August 13, 2014
FREE WEEKLY
THE POLK COUNTY
Stay Connected!
512 Seventh Street • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600
MyPulseNews.com . . . Your DAILY News Source!
“Operation Pilled-Up” Yields Multiple Arrests
BY LEANN DILBECK Sources with the Polk County Sheriff’s Department said 49 warrants were executed early Tuesday morning following a 4-month multi-agency undercover operation and, as of press time Tuesday afternoon, 27 had been arrested with more arrests imminent. The 18th West Judicial Drug Task Force, Department of Community Corrections, and the Mena Police Department all assisted the Polk County Sheriff’s Department in what is dubbed as “Operation Pilled-Up.” The inmates were being transported to other jail facilities in Sevier and Scott Counties due to the Polk County Detention Center being full. No other details were available at press time but the complete story will be available at MyPulseNews.com.
Fluoridation of Mena Water Supply Complete
BY LEANN DILBECK The Mena Water Department’s implementation of fluoridation to the water system is operating smoothly and now makes the utility compliant with guidelines required by the Arkansas Department of Health since the passage of Act 197 in 2011 by the 88th Arkansas General Assembly by a vote of 56-35. Act 197 states that affected water systems, defined as “supplies water directly or through a consecutive system to 5,000 persons or more,” were not required to comply with the statute until sufficient funds other than those from tax or service revenue were available to pay reasonable capital start-up costs. The Mena Water Utility services approximately 13,500 customers through the city limits and also supplies the Acorn Rural Water, Freedom Rural Water, and Leflore 17 / Big Cedar systems. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
The Story Behind the Music
Meet Tian Detint Janssen Park’s Newest Music Man BY MELANIE BUCK [PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID ALLEY] The sound of music has been filling the air around Janssen Park as of late. Specifically, something that sounds like bagpipes. The Pulse was able to track down the source of the melody this week. Tian Detint, of Qing Dao, China, is in Mena with wife Shu Fang Zhou visiting their daughter, Chanel Bratton. Bratton is from Mississippi but she has temporarily moved to Mena to be close to her husband who is on a 2-3 year job at Nidec. While here, Tian couldn’t resist the beauty of Janssen Park and has begun to play there almost daily since arriving. His instrument of CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
LABOR DAY SEE INSERT FOR DETAILS
Mr. Gene Ross was honored during the 61st Annual Polk County Championship Rodeo held last weekend for his 34 years of dedicated volunteer service to the Polk County Rodeo Board. The presentation was made following the Grand Entry on the first night of the rodeo. Ross is a very familiar face and the backbone of an event that has spanned over six decades. [PHOTO COURTESY OF SWEET PEAS PHOTOGRAPHY | DANA HARVEY] FULL HANDI-CAPABLE RODEO PICTORIAL ON PAGE 8
Mon-Fri 8:30 to 6:00 Sat 9:00 - 3:00 (479) 394-4332 1020 MENA ST. MENA, AR 71953 | SINCE 1939 (888) 394-4332 www.washburns.com