The Polk County Pulse - January 31, 2024

FREE WEEKLY

JANUARY 31, 2024

1168 Hwy 71 S ● Mena, Arkansas ● 479.243.9600

YO U R D A I LY N E W S S O U R C E S

INSIDE:

-

MYPULSENEWS.COM

By Ethan Nahté (Part 1 of 2)

Lions’ Fundraiser

Page 16

Young Artists Show

Page 12

Page 22

A lot of exciting things have happened the past few days at Mena Regional Health System (MRHS).

Michael Wood, who has been serving as the interim CEO for MRHS since September 2023, is now officially the Chief Executive Officer.

He follows Robert Rupp as CEO, who took over for Jay Quebedeaux.

Prior to that, Wood was the director of rehab for MRHS. Wood said, “I’d actually applied when Jay was leaving, too. I was on Jay’s executive team — helped with some of their special projects. The Board went with Robert, who had a ton of experience. I spent quite a

|

1 0 5 . 3 T H E M O U N TA I N

Michael Wood has officially been announced as the CEO of Mena Regional Health System.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

bit of time with Robert, as well. The last little bit I wasn’t. After COVID when we reopened the rehab wing,

See MRHS continued on page 5

Pedal Power: The Trails at Mena initiative

Phillip Wilson was working in the technology sector in Dallas after having grown up in rural west Arkansas when he experienced what a lot of Arkansans have through the years. In the words of late Arkansas novelist Charles Portis, he never quite achieved “escape velocity.”

I can relate. After four years in Wash-

BIG!

SAVE

104.1 KENA

MRHS officially selects Wood as CEO

By Rex Nelson (reprinted by permission)

Eagles Football

|

ington, D.C., I returned home to Arkansas in late 1989 and have been here ever since.

Wilson was raised at Pencil Bluff, educated at Oden, then earned a political science degree from Hendrix College at Conway, where he played basketball for legendary Coach Cliff Garrison. He came back to teach courses at what’s now the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain. After serving in several academic and administrative roles, he

became chancellor of the two-year institution in 2011.

“I came back here in 1999 because I was haunted by the fact that this part of west Arkansas had been forgotten,” Wilson says. “There was no economic development to speak off. Businesses were leaving and so were workers. I’ve tried to give back. What we’ve attempted to do is change our way of thinking

See BIKING continued on page 2

THRIFTY THURSDAY

WITH THURSDAY MORNINGS ON KENA 104.1FM

CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 8:15AM

2 News BIKING continued from page 1 in this region. I come to work each day thinking about the best way to defeat rural poverty.”

After visiting in Wilson’s campus office, we go downtown to have lunch with Seth Smith, the town’s dynamic mayor, and state Rep. John Maddox.

They’re among a group of leaders who have changed how people think about this isolated part of Arkansas.

Smith took office in January 2019.

He’s a military veteran, former sheriff ’s deputy, former volunteer firefighter and business owner.

Maddox, meanwhile, graduated from Mena High School in 1987 before earning a bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Since finishing law school in 1997, he has worked for the firm Maddox & Maddox at Mena. He began serving in the Legislature in 2017.

“The members of our city council tended to be older, but this young may-

January 31, 2024 or brought them along,” Wilson says.

“They now realize that the Mena area has a chance to be the next big thing in Arkansas tourism. We need to be ready when that happens.”

In addition to planning for what are expected to be thousands of visitors for

the April 8 solar eclipse, Smith continues to work on an audacious plan that will transform Mena into one of the nation’s mountain biking capitals. As I reported in August, a group of Arkansas government and business leaders has been working quietly on a plan that

will make Rich Mountain the nation’s go­to spot for what’s known as downhill gravity mountain biking.

Downhill gravity biking is an increasingly popular form of cycling in which riders begin at a high elevation and use gravity to propel themselves downhill. Gravity mountain biking provides a high­speed experience and is considered to be among the most extreme versions of the sport.

Brothers Steuart and Tom Walton of Bentonville, who set out a few years ago to transform our state into America’s mountain biking mecca, have made multiple trips to Rich Mountain.

Private interests--foundations, companies and individuals--are prepared to spend up to $40 million to build a series of four lifts up the mountain. These will resemble lifts at a ski resort. Rather than skiers, the lifts will carry cyclists and their bikes.

What’s known as the Trails at Mena project eventually will include more

than 100 miles of destination-quality trails, including about 30 gravity trails on Rich Mountain. There also will be 15 to 20 backcountry trail loops that will include more than 5,000 feet of climbing.

After lunch, the mayor drives us to Ward Lake Valley, a bowl at the bottom of Rich Mountain that once held the city’s water supply. It was drained years ago, but the city-owned land will now play an integral part in the Trails at Mena initiative. The difference between Mena and gravity cycling destinations in Western states and Canada is the weather. Unlike those places, Arkansas can offer 12 months a year of cycling.

One person involved in the effort told me: “This will be for cyclists what Vail, Breckenridge and Aspen are for skiers.”

Investors are purchasing buildings along Mena Street, the main business street one drives down when coming off Rich Mountain. Downtown already boasts places such as American Artisans (the combination gift gallery and bistro where we had lunch) and The Ouachitas (a craft brewery known for its coffee drinks and pizzas as much as its beer).

As Wilson, Smith and Maddox show me around downtown, it’s easy to visualize a neighborhood filled with restaurants, brew pubs and retailers designed to serve cyclists from across the country. “We’re going to give people a reason to come here and spend their money,” Smith says.

During the pandemic, Wilson began seeing more out-of-state license plates as people discovered the outdoor recreational opportunities in this part of Arkansas.

“Now, we’re starting to see people actually move here from Texas and Louisiana,” he says.

The Ouachitas, which opened in 2018 as a coffee shop, has a decidedly upscale vibe. A restaurant was added in 2019, and beer began being brewed

See BIKING continued on page 8

January 31, 2024

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 John Russell

Ad Design/ 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.

If you follow the news, you no doubt have seen recent stories about California offering free health care to illegal immigrants.

This includes gender reassignment procedures, preexisting conditions, and all medical issues. I would point out that in my 73 years as an American citizen I have learned nothing is free. It seems the taxpayers in California are about to learn that lesson as well.

I just finished reading a Wall Street Journal editorial opinion from Jan. 9, 2024, addressing an initiative to pass a California Wealth Tax. The purpose of the tax is to address budget shortfalls arising from what appears to be reckless spending.

In reading the story the tax not only taxes income but assets as well, not only those physically in California but owned by California residents where the assets are out of state.

To make matters worse, lawyers who research and find assets for the state will get a percentage of the find. Any privacy taxpayers may feel they have, they do not. Sounds a lot like all you rich folks are thieves, and we are coming after you. The article is quick to point out many are fleeing the state as a result of out-of-control spending and taxation. To those fleeing please remember why you left and avoid voting for the same insanity wherever you settle.

The article further points out that even those proposed taxes will fall short of projected needs.

Think that the middle class will

Letters 3

Want to share your opinion?

The Polk County Pulse welcomes letters to find they too are going to be tarthe Editor addressing any topic of interest geted to pay their fair share? to our readers. To be published, letters must You betcha! The lawyers suing not contain obscene or libelous language.

Letters do not reflect the viewpoints or on behalf of California to recoup opinions of Pulse Multi-Media. taxes can go after taxpayers for under reporting values of assets.

The letter must include a signature to be considered for publication. Signatures will What could possibly go wrong?

NOT be held out by request. Letters will be You report assets and value. restricted to 500 words. Any letters longer The state/attorney differs on that than 500 words will require purchase of figure. You have an overzealous advertising space. attorney going after a “bounty” The following contact information is reand the potential to inflate value quired when the letter is submitted: NAME, is a real possibility. The expense AGE, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER. to argue outweighs the benefits, Letters are published at the discretion of especially when legal maneuthe Editor and Publisher. vering and case continuances can drag on and on.

Letters may be submitted by e-mail to What is sad is that there have news@mypulsenews.com; mailed to P.O. Box 1450, Mena, AR 71953 or dropped been chances to vote out those off at 1168 Hwy. 71 South, Mena, AR. A who have such liberal views/ drop-box is provided by the front door for agendas. I think remaining in after-hour convenience. power is their plan. Who do you think all these illegal immigrants TO SUBMIT: will vote for once they get votNEWS ITEMS / ANNOUNCEMENTS / ing rights (and they will)? You LETTERS TO THE EDITOR / don’t bite the hand that feeds SPORTS UPDATES / you. California voters need to CALENDAR ITEMS / pay attention and perhaps unCLASSIFIED ADS dergo a procedure like a cranial Email: NEWS@MYPULSENEWS.COM a--l-ectomy, or in layman’s terms remove your head from your butt. Your once great state is be- my thoughts though at times we coming a footnote in history as it may peacefully disagree. slides into bankruptcy.

