022 alligator permit draw will

have 43 permits available for public draw.

Locally, there are 12 permits open for Millwood Lake and five for the Little River Wildlife Management Area.

Additional permits are available on Bois D’Arc Lake, the Sulphur River and the Lower Arkansas River Wetland Complex, particularly the Arkansas River backwaters near Arkansas Post. alligator hunt permits will be available on the following publicly accessible areas: Alligator Management Zone 2, which

covers the south-central part of the state, does not have any public draw opportunities, but is part of the private land hunt, which is regulated by a quota system.

Each permit authorizes the harvest of one alligator, which must be at least 4 feet long. Alligator hunting is allowed 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise during the approved alligator hunting season dates – Sept.

16-19 and Sept.

23-26.

Each permit holder may have up to three assistants with them on the hunt, but only the permit holder is allowed to snare, harpoon or dispatch the alligator.

Applicants must be at least (Ethan Nahté/Pulse) 16 years of age the day the hunt begins, and only Arkansas residents or holders of an Arkansas Lifetime Sportsman’s Permit may apply. Applicants with 18 or more AGFC violation points are ineligible to apply. Alligator-hunt applicants must pay a $5 nonrefundable processing fee at the time of their application.

Anyone who has access to private land in Alligator Zones 1, 2 or 3 may purchase a private land alligator tag in addition to their big-game hunting license and be able to hunt during alligator season until the quota is met for their zone.

Each private land hunter must call the wildlife hotline (1-800-440-1477) every night before hunting to see if the quota has been met. If the quota is reached, the hunt ends early.

Successful applicants and private land hunters must also go through an online hunt orientation before going to the field.

The orientation lays out the most important details and frequently asked questions about the hunt.

feral hogs from Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce that additional funding has been made available to assist with feral hog eradication efforts in Arkansas. Senator John Boozman was instrumental in securing $650,000 in federal funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to implement additional eradication efforts across the state.

Additionally, the Buffalo River Conservation Committee (BRCC) allocated $74,960 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services (USDA Wildlife Services) to expand eradication efforts within the Buffalo River watershed.

“We appreciate the efforts of Senator Boozman and the BRCC to provide additional resources that will enable the Department and our partners on the Arkansas Feral Hog Eradication Task Force to expand efforts to remove more feral hogs from Arkansas’s croplands, pastures, forests, and wetlands,” said Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture. “ The Arkansas Department of Agriculture will use the federal funds to work with USDA Wildlife Services to implement a statewide feral hog management plan. These efforts will supplement ongoing removal activities, including eradication efforts in 12 Arkansas counties funded through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program.

USDA Wildlife Services will use the funding from the BRCC to purchase additional traps and other equipment

to expand trapping efforts within the Buffalo River watershed.

Approximately 30,000 feral hogs have been removed from the state by members of the Feral Hog Eradication Task Force (Task Force) since

(Photo by Bobby Shewmake) January 2020. The Task Force was created by the Arkansas legislature in 2017 to create a plan for the eradication of feral hogs in Arkansas and is made up of 21 federal and state agencies and non-government organizations. More information on the Task Force can be found at bit.ly/FeralHogETF. Feral hogs are an invasive species that are especially destructive to agricultural crops, native wildlife, and young domestic livestock. In Arkansas, the latest survey by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that feral swine cause at least $41 million in agricultural damages every year, including $34 million in damages to soybeans, corn, cotton, wheat, hay, pecans, and rice, and $7.3 million in damages to livestock.

Landowners experiencing feral hog damage are encouraged to call USDA Wildlife Services at (501) 835-2318 for assistance.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Classifieds 17

June 22, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS - SERVICES Mobile lawnmower repair and repair flats. Minimum, $20 service call. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204.

T0622 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.

T0727 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.

T0629 Jeremiah’s lawn care. Friendly service & reasonable rates. Call (479) 394-7599.T0615 Tree services, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light replacement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate.

