Polk County Pulse May 25, 2022

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600

May 25, 2022

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

Music on Main a big success

INSIDE:

Lum & Abner Events

HSO Radio-thon

Page 2

Page 12

Friday night’s Music on Main downtown event was a fun-filled evening of food vendors and sizzling tunes, plus military vehicles for the Red Ball Convoy. Opening musical act Selfish began the festivities, laying the groundwork for Cody Cooke & the Bayou Outlaws as people of all ages danced, sang along, and a few had award-winning crawdads straight outta Louisiana.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Polk County Senior Center

Page 17

See MUSIC continued on pages 14-15

Local man killed in shooting Submitted by Arkansas State Police

Polk County authorities have requested the Arkansas State Police to investigate a shooting incident that occurred in Mena as sheriff ’s deputies were about to enter a residence where a domestic disturbance had been reported just before 10 p.m., Thursday, May 19.

Rickey Looney, 40, of 108 Majesty Lane was shot by a law enforcement officer after Looney reportedly ordered authorities to leave, then pointed a gun at one of the three sheriff ’s department personnel who was about to enter the home. Looney was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he later died.

Sheriff ’s department personnel initially responded to Looney’s home after a woman reported she had accidentally shot Looney with a pistol as he attempted to stop her from leaving following an argument between the two.

Special agents of the state police Criminal Investigation Division are conducting an investigation into the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer. The investigative case See SHOOTING continued on page 22

2 News

May 25, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Lum & Abner has circus performers music, talent show, cars and hoops Submitted by Mena A&P

The Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission would like to invite you to join the fun at the 45th Annual Lum & Abner Music and Arts Festival, June 3 - 4.

Mena’s signature event, the Annual Lum & Abner Music & Arts Festival, is held at Janssen Park, in Mena, Arkansas. This is a Free Admission event and was voted “Best New Festival in Arkansas” in 2006 by the Arkansas Festival & Events Association and “Top 20 Events in the Southeast” in 2010 by the Southeast Tourism Society. The festival has received statewide publicity in various newspapers, specialty publications, and television.

Live entertainment is a huge part of the event as it runs all day both days of the festival. In addition to live entertainment, enjoy wonderful arts and crafts, great food, the incredible Arkansas Circus Arts performers, an awesome Lum & Abner Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show, Kiddie Korner with playground and bounce houses, the Lum & Abner 5K Run/Walk, the Lum & Abner 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Fishing Derbies, the RE/MAX Baby Crawlin’ Contest, and more.

Live entertainment on the festival stage Great music has become a hallmark of the Lum & Abner Festival. There will be live music from top Arkansas artists on the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage or Visit Mena Stage, both days of the festival.

Friday, June 3 10:00 a.m. - National Anthem 11 a.m. - The Ouachita Strings Ensemble 1:30 p.m. - The Ouachita Strings Ensemble 2 p.m. - Marissa Dawn 4 p.m. - Backroad Revival 6 p.m. - Ryan Paul Davis 8 p.m. - Sam Allbright & the

Southern Heat Saturday, June 4 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Talent Show 2 p.m. - Nash Moore 4 p.m. - Spa City Young Bloods 6 p.m. - Fonky Donkey 8 p.m. - Mr. Cabbagehead & the

Screaming Radishes You can see the festival’s schedule of events, registration forms, and more, at visitmena.com/.

Don’t forget your lawn chairs for this free concert. We look forward to seeing you there.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Letters 3

May 25, 2022

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

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Our Team: Ashley Smith - General Manager 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 The Polk County Pulse is the area’s premiere and fastest growing news publication. The Polk County Pulse is FREE and published weekly on Wednesdays, with a distribution of 8,000 and an estimated readership of 10,000.

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Your Pulse!

Letter to the Editor Are alcohol related social problems more likely to occur in wet counties?

We’re glad you asked! A study produced

by Arkansas State University (Michael G. Fullington, William L. Price, Randy L. Roebuck:) covering the years from 1974-1980 asking that question says, yes. 73 of Arkansas’ 75 counties were covered. There were 32 counties wet at that point, (There are 34 now) with each of the counties being considered having been wet or dry for 25 years prior to the study. The findings should therefore still be relevant.

“The specific social problems we chose to examine are: violent crimes, property crimes, offenses against family and children, and arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.’1 “We first compared the levels of the four social problems experienced by wet and dry counties in Arkansas. The results reported in Table 1 indicate that wet counties in Arkansas experience higher levels, than dry counties, of every social problem examined.

In fact the differences are rather dramatic.

“Compared with dry counties, the average level of violent crimes per capita is three times as high in the wet counties of Arkansas. The average number of property crimes is twice as high and arrests for driving while intoxicated one and a half times as high in the wet than in the dry counties of the state. Sadly, the number of reported cases of child abuse per capita are twice as likely to occur in the wet counties of Arkansas.”

Our own research to verify that this study is still current indicates that of the 16 counties in Arkansas closest in population to Polk County, 10 are wet and 5 are dry, 1, Logan, is split. Overall crime in the wet counties averages 57.07 crimes per 1000 population. Dry counties average 49.46 per 1000.

Wet counties have a higher rate by 7.61 per 1000 on average.

Another very detailed study done by Montana State University, University of Illinois and University of Colorado studied the results of 86 counties in Kansas going from wet to dry from 1977-2011. The results of these studies were the first to link alcohol sales for on premises consumption to an increase in criminal activity.

“A large number of studies have examined whether crime is related to alcohol availability as measured by the density of bars, liquor stores and restaurants. These studies typically find a strong positive association between alcohol availability and crime.”

“Second-stage estimates suggest that a 10% increase in drinking establishments leads to a 4% increase in violent crime. Reduced-form estimates suggest that legalizing the sale of alcohol to the general public

for on-premises consumption led to an 11% increase in violent crime (and an increase in property crime of comparable magnitude).

Because we find no evidence that crime went down in dry counties when neighboring counties allowed by-the-drink sales, we conclude that bars and restaurants create criminal activity as opposed to simply displacing it.”

A previous study, Chamberlain (20.14), used in the above studies work found that “One-mile reduction in distance to nearest liquor store was associated with a 6-8% increase in crime.” This study also showed that having close and ready access tended to increase consumption.

A study done by the CDC in 2010 estimates 11 The costs of excessive alcohol use in the U.S. was 249 billion in 2010 or about $2.05 per drink ... Further, 2 of every 5 dollars were paid by federal, state, and local governments, demonstrating that we are all paying for excessive alcohol use.”

In Arkansas specifically the costs were $711.00 per person or $2.27 per drink. The cost breakdown in this study is as follows: “Losses in workplace productivity accounted for 72% of total costs, health care costs in treating problems caused by excessive drinking (11% of total), law enforcement and other criminal justice expenses 10% and losses from motor vehicle crashes 5%.

The study asks, “How con we prevent excessive alcohol consumption and reduce it’s economic costs? Communities can use effective interventions to prevent excessive drinking and related harms and costs. These include: Implementing pricing strategies to increase the price of alcohol. Regulating the number and location of where alcohol is sold (outlet density). Holding alcohol retailers liable for injuries or damages caused by their intoxicated or underage customers. Avoiding moving from state controlled alcohol soles to commercial alcohol sales (privatization).”

Other studies correlate alcohol use as leading to increases in divorce, finding that nearly half of the 17,000 study participants with a history of alcoholism got a divorce at some point in their lives, while only 30% of the participants who were not affected by serious alcohol problems got a divorce.

(May 2014 Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs) Child abuse, and domestic turmoil are also well documented.

So again, we would ask - are economic gains going to cover the costs?

If economic gain is truly the motivation, stay tuned for alternative solution suggestions.

Kerry Chiapparo, Mena

Want to share your opinion?

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Letters may be submitted by e-mail to news@mypulsenews.com; mailed to P.O. Box 1450, Mena, AR 71953 or dropped off at 1168 Hwy. 71 South, Mena, AR. A dropbox is provided by the front door for after-hour convenience.

TO SUBMIT: NEWS ITEMS / ANNOUNCEMENTS / LETTERS TO THE EDITOR / SPORTS UPDATES / CALENDAR ITEMS / CLASSIFIED ADS Email: NEWS@MYPULSENEWS.COM

4 News

May 25, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

The Mena Public Pool has been cleaned and will be officially open to the public on June 4.

(Trey Youngdahl/Pulse)

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Politics 5

May 25, 2022

From the

State House of Representatives

The House Aging, Children presented to determine if there and Youth, Legislative and Milis a need to strengthen existing itary Affairs Committee met laws. jointly with the Senate Children In the 2021 Regular Session, and Youth Committee this week we passed a number of acts adto hear from groups actively dressing human trafficking in working to combat human trafArkansas. ficking.

Act 798 provides heightened The Arkansas Crime InforJohn Maddox conditions for release on bail mation Center (ACIC) testified for persons accused of human that there were 13 arrests for trafficking and human traffickhuman trafficking charges in Arkansas in ing-related offenses.

2021.

Act 1106 establishes an affirmative deIn 2022, there have been 4 arrests. fense for victims of human trafficking acSince the year 2000, there have been 14 cused of certain offenses. convictions for individuals facing human Act 1098 creates the offenses of groomtrafficking-related charges in Arkansas. ing a minor for future sex trafficking and Representatives for the National Cen- traveling for the purpose of an unlawful ter for Missing and Exploited Children sex act with a minor.