You ask why I should be con- With respect and kindest regards, cerned with what happens in California? Like a cancer some Ronald Goss, retired. Mena of these half-baked policies make it to other states. Rather not see that here.

Thank you for a forum to voice

4 Politics

January 31, 2024 From the

State House of Representatives

The Arkansas Legislative the implementation of two educaCouncil (ALC) and the council’s tional grant programs. subcommittees met this week The Literacy Tutoring Grant is at the Capitol. These meetings designed to help struggling readers were previously scheduled for in K-3 with personalized tutoring. the week of January 15 but were Families can invoice up to $500 per postponed due to the winter school to pay for tutoring services weather across the state. for children reading below grade ALC members were presented John Maddox level. Payments will go directly to with an update from the Arkanproviders. sas Department of Emergency ManageThe High Impact Tutoring Grant Proment (ADEM) regarding damage from the gram is designed to help school districts winter storms. with high impact tutoring during the ADEM officials said 10 water systems school day to help struggling students at all around the state requested assistance from grade levels. the agency. All but one of those systems The Department of Education will be reis back up and running. As of Friday, the leasing information soon on how parents water system in Helena-West Helena was and schools can utilize these grants. currently not operational. ADEM says the The Game and Fish and State Police Subagency has coordinated resources to send committee of ALC continued its study on pallets of water to the area and is currently our state’s firearms laws. This week, they working with vendors in hopes of provid- heard a summary on concealed carry laws. ing mobile shower and laundry units soon. Their next meeting will be February 12 and The Arkansas Department of Transpor- will focus on hunting laws and Arkansas tation (ARDOT) updated members of the State Police concealed carry regulations.

Highway Commission Review and Advi- The public is welcome and there will be sory Subcommittee on the road conditions time for public comment. throughout the state. ARDOT reports the ALC reviewed the most recent General agency has been working to repair numer- Revenue Report which showed net availous potholes on highways due to freezing able general revenue is down 5% from temperatures and subsequent rain. Arkan- this time last year but 6.7% above forecast. sans can report potholes directly to the Pre-Fiscal Session Budget Hearings are agency by using the iDrive Arkansas app. scheduled to begin March 6.

In other agenda items before ALC, memThe Arkansas Legislative Council will bers approved an emergency rule to allow meet again on February 16.

Contact Your Legislators!

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

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

John Boozman

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

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

From the

State Senate

A group of physicians and The leading cause of death nurses conducted an in-depth among those 38 was cardiomystudy of the deaths of pregopathy, a disease of the heart nant women in Arkansas and muscles. The second leading submitted their recommendacause was cardiovascular contions to the Legislative Council. ditions caused by high blood They recommend that mapressure, diabetes, smoking, ternity care providers should obesity and age.

Terry Rice increase their understanding The third most significant of the need to screen for chronic cause was hypertensive disorders health conditions such as cardiovascu- of pregnancy, or HDP. It is considered lar disease, which can worsen during to be a commonly occurring complicapregnancy and which is a leading cause tion of pregnancy and includes chronic of pregnancy-related deaths. hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Risk The physicians and nurses studied factors include obesity, a family history the cases of fatalities during pregnan- of hypertension and advanced age of cy, or soon after pregnancy, from 2018 the pregnant woman. through 2020. During that three-year Tied for third was infection. The fourth period, there were 108,517 live births leading cause of death was hemorrhage. in Arkansas and a possible 121 deaths The study was conducted by the of Arkansas women associated with physicians and nurses on the Arkanbeing pregnant. sas Maternal Mortality Review ComAfter more review, the group deter- mittee, in collaboration with the state mined that 21 of the deaths should not Health Department. Their recommenbe included because of faulty data, or dations were submitted to the Legislabecause the women actually didn’t live tive Council. in the state. The group then conducted The committee recommended that a detailed analysis of the remaining 100 facilities and providers expand their pregnancy-associated deaths in Arkansas. understanding of the importance of It’s important to make a distinction screening for risk factors in pregnant between pregnancy-associated deaths women. Other recommendations and pregnancy-related deaths. Both would expand access to medical care refer to deaths that occur either during for women after childbirth. pregnancy or within a year after the The committee recommended extendend of the pregnancy. A pregnancy-re- ing Medicaid maternal coverage from 60 lated death is caused by complications days to one year after women give birth. caused by the pregnancy, or the aggraAccording to the group’s report, vation of health problems caused by “postpartum care should be provided being pregnant. A pregnancy-associat- to mothers through one year postpared death includes all fatalities, regard- tum to monitor the mother’s physical less of the cause. and mental health, provide support Of the 100 deaths, 12 were caused during the transition, and ensure acby accidents and were not includ- cess to treatment. This includes exed in the analysis. Another 33 deaths tending insurance coverage to ensure were excluded because researchers access to care and changing care protodetermined they were not related to cols to include regular postpartum visthe women’s pregnancies. In 17 cases its beyond the current single visit at six the group could not determine if the weeks postpartum. This lack of attendeaths were related to pregnancy, so tion to maternal health needs is of parthey too were excluded. That left 38 ticular concern given that more than pregnancy-related deaths in Arkansas one half of pregnancy-related deaths over the three-year period. occur after the birth of the infant.”

January 31, 2024 MRHS seeing a change thanks in part to a continued from page 1 $2.7 million grant.

The Arkansas Legislative CounI spent all my time getting that recil on Friday approved a $2.7 milopened.”

Being CEO in Mena seems to be lion grant for MRHS from federal a natural fit. “I was born and raised American Rescue Plan funds. The in Mena. I was actually born in this Polk County hospital was one of hospital. Then I went to UCA and four hospitals in Arkansas to be apgot my bachelor’s in health science proved for funding Friday.

The Mena hospital has been exand minors in nutrition and in psyperiencing staffing shortages rechology.”

From there, Wood went to phys- quiring costly agency staff to fill 19 ical therapy (PT) school. “I got my critical positions in 2022 and 2023. doctorate in physical therapy in The staffing shortages have com2013 and then actually moved to promised management’s ability to Florida for almost five years. When operate several service lines at full I was in Florida I was with a private capacity such as geriatric psychiatry group. When I started, I was just a and inpatient rehabilitation, which staff PT, but by time I left I was there are major revenue producing units.

The Mena hospital has 65 beds. a regional director. We had three clinics — a pain management clinic However, the hospital has chosen to with a podiatrist on staff. I had done convert to a Critical Access Hospital while working to improve service a couple other indie things.

“We had our first daughter and line revenue and improve revenue came back to Mena, and I started cycle management.

This reclassification and downhere in March 2017 and so I have been kind of worked my way up. I’ve sizing of Mena Regional’s beds to spent my whole career in a progres- better match the hospital’s volumes will help to stabilize Mena Regional sive management type trajectory.”

When Wood first returned to Health System’s financial position, Mena, he found that MRHS needed maintain and enhance current serhelp with their outpatient therapy vice lines, reduce reliance on travel clinic. About three months later he nursing staff, and allow the opportook over all of their rehab services. tunity to add needed swing bed ser“A year after that is when I joined vices to the hospital.

“They were working on it a little Jay’s leadership team. I got to learn a lot from him. Then Robert came bit before I got here,” Wood said. along, and I got to learn a lot from “Since I got here, we’ve been workhim. That type of leadership has al- ing pretty diligently on the sustainways been my goal, personally, is to ability project with the state so the move into this, as well as in private last little bit of the ARPA (‘Ameripractice gave me opportunities to can Rescue Plan Act’) money from learn all of the facets of what it is COVID and everything that came out, the state decided they wanted that we do.”

As for some of the things MRHS to make sure they were giving it to does, there was an announcement the hospitals and that they actually this week that the hospital will be had a plan to make sure that mon-

ey was utilized appropriately and utilized in a way that allowed us to continue to operate into the future.”

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Part of that plan was reevaluating their status with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

“There’s three types of hospitals now,” Wood said. “There’s your PPS are prospective payment system, which is what we are now. You get paid for inpatient based on the diagnosis that the patient comes in with.

It pays you roughly for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 days’ worth of care no matter how long the patient stays.

