Polk County Pulse October 20, 2021

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600

October 20, 2021

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Mena Water Utilities rate increase notice

INSIDE:

By Trey Youngdahl

CMA Rally

Page 15

Mena Water Utilities customers will start to see rate increases on their November water bills that will be received in December. It will go up incrementally over the next three years, in an effort to help mitigate the effects of a sudden increase. The higher rates are to help fund an expansion project for improvements being made to

the water plant.

This year, the amount increased will be $2 per meter, plus an additional $0.25 per 1,000 gallons of water used. Beginning 2022, the amount will increase another $2 per meter, making for $4 per meter, with an additional $0.30 for a total of $0.55 per 1,000 gallons of water used. In the following year, there will be one more increase of $2 per meter. At the end of the

three-year period, the increase will be an additional $6 per meter, and an increase of $0.55 per 1,000 gallons of water used.

“There was quite a bit of time put into the rate study,” said Mena Water Utilities general manager James Looney.

“We’re not only managing the water,” he said. “We’re managing the people’s money.”

Jr. Ladycats Claim 4A West Conference Championship

By Ethan Nahté

Halloween Treat or Trail

Page 27

Acorn Harvest Festival

Page 27

The Jr. Ladycats, consisting of the eighth and ninth grade girls, defeated Arkadelphia 2 games to 0 on Tuesday, Oct. 12, claiming the West Conference Championship.

Mena followed that up as the number one seed in the district volleyball tournament at Bauxite on Saturday, Oct. 16, battling for the 4A West District Tournament Championship.

The Jr. Ladycats defeated Fountain Lake 25-7 and 25-19, then defeated Malvern 25-22 and 2511 to win the title.

The Jr. Ladycats are coached by Heather Goss and Tia Fryar.

October is good luck for the Jr. Ladycats volleyball team, winners of the West Conference Championship and the 4A West District Tournament Championship.

(Submitted Photo)

2 News

October 20, 2021

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

CRHS students make Honors Choir

By Tyler Broyles

Congratulations are in order to the Cossatot River High School senior high choir members. Over 600 students competed in this competition.

Thirty-one students from CRHS auditioned for the prestigious choir and 22 earned chairs. All these students have been in All Region choir multiple years and work hard to compete and do well against schools much larger than Cossatot River. Cole Brantley, Clayton Thompson, and Marissa Hammer have earned a chair in the South Arkansas All Regions Honors Choir.

Brantley, Thompson and Hammer have participated in All Region all six years of high school.

These choir members will be performing in a clinic and concert on November 13, in Benton, Ark.

The Cossatot River High School senior high choir members: (back row L to R) Jesse Dosch, Clayton Thompson, JT Miller, Brynleigh Smith, Landrey Richardson, Kayleigh Williams, Marissa Hammer, Gracie Smith, Grant Stark, David Ramos, Cole Brantley, Sebashton Miller (front row L to R) Kali Blake, Baylee Davis, Ashley Castro, Lyla Baker, LaBrayla Robb, Elizabeth Crawford, Lily McIntyre, Cora Morgan, Jasmine Wilkinson Not pictured is Aiden Thomas.

Santas 4 Seniors SUBMITTED Santas 4 Seniors Sponsored by Polk County 4- H/EHC/Master Gardeners The “Santas 4 Seniors” program is open to low-income Senior Citizens, ages 65 and older who have no family support. The main focus of this program is to provide low-income senior citizens with a special gift this Christmas. Applications are available at the Polk County Extension Office, 211

DeQueen St., Mena, AR. Cossatot Senior Center and the Mena-Polk County Senior Center. Not all applications will be selected. Application Deadline-November 10, 2021, Santas will be on the tree November 10 and ready for adoption. Please bring presents to our office unwrapped in a gift bag no later than December 3rd. Deliveries to our special Seniors will be made on December 9-14. For more information, contact the Polk County Extension Office at 211 DeQueen Street, Mena, AR, or by phone at (479) 394-6018.

THE POLK COUNTY

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News 3

October 20, 2021

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Your Pulse!

I have watched the news of late about immigrants from Haiti and other countries coming here for a better life, fleeing tyranny and oppression. It seems a few hundred years ago our fledgling America faced the same dangers, tyranny and oppression, trying to establish government of the people by the people and for the people in a new land. Battles were fought and blood was shed and we emerged a free people in a free country that was founded on the rule of law thanks to our fore fathers who were both brave and wise. We paid a heavy price and made mistakes along the way but emerged strong and resilient and free.

I hear and understand those seeking a safe haven coming here to escape an admittedly dangerous life where they come from. I do feel sympathy for them but ask why they did not fight by whatever means to make their home a safe place to raise their families as our fore fathers did.

Their identity,self worth, and pride to me seems to be lost, and the future is that of dependency on the generosity of others. Are they willing to fight beside our troops to protect their new home or is that yet another obligation to be relegated to your hosts?

Thus far, their track record indicates they would rather run than stand up against evil. We have paid the price of freedom time and again with the blood and treasures of our country and its citizens for those too weak or unwilling to fight their own battles. We have done so

with pride and determination and without ever backing down. We ask for no compensation and only want others to have a chance to enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.

Sadly, we have thrown money at problems, hoping to change things for the less fortunate, only to see corruption siphon that away from where it was meant to do good and go to the coffers of corrupt politicians. And we continue to do the same thing again, hoping to achieve different results. Sounds like the definition of insanity.

My last thought if I may is this....after watching the mess and chaos of our withdrawal from Afghanistan, I felt sickened by how those who lost family and friends must have felt. The troops we trained dropped their weapons and offered no resistance, and were slaughtered like sheep. I watched the news and saw unarmed women stand up to the Taliban in public demanding what they deserve. At that moment I wondered if our time would have been better spent training them rather than those who had no willingness to defend their own country and its citizens. as they signed up to do?

If I may share a lesson I learned the hard way many years ago...no matter how hard you try, or how well meaning you may be, you cannot help people that are unwilling to help themselves.

With sadness but respect, Ronald Goss, Mena, USN (Vietnam), Retired Virginia Beach Police Department

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394-1938

TIRES • BRAKES • CUSTOM EXHAUST • SHOCKS & STRUTS

Winter Hours: Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm

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Owners: Stacy & Julie Nash

479.394.4248

104 Port Arthur Ave. Mena, AR 71953-3344

4 Contest

October 20, 2021

THE POLK COUNTY

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THE POLK COUNTY

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Politics 5

October 20, 2021

From the

State House of Representatives

sion, we passed Act 553.

According to the Arkansas Department of Health, 1 in ACT 553 amends the law 8 women will develop breast concerning coverage of dicancer. agnostic examinations for It is the most common form breast cancer under certain of cancer and the second leadhealth benefit plans. It clariing cause of death among fies that an insurer, upon the women. In 2018, there were recommendation of a wom2,339 new breast cancer cases an’s physician, must offer and 368 cancer deaths in the John Maddox screening mammography state. as an essential health beneOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness fit if the woman has a prior history of Month, an annual campaign to raise breast cancer or the woman’s mother, awareness about the impact of breast sister, or any first- or second-degree cancer and the importance of early female relative of the woman has had detection. a history of breast cancer, positive geIn 1997, the Arkansas General Assembly passed the Breast Cancer Act, netic testing, or other risk factors.

According to the American Cancer which led to the ADH’s BreastCare Society, when breast cancer is detectprogram. The BreastCare program coed early and is in the localized stage, ordinates efforts with providers to ofthe 5-year relative survival rate is fer no-cost screenings and follow-up 99%.

Early detection includes doing services to eligible women who are monthly breast self-exams and scheduninsured or underinsured. uling regular clinical breast exams Last year, the program served 8,403 and mammograms. women in fiscal year 2021. Those serThe Arkansas Department of vices resulted in 62 Arkansas women diagnosed with breast or cervical can- Health is encouraging women to talk with their healthcare providers about cer.

The General Assembly continually getting screened. If you would like reviews legislation to improve ser- more information on the BreastCare program, call 501-661-2942 or visit vices for early detection.

In the most recent legislative ses- www.arbreastcare.com.

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

The market for workers’ cur. It was the first time in 10 compensation insurance reyears that rates did not go up. mains competitive in ArkanThe Insurance Department sas, thanks to efforts by the reached the conclusion that legislature to hold down rates. the voluntary market in ArAccording to the most rekansas would possibly have cent data available from the disappeared without Act 796, National Council on Comleaving the assigned risk pool pensation Insurance, Ar- Larry Teague as the only market for workkansas has some of the lowest ers’ comp insurance. rankings for losses. Factors that drive The act created a division within rates include the frequency of claims, the Insurance Department assigned medical costs and the price of pre- to investigate fraud, and set financial scription drugs. penalties for fraudulently making There are two major markets from workers’ comp claims. According to which employers purchase workers’ the Insurance Department report, comp insurance. One is voluntary and “before the passage of Act 796 of the other is the assigned risk pool, for 1993, there had never been a criminal jobs that are too risky or too expen- prosecution in Arkansas for workers’ sive for the ordinary market. The top compensation fraud committed by five categories that are covered in the employees, employers or healthcare assigned risk pool are in the construc- providers.” tion industry.

In 2005 the division’s authority was Earlier this year 185 companies in expanded to investigate all forms of Arkansas were removed from the as- insurance fraud and it was renamed signed risk plan and got coverage in the Criminal Investigation Division the voluntary market, saving them on of the Insurance Department. average 5.35 percent in premiums.

In 2020 the Division got 40 referrals, In 2020 Arkansas had the lowest of which 20 were investigated. One loss costs in the region, per each $100 case was referred to local prosecutors, of payroll. It was 50 cents per $100, but it was subsequently closed for lack compared to a regional average of of evidence. Since the Division was 69 cents and a national average of 91 created in 1993, it has referred 167 cents. The cost of premiums in Ar- cases for prosecution, resulting in 123 kansas is stable or declining because convictions. of declines in loss costs.

In three cases the defendant was acIn the early 1990s workers’ comp quitted and in all the remaining cases insurance was about to become too the charges were not filed by prosecuexpensive for many employers to af- tors. ford. Annual rate increases were in In cases in which there is not suffithe double digits. For example, pre- cient evidence to prosecute, often the miums went up by 15 percent and 18 threat of prosecution is motivation for percent in 1991 and 1992. the parties to settle out of court, acThe legislature passed Act 796 of cording to the Insurance Department.

1993, and the effect on the market The overwhelming majority of caswas clear and significant, according es investigated by the Division are for to the Insurance Department’s most other forms of insurance fraud. Only recent annual report. Anticipated rate 3.5 percent of its cases are investigaincreases in 1993 and 1994 did not oc- tions of workers’ comp fraud.

6 Obituaries

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

October 20, 2021

Bobbie Gail Davis

Bobbie Gale Davis, age 72, of Alder Springs, Arkansas, died Thursday, October 14, 2021, at her home. She was born on Monday, May 23, 1949, to Earl (Jack) Roberts and Vera (Faulkner) Roberts in Seminole, Texas.

Bobbie was outgoing and known for being a hard worker who loved to help others. She enjoyed quilting and studying genealogy. Bobbie was a member of a quilting group as well as a genealogy society. She loved to spend time with her family and participate in all of her grandchildren’s activities. Bobbie worked in the cafeteria for Mena High School for several years as well as home healthcare. She assisted in translating as she was bilingual and spoke Spanish.