(NCMEC) also testified in the commitChild sex trafficking victims often are tee. unable to self-identify as victims or disIn 2021, the organization received more close their abuse because of fear, shame, than 17,000 reports of possible child sex or loyalty to their abuser(s). It is not a trafficking. The organization estimates child’s responsibility to ask for help. It is that 1 in 6 of the children reported miss- up to the professionals and trusted adults ing to NCMEC who had run away were in these children’s lives to recognize the likely victims of child sex trafficking. signs associated with child sex traffickBoys made up 6% of the child sex traf- ing, so they can intervene and help them ficking cases reported to NCMEC. get the support they deserve.

The committee also heard from orgaYou can report suspected child sex nizations helping survivors recover from trafficking or make a tip at 1-800-THEabuse.

LOST (1-800-843-5678) CyberTipline.

Members will review the information org/.

Contact Your Legislators!

John Maddox

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

Larry Teague

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

John Boozman

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

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

From the

State Senate other companies such as SGL Two strengths of Arkansas Carbon, Radius Aerospace, manufacturing are in the aviCoorsTek, and Aerojet Rockation and defense industries.

Both sectors will become etdyne have expanded facilieven stronger, thanks to a ties in Arkansas. commitment recently anAerospace and defense companies employ more than nounced by Lockheed Martin 14,000 people, whose average and Airbus.

Larry Teague wages were $62,875 in 2017, Executives of the two comaccording to the AEDC. panies announced that westPart of the growth in aviation jobs ern Arkansas would be the location is due to national and international of a new plant to manufacture the business trends, but state governLMXT strategic tanker boom refueling system for the U.S. Air Force. ment has done its part to take adThe system will install the most vantage of those trends. One effort is up-to-date technology on airplanes to strengthen education standards in with large tanks of jet fuel that is sithe STEM fields – science, technolophoned through a boom into other gy, engineering and math.

Air Force jets. The refueling is done Two-year colleges and four-year in midair. universities are offering a wider vaAn exact location was not anriety of training programs that equip graduates with the job skills most in nounced, but the facility will hire 60 demand by aerospace facilities. to 100 people.

Airbus has an extensive presence Lockheed Martin has had a manacross the southeastern part of the ufacturing plant in Camden since United States, with locations in Ala1978. It employs 1,030 people at its Camden Operations plant which is bama, Mississippi and Florida where a manufacturing and final assembly aerial refueling systems are built facility. It also has testing and storage for the Air Force. Military veterans facilities. make up 30 percent of the workforce.

The LMXT aerial refueling system The announcement of the Arkanrepresents the first time Airbus has sas facility follows an expansion by opened a manufacturing facility in Lockheed Martin and Airbus in AlaArkansas. bama and Georgia.

Aerospace and defense are thriving industries in Arkansas. The ArkanRevenue Report State government collected a sursas Economic Development Commission lists these notable aerospace prising amount of tax revenue in manufacturing companies in the April. Net available revenue was 44 state: Dassault Falcon Jet, which espercent greater than in April of last year. tablished its largest facility in central For the first 10 months of the curArkansas, Lockheed Martin, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and General Dynamics. rent fiscal year, net available revenue The Air Force chose Ebbing Air is up 19 percent over last year. That is National Guard in Fort Smith as the $988 million more than budget forelocation for an F-35 Lightning II casters had predicted. training center for foreign military The three major sources of state sales. Its estimated economic impact revenue are sales taxes, individual in Arkansas is about $1 billion a year. income taxes and corporate income Also in the past couple of years, taxes.

6 Obituaries

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

Johnnie Lucille Frost Dover

Johnnie Lucille Frost Dover died May 17, 2022, at Homewood Cottages in Mena.

She was born June 20, 1938, in Mena to Luther Pat Frost and Rudell Wilson Frost.

She is predeceased by her parents, her husband of 64 years, Jerry Dover, brother, Jack Frost, and four sons, Clifton, Michael, Keith, and Dennis.

She is survived by daughters Sabrina Stafford and Diana Davis; brothers, J.D. Frost, Benny Frost, Ronald Frost, and Donald Frost; sisters, Pat Phillips and Mary States; daughter-in-law, Lisa Dover; grandchildren, Daniel Dover, Ethan Thrash, Mark Thomas, Abigail Thomas, Vivian Allen, Keith Cook, Alex Cook, and five greatgrandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Johnnie was graduated from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, with a degree in Medical Technology. She especially enjoyed working in the area of microbiology. During her career she supervised several hospital labs in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

Johnnie was very creative and enjoyed sewing, painting, and drawing. She was very generous with her art, especially with her friends at Peachtree Assisted Living.

She was a member of the Church of Christ.

A memorial service will be held at a later date when all of her family can attend. Mrs. Dover’s cremation services are entrusted to BeasleyWood Funeral Home.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Claudene Elizabeth Embry

M r s .

Claudene Elizabeth Embry, age 78, of Mena, Arkansas, passed from this life on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She was born on December 27, 1943, in Shady, Arkansas, the daughter of Claude and Lena (Caudel) Lewis.

Claudene was a Christian and a member of First Freewill Baptist Church in Mena. She was a Registered Nurse by profession and loved to quilt and enjoyed pretty flowers. She will be dearly missed.

Claudene is survived by her husband, Fred Embry; son, Shane Embry; daughter, Denise Vines; grandchildren, Ashley Slater, Aaron Embry, and Cole Embry; and great grandson, Caden Slater. She was preceded in death by her sister, Jolyne Lewis; and her brother, Dennis Lewis.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2022, at First Freewill Baptist Church in Mena with Brother Donnie Jewell officiating. Interment will follow at Cherry Hill Cemetery under the direction of Beasley Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be general.

Pallbearers are Terry Davis, Michael Hoover, Wendal Henry, Gary Threlkill, Dustin Beck, Wendal Davis, and Mike Shogren.

Honorary pallbearers are Robert “Bob” Turner and David Alan.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Peggy Carolyn Sherrill

Mrs. Peggy C a r o l y n Sherrill, age 83, passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Mena, Arkansas. She was born May 27, 1938, in Ruston, Louisiana, to the late Reba Gilbert Hughes and Margaret Elizabeth Hughes.

Peggy was a longtime chicken farmer by profession, she had also worked at Ace Hardware and was a special needs aide on school buses for Mena Public School. Additionally, she was the church secretary for the Salem Baptist Church, where she faithfully attended.

Mrs. Sherrill is survived by her sons, Joe Sherrill and wife Judy of Plumberville, Arkansas, and Eric “Pistol” Sherrill of Mena, Arkansas; daughter, Mona Davis and husband James of Mena, Arkansas; grandchildren, Brandi McCoy and husband Thomas of Morrilton, Arkansas, Aaron Davis and wife Karee of Dover, Arkansas, and Keith Davis and wife Jennifer of Oppelo, Arkansas; great-grandchildren, Paige Holland, Cayden Holland, Ian Holland, Dominic Thomas, Emri Davis, Hadley Davis, Caleb Canady, and Jonathon Blaylock; niece, JoAnn Moore; as well as the members of the Salem Baptist Church, the members of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, and the Mena Public Schools Bus Drivers.

She is preceded in death by, her loving husband, W. R. “Skeet” Sherrill; her parents, Reba and Margaret Hughes; and by her mother and father-in-law, Brooks and Fannie Sherrill.

Mrs. Sherrill’s cremation services are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. There are no services planned at this time.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Reverend Donley Hesse

Reverend Donley Hesse, age 89, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, May 21, 2022. He was born on June 25, 1932, in Grygla, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Anna (Rude) Hesse.

Revered Hesse ministered at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mena for many years. He enjoyed studying languages and read the Bible in Hebrew, Greek, Russian, and Spanish.

He liked to experiment with solar power and make sun dials. A good Christmas gift for him was a bottle of Elmer’s Glue.

He is survived by his sons, Timothy Hesse of Mena, Arkansas, and Jon Hesse and wife Beth of Mesa, Arizona; daughters, Rachel Hoffland of Decorah, Iowa; granddaughter, Rachel Brown, Mathew Kelly and Andrew Kelly. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lois Vernelle Hess; daughter Sara Feuerstein; and sister, Donna Schwanz.

Funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 29, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Timothy J. Henning officiating. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of Beasley Wood Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the church for visitation one hour prior to the funeral. General visitation will be held at the funeral home during normal business hours.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

Arkansas Nurses Honor Guard

By Ethan Nahté

The Nurses Honor Guard recognizes and pays tribute to men and women who have dedicated their professional lives to nursing. The Nurses Honor Guard has been established to honor these individuals upon their death. The nurses who are members of the Honor Guard consider it both an honor and a privilege to participate in final services for their fellow nurses.

The Arkansas Nurses Honor Guard (ANHG) was established Feb. 2021

by Elsie Collins, along with three nurses coming together to honor a fellow nurse and friend.

The friend was Collins’ best friend since nursing school, Teresa Buchanan, RN. In December of 2020, Buchanan had spoken to Collins about seeing a Facebook post of a nurses’ honor guard in another state.

Buchanan had hoped to be able to start a chapter in the Searcy/Rose Bud area where she was from. Collins joked that it didn’t really sound like her cup of tea because wearing all white and public speaking were not two of her favorite things. Collins encouraged Buchanan she could do anything she put her mind to and wished her luck.

