Polk County Pulse June 8, 2022

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600

June 8, 2022

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

Mena represented at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games

INSIDE:

By Ethan Nahté

Lum & Abner Festival

Free Fishing Weekend

Orlando has over 5,000 visitors this week, and it’s not people in line to see Mickey and Minnie, although Disney is part of the festivities. Approximately 5,500 athletes from across the United States and the Caribbean will be participating in their various events Monday through Friday at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Florida this week. The one-of-a-kind opening cer-

Page 12

Freewheeling in Mena

By Ethan Nahté The tents from the Lum & Abner Festival remained up after the event ended on Saturday and were put to good use by a portion of the bikers who rode into town. These weren’t bikers as in motorcycles, which Polk County gets a fair share of. There were no motors to be heard. These were bicyclists making

Page 22

(l-r) Krista Carstens, coach Erica Cox, and Maddie Fletcher will represent Mena and Polk County at the USA Games this week. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

VA 2K Walk

emony was produced by Disney Live Entertainment and was reportedly the largest USA Games in Special Olympics history.

Two-time Grammy Award nominee Sara Bareilles sang and played piano at the opening ceremonies Sunday morning, along with 500 performers to get things rolling.

Page 2

See USA GAMES continued on page 15

Janssen Park became Tent City Monday as hundreds of cyclists camped out and enjoyed the Mena area. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

a pit stop on their way across Oklahoma. They were riding standard bikes, as well as recumbent, tandem, homemade

See CYCLISTS continued on page 9

2 News

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 8, 2022

National VA 2K Walk helping those in need

By Ethan Nahté

ical donations were kept here at the Mena CBOC (Community Based The National VA 2k Walk, sup- Outpatient Clinic). The monetary porting homeless vets and pro- donations were sent to Fort Roots, moting health and well-being, con- the North Little Rock Hospital.”

Kim Finck was the winner of the second week’s Let Us Make Your Day prizes. She registered at Little Italy and came away with a half-gallon mug and a TRUE EDC Essentials Kit with a multi-tool knife, plasma lighter, power bank, and a multi-tool pen courtesy of Freedom Pharmacy.

Speaking of Freedom Pharmacy, we neglected to mention that last week’s winner, Preston Klutts, was registered at Freedom Pharmacy.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Gathering at the CBOC in Mena before walking to Bearcat Stadium.

vened at Green House Cottages for the Mena VA and walk to Bearcat Stadium. Participants then walked the 2k on the track, Wednesday, May 18.

Tammy Hughes, the mental health RN case manager for the Mena VA said the event well. “We collected monetary and physical donations such as laundry detergent, Boost nutritional supplements, sanitary wipes and other supplies. The phys-

(Jodi Croft/Pulse)

CBOC is the local VA clinic that provides medical and mental health services. Hughes said the facility just began offering physical therapy.

If you are a veteran that has needs, you can contact the Mena VA Clinic at 501-609-2700. The clinic is located at 300 Morrow Street, next door to the post office. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Richard Pena walks his 2K carrying an American Flag.

(Jodi Croft/Pulse)

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Letters 3

June 8, 2022

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There are good people supporting the betterment of community.

Surprised one morning last week to have Mena police pull into my driveway. It came to my attention I had some issues to attend to.

Officer Sharp explained things to me…in the most kind, caring and authoritative way I have ever expe-

1168 Hwy 71S Mena, AR 71953 Phone: 479-243-9600 Fax: 479-243-9603 Email: news@mypulsenews.com

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Letter to the Editor

rienced. This gentleman cares for us citizens and our community. He is respectful and deserves praise as a person and officer of the Mena Police Department.

Thank you for your service officer Sharp and Mena Police.

James Grossman, Mena

Ethan Nahté - Production Manager Trey Youngdahl - Reporter / Photographer Patrick Massey - Contributing Reporter John Russell - Graphic Design Curt Teasdale - Programmer / On-Air Personality Jim Pinson - Morning Personality Jackye Pruitt - Senior Account Executive Jodi Croft - Account Executive Ariel Varner - Receptionist Distribution & Insertion Staff: Dan & Linda Deramus, Jason Sharp, Edward Werkhoven

Lightning strike incinerates majority of house

By Trey Youngdahl A lightning strike on June 2 led to five separate fire departments responding to a major structural fire on Polk Road 41 south.

The storm Thursday morning led to a fire starting in the attic of the home located on the edge of the Mena-Potter line.

Potter Fire Department was the first on scene, as well as several first responders and Southwest EMS, but soon had to request the assistance of Shady Grove Fire Department. Shady Grove requested the aid of more help from the Mena Fire Department, who had six personnel on the scene. Additional tanker support was also provided by both the Dallas Valley

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Reports from the Potter Fire Department states the fire caused a total loss of the house.

Two residents were inside of the home at the time of the fire, but neither were harmed in the disaster.

(Trey Youngdahl/Pulse) Fire Department and Hatfield Fire Department.

Fire Department personnel were on the scene from Thursday morning to Saturday afternoon.

4 News

By Trey Youngdahl With the advent of more and more electric-powered cars and their increasing availability in the western Arkansas area, Aleshire Electric has installed a charging station on Mena Street.

With many citizens across the country concerned about rising gas prices and proposed environmental issues, Arkansas has seen an increasing number of residents switching to more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Of the 2.8 million registered vehicles in Arkansas, 28,000 of those are hybrid vehicles and roughly 2,000 of those are fully electric. This is a relatively huge spike considering the amount of fully electric vehicles in Arkansas in 2019 was only 800.

As of 2021, there are currently just over 400 electric vehicle charging

June 8, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

(Electricity Photo by Nikhita Singhal on Unsplash)

Mena residents aren’t the only Aleshire Electric installs electric vehicle charging station market being affected by the station.

One of two JuiceBoxes on the same pole just a few yards away from Aleshire Electric on Mena Street.

(Trey Youngdahl/Pulse)

stations in Arkansas. The closest of these is located 40 miles from Mena at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa in Mount Ida. Before now, owners of fully electric vehicles would have to drive 45 minutes to recharge.

The charging station, located towards the north end of Mena Street in front of the Aleshire Electric building, was first conceived back in November of 2021. Now that it is built, it will be available 24/7. The stations are UL, cUL and Energy Star listed.

A QR code on the box allows users to access the app for their smartphone and pay online, or they can place a credit card to the JuiceBox to pay.

There is a charging LED indicator, and the charging station will work in rain and snow.

“It seemed like a need that wasn’t filled that eventually somebody would need,” Aleshire Electric project manager Bo James said. “We don’t really know if it will be a profitable income stream, but we’d never know unless we put one out there.”

The current charging rate determined by Aleshire Electric is 13 cents per kilowatt hour and $2 an hour.

The charging station in Mountain Harbor charges 99 cents per kilowatt hour. The Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs charges $3 per kilowatt hour.

With the 2024 eclipse projecting to temporarily double our population due to tourists, this charging station will help accommodate that group of people as well.

“It should help with tourism,” James said. “If somebody wants to visit (Mena) and they’re not sure if they’re going to be able to charge their car, this will give them the opportunity.”

Take note that the parking spaces in front of the charging stations are for electric car parking only when charging.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Politics 5

June 8, 2022

From the

State House of Representatives

Two-year college: Since 2010, the Arkansas Schol• Year 1 - $1,000 arship Lottery has helped raise • Year 2 - $3,000 more than $1.1 billion to fund more than 675,000 scholarships The lottery also helps fund the for students attending 51 ArkanArkansas Workforce Challenge sas colleges and universities.

Scholarship. This scholarship is This week we want to remind available for those attending you about the fast approaching deadline to apply for the next John Maddox technical schools. It is for students seeking certifications in round of scholarships. high-demand occupations, such July 1 is the deadline to apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge as health care and information technology.

And the lottery helps to fund the ArScholarship (AACS) for students planning to enroll in a two- or four-year college or kansas Concurrent Challenge Award. This award provides financial incentives to eliuniversity in the fall.

