The Polk County Pulse - December 13, 2023

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600

December 13, 2023

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

Fire destroys home of a Polk County deputy and family

INSIDE:

Submitted by Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer

Youth Artists’ Show Info

Page 9

Cove Christmas Events

Page 11

Cossatot River School Resource Officer and Polk County Deputy Tyler Schlomer and his family lost their house to a fire late Sunday night in the Wickes area. The Wickes, Umpire and Vandervoort fire departments were dispatched.

Schlomer, his wife Shelby, and their two girls were able to get out with not much more than the clothes on their backs. They’re all safe and, as Shelby told me, everything at any branch of Union Bank: Mena, Hatfield or Wickes. else is just stuff.

You can also bring donations by Anyone wanting to donate to the Polk County Sheriff ’s Office.

Schlomer and his family can do so

Newest highway commissioner Haak discusses I-49 project

By Patrick Massey

The newest member of the Arkansas Highway Commission, David Haak, hopes his role on it will help raise awareness on the need for more vital infrastructure improvements in southern Arkansas.

As a lifelong resident of Texarkana, Arkansas, and as business owner, Haak intimately knows the transportation challenges facing the southern half of the state. When it comes to issues like infrastructure investment, Haak said there’s a general feeling that the southern third of Arkansas is missing out.

“I hate to say it this way, but it’s like the rest of the state has gone off

See HAAK continued on page 12

Dawn Olivieri: Horses led the actor to Mena

By Ethan Nahté Part Five

Christmas Competition

Page 13

Throughout our five-part series about actor Dawn Olivieri rescuing horses, some people may wonder how she came to be in Arkansas instead of being in or around Hollywood? Addi-

tionally, some may wonder about her equine background beyond being an animal lover. Did she just begin to randomly save horses, or did she have a history involving horses and riding?

Olivieri explained, “I have a little bit. I mean, I didn’t grow up with

horses. My mom was born on a dairy farm, and she grew up with horses.

When my sister and I went to college, she and my dad decided to move to the country in Oklahoma and get horses, get cows and do the whole

See HORSES continued on page 7

2 News

Santa Claus, along with Mrs. Claus, the occasional elf, and even the

Lifeline Service Dogs benefit at Pizza Hut

By Ethan Nahté

with no-cost training.

Grinch, will be appearing throughBeginning at noon, they will be doout Polk County over the next few Lifeline Service Dogs will be at Pizza ing a bake sale outside of Pizza Hut that weeks.

Hut of Mena for a large part of Wednes- goes until they sell out. Their red, white Here are the Santa sighting and day, Dec. 13. The non-profit organiza- and blue pop-up canopy should be easy to find. They’ll acpicture opportunities where you cept cash, check can get a photo and talk to Santa or the use of a QR and Mrs. Claus:. code for Paypal.

Saturday, Dec. 16 - Toys for Tots, Elks Club, Hwy. 375 E, 8 a.m. to noon. Requires postcard mailed out from Polk County Toys for Tots.

- Santa’S Outback Barn, Janssen Park, 1-3 p.m.

- Toys for Tots, Q on Main (Suzy Q’s), 4-6 p.m.

Santa and Mrs. Claus on the MRHS Christmas parade float.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Pulse

December 13, 2023

Still time to meet Santa Claus and the Grinch

By Ethan Nahté

THE POLK COUNTY

Thursday, Dec. 21 - Union Bank Santa and the Grinch, 2-4 p.m.

Afterwards, Pizza Hut will be donating 20% of sales of all purchases to support Lifeline between 4-8 p.m.

Customers must bring in a flyer for the donation to go to Lifeline. Flyers are available Lifeline Service Dogs winning a trophy at the 2022 at Atwood’s in Veterans Day parade.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse) Mena, Farmer’s Co-op and Pulse tion provides highly-trained assistance Multi-Media/KENA/KQOR. dogs to veterans and children in need

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

December 13, 2023

Radio - Print - Web 1168 Hwy 71S Mena, AR 71953 Phone: 479-243-9600 Fax: 479-243-9603 Swap Shop-479-394-2800 Email: news@mypulsenews.com

KENA 104.1 - KQOR 105.3 MyPulseNews.com

Our Team:

Jamie Hammack - General Manager Ethan Nahté - Production Manager/Editor Patrick Massey - Contributing Reporter/ On-Air Talent Logan McCourtney - Contributing Reporter John Russell - Graphic Design Curt Teasdale - Programmer /On-Air Personality Ariel Varner - Office Manager/On-Air Personality Matt Allen - On-Air Personality Crystal Reed - Account Executive Distribution & Insertion Staff: Chaz Welch, Deanna Wright, Steven Hart, & Sandra Orthman 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.

The war with Ukraine has taken a toll on Russia, its military assets, citizens, economy, and standing in the world community.

Threats of using nuclear weapons have been uttered by Putin or representatives of Russia on several occasions. The thought of such action is chilling.

We cannot be sure if it is meant to scare or if the threat is real.

I wondered what existed in the way of nuclear weapons and who had them. I went to Google and searched who had nuclear weapons and found nine nations have nuclear weapons: Russia, France, China, The United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, and The United States.

The total nuclear weapon stockpile was estimated to be 13,000.

Of those nations there were five possessing hydrogen bombs: The United States, Russia, France, China, and The United Kingdom.

The number was not specified as to those stockpiles.

The total number of weapons that we know exist are more than enough to end life on our planet. I read an article once that said the only survivors of a nuclear holocaust would be cockroaches. I felt the point was that there would be no reason to use the weapons as the bottom line to war is to the victor belongs the spoils and no one would survive to claim those spoils.

As a child growing up in the early 60’s I remember TV news showing how close we came to just such a war. Russia parked nuclear weapons off our coast in Cuba (Oct. 16-Oct. 29, 1962).

Google Cuban Missile Crisis for full details. At the time I lived in

Letters 3

Want to share your opinion?

Goldsboro, North Carolina, which is where Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is located. It is part of SAC (Strategic Air Command) and a likely target. I remember riding my bicycle through my neighborhood and watching a backhoe dig a hole and a bomb shelter being constructed. The dangers and ramifications did not sink into my young mind, just that someone was going to have a hideout of epic proportions. How little I knew.

Fast forward to modern times.

We have missile defense systems that may destroy most of the weapons launched but they require some notice to respond, and no doubt will not stop all threats. Couple that with advances in delivery systems (space and submarines) and we may have no warnings at all. Counterstrikes are expected by armed nations and the question in my mind is who will strike who. Who are truly our allies and who would love to see the USA gone?

The only acceptable answer is diplomacy. There is no way to put the atomic genie back in the bottle. Looking at our current world leaders does not exactly instill confidence.

Thank you for a forum to express my thoughts, though we may peacefully disagree.

With respect and kindest regards, Ronald Goss, retired, Mena

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.

Letters do not reflect the viewpoints or opinions of Pulse Multi-Media.

The letter must include a signature to be considered for publication. Signatures will NOT be held out by request. Letters will be restricted to 500 words. Any letters longer than 500 words will require purchase of advertising space.

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 Politics

THE POLK COUNTY

December 13, 2023

From the

State House of Representatives

This week, the House Pubissued over 400 citations and lic Transportation Committee delivered more than 3,600 and the Senate Transportation, warnings to drivers found imTechnology, and Legislative peding traffic in the left lane.

Affairs Committee heard testiThe rationale behind this mony from the Arkansas State enforcement aims to address Police and the Highway Police a significant safety concern. concerning the prevalent issue When drivers choose to block John Maddox of driving in the left lane. the left lane, whether intenIn 2021, the Arkansas Gentionally or not, they comproeral Assembly passed legislation aimed mise road safety and efficiency for evat addressing the challenges posed by eryone on the road. inappropriate use of the left lane on According to the National Motorist multilane highways.