Fast forward to the end of January 2021 and, unfortunately, Buchanan had passed away due to COVID-19 complications. Collins started scrambling to see if, in fact, Buchanan was able to get the nurses honor guard started. Unfortunately, she did not have enough time before leaving this life. So, in that moment, Collins decided she would start the ANHG in honor of Buchanan and her dream. Collins made sure the very first ANHG Tribute would be for her friend.

Somehow it all came together and

though it was a very emotional tribute, it was a successful one.

It has now expanded into 19 chapters across Arkansas. ANHG hopes to provide services across the entire state. Collectively, they have paid tribute to 44 Arkansas nurses.

If you would like to join, start a chapter, or would like to request their services, contact ANHG on Facebook.com/ARnurseshonorguard/.

The Polk County Chapter began in April and hasn’t had the opportunity to participate in a tribute, yet, but they are working very hard to get the word out there and gather volunteers.

If you are in the Polk County area and interested, contact Sissy Sanders at (479) 437-4100. Until more chapters are established, areas bordering Polk County, such as De Queen, Mount Ida and Dierks are being included in the Polk County chapter.

ANHG attends the funeral or memorial service of a nurse with the permission of the family. Dressed in all white scrubs and white nursing caps and traditional nursing capes like that of the original Red Cross nurses.

Typically, they go toward the end of the service. They introduce themselves and speak about the life of the nurse they are honoring. They present the nurse with a white rose and light a traditional nurse’s lamp in honor of that nurse’s dedication and servitude. They read a poem called “She Was There” by Duane Jaeger, RN, MSN, which is a beautiful poem about being a nurse and all the special, and sometimes hard, moments nurses are there for.

The pronouns can also be changed for male nurses. They do a final roll call, much like that of firefighters and police officers, where they call the nurse’s name three times and ring a bell or triangle each time.

Upon the third name call, they officially release the nurse of their nursing duties, and they extinguish the nurse’s lamp before presenting it to the family to keep.

The ceremony only takes about 10 or 15 minutes and can be tailored in a multitude of ways to make it unique for the nurse they are there to honor. It’s a simple, yet beautiful tribute to the nurses who have given so much over the years. It is also a thank you to their family, who have often been right there beside them through their career.

The service is completely free and any nurse, LPN, RN or APRN is eligible for the service.

They do need volunteers to participate during tributes. They understand that nurses are the busiest people and don’t expect volunteers to be able to participate in every tribute, just when they can. The only requirements are that members have white scrubs and shoes and are a nurse. Retired nurses are welcome, too.

All of the chapters in Arkansas can be found on the ANHG Facebook page @Arkansas Nurses Honor Guard. They also share tributes, tribute videos, and news there.

Each chapter has a Facebook group where they post when their services are requested where nurses can volunteer to participate. This is also where they post meetings and other information pertaining to the chapter.

To join the Polk County Chapter, you can find the link on our Facebook page or search for the Arkansas Nurses Honor Guard Polk County Chapter to find the group.

Come May 30, ANHG will be visiting the retired nurse residents at Green House Cottages.

News 7 Local students nominated to attend Arkansas Boys State CONWAY, AR (05/17/2022) -- Local students were nominated to represent their community and school at Arkansas Boys State 2022, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.

The following local students will join more than 475 young men attending the program’s 81st session at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway from May 29 to June 3.

Reed McGee of Mena from Acorn High School Alex Rocha of Mena from Mena High School “Arkansas Boys State is a legacy program that has produced remarkable local, state, national and international leaders,” said Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State. “That these students were nominated to attend speaks volumes to their character, pursuit of excellence, and desire to make their community stronger.”

During their week at Arkansas Boys State, students will be assigned a political party, city, and county.

Throughout the week, they will administer, from the ground up, a mock government as if it were real: run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents.

“We like to say that Arkansas Boys State is a week that shapes a lifetime, and our tens of thousands of alumni can attest to that,” said Jackson.

“We’re thrilled that these outstanding students are joining us and will experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Students at Arkansas Boys State will be guided through their experience by more than 50 volunteers who

See BOYS STATE continued on page 19

8 News

The primary election occurred as the Pulse went to press. Results will be in next week’s issue. Meanwhile, you can see the results at MyPulseNews.com right now. (Above) Polk County residents doing early voting at the historic armory on Dequeen Street.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

2 AREA ATHLETES ARE BOUND FOR THE

2022

SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES IN ORLANDO, FL, JUNE 5-12TH

MADDIE FLETCHER (SWIMMING)

JUST COMPETED AT THE

ARKANSAS SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUMMER GAMES WHERE SHE WON

GOLD  INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY GOLD  MEDLEY RELAY BRONZE  BACKSTROKE

Pulse

May 25, 2022

Election results to come

MADDIE FLETCHER

THE POLK COUNTY

AND

CHRISTA CARTSEN

(PADDLEBOARDING) THEY WILL REPRESENT TEAM ARKANSAS!

GO TEAM ARKANSAS WE ARE SO PROUD OF ALL YOUR HARD WORK!

S AD

PO N S O R E D B Y

17,800 trees given away LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s second annual “Free Tree Fridays” campaign resulted in the distribution of 17,800 trees during 36 events held across the state each Friday from March 18 through April 29. The events were hosted by the Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division in honor of National Arbor Day, which is celebrated annually on the last Friday of April.

The Arbor Day act of planting a tree gives hope that the tree will grow to provide clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and natural beauty. The idea for the annual Free Tree Fridays campaign started in 2021 when Grant County Ranger Troy Wood requested an Arbor Day celebration giveaway in his county.

“We’re always getting calls from the public asking for trees or information about where to buy trees, so I thought a giveaway would be a great way to get trees to them and help them learn more about the work of the Forestry Division,” Wood said.

“This way we can talk to landowners about our programs, and what better time to give away trees than Arbor Day?” More than 4,400 people attended the Free Tree Fridays events this year.

The success of the events prompted 14 other tree giveaway events outside of the Department’s campaign where an additional 4,500 seedlings were distributed.

“One of our goals in Urban and Community Forestry is to give all Arkansans the opportunity to benefit from trees. Several attendees mentioned how grateful they were for the opportunity to access trees they couldn’t otherwise afford,” said Kristine Kimbro, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator.

Photos from this year’s events can be found at flic.kr/s/aHBqjzNc7K. For more information about community development opportunities regarding trees, visit agriculture. arkansas.gov/forestry/urban-community-forestry/ or contact Kristine Kimbro, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, at Kristine. kimbro@agriculture.arkansas.gov/.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

No closure of Umpire campus planned

By Patrick Massey Officials with the Cossatot River School District are addressing concerns regarding the financial viability of the Umpire campus and, in effect, whether it will continue as a separate campus within the district.

The answer: Yes, it will.

During the May 19 meeting of the Cossatot River School Board, superintendent Tyler Broyles raised concerns he’s heard regarding the future of the Umpire campus. During that meeting, Broyles stated the district is committed to maintaining the campus and Umpire Schools’ long tradition within the Umpire community.

“Umpire is going to continue to operate at this time and there is no closure agenda,” said Broyles. “We are in a campaign to get more students back [to Umpire Schools].”

Broyles said the Umpire campus and the Cossatot River School District, as a whole, is facing no financial difficulties. Given the concerns he has heard from the community, Broyles said he brought the topic up for discussion on May 19 to counter any misconceptions about the future of the Umpire campus.

“In the preceding weeks I had gotten questions from community members and staff that I thought would be good to answer through an informative meeting and to also cure some misconceptions out there,” said Broyles.

Broyles stressed the Umpire campus is not under any threat of closure at this time. There is a concern, he said, with declining enrollment. Between 2020 and 2021, the district saw a drop in enrollment from 121 students to 87.

That decline is more than twice what the district saw in previous years.

“I think COVID may have been a lot of the reason for that, but when you

lose 37 kids at a campus that small in one year, then district leadership cannot ignore that,” Broyles explained.

“We just need to embark on some campaigns to try and do what we can to show people why the Umpire campus is the right place for their kids.”

To counter the decline, Broyles said the district is partnering with media and other entities in the community to highlight the opportunities available on the Umpire campus. The district hopes that campaign will encourage more parents to send their children to Umpire schools.

“They have a lot to be proud of at the Umpire campus,” Broyles said. “I call it one of Arkansas’ best kept secrets. It has advanced where it needed to and stayed the same where it needed to.

We’re looking for ways to sustain the campus and we just need more students there.”

Some changes are coming to the Cossatot River School District beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.

Earlier this year, the school board voted to restructure the district to house all kindergarten through second grade students to the Vandervoort campus and rename it the Cossatot River Primary School. Third through sixth graders will move to the Wickes campus which will be renamed the Cossatot River Elementary School.

Transportation will be provided to all students affected by the change.

Broyles said the change was a compromise among several other options and would pave the way to more progress in the future. He said it would strengthen the district’s academics by providing more aligned curriculum and more collaboration among staff within the same grade levels.

Broyles also stated it would provide more financial stability for the district as a whole.

Education 9

Kimberly Howard named to SNHU President’s List

MANCHESTER, NH (05/17/2022) -Kimberly Howard of Hatfield has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Winter 2022 President’s List.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum gradepoint average of 3.700 and above are named to the President’s List. Fulltime status is achieved by earning 12 credits; undergraduate day students must earn 12 credits in the fall or spring semester, and online students must earn 12 credits over two consecutive terms (EW1 & EW2, EW3 & EW4, or EW5 & EW6).

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, non-

profit institution with an 89-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 165,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as the “Most Innovative” regional university by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner. Learn more at www.snhu.edu/.