Bobbie was proud to have obtained a college degree and raised three wonderful and educated children. Bobbie was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and a friend and she will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her father, Earl (Jack) Roberts; and her husband, Felix Jefferson Davis.

Bobbie is survived by her mother, Vera Roberts; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Earl and Cindy Davis of Genoa, Arkansas, and Reuben and Julie Davis of McKinney, Texas; one daughter and son-in-law, Wendy Lynch and John Lynch of Bryant, Arkansas; one brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Maria Roberts of Alder Springs, Arkansas; one sister, Jackie Hook of Alder Springs, Arkansas; one sister-in-law, Pat Westbrook of Mena, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Taylor Davis, Brandon Davis, Ryan Lynch, Jack Davis, Dylan Davis; and several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Monday, October 18, 2021, from 5-7 p.m. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the

Mollie Gann Cemetery in Hatfield, Arkansas, under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home. Officiated by Robert Lott.

Monica Ralls

Monica Ralls ( Ku y k e n d a l l ) , age 40, passed away in her home in Cove, Arkansas while surrounded by loved ones on, October 14, 2021. She was born January 13, 1981, in Talihina, Oklahoma to Linda Sue (Walker) Hoyl and Bobby Ray Kuykendall.

Monica was known as “Meema” to most, and one of her greatest passions in life was that of her kids at the pre-school where she worked as a pre-school teacher. She was a devoted Christian and loved worshiping the Lord. Monica was a very caring wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, and Meema. Her greatest passion in life was spending time with her boys.

Mrs. Monica Ralls is preceded in death by her father Bobby Ray Kuykendall. She is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, Jamie Ralls; sons, Gavin Ralls, Dayton Ralls, and Braylen Ralls; grandchildren, Zion and Adalyn Tena, mother, Linda Hoyl; stepmother, Gale Kuykendall; Brother, Victor Kuykendall, and wife Tracy; sisters, Bobbie Hinsley and husband Darrell, Valerie Cureton and husband Trevan, Shana Fuquay and husband Mickey, special friend Lorena Tena, and spiritual mother, Kim Parks.

Services for Mrs. Monica Ralls will be graveside at Witherspoon Cemetery in Vandervoort, Arkansas, Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with EJ Tena and Ron Ladd officiating.

Pallbearers are Troy Dickison, Chris Smith, Brian Strother, Jeff Richardson, Kevin Bailey, Heath Toon, Bradley Roberts, and Cott Peterson.

Honorary Pallbearers are Dwight Barrett, Damon Canada, Josh Parks, and Chad Broach.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Felix Karl Schneider

Mr. Felix Karl Schneider of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Friday, October 15, 2021, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born July 22, 1937, in Lahr, Germany to Karl Schneider and Hedwig Bosch Schneider.

Mr. Schneider was a retired Master Coppersmith and a mechanical genius.

Throughout his professional life, he inspired many with his ingenuity, exceptional drive and work ethic. His rough beginning in life, born into wartime Germany, drove him very early to become self-reliant, finding wild foods in the Black Forest, where he and his younger brother grew up. He later learned to grow anything and was blessed with a green thumb, canning and preserving and always having plenty through the labor of his hands. He was a solid provider for his family and generous with his time and caring for those that needed him.

He found his little slice of paradise in his home in the woods in Mena. His many friends and neighbors, who would just stop by to chat, helped make this his true home.

Mr. Schneider is preceded in death by his parents Karl and Hedwig Schneider, his second wife Joan Naomi Johnston Schneider and brother Peter Schneider. He is survived by his daughters, Eva Schneider of Sterling, Colorado, Doris Peterson of Cairns, Australia, and Jutta Schneider of Port Townsend, Washington, and by his first wife of 35 years, Anneliese Schneider. He is survived by his grandchildren, Emmy Peterson and Oskar Peterson, as well as his nieces and nephews, Suzanne Robberts, Brigit Schneider and Karl Schneider. And last but not least, he is survived by Barbara Thornton, his best friend, who always brought a smile to his face and joy into his day.

A memorial service at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home Chapel will be announced at a later time.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Edward Howard Wright

Edward Howard Wright, age 79, of Hatfield, Arkansas died on Friday, October 15, 2021, at his home.

He was born on Tuesday, May 12, 1942, to Harold Wayne Wright and Mary Grapes Wright in McKenzie, Tennessee.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mary Wright; and two brothers, Bill Wright and Randy Wright.

Ed is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Wright of Hatfield; three sons and daughter-in-law, Mark D. Wright of Fayetteville, Eric and Emily Turner of Mena , and Lucas Turner of Mena; one daughter and son-in-law, Molly and Travis Clark of Fayetteville; two sisters and brothersin-law, Jeannie and Jay of Pennsylvania, and Shirley and Bill Sanden of Colorado Springs; eight grandchildren, Suannah Clark, Kodye Clark, Klayton Clark, Emma Turner, Jacob Turner, Bailey Turner, Braedon Turner, and Bracey Turner; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 25, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Zafra Church in Zafra, Oklahoma.

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

In lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations be sent to your favorite Veteran charity.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

October 20, 2021

Valda Lee Sherrer

Valda Lee Sherrer, age 88, of Mena, Arkansas, died Saturday, October 16, 2021, at the CHI St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was born on Saturday, February 18, 1933, to Clifton Franklin and Bertha (Sharp) Gann in Talihina, Oklahoma.

Valda loved serving God and always let Him guide her life. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Mena where she sang in the choir, was a talented soloist, taught Sunday School, did many mission trips, directed the youth choir, and served as the Women’s Missionary Union President. Valda married the love of her life, Barney, on June 14, 1950. Valda built a loving home for her family and always took great care of them. Valda moved to Mena on her birthday on 1972. She started Mena Tax Service with her brother, Raymond, in 1979. She retired from doing taxes in 2018.

Valda loved to worship the Lord in song and directing the youth choir was one of her most enjoyed activities. She was active in the Navigators and P.E.O. sisterhood.

Valda loved her husband, children, and all her family immensely and cherished every moment she spent with them. Valda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend and she will be missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Raymond Gann and James Gann; and one sister, Lu Ellen Quoss.

Valda is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, William “Barney” Sherrer of Mt. Ida; one son and daughter-in-law, Clifton and Paulette Sherrer of Farmington; two daughters and sons in law, Jaree and Don Hall of Nashville, Arkansas, and Janell and Mark Van Every of Custer, South Dakota; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas, with Brother Russell Threet officiating. Interment will follow at the Mollie Gann Cemetery in Potter under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, October 21, 2021, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena.

Mary Tereasa Echols Tarkinton

throughout her childhood years, where she attended the First Baptist Church of Oden and graduated from Oden High School, where her father was the Superintendent of On August 29, 2021, Mary Terea- schools and head basketball coach. During sa Echols Tarkinton passed away in her her high school years, she fell in love with Bill home with her loving husband, Michael Abernathy, the star of the state championship Weldon Tarkington, by her side. They basketball team coached by her father. Upon were married for 14 years. Halloween was graduation from high school, Mary Jo attendalways her favorite time of the years, so ed Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelthey got married October 31, 2007. She phia prior to transferring to Arkansas State was 58 years old; she was born March 28, Teachers College (now the University of Cen1963. She was sent for cremation through tral Arkansas) in Conway, where she graduBeasley-Wood Funeral Home. There will ated with a degree in Home Economics. She be a family gathering at a later time. and Bill married in 1954 and began a lifetime She was preceded in death by her moth- journey together that is an inspiration to all er Earlene Moore Howard and by her fa- who knew them. ther Henery Howard; her mother-in-law, Upon graduating from college, Bill and Linda Tarkinton; and by her father-in-law, Mary Jo moved to California where they both Boyd Tarkinton. began their careers in public education. They She is survived by her loving husband, returned to Arkansas after two years and lived Michael Tarkinton of Mena, Arkansas; in Conway and Greenbriar before moving to brother-in-law, Greg Tarkinton and com- Mena in 1972, when Bill was named Superpanion Cindy Hill of Mena, Arkansas; sis- intendent of the Mena School District. Mary ter-in-law, Melissa Tarkinton and fiancée Jo continued her career teaching Home EcoJon Alvin Rosson of Ink, Arkansas; neph- nomics at Acorn High School for 15 years ews Kyle Tarkinton of Oklahoma, Bradley where her students meant the world to her Crawford and companion of Mena, Ar- and she touched the lives of many. kansas; niece Sydney Crawford and close Mary Jo and Bill resided in Mena for 48 friend of Mena, Arkansas. Great-Aunt to years where they raised their three children Patsy Elizabeth Edwards, Ayden Craw- and enjoyed many friendships. They were acford, Elisah Crawford, and Jaxson Bryson. tive in many aspects of the community during She has 3 sisters, Kathy Echols of Mena, this time as members of the First Baptist Melinda Stephen of Russellville, and Susie Church of Mena and later Christ Community James of Mena. She has 3 brothers, Hen- Church. Mary Jo served on the Board of the ry Howard of Hatfield, Steven Howard Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance of Little Rock, and Uncle Bill and close Center and was a member of PTO. She also friend Ann Howard of Mena. enjoyed her book club, the Book Worm Book She will be dearly missed by all. Do- Club, and her bridge club. She also taught nations to help pay for all would be very bridge at Rich Mountain Community Colappreciated. God Bless you all, Send to lege. Drawing upon her own experiences, she Tarkinton 3380 Hwy. 88 East, Mena, Ar- also was a mentor and advisor to many indikansas. viduals suffering from cancer.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfunerIn her free time, Mary Jo enjoyed playalhome.com ing bridge, reading, spending time at Lake and challenging anyone to a card Mary Jo Ouachita game or game of dominos, where she won Maddox more often than not. She didn’t spare anyone her competitiveness, even her grandchildren.

Abernathy She also liked to have floating on your back contests and holding your breath under waMary Jo Mad- ter contests at the lake where no one ever dox Abernathy, be- beat her. While not known for her culinary loved wife, mother talents, she did have a few specialties includand “GranMary,” ing her famed chocolate gravy or her chocopassed away peacefully on October 17, 2021, late and peanut butter candy enjoyed by her while visiting Lake Ouachita with her family, children, grandchildren and their friends over her favorite place on earth. the years. She also had an eccentric side to Mary Jo was the first of four children born her and loved new adventures, such as conto Ruby and Ode Maddox on October 13, vincing her nurse to take her for a Sunday 1935, in Oden, Arkansas. She lived in Oden drive in her Volkswagen Beetle on a logging

Obituaries 7 road that turned into an ATV path which she somehow got her way out of and later loved to laugh about. She enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. Mary Jo endured many illnesses later in life, starting with a bout with cancer in her early fifties which she successfully overcame with her will, determination and competitive spirit. She never complained, never felt sorry for herself and always maintained a positive, optimistic attitude. She had an open and caring heart and was interested in everyone she met. Enjoying her friends and family was the most important thing in life to her.