T0629 Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T0720

- HOUSE FOR SALE For Sale - 8’x20’ tiny house frame, ready to build on. $625 obo. Mena area. Leave message (870) 828-1900.

T0629 1 BR, 2 BR & 3 BR Houses for rent in Mena. Call (479) 243-5292 or (479) 216-4039 T0622

- YARD SALE Yard Sale, Thursday - Saturday, June 2325, Starting at 8:00 a.m. North of the Lighthouse Drive-in in Wickes. Small tables, books, clothes, shoes & misc. T0622

- EMPLOYMENT -

Help needed at the Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes. Duties will include helping prepare for lunch, driving a meal-delivery route, and misc. cleanup. Hours: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Monday - Friday, $12/hour. Apply in person.

T0622 Help Wanted - part time home healthcare, References required. $150 per week. 479-385-5001 T0622 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.

T0629 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.

T0629 Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced TIG Welder for a permanent day shift position. The applicant must be proficient in welding aluminum.

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.

T0629 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.

T0629

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Polk County Housing Authority will hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be in the Community Room at the office of the Housing Authority, 509 South Morrow St., Mena, AR. Meeting is to allow interested persons to comment on the proposed adoption of the Annual Plan and 2022 Capital Funding pursuant to the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998. A copy of the proposed Plan will be available for public inspection and copying at the PCHA office beginning Wednesday, June 15, 2022, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The public may submit written comments to Dixie Shrader, Executive Director of the Polk County Housing Authority, 509 South Morrow Street, Mena, AR 71953, no later than 9:00 a.m. Thursday, August 4th.

RENTAL APARTMENTS IN MENA, HATFIELD, COVE AND WICKES 509 South Morrow Street, Mena, AR  479-394-1565 WWW.POLKARHOUSING.COM

Polk County Births Mena Regional Health System JUNE 10, 2022 TO JUNE 17, 2022

Ashley Sidea & Jackson Daugherty of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of twin boys born June 13th Madalyn Turner Chandler & Cody Chandler of Gillham, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born June 14th Brandy Zuniga & Jamnel Mejia Granados of De Queen, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born June 14th

Sawyer sworn into Arkansas Sheriff Association

By Trey Youngdahl

Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer has been selected by the Arkansas Sheriff Association (ASA) to be an executive board member.

Sheriff Sawyer was sworn in earlier this month.

The ASA is composed of the 75 sheriffs from across the state of Arkansas. They provide support for Arkansas sheriffs, like training, lobbying for laws and programs in support of law enforcement, mental health services and more.

Now that Sheriff Sawyer has been selected to serve on the executive board, he will be helping make decisions in support of Arkansas law enforcement.

“I’m honored and humbled to be selected to be a member of this board. The board represents the 75 sheriffs in this state and being chosen to represent those sheriffs means a lot to me,” Sawyer said.

“I look forward to working with the other board members to help increase training for law enforcement and hold offenders responsible.”

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POLK COUNTY PULSE

18 Puzzles

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 22, 2022

06.22.22

06.22.22

ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 06.15.22

A Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK Meet Cletus!

Cletus is brand new to the shelter. Friendly, playful, loving, and he will place his head right in your lap!

Good with other dogs! He has not yet been around cats and children, so not sure how he might react, but since he's friendly, it's a good possibility he'll be fine.

You can call the shelter at 479-394-5682 to find out more about Cletus.

All animals at HSO are current on their vaccinations and will be spayed/neutered prior to adoption.

If not already spayed/neutered, there may be a short delay between when you select this pet and when they are ready to go home.

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

June 22, 2022

Hogspore News

Mumford Pickens in the Amazon

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson My birthday was Monday. Some of you knew that, but you still honored my wishes for no gifts. But, would it have killed you to send me a card? Punkin made one of my favorite cakes with peppermint crunch vanilla frosting. There was my usual cups of chocolate ice cream and little wooden spoons. I moved slow on the ice cream, so I wouldn’t burn up the wooden spoons by eating too fast.