Applicants can be new high school grad- gible high school students who want to get uates, students already enrolled in college, an early start on college courses.

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery reor non-traditional students seeking to further their education. To apply go to https:// cently launched a map on the lottery site that shows Academic Challenge Scholarsams.adhe.edu/ and click on “Students.”

To be eligible for the scholarship, a stu- ships awarded by county. We’ve posted a dent must be an Arkansas resident for at link to the site on our website www.arkanleast 12 months prior to enrollment and sashouse.org.

Every bit of education you get after high receive at least a 19 on the ACT. To maintain eligibility, students must keep a 2.5 school increases the chances you’ll earn good pay.

GPA. Most college graduates earn more monAward amounts are as follows: ey during their working years than people who stop their education at high school Four-year college: earn. We encourage Arkansans to explore • Year 1 - $1,000 how the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery can • Year 2 - $4,000 assist in furthering their education.

• Year 3 - $4,000 And don’t forget to apply for the Arkan• Year 4 - $5,000. sas Academic Challenge by July 1.

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 Two new virtual statewide of its 3,390 students take virtual charter schools have been apclasses. The only other charter proved by the Arkansas Board system in Arkansas with more of Education. than 3,000 students is eStem The board’s action allows Public Charter School System Founders Classical Academy to in Little Rock, with 3,050 stuadd as many as 500 slots for students. dents in kindergarten through The state Department of Edtwelfth grade. The action also Larry Teague ucation currently lists 24 open allows Premier High Schools of enrollment charter schools and Arkansas to add as many as 250 stu35 district conversion charter schools dents in a new virtual school. in Arkansas.

Both charters operate existing “bricks and mortar” campuses. After Tourism Industry Rebound they have added online classes, ArThe Arkansas Tourism Ticker is a kansas will have five virtual charter venture managed by Talk Business and schools. The three existing ones are Politics, an online news site, and the Arkansas Virtual Academy, ArkanArkansas Hospitality Association, a sas Connections Academy and LISA trade group representing restaurants, Academy Arkansas Hybrid School. hotels, lodging and related businesses Also, several traditional schools have that rely heavily on tourism. begun virtual learning, in response to The most recent report by the Tourthe Covid-19 pandemic. ism Ticker has good news. The inAn official of the state Education dustry is in a strong rebound after Department reported at the beginning the financial devastation caused by of the current school year that about Covid-19 restrictions.

3.9 percent of all students in Arkansas One gauge is the amount of hospinow take online classes. The number of tality taxes collected in 17 Arkansas virtual students is about 18,500. About towns and cities. They’re up more than 474,000 students enrolled in Arkansas 27 percent for the first two months of public schools last fall. the year, compared to last year. Of the Open enrollment charter schools 17 cities and towns, only Texarkana are run by non-profit organizations, reported a drop in hospitality tax revand their students can be drawn from enue. anywhere. District conversion charAnother measure is the state’s two ters schools are run by public school percent tax on hotels, boat rentals and districts, and their students must live tourism related destinations. Those within the district’s boundaries. revenues are up 48 percent over last This year, almost 24,000 students year. are attending open enrollment charThe Tourism Ticker also keeps track ters schools. The largest charter is the of jobs in the industry, as reported by Arkansas Virtual Academy, which the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. teaches 3,885 students from around The number of jobs in the Arkansas the state. tourism industry has risen by 9.5 perThe LISA Academy system has 3,469 cent since last year. students in bricks and mortar campusThere were 120,700 Arkansas reses in Pulaski County and Springdale. idents working in the tourism sector Its hybrid academy is a mix of tradiin January and February. That numtional and online classes. ber tends to increase over the summer Arkansas Connections Academy is months. the third largest charter in the state. All

6 Obituaries

THE POLK COUNTY

June 8, 2022

Eric Dwaynn Billings

Eric Dwaynn Billings, age 49, a resident of Grannis, Arkansas, died Monday, May 30, 2022, at his home.

He was born January 9, 1973, in De Queen, Arkansas. He attended Good News Fellowship of Broken Bow, Oklahoma. He enjoyed being outdoors and visiting with family and friends, especially his great nieces and nephews. He worked in industrial maintenance.

Eric was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, A.C. and Jessie Billings and maternal grandparents, Pete and Zerma George; one aunt, Linda Pamplin.

He is survived by one daughter, Jessica Billings of Norman, Oklahoma; four sons, Justin Stark of Waldron, AR, Grant Billings of South America, Gabriel Billings of Norman, Ok, Chael Billings of Houston, TX; one sister, Amy Flood of Mt. Herman, Ok; his parents, Thomas Dwaynn and Nona George Billings; uncle and aunt, Dwight and June Billings of Grannis; step-grandmother, Ann Billings of Mena, AR; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews and his pastor, Doug Dermanus.

Cremation arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Eric will be held at a later date.

You may leave a condolence online at wilkersonfuneralhomes.com

Bobby Earl Plunkett

Mr. Bobby Earl Plunkett went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Mena, Arkansas. “Bob” was born January 25, 1937,

in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Houston “Hoot” Plunkett and Lee Dunagan.

He attended Vandervoort Elementary School and remembered having to help push the bus out of the snow and icy mud on cold winter days. Before and after graduating from Van-Cove High School in 1955, he worked on the family farm, at a sawmill in Dierks, and at the local chicken processing plant.

However, that experience led to his unwillingness to ever eat chicken again.

At 20 years of age, he joined the Army and the military sent him to Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, Ft. Gordon, Georgia (for small engine repair), and eventually to Ft. MacArthur, California. Having a top-secret security clearance, he passed on messages at the main military communication center in downtown Los Angeles, California, where he extended his enlistment during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

During his time in the Army, he married Joyce Eileen, daughter of Floyd and Kathryn Clements of Vandervoort.

In 1962 his only child, Elizabeth Anne was born a month early in Alhambra, California. He worked hard to provide them everything they could ever need.

After the military, Bobby’s small engine repair training helped him get a job for South California Edison Electric Company for the next 32 years.

He proudly would mention that as a mechanic and lead garage foreman for vehicle maintenance he would always accept the offers for overtime work and only took one day off work after breaking his leg falling down a hillside on the job.

In 2005, his wife Joyce, passed away at their home in Lancaster, California, having been together 46 years.

Bob returned to Mena soon after and became reacquainted with many old friends while making many new ones.

He enjoyed weekly trips to Scotty’s in Cove in hopes of seeing people from the old days.

He is survived by his daughter, Beth and her husband Col. Ron Woodard, USAR, retired, of Royal, Arkansas.

Bobby was always proud to tell people that his son-in-law was an ICU nurse.

He also is survived by his love and long-time companion, Pat Gilbert, of Mena. Family and friends made his life complete.

A graveside memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Friday, June 3, 2022, at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cove, Arkansas. Brother Ron Ladd will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Bobby had a special interest in the preservation of Pleasant Grove Cemetery where he purchased and had erected the American Flagpole that stands there today. In lieu of flowers, he requested donations be made to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association. Cremation services for Mr. Plunkett are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Pulse

also leaves her sister Patricia Page of Mena, and brothers Guy and Michael Cook of Bakersfield, California. She also survived by her nephew Danny Thrailkill, Krystal Thrailkill, and children, Christopher, Spencer, and Travis, all of Mena. Special friends include Era Looney of Mena, and Marsha Langston Rhodes of Nashville, Arkansas.

Grave side services are June 2, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena. Memorials to the Ouachita Humane Society are requested in lieu of flowers. The family extends a special thanks to the nursing staff at Homewood Cottages for their compassion and care.

Carolyn Sue Cook Derris

Carolyn Sue Cook Derris peacefully passed from this life on June 1, 2022, at Homewood Cottages in Mena. She was born October 2, 1943, in Mena, Arkansas, to Vera Burnett Cook and Robert “Bob” Cook. She attended Mena Public Schools graduating in 1962. She also attended the Kansas City Art Institute and the University of Arkansas completing her studies in 1968. She returned to Mena High School as an art teacher where she taught for 13 years. She later married Jim Derris and moved her home to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she worked for several years in advertising sales for KLAZ radio. Sue loved to cook, visit friends, and attend church. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Sue especially loved her family and her cats. She was a kind and caring soul and will be missed by those who knew her.