Association, refraining from obstructAct 1090 puts clear restrictions on ing other drivers not only reduces the driving in the left lane, permitting it likelihood of accidents but also brings only under specific circumstances: additional benefits. Smoother traffic 1. When overtaking and passing an- flow leads to less tailgating, reduced other vehicle proceeding in the same weaving in and out of lanes, and ultidirection. mately fewer accidents.

2. When all other lanes traveling in Furthermore, the ripple effect of the same direction are closed for con- yielding to faster traffic results in faster struction or repair. overall travel times. Reduced conges3. When all other lanes for traveling tion and a smoother traffic flow allow in the same direction are in disrepair or highway capacity to be utilized to its are in an otherwise undrivable or un- fullest extent, translating to quicker safe condition. journeys for all drivers.

4. When a vehicle is preparing to exit As you travel this holiday season, we the multilane highway on the left. encourage you to be mindful of the law regarding the use of the left lane so all Since the enactment of this legisla- Arkansans can get to their destination tion, the Arkansas State Police have faster and safer.

Contact Your Legislators!

John Maddox

John Boozman

john.maddox@ arkansashouse.org 520 Church Avenue Mena, AR 71953 Call: 479-394-6060

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

Terry Rice

Bruce Westerman

Terry.Rice@senate.ar.gov P.O. Box 2195 Waldron, AR 72958 479-637-3100

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

From the

State Senate

Pulse

Over a 12-month period trict, which reportedly paid a there were 130 reported cy$250,000 “ransom” to hackers berattacks against Arkansas who penetrated the school’s government at the state and computers. local levels. That was more Before cybersecurity exthan twice the number reperts were able to restore opported in the previous year. erations, the district could not The Legislative Audit Comuse its accounting functions Terry Rice mittee compiles reports of or access student files. cyberattacks against government enOf the 130 incidents report last fistities in Arkansas, ranging from po- cal year, 73 have been resolved and the tentially serious security breaches to rest are still under investigation. relatively trivial attempts to hack into The legislature passed two measures a government web site. this year to strengthen its response to These days, government agencies cyber threats. Act 846 formed the Arinvest a lot of resources in setting up kansas Cyber Response Board, which and maintaining data bases. You can will oversee a self-funded insurance renew your car tags or driver’s license program that protects counties, cities on line. Your tax information is stored and schools from damages caused by on a government computer, as are em- cyberattacks. To participate, governployees’ personnel files. ment entities will have to upgrade In 2021 the legislature required their computer systems to meet secuthe reporting of cyber threats against rity standards. public entities, so that security offiAct 504 of 2023 requires local govcials can better evaluate the incidents ernments to set policies governing and plan against them. The type of their use of technology and their apthreats constantly evolves, and the to- proach to cybersecurity. tal number of threats is growing, an In 2019 the legislature passed Act auditor told members of the Legisla- 1085 to authorize the Arkansas Ecotive Joint Auditing Committee. That nomic Development Commission to means preparation is more important create the Cyber Initiative, to support than ever, in order to prevent major private sector businesses with shared disruptions in government services research and cooperation with govcaused by a cyberattack. ernment security systems.

Two of the most serious cyberatAccording to the AEDC, eight years tacks occurred about a year ago. A ago a typical cyberattack cost a small vendor that provides computer ser- company about $38,000, and within vices to 72 Arkansas counties was the six months of the data breach about victim of a ransomware attack that half of small companies had gone out shut down online services for many of business. days. Some counties lost services for Arkansas colleges and universities weeks or months. now offer multiple degrees and certifIt affected the filing of deeds, col- icates in cybersecurity. For example, lecting taxes, registration of vehicles Southern Arkansas University offers a and issuing of marriage licenses. Re- Master of Science degree in Computsponses among counties and state er and Information Science with a cyagencies, such as setting up new se- bersecurity and privacy option. Simicurity measures, entailed substantial lar degrees are available at numerous costs to government. campuses within the University of ArThe other major cyberattack was kansas system and the Arkansas State against the Little Rock School Dis- University system.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Obituaries 5

December 13, 2023

Daniel Edward Davis Daniel Edward Davis, 49, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on November 30, 2023. He was born on July 30, 1974, in Mena, Arkansas, to the late Perry Davis and Nona Anita Davis.

Daniel was an avid fisherman and hunter at heart, but he loved to do carpentry work. He loved playing and spending time with his grandchildren who were his pride and joy. He also enjoyed his grandpups, Bonnie, Tucker, and Lola. He was a rocker through and through, some of his favorite bands were Van Halen, AC/DC, Mötley Crüe, etc., but there are too many to mention.

He was always willing to lend a helping hand and give you the shirt off his back.

Daniel is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Terry Davis.

He is survived by one son, Dakota Swayde Davis (Delta); two daughters, Hannah Danielle Davis (Donny) and Madison Hope Davis; two brothers, Mark, and David Davis; four sisters, Brenda Andrews, Karen Lance, Carla Krell, and Pam Neblick; grandchildren, Maverick Shane Deer, Ava Annette O’Flinn, and Roslyn Viridian Davis.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Beasley Wood Chapel with E.J. Tena officiating. Interment will be private.

Pallbearers are Dakota Davis, Tylor Davis, Phillip Neblick, Kerry Davis, Denver Moore, Payton Hill and Vince Elliott.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother.

~ Homer

Parker Meador

P a r k e r Meador, who resided in Wickes, Arkansas, passed away in the early morning hours of December 4, 2023. He was born on January 21, 1942, in Mena, Arkansas, to the late George Meador and Delta (Myers) Meador. He was blessed with 81 years of life. Parker was born as part of a set of triplets and was proceeded in death by his triplet sister, Patricia House, and his identical twin brother, Pierre Meador (Two Daddy). He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Joyce Mussick, Gerri Glover, and Sybil Jones; and three brothers, Bud Meador, G.W. Meador, and Gerald Meador.

Parker was a retired contractor for DCI where he spent many years traveling around the United States installing drywall in Dillards. This career let him see the country and make countless friends. He was a man of all trades thriving in completing daily crossword puzzles, construction, and farming.

There was not a job too big or too small for him. If you needed something built, Parker would not stop (unless it got dark) until the task was completed. He lived to help others and would give the shirt off his back to help a neighbor in need. Our father was one of the great, quiet ones that often sat and listened rather than speak. His toothpick smile will be missed dearly by all those left to carry on his love and memory.

He is survived by his four daughters, Paula (Meador) and Ralph Gallucci of Ventura, CA, Treva (Meador) Stolki of Little Rock, AR, Melissa (Meador) and Charles Chambers of Malvern, AR, and Patricia (Meador) and Wes Murray of El Dorado, AR; his brothers Bill Meador, also of Wickes, and Harry Meador of Wichita Falls, TX; and ten grandchildren, Hayden Stolki, Amber, Justin (Maddie), and Michael Yates, Tallis Kyle, Lillian, Gage, and Jack Chambers, and Parker and Whitt Murray. He is also survived by his companion Lisa

Beckwith of Wickes, her children that he thought of as his own, Rodney and Stevie Lawrence and Amanda Sickles; their children that thought of Parker as his Papa; and her sister and brother-inlaw whom he considered family, Linda and Michael Keisling.

A memorial service will be held on March 2, 2024, at Daniel Cemetery at noon.

Mark Lee Wilson

Mr. Mark Lee Wilson, age 63, of Cove, Arkansas, passed away, Thursday, December 7, 2023, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 22, 1960, to the late Wayne Wilson and Sybil (Meador) Jones.

Mark was a truck driver by profession, although he had been retired for many years. You could often find Mark drinking coffee at Scotty’s with his friends. He enjoyed listening to the radio, talking on the phone, cutting up and picking on people, reading his books, but most of all he loved spending time with his family.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne Wilson and Sybil (Meador) Jones.

