Polk County Pulse - September 23, 2020

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600

September 23, 2020

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

Smith takes charge as GM

INSIDE:

the challenges ahead in the position and already has goals set.

Ashley Smith was “I’m eager to conwelcomed to the Pulse tinue the tradition of Multi-Media team providing reliable and Wednesday, Sept. 16 as trustworthy news and the general manager. entertainment sourcJay Bunyard, owner es, while continuing Ouachita Broadcasting, to foster local rela(Pulse Multi-Media) tionships and build a said he feels confident great team. in Smith’s abilities.

“One goal on my “Ashley is known for priority list is to find her innovative ideas, Ashley Smith a local, live morning leadership and successful outcomes in her endeavors,” Bun- DJ, and it is also important to hire acyard said. “These qualities and her count representatives that help clients go-getter attitude make her a great fit increase their exposure,” Smith continued, noting the position will afford her for this position.”

See SMITH page 2 Smith said she is looking forward to

By Jeri Borst

BIGFOOT

Suicide Awareness

Pages 19-20

Residents asked to keep things flowing Sewage issues compound during pandemic Submitted by Mena Water Utilities The COVID-19 pandemic has affected utilities in ways previously never seen and there will be repercussions for more years to come.

Utilities have struggled for years with non-degradable items in sewer systems-such as feminine products and “flushable wipes.”

For years, wastewater trade associations worldwide have lobbied to have “flushable” removed from wipes packaging.

While such items will indeed flush,

See FLUSHABLE page 2

Pulse promotes blessings from the heart Page 8

Homecoming Courts Announced

Page 6

By Jeri Borst Loneliness and boredom were both symptoms felt by society as a result of the stay at home orders, followed by social distancing directives, which were issued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While many have returned to work, started school or otherwise found a new way to live underneath the social distancing orders, those in assisted living continue to fight isolation.

One community member felt it is imperative that community members share blessings from the heart during this time.

“It’s just a sad time; they are stuck there, with limited interaction with family and loved ones. It just really made my heart ache,” Irene Bellete said. “I thought geeze, why not do something that shows them we care, they are on our minds and in our hearts.”

Her idea was to ask community members to donate large print coloring and activity books, along with Crayola crayons. Donated items can be brought to Pulse Multi-Media, 11638 HWY 71 S., during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donations will be collected until Friday, Oct. 7, and Bellete will then distribute the items to area assisted living facilities.

Smith continued from page 1

the ability to exercise her strengths.

“I’m a very creative person with a lot of ideas,” she said. “I’ve always found media and advertising to be a fun outlet, and I like the fact that I’m presented with new challenges each day. The satisfaction I receive from helping a client achieve their vision and problem solving are very rewarding.”

Smith spent two years as director of the Mena/Polk County chamber of Commerce. She left the chamber in August of 2019 and took a position with advertising firm CJRW. Her duties at CJRW covered the southwest corner of the state, from El Dorado to Alma and Fort Smith, Hot Springs and Texarkana, where she assisted businesses with statewide advertising needs.

Smith said she felt her greatest accomplishments at the chamber were increasing membership and the contract with Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission. Smith said her time at the chamber can be summed up by overcoming hurdles and instituting positive change by initiating new ways of doing things.

Smith, who was born in Missouri, moved to Mena when she was 13. She attended college at the University of Arkansas and moved back to Mena in 2007.

She and her husband, Warren, have three children, Eli, Cash and Stella, whom attend Mena Public Schools.

Pulse

Flushable continued from page 1 they will not breakdown in sewer systems like toilet paper since they are made with plastic resins and tend to clump together as they work their way through the sewer system.

In the September 2020 issue of Pumps & Systems magazine was another article with examples of the effects of non-degradable items in sewer systems.

In this time of extensive cleaning, the article high-lighted instances of complete pump station shut-downs or multi-ton clogs created by flushed cleaning wipes,· paper towels, masks, and gloves.

Mena Water Utilities has not experienced clogs to the magnitude some utilities have; however, customers should still be vigilant. As the saying goes-sewer runs down hill.

Just because a person can flush something beside the three P’s - pee, poo, and (toilet) paper - from their own home or business does not mean it will not cause a problem for their neighbor.

As non-degradable items flow through sewer lines and mains, they catch on roots, bad patch jobs, and

“

other such line defects.

Non-flushable items can also stick together with fats, oils, and grease to create “fatburgs” which clog sewer mains and pump stations.

A clogged sewer main or pump station will cause sewer water to start backing up in sewer lines. Too much wastewater sitting in a line, constantly being added too, has to go somewhere and unfortunately, that somewhere can be in a home or business.

Sewer overflows in a yard or street is bad but inside someone’s home or business is a horrible mess. While the focus of this article is public sewer systems, the same issues can happen for homes and business with septic tanks.

In conclusion, help keep sewage where it belongs-in the sewer system and put trash where it belongs-in the trash can.

[It]

runs downhill... let’s keep

sewage where it “

2 News

THE POLK COUNTY

September 23, 2020

belongs.

-Charles Pittman, General Manager for Mena Water Utility

A CENTURY OF SERVICE TO VETERANS DAV CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF SERVICE TO VETERANS What: DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Arkansas Chapter 46 will host a brown bag drive-through picnic, to celebrate our Centennial anniversary and to continue our mission of serving veterans and their families.

Who: The event is open to the media, veterans, military members, and their families. about the DAV and our Centennial anniversary.

When: September 25th, 11 AM - 2 PM. Where: Janssen Park, Mena Why: A century after its start, DAV continues to be the preeminent voice in the ongoing fight for medical care, Whe employment and earned benefits for America's 4 million disabled veterans, who need our help today just as they did after the "War to End All Wars."

With more than 1 million members and numerous service programs DAV continues to be a force nationwide for veterans of all eras.

DAV simply could not have served our nation's veterans and their families over the last century without the support of our local community here in Mena, AR. Which is why DAV Ouachita Chapter 46 wants to celebrate alongside our gracious and supportive community here in Mena. We invite all of our DAV members to join us as we have a lot to celebrate as we prepare for another century of service to our veterans and their families.

With more than one million members, 52 state-level departments and nearly 1,300 local chapters, DAV continues to be a force nationwide for veterans of all eras through DAV's services and programs.