Sue is survived by her son Patrick McDaniel and wife Wendy and their children Colten and Courtney. She

A human life is a story told

by God. ~Hans Christian Andersen

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 8, 2022

The June Cash Mob becomes a beach party Submitted by Judy Thompson

As there have been some beautiful sunny days, Judy Thompson, Downtown business liaison, says it’s time to have fun in the sun.

Therefore, the theme for the June Cash Mob is Beach Party Fun. Wild Hare Art Glass Studio, 609 Mena St., will host the group on Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m. There will be complimentary refreshments, door prizes, games and other fun prior to the name of the shop to be ‘mobbed’ being drawn.

In addition, there will be a special door prize of $25 Mob Money eligible to enter for everyone who wears anything related to the beach or beach party. Mob Money may be used at the store that is ‘mobbed’ that day.

The Cash Mob is an on-going project of the Mena Downtown Partners beginning in October 2017 to promote its Buy Local, Shop Small campaign and provide an opportunity for fun and socializing. A Cash Mob is a community effort that joins people together to support local businesses. In this

effort, the Cash Mob converges on a participating downtown shop that is a member of the Downtown Partners. Cash Mobs bring an immediate economic impact to a locally owned business with long-term positive results.

The Mob meets the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at a predetermined place for morning refreshments. All participating MDP retailers who have not yet been selected on this round will have their business names placed in a container.

One of the Mob’sters will draw the name and then the Mob will proceed to the selected business for a fun shopping experience.

Rules are simple 1) Commit to spend at least $20 at the selected business and 2) Have fun. Thompson advises that one does not have to be pre-registered as a Mob member. Just show up and sign in at the door. Help the local economy and indulge in that all-American pastime of shopping. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and hang out with old friends.

Entertainment district approved for July 1

by Ethan Nahté

The Mena City Council Health and Sanitation Committee met Tuesday, May 31 to decide on whether or not to present a one-time entertainment district permit to Mena City Council. The district would be on Martin Avenue, between Dequeen Street and Mena Street for July 1, from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Members in attendance were

Mary Alice Head, Terri Neugent, Larry Stewart and Andy Brown.

Typically, the entertainment district is a barricaded area allowing patrons to take alcoholic beverages and food outside within the barricades, and watch entertainers on an outdoor stage.

The committee approved the permit to be presented to the entire council at the regular city council meeting June 14.

News 7

May was Extension Homemakers Month in Arkansas Submitted by Bridgett Martin

Extension Homemakers in Polk County have been celebrating the contributions of their organization to the community as May was Extension Homemakers Month in Arkansas.

On May 21, Extension Homemakers participated in a Craft/Skills Day that they plan to make a regular event.

Three members of Twilight EH club gathered together to learn a new project and made beautiful quilt block throw pillows. The local clubs have had several new members join this year and they are looking forward to doing different types of projects and activities each month.

Arkansas currently has 257 clubs with nearly 3,000 members statewide.

Educational programs, leadership development and community service are the foundation for the clubs, which are associated with the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Polk County has 4 active EH Clubs and we are always looking for new members. The following is a list of club monthly meeting dates and contacts for anyone who is interested in joining: Happiness - Rose McClain, 870389-6681, meets the second Tuesday at the Hatfield City Hall at 11 a.m.

Wickes/Night Owls - Maxine Holman, 870-385-2262, meets the second Monday at the Wickes Methodist Church at 1 p.m.

Twilight - Linda Johnson, 479-2347966, meets the second Friday at the fairgrounds Extension Education Building at 5 p.m.

“We welcome anyone to our meetings,” Bridgett Martin, Family and

Consumer Science agent, said. “Attending an EHC meeting is a great way to meet other people, learn something new, and get active in the community. Our clubs are made up of a lot of different interests and abilities. We have some very talented members who like to share their knowledge and our clubs always have something going on.”

The clubs began in 1912 as Home Demonstration Clubs and were essential for disseminating critical information for managing family resources and food safety at a time when many rural households were isolated by distance, and without modern tools such as electricity, phone service or access to libraries or other sources of life-saving knowledge.

Today, EHC continues to share research-based information with its members on a variety of topics, including health, nutrition, money management, personal development and other topics. Along with educational programming, the clubs offer leadership development and community service engagement.

While individual clubs work on service projects that benefit their respective communities, the clubs work together collectively on a statewide project. For the past two years, EHC has worked to reduce food insecurity among Arkansans by raising money and collecting food to benefit food-insecure individuals and families in their communities.

To learn more about Extension Homemakers Clubs, visit uaex.uada. edu/EHC/ or contact Bridgett Martin at the Polk County Extension Office for more details, 479-394-6018 or bmartin@uada.edu.

8 Education

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse UA Rich Mountain awarded $1 million grant from ANCRC for Waldron campus

June 8, 2022

Submitted by UARM

The Van-Cove alumni memorabilia building at 156 School Street in Cove, Arkansas, will be open to the public on July 2, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Drop by and take a stroll down memory lane and have conversations with former classmates.

The Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council (ANCRC) recently notified Dr. Diann Gathright, UARM’s Director of Development, of the approval of a $1 million grant request to complete renovations to two historic buildings on the Waldron campus of UA Rich Mountain.

This is the second phase of renovations

UARM Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson commended the work of Gathright and Richardson. “Not only is it our goal to enhance opportunities in Scott County, but we also strongly advocate for the preservation of historic sites. This grant allows us to accomplish both. There will be multiple generations that will be benefactors of this grant and the efforts of Dr. Gathright and Mr. Richardson.”

The exact timeline for the completed proj-

Important college financial aid dates Submitted by UARM

High school seniors or prospective college students seeking to receive any federal or state financial aid must annually complete a FAFSA form to determine eligibility. The 2022-2023 forms are at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa or a link can be found at UARichMountain.edu.

UARM’s Director of Financial Aid Mary Standerfer emphasized the importance of completing these forms each year. “Just because you may have received a Pell grant this year does not mean that you will not have

to reapply,” Standerfer explained.

She also added that in applying now, applicants will be using 2020 tax information; however, knowing that 2020 has adversely affected many families’ income levels and Standerfer stressed that students can request a Reconsideration of Income. The Office of Financial Aid can review student and/or parents’ income to see if the difference between the 2020 and current year would make a difference in student eligibility.

There is still time to apply for Arkansas Academic Challenge, Arkansas Workforce, and ARFuture. The deadline to apply is July 1. Apply online at: https://sams.adhe.edu/ The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at UA Rich Mountain can assist you with college applications or the financial aid process, regardless of what college you plan to attend. EOC representatives are located at each campus of UA Rich Mountain in Mena, Waldron, or Mt. Ida.

(l-r) Local historian and instructor Ty Richardson, Director of Development Dr. Diann Gathright, Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs Chad Fielding, Director of Community Relations & Business Outreach LeAnn Dilbeck, Director of Educational Opportunity Center Tammy Sherrill, and Chancellor Dr. Phillip. Wilson. (photo courtesy of UARM)

to the historic site. One building served as a Home Ec building and the second was the Ag building before the new high school was constructed. Both buildings were placed on the National Historic Register through the efforts of Ty Richardson, a local historian.

A previous grant of $460,000 was awarded

by ANCRC that allowed for interior demolition, restoration of historic windows, and early stages of the roof repair. This latest grant will fund new roofs, install utilities, and will make the buildings useable.

Dr. Gathright explained that the Home Ec building will not only serve as a classroom, but also a community building with a kitchenette and AV equipment for classes, as well as meeting space for community use. The Ag building will be a classroom and a space for technical classes of interest to local residents and businesses.

ect is yet to be determined but bids will be advertised in June for work to begin as soon as July 2022.

The ANCRC was established by the Arkansas Legislature in 1987 by Arkansas Act 729 (now codified as Arkansas Code Annotated 15-12-101 through 15-12-103).