He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Shannon Wilson; sons, Logan and Garet; daughter, Destiny; grandchildren, Chole, Talon, Marilynn, and Salem; 2 great-grandchildren; brothers, John Wilson and wife Nancy of Wickes, Arkansas, Mike Wilson and wife Gayle of Wickes, Arkansas, Jamebo Wilson and wife Brenda of Norman, Oklahoma; sister, Samantha Wilson and partner Paul of Fayetteville, Arkansas; his beloved pets, Mako Wayne and Louis Lee; special friends, Stoney Williams, and Dale Sherrouse; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Cremation arrangements for Mr. Mark Wilson are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. A memorial

service will be announced at a later date.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Arleen Wiley

Arleen passed away peacefully at Serena’s House 24-hour Hospice Care on December 5, 2023. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before moving to Phoenix, Arizona where she raised her family. Arleen worked as a secretary for over 30 years in Arizona. She worked as a school secretary for Holiday Park Elementary School in Phoenix and then the Arizona Juvenile Corrections Department from which she retired.

After retirement she moved to Mena, Arkansas, with her husband where she lived for over 25 years prior to her passing. Arleen was a lover of animals, especially cats, dogs, and even her chickens.

She adopted dozens of cats and dogs over the years and donated her time and money to multiple animal rescues and charities.

She is preceded in death by her husband Howard Wiley of Mena, Arkansas; daughter, Robin Lynn Smaltz; and by her parents, Charles Edward Skiles and Helen Klosky Skiles of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her sons, Robert C. Smaltz of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, James D. Smaltz of Peoria, Arizona; grandchildren, Andrea, Joseph, James, Joshua, Briana, Jennifer; seven great-grandchildren, and a host of other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Cremation arrangements for Mrs. Arleen Wiley were entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. There are no services planned at this time.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

6 Obituaries

December 13, 2023

Cynthia Towona Anglin

Cynthia Towona Anglin, age 63, of Mena, Arkansas passed away Friday, December 8, 2023, in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

She was born February 22, 1960, in Fort Worth, Texas to Richard Herman Venable and Dorothy Fayrene Knight Venable. Cynthia was a Birthing Clerk at Mena Regional Health System. She enjoyed gardening, and Christmas was one of her favorite times of the year. She was an outdoors girl and loved hiking and camping. Most of all, she loved to socialize with friends, and her family was very important to her. She will be greatly missed by those who loved and knew her.

Cynthia is survived by her son, Josh Anglin and his partner Emerald; granddaughter, Kaitlind Bryant; sister, Charlotte James; brother, Tim Venable; brothers-in-law, Frank James and Jesse James; and a host of other family and friends too numerous to mention.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Dorothy Venable; daughter, Tisha Anglin; and sister, Vivian James.

Cremation services are entrusted to the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home in Mena.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Doris Laverne Wolf

Doris Laverne Wolf, 87, of Mena, Arkansas passed away on December 9, 2023. Doris was born on March 3, 1936, to Ollie Wahington Fallin and Maggie Gee Fallin in Tenaha, Texas. She worked as a legal secretary for Joe Hardegree for several years.

Doris was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. She was a member of First Christian Church in Mena, Arkansas.

She loved to read, and she enjoyed golfing. She loved spending time with all her friends and family. The family would

like to express a special thank you to the nurses and caregivers at Homewood Cottages.

Doris is survived by one son, Thomas Michael; two grandchildren, Seth and Cole; three great grandchildren, Gunner, Grison, Brody; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard Allen Wolf; brother, Joseph Ollie Fallin; two sisters, Miriam Ruth Riha and Joyce Marie Lawton.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at First Christian Church in Mena, Arkansas, with an interment to follow at Mollie Gann Cemetery. Brother Rob Williams will be officiating the service.

There will be a visitation from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Beasley Wood Funeral home.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Layman Joseph Hughes March 23, 1975-December 12, 2022

In memory of our beloved family member Layman Joseph (Joey) Hughes who was murdered December 12, 2022, on Hickory Street across from Mena Police Station.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of GOD; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

Charles A. Krebbs

Charles A. Krebbs passed from this life December 10, 2023.

Born July 25, 1937, in the small

community of Jumbo, OK, he was the son of Willie and Opal (Piette) Krebbs.

Charles had 2 brothers and 6 sisters.

Growing up in the depression his father had to work away from home, and as a young boy, he took on the responsibilities of caring for his siblings and mother.

When he was 14, he made a deal for an old car, and he and a friend hit the road and ended up in the Lubbock/Shallowater, Texas, area. One day, while having lunch at a small cafe, he met a young, sassy lady, and at the age of 17, he married Junita (Winfield) Krebbs.

In a very short time, he was drafted into the Army and served his country for four years. Charles and Junita then made their home in Shallowater, Texas, where they raised their daughter Rose and sons Richard and Robin. He learned the ropes of working and managing a business from an older gentleman who took him under his wing and helped him learn the trade.

He then ran Goodpasture Grain Elevator for 18 years! Charles also farmed cotton.

When Goodpasture went out of business, he kept it open as 5K Chemicals.

Charles lifelong dream was to own property and raise cattle, so after the children were through school, he and Junita moved to Arkansas! They purchased land and fulfilled that dream of raising cattle, which he did until about 3 years ago, when his health failed him.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, all but two siblings, his wife Junita, his sons Richard and Robin.

He is survived by his daughter, Rose Krebbs King, and her husband Jan of Lubbock, Tx; two granddaughters, Sabrina (Fred) and Jamie (Thomas); two great-granddaughters; and two great-grandsons. Charles was blessed with having a few extra special people in his life who helped him and cared for him over the last few years. Sandy and Monty Gray of Hatfield; Kimie and David Head of Nunley; and Rita and Terry Keener of Potter.

The last few years, his memory lived in the past. Stories of his childhood, stories of his Choctaw heritage of which he was very proud. Many hours he was at his farm working with the boys. He talked of cows, Sale barns, his garden and his friends. If you were personally acquainted with him, I can assure you that he spoke of you or about you in some of his many, many tales. I know he would want

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

to say to you, “Thank you for being a part of my dreams and adventures.”

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Nolan Rip Davis

Nolan Rip Davis, infant son of Dakota and Meaghan Davis, passed away December 3, 2023.

He was born July 26, 2023, in Paris, Texas.

Baby Nolan is survived by his parents, Dakota and Meaghan; brothers, Waylon Davis and Jaxson Davis; sisters, Brentlee Davis, Braelynn Davis, Adilyn Davis, and Haezlee Davis; paternal grandparents, Jason and Tawnya Davis; maternal grandmother, Julie Hall.

Graveside service will be Monday, December 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Gilead Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Charles Raymond Cunningham

Charles Cunningham of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Sunday, November 12, at home. He was born to Raymond and Norma (Honey) Cunningham in Mena, Arkansas, June 5, 1939. He graduated from Mena in 1956.

He joined the army and served in the Korean War. He was also sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, to help contain peace during their integration.

He is survived by his wife Macaline; son Scott; daughter Lisa of Wyoming, two granddaughters and one grandson, all of Wyoming; two brothers Bobby and Kay of Florida, Wiley and Lonna of Foreman, Arkansas; one sister Kay and Jerry Rector of Mena, Arkansas; a host of nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, song Brian Cunningham, and brother Dennis Cunningham.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

December 13, 2023 HORSES continued from page 1

thing. That was probably when I was in my 20s. So probably the better of 20 years, I have been sort of learning and riding.

“In the beginning, it was only when I’d come home for holidays or come back to see my parents. Then we started up on this trail ride that we would do twice a year called the Okie-Arkie Trail Ride. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of this trail ride, but it’s been going on for 50-plus years.”