“Then there’s critical access [hospital] (CAH), which is what we’re going to move toward. That status is, ‘Your hospital’s in an area that CMS, the state deem as critically necessary to healthcare in your region. They change how they pay you based on the cost to operate. We’re just speaking specifically about Medicare and Medicaid.”

Mena Mayor Seth Smith and the MRHS Board approved an official letter Wood had created to publicly announce the conversion of MRHS to a CAH. [See “MRHS converts” on page 20] Wood explained more about how the CAH works to MRHS’ benefit.

“What they do is they look at our cost over a year — a cost report — and then they break that out and we get a per day reimbursement as opposed to a per diagnosis biggest change.

“As far as the community goes, they won’t notice a whole lot different other than we’ll be able to offer what we currently offer without having to make difficult decisions

News 5 about getting rid of service lines.

Before the pandemic we were having staffing shortage issues, rising costs… obviously inflation has affected everybody, and through all of that the insurance companies really haven’t adjusted much in the way of our reimbursements. “[CAH] is a program that will allow us to continue to operate that way. Our ARPA money was tied to making this conversion. The state liked our plan and they said they approved it last week, so we will get that funding in the coming months.

We’ll get part of it up front and the rest of it after we finish with our conversion.

“Right now, we’re 65 beds. We’ll drop down to 45 beds, but the thing about that is in the last five years we have not had 45 patients, or even 40 patients in the hospital at one time.

It sounds like a lot to say we’re losing 20 beds. We haven’t been using those 20 beds. It’s not going to affect the ability for us to care for the community at all and it’ll give us the opportunity to get paid closer to what we’re spending.

“One of the things that you see about rural healthcare is that our cost per patient day, which is a metric that a lot of health systems use, is significantly higher across the nation than what it is for your big systems in your metropolitan areas because of the economy of scale.

We don’t have the ability to have a full row of 20 or 30 patients where we can spread our staffing out a little more economically viable. CMS recognizes that.

In next week’s issue, Wood talks about some of the new surgical staff and how that benefits Polk County.

6 Obituaries Sonja Katrina Stueart

Sonja Katrina Stueart, age 49, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2024, at her home.

She was born September 1, 1974, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Tommy and Cynthia McNabb Stueart. Sonja was a dispatcher for 14 years and after graduating from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Academy she served as a deputy for the Polk County Sheriff ’s Department. Additionally, she was a school resource officer for Holly Harshman Elementary, she was passionate about her career and working with the staff and children gave her great joy. Sonja loved camping, shopping with her mother, jet boating with her dad and spending time with her family. She could often be heard speaking fondly about vacationing with her mother to visit her aunt in Granby, Colorado. Sonja was a loving mother, daughter, and friend and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her parents, Mena Chief of Police, Tommy Stueart and wife Cindi; her son, Calvin Stueart Ayers and his fiancé Becky Medena as well as her law enforcement family; special aunts, Nedra Martin and Uncle Lendall of Parks, Arkansas, Pat Bellacicco and Uncle Brian of Granby, Colorado, Uncle Larry Stueart and Aunt Kaffy of Ashdown, Arkansas; her dearest lifelong friend, Jesslyne Tisdale of Hot Springs, Arkansas; her fellow classmates of ALETA Class 2022-C; her Polk County Sheriff ’s Depart-

January 31, 2024 ment brothers and sisters; her beloved cat Chunk; as well as by a host of many, many, other friends too numerous to mention.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Wayne and Annie Lou Stueart and her maternal grandparents, James D. McNabb and Rachael Marline Nord.

Cremation services are entrusted to Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena, Arkansas. Services for Ms. Sonja Stueart are planned for Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at the Crossing Church in Mena, Arkansas.

Police Department Chaplain Jack Shultz will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Stephanie Lain Loftin

Stephanie Lain Loftin, age 51, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on December 3, 2023, in Burneyville, Oklahoma. She was born on Friday, November 3, 1972, to Rodney Duane Fender and Ethel Boyd Bethany Fender in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Stephanie had a taste for life that was as vibrant as her personality.

She had a love for cooking, particularly country dishes that she often experimented with, incessantly cooking up delicious recipes. She was also a firm believer that music was the melody of life. Her favorite genre was rock music, particularly that of the Foo Fighters.

Never to be one confined to conventionality, Stephanie found joy in the adrenaline-fueled world of

racing and cars. She also had a softer side, often spending quiet afternoons submerged in the tranquility of knitting.

Among her many accomplishments, the two that she held nearest to her heart were her graduation from Mena High School in 1990 and the successful upbringing of her two children. She was a rock in her family, providing them with the warmth of her love and the strength of her spirit. Her children and her family were paramount to her. Her love and devotion to them was the most significant achievement of her life.

Though she is no longer with us, her spirit continues to live on in the lives of those she touched.

Her memory will be etched in our hearts forever, a testament to a life well lived. Stephanie Loftin, a life of passion, love, and joy, will be profoundly missed by all.

Stephanie is preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Vincent Fender, J.D. Lott, Larry Lott, and Jessie Lott; and one sister, Rachel Fender.

Stephanie is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Seth and Riley Loftin of Paris, Texas, and Brice and Chloe Loftin of Paris, Texas; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Shawn and Jolie Fender of Mena, Arkansas, Jack and Teresa Crouch of Nashville, Tennessee, James Lott of Shreveport, Louisiana; four sisters and brother-in-law, Stacie Scheck of Winter Haven, Florida, Wilma Vincent of Shreveport, Louisiana, Mona and Gavin Thompson of Houston, Texas, and Cynthia Crouch of Shreveport, Louisiana; two grandchildren, Madilynne and Miles Loftin of Paris, Texas; special

friends Anna and Chris Whitley of Detroit, Texas, several nephews and nieces, and a host of other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 P.M. on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Pathway International Church of God, 3905 SE Loop 286 Paris, Texas 75460.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Evander Bissell Putman

Evander Bissell “E.B.” “Boots” Putman, age 93 of Mena, passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 21, 2024. He was born Nov. 10, 1930, to Fred and Mary Putman in Mena, and was united in marriage to Dorothy Smith Putman.

Boots served in the Army National Guard as a radio operator. He was a cabinet maker, carpenter and machinist by trade and had a variety of hobbies, including gardening, bee keeping, running his still (until someone stole it), and playing the fiddle, many of which he hand carved.

Mr. Putman’s caregiver was his son Wayne, who also honored his father’s last wishes.

He was laid to rest at Rocky Cemetery by family and friends: Wayne Putman, Michael Putman, Faron Putman, Dan Quinn, Jeff Renfro, Duke Ward.

Special thanks to the people at hospice.

January 31, 2024 Earl Duane Blemmel

Earl Duane Blemmel, age 93, of Mena, Arkansas, died Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the Peachtree Assisted Living in Mena. He was born on Sunday, August 10, 1930, to Charles and Mertle Marie Newman Blemmel in Stroud, Oklahoma.

Earl proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for 20 years and retired as a Master Sergeant. He served in World War II and the Korean Conflict as an AirCraft Mechanic Crew Chief on the SR 71. Earl was very proud of his military service and was always excited to tell people about his time building and working on the planes.

After the service, he went to work in Dallas, Texas, at LTV Aircraft Manufacturing and retired again from Smith Tool in Oklahoma City in 1988. Earl enjoyed cutting wood and being outdoors. Earl was a loving father, brother, grandfather, uncle and a great friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

Earl is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Thelma Blemmel and his second wife, Ruth Blemmel; one brother, Walter Blemmel and two sisters, Dora Berger and Peggy Brumley.

Earl is survived by two daughters, Derenda Thieke of Quinlan, Texas, and Cynthia Turner of Rockwall, Texas; two brothers, Gerald Blemmel of Talihina, Oklahoma, and Richard Blemmel of McLoud, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Kyle Turner of Parker, Colorado, and Erin Cook of Katy, Texas; several

nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the New Zion Cemetery in Chandler, Oklahoma under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh. com

Ovid Ellis Morphew Jr.

In Loving Memory: Ovid Ellis Morphew, Jr. It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ovid Ellis Morphew Jr. He was born on February 18th, 1947, in Big Fork, Arkansas, as the eldest son of Helen Matthews and Ovid Ellis “Cowboy” Morphew.

Surrounded by family, he passed on January 27th, 2024, in Mena, Arkansas, after an optimistic and seemingly fearless battle against kidney cancer.