THE POLK COUNTY

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

KENA 104.1 - KQOR 105.3

MyPulseNews.com

Our Team:

Ashley Smith- General Manager Jeri Borst - News Director Tori Stockton - Office Manager John Russell - Graphic Design Curt Teasdale - Programmer/ On-Air Personality Jim Pinson - Morning Personality Jackye Palmer - Sales Manager Distribution & Insertion Staff Dan & Linda Deramus, Stacy Vann, Jason Sharp, Paeton Fryar The Polk County Pulse is the area’s premiere and fastest growing news publication. The Polk County Pulse is FREE and published weekly on Wednesdays, with a distribution of 8,000 and an estimated readership of 10,000.

MyPulseNews.com has hundreds of visitors daily and KENA and KQOR have thousands of listeners hourly.

POLICY: The publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time.

All property rights, including any copyright interest, in any advertisement produced by Pulse Multi-Media and/or The Polk County Pulse using art work and/or typography furnished or arranged by Pulse Multi-Media and/or The Polk County Pulse shall be the property of Pulse Multi-Media and/or The Polk County Pulse. No such advertisement or any part thereof may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Pulse Multi-Media and The Polk County Pulse.

POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENTS: Advertisements of a political nature must be prepaid and must also include the name of the entity paying for the advertisement. If an entity other than the candidate the advertisement is endorsing is paying for the ad, a statement must be signed by the candidate verifying the candidate has seen and approved the advertisement.

September 23, 2020

From the

State House of Representatives

quick survey of 11 questions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastiThe questions include asking the user cally altered online activity in our state. the name of their provider, how much More Arkansans are working remotely, they pay for the service, and what speed learning through distance education, has been promised by the provider. using telehealth, and attending online The results of the speed test are then church services. integrated into the Arkansas BroadIt remains to be seen to what extent band Survey Results Dashboard. some of the changes in habit will conThe Arkansas State Broadband tinue after the health crisis ends. That is John Maddox Plan outlines a goal of seeing 25Mbwhy 2020 is a critical year for closing the ps/3Mbps broadband deployed to all population digital divide in Arkansas.

This week, the House and Senate committees centers in Arkansas over 500 by the year 2022. for Advanced Communication and Information While Arkansas has a way to go before reaching Technology were briefed on a new tool designed that goal, we are making progress. Just recentto give the state an accurate picture of the cur- ly, the legislature approved a measure to direct $100 million of CARES Act funding to the Arrent broadband service available.

Arkansans are encouraged to visit broadband. kansas Rural Connect program, a grant program arkansas.gov and click on the “Test Your Broad- designed to expand the broadband footprint in band Speed” green button icon in the lower rural Arkansas communities.

The information you provide will help the Arright-hand corner.

This directs the user to a speed test, which will kansas State Broadband Office determine what determine the user’s upload speed and down- areas of our state are underserved and what our load speed. The user will then be directed to a next steps should be to keep our state connected.

From the

State Senate

Census workers across Arkansas will Call 844-330-2020. After you have be knocking on doors until the end of completed the census, encourage evSeptember in a last-ditch effort to make eryone you know to complete it. sure that as many people as possible get The census is conducted every 10 counted in the 2020 U.S. Census. years, and this is the first time that a Undercounting the population of a majority of people will complete it onstate or community has long-term negline. You can fill out the form online ative consequences, because the beneby going to https://my2020census.gov fits of so many government programs Larry Teague Your personal information will be are allocated according to census data. kept confidential. Also, you will not For example, an undercount of as little as one be asked financial questions, such as bank acpercent would mean the loss of a billion dollars count numbers or credit card numbers. You in federal funding in Arkansas over the next will not be asked for your Social Security numten years.

The potential loss of federal dollars would ber either. You will not be asked for money and have a negative effect on Medicaid, food stamp you will not be questioned about your political programs, highway maintenance and construc- opinions.

If you suspect that you have been contacted tion, education and the availability of childcare by a deceptive outfit that is trying to defraud subsidies.

Census workers are visiting homes in com- you, check out the address of their website. The munities that traditionally have been hard to address of a valid census web page will always reach. Sometimes they leave packets on door- have “gov” at the end.

Nationwide, 65.9 percent of the population steps if they are unable to contact anyone in the have already responded to the census on their home.

However, it’s not necessary to wait for a cen- own volition. In Arkansas, 60 percent have resus worker to visit your house. You can fill out sponded by telephone, Internet or traditional the census over the phone in about 10 minutes. mail.

Editorial 3

Want to share your opinion?

The Polk County Pulse welcomes letters to the Editor addressing any topic of interest to our readers. To be published, letters must not contain obscene or libelous language.

The letter must include a signature to be considered for publication. Signatures will NOT be held out by request.

The following contact information is required when the letter is submitted: NAME, AGE, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER. Letters are published at the discretion of the Editor and Publisher.

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

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

4 History

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse Reflections from Faith and History: Socialism’s Greatest Casualty

By Jeff Olson

Over the past several years, the subject of socialism has increasingly gained more exposure in the news, social media, and likely at the coffee shops, dinner tables and town squares throughout America. Ever since the arrival of Bernie Sanders on the political scene, socialism has enjoyed a resurgence in the American lexicon and in the public square of moral and political discourse.

More recently, we are seeing many others jumping on the socialism band wagon, some of whom are running for political office. Not since the days of the Cold War have we seen such attention and credibility being given to a political and economic system which has never endured and never will.

This is unfolding at an alarming rate in this election year, as we are witnessing both stealth and bold promotion of a highly-flawed and failed ideology which has historically contributed to the rise of totalitarian regimes and left most of its host nations on the ash heap of history.

This movement in America hasn’t happened overnight. Since the mid19th century, there has been an ongoing and systematic secularization of our nation, primarily through the infiltration of our educational system. This accelerated in the first half of the 20th century and has been spreading like a cancer ever since It has purged our nation’s Christian origin and history from the classroom and culture, indoctrinating our young people, and discrediting the foundation it provided for a moral order and economic system which has been the most enduring and successful of any nation in world history.

However, as I’ve noted often in this column: We much too often learn from history that we do not learn from history.

Four hundred years ago, religious separatists we know as the Pilgrims

September 23, 2020

were struggling to work out legal arrangements to sail to the New World and begin a new life.

Contrary to the Pilgrims’ wishes, their initial ownership arrangement was communal property. This, the investors thought, would ensure a more assured return from their investment.

In putting up the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars in today’s money, and combined with the big losses in Jamestown, investors in London were very hesitant to take on any more risks.

Terms were agreed upon reluctantly by the Pilgrims, stipulating that at the end of seven years everything would be divided equally between investors and colonists. This arrangement however would provide at best minimal incentive for the colonists to succeed on their plantation, but they went along because of little choice. The Mayflower arrived hundreds of miles north of their planned destination (Virginia) at Cape Cod in November 1620 with 101 people on board. About half of them died within the first few months, probably of scurvy, pneumonia, or malnutrition.