The trail riding club is for moderate to advanced trail riders. The wilderness ride starts in southeast Oklahoma and ends in western Arkansas.

The Cross Country Trail Ride is a week-long ride that occurs in May and ends with the Fort Smith Memorial Day Parade and Rodeo. The Fall Clover Leaf Trail Ride is a four-day ride in October.

“We would do this ride twice a year and it became such a family bonding experience we would do with the horses,” Olivieri said. “You travel with your rig, and you sleep in the rig. In the spring you travel to each location. In the fall, everybody camps and stays for the whole week.

So, you get both of those experiences and the spring one is really hard. But it’s part of what makes it incredible because you feel like you’re almost on this, like wagon train thing. Every year we would do that, and I probably learned more about riding on these trail rides than any other way in my life.

“After doing that for seven or eight years, I decided I wanted to leave L.A. because I wanted to have horses and I wanted to have them in a way where I got to care for them, I got to live with them, and I wanted them at my place wherever I was. That’s how

I ended up in Arkansas was because there was so much space and Mena, this particular area, is so beautiful and there was so much National Forest that you could touch with just by putting your finger out. I wanted to be able to saddle my horse and ride it straight out into the National Forest.

That’s how I ended up on the property that I’m at now.

“I call it a land hack for sure. And I run about 40 to 50 goats. They are my brush clearing extravaganza. Being on the edge of a national forest, there’s always food. I feel like it’s a hack and the goats don’t bother anybody. They can do their thing and the goats were my first sort of foray into animal medicine, and in a really intense way, because for the goats they just got sick with every single thing you could possibly imagine. I had to learn about all these illnesses and all these medicines. Then I amassed this sort of apothecary in my house because I was treating with herbals. I was treating with meds with different pharmaceuticals for them.

“A lot of that has paralleled the

horses. I felt really ready for war — like war on the pathogens. I think the goats really prepared me for this level of healing.

“Yeah, goats they kind of crack me up. I played with the goats because I didn’t know if I wanted to have a dairy farm or if I wanted to make cheese. Maybe I was just like, ‘What do I wanna do here, you know? Is it because I love goats so much?’ I eventually ended up with just that I just loved having them. I didn’t really wanna make some sort of like commercial venture with the goats.

“Then the horses showed up and I was like, ‘Oh, maybe this is what I’m supposed to be doing.’ You’re always trying to figure it out.”

After quipping that she’ll be raising llamas and alpacas next, she laughed and replied, “I know. What am I gonna be rescuing? Bison? I don’t know.

But for now, the horses are what are asking for the most attention. So that’s what I’m doing.

Finding a purpose Olivieri spent much of her time during the actors and the writers strikes rescuing mare and foals that were potentially headed for kill pens if the horses were not successful in being adopted or purchased at auctions. By mid-to-late October, Olivieri had rescued approximately 44 horses — considerably more than

News 7 she had originally thought she’d receive backing for from donors, both from individuals and companies.

“I literally know that people know that I’ve done this now. It’s full steam ahead,” Olivieri said. “I had a woman message me this morning just about a really heavy bread mare in a kill pen in Stroud, Oklahoma. She’s like, ‘If we can get her to you, can you house her?’ And I’m just like, ‘Oh boy, here we go. What’s one more momma with a baby?’ You know, I think I’ve kind of established myself as a niche for pregnant mares or foals and kill pens. I think that seems like what’s going on here.”

Winter necessities Besides monetary donations, if local people are looking to help, especially with winter coming in, Olivieri said, “My answer is gonna be round bales. It’s gonna be hay. I had a great resource for the hay, and then just a couple weeks ago their barn burned down. So, I lost that hay connection. Since then, I have been hunting [for hay]. If there’s anyone locally that would… these guys go through roughly, at the height of what I’m doing, it’s about eight round bales a week. We’re crushing round bales over here. That would be my request.

“It’s alfalfa bales, which I get See HORSES continued on page 8

8 News

December 13, 2023

HORSES somebody knew Debbie Miner from continued from page 7 A&B Miner’s Tire shop, they could through Andy Horton, who does a stop in there. She’s sort of been one of lot of everybody’s hay in the area. He our biggest help advocates. I call her does a lot of the alfalfa. I buy roughly, the unannounced mayor of Mena.

“That also may make someone loor I try to purchase, three big bales of alfalfa every week and they’re about cally feel more comfortable about the $250 a bale. I buy three of those a whole thing just going to someone week and then eight round bales a local [like Debbie] that they know week. If someone wanted to help, and has been a pillar in the commuthat’s how. I would beg for that help nity for a long time. She’s a big advobecause everything else I’m crowd cate for us and she’s been helping us sourcing. I do that, too, with dona- along the way since the beginning.

We’re also about to set up a busitions for the hay and that does come through. I am able to skirt by on the ness account there at one of the banks skin of my teeth a lot of the time. if someone wanted to go through the This is certainly a full trust exercise drive-thru.

We have a p.o. box number, too, so in praying for something and then it’s showing up for you. Those are my someone could send a check there if they felt compelled to do it that way. main needs.”

Or they could just reach out. We’re The best way for somebody to very available and we’re very transreach out if they’ve got bales of hay is either through her website, social parent about everything that we’re media accounts or, Olivieri said, “If doing. There’s a ton of ways to get

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

ahold of us.

Seeing what the funds are going toward and how they’re being used is easily seen on the social media pages. Olivieri has also been documenting the Momma Baby Army journey with the help of photographers and video production.

“Samantha Maechler is doing a lot of our stills. There are a lot of people that follow her on Facebook and can see a lot of that. We’ve got her shooting some, just the story line as we go.

“I have another team that has been coming out shooting video,” she said.

“We’re trying to put together something together. We don’t know what it is quite yet. Maybe it’s a TV show, maybe it’s a documentary, but whatever it is, the story wants to be told.

“I would say people that follow my Instagram, if you don’t now, do it so that you can stay sort of abreast of the latest. That’s where I post everything first. I’ll do it on Instagram and anything that feels like the local community might be really interested in, I’ll then also share on Facebook.

I’m in the family, it would just make sense to make a piece of that content that’s connected.

“I feel like it’s just building. I’m not worried about it. I’m mainly just focused on getting these babies healthy and getting some of them some homes. That’s what I wanna do.”

Listening to Olivieri speak, it’s obvious she is passionate about her quest to rescue the horses, but it’s also apparent that she is appreciative of the outpouring of support and assistance.

“I love what this community has done so far — the help and the support. There are a lot of lovers of the horses and livestock out here as you know.

“Yellowstone” and “1883” With the popularity of “Yellowstone” and the spinoff “1883,” both of which rely heavily on horses and riding, it would seem only natural that she would have some support, be it financial or moral, from other actors or crew members Olivieri has worked with from either production.

“Yes, moral support for sure,” Olivieri said. “I have a camera guy that works on ‘Yellowstone’ who’s been very supportive from the beginning.

“I have one donor who’s been very supportive also, who knows me through that world, which is cool.

This piece of content that I’m cutting actually is out to their camp right now. So, fingers crossed. They’ve sort of alluded to the idea that because

Social media and contacts New Website - Moonmountainsanctuaryandrescue.com Instagram - Moon_mountain_sanctuary - dawnolivieri Paypal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EternalDawnInc Venmo - https://account.venmo.com/u/ Dawnolivieri Amazon gift registry for the horses - https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3BYZH895LSXZF Go Fund Me to build a well - https://www.gofundme.com/f/ t5h6e-help-us-dig-a-well

Holiday party and fundraiser Moon Mountain Sanctuary will hold their First Holiday Party and Fundraiser at The Ouachitas, 821 Mena St., Mena from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22. They invite you to come eat, drink, be merry as well as bid on a silent auction and help save the horses.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

December 13, 2023

News 9

Mena Art Gallery 2024 Young Artists’ Show

The Mena Art Gallery will hold their Young Artists’ Show Jan. 24-Feb. 16.