Ovid was a true patriot. He served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War and became a veteran by his early 20s. Following his military service, he built a successful career as a life safety designer and businessman, founding, owning and operating Design Systems Group from 1994 until retiring and selling his business in 2018. He leaves an indelible mark on those he worked with and the industry he served.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ovid will be remembered as a generous, kind-hearted family man who touched the lives of many. His love for his family knew no bounds, and he leaves behind cherished memories for his children: Alexandra Morphew, Raven Morphew, Abigail Morphew, and Lisamechelle LaLonde. His younger brother, Roger, his half-brothers Audie, Carl and Roland Morphew, and his half-sister Debbie Morphew, also survive him.

Ovid had a passion for the simple joys of life. He was an avid gardener, birdwatcher and nature enthusiast.

He found solace and joy in nurturing the earth, creating beautiful landscapes, and quietly observing the fruits of his labor. Ovid was also an exceptionally skilled bowler who achieved a perfect game in 2015 and an 800 series in 2020.

As we say our goodbyes, let us remember the joy he brought into our lives, the love he shared, and the legacy he leaves behind. May his soul find eternal peace, and may his memory continue to inspire us to face life with the same integrity, generosity and fearlessness that defined his journey.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, 3pm at the Sugar Creek Lodge Chapel, located at 135 Polk County Rd 602, Mena, AR 71953.

In lieu of flowers, live plants may be sent to honor Ovid’s passion for nature.

Obituaries 7

Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.

Thomas Moore - poet

8 News BIKING continued from page 2

in 2020. There are now 29 beers on tap, 18 of which are produced locally. The Ouachitas started canning four of its beers last fall. Wilson calls the business “a real bright spot for our community.” “lt has taken the mayor, Representative Maddox and the downtown business owners to make all of this happen,” Wilson says. “These are crucial partnerships. When the tourism explosion comes, I want the college to be part of that support mechanism. We’re going to have to be quick on our feet to ensure we have the workers needed for new businesses that spring up.”

No one understands the importance of the education sector more than Maddox. He’s the grandson of Arkansas educator and legislator Ode Maddox, who was born in 1912 and graduated from Oden High School in 1932.

Ode Maddox received his early education at Caney Elementary School. He often would say his most important educational experience had been at “the University of Caney.” Ode Maddox began teaching at Oden in the fall of 1934.

He also served as the coach of all sports and drove a bus. He led Oden High School basketball teams to state championships in 1948 and 1954. Maddox spent 31 of his 42 years with the Oden School District as its superintendent.

“During much of the time that Maddox was overseeing the Oden School District, he was also a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives,” William Pruden Ill writes for the Cen-

January 31, 2024 tral Arkansas Library System’s Encyclopedia of Arkansas. A Democrat, he was first elected in 1956 and served for 42 years, retiring in 1999 only because of constitutionally imposed term limits.

“During his tenure in the Legislature, he wielded considerable power as chairman of the Insurance and Commerce Committee. Maddox also served on the Education Committee, where the man dubbed Mr. Education by many of his colleagues played a major role in the advancement of the state’s educational system. In 1983, he was instrumental in securing funding for a community college at Mena.

“His crowning achievement was his work relating to rural education in Arkansas, especially his role in the effort to defeat the 1966 proposal by the Arkansas Education Association to consolidate the state’s school districts by dissolving all districts with fewer than 400 students. Maddox was present at the creation of the Arkansas Rural Education Association, a group organized to oppose the AEA plan.”

Ode Maddox died in March 2001.

In 1973, the state Department of Vocational Education established Rich Mountain Vocational­Technical School to serve Polk, Montgomery and Scott counties. Classes began in 1975 with Mary Louise Spencer as president. In 1976, Henderson State University in Arkadelphia began offering classes in Polk County. Under the direction of Rachel Goforth, the Polk County Committee for Higher Education formed in an attempt to establish a college at Mena.

Ode Maddox authored legislation in 1983 to establish a statewide community college system. In April of that year, Polk County voters approved a tax to establish the Polk County Community College District. Rich Mountain Community College opened in July 1983 with 290 students.

Bill Abernathy, Ode Maddox’s sonin-law, became the college’s president in 1987. Abernathy had starred in basketball for Maddox at Oden High

School. Following graduation, Abernathy married childhood sweetheart Mary Jo Maddox and attended Arkansas Tech on a basketball scholarship.

Abernathy spent one year as a teacher in California before returning to Oden to teach. He later worked as a school administrator at Conway and Greenbrier before becoming Mena’s superintendent in 1972.

Abernathy served 13 years as president of Rich Mountain Community College. He later served three terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives, where he chaired the Education Committee. Abernathy died in May 2019.

There are buildings on the Mena campus named for Maddox, Spencer and Abernathy.

Janet Smith became the school’s third president in 2000. In the fall of 2001, Rich Mountain Community College reached the 1,000-student mark for the first time due to Aalfs Manufacturing Co. closing and laying off almost 500 people who had worked to manufacture denim jeans. The school began training those employees for new jobs.

The college became part of the UA System in 2017.

A history of the school on the UA Rich Mountain website gives one a sense of how isolated this area is: “State highways from UA Rich Mountain’s service area to larger cities are narrow and winding. Mena is a minimum of 1.5 hours in any direction from a larger city. The closest four-year institution is the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, which is 82 miles to the north.

Henderson is 85 miles to the east. Traveling to Little Rock is a 2.5-hour, oneway trip. Students pursuing further education must conduct a dangerous commute, relocate or look for online or hybrid options. “Tucked at the foot of Rich Mountain, Mena offers an abundance of untouched scenic beauty and natural resources. Rich Mountain is the second highest mountain in Arkansas and sits in the heart of the Ouachita Mountain range, the highest range between the Appalachians and the Rock-

ies. The 54-mile Talimena Scenic Drive includes the summit of Rich Mountain and Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The region features crystal-clear streams, lakes, the Ouachita National Forest, Wolf Pen Gap and other ATV trails.

There are a variety of outdoor activities including canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, hunting, golfing, hiking, crystal digging, camping and more.” Now, it’s cycling and other outdoor recreational opportunities that might be the region’s economic salvation.

Because it’s in such a remote area, UA Rich Mountain offers things many twoyear colleges don’t: housing, food services, athletics. Four townhouse-style campus housing units opened in the fall of 2020. Two are for men and two are for women. They house 140 students.

Wilson shows me the housing units along with the Ouachita Center, which opened in August 2014. The center has 13,000 square feet of flexible space with a catering kitchen and dining tables. It can accommodate banquets for 350 to 400 seated guests.

In an effort to serve the needs of this mountainous region, UA Rich Mountain began programs for nurses, emergency medical technicians, truck drivers and engine mechanics. Wilson is attracting even more students with baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, and men’s and women’s wrestling programs.

The school even purchased a former assisted living facility known as The Oaks out of bankruptcy to house athletes. There’s a nearby indoor workout facility, a rarity at a community college.

I had one Arkansas tourism insider tell me that the completion of the trail system on Rich Mountain will be the biggest thing in Arkansas tourism since Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened at Bentonville on Nov. 11, 2011. Wilson is making sure the educational infrastructure is in place when the boom comes.

January 31, 2024

By Richie Lawry

The 318 V-8 engine roared to life for the first time in over eight years. The putrid smell of old gas overwhelmed me as the engine raced. It was satisfying to hear the engine running even though there was still a lot of work to be done on the 1940 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible.

Ten years ago, my Daddy purchased the Chrysler New Yorker. It was not running, there was no convertible top, and the interior was terrible, but something about the car intrigued him. The body was decent, and the car was rare.

In 1940, Chrysler built fewer than 1000 of these elegant New Yorker convertibles.

After purchasing the car, Daddy took it to his friend Roger, who installed a 318 V-8 engine, automatic transmission, and new modern dash instrumentation. When he received the car back from Roger, he could drive it, but there was still a lot of work to be done.

I have a video of the car in this rough but running condition, showing my 6-year-old granddaughter sitting in her Daddy’s lap driving the car down the street in front of my house. The Chrysler is unpainted, and there is no convertible top, but it is driving down the road filled with squeals and laughter.

The transformation of the New Yorker was complete after Daddy painted it maroon, installed a new convertible top, and had the seats reupholstered.

It wasn’t long before it was sold. The new owner loved the car and drove it regularly.

One day, the man who had purchased the Chrysler New Yorker visited our shop and looked at cars. He loved Daddy’s latest acquisition, a beautifully restored 1948 Lincoln Continental Coupe. He told Daddy that he wanted the Lincoln Continental but that the only way he could afford it would be to trade in the Chrysler New Yorker.

After negotiating a sale price, Daddy once again owned the 1940 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible.