You’d thought you woulda seen Barney the dinosaur at my party, but he retired eons ago. He and Sandy Duncan are cohabiting in a romantic condo in Hawaii. He did

drop me a note. Barney said, “I’m enjoying my time with Sandy. I’m vintage, but I’m not an Extinct Dinosaur, if you know what I mean.”

Doc Spicer brought up that Moderna is coming out with an advanced vaccine for young children, aged 6 months to 6 years old. Doc said, “The scientists should try to develop an oral version, so the parents can hide it in Kool-Aid sippy cups.”

Mumford Pickens was relating a story of when he was on assignment in the Amazon on guvernment work. He and two other agents had infiltrated a tribe of cannibals to get close to a drug smuggling operation nearby. They

SWEPCO earns 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year awards SHREVEPORT, La. (May 9, 2022) – Southwestern Electric Power Co., an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, today announced the company received two 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

SWEPCO received ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence in Arkansas for the company’s continued achievement in customer service and providing home energy-efficient solutions that improve comfort and savings. In Louisiana and Texas, the company received ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Certified Residential Products for implementing energy efficiency programs that incorporate ENERGY STAR products.

“Even with COVID-19 impacting the programs in various ways last year, our SWEPCO team, partners and network of contractors did an amazing job helping customers save energy and money,” said Paul Pratt, SWEPCO di-

rector of Customer Services & Marketing. “We’re honored to be recognized for those achievements and the value SWEPCO’s energy efficiency programs bring to our customers.”

Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy achievements. ENERGY STAR award winners lead their industries in the production, sale and adoption of energy efficient products, homes, buildings, services and strategies.

Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners. For a complete list of 2022 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR’s awards program, visit energystar.gov/awardwinners.

SWEPCO has received ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year recognition in Arkansas for eight consecutive years and the Sustained Excellence award for six consecutive years.

was made. It means discovered.

Here’s Mumford’s take on it.

“The tribal members found out who we were. They didn’t believe we were researching rainforest healing herbs to fight obesity, cause both my comrades were on the biscuits and sausage gravy side of 300 pounds each.

They ended up cooking the two big boys and having a feast. The next morning, I thought I was gonna be breakfast, but they motioned for me to leave.”

I says, “Why’d they do that?”

“Probably two reason. First, their culture wasn’t advanced enough to think of planning ahead, and second, they were most likely still full from the night before.”

I says, “What woulda happened once they got hungry again?”

Mumford said, “That’s why I left.”

Humor 19 Hollywood Gossip from retired columnist, Noah Count: A new horror movie is in the works, The Living Dead Meet the Woke. Mark your calendars for 09-25-2022. It’s Will Smith’s birthday. On that date, wish him a Slappy Birthday.

Southern News: A bill is in motion before the Mississippi House of Representatives to accept Confederate graves and statues from states who don’t want them anymore to Mississippi, where folks respect the dead.

Interesting anthropology fact: The Indigenous people of India are Native Indians.

Personal Health Tip: Never eat peanuts lying down. It’s considered a cry for help.

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

20 News

June 22, 2022

More government will not solve the food crisis Ronald Reagan once energy production.

said, “The nine most terI also co-sponsored rifying words in the Enthe Reducing Farm Input glish language are: ‘I’m Costs and Barriers to Dofrom the government, and mestic Production Act to I’m here to help.’” Amerreverse the more harmful icans across the country Bruce Westerman regulatory burdens, adare hurting, faced with dress farm input costs, and unprecedented gas prices and a provide certainty for American global food crisis. Farmers and farmers and producers. Rather producers are struggling to com- than attacking private industry, bat the growing food shortage as we will give American farmers supply chains remained strained the tools they need to provide and input costs continue to sky- immediate relief to families here rocket. Diesel costs are up 115%, in the United States and abroad. natural gas is up 202%, and ferWe can’t continue to throw tilizer is up 125% from January money at the problem instead of 2021. addressing the underlying issues Contrary to what my friends of the upcoming food shortage. across the aisle might think, the My colleagues and I have develanswer to every problem is not oped commonsense, near-term always to impose the weight of solutions that would empower the government. Congressional American farmers and agriculDemocrats’ misguided solution tural producers. Until we unleash to lower food costs by increasing the power of American resourcregulations and taxes for farmers es, prices will continue to climb, will only make the crisis worse. and that is unacceptable when we I hear often from Arkansas hold the keys to a solution. farmers and producers who tell I will always stand up for Arme they need Congress and the kansas’ farmers, producers, forAdministration to cut the red esters, small businesses, and tape that holds back American hardworking families to ensure agricultural production. That is government does not get in the why I sent a letter with my Re- way of their success. I encourage publican colleagues to President my friends across the aisle to join Biden asking him to cut back on me in meaningfully combating costly, useless regulation, expand the growing global food crisis the definition of critical minerals and empowering our American to include those needed to create farmers and producers. fertilizer, and increase domestic

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

2022 District Farm Families of the Year announced

LITTLE ROCK (6/14/2022)— Eight district Farm Families have been named in the 75th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program, representing the diversity of Arkansas agriculture, the state’s largest industry.

The district families will now be judged to determine the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year, who will be announced Dec. 8.

The District Farm Families of the Year: East Central District: the Lindsey Family of Forrest City (St. Francis County) – Brothers Bubba and Jay Lindsey have been farming since they were young with their father.

They grow cotton, sweet potatoes and soybeans on 3,700 acres. In addition to farming, they co-own and operate Lindsey Gin Company. Jay is married to Kasie Lindsey. Bubba and his wife, Susan, have two adult children, Drew and Cody.

North Central District: the Hays Family of Pleasant Plains (Independence County) – Ben Hays and his wife Mandy have been farming for six years. They raise cattle, poultry, sheep and goats on 988 acres. The Hays family has four daughters, Piper, Lydia, Nora and Lydia.

Northeast District: the Smith Family of Paragould (Greene County) – Smith Farms is owned and operated by father and son, Terry and Clay Smith. The family produces corn, soybeans, rice, wheat and bermudagrass hay in addition to raising cattle and goats on 2,800 acres. Terry and his wife Melanie have been farming for 31 years and have another daughter, Natalie, who owns a honeybee business with her husband, Seth.

Clay and his wife Cori have been farming for six years.

Northwest District: the Hostetler Family of Green Forest (Carroll County) – The Hostetler family consisting of brothers Kevin and his wife, Teresa, and Kenyon and his wife, Josie, have been farming for 14 years.

They grow alfalfa, both grain and forage soybeans, wheat and raise cattle and poultry on 1,787 acres. Kevin and Teresa have three children, Kristine, Logan and Amy. Kenyon and Josie have three children as well, Konner, Kamri and Kaidynce.

Southeast District: the Young Family of Poplar Grove (Phillips County) – Clay Young and his wife Shannon have been farming for 30 years. They grow soybeans, cotton, corn and wheat on 9,000 acres. In addition to farming, Clay owns Young’s Custom Service, a water well drilling business, with his brothers Tommy, Danny and Will. Clay and Shannon have two adult children, Allie and Cole.

Southwest District: the Robertson Fam-

ily of Hope (Hempstead County) – Tim Robertson and his wife Jana have been farming for seven years. They raise cattle and poultry in addition to growing mixed grass hay on 495 acres. The Robertson family has four children, Hunter, Zoe, Brooklynn and Cooper.

West Central District: the Huneycutt Family of Arkadelphia (Clark County) – Brothers Ted and Steve Huneycutt have been farming for 35 years. They grow cotton, corn, wheat, soybeans, hay and raise cattle on 4,000 acres. In addition to their farm, they operate Benchmark Ag, the Barn at Richwoods and are constructing their own meat processing plant, Ouachita Valley Meat Company. Ted and his wife, Cindy, have four adult children, Sara, Trey, Luke and Greyson.

Steve and his wife, Leanne, have four adult children, Josh, Jessica, Ashley and Logan.

Western District: the Stobaugh Family of Atkins (Conway County) – Stobaugh Bros.

Farm is a multi-generational family farm owned and operated by William, Robert and Barry Stobaugh. The farm has been in the family for over 60 years, and they produce rice, soybeans and corn on 6,000 acres. In addition to their farm, the family owns Kenwood Agri Air. William and his wife, Ashley, have two children, Carter and Bentley. Robert and his wife, Mary Ann, have two adult children, Bryan and Molly. Barry and his wife, Eva, have two adult children, Cassie and Lindsay.

The Farm Family of the Year program begins each year with selection of top the farm families in each county and culminates with the selection of the state Farm Family of the Year who will then go on to represent Arkansas in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition. Arkansas has had two farmers receive the title of Southeastern Farmer of the Year, Brian Kirksey of Clark County in 2008 and Wildy Family Farms of Mississippi County in 2016.

All winners are judged on their farm production, efficiency, management, family life and rural/community leadership.

Sponsors of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Additionally, support for the program is provided by the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas Department of Career Education, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

History 21

June 22, 2022

Reflections of History and Faith: The Great Seal

By Jeff Olson As we know, July 4, 1776, is a very notable date in American History, but for more than just one reason. Yes, it was the day that the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration served to officially express the colonies’ determination to preserve their freedom, civil social order and way of life and form a separate and independent nation from Great Britain.

However, it was also, as John Adams later wrote, “…a formal and solemn announcement to the world, that the colonies had ceased to be dependent communities, and become free and independent States.”

In other words, the Declaration also formally announced to the world that the implications of the War of Independence and its outcome would reach far beyond the English on two sides of an ocean.

As one writer expressed it, “The Declaration was addressed as much to “mankind” as it was to the population of the colonies.” American leaders would soon send copies of the Declaration of Independence abroad and in other languages.

By August, news of American independence and copies of the Declaration itself had reached London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, as well as the Dutch Republic and Austria. Within months, Danish, Italian, Swiss, and Polish readers had heard the news and many could now read the Declaration in their own language as translations appeared across Europe. As the emerging United States of America looked ahead to taking its place among the nations of the world, American leaders saw a need and took action right away.

The United States would need an official symbol of sovereignty to formalize and seal (or sign) important documents such as proclamations, warrants, treaties, and commissions of high officials of the Government. Therefore, on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress

named the first committee to design a seal for the new country. It consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Philadelphia artist Pierre Eugène du Simitière was also asked for a design.

They began meeting in August.

Several preliminary concepts were proposed, drawing on classical and biblical imagery. In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams recounted some of the debate.

Benjamin Franklin suggested “Moses lifting up his wand, and dividing the Red Sea, and Pharaoh, in his chariot overwhelmed with the waters,” and the following motto, “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” Thomas Jefferson depicted Americans as “the children of Israel in the wilderness… led by a pillar of fire by night.” On the reverse, he proposed “Hengist and Horsa, the Saxon chiefs from whom we claim the honor of being descended, and whose political principles and form of government we have assumed.”

Adams favored Hercules, the mythical figure of strength, “resting on his club,” gazing towards a figure of virtue, and impervious to sloth and vice. Du Simitière recommended a shield consisting of the traditional symbols of the six European nations that had settled North America. The shield was surrounded by thirteen shields representing the states and flanked by the goddess of liberty and an American rifleman. It also bore the eye of Providence and the motto “E Pluribus Unum.”