The competition is accepting up to two pieces of either 2D or 3D art. There is no entry fee, but there are cash awards in three age categories.

This exhibit is open to all artists ages 5-17 (*including 18-year-olds still in high school.) This includes home school, independent and others. All work must be original and the artist’s own work; no kits or copies will be accepted.

2D work should be matted, mounted or framed so it can be hung for display.

Art must be mounted on stiff backing, such as cardboard with a centered hanger (string with hot glue works well – tape does not hold) or in frames properly prepared for hanging.

Each entry must have the attached entry tag filled out in Full and taped to the lower left-hand corner for each entry. If work is not for sale, please put NFS in the Price line. Otherwise indi-

cate price.

Student’s name, grade and age, teacher’s name and school must also be on the back of each entry.

Work will be accepted for entry from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. Please contact the Gallery if you need to make other arrangements but no entries will be accepted after 6 p.m. on Jan. 20. Young people may enter the show either through their school teachers or through their parents. Rules and entry forms are available at the Gallery and through the schools.

The reception is from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 with artists and their parents invited. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m.

Pick-up time for this show is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. All artwork must remain until the end of the show.

If work is for sale and is purchased, the student will receive the full price of the sale by check no later than two

weeks after the end of the show. The artwork does not have to be for sale.

Categories 2D (Pencil, Graphite, Charcoal, Pen & Ink, Colored Pencil, Marker, Digital, Acrylic, Oil, Watercolor, Pastels, Photography, Mixed Media) 3D (Any 3-dimensional artwork) Age Groups - Ages 5 – 8 - Ages 9 – 13 - Ages 14 – 17* Mena Art Gallery is a family friendly environment. Please consider this when you bring art for exhibition. Acceptance of questionable subject matter must meet the approval of the exhibits committee.

Prizes in each category for each age group: First Place $50 & ribbon Second Place $25 & ribbon Third Place $15 & ribbon Honorable Mention $5 & ribbon

One Best of Show $60 & ribbon People’s Choice $25 & certificate All reasonable care will be taken to protect exhibits, but Mena Art Gallery cannot be responsible for loss or damage. Neither Mena Art Gallery, its board, volunteers, nor anyone connected with the exhibition will be responsible for loss or damage.

Please pick up your child’s art on the designated day or make other arrangements.

10 Faith

By Richie Lawry

My Daddy grew up in a Ford Model A. By the time he was 8 years old he was driving the family Model A. One of the ways that the family earned money was by peddling eggs, fruit, and vegetables door to door. By the time he was 8 years old, when the traffic was light, his Momma would send Daddy back down the street to pull the Model A up to where she was.

Daddy remembered having to look through the steering wheel instead of over it.

Over the years Daddy owned many antique and special interest collector cars. But the cars he loved the most were Model A’s. In 1992, he drove a Shay Model A on several trips. On one trip he drove the Model A from Arkansas to Dawson City, Yukon, in Canada. From there, he traveled on the Dempster Highway toward Inuvik. Driving his Model A above the Arctic Circle was one of his proudest achievements.

Later that year he took another vacation, driving the Model A to Key West, Florida. Over the years, I heard him tell the story of driving his Model A to the Arctic Circle and the Florida Keys in the same year to hundreds of people.

The last old car Daddy bought was a 1930 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup. He was no longer driving his old cars and wasn’t interested in purchasing any. But he bought this original Model A pickup when offered it. The Model A had been donated to the TV ministry “It Is Written,” by one of the owners of McKee Foods, makers of Little Debbie Snack Cakes. When “It Is Written” contacted Daddy to see if he was interested in purchasing the Model A, he told them he was no longer buying cars, but he did have a soft spot for Model A’s.

After negotiating a price and finding transport from Chattanooga to Mena, the day finally arrived when the Model A pickup was delivered. Daddy was

December 13, 2023

An Arkie’s Faith The Model A pickup

The Model A queued for the Mena Christmas parade. (Photo by Samantha Rigdon)

excited to see his new purchase. He loved the untouched original look.

In its unrestored condition with the cracked and peeling black lacquer paint, the Model A pickup looked the way it would have 80 years ago when Daddy first learned to drive in a Model A. We moved cars around in our building to accommodate the new acquisition. I asked Daddy if he wanted to try and start the Model A Pickup. He said, “Not today,” and returned to his favorite chair and scrolling through Facebook on his iPad. For the next three years, he loved to show people his Model A Roadster Pickup and tell them that the previous owner was the owner of Little Debbie’s. Several more times over the years, I asked Daddy if he wanted to try and start the Model A, and his answer was always the same. “Not today.”

Two months ago, Daddy passed away suddenly. After the shock and taking care of the necessary things had subsided, I turned my attention to the shop and everything that would need to be done there. I started thinking about getting some of the cars in Daddy’s collection running again.

I mentioned to several people that I would like to get the Model A pickup running but didn’t know much about Model A’s.

One day, a customer came by the shop and said, “I hear you have a Model A that you want to get running.”

“Yes, I do,” I replied. He told me he had been working on Model A’s for years, and in the next day or two, he would come by and see what we could do.

The very next day, he showed up and was anxious to get to work. He showed me where the fuel shut-off valve was located under the dash.

After turning the fuel valve on, he made sure the spark control lever on the left side of the steering wheel was pushed up. Then he pulled the throttle lever on the right side of the steering wheel halfway down.

Pulling the choke control out, he pressed the starter button and pushed the choke control back in as soon as the engine turned over. The Model A pickup that hadn’t been started in years came to life. He pulled the spark control lever down as soon as it started until the engine ran more smoothly. “Hop in,” he said, “let’s go

Joke of the Week:

I wasn’t using the colander correctly, so my wife took out a restraining order.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse for a ride.”

We drove to the gas station to put more fuel in the little truck. The old gas that had been in the tank for years smelled terrible, so we filled it with new gas. On the way back to the shop, we changed drivers, and for the first time, I was driving the Model A Roadster Pickup. I felt sad that Daddy wasn’t there to see it.

My friend Chad told me I should drive the Model A in the Christmas parade. So, we decorated it with lights and cut down a Christmas tree to haul in the pickup bed. My wife and I enjoyed driving the Model A in the parade.

As I drove in the parade, I thought about those years that Daddy had owned the Model A but had never driven or even started it. I was thankful for my customer and Model A expert, who was excited to help me get it running.

I thought about how often I needed instructions and someone to teach me things I didn’t know. The same thing happens in my spiritual life.

Every day, there seem to be things I don’t understand. But God tells me in Psalms 32:8 (AMP), “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you who are willing to learn with My eye upon you.”

Gentle Reader, God has a specific plan and purpose for our lives. These plans come with individual guidance from God Himself. No one else can direct us into what God has for us except Our Creator, who knows us intimately. In Psalms 32:8, God is reassuring us of His devotion and desire to get us where He designed us to be.

He is saying I am here and know exactly what to do; all you have to do is follow me. He wants to instruct and teach us so we will be wise.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) Replacing windshields in Polk County for over 40 years.

Give Richie a call at 479-394-9938 Located at 3008 Hwy 71 South

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

December 13, 2023

Festivities 11

Cove Christmas Festivities

s by o t o Ph hté a N n Etha

12 News HAAK continued from page 1 and left south Arkansas,” Haak said.

“Northwest Arkansas, the central part of the state, even Jonesboro, is doing really well. But the southwest, the southeast and the middle are not doing that well.”

Haak’s appointment to the Arkansas Highway Commission earlier this year marks his third statewide appointment. Other appointments included to the Arkansas Waterways Commission and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

He also served as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1999-2004.