Daddy drove the convertible inside our storage building because he didn’t

An Arkie’s Faith Chrysler New Yorker

1940 was the first production year the Chrysler New Yorker became an independent model, offered in three body styles. .(Photo by Richie Lawry) want it sitting out in the rain. Before the road. After eight years of neglect in long, other cars were parked behind the back corner of a building, the car the convertible, and he never drove it was ready to drive. This weekend, we again. The car had been sitting in the drove the New Yorker to Papa’s Mexbuilding for over eight years when my ican Café for lunch and then went to friend Chad and I decided to try to get Walmart. The car attracts attention it running again. wherever it is.

The first step was to put new tires While driving the Chrysler New on the Chrysler New Yorker. The old Yorker on a beautiful, sunny Sunday, tires had rotted, and there was no way I thought about a parallel between reto get them to hold air. After installing built cars and our spiritual lives. “God tires and purchasing a new battery, showed his great love for us by sendwe were ready to try and start the car. ing Christ to die for us while we were We were able to get it running, but it still sinners.” Romans 5:8 (NLT) wouldn’t idle. We also noticed that the Just like I saw the potential in the water pump was leaking.

New Yorker while it sat in the corner After Chad installed a new water with its tires rotted into the ground, God pump and rebuilt the carburetor, we loves us in our broken-down condition. were ready to see how it would run. But even though he loves us in our The V-8 engine ran smoothly and idled sinful condition, He doesn’t want us to adequately, but we still had a small wa- stay in that condition. He has a vision ter leak. What could it be? We also no- for our lives. He wants to restore us. ticed that the charging system wasn’t In Job 33:26 (NKJV), The Bible talks working. After taking the alternator off about restoration. There, it says, “He to get it checked, Chad noticed the hid- shall pray to God, and He will delight in den freeze plug behind it was leaking. him, He shall see His face with joy, For Once the freeze plug was replaced, He restores to man His righteousness.” the Chrysler was ready to be back on God has a plan for each one of us.

Joke of the Week:

Most people are shocked when they find out how bad an electrician I am.

Faith 9 He plans to restore us to righteousness. The difference between you and me and an old car needing restoration is that the old car is passive. It isn’t part of the decision to restore. But you and I must be willing to be restored.

Old cars that aren’t chosen for a restoration project will eventually rot and rust away until no one can see the possibility of saving the car. They end up abandoned, crushed, or destroyed.

Fortunately, God wants to restore all of us regardless of our condition. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (NKJV) God doesn’t want us to be abandoned and crushed by this life. He doesn’t want us to perish. 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) tells us that God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Unlike the old car that is passive in the restoration process, we have a part to play in our restoration. God wants us to repent. Repentance says to God, “I know I need to be restored. I want you to restore me.” In Romans 2:4 (NASB), the Bible says, “Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

What leads us to repentance? What leads us to confess? We are led to repentance by the kindness of God. When we experience God’s kindness and feel his love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, we want to love Him. When we love God, we want to please Him. We want to be restored.

Gentle Reader, I hope you will spend some time today reflecting on the kindness God has shown you and tell Him that you are sorry for what you did to hurt Him. God has promised that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) He will restore us if we let Him. Replacing windshields in Polk County for over 40 years.

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

10 History

January 31, 2024

Reflections from History and Faith:

By Jeff Olson Will we have six more weeks of winter or an early spring? Now that’s a good question and such an important one that leaving it in just anybody’s hands would be a foolish thing. Before radar, before satellites and yes, even before the weatherman on TV, there was (and still is)...

Groundhog Day and Phil. Chuckle as we may, this American tradition has been around for a very long time, and I think it deserves some time and ink.

For some of us, especially in the younger generations, our knowledge of Groundhog Day may be limited to the 1993 movie, or maybe just what we see on the news on Feb. 2. This unique day can be counted among the many other customs which have come to America through immigrants. Most of us are aware of its legend through weather lore that holds that if a groundhog emerges from his burrow on this day and sees his shadow, he will be frightened back into his home, and winter will last for six more weeks. However, if it’s an overcast day and he doesn’t see his shadow, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.

Phil’s forecast

Hence, spring should come early.

So, how does Feb. 2 fit into this legend and custom? This day falls at about the midpoint between the

the year.”

Another variation of the Scottish rhyme: “If Candlemas day be dry and fair, The half o’ winter to come

With a 40% accuracy in predicting spring, some say Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction rivals some TV weather forecasters.

(Submitted photo)

winter solstice and spring equinox.

Some ancient cultures observed rituals that signified the mid-season and were watchful for the reappearance of hibernating animals as a natural sign that winter was coming to an end.

Early Christians observed Feb. 2 as Candlemas, the day on which priests blessed candles needed for the winter and distributed them to the faithful. According to an old English song: “If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come, Winter, have another flight; If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Go Winter, and come not again.”

According to an old Scotch couplet: “If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there’ll be twa (two) winters in

and mair, If Candlemas day be wet and foul, The half of winter’s gone at Yule.”

The Germans recited: “For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, So far will the snow swirl until the May.” So, back to the groundhog — but not just any groundhog. Many of Pennsylvania’s early settlers came from Germany, and they brought this legend with them to America.

In Germany, it was the badger which they watched closely. However, in Pennsylvania they found groundhogs instead of badgers, so the former became their messenger. The first official trek to Gobbler’s Corner was made 137 years ago this week, Feb. 2, 1887, thus beginning the annual celebration of Groundhog Day

in the nearby town of Punxsutawney.

Then, and every year since, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil is pulled from his heated burrow so he can look for his shadow and predict spring’s arrival time. I’ve not yet been able to find out what qualified Phil and his successors above the other groundhogs, but I have to believe it came down to meritocracy more than nepotism, equity, or politics….

While this little fellow has been the nation’s most famous forecaster, he is certainly not the only rodent meteorologist in the business. Birmingham Bill, Staten Island Chuck, General Beauregard Lee (near Atlanta), and Shubenacadie Sam in Canada also participate.

While some say these guys are impostors, they nevertheless deserve at least an honorable mention for their efforts. Perhaps all or some of them may have even applied for Phil’s job.

Of course, none of them can compare to the legend nor longevity of Punxsutawney Phil whose accuracy of about 40% has prompted comments that his forecasts rival those of some weather forecasters on television.

I’ve also heard rumors that Phil’s longevity and record have inspired some into considering Phil as an advisor to the Global Warming/Climate Change movement, but I’m not so sure this is going anywhere since some believe overqualifications may be an issue. I’ll leave that to the experts, pundits and comedians. ...

Nevertheless, on this Groundhog Day we need to thank Phil and all his predecessors and colleagues for their dedication and many years of service.

January 31, 2024

News 11

12 News

January 31, 2024

2024 Young Artists Show winners

The reception for the 2024 Young Artists Show at the Mena Art Gallery was held Saturday afternoon.

The show features Polk County artists ages 5-18. The Best in Show and the first, second and third place awards in each category and age group are listed below. The gallery stated there were a lot of honorable mentions.

The show is free to the public and can be viewed between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday until Feb. 16. The artists had the option of making their work available for sale.

Best in Show Roathkanika Kou 2D Ages 5-8 1st Lilliana Gomez 2nd Jackson Speight 3rd Anna Buboltz

2D Ages 9-13 1st Wyeth Weber 2nd William Hamilton 3rd Avery Singleton 2D Ages 14-18 1st Lily McDonald 2nd Alexis Bass 3rd Zach Franklin 3D Ages 9-13 1st Anzlie Strother 2nd Gideon York 3rd Jacob Ham 3D Ages 14-18 1st Camilla Booher 2nd Mable Parks 3rd Xane Morris

Pictured (top left) Best of Show - Roathkanika Kou - “Roses,” (top right) 2nd Place 2D - 14-18 - Alexis Bass - “Chic Chic,” (bottom right) A selection of 3D art from the 9-13 age group. (bottom left) 2nd Place 2D - 9-13 - William Hamilton - title can’t be viewed

January 31, 2024

News 13

Select Realty supports Polk County’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library Quality of Life President Bethany Hughes is pleased to announce that Select Realty has given a generous donation to Polk County’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library. To commemorate each sale, Select REALTORs © donate $26 to DPIL. In January 2024, the REALTORs donated $702. This amount was in addition to the previous donations of $130 and $338 for a total of $1,170.

This money will be used to provide a book each month to 45 enrolled children.