10 Education

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse Vandervoort Elementary School honor roll and attendance May 25, 2022

Honor Roll - 2021-2022 - All Year

First Grade - All A’s: Benz Dees, Emma Hulliberger, Honesty Joream, Ruger Lyle, Benjamin Silzell, Jaxton Thomas, Wyatt Vaughn, Sophia Williams First Grade - All A’s & B’s: Melody Ashcraft, Mason Davis, Landen Gertiser, Ashlyn Wilhite Second Grade - All A’s: Bella Barrett, Zechariah Bennett, Lailiah Colbert, Stephen Dau, Janey Johnson, Blayze McCoy, Audrey Sellers, Gwen Sellers.

Second Grade - All A’s & B’s: Madison Holbrook, Ember Davis, Bracyn Richardson, Karma Rogers, Rebekah Vandegrift Third Grade - All A’s: Cara Cumpton, Max Rye Third Grade - All A’s & B’s: Dakota Barrett, Kimber Green, Brody Ward.

Fourth Grade - All A’s: Adelyn Barton Fourth Grade - All A’s & B’s: Vivi Brewer, Amelia Espinola, Maddison Squires, Jolena Turner, Max Watkins, Kristina Wilkinson Fifth Grade - All A’s: None Fifth Grade - All A’s & B’s: Lely Anglin, Emily Finley, Cambree Manning, Joslyn Watkins Sixth Grade - All A’s: None Sixth Grade - All A’s & B’s: Lillyann Bennett, Chloe Buck, Brody Creel, Charlee Fortner, Beaudy Lile

Honor Roll - 2021-2022 - 4th 9 Weeks

First Grade - All A’s: Melody Ashcraft, Benz Dees, Emma Hulliberger, Honesty Joream, Benjamin Silzell, Jaxton Thomas, Wyatt Vaughn, Sophia Williams First Grade - All A’s & B’s: Mason Davis, Landen Gertiser, Ruger Lyle, Ava Rogers, Dani Toon, Ashlyn Wilhite Second Grade - All A’s: Stiles Alexander, Bella Barrett, Zechariah Bennett, Bryce Cureton, Lailiah Colbert, Stephen Dau, Janey Johnson, Blayze McCoy, Karma Rogers, Audrey Sellers, Gwen Sellers Second Grade - All A’s & B’s: Ember Davis, Madison Holbrook, Conner Lyle, Bryar Meredith, Jaxon Mullen, Bracyn Richardson, Autumn Smith, Jaelynn Smith, Rebekah Vandergrift Third Grade - All A’s: Dakota Barrett, Cara Cumpton, Max Rye, Joey Wade, Brody Ward Third Grade - All A’s & B’s: Jace Butler, Kimber Green, Cedric Rogers, Aiden Romine, Amanda Romine Fourth Grade - All A’s: Adelyn Barton, Vivi Brewer, Amelia Espinola, Maddison Squires, Max Watkins Fourth Grade - All A’s & B’s: Jasmine Dunn, Kaden Erwin, Jeliza Turner, Jolena Turner, Kristina Wilkinson Fifth Grade - All A’s: Lely Anglin, Emily Finley, Joslyn Watkins Fifth Grade - All A’s & B’s: Makenzie Arthur, Aspen Boldren, Madyson Broach, Sydni Hutson, Aaron Jewell, Easton Johnson, Eli Lawrence, Cambree Manning, Adisen Meredith, Ava Parker, Ariana Shaver, Tanner Trahan, Remi Winer, Saphina Zimmerman Sixth Grade - All A’s: Beaudy Lile Sixth Grade - All A’s & B’s: Lillyann Bennett, Chloe Buck, Brody Creel, Chelsea Creel, Autumn Dunn, Charlee Fortner, Jacee McGhee, Ziva Randall, Kaydence Squires, Shiloh Taylor

Honor Roll - 2021-2022 - 2nd Semester

First Grade - All A’s: Melody Ashcraft, Benz Dees, Emma Hulliberger, Honesty Joream, Ruger Lyle, Benjamin Silzell, Jaxton Thomas, Wyatt Vaughn, Sophia Williams First Grade - All A’s & B’s: Mason Davis, Landen Gertiser, Bryson Harwood, Ava Rogers, Dani Toon, Ashlyn Wilhite Second Grade - All A’s: Stiles Alexander, Bella Barrett, Zechariah Bennett, Bryce Cureton, Lailiah Colbert, Stephen Dau, Ember Davis, Janey Johnson, Blayze McCoy, Bracyn Richardson, Audrey Sellers, Gwen Sellers, Jaelynn Smith Second Grade - All A’s & B’s: Madison Holbrook, Conner Lyle, Bryar Meredith, Jaxon Mullen, Karma Rogers, Rebekah Vandegrift Third Grade - All A’s: Dakota Barrett, Cara Cumpton, Max Rye, Joey Wade, Brody Ward Third Grade - All A’s & B’s: Jace Butler, Kimber Green, Cedric Rogers Fourth Grade - All A’s : Adelyn Barton, Vivi Brewer, Amelia Espinola, Maddison Squires, Max Watkins Fourth Grade - All A’s & B’s: Kadence Broach, Jasmine Dunn, Kaden Erwin, Jeliza Turner, Jolena Turner, Kristina Wilkinson Fifth Grade - All A’s: Lely Anglin, Emily Finley, Joslyn Watkins Fifth Grade - All A’s & B’s: Makenzie Arthur, Aspen Boldrey, Madyson Broach, Aaron Jewell, Easton Johnson, Eli Lawrence, Cambree Manning, Adisen Meredith, Ava Parker, Ariana Shaver, Tanner Trahan, Remi Winer Sixth Grade - All A’s: Beaudy Lile Sixth Grade - All A’s & B’s: Makayla Arthur, Koda Bailey, Lillyann Bennett, Brody Creel, Chelsea Creel, Autumn Dunn, Charlee Fortner, Jacee McGhee, Kaydence Squires, Shiloh Taylor

Perfect Attendance 2021-2022

Kindergarten: None First Grade: None Second Grade: None Third Grade: Joey Wade Fourth Grade: None Fifth Grade: Daniel Madrid Sixth Grade: None

All Year

4th 9 Weeks Kindergarten: Adeline Strother First Grade: Ava Rogers Second Grade: Fred Long Third Grade: Cara Cumpton, Brayden Erwin, Joey Wade Fourth Grade: Ellen Tabor Fifth Grade: Daniel Madrid Sixth Grade: Lillyann Bennett, Tobin Dixon, Autumn Dunn

2nd Semester Kindergarten: None First Grade: None Second Grade: None Third Grade: Joey Wade Fourth Grade: None Fifth Grade: Daniel Madrid Sixth Grade: None

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

Education 11

Mena High School students picked alternate modes of transportation to school May 13, from ATVs and mini-bikes to gocarts and tractors.

After a cooling water play day at the Acorn pre-school on Friday, Frosty Dawg came out and treated some grateful children to some yummy snow cones.

(Submitted photo)

12 Community

The Polk County Public Library will once again offer a free summer reading program for area youth beginning June 1. The weekly program will be presented each Wednesday morning in June from 10-11 a.m. Any necessary supplies will be provided by the library.

The theme for this year is “Oceans of Possibility” and each week will include different activities and information. Programs are designed for pre-school through school age children up to about age 10. How-

Pulse

May 25, 2022

Library announces summer reading program Submitted by Polk County Library

THE POLK COUNTY

ever, children older or younger may participate.

The summer reading program is presented as an encouragement for lifelong learning, whether in school or out. Program participants will be rewarded for reading a set number of books throughout the month of June. Participants are encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes early to allow time for registration before the program begins.

Any questions may be directed to the Polk County Library, 394-2314, or e-mail to polkcountylibrary@yahoo.com.

Humane Society radio-thon on KENA

By Ethan Nahté

If you love animals and would like to help out the local shelter, here’s a way to assist.

The Humane Society of the Ouachitas will be doing a live Radio-thon on KENA 104.1 FM at the Pulse Multi-Media office, 1168 Hwy. 71 South in Mena, Thursday, May 26, from 9 a.m.-noon.

If you would like to donate, you can come by the Pulse Multi-Media office or call in at (479) 394-2800, during the Radio-thon.

You can also donate anytime:

• • • •

P.O. Box 845, Mena, AR 71953 Paypal: humanesocietyouachitas@yahoo.com HSOMena.org website Facebook/hsomena

HSO does plan to have some canines on location at the event. Come on down and give an animal a forever home.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

Around Town Polk County Farm Bureau Insurance will be closed Monday May 30th in observance of Memorial Day. The Polk County Housing Authority will be closed Monday May 30th in observance of Memorial Day. 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) 3852373.

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

The Wickes-Daniel Cemetery will have a brief Memorial Day service in the Chapel on Monday, May 30, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch outdoors, weather permitting.

Unless Arkansas Covid-19 rules change before then, you may wear a mask or not, at your own risk. A mask will be available if you need one.

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.

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) 2163786.

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.

Polk County Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary will be holding their monthly meetings on Thursday, June 2, in Acorn at Veterans’ Park. Potluck will begin at 6 p.m. with meetings to follow.

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 Mena/Polk County Senior Center is putting together a bean bag baseball team and celebrating our seniors birthdays every 3rd Tuesday of the month. 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.

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!

Monty Python comedy tryouts Submitted by OLT

Ouachita Little Theatre announces auditions for a fresh summer comedy showcasing our student population ranging in age from eighth grade to college undergraduates.

Jered Biard is directing “Monty Python’s Edukational Show,” which is a musical comedy comprised of a collection of skits, songs and videos from the popular comedy troupe. Biard is seeking approximately 15 actors who are at least in eighth grade up through college undergraduate students to portray a variety of roles. Both males and females are needed.

Auditions will be held Thursday, May 26, from 6 - 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 28, from 9 a.m. - noon at the OLT. Show dates will be July 29-31 and August 5-7.

Community 13

14 Music on Main Photos by Trey Youngdahl & Ethan Nahté

May 25, 2022

“We are proud to say that the first Music on Main event was a complete success,” Melanie Wade, executive director for the Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce said.

“The music was great, the food was great, and people of all ages danced in the streets and had a great time. We hope to bring more events like this to the area. Sponsorship and volunteerism are the forefront of such an event and we were blessed to have both. Our utmost thanks goes out to them.

“A huge thanks to all who attended Music on Main!

Without your support, events aren’t possible!”

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Music on Main 15

May 25, 2022

STAY ALERT. STAY INFORMED. STAY SAFE. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

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Keep yourself and your family safe and healthy in any weather emergency by visiting the CDC Natural Disasters and Severe Weather information site.

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

16 News

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

Small Works National Show winners Submitted by Lynn Greenwade

This year’s winners: Best in Show: “Alpine Lake” by Tim Tyler • 1st Place: “Moonrise” by Debi Davis • 2nd Place: “Grace” by Vickie McMillan-Hayes • 3rd Place:“Glow” by Brenda Morgan •

2022 marks the fifth year for Southwest Artists Small Works National Competition. Featuring works no larger than 16” x 16”, this show is always a favorite. The show is up and ready for you to admire. Take your time and choose your favorite as you vote for People’s Choice.

The show will be up through Friday, June 24 at 607 Mena Street. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

For information, contact (479) 394-3880 or email@menaartgallery. org .

This year’s Best in Show is “Alpine Lake” by Tim Tyler.

Our judge Honorable Mentions: this year was James Brantley of Opelika, Alabama. He is best known for • “Once was a Place for Gasoline and Conversation” by James Gilbreath his realistic paintings of the people and places of the American South. Brantley • “Flying High” by Jeanne Brown won the People’s Choice award in last • “Mrs. Isabella” by Jason Sacran year’s Small Works show, and was the • “Sunset Over Summer Corn” by Bob Holmes Best in Show winner in our first national show, The Art of the Heartland, • Arkansas Artist Award “Sacred Bond” by Brenda Morgan in 2015.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

By Trey Youngdahl

May 25, 2022

News 17

“We are adding several different activities,” Loogranny had dementia. The The Polk ney said. “We’ve added senior center there in Wick- the Thursday and Tuesday music County Sees has been delivering them and, in June, I’m going to do a nior Center meals and my granny had to June Jamboree. The bean bag (PCSC) is go into assisted living. My making imbaseball is another thing we’ve dad had a provements added. There are respite careafter bringactually tourgiver, and I ing on new naments where was homeexecutive they can go to schooling director other centers my kids. I Trena Looand play their was always ney. teams.” at home Looney Additionally, and really took over they have added needed a as execupool tournative direc- The Polk County Senior Center is reviving some of the old, and bringing way to get ments, exercise out. I went tor on Jan. in the new since re-opening to the general public after closing due to classes, and COVID-19 concerns.

(Trey Youngdahl/Pulse) there just 12. She there are plans married, they saw it.

When they to volunsupervises for another offered me this position, it kind teer a few hours the employees, does the billing exercise class of fit perfectly for the direction a day as a driver, for the Area Agency, organizes specifically for that my life was headed.” and they actually activities and more.

Trena Looney brings experience with people with Originally from Sallisaw, Okla- hired me as the her as the new executive director of arthritis, and a “When the director for (PCSC) the Polk County Senior Center. left, the director for Area Agency homa, Looney moved to Cove in head cook.” crochet group.

(Trey Youngdahl/Pulse) 2015.

Her bachelor’s degree in After workhad mentioned that if they could “We want ing as the head cook for a few get ahold of me that I could help psychology fuels her passion for to do things that add variety to assisting people. months, she was promoted to di- what the seniors can do,” Looney them get through the transition “When I first moved down rector. She worked as the director said. period,” Looney said. “It just so here, my dad and granny moved for the Cossatot Senior Center happened that my husband and To volunteer for PCSC, you can with me,” Looney continued. for three years. Now that she has inquire at the center located at one of the board members were “Growing up, my dad has always had that experience, Looney is friends on Facebook, so when 401 Autumn Drive in Mena, just been in a wheelchair and my making improvements to PCSC. we posted that we were getting off Race Track Road.

Polk County Senior Center open with new activities

18 Faith

By Richie Lawry On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces staged a surprise attack on the American naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japanese planes sank or damaged 18 warships and destroyed 164 aircraft in a two-hour surprise attack. Over 2,400 servicemen and civilians lost their lives. The next day, the United States Congress declared war, and everyday life across the country changed.

Candy and sweets were in short supply.

In early 1942, the U.S. government established a rationing program that set limits on the amount of gas, food, and clothing each person could purchase. Families were issued ration stamps that were used to buy their allotment of everything from meat, sugar, fat, butter, vegetables and fruit, to gas, tires, clothing, and fuel oil. Sugar became the first food item to be rationed.

Wholesalers, retailers, bakeries, and industrial users of sugar were registered for sugar ration books in April 1942.

My grandpa Lawry had a sweet tooth.

Knowing him and his love for sweets, I can only imagine how hard sugar rationing was on him. But even with the wartime rationing, he would manage to bring home candy for his kids every paycheck. Oh, how they looked forward to the days when they knew there would be candy.

When my grandpa would come home with his precious bag of candy, 13-yearold Opal was in charge of carefully dividing the spoils. The most common candy that grandpa could purchase was Boston Baked Beans. Opal would conscientiously count out three equal piles, one piece at a time. Bobby and Delbert, aged 5 and 10, would quickly eat their small portion of the candy, but Opal would save hers for later. When she had candy left, and her brothers didn’t, she would share her part with them.

In February 2020, I attended my aunt Opal’s memorial service in Ooltewah, Tennessee. During the ceremony, my daddy told the story of Opal sharing her candy. His voice cracked with emotion as he remembered her kindness and thoughtfulness. Person after person talked about

May 25, 2022

An Arkie’s Faith Remembering Aunt Opal

Opal’s concern for others and her selflessness. These things are expected at memorials, where people tend to embellish a person’s better qualities. But in my aunt Opal’s case, there was no embellishment needed. She may be the sweetest, kindest, most loving person I have ever known. I can never remember her saying one bad thing about anyone in my entire life.

Life wasn’t easy for Opal.

She suffered many trials and difficulties. But she seemed to have the capability of handling life’s pressures and disappointments with grace and dignity. She was able to follow the counsel of James.

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 The cover of Aunt Opal’s memoirs. (Photo by Richie Lawry) (CSB) people down, such as a discouraging In life, we will have troubles. But inword, a disapproving look, or disrespectstead of thinking that we should live a ful actions. Many Christians gossip about trouble-free life, it’s much better to expect the problems of others. But you don’t talk bumps in the road and yet learn how to about someone to build them up; you do find joy in them. There’s a joy that comes it to belittle them or cast doubt on their from knowing that God is in control of evcharacter. In Proverbs 12:18 (CEV), the ery single situation in our lives.

Bible tells us, “Sharp words cut like a Opal spent her life encouraging and insword, but words of wisdom heal.” spiring others. She followed the counsel I’m sure that sometimes in her life, Opal found in Hebrews 3:13 (NIV). “But ensaid sharp words. None of us are perfect. courage one another daily, as long as it is But she strived to follow Paul’s admocalled ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be nition found in Ephesians 4:29 (NOG), hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” where he wrote, “Don’t say anything that It is easy to find something to bring

Joke of the Week:

Never argue with left-handed people. They are not right.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV), “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

Opal always seemed content and happy no matter what her circumstances were.

She grew up during the Great Depression with very few possessions. Life handed her some financial setbacks. But these words of Paul could have been written by Opal.

“I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens. I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing.” Philippians 4:11,12 (ERV) The secret to contentment is a simple one. It does not require displays of religious fervor. It is just the opposite. Christians who focus their lives on their works are never content. Contentment comes from a simple childlike response to life’s ups and downs. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV) Summing up my aunt Opal’s life is difficult because she lived such a full life. But I think the words of Jesus found in Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) are very applicable. “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”

This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Anyone who knew Opal could see that she loved God with all her heart, and she loved her neighbor as herself.

Gentle Reader, I want to live my life so that when I am gone, I will be remembered for loving God and loving my neighbor. I want to be remembered as someone kind, thoughtful, and encouraging. I want to be recognized as someone content with whatever situation I was in because I trusted God. I want to be remembered as my aunt Opal is remembered.

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

May 25, 2022 Pulse BOYS STATE continued from page 7 Senator’s bills improve and expand VA serve the program.

The staff of volunteers includes college stumammography services, cancer care WASHINGTON - A pair ly diagnosed with stage 4 dents and career professionals

of legislative initiatives breast cancer at the age of 38. championed by U.S. Senator Dr. Thomas fought for passage of this bill until she sadJohn Boozman (R-AR) to modernize Department of ly passed away last month.

The bipartisan bill was inVeterans Affairs (VA) breast troduced by Boozman and cancer screening policies and the delivery of lifesav- John Boozman Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). ing care for women veterans The “Making Advances in unanimously passed the U.S. House Mammography and Medical Opof Representatives late Wednesday, tions (MAMMO) for Veterans Act,” May 18, and are headed to the presi- which Boozman led, will require the VA to develop a strategic plan to imdent’s desk to be signed into law.

“We are now one signature away prove breast imaging services, create from ensuring veterans have access a telemammography pilot program to lifesaving breast cancer screen- for veterans in areas where the VA ings. I urge the president to quick- does not offer in-house mammogly approve these bills and make them raphy and expand veterans’ access to law so we can expand VA tools and clinical trials through partnerships resources to deliver the preventative with the National Cancer Institute. care and treatments these valiant, The legislation would also require dedicated former servicemembers the VA to upgrade all in-house have earned,” said Boozman, a se- breast imaging to 3D mammogranior member of the Senate Veterans’ phy, which is considered the gold Affairs Committee. standard of imaging technology.

The Boozman-authored “Dr. Boozman worked with Senate VetKate Hendricks Thomas Support- erans’ Affairs Committee Chairman ing Expanded Review for Veterans Jon Tester (D-MT) to introduce the in Combat Environments (SER- legislation along with Senators MaVICE) Act” will require the VA to zie Hirono (D-HI) and Susan Colconduct mammograms for all wom- lins (R-ME). en who served in areas associated The senator delivered remarks apwith burn pits and other toxic expo- plauding Senate passage of both prosures regardless of age, symptoms or posals in March. family history.

These legislative accomplishThe legislation is named in hon- ments come on the heels of House or of Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas, passage of the “Strengthening a Marine veteran and public health Oversight for Veterans Act” of professional who was unaware of 2021. The Boozman-led bill expandher increased risk for breast can- ing oversight authority of the VA Ofcer as a result of her deployment to fice of Inspector General (OIG) was Iraq. During a routine medical exam approved on Tuesday, May 17, and in 2018 she was advised to undergo is expected to be signed into law. a mammogram and was subsequent-

with interests and expertise in education, finance, industry, politics and government, journalism, and more.

The week’s activities, including keynote speakers, general assemblies, and election speeches, will be streamed live by Arkansas PBS on their Arkansas Citizens Access Network: https://www.myarkansaspbs.org/arcan/.

Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. Since 1940, the weeklong summer program has transformed the next generation of leaders throughout the state and beyond. These men have become state, national, and international

Politics 19 leaders, including Pres. Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chiefs of Staff Mack McLarty and Jack Watson Jr., Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman and Arkansas Chief Justice John Dan Kemp.

Learn more at arboysstate.org/.

During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county.

Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week’s end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends - all with our guiding principle that “Democracy Depends on Me.”

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THE SHOP

$45 UNLIMITED TANNING FOR $25

CHICOLLO’S FOOD EMPORIUM THE WORKS FRIES & DRINK FOR $7

Listen EVERY Thursday Morning

For More Info Call 479-243-9600

20 Puzzles

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

05.25.22

05.25.22

ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 05.18.22

A Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

Hi, My name is Dexter. I am 3 years old and weigh about 30 lbs. I am a Beagle mix. I am a sweet and shy boy. I warm up quickly but have some trust issues. I am good with other dogs, and good with people. I have not been tested with cats or kids. I love to run, so definitely need a home with a fenced yard. I have been neutered, and am ready to go home! I would like to meet you, come to the shelter to adopt me today. My adoption fee is $80.00 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

Classifieds 21

May 25, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS - SERVICES -

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

T0525 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.

T0601 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

- WANTED TO BUY -

I buy broken desktops and laptops.

Mitchell Computer Services, 717 Mena St. T0608

- YARD SALE -

Multi-family estate sale 2106 Andrys, Thursday, 26th; Friday, 27th; Saturday, 28th beginning at 8 a.m. Antique furniture, home décor, vintage items, Playstation 2 & 3 consoles and games, and much, much more!

T0525

- EMPLOYMENT -

Polk County Births Mena Regional Health System MAY 13, 2022 TO MAY 20, 2022 Sasha & John Wise of Wickes, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born May. 16th Sara & Horace I Gandy of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born May. 17th

Has Your

Weekend Project Become A

5 Year Lawn Ornament?

Maybe It’s Time To List It

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

T0629 Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T0525

Polk County Pulse Classifieds

- 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 T0525

- 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 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

By Trey Youngdahl

Beagle Run 2022

The 16th Annual Beagle Run was held on Saturday, May 21, with a good turnout from participating bikers.

During a deployment to Baghdad in 2004, Polk County resident Troy Leon Miranda was killed in action by an improvised explosive device (IED). The death of Miranda shook the people of his unit, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, as well as the residents of Polk County.

“It was devastating,” former Family Readiness group leader Jodi Croft said. “It was the first casualty in our area and the twelfth in our state. It just sent panic all around. It was the first hit of the reality of war.”

Miranda was promoted to Sergeant 1st Class posthumously and awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was a commander of his unit and specialized in explosives, combat warfare, germ warfare and chemical warfare. He was deployed

Oct. 13 with an advance party because of his special training.

The death of Miranda shook even those at Camp Robinson. The facility is the home of the Arkansas National Guard, joint force headquarters, 39th Infantry Combat Team, the 77th Aviation Brigade, and the 87th Troop Command. The gym at Camp Robinson was named in Miranda’s honor.

The untimely death also prompted fellow Charlie Company members Paul Heath, Casey Brewster, and Jacob Sullivan to remember their fallen brother in an unconventional way—The Beagle Run—an annual motorcycle run and memorial service held in May. “We wanted to honor a great man and ensure his legacy was never forgotten,” Sullivan said. “We all had bikes at the time, so it seemed a fitting tribute.”

The name of the event comes from Miranda’s time working as Military Intelligence Support for the Arkansas State Police. The particular field Miranda worked

in was marijuana eradication. He earned himself the nickname “Beagle” due to his dog-like skills in seeking out marijuana.

That nickname went on to be the namesake of The Beagle Run. “He could go right to pot just like a dog on a trail!” Troy’s brother, Phillip Miranda, reminisced.

Even Arkansas Maj. Gen. Kendall Penn makes the trip from Camp Robinson every year to participate in The Beagle Run and show his support for our community.

“153rd Infantry lost one of our very best,” Penn said. “You only have to look at the boys who’ve now grown into men to know the impact the deployment made on them, and how much they love each other.”

The Beagle Run now serves as both a memorial and a reunion for the company.

“He really made a huge impression on a lot of us,” co-founder Brewster said.

“I don’t think we envisioned it being a mini-reunion for us, but I think that part of it is equally important for all of us.”

22 Police

May 25, 2022

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

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG May 16, 2022 Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a stolen car.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to harassment and terroristic threatening. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies responded to a second walk-in complainant in reference to harassment and terroristic threatening.

Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies were advised of an altercation in the jail. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies arrested Travis Dollarhyde, 33 of Mena on one county Misdemeanor Warrant for Failure to Appear and four city Misdemeanor Warrants for Failure to Appear.

May 17, 2022 Bradley Moss, of Mena was arrested on two Misdemeanor Warrants.

May 18, 2022 Deputies responded to a Theft of Property report near Hatfield.

Austin Nickles, 24 of Smithville was arrested on a charge of DWI. Deputies responded to a report of a break-in at a residence on Hwy 71 S near Wickes.

May 19, 2022

Tyler Cornelius, 28 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Probation Violation.

Charles Morgan, 46 of Mena was arrested on two Felony Warrants for Failure to Appear and two Body Attachment Warrants and on a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine.

Robert Owens, 45 was arrested on a hold for another agency.

Deputies were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence on Polk 16 near Vandervoort. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies responded to a report of a structure fire on Hwy 8 E near Board Camp.

May 20, 2022 Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to Financial Identity Fraud.

A traffic stop on Hwy 71 S led to the arrest of Roger Brundage, 51 of Mena on charges of Fleeing in a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, DWI, Refusal to Submit to Arrest, Driving Left of Center and Open Container.

Deputies responded to an altercation at a residence on Polk 70 near Cherry Hill. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Casey Trantham, 24 of Mt Ida was arrested on a Felony Probation Violation Warrant.

Polk County Sheriff ’s Office worked 2 vehicle accidents this week.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse SHOOTING continued from page 1

file will be used by the Polk County prosecuting attorney in making a decision whether the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.

The identity of the law enforcement officer who shot Looney is not being released at this time. The sheriff ’s department and prosecutMay 15 A report of battery and violation of ing attorney will decide when to a no contact order was taken at a resi- move forward in making the idendence on 7th Street. tity public.

A report of harassment was taken at a State police special agents are residence on Hidden Valley Road. continuing their investigative work today and will obtain an autopsy reMay 16 port from the Arkansas State Crime Shaylan Crider, 32, was served with a Laboratory where the medical exwarrant at the county jail. aminer will determine the cause and manner of death.

May 17

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 21 Incarcerated Inmates, with 7 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

Dennis Goodner, 62, was served with a warrant after a disturbance call to a residence on 9th Street.

A report of disorderly conduct was taken at Executive Inn. William Pierce, 38, was served with a warrant at a residence on Janssen Avenue.

Hairston retiring from Mena Fire Department

May 18 A report of battery and endangering the welfare of a minor was taken at a business parking lot on Highway 71.

Timothy Hooks, 36, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Janssen Avenue.

May 19 Spencer Powell, 33, was served with four warrants after a traffic stop on 7th Street.

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

A report of a disturbance was taken at a residence on Turner Street.

Submitted by Chief Steve Egger

Captain Tom Hairston is retiring from the Mena Fire Department.

May 21, 2022 A public retirement reception Deputies were dispatched to an address on Hwy 71 S near Wickes in refis planned for June 1, 5 - 6 p.m. at May 20 erence to an Unattended Death.

Kelly Galloway, 53, was charged with Mena Fire Station 1.

Tom has served the citizens of theft at Walmart.

May 22, 2022 Mena for 32 years, with 12 years and A report of theft was taken at No reports filed.

Northside Superstop.

4 months as a full-time firefighter.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

News 23

Bipartisan prescription drug pricing bill reintroduced in House WASHINGTON - This week, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR04), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee reintroduced the “Price Relief, Innovation, and Competition for Essential Drugs (PRICED) Act” to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible for Americans across the nation.

The bicameral “PRICED Act,” the first version of which was introduced in the Senate in 2016 by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and the late John McCain (R-AZ), addresses increasing drug prices by reducing drug manufactures’ exclusivity periods for biologics from twelve years to five years.

“Low cost and widely available medications and treatments are vital to the continued wellbeing of millions of

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson I dropped by to check on the Widow Fenster, the mayor’s mother, at Larry’s Assisted Living Facility. She’s still researching and writing murder mystery books. Besides that, her only other activity is reading poetry. She said, “I don’t scribble the stuff. I can’t rhyme … worth a 10-cent coin.”

Widow Fenster has a joke for you. I figured I’d class this report up by including something from a real writer, and cause the mayor forgets a few of my parking tickets, when his mom gets the attention. The Widow says, “A poet was depressed because of a six-month case of writer’s block. The battered bard, (once a menu item in the Middle Ages), was so affected that he lay paralyzed in sorrow. What did the sad poet, in the bottom of

Americans,” said Congressman Westerman. “The ‘PRICED Act’ is critical in making prescription drugs more affordable by breaking up manufactures’ monopoly on certain drugs and allowing other companies to create generic versions at a lower cost to the patient.

I’m grateful to join Rep. Schakowsky’s work on this issue – we’re proof that health care solutions can and should be bipartisan.”

“Drug pricing isn’t a partisan issue and taking on the Big Pharma monopoly shouldn’t be either. I am proud to be joined by Congressman Westerman to reintroduce the ‘PRICED Act,’ which will make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible for Americans across the nation,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky.

“During the health care debate in 2010, we fought hard to reduce the number of years that manufacturers of the newer, more expensive biologic drugs can maintain patent exclusivity,

which keeps competitors from putting lower cost drugs on the market. Unfortunately, it still granted twelve years of exclusivity that has allowed biologics manufacturers to enjoy billions of dollars in profits and no competition.

That is unacceptable for American taxpayers who fund the majority of research that develops these drugs and who need these drugs to survive. I will fight to finally pass the ‘PRICED Act’ in the 117th Congress.”

In 2017, all of the top 10 highest-expenditure drugs in Medicare Part B were biologic products, accounting for over $10 billion in costs. That same year, the Office of Management and Budget estimated that reducing the exclusivity from 12 to 7 years could save almost $7 billion over 10 years.

Many recent peer-reviewed studies suggest that biologics are not as time-consuming to develop as initially believed. In 2019, authors from the Program On Regulation, Therapeu-

Hogspore News: Widow Fenster tells a joke

his self-made shameful well, finally shout out? ‘Anyone, please … throw me a trope!”’

You ever get email surveys on products you bought? I used to ignore them. The latest one I got was from the company that shipped me some aspirin. They wanted my review. So, I sent them this, “It’s everything you said it was, and more. It changed my life for the better. Food tastes better, and serphisticated women are now smiling at me. Thank you.”

The paper has managed to snag a retired Hollywood gossip columnist who is now living out on Highway 71 on the way to Mena, Arkansas. He don’t write anymore, but he keeps up with the West Coast rumors. Here’s

Noah Count’s take on the stars, “Johnny Depp’s fans are going to be pleased to hear that he’s just signed on for another movie, ‘The Pirates of the Courtroom.’ When Johnny and Amber Heard first met, it was like two ships passing in the night, but they couldn’t see all the red flags a flying. Mr. Depp is also working on a deal to reprise an early television role, ‘21 Jump Ship.’”

Mumford Pickens has a thought for the readers. He didn’t like my idea to call it “Mumford’s Mumblings.” He says, “Imagine being a tree and never having to dye your roots.”

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

tics, And Law (PORTAL), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School published a study in Nature that concluded “although biologics are often thought to be more time-consuming to develop than small-molecule drugs, development times for biologics are similar to, or possibly somewhat shorter than, for small-molecule drugs.” Additional reports show that there is no difference in the median premarket development time between biologics and small molecule drugs that would justify the 12 years of data exclusivity that biologics currently retain.

The Representatives were joined by Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17), Lloyd Doggett (TX-25), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04).

Where’s the Beef camp

Submitted by Debbie Miller, Division of Agriculture County Extension Agent - 4-H Polk and Scott County 4-H Clubs are hosting a “Where’s the Beef?” two-day camp on Monday, June 20, and Tuesday, June 21, from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The event will explore beef and the cattle industry through cooking, tours, games, and activities. It is open to youth ages 8 through 18.

The cost is $10 for the first child in a family and $5 for each additional child. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

Call (479) 394-6018 or (479) 6372173 by June 15 to register.

24 News

May 25, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Built in Arkansas: LMXT strategic tanker boom refueling system to be produced in western Arkansas Submitted by AEDC on behalf of Lockheed Martin BETHESDA, Md., May 18, 2022— Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Airbus leaders announced today the aerial refueling boom system for the LMXT strategic tanker aircraft will be manufactured by Airbus in western Arkansas. Introduced in September 2021, the LMXT is Lockheed Martin’s offering for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-Y strategic tanker program.

“Given the undisputed importance of the U.S. Air Force’s strategic refueling mission, ensuring the LMXT is equipped with critical and relevant technologies for its refueling system is of paramount importance. Like the LMXT airframe, this refueling system is proven and low-risk, translating to known and added capabilities for the U.S. Air Force,” said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President, and CEO James Taiclet. “With this commitment, Arkansas’ manufacturing community has the opportunity to contribute to building America’s next strategic tanker.”

The LMXT is built on the combat-proven design of the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), which is the strategic tanking choice of 14 nations around the world. Offering several distinct U.S. Air Force-only capabilities designed to meet operator requirements, the LMXT offers advantages like an established fly-by-wire aerial refueling boom. Currently certified and used by allies to refuel U.S. Air Force aircraft in operations globally, the world’s first fully automatic air-to-air refueling (A3R) system is a discrete asset.

“We are excited to continue expanding our U.S. footprint by partnering with the state of Arkansas to create the LMXT refueling boom production site and center of excellence. It is an honor to bring Airbus innovation to the state for this and future manufacturing opportunities,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas. “The state-of-the-art boom system is a vital aspect of the overall LMXT offering, and we are proud to be working with Arkansans to build this best-in-class solution for the U.S. Air Force.”

While the exact location of the manufacturing facility has yet to be determined, it will expand Airbus’ footprint into “The Natural State.” Manufacturing plays a significant role in the Arkansas economy, accounting for about 15% of the state’s economic output. More than 12% of all Arkansas residents are employed by the manufacturing industry, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

“Lockheed Martin consistently sets the standard for aerospace and defense worldwide and significantly contributes to Arkansas’ robust aerospace and defense industry,” said Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. “Arkansas has the tools in place to help high-tech manufacturing succeed, and I’m pleased that Lockheed Martin and Airbus see themselves growing here in our state as they look to the future in the defense industry.”

Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing presence in Arkansas dates back to 1978 with its Camden Operations facility. This facility is a manufacturing, final assembly, test and storage operation for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) programs. Approximately 1,030 employees work in the facility’s manufacturing and support buildings.

“I am thrilled Arkansas has been selected to manufacture the LMXT’s boom, bringing well-paying jobs to our state and strengthening our economy. Most importantly, I’m proud Arkansas will continue to increase our contributions in support of America’s men and women in uniform and our national defense,” said U.S. Sen. John Boozman, who serves as the senior senator from Arkansas.

The LMXT aerial refueling system work is the first manufacturing opportunity for Airbus in Arkansas, but builds on an extensive manufacturing presence across the southeastern United States. Airbus builds the A320 and A220 airliners in Alabama, H125 and UH-72 Lakota helicopters in Mississippi, and satellites in Florida. The workforce across these facilities is more than 30% U.S. military veterans.

“Flights of freedom will be sustained by equipment made right here in Arkansas!

This announcement further strengthens the Third District’s role in our nation’s defense, and our community’s strong workforce and infrastructure are ready to support the manufacturing of the stateof-the-art LMXT system,” said U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, who represents Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District. “Arkansans are proud knowing the leading role they’ll have in building the next generation of the Air Force’s capabilities. I look forward to a fair and open competition that I’m sure the LMXT will win.”

This announcement follows Lockheed Martin’s and Airbus’ recently publicized plan to expand their footprints in Georgia and Alabama to support future LMXT assembly and configuration. The LMXT will be built in two phases: • Phase 1: The LMXT is first produced as an A330 airliner at Airbus’ Mobile, Alabama, facility, which is where Airbus A320 and A220 commercial airliners are built.

• Phase 2: The second phase of the manufacturing process includes converting the commercial aircraft into the LMXT tanker at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ Marietta, Georgia, facility, which is currently home to the C-130J Super Hercules final production and F-35 Lightning II center wing assembly lines.

Integration of the Arkansas-built boom will be included in Phase 2 of the assembly and configuration process.

The LMXT complements the U.S. Air Force’s tanker capabilities by providing the most advanced aerial refueler to meet America’s immediate and long-term mission requirements. The LMXT strength-

ens and expands the U.S. aerospace industrial base by working with existing and new American suppliers.

“Arkansans are proud of the men and women who fight for our freedoms and the civilian workers who support them,” Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston said. “The LMXT tanker will be built in America, by Americans, for Americans — a mission that Arkansas encourages all manufacturers to embrace as we seek to bring quality jobs back to the U.S.A. and increase economic opportunities for American workers and American communities.”

The LMXT offers a proven airframe with distinct U.S. Air Force-only capabilities designed to meet operator requirements, with advantages that also include: • Significantly improved range and fuel offload capacity over current tankers • Operational and combat proven advanced camera and rear vision system • Open system architecture JADC2/ NC3 systems • Established allied interoperability and resilient global supply chain • A multi-domain operations node that connects the LMXT to the larger battlespace, increasing onboard situational awareness to provide resilient communications and datalink for assets across the force • A permanently installed aeromedevac suite enabling world-class medical care with intercontinental reach • Forklift accessible cargo capacity for six military pallets with weights of up to 70 k/lbs. for austere base support • Unrivaled persistence in the battlespace and operational performance enabling greater access to non-traditional bases As the prime contractor, Lockheed Martin works directly to implement U.S. Air Force-specific requirements within the LMXT. For additional information, visit the LMXT website: www.lockheedmartin.com/lmxt/.

May 25, 2022 History 25 Pulse Reflections from History and Faith: The Navajo Code Talkers THE POLK COUNTY

By Jeff Olson

learning to speak the language and ability for the same words to mean While there was exuberant cele- multiple things based on sound. The bration of the Allied victory in Eu- Navajo language’s syntax and linrope (VE Day) in May 1945, the war guistics are particularly difficult for in the southwest Pacific continued non-Navajo, and it is not a written and victory there was still months language. The idea to use a Native away with the duration and cost re- American language as a code was not new. The U.S. military had used maining uncertain.

Early on in the war, the U.S. mil- the Choctaw language during World itary faced a critical communica- War I as part of its secret code.

Johnston subsequently aptions problem in the Pacific. The Japanese were succeeding in in- proached the military in February tercepting and deciphering Allied 1942 and the theory was tested with messages almost as fast as new ones four Navajos. Convinced of the could be invented, resulting in the potential for developing a secure anticipation of U.S. attacks and at a code, the Marines initially recruitlarge loss of American lives. It was ed 29 Navajos. They would officially such a problem that one war analyst be designated the 382nd Platoon, commented, “Military communications were made available to the enemy like sand sifting through a sieve.”

What was the solution? A code the enemy couldn’t crack.

Philip Johnston, a World War I veteran and a civil engineer for the city of Los Angeles, grew up the son of Protes- U.S. Marine Corps, at basic traintant missionaries serving on a Na- ing in San Diego. Eighty years ago vajo reservation where he learned this month, in May 1942, they were to speak their native tongue. Hav- transferred to Camp Pendleton at ing recently read a newspaper story Oceanside, California, where they about an armored division in Loui- were tasked with devising a new siana that was trying to find a way Marine Corps military code deto code military communications signed to completely confuse their using Native American personnel, Japanese enemies. Those 29 Navajo Johnston came up with the idea of created more than 200 new Navajo using the Navajo’s language as a ba- words for military terms and comsis for such a code. He thought that mitted them to memory. the complexity of Navajo linguistics As Joe Hosteen Kellwood, one of would make it an ideal choice to the code talkers, said of his trainbe used in code due to the lack of ing. “I studied on my own at night. documentation made available for You had to memorize all the words

at the time, 211 words. They were long words. I spelled it. I learned.”

The Navajo code would prove to be the most foolproof in the history of warfare, and the only spoken military code never to have been deciphered.

Through this code, more than 400 Navajo code talkers over the next three years communicated thousands of encrypted radio messages between command posts and front lines. They served with all six Marine divisions in the Pacific and with Marine Raider Battalions and parachute units as well. They participated in major Marine campaigns on the Solomon Islands, the Mariana Islands, Peleliu, and Iwo Jima.

These dependable, dedicated and courageous Navajo Americans saved countless lives during the war and helped bring it to a more expedient and victorious end for the Allies. The Japanese chief of intelligence, Lieutenant General Seizo Arisue, said that while they were able to decipher the codes used by the U.S. Army and Army Air Corps, they never cracked the code used by the Marines. Major Howard Conner, 5th Marine Division signal officer, later stated “....Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.”

During the war, about 540 Navajos served as Marines. Of those, more than 400 trained as code talkers.

Though extremely successful, this program didn’t receive recognition for many years. The program wasn’t declassified by the military until 1968, and it would take several more decades before the story received wider and much deserved recognition. On July 26, 2001, the original 29 Code Talkers were awarded

the Congressional Gold Medal, while the remaining members were awarded the Silver Medal during a ceremony at the White House.

On June 4, 2014, Chester Nez, the last surviving member of the initial 29 original code talkers recruited, died at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of 93. The U.S. Marines Corps released this statement: “We mourn his passing but honor and celebrate the indomitable spirit and dedication of those Marines who became known as the Navajo code talkers.”

This Memorial Day, as we honor the more than 1.3 million men and women of America’s military who gave their lives to preserve our freedom and way of life, let’s remember that some of the Navajo Code Talkers were among them.

26 Sports

By Trey Youngdahl

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

Cossatot River Eagles ends record season

The Cossatot River Eagles’ 2021-2022 soccer season came to a close, after a record year for the team.

The girls’ varsity team made it to the second round of state, which is the furthest they’ve ever advanced. Of the 11 games played, the Lady Eagles ended their season with a 6-5 win-loss ratio. They went 4-2 in conference, which is their best conference record to date.

Reggie Fryar has been Cossatot River’s soccer coach for six years.

He commended key players this season, including defense player Members of the Eagles boys and girls 2021-2022 soccer teams.

Laura Flores.

(Photo by Levi Holmes) “She was pretty much the cat- and set the momentum for the conference.”

He also boasted about his offenalyst for the season. She was the team,” Fryar said. “She was one one that encouraged everyone of the best defenders in the whole sive player Denise Ruis.

“She was our top scorer this year,” Fryar said. “She was one of those players that just never ran out of energy. She just kept going.

“Both of those players were seniors this year,” Fryar continued, sharing his thoughts about the Eagles’ season and his pride for them.

“This is probably the best season the girls have ever had. They were committed, and they really

pushed themselves farther than any other girls’ team I’ve ever had.”

The Eagles’ boys team also played hard this season. They ended with a 1-2 win-loss ratio with one tie game. This was their 10th year qualifying for state.

“I had a very young team this year,” Fryar said. “Half the team were ninth and 10th graders. I’ll only be losing one starter this year, which is unusual, because I lose six or seven when they graduate. This year I’ll have pretty much the entire team coming back next year.”

Despite the age of the team members, they are well-led in offense and defense by Lucas Trinidad, Ricardo Esquivel, and Kevin Ocampo and goalie Hunter Creel.

Coach Fryar continued, expressing his excitement for the next season, “I’m looking forward to our boys’ team being very competitive next year. For some of them, this will be their fourth year together and that makes a difference,” Fryar said. “I’ve got a lot of promising players, even some who will be new freshmen next year. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do and how far this team will go next year.”

394-1938

TIRES • BRAKES • CUSTOM EXHAUST • SHOCKS & STRUTS

Winter Hours: Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm

1500 Hwy 71 South, Mena

Owners: Stacy & Julie Nash

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

May 25, 2022

News 27

Missing Man Table set up for Memorial Weekend honoring the sacrifices of our military

Submitted by Brenda Cunningham

A “Missing Man” table, also known as “Fallen Comrade” table is a memorial usually set up in dining areas for Memorial Day weekend.

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

Missing Man tables are traditionally adorned with the following items. The white tablecloth symbolizes the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The single red rose reminds us of the life of each of the missing and their

loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith awaiting answers.

The vase is tied with a yellow ribbon to symbolize our continued determination to account for our missing.

A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of those who seek answers.

The Bible represents the strengths gained through faith to sustain those lost from our county, founded as one nation under God. The inverted glass symbolizes their inability to share in a toast.

The chair is empty, they are missing.

(Photo by Brenda Cunningham)

The James K. Polk Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have partnered with the following restaurants to set up a Missing Man table: Branding Iron, Chicollos’, Chopping Block, Jerry’s Fish Camp, La Villa, Little Italy, New China, and Papa’s.

We most graciously thank these restaurants for allowing us this honor.

Each one of these restaurants are losing potential revenue by giving up one of their tables for this memorial.

The Missing Man tables will be set up through the Memorial Day weekend. When eating at one of the supporting restaurants and visit, be sure to thank them for supporting the Daughters of the American Revolution Missing Man/ Fallen Comrade project.

Let us remember and never forget the sacrifices of our military. May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families.

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May 25, 2022

THE POLK COUNTY

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