Following Bill’s death in 2019, Mary Jo relocated to Bryant to be closer to her family. She resided at The Manor Senior Living Community where she was welcomed by her fellow residents and quickly made many new friends whose company she thoroughly enjoyed. Her friendly and outgoing attitude was quickly recognized by the staff at the Manor, where she received a Lifetime Achievement Award for being the most positive and influential person in residence.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband Bill Abernathy, her brother Edward Maddox and her parents, Ruby and Ode Maddox. She is survived by her three children, Robert Abernathy, and his wife, Ginger of Bryant; Richard Abernathy, and his wife, Paula of Bryant; Melinda Abernathy Stevenson, and her husband, John of Houston, Texas; her grandchildren, Renee Abernathy; Tyson Abernathy, and wife Heather; London Abernathy Creel, and husband Josh; Caroline Stevenson; Katherine Stevenson; and Mary Claire Stevenson, her namesake; and Annalise Robbins; her great-grandchildren, Saylor Abernathy, Lakelynn Creel, and Fisher Abernathy; her sister, Jamie Sue Maddox Goldspink of Creswell, Oregon, and husband Charles; her brother, David Maddox, and wife, Sue of Mena; and her sister-in-law, Janice Maddox Joyner, and husband, Bobby of Memphis.

The family wishes to express its appreciation to the many medical care professionals who cared for Mary Jo on an ongoing basis over the past 35 years and is especially grateful for the doctors and nurses at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock who provided world class, compassionate care for Mary Jo on many occasions throughout the years.

A visitation will be held at Beasley Wood Funeral Home in Mena on Thursday, October 21, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A private memorial service is being held by the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Foundation, 1100 College Drive, Mena, AR 71953.

8 Faith

by Richie Lawry It was over 10 years ago when I listened to my first podcast. While researching a history topic on my computer, I found some information I was looking for, but it wasn’t written. I had stumbled across the podcast “Stuff You Missed in History Class.” I enjoyed listening to the podcast and was able to get some information relevant to my research. I didn’t think about podcasts again until I got an iPhone.

While learning about what I could do with my iPhone, I saw the podcast app.

When I opened the app, I searched for “Stuff You Missed in History” because it was the only podcast I knew. I listened to the current episode and enjoyed it, but the back catalog intrigued me. I listened to every episode in a few weeks. During one episode, I heard the hosts mention another podcast, “Sawbones.” I started listening to “Sawbones,” and before long, I had caught up on their back catalog. I was hooked on listening to podcasts.

Since that time, I have listened to podcasts almost every day. I listen in the car, while I work, while I mow the yard, anytime I can. I am obsessed with this form of communication. Most of the podcasts I listen to are history-related, and I learn so much new information that my friends and family get tired of me sharing my newfound information with them.

One of my favorite podcasts is “Ridiculous History.” The show’s tagline: History is beautiful, brutal, and often ridiculous.

While listening to a recent episode while working, I heard the show’s hosts, Ben and Noel, talking about Frank Higgins. Something that they said made me stop what I was doing and listen closer. Had I heard correctly? Had they said that Frank Higgins was a sky pilot to the lumberjacks in Northern Minnesota in the 1890s? There were no airplanes in the 1890s, so how could he be a sky pilot?

I found that in 1895, Frank was a student pastor in Barnum when a church member invited him out to a logging camp. The lumberjacks made fun of Frank, asking him to preach on demand.

He did so. His impromptu sermon impressed them. Frank kept ministering to lumberjacks and eventually resigned his

October 20, 2021

Sky Pilot

pastorate to become the first full-time missionary to loggers. He moved to Bemidji, which had a reputation as one of the roughest towns in the North Woods. Bemidji was home to many saloons, brothels, and gambling joints, and Frank was determined to make a difference. For decades he traveled from his base in Bemidji to the frozen logging camps of Minnesota with his trademark pack of Bibles, hymnals, and Christian literature strapped to his back.

Life in logging camps was difficult. Logging was done during the winter so that the logs could be loaded onto frozen rivers and sent downstream during the spring thaw. Men huddled together in cold bunkrooms during logging season. Lice were a certainty, and illness and injury were likely. The work was demanding and very dangerous. Most of the men had lost contact with their parents and siblings as they traveled from state to state for work.

Men who were married rarely, if ever, saw their wives and children.

The lumberjacks accepted Frank because he seemed like one of them. He was physically imposing, and his friends said he had no problem standing up to men who confronted him. He was well-prepared for the cold winters. At first, as he traveled across northern Minnesota from

camp to camp, he used snowshoes or skies and carried a heavy pack on his back. He soon realized that a dogsled would make it easier to haul his materials. He also used his dogsled as an ambulance for taking injured lumberjacks and pregnant women to the hospital. Frank and his sled dogs became an iconic image in the North Woods.

But why was Frank Higgins referred to as a sky pilot? Frank claimed the lumberjacks gave him the name Sky Pilot. The men were living a brutal existence. Frank would come into the camp holding religious services and tending to the needs of the men. The lumberjacks asked, “What are you doing here? Why are you enduring such hardship coming out here?”

Frank answered, “I want to pilot your souls to the sky.” They started referring to him as a sky pilot. Soon the term was used for any clergyman ministering to the lumberjacks.

The term sky pilot was already in use among seamen before Frank started his ministry in Minnesota. The Reverend Thomas Stanley Treanor prefaced his 1894 book “The Log of a Sky Pilot” in 1894 with these words. “The term ‘Sky Pilot’ is applied sometimes by sailors to clergymen. No doubt the expression is chiefly used in jest, but behind the jest, there lies a

Joke of the Week:

I have a phobia about speed bumps but I’m slowly getting over it.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse solemn conviction that a Sky Pilot is what he wants and just what the minister of Christ should be. History is full of expressions originally given in derision but adopted and glorified by the very persons to whom they were at first contemptuously applied. Surely it is our high calling to lead and help our fellow voyagers to the skies.”

Frank Higgins became respected among those he ministered to. Although he was adamant in denouncing sin, he wrote, “The woodsman was sinned against as well as sinning.” He continued, “Months pass by every year, and many of these men do not even get a letter or a paper to read.

Is it any wonder when they come down in the spring that they feel that nobody cares for them and at once go to the saloon where they are made welcome as long as their money lasts?”

He described his own experiences with the lumberjacks, stressing the warm welcome he invariably received. He fought for better working conditions for the men.

He fulfilled the directive of Jesus; “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23 (ESV) Frank realized the wild excesses of the lumberjacks reflected their barren lives. He told his fellow ministers, “Reform could not come through exhortation alone; these rootless men needed worthwhile interests and normal emotional outlets.”

The woodsmen liked and respected Frank not only for what he did but for what he was. He fulfilled the words of Jesus; “You should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do.

Live so that they will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ICB) Gentle Reader, as Christians, we are all called to be sky pilots. In Mark 16:15 (NLV), Jesus tells us, “You are to go to all the world and preach the Good News to every person.” God may not call you to be a missionary to the lumberjacks of Minnesota or the sailors on the ocean. But he has called you to be a sky pilot to someone.

The best sky pilots are not the ones who stand on a stage and give instructions. The best lead by example. In the process of their faithfulness, they set an example for others to follow. Be a sky pilot today.

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October 20, 2021

Belle Starr: Bandit Queen

If you enjoy reading stories of the old west, you have probably read about Bill Miner “The Grey Fox, or Gentleman bandit.” He was a gentleman who would trick people before stealing from them.

Maybe Mary Katherine Horoney, “Big Nose Kate,” Doc Holliday’s girlfriend.

Or how about Anna Emmaline McDoulet, “Cattle Annie,” a young cattle and horse thief who sold alcoholic beverages to the Indians in Indian Territory. A felony.

Today I’m going to write about Belle Starr “Bandit Queen,” a female outlaw who resided in Indian Territory and gained most of her notoriety after her violent death, February 3, 1889.

Belle Starr was born Myra Maybelle Shirley, known as May to her family, near Carthage, Missouri, to John Shirley and Elizabeth “Eliza” Hatfield Shirley. Eliza was a distant relative to the Hatfields of the “Hatfield and McCoy family feud.”

John Shirley owned a farm and prospered raising wheat, corn, hogs and horses. In 1860, John sold the farm and moved his family to Carthage, where he bought a livery stable and blacksmith shop on the town square.

Elizabeth insisted that Belle receive a good education; she attended Missouri Carthage Female Academy, a private institution that her father helped to establish. Belle’s curriculum included studying classical music. During her studies, she became proficient as a pianist.

Her father taught her to ride at a young age and instilled in her the love of horses.

Eventually, she could ride better than most of the women of her time.

Belle had an older brother, John “Bud” Shirley, a soldier in the Confederate Army.

Bud made friends with Jessie and Frank James, also the Younger brothers during the Civil War. After a Union attack on Carthage in 1864 and his son Bud’s death while trying to escape from a house surrounded by Union Militia, Shirley moved his family to Texas. They settled in Scyene, east of Dallas. John purchased an inn, then put Belle back in school to finish her education, hoping the 16-year-old Belle would become a proper lady.

Following the Civil War, the Reed family, friends of the Shirley’s from Carthage, moved to Scyene.

In 1866 Jim Reed and Belle were married. In 1868, she gave birth to a daughter,

Rosie Lee (nicknamed Pearl). Two years later, their second child, James Edwin (Eddie) was born.

Jim Reed became known as a horse thief around Texas. Things started getting a little warm for Reed with all his criminal activities, so he headed out to Indian Territory and stayed on a ranch with another outlaw named Sam Starr. Belle stayed with her parents but would make trips to the ranch to see her husband.

Reed continued his outlaw ways. He was killed near Paris, Texas, by a deputy sheriff in 1874.

Until then, Belle was known as an outlaw’s wife. After Reed’s death, she moved in with the Starrs and participated in their outlaw activities.

In 1880, Belle married Sam Starr; being married to a Cherokee gave her dower rights to her husband’s land, consisting of 52-55 acres.

Sam Starr’s ranch was on the Canadian River near Porum, Indian Territory. Belle renamed the ranch “Younger’s Bend” after her close friend Cole Younger.

Belle and Sam continued stealing horses and dealing in stolen property. In 1882 the law caught up with them. They were arrested and faced Judge Isaac C. Parker in the Federal Court of Fort Smith. Judge Parker found them guilty and sentenced Belle and Sam to a year in federal prison in Detroit. Seven months later, the two were released and back to their old ways.

In September 1886, Sam Starr was wounded and captured by the tribal police. He was being held in a farmhouse until his wounds healed. Friends of Sam raided the farmhouse and rescued Starr.

A week before Christmas, Sam and Belle were attending a dance; the tribal police approached Sam; a gunfight ensued, and Sam was killed.

Not being of American Indian descent, Belle was in danger of losing her land in the Indian Nation. She quickly remedied this by marrying Jim July, who was 10 years younger than Belle.

This is just a glimpse into Belle Starr’s 41-year life. There is a multitude of articles on the internet about Belle’s hectic life.

I’ll wrap up Belle’s short life with her death.

In 1888, Belle rented some of her lands to Edgar Watson, who moved there from Florida. Later, Belle was informed Watson had a warrant out charging him with mur-

der. The Tribal Council had warned Belle in the past if she harbored outlaws on her property, they would put her off her land.

Belle approached Watson and told him to leave. He refused, which led to a bitter feud.

February 2, 1889, Belle was returning from Fort Smith. As she passed the corner of the Watson property, a blast from a shotgun knocked her off her horse. As she tried to get up, another blast ended her life.

Watson was arrested and found not guilty, and he had no warrants out for him. Belle’s murder is still a mystery.

Now you’re probably wondering what happened to Belle’s daughter Pearl and her son Ed.

History 9 Five months after his mom’s death, Ed was arrested and convicted of horse theft and selling stolen property. He was sentenced to the federal prison in Ohio for seven years.

Supposedly, Pearl became a madam on the “Row” (red-light district of Fort Smith. You could always distinguish Pearl’s house from the other six by the red star in the window surrounded by a string of white lights.) Her goal was to make enough money and obtain a lawyer to get Ed released from prison. Pearl succeeded and Ed was granted a presidential pardon in 1893.

Upon his release, Ed was appointed a deputy marshal by the man who sent him to prison, Judge Parker, and assigned to Claremore, Indian Territory.

December 1896, Ed, while under the influence of alcohol, got into an argument with a fellow named Clark. In front of Gibb’s Saloon, Ed threatened to kill Clark. Before Ed could fire his weapon, Clark fired his shotgun and sent Ed to be with his mother.

Interesting side note. When I was a Mena patrolman years ago, I made a traffic stop on a speeder. The driver was an older man from Fort Smith. After checking his license and insurance, we began chatting. One thing led to another, and he told me a story about his friend who knew Pearl Starr. His friend had once borrowed 50 dollars from Pearl. He asked Peral what she needed for collateral; Pearl said, “Nothing, I know where you live.”

Oh, I guess you’re wondering if I wrote this fellow a ticket. No, I didn’t. I told him he was free to go. He asked, “You’re not going to write me a ticket?” I said, “No, be sure and slow down. I know where you live.”

MENA REAL ESTATE

479-394-7301

1102 Crestwood Circle Mena, AR 71953

www.MenaRealEstate.com

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October 20, 2021

EYES ON THE ROAD, NOT THE PHONE Arkansas law enforcement agencies will unite in the “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” initiative aimed at stopping the dangerous practice of distracted driving. Starting Sunday, Arkansas State Troopers, joined by local police officers and sheriff ’s deputies across the state, will begin a week-long (October 1723) intensified patrol effort to stop drivers who are distracted and fail to keep their eyes on the road.

One of the leading factors contributing to the epidemic of distracted driving is the simultaneous use of cell phones and other electronic devices to communicate while drivers travel across state highways and local streets. In recent years, young drivers have become the largest segment among distracted driving offenders, using their cell phones to talk, text, and scroll through social media while they’re supposed to be in control of their vehicle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, since 2007 the number of drivers 16 to 24 years old observed using handheld electronic devices while driving has continually increased compared to older drivers. During 2018, 8 percent of

the people killed in teen driving crashes (ages 15-19) died when teen drivers were distracted at the time of the crash, and the following year (2019) 10 percent of the teenage drivers were distracted at the time of the crashes.

National Teen Driver Safety Week coincides with the planned distracted

driving operation. Parents are encouraged to have conversations with their teenage children who are drivers about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe while operating a motor vehicle.

Texting while driving is illegal in 47 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Teenage drivers need to be reminded of the dangers when using a phone while driving and that any use of a cell phone to text, talk or use social media applications raises the chances of someone being injured or killed. Even when stopped at a traffic light, distracted driving laws can and will be enforced by law enforcement officers. Additionally, young drivers should be told it’s not advisable to use headphones or earbuds while driving. All drivers need to be able to hear another vehicle’s horn or the siren from an emergency vehicle.

“The growing disregard of distracted driving laws isn’t limited just to teen-

agers,” said Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “It’s frightening to realize many adults are now mimicking the dangerous distracted driving practices of their children and grandchildren which is taking a toll in the form of injuries and deaths on Arkansas roadways.”

Cell phones aren’t the only cause of distracted driving. A driver who takes their eyes off the road to speak to a passenger, adjust entertainment programming or temperature controls, even eating while driving are all examples of distracted driving.

“People know texting and driving is dangerous and illegal, but they selfishly do it anyway while putting others at risk,” said Colonel Bryant. “We have to get the message out and beginning this weekend state troopers will be sending that message in the form of violator citations to anyone caught texting and driving.”

Arkansas law enforcement officers and the Highway Safety Office urge drivers of any age to put their phones away while behind the wheel and operating a vehicle. If a text message is necessary, safely exit the street or highway and find a location to stop and use the phone. Never try to read or send a text message while a vehicle is moving.

Drivers are also asked to consider other safety precautions: • Designate a passenger as a “designated texter.” Allow the passenger to access the driver’s phone.

• Never engage in social media scrolling or posting messages while driving.

• Cell phone use is habit-forming. If a driver is struggling with safe practices, activate the cell phone “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put the phone out of reach from the driver such as in the trunk, glove box, or back seat.

Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. Remember, U Drive. U Text. U Pay. For more information, visit trafficsafetymarketing.gov/ or contact the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.

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Pulse Arkansas Senior Health Insurance Program offering free counseling With the Medicare Open Enrollment Period fast approaching, the Arkansas Insurance Department (AID) Senior Health Insurance Information Program (AR SHIIP) offers free counseling to assist Arkansans who are eligible for Medicare. AR SHIIP connects Medicare beneficiaries as well as their families and caregivers with certified counselors statewide. The counselors provide guidance in person or over the telephone regarding Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplements, and Medicare Part D (drug plans) at no cost to Arkansans.

AR SHIIP partners conduct informational screenings to determine whether Medicare recipients are eligible for low-income subsidies and/or help with medication costs. The partners review ways to lower out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare recipients and review other ways to save money.

“The Senior Health Insurance Information Program is an important and valuable service we provide Arkansans,” said Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain. “We hope that consumers will take advantage of these free services meant to assist them in making the best possible Medicare decisions for their individual needs.”

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, beneficiaries can review coverage options as well as make changes to their current health insurance coverage.

“Our mission is to educate and empower Arkansans about their options for Medicare,” said AR SHIIP Director, Carroll Astin. “We hope to make the Medicare Open Enrollment process as straightforward as possible so that navigating and selecting coverage options is seamless for Arkansans.”

AR SHIIP provides one-on-one counseling and information for Arkansans eligible for Medicare. All services are free, unbiased, and confidential.

For more information, call 1-800-2246330 toll-free or visit shiipar.com/.

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October 20, 2021

Faith 11

Reflections from History and Faith: Victory at Yorktown

By Jeff Olson

Two hundred forty years ago this week, October 19, 1781, America’s War of Independence came to an end when the British surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia. It must have been a humbling site for them to see how poorly dressed and equipped George Washington’s troops were. Few had uniforms, many wore rags, some were barefoot and all were exhausted. One of the British soldiers was overheard saying “Out of this rabble has risen a people who defy kings.”

The American Revolution, as it is commonly called, is considered unique among other revolutions in world history. Unlike others, it originated with leaders who for the most part had little to gain and much to lose, some of whom would in fact lose everything - even their lives. The colonists were defending their rights as Englishmen guaranteed them by their original charters with the British King; rights which their history showed were deeply embedded in antiquity. America’s goal was

not to make a revolution but to defend and restore original British principles of government which were her heritage. It was, in truth and substance, a revolution not made but prevented.

Our patriots desired no radical break from their inheritance, as they were defending their right to go on living in the future much as they had lived over the past 150 years in colonial life. Essentially, America’s War of Independence was a movement intended to preserve an old constitutional structure and civil/social order.

It was, in fact, England who initiated severance with the American colonies through the Prohibitory Act ( December 22, 1775), five months after the colonies submitted the Olive Branch Petition and more than seven months prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This act not only severed ties between the colonies and England but it also was a declaration of unrestricted warfare (Article I) against a foreign enemy - the American colonies. In addition, it established martial law in the colonies which eventually

served as a final impetus for the Declaration of Independence.

After six long years of warfare, liberty was victorious at Yorktown but it came at a tremendous cost in lives and treasure. And, it took nearly two years of skillful diplomacy for America to formally and officially secure her independence from Great Britain through the Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783. Thomas Paine declared that the War of Independence “contributed more to enlighten the world, and diffuse a spirit of freedom and liberality among mankind than any human event...that ever preceded it.”

Is the United States still a people who defy kings? This is a very timely question because we live in a time when so much of what our forefathers fought, died for, and bequeathed to us is slipping away and by and large going unnoticed by those who do not understand and in many cases don’t even care. As Thomas Jefferson reminds us: “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”

Yorktown was the culmination of a long and costly struggle for freedom - freedom from a large, intrusive and overreaching government which eroded or denied individual liberty, civil rights and national sovereignty. It is both ironic and tragic that these are among those traits of America which make possible the opportunities that cultural and political operatives and entities capitalize on to destroy our nation from within. To paraphrase an old saying: cutting off the branch that supports you is not only foolish, it is outright suicide.

As author Os Guinness astutely observes: “In short, contrary to the founders—and in ways they do not realize themselves—Americans today are heedlessly pursuing a vision of freedom that is short-lived and suicidal.

Once again, freedom without virtue, leadership without character, business without trust, law without customs, education without meaning, and medicine, science and technology without human considerations can end only in disaster.”

12 Sports

The Rich Mountain Bucks hit the road on the morning of October 8,

Pulse

October 20, 2021

UARM Cross Country Bucks compete in Mississippi

By Olivia Orr (UARM)

THE POLK COUNTY

2021 for a long trip to Mississippi to compete at the Mississippi College Watson Invitational the following day.

The Bucks competed at the Watson Invitational last year; however, this

meet would prove to be unfamiliar since the course has been changed from a 5k race to a 6k. Despite having never competed in this long of a race, the women took the starting line with open minds and earned a 15th place finish.

It was Kailey Pentz (Siloam Springs, AR) who took the lead for the women, crossing the finish line with a time of 24:41.4 and finished 23rd.

Trying to keep the gap at minimum, Eva Miranda-Gudino (Springdale, AR) would finish 54th with a time of 26:09.2, while Emili Jaimes Bravo (Springdale, AR) came in next with a time of 27:35.6, placing 86th.

Rounding off the top 5, Haley Magueyal-Perez (Nashville, AR) and Jaquelin De La Fuente (Fort Smith, AR) finished strong, placing 123rd and 136th. Star Spence (Waldron, AR) would complete the Buck’s finish by crossing the finish line in 138th.

The women are scheduled to compete again on October 16 for the Little Rock Open.

OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PUBLIC NOTICE The Outdoor Recreation Grants Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on October 27, 28, and 29, 2021, in Little Rock and Jacksonville, Arkansas. The committee will meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 27, in the State Parks Conference Room of the Multi Agency Complex, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, Arkansas. This meeting will allow the Outdoor Recreation Grants Program staff to assist the committee with the review of the Fiscal Year 2022 FUN Park and Matching grant applications for city and county park acquisition and development.

The committee will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 28, in meeting rooms A and B of the Jacksonville Community Center, located at 5 Municipal Drive, Jacksonville, Arkansas, for invited Outdoor Recreation Matching Grant

Applicants and on Friday, October 29, at 9 a.m. for invited FUN Park Grant Applicants. Times have been scheduled for each applicant to describe their grant request and answer questions the committee might have to assist with the grant award recommendations.

Due to the on-going Coronavirus pandemic, applicants will be invited one at a time into the Jacksonville Community Center meeting room to address the Outdoor Recreation Grants Advisory Committee. Face masks and social distancing will be required.

For more information, contact Kathy Zakrzewski, Administrative Specialist III, Outdoor Recreation Grants Program, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, 501682-1301.

Sports Schedule October 20-27, 2021 Sports, teams or events not listed here do not have any active games in the upcoming week.

Mena High School Sr. Football October 22: Dardanelle @7:00pm Cross Country October 20: Acorn Meet- Lions Club Disc Golf Course @3:30 pm Sr. Volleyball October 21: Bauxite at Mena @4:00pm October 26: 4A State TournamentSpringdale @12:00pm Acorn High School Cross Country October 23: Lake Hamilton Invitational at Lake Hamilton High School UARM Soccer (men) October 21: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College @4:00pm October 23: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College @2:00pm Soccer (women)

Photo by Ethan Nahté

October 21: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College @2:00

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

October 20, 2021

NSDAR honors area law enforcement officers

by Brenda Cunningham

On Monday October 11, 2021, members from the James K. Polk Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution honored area law enforcement officers during DAR National Day of Service.

Each year on or near October 11 and throughout the month of October, DAR members celebrate the National DAR Day of Service to honor the founding of Daughters of the American Revolution on October 11, 1890.

Members of the James K. Polk DAR Chapter delivered baskets of prepackaged snacks and cases of hand sanitizer to the law enforcement officers of the Polk County Sheriff ’s Department, Mena City Police, and the Montgomery County Sheriff ’s Department. Gift bags filled with prepackaged snacks, hand sanitizer and sunscreen were also delivered to the area Arkansas State Police, U S Forest Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Arkansas Highway Police.

James K. Polk wanted to show their appreciation to the men and women of our community for upholding the law, protecting our community and, and saving lives. Law enforcement officers protect citizens and respond to calls for help while not knowing what challenges they may face. It takes a very special person to put your life on the line every day to protect your community. Thank you!!

Pictured is Ann Garrett, Regent Cortez J. Copher, Brenda Cunningham, Deonna Williams, Shelly Collins and Kathy Hager with representatives from the Mena City Police and Polk County Sheriff’s Office. (photo by: Dennis Cunningham)

News 13

14

THE POLK COUNTY

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October 20, 2021

Deer Season Is Right Around The Corner If you’re in the market for a boat, ATV, camper, or other recreational vehicles – we have loans to help! Call or stop by today to learn more about our financing options for your “grown-up toys”.

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October 20, 2021

CMA Changing of the Colors 2021

By Trey Youngdahl

The Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) has rumbled back to Polk County, in case you missed the reverberation of the engines and the bright yellow vests worn by the riders as they cruise the scenic byways or bring in a lot of business for local stores and restaurants. Motorcyclists touring the Ouachitas is nothing new. It occurs year-round, but when the CMA hits town, there’s a noticeable difference, and in a positive way.

Founded by Herb Shreve in 1975, CMA was founded in Phoenix, Arizona. Only five years later, in 1980, the CMA had chapters across the country in every state.

According to the official website, cmausa.org, “The original brainstorm for such an organization occurred in 1972 when Herb Shreve and his teenage son purchased their first motorcycles. It was not until 1974 when the need for a new organization began to

be realized. Herb attended his first motorcycle rally and saw a massive crowd of motorcyclists who did not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.”

The purpose of CMA, being evangelical in nature, was to reach out to motorcyclists and preach to them.

Now, 50 years later, the thunderous roar of thousands of motorcycles can be heard around the county as the CMA welcomes approximately 3,000 of its members from across the world to the 46th Annual Changing of the Colors Rally held at their international headquarters on Iron Mountain in Hatfield, Arkansas.

Festivities begin Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Iron Mountain and continue through Sunday, Oct. 24. The event is open to the public and registration is complimentary to Polk County residents who are not members of CMA. Activities include nightly revival services for adults that include times of worship, testimony, prayer, and learn-

ing, along with plenty of riding and fellowship.

Each evening, children, ages 4-12, can participate in the Kidz for Christ group, which includes puppets, singing, and fun biblical learning.

Youth, ages 12-18, can join in the Youth Movement and enjoy activities such as musical routines, talent shows, and learning how to walk with Christ.

There will also be vendors, seminars, and nightly fundraisers with proceeds benefiting local charities.

CMA 15 Weather-permitting (only a slight chance of precipitation forecast as we go to press), the motorcycle parade will depart Iron Mountain and make its way up 71-N to Mena.

The main route will proceed to Mena St., where, if like previous years, hundreds of colorful bikes will turn and head to Maple Ave. (see map on p.18). There will be games and plenty of machines to check out or take photos of if you enjoy motorcycles. In addition, speaking with the members is always interesting, discovering that some will fly from a country such as Germany, land in California or New York to visit friends or family, then ride their motorcycles the great distance to Polk County, Arkansas to take in the beauty of the area and hold fellowship with their fellow members.

16 CMA

October 20, 2021

Tour the Ouachitas

Regular attendees of the Changing of the Colors have a pretty good idea of the places to go and sites to see, but for newcomers, the Ouachita Mountains and surrounding area has a lot to offer regarding scenic vistas, road trips that provide some thrilling curves and hills without being too steep, as well as galleries and retailers in Mena’s historic downtown vicinity, businesses to obtain supplies and plenty of restaurants.

Fall Foliage The 1.8 million acres of the Ouachita National Forest and surrounding area comes alive with brilliant vivid color in the fall months, dotting the landscape with vibrant color. A relaxing drive just about anywhere in Mena/Polk County with spectacular sights of rolling hills and deep valleys of color.

A popular way to enjoy the fall col-

ors is to take a leisurely motorcycle ride along the 54-mile Talimena National Scenic Byway that connects Mena, Arkansas and Talihena, Oklahoma.

There are several picturesque vistas on both sides of the border as you ascend; beautiful views during daylight or at nighttime for some wonderful stargazing. Stretch your legs and hike one of the many Ouachita trails throughout the Cossatot River State Park or Queen Wilhelmina State Park (QWSP), located nearly 2,700 feet in elevation. It’s the second-highest peak in Arkansas—and between the Rocky and the Appalachian mountains. The highest point isn’t too far away if riders want to make a day trip to Mount Magazine State Park, sitting 72 feet higher in elevation.

Some of the hiking trails are as short as a half-mile, while others can take you clear back to Little Rock on a 225mile sojourn. The trails are at the visitor centers or atop the mountain.

Not into hiking? Kick back and enjoy the view, have a meal, or enjoy a presentation

by State Park interpreters.

From the park, you’ll be able to either turn back around or enjoy a round trip ride that’ll take you an hour or two to get back to the Mena area, dependent upon the direction you proceed.

Just beyond QWSP park and the old Pioneer Cemetery is the historical state marker that’s only a short walk from the highway, signifying where Arkansas and the Choctaw Nation/Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, once met.

If you ride north out of town, Hwy. 88 will take you on to locations such as the Lum and Abner Museum in Pine Ridge, Arkansas and their Jot ‘Em Down Store by grannies.

If you decide to continuing Hwy. 71, leading you toward Fort Smith, you’ll come to the Acorn community. Turn left on Hwy. 270 and follow it a short jaunt and you’ll see signs that will let you go up to QWSP via a different route, or keep riding on 270 to Oklahoma and the Mountain Gateway. You’ll soon come to the turnoff to the Talime-

THE POLK COUNTY

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na Scenic Drive from the west side of the mountain. and the Winding Stair Recreation Area You can also travel to Oklahoma on Hwy. 8W, but be sure to stop just outside of Rocky to visit Lake Wilhelmina.

Whichever you choose, you will enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery the Ouachitas have to offer, be sure to bring your camera.

The majority of the hardwoods tend to peak, depending on weather, anywhere between the last two weeks of October and the first two weeks of November. The state website www.Arkansas.com, with the help of their color spotters, provides visitors with a weekly fall color update beginning in late September.

This year, the weather forecast appears to have a slight chance of rain, but nothing that should last very long.

The weekend for the CMA parade looks relatively clear and should allow for a beautiful trip any direction you want to go, be it the mountains, the rivers, or cutting through the highways dividing the peaks, pastures, and wooded areas.

Historic Mena KCS Depot Center Located at 524 Sherwood Avenue in the heart of downtown Mena, the KCS Depot is rich with deep history of Mena and Polk County. Built in 1896, the restored station houses historical displays, railroad memorabilia and “A Ouachita Portrait” exhibited collection of drawings from local Monta Black Philpot.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

October 20, 2021

Arts & Antiques Most people probably wouldn’t imagine Mena has art galleries populated by sculptures, paintings, photography and more from local and Southwest artists. Some examples include the Art of the Heartland competition winners at the Mena Art Gallery, or work that can be found at Wild Hare Art Glass Studio, Chameleon Arts of Mena or American Artisans.

Though it may be difficult to carry many or large items on a motorcycle, Mena has a handful of antique shops, carrying all sorts of curios and interesting items.

Janssen Park The 10 acres that make up Janssen Park in central Mena are a relaxing and beautiful locale. Though the park has changed considerably over the decades due to tornadoes and once hosting a variety of animals, everything from deer to black bears, it still has

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charm. A cabin built in 1851 is the focal point, as well as two spring fed ponds, generally home to several ducks. There are also a pair of Howitzer Cannons, a fountain that has stood the test of time more than a century, and a beautiful clock. The park provides a scenic view of the Lookout at Queen Wilhelmina State Park (Photo by Ethan Nahté) mountains and is host to the CMA rally, Lum and De Soto’s defeat hundreds of years ago.

Abner Festival, and other holiTo recoup, the Spanish traveled back day-related events that include a to Hot Springs, and so can you in just a carnival atmosphere and live mu- couple of hours. sic throughout the year.

Fort Smith is also a day trip. For those

Downtown Mena (Photo by Ethan Nahté)

Other Day Trip Destinations East of Mena, are small towns such as Norman or Caddo Gap, with historical Caddo Indian points of interest, including a statue providing a brief history of

unaware, it’s the frontier town made famous by the book and film “True Grit,” Judge Isaac Parker. Across the Arkansas River to the north is historic Van Buren. Across the river to the west is Oklahoma.

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Saturday, October 23, Motorcycles leave the CMA campground on Iron Fork Mountain at 1 p.m.

Turn Right on Hwy 71 N & follow to Mena (approx. seven miles).

Turn Left onto Mena Street (3rd signal light).

Proceed over the RR tracks and through the first signal light at Mena St. & Janssen Ave. Turn Left onto Maple Ave. Bike Parking will be available on Maple Ave. between Mena St. and 7th St. Additional parking on Mena St, across the way from City Hall. If parking area is filled, CMA members will be directed to overflow parking.

Pulse

October 20, 2021

CMA Motorcycle Parade Route

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THE POLK COUNTY

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

October 20, 2021

The Scarecrows are out and about!!!

Walk Historical Downtown Mena to find the Scarecrows!

News 19

20 News

October 20, 2021

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse Vote for your favorite on the Mena Downtown Partners Facebook page!

Photos by Ethan Nahté

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

October 20, 2021

Ho g s p o r e Ne w s : History uncovered at Harley Spear’s farm

By Clet Litter from the Ozarks

The big doings around these parts concern Sheriff Riley Combover. He had been celerbrating too much, so he drank a couple of them energy drinks to clear his head before going home. Instead of giving Riley some alertness, the fuel give him the personality of an Olympic sprinter. He took to running up Main Street as fast as a 300-pound peace officer can go. Apparently, it weren’t quick enough, so he shed his uniform to gain speed. He wasn’t completely naked, cause he wore his holster and gun.

The good part is that there weren’t but three people out that late at night to see it. The bad part was that one of the three folks was Mayor Deighed Ringer. Now Sheriff is on a 30-day in office suspension for what he done. He has to do his duties during that time, since nobody else wants the job.

The mayor put a spin on the report that made Riley out to be a hero: “Law and order is about to change in Hogspore. There’s a nude sheriff in town.”

Third-grader Bonnie Buntslacker conquered the Little Miss Hogspore pageant on Saturday. She tap-danced whilst gargling the song Tomorrow. Her choice to gargle cranberry juice in a white dress won over the judges.

Mean Ol Harley Spears had some excitement out to his place.

He said, “Many years ago, I built a new cabin next to where my Pappy’s house was. It’d burned down a few months after Pappy passed. A month or so ago, I decided to turn over that parcel and lay in a fishpond to cool off in the summers.

I got to digging in the ground and hit the top of a bone, probably 30 feet long. I stopped sifting

dirt, so I could ponder on that for a while. What if it might be a dinosaur that would be worth a lotta money?

I come into town to ask the librarian about what to do. She contacted a professor of paleontologist from Mena, Arkansas. He showed up last week to see what the bone was about.”

I thought about saying something I heard in the movies: Cut to the chase, but I didn’t. It mighta riled Harley, and he coulda cut me.

He carried on, “Professor Oscar Diggumup looked at the site.

That’s what he called the hole I dug. He stated that it was a site, but I didn’t think it looked that bad.

He crawled into the site, and then climbed out and said, ‘Mr. Spears, what you have here appears to be the fossilized remains of a Stinkasaurus Reex. There’s still a faint odor from the ongoing decay process. I want to start excavating.

‘What’s it gonna bring me?’

‘I’m not an appraiser, but I can say that you’re never gonna worry about money again.’

I says, ‘I don’t fret much about it, but that sounds dandy.’

Here’s the thing Clet, Diggumup come back disappointed and concerned. The fossil was not a dinosaur. It was the septic tank from my Pappy’s old homestead.

I was okay with that. I dug up the concrete tank and fashioned a barbeque pit from it. We probably have to burn it a couple of more times before that faint stink goes away. I told you that the Professor was worried. His college president started looking into his learning history and how he come to be a paleontologist. He might have a bone to pick with the Professor.”

Contact Clet Litter at bobsimpson1947@yahoo.com. You know you wanna.

News 21

22 Police Reports

October 20, 2021

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

October 11, 2021 Sofia Velazquez, 23 of Van Buren was arrested on a charge of DWI. Matthew Hackworth, 36 of Mena was arrested on a Parole Revocation and a Felony Warrant for Probation Violation.

A traffic stop on Hwy 8 West led to Teresa Davis being issued a citation for Public Intoxication.

Tatum Veal, 31 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Cheyenne Smith, 27 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Probation Violation.

Deputies responded to a report of Theft of Medication at a residence on Polk 41 S near Mena.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 93 near Mena in reference to a Trespasser. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

October 12, 2021 Deputies responded to a walk-in complaint of Financial Identity Fraud.

Jimmy Lindsey, 37 of Eureka Springs was arrested on a Body Attachment.

October 13, 2021 Deputies were dispatched to an address on Polk 60 near Mena in reference to a piece of equipment being vandalized.

Deputies responded to a report of Terroristic Threatening.

Deputies were dispatched to an address on Strawberry Lane near Potter of a dog being shot.

Deputies were dispatched to an address on Hwy 71 S near Hatfield in reference to fraud.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complaint of a Scam.

October 14, 2021 Anthony Tolleson, 31 of Norman was arrested on a Warrant for DWI. Royce Green, 46 of Mena was arrested by an officer with Probation/Parole on a Warrant for Disorderly Conduct.

Cord Olson, 35 of Hatfield was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Criminal Possession of Explosives as well as a charge of Criminal Use of a Prohibited Weapon.

Deputies responded to a report of Theft of Property at a residence on Hwy 71 S near Cove.

Deputies responded to a Dispute between neighbors on Polk 20 W near Cove.

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

October 15, 2021 Deputies responded to a report of a Missing Person.

Deputies responded to an Altercation between landowners and renters.

October 16, 2021 Deputies responded to a complaint of a missing ATV. Charles Duff, 34 of Mena was arrested on four Misdemeanor Warrants for Theft of Property.

October 17, 2021 Randy Whitehead, 39 of Mena was arrested on a Misdemeanor Warrant for Theft, Obstructing Governmental Operations and Criminal Trespass.

Deputies were dispatched to an address on Polk 56 near Nunley in reference to a Disturbance. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Polk County Sheriff ’s Office worked 1 vehicle accident this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 21 Incarcerated Inmates, with 9 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS October 10 A report of theft was taken from a walk-in complainant.

A report of criminal trespass was taken at a residence on 2nd Street.

Eric Revels, 37, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

October 11 Justin Keaster, 38, was served with four warrants at the county jail.

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

October 12 Cheryl Smith, 32, was served with a warrant after contact on Eagle Gap. Shannon King, 27, was served with two warrants at the police department.

Janet Shreve, 57, was charged with Theft of Property (Shoplifting) after a call to Walmart.

October 13 A report of a disturbance was taken at a residence on Warner Avenue.

October 14 A report of breaking or entering was taken from a walk-in complainant.

October 15 Brandon Rose, 23, was charged with Public Intoxication after a suspicious person complaint on West Boundary Road.

Charles Solo, 49, was charged with Theft of Services after a complaint on 9th Street.

A report of breaking or entering was taken at a residence on Cherry Street.

October 16 Matthew Miller, 39, was served with three warrants at the police department.

Gary Smith, 44, was served with a warrant after a report of a suspicious person at the intersection of 11th Street and Port Arthur Avenue.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse ARRAIGNMENTS Karson Crawford, white female, 29, was accused of one count of probation violation, II counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, meth, possession of schedule controlled substance, meth, possession of schedule VI controlled substance, driving while intoxicated, possession of schedule I, II not meth. Bond set at $5000.00 Shawn Keith Fender, white male, 51,Count 1: possession of a schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Arkansas code 5-64-419(b)(1)(a) in that on or about August 1, 2021 the said defendant did unlawfully possess methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance, in an amount less than two grams, said possession constituting a class “D” felony.

Count II: driving on suspended license, in violation of Arkansas code ann. 27-16303, in that or on about August 13, 2021, the said defendant did operate a motor vehicle while his drivers license was suspended, consisting a class “U” misdemeanor. Count III: no liability insurance, in violation of Arkansas code ann. 27-22103, in that on or about August 13, 2021, the said defendant did operate a motor vehicle and failed to provide a certificate of self-insurance under 27-19-107, or an insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in this state, constituting a class “U” misdemeanor. Count IV: no vehicle license plate, in violation of Arkansas code ann. 27-14304, in that on or about August 13, 2021, the said defendant did operate a motor vehicle without a valid license plate issued for the current registration year, constituting a class “U” misdemeanor.

Lukas Mathew Holliday, white male, 31, Count I: commercial burglary, in violation of Arkansas code ann. 5-39-201(b), in that on or about August 27, 2021, the said defendant, did unlawfully enter a commercial occupiable structure of another person with the purpose of committing in the residential commercial structure any offence punishable by imprisonment, constituting a class “C” felony. Count II: theft of property, in violation of Arkansas code ann. 5-36-103(b)(3)(A), in that on or about August 27,2021, the said defendant, acting alone or as an accomplice, did unlawfully and knowingly take or exer-

See ARRAIGNMENTS continued on page 23

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse ARRAIGNMENTS continued from page 22

cise unauthorized control over property, valued at less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) but more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), with the purpose of depriving the owner thereof, a class “D” felony.

Rebecca Ann McEntire, white female, 42, Count I: possession of controlled substance, in violation of Arkansas code ann.

5-64-419(b)(5)(A), in that on or about August 28, 2021, the above named defendant did unlawfully possess a schedule VI controlled substance, marijuana with an aggregate weight including an adulterant or diluent, of less than four ounces constituting a class “A” misdemeanor. Count II: possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of Arkansas code ann. 5-64-443(a) on or about August 28, 2021, did possess with the purpose to use drug paraphernalia to ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce a schedule VI controlled substance into the human body, constituting a class”A” misdemeanor. Count III: possession of a schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Arkansas code ann. 5-64419(b)(1)(a), in that on or about August 28, 2021, the said defendant, unlawfully possessed methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance, in an amount of less than two grams a class D” felony.

Noel Aaron Myers, white male, 36, was accused of one count of failure to appear, in violation of Arkansas ann. 5-54-120 a class “C” felony, in that on or about August 9,2021, the said defendant did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR 2021-186 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified time, place, and court.

Timothy S. Woods, white male, 45, was accused of one count of failure to appear, in violation of Arkansas ann. 5-54-120, a class “C” felony, in that on or about August 9,2021, the said defendant did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR 2021-176 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified time, place, and court.

Andrea D. Main, white female, 42 was accused of one count of possession of methamphetamine with the purpose to deliver, in violation of Ark. code ann.

5-64-420(b)93), in that on or about March 2, 2020, the said defendant, unlawfully possessed methamphetamine with the purpose to deliver in an aggregate weight

October 20, 2021 of ten grams or more but less that two hundred grams, constituting a class “A” felony.

Michael Lee Thompson, white male, 40, Count I: possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-64443(b) in that on or about July 31, 2021, the above-named defendant did use or possess with the purpose to use drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, or repack a controlled substance that is methamphetamine or cocaine, conduct constituting a class “B” felony. Count II: carrying a weapon, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-73-120, in that on or about July 31, 2021, the defendant did possess a knife on his person, readily available for use with a purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ the knife on his person, constituting a class “A” misdemeanor.

Count III: possession of a controlled substance, in violation of Ark. code ann.564-419(b)(5)(A), in that on or about July 31,2021, the above named defendant did unlawfully possess a schedule VI controlled substance, namely marijuana with an aggregate weight including an adulterant or diluent, of less than four ounces constituting a class “A” misdemeanor.

Count IV: criminal use of prohibited weapons, in that on or about July 31, 2021, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-73-104(a) (5), the said defendant did without authorization use, possess, make, repair, sell, or otherwise deal in brass knuckles, constituting a class “A” misdemeanor.

Zackery Summit, white male, 29, was accused of one count failure to appear, in violation of Ark. ann 5-54-120, a class”C” felony, in that on or about August 11, 2021, the said defendant, did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR 2021-171 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified time, place, and court.

Steven Chandler, white male, 40, possession of methamphetamine with the purpose to deliver, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-64-420(b)(2) a class “B” felony, in that on or about September 18, 2021 the said defendant, unlawfully possessed methamphetamine with the purpose to deliver in an aggregate weight of two grams or more but less than ten grams. Count II: possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of Ark. code ann.

5-64-443(b) in that on or about September 18, 2021, the above-named defendant

did use or possess with the purpose to use drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, or repack a controlled substance that is methamphetamine or cocaine, conduct constituting a class “B” felony. Count III: simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-74-106, in that on or about September 18, 2021the above-named defendant unlawfully committed a felony violation of Ark. code ann.

5-64-401, while in possession of a firearm, a class “Y” felony.

Dawnylle Doryne Boutwell, white female, 52, was accused of possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-64-443(a)(2) in that on or about July 9, 2021, did possess with the purpose to use the drug paraphernalia to inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce methamphetamine into the human body, constituting a class “D” felony.

Matthew D. Miller, white male, 39, Count I: terroristic threatening in first degree, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-133019(a)(1)(A), a class “D” felony, in that on or about September 22, 2021, the said defendant did unlawfully and feloniously, with the purpose of terrorizing another person, threaten to cause death or serious physical injury or substantial property damage to another person. Count II: disorderly conduct, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-71-2079(2), on or about September 22, 2021, said defendant did with the purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm or recklessly creating a risk of public inconvenience of public inconvenience annoyance, or alarm, did make unreasonable or excessive noise, constituting a class “C” misdemeanor.

Count III: theft of property, in violation of ark. Code ann. 5-36-103, a class “A” misdemeanor, in that on or about September 22, 2021, the said defendant, acting alone or as an accomplice, did unlawfully and knowingly take or exercise unauthorized control over property, valued at one thousand dollars or less, with the purpose of depriving the owner thereof.

Daniel S. Green, white male, 44, Count I: failure to appear, in violation of Arkansas ann. 5-54-120, a class “C” felony, in that on or about June 8,2021, the said defendant did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR 2021-176 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified

Arraignments 23 time, place, and court. Count II: failure to appear, in violation of Arkansas ann. 5-54120(b)(2), a class “D” felony, in that on or about June 8,2021, the said defendant did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR 2021-176 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified time, place, and court.

Cara Diann Holliday, white female, 34, was accused of failure to appear, in violation of Arkansas ann. 5-54-120, a class “C” felony, in that on or about September 13,2021, the said defendant did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR 2021-94 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified time, place, and court.

Wade Roger Stewart, white male, 47, Count I: possession of a controlled substance, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-64419(b)(5)(A), in that on or about August 15,2021, the above named defendant did unlawfully possess a schedule VI controlled substance, namely marijuana with an aggregate weight including an adulterant or diluent, of less than four ounces constituting a class “A” misdemeanor.

Count II: possession of a schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Arkansas code 5-64-419(b)(1)(a) in that on or about August 15, 2021 the said defendant did unlawfully possess methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance, in an amount less than two grams, said possession constituting a class “D” felony. Count III: possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of Arkansas code ann. 5-64443(a) on or about August 15, 2021, did possess with the purpose to use drug paraphernalia to ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce a schedule VI controlled substance into the human body, constituting a class”A” misdemeanor.

Jamie Marie Crider, white female, 32, was accused of one count possession of a schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Arkansas code 5-64-419(b)(1)(a) in that on or about July 16, 2021 the said defendant did unlawfully possess methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance, in an amount less than two grams, said possession constituting a class “D” felony.

Jamie Marie Crider, white female, 32, Count I: failure to appear, in violation of

See ARRAIGNMENTS continued on page 24

24 Community

October 20, 2021

Around Town Mt. Meadow #218 Masonic Lodge will be hosting the Changing of the Colors Breakfast at 107 E. Johnson St., Hatfield, Saturday, Oct. 23, 7-11 a.m.

With an $8 donation, donors receive a Door Prize ticket. All donations go to the Rex Burns Scholarship Fund.

The Cossatot Senior Center will continue Drive-Thru and Home Deliveries as normal. Congregate Dining will remain suspended thru October 31st.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 8pm Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur. Discussion/ Book Study for information call 479-2430297.

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 7pm Monday, at 7pm Thursday, at 7pm Friday, and at 6pm Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at 479-216-7249.

GriefShare continues to meet every Thursday from 10am - noon at First Presbyterian Church Mena for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

Board Camp Baptist Church will distribute free food, Thursday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. – noon. Board Camp Baptist Church is located at 107 Polk 63, approximately 9 miles east of Mena at the corner of Higway

Reynolds Gardner Community Menʼs Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8:00 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation).

All men from the community are invited to attend.

8 East and Polk 63.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 3pm Sundays, at 5pm. Tuesdays and at 8pm Saturdays at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call 479234-8366 or 479-216-3786.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn.

Potluck at 6pm, meeting follows.

Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6pm, doors open at 4pm.

Mena Art Gallery will hold its first Monthly Meet & Greet, 607 Mena St., Thursday, Oct. 21, 2pm-4pm. Free event.

Meet new people, enjoy snacks, and just hang out.

Itʼs 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!

ARRAIGNMENTS continued from page 23

Arkansas ann. 5-54-120, a class “C” felony, in that on or about July 28, 2021, the said defendant did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR 20-134 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified time, place, and court. Count II: failure to appear, in violation of Arkansas ann.

5-54-120, a class “C” felony, in that on or about July 28,2021, the said defendant did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR 21-16 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified time, place, and court.

Count III: failure to appear, in violation of Arkansas ann. 5-54-120, a class “C” felony, in that on or about July 28, 2021, the said defendant did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR-21-104 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified time, place, and court. Count IV: failure to appear, in violation of Arkansas ann. 5-54120, a class “C” felony, in that on or about July 28,2021, the said defendant did unlawfully fail to appear to answer a felony charge in CR 21-108 without reasonable excuse, subsequent to having been lawfully set at liberty upon condition that he appear at a specified time, place, and court.

Larry Dominick Joseph, black male, 44, Count I: possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of Arkansas code ann.

5-64-443(a)(2) on or about September 17, 2021, did possess with the purpose to use drug paraphernalia to ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce methamphetamine into the human body, constituting a class”D” felony. Count II: possession of a schedule III controlled substance, in violation of Arkansas code 5-64-419(b)(3)(A) (i) in that on or about September 17, 2021 the said defendant did unlawfully possess , a schedule III controlled substance, suboxone with an aggregate weight including an adulterant or diluent in an amount less than two grams, said possession constituting a class “A” misdemeanor.

Tommy Ray Sevier Jr., white male, 42, Count I: criminal mischief in the 1st degree, in violation of Ark. code ann.

5-38-203, in that on or about September 28, 2021 the above named defendant did purposely and without legal justification destroyed or caused damage to a prop-

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse erty of anther person with damage being $1000 or more but less than $5000, constituting a class “A” misdemeanor. Count II: Domestic battery in the third degree, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-26-305 (a)(4)(b)(2)(B)(iii), a class “D” felony, in that or about September 28,2021, the said defendant, with the purpose of causing physical injury to a family or household member, namely Tyra Cornelius, did cause physical injury to Tyra Cornelius.

Count III: battery in the third degree, in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-13-203, the above named defendant, did on or about September 28,2021, with the purpose of causing physical injury to another person, did cause physical injury to Paul Arceneaux, constituting a class “A” misdemeanor.

Count IV: residential burglary in violation of Ark. code ann. 5-39-201(a) commercial burglary, in violation of Arkansas code ann. 5-39-201(a), in that on or about September 28, 2021, the said defendant, did unlawfully enter a commercial occupiable structure of another person with the purpose of committing in the residential commercial structure any offence punishable by imprisonment, constituting a class “B” felony. Count V: operation of motor vehicle during period of license suspension, in violation of Ark. code ann.

5-65-105, in that on or about September 28,2021, defendant did operate a motor vehicle during a period in which his driving privileges was suspended or revoked, constituting an unclassified misdemeanor, carrying the possibility of not less than ten days or more than ninety days, and a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.

Amy Dawn Pajuodis, white female, 45, was accused of possession of drug paraphernalia, in violation of Ark. code ann.

5-64-443(a)(2) in that on or about September 17, 2021, did possess with the purpose to use the drug paraphernalia to inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce methamphetamine into the human body, constituting a class “D” felony.

Bobby Burton Huber, white male, 29 was accused of failure to comply with sex and child offender registration and reporting requirements, in violation of Ark. code ann. 12-12-904, beginning on or about September 29, 2021 the said defendant did unlawfully and feloniously fail to report a change of address or otherwise failed to register or verify registration as required by the sex offender registration act of 1997, constituting a class “C” felony.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

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Email letter of introduction with Resume attached, listing full work history and references, to pcdc400@sbcglobal.net.

NO Phone calls or walk-ins accepted.

References will be checked. We will conduct full background checks, including State/FBI, as well as drug testing. Applications will be accepted through 10-29-2021 T1027

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October 20, 2021

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LEGAL BID NOTICE The Polk County Road Department is soliciting sealed bids for pre-cast concrete bridge decks and rail system to construct a 62’ x 24’ concrete bridge. For complete specification and inquiries, prospective bidders should contact Polk County Judge, Brandon Ellison at 479-394-8132. Bids are due and will be opened on November 2nd, 2021, at 2 PM in the basement of the Polk County Courthouse located at 507 Church Ave. Mena, Arkansas 71953.

All submitted bids must be in a clearly marked sealed envelope with the phrase “pre-cast bridge decks” before bid opening time and date.

T1020

YARD SALES Garage Sale - October 22 & 23, 506 Proft Circle, Mena , 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., T1020

Polk County Births Mena Regional Health System SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 TO OCTOBER 8, 2021 Kelbie&Marcus Herod of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Sept. 26th Jessica & Robert L. Smith of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born Sept. 27th Abi & Caleb Tillet of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born Sept. 28th Carolyn & Kasper McLeod of Cove, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born Sept. 30th Brittany & Zakary Smith of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Oct. 5th

26 Puzzles

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October 20, 2021

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ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 10.13.21

Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

Hello! My name is Gunner. I am such a good dog. I am just under 2 years old and weigh in at about 40 pounds. I am good with other females dogs but seem to not enjoy males dogs as much. I am all black except for a small dot of white on my front paws. I have the most amazing velvet soft fur. I enjoy hugs and am super loyal. I love following around my people. I will need to be kept on a monthly heartworm preventative to ensure my best health.

I enjoy treats but am more love motivated. Come by HSO and meet me today!

All selected Pet of the Week animals come with a gift package.

All animals at the Humane Society of the Ouachitas are current on their vaccinations and spayed/neutered prior to adoption.

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

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News 27

Downtown Partners’ Halloween Treat Trail and More Submitted by Judy Thompson Mena Downtown Partners is sponsoring its second Janssen Park Halloween Treat Trail on Saturday, October 30, 3:00 – 5:30. This is a fun drive-through event where costumed youngsters in vehicles will be given a Ziploc bag of wrapped candy.

Also giving out treats at the park this year will be the Mena Fire Department and Healthy Connections. Linda Ostman, MDP president, advises that the Treat Trail was begun last year as a way for youngsters to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic, but still get candy for Halloween. As it was so successful and Covid is still a reality, the drive-through activity is being done once again. This is not a walk-up event.

Candy and treats will be given out only to those in vehicles.

To enter the park, vehicles will go down Port Arthur, turn onto Seventh Street and then enter the park. The Janssen Street entrance to Seventh Street will be blocked. There will be volunteers on-hand to direct traffic into and out of the park. When leaving the park, vehicles will be directed to exit by way of Maple Street.

Judy Thompson, MDP downtown business liaison, advises that those distributing the candy bags will all wear masks. Several volunteers will also be in costume. Everyone is invited to

come to the park for a fun, safe drivethrough activity.

The Virtual Halloween Costume Contest also sponsored by Downtown Partners has begun. Photos of the child in costume should be sent by text to (903) 539-9567 along with the child’s name & age and parent/guardian’s name and phone number. The photos will then be on Discover Downtown Facebook page. Costume photos with the highest number of votes (likes loves, etc.) will be winners in each age category.

Age categories are: • 18 months & under; • 19 months – 5 years; • 6 years – 10 years; • 11 – teen.

Cash prizes will be given. The winner in each age category will receive $25.

Best overall costume will receive $50.

Voting will continue until midnight on October 31 with winners announced on November 2. This is another effort to keep our youth safe while having fun.

Lastly, stroll downtown and look at the scarecrows on Mena, DeQueen, Sherwood and Janssen. There will be lots of photo opportunities. The scarecrows will have their pictures on Discover Downtown and People’s Choice winner will be determined by number of likes.

Fighting Drug Abuse Through Arkansas Take Back

By Sen. John Boozman According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 20 million Americans misused prescription pain relievers, stimulants, tranquilizers or sedatives that year. A majority of these misused prescription drugs came from family and friends’ home medicine cabinets.

Clearly our nation continues to battle an epidemic of substance abuse – particularly the misuse of prescription medications. The results have been tragic.

In Arkansas, we are intimately familiar with the consequences.

In 2020, over 500 Arkansans died from drug overdoses, an increase of 195 from the

previous year. Drug overdoses have been the second leading cause of accidental deaths in Arkansas since 2010, and many of those overdoses can be attributed to opioid misuse. Last year, for the first time in our state’s history, fentanyl surpassed methamphetamine to become the deadliest drug.

Thankfully, there are multiple efforts underway to combat this crisis, bring overdose deaths down, and treat and prevent substance abuse.

One such initiative is a partnership between the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and state and local law enforcement agencies called National Drug

See ABUSE continued on page 28

Mena experiencing water loss

By Trey Youngdahl For years now, Mena has been experiencing water loss at an unusually higher rate than normal. On average, U.S. water utilities experience an estimated water loss of 16% (waterandhealth.org).

According to the new Mena Water Utilities general manager, James Looney, Mena is experiencing water loss at an average of 30% per month.

Looney mentioned the loss could be attributed to the number of transmission lines in the area.

“Mena Water Utilities used to just be Mena. Now we’ve expanded to Boardcamp and further surrounding areas,” Looney stated. “It’s been an ongoing thing. It’s been going on for years. Due to the expansion, there’s just more room for error.”

Another contributing factor to the water loss could be malfunctioning water meters.

“Sometimes, it’s just the meters,” He said. “We’ll change out a meter and find out it wasn’t working right.”

Thus far, Mena Water Utilities has yet to solidify any explanations of why we’re experiencing water loss at a higher rate than normal.

“There’s no rhyme or reason to the water loss.”

Despite the loss Mena has been experiencing, it appears there is a decline in the amount of water lost. The water loss for September 2021 was 22%.

WHEN NEWS MATTERS, WE’RE HERE TO KEEP YOU INFORMED. MyP U L S E NEWS.COM

28 Outdoors

October 20, 2021

OUACHITA BUSHCRAFT AND SURVIVAL

Are you prepared for those hikes?

By Steven E Stillwell

IT’S TIME TO INSPECT YOUR BACKPACK. Fall is an exciting time of year, because the leaves are changing colors, the temperatures are cooling off, and a lot of avid sportsmen, especially hunters, are spending more time in the outdoors. Some folks even schedule their vacations to coincide with the opening days of the various deer seasons: archery, muzzle loading, and modern gun.

Be forewarned, that this time of year can also pose certain dangers, because the weather is subject to sudden and unexpected changes. If you’re trekking into deep, remote territory, it’s wise to carry a daypack with all of the essential gear you’ll need to survive. Emergencies are never planned, so make the preparations beforehand just in case you’re stranded for a day or two; think, fire, shelter and water.

STAYING DRY, WARM, AND HYDRATED WILL SUSTAIN YOUR LIFE. Covering the basics isn’t as hard as people think. My rucksack weighs approximately 15 pounds, including a few luxury items such as game calls, navigational equipment, a couple of energy bars, extra gloves, knitted watch-cap, bandana, space blanket, pack-saw, knife, sharpening stone, water bottle, rope, twine, flashlight, rangefinder, and my Nikon camera.

THE FOLLOWING THINGS ARE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL ITEMS. With a lightweight tarp, I can build a shelter. I can purify water by placing my military surplus metal canteen cup over the campfire. Three fire-starting methods are recommended, and these are, but not limited to: a Ferrocerium Rod, windproof torch lighter, and some strike-anywhere matches stowed in a plastic waterproof container. If you carry these things, your primary bases will be covered.

THE POLK COUNTY

BUSHCRAFTING AT ITS BEST ENTAILS CRITICAL THINKING. The wisest survivalists I know are problem solvers. If you harvest a deer, hog or larger animal in the backcountry, and you’re carrying a folding-saw and some twine, you can construct an improvised pack-frame to haul your quartered sections out of the woods.

With a few simple tools, you can make lots of things with all of the raw materials that you’ll find in the woods. If you’re creative, the sky is the limit.

LOOK AT ME! I NEED SOME HELP! When you’re hiking, or exploring in the forest between hunting seasons, it’s always a good idea to have a blaze orange article of clothing in your daypack so you can signal someone if you’re in an emergency situation. It’s also a good idea to carry a whistle so a search and rescue party can hone in on your position. If you really want to standout, rig up a pole, and make your own signaling flag. Even if you’re stranded in thick cover, radical movements coupled with high-pitched noises, will catch some-

one’s attention if they’re in the general vicinity.

PAY ATTENTION AND WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING. I recently had a conversation with a young lady. She showed me a picture of a six-foot long, timber rattler her husband encountered while hiking down one of our National Forest trails. The unsuspecting guy almost stepped directly on it. The startled pit viper struck him on his pants’ leg, with one of the fangs barely nicking him. Fortunately it wasn’t a direct bite, but this CLOSE ENCOUNTER almost ruined his day.

Be mindful that snakes are still moving around and searching for their final meals before going into hibernation, not to mention being on the defensive when a human foot almost tramples them.

If you enjoy podcasts, we invite you to listen to our program, THE OUACHITA BUSHCRAFT AND SURVIVAL SHOW. You can also join us on Facebook. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

ABUSE

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Take Back Day. Twice per year, a concerted campaign is organized and promoted by DEA along with state and local partners to encourage Americans to properly dispose of prescription drugs and curb their abuse.

The Natural State has fully embraced this approach to ridding homes of expired and unused prescription medications. Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane has mobilized support for Arkansas Take Back, which each spring and fall facilitates numerous collection sites in communities across the state.

Here Arkansans can bring their surplus medicines and have confidence they will be safely discarded instead of winding up in the wrong hands. To date, Arkansas has collected 442,162 pounds (221 tons) of prescription drugs through Take Back events.

In recent years, we had actually been reducing overdose deaths through a combination of prevention and addiction treatment services, as well as widespread deployment of Naloxone, sometimes referred to as Narcan, which is used to reverse the effects of an opioid-induced overdose.

The second Drug Take Back Day in 2021 is quickly approaching and presents an opportunity to once again clean out our homes and medicine cabinets. On Saturday, October 23, over 250 locations will be collecting expired and unneeded medications. If you need to find the closest collection site to your home, just visit artakeback.org.

I’ve been proud to back federal efforts to help combat the opioid epidemic, including increasing resources for law enforcement, allocating money to grant programs that help state and local governments offset the costs of opioid abuse and providing funds for research into opioid addiction and alternative treatments.

We all have a part to play in getting these medications off the streets and out of the hands of our family, friends and neighbors who might misuse them accidentally or intentionally. I will continue to support policies and programs that offer solutions to help get this crisis under control, save lives, and restore families and communities that have suffered so deeply from the effects of these drugs.

There’s no doubt our state and the country suffered a setback in drug abuse because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that does not mean we can’t get back on the right track. The first step will be to join together and commit to safely, securely disposing of potentially dangerous medications at the upcoming Arkansas Take Back events. I encourage all Arkansans to take that step.

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Toys for Tots partners with Ouachita Mountain Trail and ATV Club SUBMITTED The Polk County/Mena Toys for Tots is preparing for its 2021 campaign.

Toys for Tots is pleased to announce its partnership with the Ouachita Mountains Trail and ATV Club. The OMTAC is continuing its commitment of service to the community by hosting a donation drive supporting Toys for Tots. Toy and monetary donations may be made at: Wolfpen ATV Camp-

ground, Big Fork Mall, DLR Off-road, Washburn’s Home Furnishings, Heath Valley Campground, Skyline Cafe and Trailhead ATV Rentals. Ed Anderson, the Toys for Tots coordinator for Polk County would like to thank the OMTAC and their sponsors for their support. Additional drop off locations will be added during the first week of November. Please visit mena-ar.toysfortots.org for 2021 campaign information.

PUT A FREEZE ON HEATING AND COOLING COSTS

Smart Energy Tip:

Changing air filters monthly can reduce energy and save money.

Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative, Inc. Owned By Those We Serve 515 Janssen Ave, Mena, AR 71953

(479) 394-4140 W W W. R M E C . C O M

News 29

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Acorn Harvest Festival 2021-2022

Landon McAdams & Addisyn Kaelin

Matthew Lyle & Kohlea Carmack

Seventh Grade

Ninth Grade

Nick McCourtney & Jordyn Prewett

Braxton Kyle & Cierra Burdess

10th Grade

12th Grade

Harvest Festival 1st Place Winners High School

Jonah Rogan Rachael Weddle

Jonah Rogan & Rachael Weddle

Isaac Nance & Emma Arnold

11th Grade

Eighth Grade

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October 20, 2021

Chisum Myers & Finley Daniels First Grade

Ethan Boyd & Emma Duvall

Cy Young & Gracie Smith

Jax Ryles & Summer Wagner

Third Grade

Fifth Grade

Second Grade

Harvest Festival 1st Place Winners - Elementary School

Chisum Myers Finley Daniels

Jaysone Wheeler & Maddie Powell

Escort Mason Smalley &

Escort Axton Priddy &

Bailey Morro & Kaison Rosson

Kindergarten

Pre-K Flower Girl Lyla Gardner

Pre-K Flower Girl Ava Ewing

Fourth Grade

Max Schnell & Adalyn Bohlman Sixth Grade

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