The act created the ANCRC to manage and supervise a grants and trust fund for the acquisition, management, and stewardship of state-owned properties acquired or used for ANCRC approved purposes. The grants are funded through the state’s real estate transfer tax. The ANCRC consists of 11 voting members. Grants from this fund are for projects that protect and maintain state-owned natural areas, historic sites, and outdoor recreation.

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

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 8, 2022 CYCLISTS continued from page 1

chopper-style bikes and other custom jobs. Some were pulling trailers with a dog in tow. Unicycles were about the only version of a cycle that was not represented.

The OK Freewheel 2022 started in Id a b e l , Oklahoma.

They proceeded to Broken Bow, then Mena as one of the host communities.

They’ll have made their way across Oklahoma, while also rolling through parts of Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and finish in Galena, Kansas after a week-long ride, averaging a little over 60 miles per day. Overall, the group is riding 527 miles or so.

The sojourn is coordinated by Trevor Steward, director and co-owner, along with his wife Elizabeth, of No Drop Tours. The group offers the OK Freewheel tour, the OKFW Fandango tour, and the Tour of Payne, which is a tour of Payne County, Oklahoma, and the Night of Payne.

Based out of Stillwater, No Drop Productions claims to be “Oklahoma’s premier cross-state bicycle tour.” Their mission is to promote and strengthen cycling tourism and health in Oklahoma (and surrounding areas).

Trevor has been with the group for seven or eight years, becoming the group’s executive director. He and Elizabeth only recently took the “handlebars.”

He said, “I took over as director, and my wife and I took it over as a company a couple of years ago.”

The Oklahoma Freewheel was originally founded in 1979. It went through a few groups before the No Drop Productions took over in 2019.

Not only are a few hundred cyclists

exploring the highways and byways as they cross, but there is a small entourage of support vehicles with snacks, gear and supplies,

(Trey Youngdahl/Pulse)

not to mention first-aid for people and bicycles.

The group was scheduled to start arriving at approximately 9 a.m. Monday morning, but Mother Nature had something different in mind. A light show came rolling in over the mountains along with some strong winds and heavy rain around 6 a.m. Many cyclists would be already hitting the pavement and making the 68-mile trek to Mena at that point.

“We started in Broken Bow [Monday morning], and we got a little bit of weather down there,” Trevor said. “It sort of delayed everything. We got up here and the rain was gone, and everything is beautiful. [Mena] had everything set up for us. The Baptist Church and the Masonic Lodge have been feeding us. It’s been amazing. You guys here in town have just been awesome.”

Some people would expect the cyclists to be a bunch of 20 or 30-somethings, but amazingly enough, many of the sunbaked, lean participants are pushing the senior boundary.

“Our average age is 60 or 61, which makes sense for a week-long tour,”

Trevor said. “You have time to go ride your bike for a week. We have a lot of people who are middle-aged, 40s and stuff like that, who take a vacation. This is their vacation. It’s all about coming to these smallish communities and bringing tours and people here to find about them. Getting them to come back and spend money.

“It’s all walks of life. We have kids as young as 12 riding with us, all the way up to 96.

We have 25 or 26 states represented and Canada.”

One rider named Phil was from Colorado. His brother lives in Tulsa and told him about the tour. Phil came to join his brother on the ride. He said, “I’m used to riding in the mountains. These are different, but they’re pretty. It’s a really nice area.”

Despite riding 68 miles, some cyclists went riding around town, visiting restaurants and places of interest.

Several commented on how beautiful Mena and the mountains are. Several talked about how they plan on returning to Mena to visit or vacation.

Convening at Janssen Park, the group set up dozens of tents and makeshift clotheslines to dry out their wet clothing. Some took weather precautions, as more rain was predicted Tuesday morning, and set up beneath the aforementioned tents held over from the Lum & Abner Festival.

Those who weren’t eating dinner at the First Baptist Church or at other restaurants in Mena kicked back in the park, kicked back to listen to music and participate in the Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce’s door prize drawing. The group definitely had some characters. It was obvious that many knew one another and there was an overall joviality and jesting amongst friends and families.

Mayor Seth Smith told the group a little about the trail plans for the area to garner interest and hopefully entice riders to come back and give the mountainous terrain a go once the trails are completed.

News 9 Trevor and assistant director Ross Snider also conducted their nightly meeting to provide details for the next day’s ride. During the commentary, in addition to thanking the City, the Chamber and the A&P, they also praised the Polk County Sheriff ’s Office for keeping an eye on their safety, checking in to see when riders would be making it to the area due to the storms.

Mena A&P board member/city councilman James Earl Turner also gave the audience a little history about Mean and the area.

Afterwards, Trevor went on to express how grateful he and the cyclists were for the hospitality Mena had shown. “We’re eating everything—all the food you can throw at us. Most of our riders will gain weight on this tour,” he said with a laugh. “You burn a lot of calories, but you eat them all back. You guys have really good ice cream here.

I know Tuesday, everybody is looking forward to the fried pies.”

Odds are Polk County will be seeing more cyclists as the beauty, history and hospitality introduced several people to what the area has to offer.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

10 News

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse Comment period open as Arkansas continues to successfully reduce nutrients

June 8, 2022

Little Rock, AR − The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division will be accepting public comments on the recently updated Arkansas Nutrient Reduction Strategy (ANRS), a non-regulatory, voluntary guidance document that prioritizes watersheds with the highest need for reduction of nutrients that can affect health of streams, rivers, and aquatic life. Comments will be accepted from May 30 through June 30.

The ANRS establishes short and long-term goals and strategies for conservation partners, community leaders and agriculture producers to work together to implement conservation measures to reduce excessive nutrients from entering our streams and rivers. While nutrients come from many different sources, the ANRS primarily works to address inputs that originate during storm events from urban and rural settings.

The ANRS watershed prioritization will guide implementation of non-regulatory and voluntary nutrient reduction conservation practices (e.g. septic tank remediation, urban stormwater management, pasture management, cover crops, etc.) and increase the ability to leverage existing state and federal funding sources to help offset implementation costs.

Arkansas established its first Nutrient Reduction Strategy in 2014 as part of the 2014 Arkansas Water Plan and participation in the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force. Arkansas is one of 12 member states of the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force which is a combination of state and federal agencies that work together to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Mississippi River/Atchafalaya River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico.

Implementation of voluntary nutrient reduction best management practices in Arkansas can generate cost savings for producers in addition to improving

water quality.

From 2017 through present, landowners in portions of Crooked Creek, Spring River, and Bull Shoals Lake watersheds retained over 2,000 pounds of sediment, 7,000 pounds of phosphorus, and 10,000 pounds of nitrogen on the land by installing over 30,000 linear feet of heavy use protection areas for cattle watering, 20 alternative watering sources, and 400 acres of grazing management practices.

The development of septic tank remediation programs in the Illinois River and Beaver Reservoir watersheds assists homeowners while also providing nutrient reduction benefits.

Through the recent bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force states are eligible to receive $60 million in grant funds over the next five years to implement nutrient reduction related projects.

Each of the 12 states can request up to $1 million annually over the next five years. The ANRS will help guide how and where these funds are spent to maximize nutrient reduction projects within Arkansas.

The ANRS and more information about nutrient reduction successes to date can be found at agriculture.arkansas.gov/natural-resources/divisions/ water-management/arkansas-nutrient-reduction-strategy/.

Comments may be submitted through the submission portal available through the link above or can be mailed to: Arkansas Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Division, Tate Wentz, 10421 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205.

For additional information contact, Tate Wentz, Natural Resources Division Water Quality Section Manager, (501) 682-3914, tate.wentz@agriculture.arkansas.gov or Katie Mann, Natural Resources Division Ecologist Coordinator, (501) 682-3979, katie. mann@agriculture.arkansas.gov .

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Submitted by Lynn Greenwade

June 8, 2022

News 11

Ouachita Expressions Show call for entry

Mena Art Gallery is pleased to announce our next Ouachita Expressions Show, running from June 30 through August 26. This is one of our longest running, most popular shows.

Open to all media types.

We are looking for local artists to enter, and encourage entries from people who may not have participated in the past. A reception will be held Saturday, July 9, 1 – 3 p.m.

This show is open to all “Summer Sisters” is a 2-D piece from the (Photo courtesy of Mena Art Gallery) members and non-members 2021 show. ages 14 and over. Work inlery, 607 Mena St. for entry on Satcludes all handmade art. Entries must urday, June 25, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. be original and the artist’s own work. Please contact the Gallery if you need No kits or prints will be accepted. All to make other arrangements.

2-dimensional and 3-dimensional Entry Fees: mediums will be accepted.

Members - $8 per piece Work will be accepted at the GalNon-Members - $10 per piece

Limit of 3 entries by one artist.

All entries must be for sale. No NFS (not for sale) work will be accepted.

Please contact the Gallery for the official rules with details on framing, labels, commission fees, etc. 479-3943880 or email@menaartgallery.org.

The rules are also available online at menaartgallery.org/under Ouachita Expressions Show.

CASH PRIZES TO BE AWARDED: • Best in Show $150 • First Place $100 • Second Place $75 • Third Place $50 • RL Norris $100 “Underwater Jar” is a 3-D piece from Photography Award • Honorable Mention Ribbon the 2021 show.

(Photo courtesy of Mena Art Gallery) • People’s Choice $25

12 Festival

June 8, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Lum & Abner

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 8, 2022

Music & Arts Festival

ahl & d g n u y Yo e r T y té sb Photo Ethan Nah

Festival 13

14 Community

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 8, 2022

Around Town 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.

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.

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.

St. Agnes Catholic Church will have a food distribution on Thursday, June 2. Distribution will be from 10 a.m. -noon at 203 8th street in Mena. Follow the signs to the Church Office.

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.

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 Polk County Democrats will be meeting on June 13 at Papa’s Mexican Café, 1506 Hwy 71 S. Come early for your meal and the meeting starts at 6:30 PM. Bring a friend or two. Any questions can be directed to Linda D. Johnson at 479 234 7966.

(l-r) Carol Burns, Commander of Unit No.46 of Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Rose McLean, Cindi Hernandez and Ethel Glenn, Deb Carter (not pictured), brought small tokens of our appreciation for our veterans at the Green House Cottages of Homewood and Peachtree Mena Assisted Living. Thank you all for your service.

(Photo submitted by Cindi Hernandez)

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-N-Grin” 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.

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.

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 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 Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 8 p.m.

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

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. 479-394-3880 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!

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

News 15

June 8, 2022 USA GAMES continued from page 1

In addition to the Flame of Hope being carried in by Team Missouri’s Brett Harper and his lighting of the cauldron, there were several dance performances from Disney characters, speeches from Special Olympics dignitaries, and at the Amway Center, the Harlem Globetrotters came out on the court, interacted with the athletes, taught a couple of tricks and did what the Harlem Globetrotters do on the court.

Journalist T.J. Holmes, who gained national prominence as a host on CNN’s “Saturday & Sunday Morning,” is the host of this year’s Special Olympics. He currently co-hosts “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” part of the “Good Morning America” family.

Holmes is a West Memphis, Arkansas native and University of Arkansas alumni, earning his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.

Nationwide, Special Olympics has approximately 19,000 athletes. Special Olympics Arkansas has a 144-member team made up of 98 athletes and unified partners plus 46 coaches. They will participate in 12 sports along with a six-delegation support staff, a Generation Unified Youth Summit, and a U.S. Ambassador Caucus. The entire experience for Team Arkansas will cost $220,000.

The individuals that make up the team are not required to pay any money to participate.

Athletes and the members of the delegation are encouraged to assist in all fundraising opportunities made available to the team over the course of the year.

Team Arkansas will compete in athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, golf, powerlifting, soccer, softball, stand-up paddleboard, swimming, tennis, and the U.S. Ambassador & Youth Leadership.

Two athletes and a coach will be representing Polk County and Mena.

Krista Carstens will be competing on stand-up paddleboard at Lucky’s Lake. It’s a relatively new sport for the Special Olympics but has seen extraordinary growth over the past few years according to the official website. The site compares the sport to a mix of kayaking and surfing. Competitors navigate open waters and balancing on the board for either 800, 1,600, 3,200 or 4,800 meters, all with turns, as they make their way to the finish line. Carstens will compete in the 1,600 race.

Carstens has been to the USA Games and the World Games before in Abu Dhabi.

“I got to go there in 2019. I went to Seattle, and I got picked for World Games. I was there for a track and field event that time.

I got two second places and I think, like a fourth-place ribbon.”

She ran in the 100-meter dash, 200 dash and the 1x400 relay. She was the only Arkansas selected to be part of Team USA in 2019.

If Carstens succeeds in Orlando this week, she said, “It will put me in availability to go to Germany. That’s World Games.”

The World Games are held every two years, with the Berlin games scheduled for June 17-24, 2023.

“I am a little nervous, but overly excited,” Carstens said with a laugh. “It feels wonderful,” she said about being chosen to go to Orlando. “I can’t wait to represent our state.”

Erica Cox works for Mena High School as a paraprofessional. She runs the Special Olympics program for the district and helped to organize the 2022 Special Olympics Track and Field Day at the Bearcat Stadium on April 28. “I am going as a coach for the U.S. Youth Ambassadors and their unified care from Cabot, so I have one athlete and one partner. They’re going to go and encourage other people to get involved in Special Olympics and choose to include in their everyday life.

“This is my first trip [to nationals] and I am so excited to get to go. They’ve accomplished so much. Stand-up paddleboard is a new sport for Krista. She just took it on and has tackled it. She is doing so good at it. I really think she’s going to get gold when she goes.”

There are no places for Carstens to do her paddleboarding in the Mena area. Cox said, “We’ve gone once a month to Conway and had practices there as a whole team—Team Arkansas all together.”

Mena Police officer Steven Stout said, “She’s doing stand-up paddleboard. I’ve tried

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

to stand in my kayak and it’s not working,” he said to the group of emergency and law enforcement personnel, along with the athletes and family members. “What Krista’s doing on her paddleboard, coming out of Mena, that’s pretty rocking awesome, too.

Maddie Fletcher is Mena’s other competitor. She has a busy schedule ahead of her, competing in swimming at the nationals once again. “This will be my second time going.” She said, “I am doing all of the strokes [100 individual relay]: butterfly, free, back, and breast. I’m doing the 100-yard backstroke, and I’m doing a 50 relay.”

The swimming competitions will take place at the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center. There are 34 different swim events at the 2022 games, and over 300 athletes swimming for gold.

Fletcher said with a very confident voice that she’s not nervous at all. “In 2018, I went to Seattle. I got first, second and third.”

“Maddie is like a fish. She swims faster than anybody I’ve ever seen. She just keeps getting better and better. She’s going to do good there,” Cox said.

Stout said, “This girl can swim!”

Fletcher is also a member of the Special Olympics Arkansas State Youth Activation Committee (SOAR YAC).

Stout said, “You two are really cool.” He asked the small crowd to give a round of applause for the athletes and “…especially for Erica. She has put a lot of effort into rebuilding the Special Olympics program here in Mena. She’s done a great job with it. She’s put a lot of heart into it. These athletes know that.”

The games originally required a COVID-19 screening questionnaire and a

release waiver. After drawing controversy, the Special Olympics dropped a coronavirus vaccine mandate for its games last Friday after Florida moved to fine the organization $27.5 million for violating a state law against such rules.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said, “In Florida, we want all of them to be able to compete. We do not think it’s fair or just to be marginalizing some of these athletes based on a decision that has no bearing on their ability to compete with honor or integrity.”

The Florida health department notified the Special Olympics of the fine in a letter Thursday that said the organization would be fined $27.5 million for 5,500 violations (a fine for each participant) of state law for requiring proof of coronavirus vaccination for attendees or participants.

Florida law bars businesses from requiring documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination.

DeSantis has strongly opposed vaccine mandates and other virus policies endorsed by the federal government.

The Special Olympics stated on their website June 2 that delegates who were registered but unable to participate because of the mandate can now attend.

Florida has been seeing a rise in COVID cases throughout the end of May. Unrelated, and before the announcement regarding the rescinding of the vaccination proof had been made, a request was made that Stout say a prayer of protection over them before they headed out on their journey. They were escorted out of town by a convoy of several law enforcement vehicles, along with two Southwest EMS ambulances and a fire truck with lights and sirens as the delegates headed for Little Rock.

Official results for Fletcher in the 100 backstroke, round 1-division F03, was fourth place, missing third by less than 3 seconds.

16 Faith

By Richie Lawry Last month my wife and I went to Colorado to visit family. While there, I wandered the streets of Longmont, Colorado, looking for the small two-room grade school I had attended for six years. When I turned off Hwy 287, I had missed the area by several blocks, but I eventually found it.

The front of the building looked the same as it did 50-plus years ago when I attended school there. But a large gymnasium had been added to the back of the building. It was no longer a school but now housed a church.

As I got out of the car to snap some photos, I remembered those years so long ago.

Grades one through four were on the left side of the school, and grades five through eight were on the right. When I started the fifth grade and moved to the big room, I thought I had arrived. The back of each classroom had windows looking out over the playground and baseball diamond. I would sit in class and look out the windows, dreaming of baseball.

I was obsessed with baseball when I was in the fifth grade. The older boys loved baseball, and I wanted to be like them. I would beg my mom to get to school early because there was always a pickup baseball game before school started. As I sat in school and daydreamed, I was always a major league baseball player delivering a clutch hit in an important game.

Another fond memory of my grade school years was our field trips. Several times we made trips to the Colorado Springs area to visit the Air Force Academy, the Cave of the Winds, and the Garden of the Gods. I loved these trips, especially the grandeur of the Garden of the Gods.

While in Colorado, we attended the memorial service for a cousin in the Colorado Springs area. After the memorial, I suggested we go to the Garden of the Gods before returning to the Denver area. The weather was cold and rainy, and visibility was poor as we drove to the park, but I

THE POLK COUNTY

June 8, 2022

An Arkie’s Faith Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods rises majestically on a stormy day.

knew that it was the only chance we would have to see the Garden of the Gods, so we continued.

When we arrived, the massive 300-foottall red rocks sticking straight out of the ground were easily visible through the misty, rainy, overcast skies. The magnificent sandstone rock formations were colored in rich oranges and reds, and the rain made the wet rocks even more beautiful than I had remembered.

We stopped at the visitor center, and while I was there, I learned the origin story of the name Garden of the Gods. The area was first called Red Rock Corral, which seemed appropriate. But the name didn’t stick. In 1859, M.S. Beach and Rufus Cable, two railroad surveyors, were sent to set up and establish Colorado City.

As they started surveying the area, Beach thought, “Of all the places I have seen on the trip, this is one of the most beautiful.”

“This is a capital place for a beer garden,” Beach remarked. The place wasn’t lush in

(Photo by Richie Lawry)

the traditional sense of a garden but had a deep earthy feel.

“Beer garden! Why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble,” his partner, Rufus Cable, exclaimed. “We will call it the Garden of the Gods.” The area soon became a landmark in Colorado City and was known by the name the surveyors gave it, Garden of the Gods.

In 1879, railroad mogul Charles Elliot Perkins bought the portion of land containing many unusual formations. Perkins wanted the property to be open to the public for everyone to enjoy. After he died in 1907, Perkins’ family deeded the property to the City of Colorado Springs under several stipulations — one of which being that the park remain “forever free” and open to the public. To this day, there is no admission fee, even though the park became a National Monument in 1971 and is administered by the National Park Service.

We cut our visit short, wanting to return to Denver before the roads got bad from

Joke of the Week:

My landlord wants to talk to me about my high electric bills.

I told him, “the door is always open.”

Pulse the snowstorm that was forecast. While I was admiring the view from the outdoor deck of the visitor center, large clumps of snowflakes began to fall. Though we didn’t get to spend as much time at the Garden of the Gods as we would have liked, the beauty of those deeply colored rainsoaked rocks will always be etched in my memory.

Spending time in nature has profoundly affected my spiritual life. Something about a towering tree, majestic rock formations, a colorful wildflower, tall mountain peaks, or a rushing waterfall reminds me that my God is incredible! I know Him better the more time I spend in God’s wonderful creation.

In Psalms 19:1,2 (NLT), David wrote, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.”

Nature can show us God’s beauty, glory, power, presence, and creativity if we pay attention. In Romans 1:20 (NLT), the Bible tells us that “Ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Gentle Reader, I love being outside and awed by God’s creation. In our technologically advanced world, we often relegate God to an accessory that improves our lives. We’ve lost sight of God’s majesty.

More than 50 years ago A.W. Tozer wrote, “With our loss of the sense of majesty has come the further loss of religious awe and consciousness of the divine Presence. We have lost our spirit of worship and our ability to withdraw inwardly to meet God in adoring silence.”

The next time you are out experiencing God’s majestic creation, whether here in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains, or some other place of natural beauty like the Garden of the Gods, wrap yourself in the feeling of God’s majesty and presence.

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 8, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS - SERVICES -

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

T0608 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

- WANTED TO BUY -

I buy broken desktops and laptops.

Mitchell Computer Services, 717 Mena St. T0608

- YARD SALE Yard sale, June 9th & 10th, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.; June 11th, 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. Lots of designer clothes, shoes, household & man stuff. Turn at Jordan Tire, go 2 miles to 363 Polk 26.

Signs will be out.

T0608

- EMPLOYMENT -

Help Wanted, Pharmacy Technician, experience and license required. Apply in person at Medi Shop Pharmacy, 204 Hwy. 71 South in Mena. T0608

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 T0622

- HOUSE FOR SALE Back up for sale 1998 Suns 16’x80’ 3 bed/2 bath at Jolly Hollow. Can be moved. $40,000 (479) 234-3498 T0622

- LEGAL NOTICE -

In the Matter of the Estate of Vincent Leroy Sanders, Deceased. No.

Name of decedent: Vincent Leroy Sanders Last known address: 907 Mena, St., Mena, Ar 71953 Date of Death: 3-23-22

Has Your

Weekend Project Become A

5 Year Lawn Ornament?

Maybe It’s Time To List It

On 5-19-22, an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee was filed with respect to the estate of Vincent Leroy Sanders of Polk County, Arkansas, under Ark. Code Ann. § 28-41-101.

All persons having claims against the estate must exhibit them, properly verified, to the distributee or his or her attorney within three (3) months from the date of the first publication of this notice or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit of the estate.

The name, mailing address, and telephone number of the distributee or distributee’s attorney is: Janice Rogers, 907 Mena St. Mena, AR 71953, (479) 216-6602 This notice first published May 25, 2022. © Publication of the notice shall be as provided in §§ 28-1-112(b) (4) and 28-40-111(a)(4) T0615

Polk County Pulse Classifieds

Classifieds 17

Hogspore News

The winner of the best tasting doughnuts is…

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson Doubts are gone about the winner of the best tasting doughnut from the contest last Friday. Arnie, the auto mechanic/pastry chef, bowed out before the judging started. He canceled his entry early Friday after someone spotted the mayor’s truck at Arnie’s shop, enjoying the Deluxe No Leaks No Squeaks Lube Special.

Arnie must not have been upset, cause he donated his grease gun doughnuts for the barbeque to cook up burgers for the free town lunch once the doughnut judging was settled. When the flames died down, the grease gun pastries settled into some fine coals for those beef blobs squirming on the grill. I made myself hungry again when I wrote that.

The surprise champ of the tastiest doughnuts was the abiding favorite, Mayor Ringer’s wife, Belle.

Sumner’s Pond is open for the summer. Sumner wants to remind everyone, “You don’t need to wear facemasks this year, cepting for any really ugly kids. You know who you are.”

I had Doc Muley stop by to take a look at my mule. Sammule ain’t been acting right for two months.

He mopes around and won’t eat much. He keeps escaping out of our pasture and wandering down to the next farm. Doc said, “I’m heading over to that farm and see what’s going on.”

He come back an hour later, “Clet, I found out why you got an ailing wandering mule. I talked to the farmer, and he said that he’s letting Sammule have play dates with his mule. It seems like he hankers for the company of another mule.

Visiting a friend is like us visiting the barbershop. We get to joke with the fellers, call each other fat slobs, and laugh a lot. I recommend you let Sammule go play as much as he wants to, and he’ll start to feel better.”

After Doc left, I opened my pasture gate and watched the family pet clop down the road. I just hope he don’t get a bad haircut. Mules … they grow up so fast.

Economy update: Things are looking up. Gas and food prices are up. Good news: There aren’t any more Okies or Dust Bowls. Bad news: Now we’re a bunch of Brokies in a Bust Bowl.

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

18 Puzzles

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 8, 2022

06.08.22

06.08.22

ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 06.01.22

A Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

Do you have room in your heart and home for a shelter pet?

Meet Beauty!

Beauty is beautiful! This Labrador is good with kids and with other dogs. She is mostly black but kissed with white on her toes, chest, and one leg. Simply adorable! She weighs 52 pounds, Beauty's birthday is 05/26/2018. Bring home a real Beauty!

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

By Jeff Olson

Reflections from History and Faith

…Tear downof despair, this whether wall!in prison or de-

after section. The opening of the borders between East and West Berlin, which also symbolized the end of the Cold War, began on June 13, 1990. The reunification of East and

pression, the freedom God planted in the heart of man seeks release to live, to love, to discover, to prosper, and to fulfill the destiny for

West Germany was made official on October 3, 1990.

As bold as President Reagan’s resolve and policies were, and even given the importance of the leadership and influence of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II, it would be naive to believe that there were no others who contributed to the demise of the Berlin Wall. History has shown that socialist and totalitarian states (where most cultural, economic, and political power is vested in a centralized government) are not sustainable and eventually self-destruct in a suicidal death.

The reasons for this are numerous, but fundamentally it comes down to the reality of what is inscribed on the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C., “...Almighty God hath created the mind free...”

Even within the darkest depths

which he/she was created. The faith, prayers, courage and resolve of the human spirit were a primary and sustaining force for seventy years in the collapse of the communist empire and destruction of the Iron Curtain.

A good example of this was Aleksandr Goldovich, a physicist who was caught trying to escape the Soviet Union by rowboat. For that, he was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in the notorious prison Perm Camp 35 in the Ural Mountains, surrounded by miles of frozen Siberian wasteland. Above the door of his prison cell (a dark concrete hole that was more like a cave than a cell), was etched a cross, a symbol of the spiritual power that had sustained him through years of torture, abuse and above all else—faith and prayer.

Goldovich was but one of many

History 19 thousands who stood for truth and were willing to pay the ultimate price, undermining communism at its foundations. While national leaders can and do strongly influence and lead in the directions of freedom or tyranny, it eventually and ultimately comes down to what the people choose and want bad enough to fight for: Servitude or Liberty?

In America, which will we choose?

What walls will we decide to tear down. What walls will we decide to build...or finish building? Will we preserve our remaining freedoms and reclaim those lost, or will we be held hostage to the ideology of those who think that freedom for the more means less power for the few and that control over the governed trumps consent of the governed.

KEEP

AND SHOP

Forty years ago this week, June 8, 1982, President Ronald Reagan, in the first address by a U.S. president to a joint session of the British Parliament, predicted that communism would end up “on the ash heap of history.”

Thirty-five years ago this week, June 12, 1987, the president gave another speech, this time at the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin Wall (Iron Curtain).

Here is an excerpt: “In the West today, we see a free world that has achieved a level of prosperity and well-being unprecedented in all human history. In the Communist world, we see failure, technological backwardness, declining standards of health.... [T]here stands before the entire world one great and inescapable conclusion: Freedom leads to prosperity. Freedom replaces the ancient hatreds among the nations with comity and peace. Freedom is the victor. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate.

Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

In November 1989, more than 2 million people from East Berlin visited West Berlin to participate in a celebration that was, one journalist wrote, “the greatest street party in the history of the world.” People used hammers and picks to knock away chunks of the wall—they became known as “mauerspechte,” or “wall woodpeckers”—while cranes and bulldozers pulled down section

June 8, 2022

CALM

LOCAL A MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

20 Police

There will not be a Sheriff ’s Log this week. We have been notified the reports for last week and this week will be provided to the Pulse in time for the June 15 issue.

MENA POLICE REPORTS May 22 James Ralph, 22, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Mena Street.

May 23 A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

A report of harassment was taken from a walk-in complainant.

A report of assault was taken from a walk-in complainant.

May 24 Shannon Shaw, 41, was charged with Criminal Trespass, Fleeing on Foot, and served with four warrants after contact in the parking lot of Northside Super Stop.

May 25 Jennifer Solo, 45, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

Pulse

June 8, 2022 May 31 Courtney Parnell, 25, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Race Track Road.

Randi Fields, 35, was served with a warrant after contact on Highway A report of theft was taken from a 8 East. walk-in complainant.

A report of criminal trespass and criminal mischief was taken from a May 26 walk-in complainant.

Andria Main, was charged with A report of violation of a protecPossession of Methamphetamine tion order was taken from a walk-in and Possession of Drug Paraphercomplainant. nalia after a traffic stop on Port Arthur Avenue.

June 1 A report of cruelty to animals was May 27 taken from a person on 4th Street.

A report of theft was taken from Ronald Bowles, 30, was charged Northside Super Stop. with Theft by Receiving, Driving on Thomas Adams, 53, was charged Suspended License, Fleeing, Resistwith DWI 2 and Driving on Susing Arrest, and served with a warpended License after a traffic stop rant after an attempted traffic stop on 11th Street. on Hickory Avenue.

Haley Herron, 27, was served May 28 with a warrant at a residence on 11th A theft report was taken from Street.

Walmart.

Al’Lexzaous Ott, 19, was charged June 2 with Disorderly Conduct at Sonic.

Penny Kesterson, 67, was served with William Watts, 31, was served a warrant at the police department. with a warrant at the police departLaine Barber, 27, was served with ment. a warrant at the police department.

A report of dogs running loose was taken from a walk-in comJune 3 plainant.

A juvenile was charged with FleeA report of theft was taken at a ing in a Vehicle, Careless or Prohibresidence on Weiss Street. ited Driving, Speeding, Driving Left Gary Tudor, 56, was charged with Asof Center, No Driver’s License, and sault at a residence on Ridge Avenue.

Curfew Violation after an attempted traffic stop on Mena Street.

May 29 A report of theft was taken from A report of criminal mischief was Dollar General. taken at a church on Maple Avenue.

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

THE POLK COUNTY

May 30 No reports.

June 4 A theft report was taken at a residence on Hickory Avenue.

De Queen man pleads guilty to negligent homicide

By Patrick Massey

A De Queen man has pleaded guilty to two counts of negligent homicide resulting from a 2020 fatal crash in Sevier County.

Hugo Hernandez, 25, entered the guilty plea on June 2 in the Sevier County District Court. The charges stem from an accident in Sevier County that killed two people in 2020.

According to court records, Hernandez was arrested on two counts of negligent homicide as well as driving while intoxicated and felony battery for his role in the accident that occurred on June 28 of 2020.

Prosecutors with the Ninth West Judicial District allege Hernandez was responsible for the death of two people in that accident.

Authorities claim he was driving while intoxicated when the accident occurred.

State police records show 22-year-old Bernard Edwards, Junior, of Fulton and an unidentified minor were killed in that accident.

Hernandez was arrested after charges were formally filed following an investigation into the accident. He was charged with negligent homicide for the deaths of the minor and Edwards, felony battery for the injuries sustained to the other passenger, and driving while intoxicated. He was initially released from jail after posting bond on a $75,000 bail amount. However, his bond was revoked following his arrest for public intoxication in Hot Springs last year.

Hernandez is expected to return to court in August for sentencing. He could receive up to 20 years in prison for each of the two negligent homicide charges as well as additional time for the charges of driving while intoxicated and felony battery.

In addition, the victim’s family has filed a civil lawsuit against Hernandez and five other individuals who the family alleges served alcohol to Hernandez prior to the accident. The names of the five individuals listed as defendants are not listed in the suit.

The family is asking for a jury trial in the civil lawsuit. The family said they are seeking a monetary judgment against Hernandez for both economic and non-economic damages they’ve suffered due to Edward’s death.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

June 8, 2022

Lum & Abner Competition Winners

Lions Club Car Show Awards

Lum & Abner 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

Top Motorcycle: Darrell Whisenhunt - Homemade Runner-up: Sherry Moore - 2016 Indian Chief Dark Horse

Ages 7-10 - Boys 1st Place: And1

Top Truck: Mickey & Jeannie Campbell - 1972 Chevy C20 Runner-up: Joel Whisenhunt - 1956 Ford F-100

Ages 11-13 - Boys 1st Place: High Top Shooters

Top Corvette: Kathy Staton - 2000 Chevy Corvette C5 Runner-up: Jeff Montgomery - 1963 Corvette

Ages 14-16 - Boys 1st Place: Hustlers 2nd Place: Cool Socks

Top Side x Side: Ridge Sachs - 2018 Polaris Ranger 900 Runner-up: Tony Baughman - 2019 Honda Talon Overall Best in Show: Lewis Allen - 1934 Chevy Coupe Runner-up: John Davenport - 1957 Cadillac Series 1962 Convertible Union Bank Award: Larry Dunaway - 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sterling Machinery Award: Howard Sublett - 1969 Camaro RS Mena Regional Health System Award: Gary Philpot - 1969 Chevy C10

Lum & Abner Talent Showcase

1st Place & People’s Choice Award: Brynlee Bahr 2nd Place: Backlashed 3rd Place: Memory Lane Strings

The talent show first place and People’s Choice Award winner was Brynlee Bahr, seen here with Derek Campbell of The Ouachitas.

(Photo by Nikki Ferguson)

Festival Winners 21 Ages 17+ - Boys 1st Place: Thunder Chickens 2nd Place: Waist Bands Ages 11-14 - Girls 1st Place: White Lies Ages 15+ - Girls 1st Place: Wacorn

RE/MAX Baby Crawl Winners

10:15 Race Winners: Harrison Gabriel, 11 month old son of Ariana & Taylor Gabriel.

Ezio Cassell, 1 year old son of Holly Cassell.

Kanyon Sachs, 9 month old son of Ridge & Justice Sachs.

10:45 Race Winners: Raylnn Backenstow, 11 month old Daughter of Summer.

Atlas Lance, 1 year old son of Braxton & Ashley Lance.

Candace Elder, 11 month old daughter of Jeremy & Crystal Elder See WINNERS continued on page 23

22 Outdoors

June 8, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Free Fishing Weekend is June 10-12 Fishing derby in Polk County this Saturday

By Patrick Massey

Camp High Point, formerly a Girls Scouts of USA camp, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Friday, May 27. The campground, owned by Conifer Area Properties, offers a variety of lodging, not just for scout troops, but other groups, organizations and for family getaways. The camp is located just past Polk County 57 at 3838 Hwy. 8 E, between Mena and Board Camp.

Visit coniferareaproperties.com for details. (l-r) Dana Moore, Luke Loe, (Ethan Nahté/Pulse) Kay Boyce, Melanie Wade, and Sue Snowden)

One weekend each year the State of Arkansas hosts a free fishing weekend. This year, Free Fishing Weekend will fall on June 10, 11 and 12.

Residents and nonresidents may fish this weekend without fishing license or trout permits.

This applies to the entire state of Arkansas. So if you’ve been considering a new hobby this is the weekend to try your luck in many of Arkansas’ fish filled waters. Regulations for waters still apply such Catching your first fish is always exciting. Daisy as daily, slot, and length Varner holds her catfish with pride.

(Ariel Varner/Pulse) limits. If you decide hitting the water is for you, you can the Oden Rifle Range Pond. Regpurchase a Resident Fishing Li- istration kicks off that morning at cense for $10.50 and a Trout per- 7 a.m. with the event to start at 8 mit for $10. That’s a cheap invest- a.m. The derby continues through ment for a good time and a rea- 10:30 a.m. that morning. son to make up some big stories.

This event is designed for ages An annual tradition sponsored two to 15-years-old. No fishing by the Arkansas Game and Fish licenses will be required as youth Commission and approved by under the age of 16 can fish withGov. Hutchinson, Free Fishing out a license.

Weekend gives many people the Prizes will be awarded followopportunity to enjoy the amazing ing the event. Forest Service fishangling The Natural State has to ing derbies will follow the current offer.

CDC COVID-19 guidance. Forest In celebration of Free Fishing officials are asking that people Weekend in Arkansas, a number not attend if they are experiencof fishing derbies are planned ing symptoms or have tested posacross the state. That includes itive for COVID. here in Polk County.

For more information call the The fishing derby has been Mena/Oden Ranger District Ofscheduled for Saturday, June 11 at fice at 479-394-2382.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Festival Winners 23

June 8, 2022

Lum & Abner 5K Race

Overall Winner Male: Isaac Tedder 19:12 Overall Winner Female: Bella Tedder 22:46 10-19 Male: 1st) Malachi Luflon 25:35 2nd) Jack Wallaert 29:50 3rd) Layton French 29:58 10-19 Female: 1st) Baylee Carter 29:05 2nd) Rylee Bentley 46:40 3rd) Sophie Cunningham 47:20 20-29 Male: 1st) Zachary Zasson 20:43 2nd) Ryan Hamrich 21:46 20-29 Female: 1st) Liz Brewer 28:28 2nd) Abi Sims 29:05 3rd) Alana Hoover 32:40 30-39 Male: 1st) Levi Ellison 22:45 2nd) Frank Echevaria 23:49 3rd) Earnesto Escavana 24:56 30-39 Female: 1st) Shawnna Powell 32:25 2nd) Lauren Frost 43:25 (while pushing a stroller!!!!)

40-49 Male: 1st) Gerrud Wallaert 29:58 2nd) Nick Cunningham 47:20 40-49 Female: 1st) Kelly Wallaert 30:56 2nd) Laura Bowling 32:37 50-59 Male: 1st) Kenneth Butler 30:24 2nd) Mike Hale 31:00 50-59 Female: 1st) Launa Simmons 28:36 2nd) Tammy Payne 35:40 3rd) Michelle Cole 36:44 60-69 Male: 1st) Danny Warren 34:15 AKA: "Penny" 2nd) Chip Bentley 34:56 3rd) Joseph Rickman 44:06 70+ Male: Winner: David Samuel 44:41 70+ Female: Winner: Judy Buck 41:16

Fishing Derby Winners Seniors 1st Place Most Fish Henry Howard Biggest Gary Fortune Physically Challenged 1st Place Most Fish Marsha Williams Biggest Marsha Williams Due to lack of space, we could not put all of our photos in the paper. The Lum & Abner Facebook page has some photos.

Pulse Multi-Media will also be uploading an album of photos from our various staff members.

We expect to have that available by the end of this week.

Kids Ages 5 – 8 Most Fish 1st Place: Daelyn Broach 2nd Place: Hudson Crider Biggest 1st Place: Ava Foster 2nd Place: Landry Bass Kids Ages 9 – 12 Most Fish 1st Place: Colton Fairless 2nd Place: Hunter Dickerson Biggest 1st Place: Hunter Dickerson 2nd Place: Colton Fairless Biggest Fish for Boys Keith Hulbert Biggest Fish for Girls Ava Foster

24

June 8, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

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