In 1995, Dolly Parton launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to benefit the children of her home county in east Tennessee. Her vision was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children. The program has now expanded to include children in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland with over 1.5 million children enrolled. Each enrolled child from birth until age 5 receives a book each month at no cost to the parent or guardian. In most states, the program is available in communities where a local partner has teamed with Imagination Library.

Hughes states, “Research shows that having 20 books or more in the home fosters a love of learning and prepares children for success when they start school. Quality of Life is a proud sponsor of Polk County’s Imagination Library. We have reached over 1000 children in our county with 644 children currently enrolled and 581 who have graduated from the program.”

Le-Ann Holmes and Bobbie Himel, owners and brokers at Select Realty, along with their team

REALTORs © Brittany Roberts, Bri Cook, Deana Dixon, Derenda King, Sandra Thomas, Le-Ann Holmes (co-owner) and Monika Williamson present a check to QOL President Bethany Hughes and Polk County’s DPIL committee members Carol Miller and Brenda Miner. (Not pictured: Annette Cammack, Larry Reynolds, and Bobbi Himel) (Submitted photo) of REALTORs© think that Polk County’s Imagination Library is the perfect way to commemorate sales and give back to their community. Holmes states, “Several of our agents currently have or previously had children enrolled in Imagination Library. They felt that it made a positive impact, and it is very rewarding to know that our contribution has provided a book each month to 45 additional children in Polk County.”

For more information about Select Realty, call 479-394-7676, email le-annholmes@outlook.com, bobbiehimel@gmail.com or menaselectrealty@gmail.com, or visit http:// www.menaselectrealty.com.

For more information about DPIL or Quality of Life, visit https://imaginationlibrary.com or email dpilpolk@gmail.com or qoloutreach@ gmail.com.

14 News

January 31, 2024

January 31, 2024

The CALL is seeking ‘Souper Heroes’

Mena Regional Health System JANUARY 21, 2024 TO JANUARY 27, 2024

By Ethan Nahté Readers might recall that The CALL in Polk County had an open house a week before Christmas at their new location in one of the buildings at Dallas Avenue Baptist Church.

Despite the hassle of moving, organizing and remaining functional during the holiday season, The CALL was still able to provide for 20 families and over 60 children in care through their partnership with CASA, DHS, church partners and donors of all kinds.

They still need continued support for their services to be effective, including the ability to continue to recruit, train and support these families.

Alyssa Green, coordinator for The CALL in Polk County, said, “What we do is so much more than buying children and families items they need or dropping off a meal.

“It’s about showing up in the middle of the night when your bonus baby is sick and needs urgent care, but your biological children are in bed.

“It’s about reaching out and saying, ‘How are you today?’ and really mean it.

“It’s shuffling eight extra kids to and from sports for your foster mom/dad friend because they’re just too tired.

“And sometimes it means reaching in our wallets! That’s right the Lord leads us to even give our hardearned money to others sometimes.

And sometimes that’s the hardest for us. I know myself personally I love ice coffees and tacos. They both cost much more than $8.”

The CALL has a special request for your church, small group or

Polk County Births Nevaeh Martin & Jacob Reed of Gilham, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born Jan. 23rd Reacheal Smith & Nathaniel Howard of Cove, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Jan. 25th

organization. Can you make soup, or do you like to eat soup? Now through the month of March, The CALL will be doing their Souper Sunday Fundraising, but you can do it on any day of the week.

Contact The Call in Polk County at 501-813-6480 or polkcounty@ thecallinarkansas.org and let them know you’re interested in joining in and how many containers your group believes they can sell. The CALL will provide all containers and can arrange a pickup or drop off.

Participants will need to advertise the time, date, and location of their Souper Hero activities. Sell each quart for $8 and donate proceeds to The CALL in Polk County. With $8 you can help families and children affected by foster care.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more, contact Green at the number or email above, or at 479-234-3498. You can also contact church coordinator Logan McCourtney at studentsdabc@ gmail.com or 479-234-8377.

News 15

16 News

January 31, 2024

Lions hamburger fundraiser to purchase vision screening device Submitted by Mena Lions Club This year the Mena Lions Club has a unique opportunity to purchase through a matching grant the PlusOptix vision screening device. The PlusOptix can be used in our schools and daycare centers to identify vision problems in pre-school and kindergarten children. If a child has a vision disorder a report is printed out to take to an optometrist.

To raise the money for the grant the Mena Lions Club will hold a hamburger fundraiser Friday, Feb. 9. For a donation of $10, each hamburger meal will consist of a charcoal-grilled hamburger with condiments, chips, a snack cake, and bottled water.

In 1925 Helen Keller, who was rendered blind and deaf after a childhood disease, attended the Lions Clubs International Convention and challenged

Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” The Lions accepted her challenge and our work ever since has included sight programs aimed at preventable blindness.

The Mena Lions Club for years has met this challenge by paying for optometrist visits and eyeglasses for those most needy in our community and contributing every year to Lions Clubs International for programs that benefit the American Foundation for the Blind among other programs for those with sight challenges.

“Your donation can make a big difference in delivering these much-needed services,” said Austin Dees, Mena Lions Club president.

Individuals and businesses are welcome to order hamburger meals by calling 479-234-7150. Advance orders can be taken as late as that Friday morning. Large orders of 10 or more

Plusoptix vision screeners can detect vision disorders and media opacities starting at 5 months of age and up.

(Photo courtesy of Plusoptix Inc.)

should be called in by noon on Thursday and will be delivered to the place of business, less than 10 can be picked up at the Mena Regional Hospital Caf-

eteria. Hungry patrons can arrive at the hospital during the event and purchase a meal. They will be serving around 9:30 a.m. through noon.

Puzzles 17

January 31, 2024 35

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

41 01.31.24

39

44

47

WORD SEARCH

01.31.24

45 48

ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 01.24.24

A Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

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

Meet Myles!

Hello! I'm a mellow, independent, and friendly cat. I'm neutered, house trained and I'm okay with other cats and dogs! I'm very sweet, making me the perfect companion. I'm just looking for someone to share my life with.

Adopt me and let's make beautiful memories together!

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

18 Community

January 31, 2024

Around Town Polk County Sociable Senior Luncheon will be at Full Baked Cafe. Starts at noon, Feb. 13. Please let Linda Johnson know if you plan to attend. Bring a new friend!

Hope to see you there.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call (956) 241-2633 or email Linda Johnson at gijanejohnson@gmail.com.

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.

Polk County Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 1, at Veterans Park in Acorn. A potluck will be served at 6 p.m. with meetings to follow.

The Polk County Democrats will be meeting on Feb. 12 at Papa’s Mexican Cafe, 1317 Hwy. 71 South, Mena. Come early to eat and socialize for the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Any questions call Linda Johnson at (479) 234-7966. Bring a friend.

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.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Dequeen Street, Mena, is hosting a Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, Feb. 11, following their 10 a.m. worship service! You are invited to come and judge the chili! Participant prizes and a Grand Prize will be awarded! For more information, please call (479) 394-1290.

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, 4-6 p.m., located at Fair Grounds Road. For more infor-

mation, call (479) 437-4018.

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.

Calvary Baptist Church will have a catered dinner from Big D’s on Saturday, Feb. 17, for a Valentines Celebration beginning at 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Baptist Church, 2100 Hwy. 375 West, Mena.

The men will be serving the ladies. Nothing to bring, the meal and desserts are catered, and all are welcome. If anyone wants to bring a dessert, that would be welcomed, you never have enough desserts.

We would like to have a RSVP headcount by Friday, Feb. 9, for all attending our event. They can either call or email: Cathy Deaton - (870) 403-2497 (Pastor’s Wife) or Jim Cornell - (386) 956-7073 (jcorn6454@aol.com) 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) 521-4611 for details.

Avalon Hall is available for parties, baby showers, weddings, receptions, banquets, church retreats and life celebrations. For pricing, call (479) 437-4902.

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 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.

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.

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.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:3011:30 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) 385-2373.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 2348366 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.

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.

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) 2439600 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!

January 31, 2024 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 January 15, 2024 Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Port Arthur near Grannis in reference to a structure fire.

January 16, 2024 Deputies were dispatched to a business near Hatfield in reference to a damaged vehicle.

January 17, 2024 No reports.

January 18, 2024 Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 31 near Cove in reference to a vehicle fire.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Wilhelmina Lane near Mena in reference to an unattended death.

Deputies responded to a report of a dog bite victim.

January 19, 2024 Deputies were dispatched to a report of a vehicle accident on Lincoln Street near Mena leading to the arrest of David Posey, 70, of Mena on a charge of DWI. Chelsey Edwards, 24, of Heavener was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Jason Busby, 50, of Hatfield was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 19 near Cove in reference to animals at large. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Police 19

MENA POLICE REPORTS

January 21 A report of theft was taken from January 26, 2024 Walmart.

Bradley Crawford, 29, of Hatfield A report of theft was taken from was arrested by an officer with Pro- Walmart. bation Parole on a Theft of Property Warrant.

January 22 Danielle Kitchens, 40, of Umpire No report. was arrested on a warrant for Interception and Recording.

January 23 Deputies responded to a residence No report. on Polk 42 near Mena in reference to January 21, 2024 a break-in and theft of property.

January 24 Deputies were dispatched to a resKelly Mayo, 56, of Grannis was arRichard James was served with a idence on Hwy 71 S near Grannis in rested by an officer with the Grannis warrant at the county jail. reference to a trespasser.

Police Department on a Failure to Gary Czarnetzki, 30, was charged Deputies were dispatched to a res- Appear Warrant and a warrant for with Theft and Criminal Mischief idence on Polk 74 near Mena in ref- Aggravated Assault on a Family or on Magnolia Avenue. erence to a vehicle accident leading Household Member.

A report of criminal trespass and to Larry Garrett, 44, being issued a violation of a no contact order was citation for Leaving the Scene of an January 27, 2024 taken at a residence on South CherAccident.

Deputies were dispatched to Hwy ry Street.

375 W near Mena in reference to a Tracy Suire, 65, was served with Polk County Sheriff ’s Office worked vehicle accident. warrant at the county jail.

5 vehicle accidents this week.

Deputies responded to a report of child custody issue.

January 25 January 22, 2024 Clay Breeden, 44, of Mena was A report of neglect of a minor, No reports. arrested on a Parole Hold, a Failure domestic battery, endangering the to Appear Warrant and warrants for welfare of a minor, and obstructing January 23, 2024 Probation Violation and Delivery of No reports. a Schedule I or II Controlled Sub- government operations was taken at a residence on Rodgers Avenue. stance.

Latonia Siler, 20, was charged January 24, 2024 with Possession of MethamphetKerry Johnson, 33, of Booneville January 28, 2024 was arrested on a Failure to Appear Deputies responded to a welfare amine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at a residence on Rodgers Warrant. check request.

Deputies were dispatched to a resiEric Cearley, 30, of Mt. Ida was ar- Avenue. dence on Polk 19 near Cove in refer- rested by an officer with the Arkanence to animals at large. sas State Police on three Failure to January 26 A report of forgery was taken Appear Warrants. from a walk-in complainant.

January 25, 2024 Deputies responded to a report of Polk County Sheriff ’s Office worked leaving the scene of an accident.

5 vehicle accidents this week.

January 20, 2024 Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 375 E near Mena in reference to vandalism leading to the arrest of Chad Reed, 43, of Cove on charges of 1st Degree Criminal Mischief and Disorderly Conduct.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 270 near Mena in reference to a verbal altercation.

20 Classifieds

January 31, 2024

- CLASSIFIEDS - SERVICES -

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.

T0131 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 T0306 Handyman Service - Electrical, plumbing, and rental house cleanup. Prefer small jobs. For more details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204.

T0124 Construction, steel buildings, welding, pads, ponds, roads, tree services, and mulching. Insured. Give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T0228 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 T0306

- NOTICE -

To Everyone who knew Gloria Strong of Mena, who passed away on 1-13-24: I am her daughter, JoAnna. I want to notify everyone I am planning a memorial service for Gloria in March in Mena. Please watch the paper and Gloria’s Facebook page for the announcement.

I look forward to meeting everyone who knew my mom. Thank you for your love and support.

T0131

- PETS FOR SALE -

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

- HELP WANTED -

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 Employment Opportunity: Full time Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Mena Middle School. Must be eligible to serve in a public school with at least one year of full time experience as a licensed nurse and have an active nursing license in good standing with Arkansas state board of nursing.

Please inquire at Mena School District Administration office, 501 Hickory Avenue, Mena, AR, or submit an application/resume online at menaschools.org.

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 Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for a technical/phone sales position.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering technical inquiries, providing product information and recommendations, troubleshooting with potential and current customers, and processing orders in a fastpaced office setting.

Parts, automotive, and computer experience would be helpful. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple 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.

T0214

MRHS converts to a Critical Access Hospital

By Michael Wood, CEO, MRHS

Mena Regional Health System is excited to announce its intent to convert from a PPS (Prospective Payment System) hospital to a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). This strategic move underscores our commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility, improving patient outcomes, and reinforcing our dedication to serving the community.

The transition to Critical Access Hospital status brings several advantages, including increased flexibility in healthcare delivery, improved financial stability, and a focus on providing high-quality, personalized care. As a CAH, Mena Regional Health System will continue to uphold the highest standards of patient safety and satisfaction while adapting to the evolving needs of our community. Conversion to CAH status will allow us to continue to offer all of our current service lines and add Swing Bed Services to enhance our ability to take care of our community members who require extended hospitalization before returning home.

This transformation aligns with our mission to put patients first by ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care in a dynamic and ever-changing healthcare landscape. The transition to Critical Access Hospital status positions us to respond effectively to the unique challenges facing rural healthcare, fostering a more resilient and patient-centric healthcare environment.

Key benefits of our transition to a

Critical Access Hospital include: 1.

Enhanced Patient Care: The CAH model allows us to focus on personalized care, tailored to the specific needs of our community.

2.

Financial Stability: This conversion provides financial advantages that will contribute to the long-term sustainability of Mena Regional Health System, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare services.

3.

Community Collaboration: We remain dedicated to collaborating with local partners, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to address healthcare needs.

4.

Adaptability: As a Critical Access Hospital, we gain flexibility in adapting our services to address emerging healthcare challenges and technological advancements.

We anticipate that this transition will take place over the next 4-6 months. This extended transition period will allow for us to continue to provide uninterrupted service through all of our current service lines. It will also ensure that we are fully prepared to serve you under the CAH umbrella once the conversion is completed.

We are excited about the positive impact this transition will have on our ability to serve our community effectively. Mena Regional Health System remains committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality healthcare services, and we look forward to the continued support of our community during this transformative journey.

News 21

January 31, 2024

Local deputy and SRO dies

By Ethan Nahté

Polk County Deputy Sonja Stueart, 49, died at her home on Thursday, Jan. 25, according to her obituary.

Images and comments in memory of Stueart appeared on the social media pages of law enforcement and emergency services from Mena and Polk County, as well as the Arkansas Sheriff ’s official Facebook page and other law departments outside of Polk County such as Perryville.

There were also plenty of condolences and comments from co-workers, friends and Holly Harshman Elementary parents where Stueart was a school resource officer (SRO).

Even people who claimed to have first met Steuart when they were incarcerated stated she was friendly, or she was the first officer they had respect for.

Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer stated on his Facebook page, “It is with monumental sadness that I announce the passing of Polk County Deputy Sonja Stueart. Deputy Stueart began her law enforcement career in 2010 as a Dispatcher/ 911 Operator. She was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff in 2022 and served

as an SRO for the Mena School District.

“Sonja loved her family, loved her work family, and loved her school family. She was kind, caring, fiercely loyal and had a servant’s heart.

“Sonja left a huge hole in the hearts of her blue family and an indelible mark on our community. She will be missed by all that knew her.

“Please keep Deputy Sonja Stueart’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, at The Crossing, 106 Mena St.

Quillin launches a GoFundMe page

By Ethan Nahté

Monica Quillin was found dead at a residence on Stone Lane outside of Mena on Monday, Jan. 22, from an apparent gunshot wound.

Her husband, Aldeen Yogi Quillin launched a GoFundMe page over the weekend in the “Funerals & Memorials” category. His fundraiser description reads: “Hello everyone, my name is Aldeen. My wife was killed Monday the 22nd she was shot in Mena, Ar. and it’s in between my payday. The money will go toward the bills required to bury her and paying people back who have been nice enough to loan me money. She had a 15-year-old and I’m going to need the financial assistance like I never did before, his mom always helped with his stuff. Please help if you can, God Bless. We will have a service in a few weeks, just haven’t set

a date yet.”

As of Monday evening, Jan. 29, the page has raised a little over $670 of the $5,000 Aldeen posted as his goal. He originally had a goal of $1,000. When asked why such a low amount, he replied, “I don’t have any money saved and I know $1,000 is a low amount, but I feel like I’ll be lucky to get that.

As you can see, I’ve only got a portion of that.

“The $1,000 will be going toward paying people back for loaning me money, the cremation, the travel costs to have her shipped home, and maybe have enough to pay for a headstone among other things I can’t even fathom right now.”

You can either search for Monica Quillin’s name on the GoFundMe page or directly link to it at https://www.gofundme.com/f/monica-quillin/.

STAY ALERT. STAY INFORMED. STAY SAFE. Some severe weather events are predictable, others may happen with little or no warning.

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

www.cdc.gov/disasters/ Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative, Inc. Owned By Those We Serve

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

22 Sports

January 31, 2024

Cossatot River hires assistant coach, approves facility expansions

By Patrick Massey Presented by

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE ACORN HIGH SCHOOL Basketball 02/06 - Acorn vs. Umpire

-------------------COSSATOT RIVER HIGH SCHOOL Basketball

02/01 - Umpire @ Blevins 02/01 - Cossatot vs. Booneville 02/02 - Umpire @ Mineral Springs 02/02 - Cossatot @ Danville 02/06 - Umpire @ Acorn 02/06 - Cossatot vs. Two Rivers

Football at Cossatot River is moving forward thanks to strong community support for the nascent program.

The Cossatot River School Board voted last week to take the next step by hiring an assistant coach and approving expansions to its football field.

Superintendent Tyler Broyles said the decision is in response to growing interest and demand from families in the school district.

“Parents were coming to me, coming to school board members, saying this

“Winning a game in your very first season, that’s almost unheard of,” Broyles said. “We had 26 players last year and played a full season of junior high football. It was an exciting first year.”

The district has announced Lance Bradshaw of De Queen will serve in the assistant coaching position. Broyles said the district is also considering adding a second assistant coach already employed there.

In addition to some backup for head coach Barrett, Cossatot River will also begin some facility improvements for its football program. That will include

sas Athletics Association and feedback from local stakeholders encouraged Cossatot River to launch its program at the junior varsity level before expanding to senior high. Broyles said the district hopes to do just that beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

“We are trying to prep the staff and facilities for a senior high program,” Broyles said. “We wanted to start somewhat small and make sure the program was sustainable. We think that it very much is. We’ve got more students interested in football for this fall than we did last fall. And there is just so much com-

program is fantastic and as a community we want to see Coach [Dakota] Barrett get some help and have some home games,” Broyles said. “Really, it was in response to the majority of the community being so excited they’ve actually demanded we expand this program.”

Excitement continues to grow for Cossatot River football after the program launched at the junior varsity level last fall. The Eagles won one game in their inaugural season — not a bad start for a rookie program trying to earn its footing on the gridiron.

bleacher seating for 1,000 people, field goal posts and a press box. These enhancements, said Broyles, will also serve the Eagles’ other sports programs.

“There’s a lead time on those projects, but if all things go well, by the end of this summer we’ll have what looks like a football stadium down there,” Broyles said. “Those facility expansions will also add to our existing soccer and track programs.”

The developments are part of the process to build a senior high football program in the near future. The Arkan-

munity support for the program. This time next year, we should be talking about getting ready for a senior high program.”

Football was not the only new athletic program to launch at Cossatot River last fall. The district also added volleyball and, like football, received a lot of positive feedback.

“We had over 60 girls between junior high and senior high come out to play,” he said. “We’re going into our second year, and everyone is really excited about that as well.”

-------------------MENA HIGH SCHOOL Basketball

02/02 - Mena vs. Dardanelle 02/05 - Mena vs. Fountain Lake 02/06 - Mena @ Waldron

Wrestling

02/01 - Mena @ Greenwood

-------------------MT. IDA HIGH SCHOOL Basketball

02/01 - Mt. Ida vs. Murfreesboro 02/02 - Mt. Ida @ Taylor 02/06 - Mt. Ida vs. Oden

-------------------UA RICH MOUNTAIN Baseball

02/01 - UARM @ Northeast Texas

Community College 02/03 - UARM vs. Northeast Texas

Community College 02/06 - UARM @ Seminole State

College

Softball

02/06 - UARM vs. Southeast

Arkansas College (Due to recent cancellations and postponements, schedules are subject to change.)

January 31, 2024

Education 23

Universities and colleges announce lists for fall 2023

SAU President’s List Fall 2023 MAGNOLIA, AR (01/25/2024) — Southern Arkansas University has announced that 495 students earned a 4.0 GPA for the fall 2023 semester and have been named to its President’s List.

- Christina Nicole Gragg is a junior Psychology major with a minor in Social Work from Hatfield, AR. - Katie R. Benefield is a senior Nursing major from Mena, AR. - April R. Burt is a freshman Musical Theatre major from Mena, AR. - Jamie G. Copelin is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena, AR. - Alexander Freeman Cude is a senior Music Education (Instrumental) major from Mena, AR. - Lauryn Kaye Maechler is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena, AR. - Trysten Jacob Richey is a junior K-12 Physical Education and Health major from Mena, AR. - Ranessa Jo Ricker is a sophomore Biology major from Mena, AR. - LayLa Rayne Spenser is a sophomore Psychology major from Mena, AR. - Audrey Raquel Youmans is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena, AR. A total of 495 students were honored on this semester’s President’s List.

SAU Dean’s List Fall 2023 Southern Arkansas University has announced that 593 students earned a 3.5 GPA or higher for the fall 2023 semester and have been named to its Dean’s List.

- James Matthew Taylor is a junior Musical Theatre major from Hatfield, AR. - Tabetha Danielle Bennett is a junior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena, AR. - Danielle Marie Powell is a senior Elementary Education (STEM)

major from Mena, AR. Jackson Ty Teater is a senior Social Studies Education major from Mena, AR. - Esperanza Ortiz is a senior Spanish Education major from Wickes, AR. - Irvin Pineda Trejo is a senior Management major from Wickes, AR. To learn more about SAU, visit www. saumag.edu.

-

UA Little Rock Chancellor’s List Fall 2023 LITTLE ROCK, AR (01/16/2024)-UA Little Rock announces its Fall 2023 Chancellor’s List, recognizing students with superior academic performance in a semester.

To be eligible for the Chancellor’s List, students must earn at least nine credit hours and at least a 3.9 GPA. More than 630 UA Little Rock students were named to the Chancellor’s List for the Fall 2023 semester.

Local students who were named to the Chancellor’s List at UA Little Rock include: - Luz Alarcon of Wickes, AR - James Brinkley of Wickes, AR - Channa Lay of Mena, AR - Chloe Speight of Mena, AR UA Little Rock Dean’s ListFall 2023 The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announces students who have made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2023

semester, recognizing more than 1,175 students whose academic performances have been superior at the end of each semester.

To be on the Dean’s List, UA Little Rock students must earn at least nine credit hours and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA. Local students who made the Dean’s List include: - James Brinkley of Wickes, AR - Channa Lay of Mena, AR - Alexia Minzel of Mena, AR - Chloe Speight of Mena, AR Learn more about UA Little Rock at https://ualr.edu/ Fulbright College Dean’s List FAYETTEVILLE, AR (01/26/2024) — Cathlene Holmes of Mena was named to the Fall 2023 Dean’s List in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

Holmes joins more than 2,500 additional Fulbright College students on the Fall 2023 Dean’s and Chancellor’s Lists.

To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must achieve at least a 3.75 grade-point average for the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours. To qualify for the Chancellor’s List, students must also achieve at least a 4.00 grade-point average for the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours.

“It’s such a pleasure to recognize

Cathlene for this spectacular achievement and for making Fulbright College and the University of Arkansas so incredibly proud,” said Kathryn Sloan, the college’s interim dean. “Cathlene represents the very best of Fulbright College and demonstrates excellence in academics and a commitment to our mission of peace through education.”

“I’d be remiss not to also recognize and thank the family, friends and Fulbright College faculty and staff who have supported Cathlene,” Sloan added. “We’re immensely grateful for their continued influence and support.”

Learn more about the U of A’s Fulbright College at fulbright.uark.edu.

Harding University Dean’s List Fall 2023 SEARCY, AR (01/26/2024) — Hattie Blake, a Senior studying interdisciplinary studies & theological studies, is among more than 1,300 Harding University students included on the dean’s list for grades achieved during the Fall 2023 semester.

The dean’s list is published each semester by Dr. Marty Spears, University provost, honoring those who have achieved high scholarship. To be eligible, a student must be carrying 12 or more hours with a 3.65 or higher gradepoint average and no incompletes.

For more information, visit harding. edu.

24

January 31, 2024