By the spring of 1623, having tried what Governor Bradford called the “common course and condition”—the communal stewardship of the land required of them by their investors— the Plymouth Plantation was afflicted by an unwillingness to work, confusion and discontent, a loss of mutual respect, and a prevailing sense of slavery and injustice. The experiment was a failure and it was endangering the health and the future of the colony.

While some contemporary historians would opine that the root of the problem was exploitative capitalism, this was clearly not the case. Bradford made it clear that common ownership demoralized the community much more than the high tax.

It was not Pilgrims laboring for investors that caused so much discord but Pilgrims laboring for other Pilgrims -

and at times for the Indians. The industrious were forced to subsidize the lazy and the strong had no more in food and clothing than the weak.

The older men thought it disrespectful to be “equalized in labours” with the younger men. Bradford observed that this system bred “confusion and discontent” and “retarded much employment that would have been to [the settlers’] benefit and comfort.”

With the colony on the verge of extermination, the leaders changed course and allotted a parcel of land to each settler, hoping the private ownership of farmland would encourage self-sufficiency and lead to the cultivation of more food. This brought “very good success.”

The colonists immediately became responsible for their own actions, not for the actions of the whole community. Knowing that the fruits of his labor and additional efforts would benefit his own family and dependents, the head of each household was given an incentive to work harder.

In short, the division of property established a connection and proportion between act and consequence. As Bradford surmised, “God in his wisdom saw another course fitter for them.”

This episode of early American History was invaluable not only for our forefathers but even more so for America today, especially given that much of the current political and cultural climate is favorable toward socialism.

However, there has also been considerable pushback, claiming socialism’s evils, flaws and failures of which there are no shortage. Yet, I’ve heard and read little if anything about its worst evil, it’s greatest casualty – a psychological change, an alteration in the character of people which occurs when they gradually but willingly yield their freedom to the comfortable servitude of a welfare state.

In the words of Friedrich Hayek, this almost imperceptible increase of control eventually “hinders, compromises,

extinguishes, debilitates, dazes, and eventually reduces a nation to being nothing more than a herd of timid and industrious animals of which the government is the shepherd”, where men prefer equality in servitude to inequality in freedom.

In supplanting traditional intermediate social and cultural institutions, socialism substitutes government for God by replacing our inherent equality before God and under the law with an imposed equality of condition under the name of man-made social justice.

The darkest evil of socialism is not in its calculable material inefficiency, but in its incalculable damage to the soul.

Hayek understood the inherent and irreducible complexity of human nature with its God-given capacity and need for the freedom to make choices. According to Eric Voegelin, these choices - economic and otherwise arise from the fullness of our humanity, from man’s “participation in the world with his body, soul, intellect, and spirit.”

This is the genuine, natural foundation that must be preserved and safeguarded from the abstract, theoretical, and artificial schemes of socialism (including its surrogates within modern American liberalism) which center around top-down collectivism, centralization, control and dehumanization in its war on tradition, virtue, and the primacy of the family.

The fundamental question in economics, and all of life for that matter, is not so much how we buy and sell but first and foremost who we are as human beings in relation to God and whether or not we will have the freedom to fully explore, discover, and express that identity which He designed and created in each one of us. Our soul, and that of our nation, are at stake as we answer that question in our prayer closet, in our daily lives, within our communities, and at the ballot box.

Obituaries 5

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

Steven Mel Heath

Steven Mel Heath passed away August 27, 2020 in Roanoke, Texas with his family by his side. He was born May 16, 1957 in Torrance, California to Melvin Heath and Nancy Seel Heath. He attended Mena High School and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

He showed courage and strength when needed and all smiles and laughter in his enjoyment of life.

He began Heath Logistics 4 years ago and it continues to grow. He served 23 years on the Roanoke, Texas City Council and served 21 years in both elected and appointed roles.

He was noted for planning trips, get togethers for all and games. He loved golfing, fishing, four wheeling, card games, Bingo, and traveling.

He was a proud father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Gayla Heath, his mother, Nancy Heath, his children Tyler Alfred Heath and Jeremy Potter, grandchildren Tyler Patton Heath and Madeline Potter, a niece, Cassandra Parks and a nephew Bryar Parks.

He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Heath, grandparents, Nick and Maudie Heath, and Alfred and Grace Seel, his first wife Krista, and infant daughter Rachel and an Aunt, Louise Branstetter.

Steve was sent for cremation and a memorial service was held in his current hometown of Roanoke, Texas.

Caring for your family since 1928

Locally owned & operated 479-394-1310

611 Janssen Avenue - Mena, AR

BeasleyWoodFuneralHome.com

Freddy Leon Curry

Freddy Leon Curry, age 71, of Smithville, Oklahoma passed away September 18 th 2020 in Texarkana, Texas.

He was born August 13 th , 1949 in Mena, Arkansas to Carl and Pauline Curry. Freddy enjoyed hot rods, four wheeling, motorcycles, and hiking mountains. He loved being outdoors.

Mr. Curry also enjoyed watching western movies and spending time with his family. He loved his wife, kids, and grandkids more than anything. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors are: wife of 50 years, Normie Curry of Smithville, OK; daughter Miranda Caldwell and husband Levi of Smithville, OK; grandchildren: Amber Davis and husband Cody of Mena, AR, Sarah Wells and husband Hunter of Miller, MO, Hannah Caldwell of Smithville, OK, Jacob Caldwell of Smithville, OK, Isaac Caldwell of Smithville, OK, and Bethany Caldwell of Smithville, OK; great grandchildren: Colter McReynolds, Hunter Davis, and Kyndal Davis; mother Pauline Curry of Mena, AR; brother, DeWayne Curry and wife Perri of Mena, AR; numerous nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sonya Myers; father, Carl Curry; sister, Linda Tarkinton; brother, Jimmy Curry; and brother and sister in law, Eugene and Marie Bruce.

Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 20 th 2020, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Wickes, AR with Brother Marvin Skipper officiating under the direction of Beasley Wood Funeral Home. General visitation will be at the Beasley Wood Funeral Home on Saturday.

Pallbearers will be Randy Lancaster, Paul Anderson, Darrian Cline, Cody Davis, Greg Tarkinton, and Mike Tarkinton.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Barbara Sue (Clough) Belknap

Mrs. Barbara Sue (Clough) Belknap, age 79, of Cove, Arkansas passed from this life on Sunday, September 20, 2020 in Waldron, Arkansas. She was born October 20, 1940 in Prairie View, Arkansas to the late Emmett Clough and Bessie Mae (Caldwell) Clough.