Due to congressional delays, it took six years, three committees and the contributions of fourteen men before a design for the Great Seal was submitted to Congress. The design reflected the beliefs and values that the Founding Fathers ascribed to the new nation and that symbolized our country’s strength, unity, and independence. The final result was primarily the work of Charles

Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, and William Barton, a Philadelphia lawyer with a knowledge of heraldry. The design was accepted 240 years ago this week, June 20, 1782.

The Great Seal is rich in symbols which have specific meanings about the values the Founders wanted to pass on to each future generation.

The front of the Great Seal bears the coat of arms of the United States, showing an American bald eagle with a shield on its breast.

The shield contains thirteen vertical red and white stripes, representing the thirteen original states: The olive branch and the arrows held in the eagle’s talons denote the power of peace and war.

The eagle always casts its gaze toward the olive branch signifying that our nation desires to pursue peace but stands ready to defend itself.

The shield, or escutcheon, is on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own Virtue.

In its beak, the eagle holds a scroll inscribed with the Latin motto E. Pluribus Unum (“Out of Many, One”). The motto refers to the U.S. as being a melting pot of various ethnicities and cultures and to the fact that the U.S. is one nation formed by several states.

Above the eagle’s head is a cloud surrounding a constellation of thirteen stars. The constellation breaking through the cloud symbolizes the U.S. taking its place among the other nations.

The back of the Great Seal shows a pyramid built of thirteen levels of stone, representing the thirteen original states in the union. Since ancient times, pyramids have been symbols of strength and duration. The pyramid is shown as unfinished because although

the architects of the United States laid its foundations, each generation has the duty of preserving and building a strong, free, and good nation.

Above the pyramid is a triangle containing the eye of Providence, which watches over the Union. The Latin motto Annuit Coeptis means “He [God] has favored our undertakings.”

On the base of the pyramid is the Roman numeral MDCCLXXVI (1776), the date of the Declaration of Independence.

Beneath the pyramid a scroll reads Novus Ordo Seclorum, meaning “A New Order of the Ages,” signifying that 1776 marked the beginning of the American era.

The Great Seal of the United States is our nation’s official national emblem and has been on the back of every one dollar bill since 1935.

It is also used as our national coat of arms and used officially as decoration on military uniform buttons, on plaques, and above the entrances to U.S. embassies and consulates. The Secretary of State is the official custodian of the Great Seal. The Department of State affixes about 3,000 seals to official documents yearly.

I would encourage everyone to take another look at the Great Seal of your country, and this time see it with its history and details in focus. I think you’ll come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the foundation of our great republic.

22 Police

June 22, 2022

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

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG June 13, 2022 Deputies responded to a report of a burglary at a residence on Polk 78 near Potter.

June 14, 2022 Deputies responded to a report of a gun being taken by a family member. Arrangements were made for the gun to be returned to the owner.

June 15, 2022 No reports were filed.

June 16, 2022 Deputies responded to a report of a scam.

Deputies responded to a theft of property.

Deputies responded to a two-vehicle accident on Hwy 246 E near Vandervoort. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Cord Olson, 36 of Mena was arrested on a Parole Hold Warrant.

June 17, 2022 Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 68 near Cherry Hill in reference to a Verbal Domestic Dispute.

June 18, 2022 Santana Vaughn, 28 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse Richard Bagwell Jr convicted

A report of breaking or entering and theft was taken from a walk-in

By Ethan Nahté complainant.

Richard Ray Bagwell, Jr. receives a 10A report of a discharge of a fireyear sentence after pleading guilty to arm was taken at a residence on 9th charges involving a minor from Arkansas.

Street.

Bagwell, a former Mena resident, was Possession of Methamphetamine Larry Willis, 55, was served with a residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when the or Cocaine and Possession of Drug warrant at the county jail.

Paraphernalia in addition to a charge of Obstructing Governmen- June 14 tal Operations.

William Copelin, 27, was swerved Cody Thornton, 29 of Mena was with a warrant after a traffic stop on arrested on 3 Misdemeanor War- Highway 71. rants for 3rd Degree Domestic Battery.

June 15 A report of theft was taken at a June 19, 2022 residence on Sarah Way. incident occurred February 13. He was Deputies were dispatched to a Gary Smith, 44, was served with arrested by Tulsa police May 10 on three residence on Hwy 375 E near Mena six warrants at a residence on Mor- charges: rape - second degree, lewd molestation, and contributing to the delinquenin reference to a verbal dispute be- row Street. cy of a minor. (see Pulse May 18, 2022) tween neighbors. Information has According to the Oklahoma State been forwarded to the Prosecuting June 16 Courts Network, Judge David Guten preAttorney for further consideration.

Tatum Veal, 31, was charged with sided over the preliminary hearing June Driving on Suspended License and 17 with the defendant, Bagwell present, in Polk County Sheriff ’s Office served with three warrants after a custody and represented by Thomas Reese.

The State was represented by Thomas Reworked 1 vehicle accident this week. traffic stop on Eagle Gap. ese. There was no court reporter present.

A report of criminal mischief was The defendant was sworn in open court.

Polk County Detention Center taken from a walk-in complainant. The defendant entered a plea of guilty and waived preliminary hearing, waived rights Jail Population: 18 Incarcerated Into jury, non-jury trial. The court accepted mates, with 8 Inmates currently on June 17 Bagwell’s plea and sentenced him: the Waiting List for a State Facility.

A report of theft was taken from a Count 1: Ten (10) years department of walk-in complainant. corrections with credit for time served and A report of theft was taken from a earned. Fine in the amount of $500.00 plus person at an office on Pine Avenue. cost; victims compensation in the amount A report of harassment was taken of $250.00 plus cost.

Count 2: Dismissed, cost to state. from a walk-in complainant.

June 12 Count 3: One (1) Tulsa County Jail with A report of sexual indecency with credit for time served and earned. Fine in the amount of $100.00 plus cost; victims June 18 a child was taken from a walk-in Christopher May, 36, was charged compensation in the amount of $100.00 complainant. with Disorderly Conduct and ob- plus cost.

Counts 1 and 3 run concurrently. structing Government Operations June 13 Defendant signed sex offender registraJustin Wikel, 37, was served with after a disturbance call on Sampson tion and is under a no-contact order with M.C. Avenue. a warrant at the county jail.

Bagwell was advised of his appeal rights, A report of fraudulent use of a Bradley Moss, 46, was served with rule 8 issued; judgment and sentence istwo warrants after contact on Sher- credit card was taken from a walk- sued. His bond was exonerated. Commitin complainant. wood Avenue. ment and release issued to the jail.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 22, 2022

Sports 23

Sports conference changes will affect Polk County

By Patrick Massey LITTLE ROCK - It appears high school conferences will be changing slightly for sports other than football with the 2022 through 2024 school years. According to information released this week by the Arkansas Activities Association, the 7-2A Conference, for all sports other than football, is apparently set to include Acorn, Caddo Hills, Horatio, Foreman, Dierks, Murfreesboro, and Spring Hill.

The 7-4A Conference will fea-

ture De Queen, Ashdown, Nashville, Arkadelphia, Hope, along with Camden Fairview, Magnolia and Malvern.

Mineral Springs is scheduled to be part of the 7-1A Conference, which will also include, Blevins, Kirby, Mount Ida and Nevada County. In addition to those teams, the conference softball field also features Oden.

There’s still a possibility of a change or two taking place in baseball and softball, as those sports have until December 1 to become official.

The installation of the new turf at Bearcat Stadium is nearing completion.

The surrounding track should be re-opened to the public before too long.

(Trey Youngdahl/Pulse)

24

June 22, 2022

CONGRATULATIONS to the Monte Hostetler Family!

Polk County Farm Family of the Year.

FSA Preferred Lender

1-800-562-6896

www.ffb1.com

@FFBank1

Member FDIC

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse