News Special Olympics fundraiser

By Ethan Nahté

There will be a Special Olympics Fundraiser at the Polk County Fairgrounds Education Bldg., 6 p.m., Thursday, June 8.

prepared by the Mena Area Board of Realtors. Please RSVP by calling or texting (479) 234-8130 to help them get an estimate on the amount of food to supply. The fundraiser will have an auction,

(StatePoint) A great morning routine makes getting out of bed more pleasant and sets the tone for a successful, happy day. Whether your Dad is a morning lark or a night owl, he will appreciate gifts that help him start his days on the right foot. With that in mind, here are three fun Father’s Day gift ideas to consider, all of which would also make great gifts for the newly-graduated: goodbye to nicks and patchy facial hair. Offering a close shave, even on a dense beard, Braun’s Series 9 Pro Electric Shaver features sensors that adjust power to beard density, and a precision switch to capture tricky hair.

The event is sponsored by First Financial Bank. Entry is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. The fee includes the meal, which be hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, dessert and drinks games and a raffle. Shannon Hunter of Hunter’s Auction Services will be the auctioneer. To donate items or cash, call or text (479) 216-1932, (479) 243-5613, or (479) 243-3407.

1. The perfect cup of coffee: Most people think they are satisfied with their morning cup of coffee, that is, until they try Nextmug, a smart, self-heating mug that keeps beverages warm (130 degrees F), hot (140 degrees F) or piping hot, (150 degrees F) depending on the setting selected. Lab testing has shown that liquid in a standard ceramic mug loses 52% of its heat over a two-hour period. Nextmug loses no heat over that same time frame, making it possible to savor coffee or tea for as long as it takes to drink it.

If Dad has ever resorted to microwaving a forgotten morning brew, which can turn even the best drink bitter, or has simply slugged it down tepid, he will appreciate this sleek, ergonomic, easy-to-use mug. Plus, its optional spill-resistant lid means that Dad can take his cup of joe throughout his home or office, on the back deck, or wherever he would most enjoy it.

Perfect for a dorm or first apartment, this makes a useful high school or college graduation gift as well. For more information, visit https://nextmug.com/.

2. A closer shave: Help Dad say

Because its built-in sonic technology yields a more efficient shave, and its docking station automatically charges and cleans the razor, you’ll be giving Dad the gift of more time for himself in the morning.

3. Music and podcasts on-thego: Add entertainment and motivation to Dad’s morning workouts with comfortable, durable headphones. Just be sure to consider his needs when selecting the right pair.

Whereas bone conduction headphones offer the safety of being able to hear surrounding sounds, which is great for morning jogs and commutes, air conduction offers the best shock-free comfort.

Finally in-ear style headphones can isolate outside noise when it’s desired, such as at the gym. The X9-pro, allows users to switch between these three modes.

It’s also completely waterproof and Bluetooth-connected, so Dad can listen to his favorite jams and podcasts, even when swimming laps at the pool.

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This Father’s Day (and graduation season) put a smile on the face of your honoree by looking for gifts that help elevate morning routines.

Agriculture has long been the backbone of our state’s economy. Currently, the industry contributes more than $19 billion annually to our economy. The ripple effect of agriculture reaches far beyond the farm. It stimulates rural economies and supports local businesses. The industry supports more than 240,000 jobs statewide.

Every legislative session, the General Assembly introduces several bills aimed at addressing the needs of our farmers and surrounding communities.

The 2023 Regular Session was no exception. The following acts were signed into law this year:

Act 243 creates a fact-based agricultural education program for elementary school students in Arkansas. Starting in the 20252026 school year, the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education will collaborate with industry stakeholders to establish a pilot program to introduce young students to the principles and practices of agriculture.

Act 706 creates the Agri Scholarship Program Fund to be used by the Department of Agriculture to create and maintain the Agri Scholarship Program. The act expands the uses of funds in the Veterinary Examiners Board Fund to include requiring the department to fund the Agri Scholarship Program and the Rural Veterinary Student Scholarship Program.

Act 746 creates the Rural Economic De- velopment Initiative.

Act 161 authorizes a collaborative practice agreement between a veterinarian and a veterinary technician specialist and sets up procedures for the collaborative practice agreement.

Act 591 exempts from the licensure requirements for a pharmacist and a pharmacy the sale or shipping of antibiotics and microbials for veterinary medical use directly from a wholesaler, distributor, pharmacy, or farm store to a client if based on a prescription from a licensed veterinarian.

Act 367 places the burden of proof on a party bringing an action against an agricultural operation as a public or private nuisance.

Act 636 prohibits certain foreign parties from acquiring any interest in Arkansas agricultural land, provides penalties for violations, creates the Office of Agricultural Intelligence for information analysis and enforcement.

Act 824 transfers the authority to manage liquid animal waste systems from the Department of Energy and Environment to the Department of Agriculture.

Act 530 amends the Arkansas Soil Nutrient Application and Poultry Litter Utilization Act to provide that nutrient management plans and poultry litter management plans are not public records.

You can learn more about our state’s agriculture industry by visiting agriculture. arkansas.gov .

The state Division of Workforce Services will close nine offices around the state.

The closings are part of an overall restructuring of state offices that used to administer welfare programs known as Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA).

Under Act 832 of 2023, approved by the legislature earlier this year, people who need TEA will apply at local offices of the Department of Human Services.

The legislature transferred the TEA offices to streamline the process of determining whether applicants are eligible for assistance. The Department of Human Services administers several other programs to benefit low-income families, such as Medicaid and food stamps.

Workforce Services is the state’s main employment agency, helping people find jobs and file for unemployment insurance. The Division hosts job fairs and operates adult education to teach skills.

The transfer of TEA from Workforce Services to DHS will take effect July 1, which is the beginning of the new fiscal year. It will require the transfer of 164 employees from Workforce Services to DHS. Those employees will keep their current salaries.

A spokesman for Workforce Services said that the nine offices being closed are “underutilized.” The offices are in Arkadelphia, Batesville, Benton, Blytheville, Camden, Helena, Magnolia, Mountain Home and Rogers.

Workforce Services will continue to help people in those cities with eight mobile centers and by using more thorough and efficient technology. The Workforce Services Division has created a job seeker data base, which allows Division staff to contact people directly.

It is part of a national trend to maintain fewer “bricks and mortar” buildings and instead rely on technology, the Division’s director said.

The legislature enacted another new law that will affect people who apply for public assistance. It is Act 266, which reduces the lifetime limit for cash benefits from two years to one year, for households with adults who are able to work. It takes effect on August 1.

More than half of the people receiving cash benefits from the state have been doing so for more than 18 months. The act will not affect children who live in a household in which no adult is able to work.

Act 675 of 2023 will affect people who qualify for food stamps, which is known as SNAP. That stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The act raises the threshold for eligibility known as the asset limit, which could be in the form of a savings account, a motor vehicle or other type of property.

The asset limit had been $2,250 for most families, and $3,500 for families with someone older than 60 years or a family member with a disability. Act 675 allows the asset limit to go up to $5,500.

The act was approved with bipartisan support in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Legislative supporters of Act 675 say that it recognizes the impact of inflation on low-income families.

For example, they can now save up for a car valued at $5,500 and still remain eligible for food stamps. In most parts of Arkansas, access to a decent car is a necessity for getting to and from work.

Robert Wayne Doty, better known as Robby D., passed away on June 3, 2023, at the age of 49. Born in Santa Rosa, CA, on May 30, 1974, Robert lived a life that was as charismatic and exciting as the man himself. A longtime resident of Mena, Arkansas, Robert was known for being a loving father, a compassionate friend, and a funny and entertaining presence in the lives of everyone he met.

As the owner of Doty Construction, Robert was immensely proud of his achievements in the industry, including the prestigious Charlie Daniels award he received in 2010 from the Arkansas State Senator. His dedication to his work was matched by his passion for his hobbies, which included kayaking, boating, golfing, camping, and fishing. He loved to sing karaoke and often would sing Boyz-N-The-Hood. Robert was also an active member of the Mena Country Club, where he frequently spent time on the golf course. What mattered most to Robert, however, was his family and children who he loved with every ounce of his being. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Doty Sr.

Robert is survived by his lifelong companion, Lonita Doty; his mother and stepfather, Mary and Doug Jones; children, Robert and wife Brandi Doty III, Cynthia Doty and husband Rocky Stone, Zechariah Doty, and Jacob Doty; granddaughter, Millie Doty; siblings, Michael Durant, Sharlene Balkenhol, Me- lissa Doty, Anna Doty, and Randi Lopez; best friends, Alex Escobar, Randy Elliot, Lorenzo Valdovinos, Roy Weber, Jason Baker, Justin Messenger, Cam Demar, and Teresso Marrufo; Nephew, Kaleb Birtcher; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Robert Doty III, Jacob Doty, Zechariah Doty, Lorenzo Valdovinos, Kaleb Birtcher, and Alex Escobar.

A graveside service for Robert Doty will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Gann Cemetery in Potter, Arkansas, with Brother Stanley Dreyer officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home.

Mr. Rickey Lee Goss, age 68, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at his home in Mena, Arkansas. He was born October 14, 1954, in San Antonio, Texas, to the late Robert Luther Goss and Patsy Ann Simms.

Rick was a diesel mechanic by trade. He graduated from Red River Vo-Tech in June 1973. He went on to Caterpillar School in Peoria, IL, where he graduated with the highest of honors. He moved back to Mena in the late 80’s and ran a diesel mechanic shop for many years. His son, Robert Goss, followed in his footsteps and became a mechanic as well. Rick was very proud of the man and mechanic that Robert has become. He was always happy when he got to spend time with Robert, his wife Kim, and his granddaughter Haley.

Out of all the people who knew Rick, I don’t think anyone would argue that he was one of a kind. There are many truckers and mechanics that would say he was the best mechanic in the state. Some would even go further and say the best in all the surrounding states too! He was that good. There were even some that would bring their trucks from states away for him to fix! He had lots of trucker and mechanic friends who are going to miss him dearly. He had lots of friends from everywhere. But no one meant more to him than his family. He could always be counted on to be there; Or to fix whatever was broken. He could fix just about anything. Rhonda was the love of his life and everyone who knew them knew that. They were married for 29 years, and even though bickering back and forth was their love language, he loved her fiercely! He loved to cook for her, take her fishing, or out to Jim and Cheryl’s for a drink and darts! He was really good at darts too!

Rick was really good at lots of things, but he was the best at being a granddad! His grandboys loved him so much that they would rather have been in his company than anywhere else in the world. He took them fishing and to the crawdad creek and to their own personal frog pond out behind his house. He only started teaching them things here recently because he always did everything for them. He changed the oil in their trucks, fixed their flats, or any engine problems. They never wanted for anything when they were with their Granddad! He was a huge part of their lives and they have turned out to be some pretty great young men because of him.

Rick played a lot of different roles in many people’s lives, and we are all better people for knowing him. There is no way he could have ever known just how much he’s going to be missed.

Mr. Goss is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Luther Goss and Patsy Ann Simms; Father-in-law, Frankie Heifner; and by his sister-in-law, Cher-

He is survived by his loving wife, Rhonda Goss; daughter, Michele Rouse and husband James, and their children, Ashley, Amber, and Drew; son, Robert Goss and wife Kim, and their daughter, Haley Goss; daughter, Kimella Wagstaff and husband Brandon, and their children, Trey and Seth; daughter, Amanda Wright and children, Jaren Dillard, Baylen Wright, and Breken Wright; son, Bradley Dillard and wife Nikki, and their children, Nicholas Dillard, and Mason Dillard; daughter, Jamie Romine and grandson Clayton Cude; mother-in-law, Margie Heifner; brothers, David Goss, Darrell Goss and wife Karen; sisters, Linda Weathersby and husband James, Phyllis Scott and husband Stan Lawrence, Patty Brown and husband Jerry; as well as by a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends too numerous to mention.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., at the Hatfield Auditorium in Hatfield, Arkansas. There will also be a luncheon held at 4:30 p.m., and a benefit auction held at 6:00 p.m., also at the Hatfield Auditorium. Cremation services are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary and guest book available at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com continued from page 1

There were booths for kids and adults to paint pottery or draw and paint on other mediums.

There were all sorts of jewelry made from quartz molds then hand painted. Some items were knitted or crocheted, while others were stuffed and dressed.

The Festival also had 3-on-3 basketball once more, although the competition was held between The Crossing church and the old Mena Middle School. There was also the RE/MAX Baby Crawl races, and the 5K race early Saturday morning.

Then there was the music, beginning with Mena’s Holiday Neufeld singing the national anthem as the flag was raised Friday morning. Other performers on the Aleshire Stage on Friday included the Shady Oak Tribadours, Backroad Revival, Laurel Taylor coming to Mena for her visit all the way from Nashville, Tennessee, and Sam Allbright & Southern Heat closed out the evening with a nearly full strawberry moon.

Saturday’s weather started out much like Friday’s. As it neared noon and the start of the talent showcase, thunder rolled across the sky and lightning began to strike up around the peak of Rich Mountain in the background, causing the talent show to finish and be judged a little sooner than anticipated for safety’s sake. The rain moved in. Although it wasn’t heavy, it became a constant drizzle that forced Nash Moore to cancel. Magnolia Brown band began to set up as the rain let up, then it began to drizzle again, forcing them to cancel their performance.

Meanwhile, most of the cars in the Lions Club Car Show left the grounds before getting stuck in it. Some vendors left as well.

The children playing at the Youth Firefighter Challenge course were already wet and having a blast. Some made 30-40 trips or more according to the firefighters, running and crawling through obstacles, dragging hoses, and spraying a pair of flame cutouts.

Fonkey Donkey out of Little Rock arrived. Their start time was delayed and their show cut short due to inclement weather, but they did get to jam with their bluesy style of rock. I think many in the crowd wished they had gotten to perform longer.

Saturday night’s headliner was The Zac Dunlap Band, out of Little Rock, but Dunlap has also toured the country and recorded in Nashville. Despite the rain, the crowd cheered him on from beneath umbrellas, trees, or just let the rain fall on them. Dunlap complimented and thanked the Mena crowd on his Facebook page for hanging in there.

He returned to Little Rock for the Arkansas Country Music Awards. He and his band have won four awards back in 2018, including Entertainer of the Year. He and his band were up for the Video of the Year for the song “Santa Rosa” on Monday evening.

Janssen Park was overflowing with talent this weekend. If you missed the festival, then you missed quite a show.

By Patrick Massey

MENA – Polk County will be well-represented in the 2023 LeadAR class with the announcement that Sherry Beaty-Sullivan has been selected for the program.

Beaty-Sullivan serves as the Polk County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. She is one of just 21 Arkansans selected from around the state to enroll in the 20th class of LeadAR. Offered through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, LeadAR is an 18-month leadership program that aims to provide an in-depth learning experience about economic and social issues impacting Arkansas.

Operated by the Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, LeadAR was founded in 1984 and originally modeled after the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s leadership training program. LeadAR now has more than 500 alumni serving as leaders in their communities throughout Arkansas.

Members of Class 20 will participate in a team-building and goal-setting seminar at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock to kick off the program. Over the next 18 months, they will travel to two-day seminars around the state, covering topics such as infrastructure and public health, natural resources, agriculture, livestock and community and economic development.

“The overall goal of LeadAR is to equip leaders with the knowledge, skills and network they need to make a difference in their communities or organization,” said Julie Robinson, extension associate professor for Community, Professional and Economic Development for the Division of Agriculture. “They will learn about issues affecting rural and urban areas of Arkansas and how the state is interwoven.”

The program includes a national study tour to Washington, D.C., where participants will learn about policy development and meet with their congressional delegation to discuss issues impacting their communities. Members will also travel on an international study tour, where they will learn how international issues and policy decisions impact the United States and Arkansas. The location of the trip will be decided in 2024.

The members of LeadAR Class 20 include county extension agents with the Division of Agriculture — such as Beaty-Sullivan — as well as directors of Arkansas non-profits and leaders of Arkansas businesses.

To learn more about LeadAR, visit uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/leadership/leadar/ or contact Julie Robinson, LeadAR director, at LeadAR@uada.edu.