The Arkansas Highway Commission is the administrative and regulatory board over the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). Its five commissioners are appointed by the governor to serve 10-year terms.

Haak is the first commissioner from southwest Arkansas since Prissy Hickerson of Texarkana completed her term in 2007.

Haak understands that infrastructure investment is closely tied to economic development. Industries, logistic chains, agriculture and tourism all depend on a quality transportation system.

“I consider roads a big part of infrastructure because you can’t get

December 13, 2023 anywhere without them,” Haak said.

“Wherever I travel in south Arkansas, what I hear repeatedly is that if you want industry, you got to have good roads. And when most industries look, they want an interstate or to be close to one. If you’re more than 10 miles from an interstate, forget it.”

For southwest Arkansas, Haak said the critical project is, of course, I-49. The decades-long project to connect New Orleans with the Canadian border remains a work-inprogress, particularly in Arkansas.

The 1,700-mile interstate is around 80% complete.

For Arkansans, the most glaring gap in the completion of I-49 is the stretch from Fort Smith to Polk County and on to Texarkana. Lack of funding and soaring construction costs have all but halted completion of those 136 miles. The construction of the bridge over the Arkansas River, by itself, is estimated at $300$400 million dollars. Consequently, no timeline for funding or construction currently exists.

Nonetheless, the completion of I-49 through Arkansas would change the economic landscape of Arkansas, especially in the southwest corner.

“For western Arkansas, it would be like turning a light switch on because of all the traffic from the port,

from Houston, bringing all kinds of goods and opportunities for jobs,” he said. “One of the biggest problems we have is, when I first became aware of I-49 in 1999 or so, it was like a $1.2 billion project [to connect Fort Smith to Texarkana]. Now it’s $5.5 to $5.7 billion. We can’t even keep up with the costs.”

For I-49 to reach the finish line, the project desperately needs more federal assistance.

“It will require some federal funding,” Haak said. “That’s what really finished I-49 from Texarkana south to the Louisiana line. [The project] isn’t forgotten, it just takes a lot of money. And at the rate inflation is going, it’s like it’s faster than we can come up with.

“Just look at asphalt,” Haak said.

“The price has gone nuts. And in the southern part, asphalt is higher.

Asphalt is made from oil and aggregate, and we don’t have aggregate in most of south Arkansas. So, it becomes more expensive.”

As an example, Haak described one recent project estimate — installing a concrete culvert across a highway. The planner anticipated construction could reach as high as $1 million. That was to install a single concrete culvert on one small stretch of the more than 16,000 miles in the Arkansas Highway System.

“We have to spend our money wisely,” Haak said. “We have more state highway mileage than Illinois, Tennessee and even California. All of those states have more population and more money than we do.

So, things are stretched here, but we’re working on it.”

One recent development raising Haak’s hopes is the decision by Arkansas voters in 2020 to make the state’s 0.5% highway sales tax

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

permanent. The tax would have expired this year had the measure not passed.

Haak understands the political risk behind any tax increase — and the burden it can carry, particularly for business owners like himself — but adds that the tax was necessary to try and meet the growing infrastructure needs in Arkansas.

“Nobody loves a tax, but for our roads that half-cent sales tax has raised some much needed money,” Haak said. “How the highway department can plan and budget and look at the roads that need the most work and know they’ll have some money to do it. I think you can now see more roads being resurfaced and improved thanks to this tax.”

It’s important, however, to put into perspective how great the need for highway funding is in Arkansas.

ARDOT would need to set aside its entire budget for the next six years just to complete the 136 miles of I-49 between Fort Smith and Texarkana. And that’s at current projected costs.

That’s again why Haak praises Arkansans for passing the permanent highway tax measure. As owner of First Tape & Seal in Texarkana, he sees daily how vital highway infrastructure is to the state’s economy.

“We get trucks in every day and if they couldn’t roll, I’d be out of business,” Haak said. “There’d be no groceries on the shelves, no way to do business. And without roads, they can’t get to where they need to be.

We pay the half cent, but at the same time, if the roads are in better shape, if you can eliminate potholes, when you see you’re getting something out of it, it makes sense. And I see us getting better roads because of the sales tax.”

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

December 13, 2023

Public can vote on decorations and donate to a cause at courthouse

The Polk County Court House is doing a tree decorating contest and the public can help choose. A few samples are pictured.

- Deadline – Tuesday, Dec. 19 - To vote you make your donation in the numbered jars in the lobby of the main floor (donation = vote) - Votes must be in person at the courthouse - Numbers for each tree posted on wall behind tree - You can donate into more than one jar.

- No min or max for donation - Anyone can vote/donate (open to public) - Angel Tree Program organized by the Elks Lodge of Mena (from the Angel tree located at Walmart)

News 13 Polk County Births Mena Regional Health System DECEMBER 3, 2023 TO DECEMBER 9, 2023 Faye Wilkinson of Cove, Arkansas is the proud parent of a baby boy born Dec. 5th Sandra & Eduardo Martinez of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Dec. 6th

“The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge” opens Thursday, Dec. 14 and runs through Monday, Dec. 18 at Ouachita Little Theatre. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. except for the Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m.

Reserve your tickets online at oltmena.com/ or in person at 601 Mena St. during office hours, or buy them at the door. Enjoy your holidays at OLT!

Elisabeth & Cheston Chandler of De Queen, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born Dec. 6th

14 Community

December 13, 2023

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Around Town Happy 96th birthday to Barbara “Bobbi” Anglin! Friends and family welcome to her birthday party at Boardcamp Assembly of God Church, 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 17.

GriefShare at First Presbyterian Church Mena meet every Wednesday at 1 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

Auditions for “Arsenic and Old Lace” will be held at 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 16, and 6-7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17 at the OLT. Director Amanda Baker says if you are interested and can’t make these dates, you can text her at (479) 469-3741 to schedule an audition time before the evening of Dec. 17. More details can be found in “Auditions” at OLTMena.com/.

GriefShare at The Crossing in Mena meets every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234 Hwy. 71 S, Cove gathers every Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.

The Food Pantry at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church is open every first and third Monday of each month, 4pm - 6pm, located at Fair Grounds Road.

For more information, call 479-437-4018.

The Back Country Extension Homemakers Club meets the second Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at the UA Extension’s Education Building, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. We are a service organization affiliated with UA’s Division of Agriculture with a mission to have fun and learn new things while enriching our

community and creating a more contented family life. We believe the greatest force that molds character comes from the home.

Come join new friends and old as we together grow. For more info, contact Ginger at Gingerkm@protonmail.com.

The Board of Directors of Polk County Developmental Center will meet at the PCDC Health and Wellness Center, 100 Ninth St., at noon, Dec. 15.

The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing.com.

Hatfield First Baptist Church “Shepherd’s Closet” Open Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Large selection of good, used clothing & a limited supply of non-perishable food items. Free to anyone in need.

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, noon - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 6 p.m. on Saturday at the old bus barn at The Crossing church. For information call Erica at (479) 234-5289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

Jam session every Tuesday night, 6-9 p.m. at Shady Mountain Events, 428 Hwy. 375 East, Mena. No charge, everyone is welcome. All genres of music.

Bring your own instrument, come watch or dance. Call (479) 234-7174 with questions.

First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a series on the Book of Revelation in its Adult Sunday School class on Sunday mornings beginning at

9:45. Earl Harrell will be the presenter and will focus on the titles of Jesus as revealed in the Book of Revelation. The public is invited to attend. Classes will be in the Helen Barham Room at the church, 904 Church Avenue, Mena.

The Ouachita Beekeepers Association is now meeting on the second Thursday of the month, 6 p.m. in the Education Building of the UA Extension Office, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. Come enjoy bee education, door prizes and socialization with other beekeepers. Call president Tommy Payne at (903) 5214611 for details.

days at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

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

Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows.

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

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

The Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from noon-4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street and Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

The Cove Branch Library is open Monday and Thursday from noon-5 p.m. The Library is located next to Cove Town Hall at 5568 Hwy. 71 S.

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 243-9600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors.The hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 3852373.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Satur-

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

December 13, 2023

- CLASSIFIEDS - SERVICES -

- FOR SALE -

Wendell’s Tree Service - Tree Removal and Trimming. Experienced and fully insured for ALL your tree-trimming needs. Call (479) 394-0227 or (479) 216-4328.

T1227

Nice gun cabinet, wood with glass door and lower cabinet, 74” tall, great Christmas gift $150. (479) 243-0405 T1227

Carter’s Excavating - Licensed Contractor: Heavy and light dozer work, heavy excavation, soft ground to rock excavation, heavy off-road hauling, road design and construction 50 years in trade, 40 years in area. Subsidiary of RCI Construction (479) 394-9227 T1227

For sale - AKC English Bulldog puppy, female, standard colors, and ready for her new home. Facebook Arklatex Bulldogs to see this beauty. Call (870) 642-3104 for more information.

TFN

Tree services, forestry mulching, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light replacement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for free estimate.

T0103

Gifts! Unique, handmade with love by local artists - an entire store full. Mena Art Gallery, 607 Mena St., extra opendays/hours: Tues 11–2. Wed–Sat 10-3,Sun 1-4, Thu 10-7.

(479) 394-3880 T1220

Handyman Service - Electrical and plumbing. Prefer small jobs. For more details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204.

T1213 Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries.

(870) 490-1191 T1227

- PETS FOR SALE -

- BUSINESS -

- EVENTS -

Happy 96th birthday to Barbara “Bobbi” Anglin! Friends and family welcome to her birthday party at Boardcamp Assembly of God Church, 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 17. T1213

- AUTOS FOR SALE -

Construction, steel buildings, welding, pads, ponds, and roads. Military discounts.

Insured. Give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976.

T0103

2004 Chevy Venture wheelchair accessible van, 140k miles, $7,000 as is or $10,000 with a brand new electric wheelchair. (479) T1213 216-8254

Carter’s Excavating - Licensed Contractor: Roads, bridges, house pads, building pads, basements, land clearing, small lots to large tracks, ponds, stream crossings, farm roads, building demolition, site planning & prep.

50 years in trade, 40 years in area. Subsidiary of RCI Construction. (479) 394-9227 T1227

- HELP WANTED -

A to Z mobile handyman services. Licensed/certified in Arkansas/Oklahoma/Texas. Offering everything from brush cleaning, plumbing, electrical, light remodeling, hanging/removing Christmas lights and more. Free quotes available. Inquire at (940) 597-4171 T0103

CLASSIFIEDS

The most cost effective way to reach OVER 8,000 VIEWERS EVERY WEEK! If you have a listing, item to sell/trade, or a job opening, the Pulse has a place where it will be noticed!

Place Your Ad In Our Office

Arkansas 1168 AllHwyads71mustS, Mena, be pre-paid.

DEADLINE

RATES

FRIDAY AT NOON 1ST 20 WORDS $5 CASH/CHECK/DEBIT/CREDIT EACH EXTRA WORD +25¢ ACCEPTED. 5% PROCESSING FEE ADD BORDER $1 ADDED FOR DEBIT/CREDIT

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 T0424 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 required before hiring and during your employment.

T0424 Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced CNC Machine Operator.

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.

T0424

Classifieds 15

State Board to vote on Umpire campus closure Dec. 15

By Patrick Massey

The State Board of Education is scheduled to meet this month to decide the fate of the Umpire K-12 School after the Cossatot River School Board voted earlier this year to consolidate the campus.

The meeting is scheduled for Dec. 15 in Little Rock. Officials from the Cossatot River School District are scheduled to appear before the State Board with a petition to close the Umpire campus at the end of the current school year.

The issue was advanced to the State Board after the Cossatot River School Board voted 4-2 in October to close and consolidate the isolated campus. The vote was held on a recommendation by Superintendent Tyler Broyles due to falling enrollment at Umpire and what he described as an increasing financial burden of keeping the school open.

The State Board of Education will issue the final vote on whether to uphold the district’s petition to close Umpire.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders visited Umpire Schools on Monday, Dec. 4, for a fact-finding trip regarding the potential campus closure. In a statement, a spokeswoman from the governor’s office said she met with community members, school officials and families during her visit.

Broyles said Sanders’ trip to Umpire focused on hearing from the community and determining what options are available for affected students.

“It’s always a privilege when the governor can come down and visit your school and she came down to visit our Umpire campus to take a look at the pending closure matter,” said Broyles. “The purpose of the governor’s visit was to bring together stakeholders from the community to see what options might be there for the community and for the school.”

During their visit, Broyles said members of the governor’s team recognized the infeasibility of keeping the campus open within the Cossatot River School District.

“It was acknowledged to me by our state leadership that our Umpire campus appears to be unsustainable for Cossatot River and that they are not in the business of overturning local school boards absent a

gross error,” he explained. “Their purpose was not to come down here and necessarily find a way to overturn us. The stated purpose was to look for solutions like private schools or charter schools, or maybe a nearby district taking [those students] in.”

According to the press release issued by her office, Gov. Sanders and State Education Secretary Jacob Oliva “stressed that any options for the future of the school should ultimately prioritize what is in the best interest of the students.”

Broyles explained that, given consistently declining enrollment at Umpire and the rising cost to keep the school open, closing the campus would be in the best interest of the broader district and its students.

“The law says that an isolated campus will close when it is against the best interest of all the district’s students as a whole,” he said. “Our outside consultant that we hired at the recommendation of state agencies has reported to us that we spend about $20,000 per student at Umpire when the average in the state needs to be around $9,000. We’ve experienced a deficit at that campus of over $1 million in four years and half a million last school year alone. That’s a prima facie case, unfortunately, of being against the best interest of all our students.”

Broyles said the best interest of students goes beyond finance matters and includes the broader scope of educational opportunities and outcomes.

“Our Umpire campus has wonderful teachers and wonderful teachers who perform well academically,” said Broyles. “But when you look at educational opportunities, more extracurriculars, more athletics, more electives, Cossatot River can serve that better.

Broyles believes many students have left Umpire in recent years to attend the Dierks School District and take advantage of the increased opportunities available in that community.

“We hope that our students will choose our Cossatot River campuses,” said Broyles.

“But the truth is, Dierks is so close to Umpire that we realize many students will choose Dierks because they have been.

See UMPIRE continued on page 18

16 Puzzles

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

December 13, 2023

35

C R O S S WOR D P U ZZ L E

41 12.13.23

39

44

47

WORD SEARCH

12.13.23

45 48

ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 12.06.23

A Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

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

Meet COOPER!

Hi! I am Cooper. I am a lab/pit mix, such a happy guy and I will love you with my whole heart.

I am good with other dogs and cats. I am housetrained. I will be your best friend forever! Come to the shelter today to meet me and adopt me, or call 479-394-5682.

All animals at HSO are current on their vaccinations and will be spayed/neutered prior to adoption.

If not already spayed/neutered, there may be a short delay between when you select this pet and when they are ready to go home.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OUACHITAS TUES. THROUGH SAT. 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. 368 POLK 50, MENA, AR 479 3945682 WWW.HSOMENA.ORG

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

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 December 4, 2023 Deputies responded to a report of domestic battery.

December 5, 2023 Stephen Hobbs, 36, of Hot Springs was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Bond Revocation Warrant.