Barbara was a homemaker. She was united in marriage to Burtis Belknap for 53 years. She liked to cook and was a caring mother and doting grandmother. She loved her family more than anything. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her sons, Terry Belknap and wife Jan of Smithville, OK, David Belknap and wife Regina of Smithville, Mark Belknap and wife Charlotte of Waldron, AR, and Stephen Belknap and wife Jennifer of Cove, AR; daughters, Lavonna Davis and husband Jim of Victoria, TX, Lou Belknap Hughes of Norman, AR, Deanna Miller and husband Lonnie of Cove, AR, and Robyn Conatser and husband Robert of Cove, AR; grandchildren, Michelle Lorenzo, Brooke Sanchez, Joseph Miller, Chad Belknap, Nathan Hughes, Mathew Hughes, Chris Hughes, Haley Guinn, Devin Belknap, Marshal Hunt, Chance Hunt, Anthony Hutson, BreAnna Hutson, Savanna Hutson,

Corbin Conatser, Tyler Hoffman, and Austin Routh; great-grandchildren, Evan Lorenzo, Brook Belknap, Hayley Myers, Jaxson Hughes, Jaden Hughes, Dixie Hughes, Peyton Sanchez, Malakai Sanchez, Tristan Sanchez, Jace Cooke, Violet Hoffman, and A.J. Hutson; great-great-grandchildren, Quinten Belknap, Reagan Lee, and Chloe Belknap; brother, E.C. Ford of Jonesboro, AR; and sister Mary James and husband Charlie of Poteau, OK. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Emmet and Bessie Clough; husband, Burtis Belknap; brother, J.B. Clough; sisters, Pearl Bartlet, and Lorene Walker; and grandchild, Dustin Belknap.

A funeral service for Barbara will be held 2 pm Friday, September 25, 2020 at the Beasley Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Lou Hughes officiating. Interment will follow at Six Mile Cemetery in Hatfield, Arkansas.

Pallbearers are Joseph Miller, Devin Belknap, Anthony Hutson, Terry Belknap, Jason Youngblood, and Bo Hayes. Honorary pallbearers are Matthew Hughes, Chad Belknap, and Austin Routh.

Family and friend’s visitation will be held at the funeral home from 6 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, September 24.

Services are under the direction of Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena, Arkansas.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

6 News

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

OHS and CRHS announce homecoming courts

Oden High School Homecoming Court is: 7th Grade Maid--Karolynn Ingland; 8th Grade Maid--Hope Cogburn; 9th Grade Maid--Abby Strother; 10th Grade Maid--Emilee McAnelly; 11th Grade Maid-Gala Millwood; 12th Grade Maid--Halie Ewing; Queen-Jacy Blansett. Nov. 6 is set for Oden Homecoming.

Cossatot River High School’s Homecoming Court is: 7th Grade Maids- Raylee Youngblood, Kenya Antunez; 8th Grade Maids- Brenna Roper, Jaylee Pollard; 9th Grade Maids and Princess Candidates- Desiree

Around Town Ouachita Little Theatre is sponsoring three classes open to students of all ages in dance, costuming, and set building. For more information, call 479-2343902.

We the people Tea Party will resume monthly meetings beginning Monday Sept 28th 6pm at Papas. Restaurant safety protocols are in place.

A Ribbon Cutting for LazEass Acres will be held Thursday, Sept. 24 at noon.

Call the Mena/Polk County Chamber for more information.

A Ribbon Cutting for Transcendence Energy and Body Works will be held Friday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. at 408 Janssen Ave. Suite C. Call the Mena/Polk County Chamber for more information.

Mena Downtown Partners has canceled Downtown Daylight Trick-or-Treat.

The Ouachita Bigfoot Festival and Conference will be held Sept. 25-27. See more information page 20.

4-H is selling Texas Roadhouse Rolls for a fundraiser. Contact the extension office, 479-394-6018, for more information.

The Elks Lodge is seeking donations for their annual Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets. For more information contact the Lodge at 479-3943740 Flu shots are being offered Wednesday, Sept. 23 by the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) . The clinic in Mena will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 300 Morrow St. South. Call 501-609-2700 for more information.

VFW Post 4451 is celebrating its 75th anniversary with an open house Sept.

27 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Building.

Ward, Landrey Richardson, Nathalia Trinidad; 10th Grade Maids- Gisella Trinidad, Breonna Cecil, Hannah McLain; 11th Grade Maids- Kali Blake, Shanell Brito, Brycelynn Raines,;12th Grad Maids and Homecoming Queen Candidates- Kayla Richardson, Sage Evans, Lexie Graham, Sosha Richardson.

In the Days of Noah ‘And even as it happened in the days of Noah, so will I be also in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating, they were drinking, they were marring, they were being given in marriage, until the day in which Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all’ (Luke 17:26-27) ‘And the kings of the earth and the great men and the generals and the rich and the strong and every slave and every free man hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits upon the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; For the Great Day of their wrath has come and who will be able to stand?’

If we do not listen now, we will never listen. The ‘days of Noah’ are here, now, upon this generation. Society, in general, has completely lost its way, its values. The Church is well into the Laodicean age, the age of ‘lukewarm’ Church (Revelation 3:16). International tensions are with us so much that most of us don’t pay attention any more. The TV news programs are difficult to watch because of the almost infinite number of negative items.

Things that God calls sin are now (by our society) called ‘life style choices.’ “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

These verses speak of the day in which we live. It isn’t coming, it is here now. We didn’t see it coming and were not prepared for it, but it came, this ‘days of Noah.”

The words of the Book are true. Its principles are infallible, its prophecies have either come true, are now coming true or will come in the near future.

Choices, choices, choices. In His grace God has given human being the ability to make choices. We can choose to obey God or we can choose not to obey God. To choose not to obey is to choose a way of life that ends in death. Only a fool would reject what God has given, what God is offering to everyone. Yet it seems that there are many who do.

National day of prayer? Prayer? Everyone who is truly a student of the Word of God (the Bible) knows that unless repentance happens prayer (the real thing) will not happen. And this repentance includes the thing called ‘church’. Jesus (the Son of God!) said ‘unless you repent you shall all likewise perish.’ We are watching what ‘used to be’ die. Yes, we still have the structure, the political and social organizations, the ‘religious’ groups, but something has happened to the heart!

Pleasure has become a ‘god’ in America. ‘But know this, that in the last days difficult time will come, for men will be lovers of self, lovers, of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…traitors, reckless, blinded with pride, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God’ (II Timothy 3:2-4).

Think about it. Americans what to be entertained, and almost no price is too high to be paid.

But God is still God, and He still offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who will call upon the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Don’t wait too late! Once the door is closed it will not be reopened for latecomers.

My name is Gene Stacks and I approve this message.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Community 7

FACTS ABOUT CHILDHOOD CANCER

• 46 children per day or 16,850 children per year are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.

• Childhood cancer is not one disease – there are more than 12 major types of pediatric cancers and over 100 subtypes.

• Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children. Worldwide, 100,000 children lose their lives every year to cancer.

• Since 1980, only four drugs have been approved in the first instance for use in children. This is compared with hundreds of drugs that have been developed specifically for adults only.

• A diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is normally terminal with less than 25% of children surviving even two years.

• More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a significant health related issue by the time they are 45 years of age; these health related issues are side-effects of either the cancer or more commonly, the result of its treatment.

Source: Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2)

Hoping for

Mena Ford, INC.

1103 Hwy 71 North • Mena, AR 71953 (479) 394-2214 www.menaford.com Finding A Cure Starts With Awareness

a Cure.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Mena Real Estate 816 Mena Street Mena, AR 71953

(479) 394-5000 WWW.MENAREALESTATE.COM

Ensemble in the Park

Photos by Jeri Borst

Ensemble in the Park entertained a large crowd Saturday, Sept. 19 at Janssen Park. The Ensemble began with familiar favorites including the Pink Panther Theme, Moon River and the Beatles’ All the Lonely People.

8 Community

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

Memorial held for Suicide Awareness

Healing & Helping

Photos by Tori Stockton

Pastor Ron Tilley, center, speaks during a memorial and candle light tribute that was held at McMillan Park Thursday, Sept. 17 to help those who have lost a loved one to suicide and bring awareness to the issue. Jordan Dobbs, who lost her step father to suicide last year, organized the event. From the memorial, the Mena Suicide Awareness and Support Group has formed and plans for meetings are underway. To join the group or for more information visit Mena Suicide Awareness and Support Group on Facebook.

COMING SOON! Coming the week of Oct 1

David Henderson M.D.

Cheryl Edwards

Mon-Fri 8am-3pm

Custom Screen Printing

After Hours By Appointment

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Now accepting Patients.

207 A Martin Ave. Mena, Arkansas

479-216-6567

And count on me to help. When it comes to affordable, reliable health, dental and vision insurance plans, there are two names you can count on: Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and LaDon Copelin.

Adult Patients Age 18+

MPI 3362 1/15 R102019

Call 394.7301 to make your appointment!

For more than 65 years, Arkansans have looked to the Cross and Shield for health plans to fit their health and budget needs. And, as an Arkansas Blue Cross Agent, LaDon Copelin can advise you on the plan that’s best for you and your family.

Soliciting agent for Arkansas Blue Cross, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Plans available only to residents in Arkansas.

cherylstshed@yahoo.com

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THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

Chamber Awards 9

2020 Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce Community Awards

10

September 23 2020

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Thank You! to the

Chamber of Commerce

Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce 2020 Community Awards

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23 2020

for Awarding Us

BEST NEW CONSTRUCTION 2019 Christian Motorcyclist Association Non-profit of the Year 145 Airport Lane • Mena, Arkansas

Jennifer Schubbe Ambassador of the Year

Rosewood Completions Best New Construction

(877) 394-2525

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR COMMUNITY FOR BELIEVING IN AND SUPPORTING US. WE LOVE OUR COMMUNITY AND VALUE EACH CUSTOMER. WE WOULD LIKE TO ALSO THANK OUR STAFF WHO MAKES IT ALL HAPPEN FOR YOU.

Thank you for Awarding Us

Mayor Seth Smith Citizen of the Year

Thank you for voting

Louise Durham

CONGRATULATIONS

Best Renovation! from

Seth Smith

Elementary School

601 MENA STREET, MENA, AR 71953

(479) 216-6770

Suzie Q’s Sweet Creams and Coffee Business of the Year

205 N Morrow, Mena, AR 71953 (479) 234-1572

to Mena Lions Club

Louise Durham Best Renovation

Pastor Victor Rowell Volunteer of the Year

Ambassador of the Year - nn

hu

Vice President / Mena Mayor

Citizen of the Year! from your fellow civic club members The Mena Lions Club

410 Sherwood Ave. • Mena, AR (479) 234-5568

11

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

Chamber Awards 12

2020 Board of Directors: Past President Gregg Goss with Pilar Fowler, current vice-president, and board member LeAnn Dilbeck

CONGRATULATIONS to all of the

WINNERS AND NOMINEES!

MENA POLK COUNTY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2019 COMMUNITY AWARDS

Business o f t h e Ye a r 2 019

Executive Board: Lauren Frost- President Pilar Fowler- Vice President Mitchell Schubbe- Secretary Holly Henry- Treasurer

From the Chamber Awards Cover: The 2020 Board of Directors includes (Executive Board pictured above) Lauren Frost- President; Pilar Fowler- Vice President; Mitchell Schubbe- Secretary; Holly Henry- Treasurer; Greg Goss; Brad Castor; LeAnn Dilbeck; Terri Harrison; Logan Lind (not pictured); David Maxwell; Mike Vega; Sonya Maye.

Nominees for the 2020 Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce Community Awards:

Best New Construction: Gabriel Clothing Company Rosewood Completions Best Renovation: Little Italy II Louise Durham Elementary Mena Art Gallery Ouachita Coffee Roasters Ambassador of the Year: Jerry Doc Watson Jennifer Schubbe Rick Burns Alexandra Dolak-Metivier Non-profit of the Year: Christian Motorcyclist Association Mena Elks Lodge Polk County Development Center

Business of the Year: The Corner Shoppe/Pony Express Freedom Pharmacy Ouachita Coffee Roasters Suzy Q’s Sweet Creams & Coffee Volunteer of the Year: Linda Rowe Shannon Clifford Sue Cavner Pastor Victor Rowell Debbie Todd Citizen of the Year: Coach Brian Byrd John Vacca Paulette Sherrer Mayor Seth Smith

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

2020

Sho

ess Businh of t e!

Week

LOCAL Now more then ever our local businesses need your support to strengthen our economy and help our city thrive!

If you own a business and would like to have it featured in the Polk County Pulse contact one of our marketing specialists at

479.243.9600

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14 News

September 23, 2020

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

100 years of supporting veterans

In 2020, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) celebrates its centennial anniversary and mark 100 years of service and support for America’s injured and ill veterans and their families.

The Disabled American Veterans of the World War (now DAV—Disabled American Veterans) was founded by former Cincinnati Judge Robert S. Marx in 1920. Marx, a U.S. Army captain who received the Distinguished Service Cross during the First World War, recognized that the nation was ill-equipped to provide the medical care and services the more than 200,000 injured and ill returning war veterans needed—and had earned.

Since the time of its founding, it has stood as an organization of veterans serving veterans as they make the critical transition from military service to civilian life. Today, with a century of service and support under its belts and more than 1 million members in their ranks, the DAV continues the fight to make medical care, employment, education and other earned benefits accessible to America’s 4 million disabled veterans.

Veterans need our help today, as much as they did 100 years ago. They have earned the right to participate in the American Dream they helped to defend, and the DAV is committed to continuing their work to help make that promise possible well into the future.

HAPPY Y R A S R E V I N AN to

Disabled American Veterans

DAV

100 Years of Service to

Our Wounded and Disabled Veterans Thank You: We the Marine Corp League Solute You! Herbert W. Littleton Post 18

The DAV thanks the Mena and Polk County community for continued support.

Veterans and their families are invited to a bag drive-through picnic Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

About the DAV DAV is a nonprofit charity that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, helping more than 1 million veterans in positive, life-changing ways each year. Annually, the organization provides more than 600,000 rides to veterans attending medical appointments and assists veterans with well over 200,000 benefit claims. In 2019, DAV helped veterans receive more than $21 billion in earned benefits. DAV’s services are offered at no cost to all generations of veterans, their families and survivors.

DAV is also a leader in connecting veterans with meaningful employment, hosting job fairs and providing resources to ensure they have the opportunity to participate in the American Dream their sacrifices have made possible.

With nearly 1,300 chapters and more than 1 million members across the country, DAV empowers our nation’s heroes and their families by helping to provide the resources they need and ensuring our nation keeps the promises made to them.

News 15

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

Ouachita Little Theater features

“Return to Radio-Land” World Class National Show currently at Mena Art Gallery Submitted by Mena Art Gallery Mena Art Gallery, in the Arts District of Downtown Mena, is currently hosting its sixth annual Art of the Heartland National Show. There are 45 works on display from all over the United States. The show is family friendly, and there is no charge to view this show, which runs through the end of October.

Lynn Greenwade, the Executive Director at Mena Art Gallery, said, “I invite the public to come and enjoy the current show, which runs through the end of October. We gave out cash awards of $7,000 in this competition, which resulted in our having some of the best artists in the United States enter their work. This is a great way to encourage a love of art in your children. Bring them in and let them vote for their choice of the best work. Being asked to pick a favorite will get them, and you, involved in the vivid colors and variety of subjects. Mena is fortunate to have this quality of work available to enjoy.”

The Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Private showings can be arranged. Masks are required to enter the Gallery, please.

You can also view the show at southwestartists.org. Go to Photo Galleries, Juried Competitions, Art of the Heartland and choose this year’s show. All work is for sale. Contact Greenwade, for more information at 479-394-3880 or email@ menaartgallery.org.

MILES CONSTRUCTION & HANDYMAN SERVICE OWNER - JASON MILES

479.394.4248

104 Port Arthur Ave. Mena, AR 71953-3344

*Free Estimates*

“We’ll go the extra mile for you!”

* Custom Homes * Remodels * Window Replacement * Additions * Vinyl Siding

479-216-3072

Submitted by Julie Ulmer/Ouachita Little Theater Ouachita Little Theatre has recently revived a sub-group that goes by the name Lyric Players. This group is committed to doing readers theater style performances, much like some you may have seen performed by professional actors online during the pandemic.

Actors explore facial and voice expressions with limited movement so that social distancing can be observed during rehearsals and performances. It is surprisingly engaging as well as entertaining, as attested by those who saw “Twelve Angry Jurors” last month.

Historically, radio shows popular before the invention of television were perfect examples of this type of entertainment. That’s why Scotty Jenkins, head of the Lyric Players, has chosen these performances to produce live on stage at OLT. First on the schedule is the “Radio-Land” show which will be performed October 22, 23, and 24.

The lineup contains five short vi-

gnettes which will merge into one full length show for patrons. These include a Lum and Abner show, “Lum Fakes a Broken Leg”, “The Romance of Helen Trent”, “Buck Rogers”, Abbott and Costello’s famous baseball comedy sketch, “Who’s on First”, and a special Halloween show from Baby Snooks and Daddy.

Auditions will be held at OLT on October 3rd from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. There are parts for all ages. CDC guidelines remain in place, so please wear your mask.

Other events coming up for OLT is the October “movie night” showing of the original “Ghostbusters” on Wednesday, October 14 at 6:30 PM. In November, there will be an original play performed on the life of Rebecca Boone, a Christmas show, and another Reader’s Theatre style show entitled “Love Letters” in February.

All events occur with CDC guidelines in place, so small audiences, masks, and social distancing will be required for those attending.

Hunter Computerized 4-Wheel Alignment & Wheel Balancing TIRES BRAKES CUSTOM EXHUAST SHOCKS & STRUTS Hours: Mon.- Fri. 8 am - 5:30 pm 1500 Hwy 71 South, Mena

Owner: Stacy & Julie Nash

394-1938

16 Law & Order

Stephen H. Hobbs, white male, 33, is accused of one count of possession of a schedule II controlled substance, methamphetamine, in the amount of two grams or more but less than ten grams, a class C felony; one count possession of a schedule IV or V controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, both on Sept. 12.

Justin Ashley, white male, 27, is accused of one count possession of firearms by certain persons, as a convicted felon, a class D felony, on Sept. 10.

Anthony M. Robertson, white male, 30, is accused of one count possession of a schedule II controlled substance, methamphetamine, less than two grams, a class D felony; one count possession of drug paraphernalia for the purpose of using methamphetamine, a class D felony, on Sept. 11.

The accusations are those of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office of the 18th West Judicial District in the Circuit Court of the State of Arkansas. Defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT September 14, 2020 Report from complainant on Brier Creek Lane near Ink of an account being opened without authorization.

Report from complainant on Polk 19 near Cove of receiving threats.

Report from complainant on Polk 418 near Potter of being harassed. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration.

Report of a disturbance at the Sheriff ’s Office led to the arrest of Devin M. Turner, 27, of Mena on a Charge of Public Intoxication.

Report from complainant on Polk 41N near Shady Grove of a domestic alterca-

Pulse

September 23, 2020

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 ARRAIGNMENTS

THE POLK COUNTY

tion. Deputies responded.

September 15, 2020 Report of a verbal domestic on Polk 90 near Acorn. Deputies responded.

September 16, 2020 Report from complainant on Polk 32 near Cove of identity fraud.

Report of a construction ladder in the highway on Hwy 71N. Deputy responded.

Report of a vehicle being hit in an employee parking spot on Polk 71 near Ink. Deputy responded.

Report from complainant on Valley Ranch Lane near Potter of the theft of a game camera and tools valued in the amount of $190.00. Investigation continues.

Report of a disturbance on 375E near Dallas Valley. Deputy responded. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration.

September 17, 2020 Report from complainant on Polk 57 near Board Camp of identity fraud.

Report from complainant on Hwy 246E near Vandervoort of identity fraud.

Arrested was Nathan K. Keen, 26, on a Warrant for Failure to Appear.

September 18, 2020 No reports filed.

September 19, 2020 Report of a disturbance at a park near Hatfield led to the arrest of Jearl E. Wilkinson, 36, of Cove on a Charge of Disorderly Conduct.

Report of problems involving rental property. Deputy responded.

Report of a single vehicle accident on Polk 293 near Potter led to the arrest of Jamie White, 53, of Mena on a Charge of Driving While Intoxicated.

Report from complainant on Strawberry Lane near Potter of identity fraud.

Report from complainant on Hwy 8E near Board Camp of finding suspicious items at a residence. Deputy responded.

Report of a fire on Polk 54 near Dallas Valley. Deputy responded.

Report of a suspicious person on Polk 184 near Acorn. Deputy responded.

September 20, 2020 Report of a suspicious person on Polk 74 near Ink led to the arrest of Shawna M. Morris, 24, of Mena on a Charge of Disorderly Conduct and a Charge of Criminal Trespass.

Report of a missing juvenile. The juvenile was located and returned to the custody of a parent/guardian.

Request for a welfare check near Cove.

Deputy responded.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 17 Incarcerated Inmates, with 9 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORT September 13, 2020 Christopher Hoover, 38, was served with two warrants after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

A theft of property (shoplifting report) was taken from Walmart.

September 14, 2020 A report of financial identity fraud was taken from a walk-in complainant.

A report of financial identity fraud was taken from a walk-in complainant.

Joy Reed, 32, and Jason Rosson, 38, were charged with Disorderly Conduct after a call to Diamond Bank.

Randy McGinty, 59, was charged with Theft of Property after a complaint from a person at Sun Country Inn. A report of harassment was taken by a walk-in complainant.

September 15, 2020 A report of abuse of an adult was taken from Adult Protective Services.

September 16, 2020 A report of child neglect was taken from a person on Janssen Avenue.

A report of a battery was taken on Center Street.

September 17, 2020 A report of criminal mischief was taken on Cherry Street.

September 18, 2020 A report of criminal trespass was taken from Walmart.

A report of a fraud was taken by a walk-in complainant.

Mykos Pierce, 20, was charged with Domestic Battery 3 rd Degree and served with a warrant after a complaint on Hickory Street.

September 19, 2020

A report of an assault and a battery was taken on Wertz Street.

A report of a battery was taken Sampson Street.

A Theft report was taken from a walkin complainant.

A report of breaking or entering was taken Mykos Pierce, 20, was charged with Sexual Indecency with a Child after an investigation All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law)

STATE CRIME REPORTS

Suspect arrested after deputies discover possible human remains

WYNNE— A suspect is in custody after what is believed to be human remains were found in Wynne, Ark. Tuesday.

According to the Cross County Sheriff, deputies along with Arkansas State Police special agents executed a search warrant involving a missing person.

During the search, what is believed to be human remains were found and sent Arkansas Crime Lab for identification and cause of death. One person was arrested. Charges are pending.

LR Police say uncle shot, killed nephew

LITTLE ROCK- Little Rock police say they believe an uncle shot and killed his nephew Sunday night.

Officers were called to the 6800 block of Dahlia Drive just before 7 p.m. Sunday for a shooting.

According to a release sent by Little Rock police on Monday, officers found Nicholas Taylor, 24 of Sherwood, in the front yard suffering from gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead.

Vincent Mitchell, 54 of Little Rock, was still at the home at the time officers arrived and was taken into custody.

Little Rock police say they believe Mitchell is the uncle and Taylor was Mitchell’s nephew.

Taylor’s body was taken to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for an autopsy.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

Puzzles 17 09.23.20

09.23.20

ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 09.16.20

Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

Hello! My name is Luckee. I needed a unique spelling to my name, because I am a unique dog. I am an energetic 3 year old and always up for play time. However, I can be calm and gentle too. I tend to go with flow of the mood. I enjoy people and dogs but I have not been around cats. So, I am not sure if cats and I would get along. I am leash trained and enjoy going on walks. Being a shepherd mix, I am about 65 pounds and have striking coloring. In fact, my markings are another item which makes me a rarity. You see, I literally wear a heart on my side. You check it out in my picture! I do require a monthly heartworm preventative to keep me in my best health. fo Luckee!

I always look forward to meeting new people. So, come by HSO and ask for All selected Pet of the Week animals come with a gift package. This special starter pack for dogs includes a harness, leash, collar, bed, piece of clothing and toy selection. 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

18 Classifieds - SERVICES Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also lite deliveries. (870)4901191 T093020 Land Clearing, Tree Service, Lawn Care and Roofing. RC Customz land clearing, mulching and more. Services include: Stump grinding, Fence lines, clearing of lots, brush-hogging, trenching, fencing, tree services, mowing and more. Mulching is a great solution for clearing overgrowth while leaving desirable trees. We service both residential and commercial customers. Military discount available. Insured. Please call 479-216-2976 for a free estimate.

T100720

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

CLASSIFIEDS WE MUST BECOME ONE NATION UNDER GOD AGAIN! -The Messenger

ELECT BIDEN- elect communism! He will take away your guns - tell you when you can drive your vehicle - make you rebuild your house if it is not energy efficient - and many more things you don’t know about yet, like Religious Freedom!

- The Messenger

- EMPLOYMENT -

F.M. Dix Foundry is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available. Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be require before hiring and during your employment.-- T092320

Brodix, Inc is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment. T092320

Opening for assisted living in my non smoking home, located in Mena, good neighborhood. Offering care giving with 18 years experience, excellent references available.

Beautiful private rooms with TV, home cooked meals, and personal care. Now taking applications. Call Ann (479)234-0461 T100720

Now hiring dependable, skilled and unskilled construction workers. Top pay for the area. No phone calls please. Must apply in person. RCI Construction, 504 Dequeen St, Mena, AR 71953 T093020

479-394-7301

1102 Crestwood Circle Mena, AR 71953

MENA REAL ESTATE

Farrell & Sharon Cole The Cole Team

816 S. Mena St. Mena, AR 71953 Office: (479) 394-5000 www.FarrellCole.com www.MenaRealEstate.com

Wanted - Domestic Help - cleaning, cooking, and running errands. 30 hours a week plus flexibility. (479)216-7206 T100720

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

September 23, 2020

News 19

Bigfoot- beast or benevolent?

Local thoughts, sighting, stories and experiences

By Jeri Borst

Bigfoot is well known to area residents and travelers who frequent the area. The possible presence of the creature has even made its way into marketing campaigns, festivals and is the frequent topic of conversation.

The Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce recently added Barry S. Bigfoot to its team. Pasha Watson, chamber director, said the mascot was a natural fit.

“He is fun and photogenic. I think he has been well received and it is positive,” Watson said. “Our area does have a bit of lore. Barry goes around to whoever wants him to be at their business.

It is a fun way to get people in door.”

Watson said several chamber members have some type of affiliation with Bigfoot.

Mary Alice Head, who owns The Shop on Mena Street, often receives travelers who notice the Bigfoot silhouettes on the property.

“Everybody that comes into The Shop has a story to tell and I’m a good listener,” Head said. “Most of the people are visitors to the area and it is interesting to share stories.”

Head has heard many tales from local residents and travelers over the years that may lead one to wonder if Bigfoot can be found in the area.

Torren Turbyfill, owner of Miller Signs and Graphics, admits he is curious to the possibilities of Bigfoot’s involvement in some things he has encountered.

“There is something out there,” he said. “I’m just not sure what it is.”

Eudell Head, a law enforcement officer, said he knows there is a creature in the wilderness.

“They are a very smart animal, but there is something else to it. I’m not sure what, but its different,” Head said.

“As a teen I had a sighting that I kept under wraps, but in 2005 I had second sighting that gave me confirmation,” he

continued, noting the second sighting led to researching Bigfoot two days a week for several years.

“I kept it under wraps for so long because as a police officer you have to maintain a degree of integrity,” he said.

“I felt like if I told people, they would look at me like I lost my mind and not appreciate me as a police officer.

Now I’m at the point of getting close to retirement and I don’t care if people think I’ve lost my mind. “ Head said there is a fair amount of people who have had an experience or sighting.

“Most people have some instance of something they can’t explain and don’t talk about,” he said, noting he will be speaking at the Ouachita Bigfoot Conference this weekend. (See page 20 for more information) “I have had large stones thrown at me and other experiences and I’ll be telling more of those story at the conference,” he said. “I hope to get people to open up more about it. If I am able to talk about it and not be afraid to tell my story, then they should be able to, too.

I’m finding that more and more people are talking about things that have happened to them.”

Orville and Cheryl Murphy, owners of Board Camp Crystal Mine, said prior to 2017, Bigfoot was just something on TV. “Then we began to experience phenomena on our crystal mine property,” Cheryl said. “They were leaving “signs” in the woods to let us know of their presence. As crazy as it sounds, we have become accustomed to finding multiple tree arches and rock stacks throughout our property, which cannot be made by human hands when there are no human prints left behind.”

“We and our guests have experienced rocks being thrown in our direction, items disappearing and reappearing, and crystal rock gifts are often found.”

“After 3 years of experiencing this phenomena on a regular basis, we are

of the opinion that the Bigfoot is an intelligent interdimensional being and has the ability to “step” into our dimension and back again. That’s why it is so elusive and no one has found a dead carcass,” Cheryl said. “If Bigfoot was an animal we should be able to track it, but we only found two prints. We believe the electromagnetism of the quartz crystals could be a catalyst in opening and closing portals between dimensions by which interdimensional beings can travel. We have always preferred to approach the phenomena happening on our property scientifically. And what we define as “paranormal” is that which Science has yet to explain.”

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Murphy

Footprints and archways, believed to be signs of Bigfoot’s presence, have been found at Board Camp Crystal Mines.

20

September 23, 2020

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Conference and Festival to unite and entertain Bigfoot enthusiast

By Jeri Borst

After years of request, the area will host an event dedicated to the elusive Bigfoot.

The 2020 Ouachita Bigfoot Festival and Conference is a three-day event and will have numerous vendors, food, games, activities, door prizes, and a conference with renowned researchers and speakers.

The event will take place at The Blue Zipline, and owner Shelly Alston said she is looking forward to answering the call to commune with the creature.

“I worked in events for 17 years doing festivals, conventions and trade shows,” Alston said. “For about two years people have been mentioning a Bigfoot festival. It was said enough that I said okay. There is a lot of local interest and local people were telling me to do this.”

As far as her personal views, Alston said she is open to theories.

“There is a creature out there. I don’t believe he is magical or alien, but there is something out there tall and hairy, that walks around on two feet, that is not a bear.”

There are several confirmed conference speakers including Marvin Leeper -Author and Researcher, Keith Crabtree - researcher and “The Monster” in the movie, The Legend of Boggy Creek, Will Lunsfordresearcher, Shane Church of Southern Bigfoot Alliance - casting demonstrations, and Eudell Head - researcher.

“One of our guest speakers for this year’s conference is Eudell Head.

Eudell is a native of Mena,” Alston said.

“We are really glad to have him. He has

been in the field consistently researching for over five years.”

Eudell is a Navy veteran and a 29 year law enforcement officer. He partnered for years with the legendary bigfoot hunter Robert Dodson in his research area in Eastern Oklahoma.

Through his research, Eudell has had numerous sightings and has developed techniques to aid in the pursuit of Bigfoot evidence.

Additional Festival/Conference Information On-site Camping will also be available.

Water & electric hookups will not be available for campsites.

RVs and tents are welcome. Generators welcome.

Overnight campers will be eligible to take part in ‘squatch expeditions each night.

Festival: Friday, September 25th, 10am to 5pm.

Saturday, September 26th, 9am to 5pm.

Sunday, September 27th, 9am to 3pm.

Conference: Friday, September 25th, 12noon to 4pm.

Saturday, September 26th, 11am to 4pm.

Festival and Conference tickets available at the gate.

Festival admission: $1 per person. ages 3 and under are free.

Conference admission: $5 per day.

Under age 5 is free.

For more information call The Blue Zipline & Farm at 479-216-8639