December 6, 2023 Jimmy McCollum, 53, of Boles was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Deputies responded to a report of a theft at a residence on Hwy 8 E near Mena.

Deputies responded to a report of an aggravated assault.

Deputies responded to a report of a missing person on Polk 129 near Mena.

The person was later located.

December 7, 2023 Deputies responded to a possible out of control fire on Polk 280 near Vandervoort.

Mitzie French, 50, of Mena was arrested on a charge of 3rd Degree Assault.

December 8, 2023 Deputies were dispatched to an area on Hwy 8 West in reference to a verbal domestic dispute leading to the arrest of Tammy Tomblin, 42, of Mena on a charge of Public Intoxication and Jeremy Carter being issued a citation for Public Intoxication and Disorderly

Police 17

December 13, 2023

Conduct.

Randi Ward, 37, of Hot Springs was booked on a Probation Violation Warrant.

December 9, 2023 No reports.

December 10, 2023 Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Deer Park Lane in reference to a verbal dispute.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 15 near Vandervoort in reference to a structure fire.

Chad a, 39, of Quitman was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Polk County Sheriff ’s Office worked 3 vehicle accidents this week.

MENA POLICE REPORTS December 3 Joseph Holmes, 38, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

Christopher Gibson, 30, was charged with Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Resisting Arrest at a residence on Jannsen Avenue.

December 4 A report of indecent exposure was taken at Homewood Cottages.

Kurtis Sitz, 33, was charged with Criminal Trespass after a complaint from Walmart.

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

December 5 Jason Deetz, 31, was charged with Reckless Driving after a traffic stop on Reine Street.

Jason Deetz, 31, was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Obstructing a Highway or other Public Passage after a disturbance call on Mena Street.

December 6 No report.

December 7 No report.

December 8 A report of Forgery and theft was taken from a walk-in complainant.

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

December 9 Lukas Holliday, 33, was served with warrants at a residence on 3rd Street.

Former Queen Wilhelmina State Park interpreter in fatal crash

By Ethan Nahté

A two-car accident near the Arkansas/Missouri border has taken the life of a former Polk County resident. A 1967 Chevrolet Nova, being driven by Charles Rogers, 47, and his wife, Yvonne Christine Rogers, 46, both residing in Fairview, Missouri, was traveling south on State Highway 94 near Bella Vista, Arkansas, in Benton County on Sunday, December 3, according to the Arkansas State Police report. After leaving Ozark Beverage Company, the Nova was negotiating a left curve when Joseph Anderson, 75, of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, was traveling north in a 2007 Ford Edge and negotiating the same curve.

As the Nova accelerated, it lost control causing it to skid into the path of the Edge around 1:18 p.m.

The Edge struck the passenger side of the Nova. After the impact both vehicles left the roadway on the east side of the road where they came to rest shortly after.

Both men were injured and taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. Yvonne was killed in the collision. The Arkansas State Police report states the weather conditions were clear and the roadway dry.

Many Polk County residents and visitors to the area may remember Yvonne when she was an Arkansas State Park interpreter for a few years at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. She was the mother of six and

had two grandchildren. Some of her family still reside in Polk County. Not only was Yvonne very informative as she educated park visitors and led them on tours, but she was always friendly, outgoing and had a welcoming smile.

She was strong in her faith, loved outdoor activities and was a very creative person. For example, she sometimes wrote poetry and there were other times her children would collect violets and she would make jelly.

There was a “Going Home” celebration and service for Yvonne at Hill Creek Church in Pierce City, Missouri, on Friday, Dec. 8.

18 Education Dierks has about 50 Umpire students from what I’m told. We’ve lost many students to Dierks over the years and that’s because they offer more opportunities to the Umpire students.”

However, Broyles hopes those students will choose to remain in the Cossatot River School District. He stresses Cossatot River has just as many educational opportunities for Umpire students. His district also plans to incorporate Umpire’s staff and faculty while providing bussing services to Umpire students who choose to stay at Cossatot River.

Broyles said he does not want the Umpire community to feel that it is being abandoned. Yet he realizes many will choose Dierks given, for one, that both communities are located within Howard County.

“We love our Umpire students and teachers and this has never been about writing off our Umpire community,” said Broyles.

“We realize that Dierks is only 12 miles up the road from Umpire and that in all likelihood those Umpire students will probably choose Dierks, they’re both in Howard County. But that is not our mindset. We

Pulse UARM named among nation’s top 150 twoyear schools eligible for 2025 Aspen Prize

December 13, 2023

UMPIRE are ready, willing and able to take all 92 continued from page 15 Umpire students in K-12. Cossatot River

can serve them best even though the other schools are fine schools.”

Ultimately, Broyles said the recommendation is focused on strengthening the entire district - particularly for the 90 percent of Cossatot River students who live in Polk County and attend one of the three other campuses. He stressed that those families are also factors in the Umpire question.

“This is bigger than just the Umpire community,” he said. “Everyone in Polk County needs to understand how this affects them with the Umpire campus being open and in pending closure. I don’t want to pit the areas against each other, but it is absolutely against the best interest of our other campuses to have those kinds of expenditures that could be going back to the other campuses more evenly. That’s just the facts and the data. Polk County residents absolutely are vested stakeholders in this and need to be paying attention to make sure their voices are heard as well.”

We’ll return to this story following the final decision by the State Board of Education regarding the Umpire campus following its scheduled meeting on Dec. 15.

THE POLK COUNTY

By Logan McCourtney

The University of Arkansas Rich Mountain has been selected as one of the top 150 Community Colleges in the United States by the Aspen Institute.

This selection recognizes UARM as being eligible for the 2025 Aspen Prize, which every two years awards a $1 million award called the “Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence” to the nation’s top community college. President Obama called it, “basically the Oscars for great community colleges.”

There are over a thousand community colleges across America and the top 150 institutions, including UARM, are eligible to apply for the 2025 Aspen Prize.

The Aspen Prize honors community colleges with outstanding achievement in six defining areas: teaching and learning, certificated and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, access, and equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

Phillip Wilson, Chancellor at UARM, reflected upon the nomination for such a prestigious award, “Our nomination speaks to the effort that our faculty and staff have put forward to live out the mission and vision of our shared collective. Our mission at UA Rich Mountain has been to provide a transformative education to all learn-

ers, and to respect the worth and dignity of each person on our campus. I believe our nomination for the Aspen Prize demonstrates that we have done an outstanding job fulfilling that. This is a tremendous honor to be a part of such an elite group.”

The 2025 Aspen Prize cycle began in October 2023 when the Aspen Institute invited the top 150 community colleges to apply. The colleges selected to apply were based on data showing strong and improved student outcomes in areas such as retention, completion, transfer, and equity.

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

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Sports 19

December 13, 2023 Mena Bearcats who have earned post season honors, including 7-4A All-Conference: Brody Peters Michael Sullivan Jair Hernandez Sean Sullivan Carter Cossey

Basketball

12/14 - Acorn @ Lavaca 12/18 - Acorn @ Springhill

Senior All-Star Game Nominees

n liva l u S ael h c Mi

n liva l u nS Sea

ey oss C er art

dez Maddox Medlin n a n Jaxon Baber Her r i Ja Eyesaih Day

Basketball

12/15 - Umpire vs. Mt. Ida 12/15 -CRHS vs. Charleston 12/16 - Umpire vs. Dierks 12/18 -CRHS @ Hackett 12/19 - Umpire @ Oden

Basketball

12/15 - Mena @ Clarksville 12/18 - Mena vs. Horatio 12/19 - Mena vs. Morrilton

Wrestling

12/15-16 - Mena @ Fayetteville

Tournament

Basketball

12/14 - Mt. Ida @ Blevins 12/15 - Mt. Ida @ Umpire

s

eter P dy Bro

C

20

December 13, 2023

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse