February 14, 2018 by The Pulse

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February 14, 2018

THE POLK COUNTY

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1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600 ...............................................................................................................................................................................

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MRHS Goes Red for Women T

Mena Regional Health System recently participated in the American eart Association s Go Red for Women movement, which advocates for more research and swifter action for women s heart health. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, causing one in three deaths each year. That s appro imately one wom an every minute. ut it doesn t affect all women alike and the warning signs for women aren t the same in men. There are several misconceptions about heart disease in women and they could be putting you

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Daniel to Serve as Interim GM of KENA/Pulse

PCSO Apprehends Violent Fugitive

Mena Grad Chosen to Lead Multi-Billion Dollar Corp.

BY MELANIE WADE • news@mypulsenews.com

Chris Daniel, of Mena, Arkansas, has been named as the Interim General Manager of K EN A and The Pulse. K EN A and The Pulse are under the umbrella of Ouachita Broadcasting, owned by Jay and Teresa Bunyard of DeQueen, Arkansas. Ouachita Broadcasting includes CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

On Friday, February 9, 2018, the Polk County Sheriff’ s Matthew Maddox, a 1994 graduate of Mena High Office received information about a violent wanted fugitive School, has been named as the new CEO of Wynn that was possibly hiding out in south Polk County, accord- Resorts, following the resignation of founder and longtime ing to Sheriff Scott Sawyer. C O teve ynn. The suspect, 20-year old Jose’ Maria Perez, was Maddox will lead the $17 billion global gaming compaCONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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Committee Recommends Council Table North Morgan Proposal Indefinitely

BY MELANIE WADE â&#x20AC;˘ news@mypulsenews.com

he Mena City Council Street Committee met on Monday, January 29, 2018 to discuss options for the proposed N orth Morgan Street project following a letter from the Arkansas Highway Commission. After a recent study, the Highway Commission has stated a traffic light would not be warranted at the would-be intersection and that re-aligning the new road with its counterpart across Highway 71 would cost more than anticipated and would require the purchase and move of buildings, utilities, and a portion of a parking lot. In light of the new developments, as well as the number of years it has taken waiting on a response from the state, the Street Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the full City Council that the matter be tabled indefinitely. The Mena City Council hade their February monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 13, at City Hall. Look for more updates in future editions of the Polk County Pulse, mypulsenews.com and on K EN A 104.1 FM.

MRHS Recognized by State Vital Records

The Medical Records Department at Mena Regional Health System was recently recognized by Vital Records as one of the top facilities in the state of Arkansas for timely registration of birth certificates. Arkansas law requires a certificate of birth for every birth to be filed within 10 days after the birth. The analysis was reported for the period of January 2017 to December 2017.

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The Polk County Pulse is the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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 estimated readership of 10,000. All rights to contents are reserved by Pulse Multi-Media. MyPulseN ews.com currently has an on-line audience of 24,000 giving us a combined readership of 32,000. 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. N o such advertisement or any part thereof may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Pulse Multi-Media & The Polk County Pulse. POLITICAL ADVERTISEMEN TS: Advertisements of a political nature must be pre-paid 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.

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UA Rich Mountain Spring Enrollment Demonstrates Positive Growth T

SUBMITTED

he enrollment numbers for spring 2018 semester at the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain are in and the results yield a positive projection. On the 11th class day for the spring 2018 semester, enrollment comparisons from the spring 2017 semester to the spring 2018 semester demonstrated increases in a number of areas. Chad Fielding, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs stated, “I think people are realizing more and more the opportunities that UA Rich Mountain can provide right here in their own backyard. The value provided through a quality education in either technical programs or transfer credit opportunities provides something that is simply not available in many areas of Arkansas. This is an exciting time of growth and opportunity for both UA Rich Mountain and the communities we serve.” ignificant changes on the upswing from spring to spring were in the number of students enrolled from Montgomery County and in the overall number of first time freshmen enrolled. The College experienced a 25% increase in enrollment for students residing in ontgomery County and a increase in the number of first CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

HCI Receives Healthy Size Grant from Delta Dental of Arkansas H

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ealthy Connections, Inc. recently received $22,405.00 from the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. The grant dollars will help purchase much needed pediatric dental equipment to render a positive dental experience for children seen at their clinic. Healthy Connections, Inc. (HCI) offers the communities in western Arkansas an array of medical, dental and social services. More importantly, HCI administers quality dental and medical services at a discounted fee to a growing population of Medicaid, Medicare, uninsured and underinsured individuals. One successful outreach program administered by Healthy Connections, Inc. every ebruary for the past fifteen years is a dental sealant pro ect. ealants are offered to every second through sixth grade student in Polk County. U of A Fort Smith Dental Hygiene students partner with Healthy Connections to apply sealants. Through the Community Grant program, the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation seeks to expand access to oral health care in underserved areas. Grant recipients were selected based on the innovativeness of the proposed project and its potential impact on the oral health of Arkansans. “We are proud to recognize the work being done by Healthy Connections, Inc. by selecting it as one of our grant recipients,” said Weldon Johnson, Executive Director of the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. “By increasing access to dental care, we can help improve the oral and overall health and well-being of children and adults by preventing serious health issues down the road.” The elta ental of rkansas oundation is committed to fulfilling elta ental’s mission to improve the oral health of Arkansans. Since 2015, the Foundation has contributed an average of $3 million dollars annually to support oral health programs and initiatives. By investing in education, prevention and treatment, we are working to make Arkansas healthier, one smile at a time. For more oral health news and information, visit www.DeltaDentalAR.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram at @DeltaDentalAR.

Elks Members & Guests

January 6, 2016

Talimena 13.1 Reminder T

he fifth running of the Talimena 1 .1 un and elay is set for arch 1 , 1 , with the race beginning at Janssen Park in Mena, running up Mena Street, and over the Talimena Scenic Drive to the historic Queen Wilhelmina State Park, in an epic challenge for any long distance athlete. The Polk County evelopmental Center PC C of ena benefits from the race each year. They provide services to the mentally and physically challenged adults and children in Polk and Scott Counties and the surrounding area. Both individuals and 13-member teams are welcome to register. For more information, including race details and registration, go to: www.talimenarunandrelay.com OR www.runreg.com OR www.pcdcmena.com OR call PCDC at 479-394-2671.

Strickin and Strickland Engaged

Members Free Guests $7 124 Elks Lane, Hwy 375E, Mena, AR

The engagement of Tasha Stricklin, daughter of Ramona and the late Larry Stricklin of Hatﬁeld, AR, to Charles Strickland, son of Gary and Stephanie Strickland of Shreveport, LA and George and Kathy Speckman of St. Martinville, LA, is announced by the bride’s mother. Ms. Stricklin is a law student at William H. Bowen School of Law from which she will graduate in May of this year. Mr. Strickland is a nursing student at UA Little Rock and he will also graduate in May of this year. The couple plans to reside in Little Rock, AR. The wedding will be held in New Orleans, LA in March. Family and friends will be invited to attend a reception in honor of the couple this spring.

Mena Elks Lodge

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Several County Officials Annouce Intentions to Run for Re-Election

County Judge Brandon Ellison

Treasurer Tanya Fretz

Clerk Terri Harrison

“Seven years ago I took on this challenging but rewarding task of managing our wonderful rural county. I am grateful to our citizens for allowing me to serve. Today I am announcing my intention to seek re-election. “I believe we have made improvements in many areas without expanding the footprint of county government. I look forward to our future with continued plans to improve the quality of life for our families in Polk County.”

“I am happy to announce my plans to run for re-election as Polk County Treasurer. It would be an honor to continue to serve the wonderful citizens of Polk County. In my five years as Treasurer, my performance demonstrates that I have the needed experience and knowledge to continue to run the office efficiently with the highest professional accountability. Presently, I have a total of 17 years working within the local county government. With your continued support, I will continue to provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Polk County.”

“I am excited to announce that I plan to see re-election as Polk County Clerk. “As County Clerk, I am very pleased with the progress and improvements we have made in the County Clerk’s Office. The County Clerk’s Office handles voter registration and elections, as well as probate, county court, marriage licenses, accounts payable for all county offices, and payroll for all county employees. I have a great staff that works very hard to serve the citizens

Circuit Clerk Michelle Schnell

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“My name is Michelle Heath Schnell and I would like to announce my intention to seek re-election to the office of the Polk County Circuit Clerk. I have been a part of the Circuit Clerk’s Office for 11 years. Since becoming clerk in 2017 I have been able to cut our office spending and streamline the daily operations without compromising customer service. I truly appreciate the confidence the citizens of Polk County have put in me by allowing me to serve as the Circuit Clerk. With my experience and your continued support, we will continue to serve the citizens of Polk County.”

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Harrison

Sherif f Scott Saw yer

A ssessor Jov an Thom as

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“I am excited to announce my intention to seek re-election for the Office of Polk County Sheriff and Collector. uring my first term, I made professionalism, integrity, and community service a priority. I worked hard to run my office efficiently and effectively. I am very proud of the men and women that work for the Polk County heriff’s Office and the ob that they have done over the last year. I am honored to lead them and to serve the citizens of Polk County. I appreciate the support that Polk County has given us and I promise to keep working hard for you.”

“I am pleased and honored to announce that I will be seeking re-election as your Assessor. “As your County Assessor, and along with my powerful team of staff members, the goal in the ssessor’s office is keep taxpayers informed and educated on all the moving parts that makes the assessment world operate. I gained the privilege of serving as County Assessor when the constituents of this county elected me into office in 1 . I serve with a glad heart and I will continue to work hard and to work fair and e uitably for Polk County. s always, your trust and support is greatly appreciated.”

of Polk County. rom the automation of public records to implementing procedures to keep up with ever changing election laws, our main goal is to serve the citizens of Polk County as efficiently as possible. I served as President of the rkansas Association of County Clerks from anuary 1 to ecember 1 and was recently chosen by my fellow county clerks to serve as board member of the Association of Arkansas Counties. I have served as County Clerk since January of 1 and I am very honored, and grateful to the voters of Polk County for the trust they have placed in me by allowing me to serve them as Polk County Clerk. I will continue to work hard for Polk County and greatly appreciate your continued support.”

January 6, 2016

Justice of the P eace D istrict 1 Ben Finley

Incumbent en inley, who has served on the Polk County uorum Court for ten years, has announced his intent to seek re-election. inley submitted the following en inley has announced his intention to run for re-election to the uorum Court istrict 1.

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Chamber Welcomes New Vision with Ribbon Cutting

BY MELANIE WADE

news@mypulsenews.com

The Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce welcomed New Vision into their chamber membership with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, February 12, 2018.

ena Regional Health System partnered with N ew Vision, a medically supervised withdrawal management service, last year to provide a medically supported detox program to the area. “There is a huge need,” said MRHS Administrator Jay Quebedeaux at the program’ s launch. “We think it will do extremely well here.” The program provides a hospital setting where alcohol or drug addicted persons can voluntarily admit themselves and receive medical assistance to lessen the symptoms of withdrawals, which can many times be physically painful. “It’ s a medical issue,” Quebedeaux explained. “It needs to be handled in a hospital setting.” In the program, the patient would be admitted into the hospital just as anyone else with any other ailment. Once there, they will be under the supervision of a medical doctor and nursing staff. The patient’ s stay would last from 3 – 5 days and N ew Vision offers assistance getting into a continued care recovery program, such as long-term detox, inpatient and outpatient rehab, an important ‘ next step’ for anyone trying to rehabilitate. It is also easier to be accepted by a long-term facility if a person has gone through a detox program. Persons addicted to alcohol, benzoids, or opioids, may qualify for the program and most insurances, Medicaid, and Medicare will pay for the treatment. MRHS is also an Oklahoma medical provider, extending their coverage area – there are only two other N ew Vision programs in Arkansas, one in Van Buren and one in Searcy. According to ehabs.com, eto ification is the first phase of substance abuse recovery. It involves a period of time after your last drink that you dedicate to ridding all of the alcohol or toxins in your body so that you can begin treatment with a clean slate. As detox progresses, withdrawal symptoms may become life-threatening, so professional medical monitoring is often necessary in many cases of abuse and dependency. Once you are clean, recovery can begin.” “That could include Alcoholics Anonymous, counseling, or a long-term rehabilitation center,” said Quebedeaux. “People are starting to see how important this is,” he added. “We are excited to have the program.” The N ew Vision program has been accepting patients since August 29, 2017 and the program has shown extreme success. For more information, contact Mena Regional Health System at 479-394-6100.

Regain an active life one step at a time. If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a fall or has recurring problems with balance, our Active Life Balance Care program can help.

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Mena Grad CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE ny following a four year stint as president of the company. He has been employed at Wynn Resorts since 2002 and has worked through the company ranks. Last year, according to reports, Maddox signed an employment agreement with an annual base salary of $1.5 million and was granted 200,000 shares of restricted stock worth an estimated $33 million. In 2008, Maddox was named as the highest paid executive under age 40 by Fortune magazine. Maddox is the son of David Maddox, and wife Sue, of Mena. David practices as an attorney at Maddox and Maddox Attorneys at Law, along with John Maddox (Matthew’ s brother), who also serves at Arkansas State Representative, District 20. Matthew Maddox is married and has three children.

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This person will be a part of a team that dedicated to improving the quality and delivery of healthcare to our patients. We are a patient-centered medical home that provides general medical care, both acute and chronic management. We have an on-site laboratory to enhance our ability to treat patients along with radiology. Responsibility • Work with primary care physician to provide the best care • Provide preventative and primary care for patients of all ages during work hours in a clinic setting • Full-time preferred • No after hours duties Our clinic offers you the opportunity to utilize all of your medical skills, while still providing an amazing work-life balance. Please send resumes to 1102 Crestwood Circle, Mena, AR 71953 or mvcpm@sbcgloal.net. Come and join our team at Mountain View Clinic. We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. COMPLETE CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

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unnery Sergeant Christopher Bryan Crawford of the 12th Marine District was honorably discharged from active duty out of the United States Marine Corps on December 19, 2017. This article is to honor his service. He is the son of Margaret and Theodore Harris, and the later Bobby Crawford. He has three brothers and one sister. Chris is a 1995 graduate of Mena High School and alongside his service, her was an EMT/ Paramedic for Southwest EMS. e started his service to the country as a ri eman for 1 years and 11 months. This also includes becoming specialized as a light armored recon marine for eight years and ten months. is final three years in the arine Corps were carried out as a recruiter. Mr. Crawford never bragged or even mentioned his accomplishments in the military, but upon completion of this service, his mother received a letter of dischard, which contained a list of his awards. Those awards include: N avy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Combat Action Ribbon (OIF1), Presidential Unit Citation – N avy, N avy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (2), Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (2), N ational Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 1 star), Iraq Campaign Medal (with 2 stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (OEF), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with ‘ m’ device), N ATO Medal – I fghanistan, etter of ppreciation, eritorius ast , pert i e ualification adge , arksman Pistol ualification adge, participated in O , 1 .1, and Romania. “To know my son had accomplished such great things with such a humble spirit brought tears to my eyes,” said his mother, Margaret Harris. “His family is so proud of the man he is, his accomplishments, and his service to our country.”

January 6, 2016

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Daniel

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K EN A-FM 104.1, K QOR-FM 105.3, and 1450AM, The Polk County Pulse weekly print newspaper, online publication, MyPulseN ews.com, and several annual and bi-annual magazines including East to West. ““I am pleased and honored to be involved with K EN A and The Pulse, if only temporarily, to insure that things continue to run smoothly, and be a part of some exciting new things coming,” said Daniel. Daniel began in radio at age 14. He has owned, managed, and built stations in several states. He moved to Mena 31 years ago to be the morning host of K EN A and has been affiliated with in several capacities over the years. Daniel now works as a technical and compliance consultant for a number of stations, manages tower sites, and does volunteer work for several Christian radio stations. He is a Past President of the Mena/ Polk County Chamber, former member of the Polk County Quorum Court, longtime president of Pine Crest Cemetery, and member of Grace Bible Church. Daniel enjoys amateur (ham) radio in spare time, as well as history. He is married to Leslie Stewman Daniel who is a Mena native and kindergarten teacher in Mena. They have one daughter, Chris Ann Grotzinger, who along with her husband, Aaron, lives in Houston. e is e cited about coming back to his home station, saying, ven though I have been affiliated with a number of radio stations over the years in several states, K EN A is what I consider to be my “home” station always will be. I am thankful that Jack Reeves and Ed Stevenson gave me the opportunity to do what I enjoy, and appreciative of the trust Jay Bunyard has given me to help.” Ouachita Broadcasting, namely K EN A, has been serving the local community for nearly 70 years. N ielsen ratings prove K EN A-FM to be the radio station of choice to begin everyone’ s day with an average listenership of 9,500. K QOR-FM has an average audience share of more than 5,300. The Polk County Pulse began in August 2007 and has now grown to 8,000 print and an average of 24,000 online readers. Daniel will serve as Interim until further notice. Owner Jay Bunyard said, “Everything is business as usual with no interruptions in radio, newspaper, online, and magazine publications.”

Fugitive CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE wanted out of Chatham County, Georgia for numerous charges including Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution, Home Invasion, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, and Aggravated Sodomy with Force (reportedly on a minor under the age of 10). Sawyer reported that at approximately 2:15 p.m., the Polk County heriff’s Office, rkansas Game and Fish, and 18th Judicial West Drug Task orce conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle just south of Wickes. Jose’ Maria Perez was the passenger in the vehicle and was arrested without incident. The driver of the vehicle, Marco Ruiz, age 30, of DeQueen, Arkansas was also arrested. Charges on Ruiz are pending. According to reports, Jose Maria Perez was an inmate in Georgia and was mistakenly released on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. The inmate that was supposed to be released had a similar name – Jose Lopez-Perez, who had been booked for I and traffic charges. Following receiving information that Jose Maria Perez might be located in south Polk County, Sawyer and his deputies took quick action, apprehending the subject. Perez was transported to the Polk County Detention Center where he will remain pending extradition to Chatham County, Georgia.

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................................................................................................................................ He is survived by wife, Tonia Devries of Morris and Laura Louise Houseman Payne in her daughter, Carolyn Burnside of Siloam FOKKE the home; sons, Austin Devries of Mena, Palo Alto, California. Springs, Arkansas; her sister, Dorothy Reese (DUTCH) Arkansas, Ian Devries of Mena, Arkansas; Patricia spent her life serving God and of St. Petersburg, Florida; seven grandchilstepsons, Taylor Wiseman of Mena, Arkan- others. She graduated as a Registered N urse dren and seven great-grandchildren, and a DEVRIES

Fokke (Dutch) Devries, age 65 of Mena, Arkansas, passed away February 5, 2018 in Mena. He was born in Leeuwarden, Holland on January 5, 1953 to Franz and Antje Devries. Dutch was married to Tonia Fussell Devries for 6 happy years. He worked as a Chief Information Officer for ealthy Connections as a computer technologist. In his younger days, Dutch played professional soccer in Holland. He was tech savvy and always had to have the latest and greatest phone. He always had a smiling face and was one of the kindest and friendliest souls you would ever meet. Dutch loved his family and grandchildren; they were his pride and joy. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to all who knew him. Everyone will miss his smile.

sas, Jacob Bobo of Ft. Worth, Texas; daughter, Amber Devries of Mena, Arkansas; stepdaughter, N icole Bobo of Ft. Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Jaycie, Valarie, Silas, and Landon; and brother, Ger Devries. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister. Memorial service was held Friday, February 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Beasley Wood Chapel with oreen Tapley as officiant. rrangements were made under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

PATRICIAL LOUISE LAWRY Patricia Louise Lawry, age 84, of Mena, died Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at the N ational Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was born on Wednesday, January 10, 1934, to Phillip

from Madison College and worked as an RN in Tennessee and Colorado. She was very active in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Patricia served as a Sabbath School Superintendent and as a teacher in the children’ s divisions. She was very involved with the local food pantry and soup kitchen. She was a supporter of “The Voice of Prophecy,” “It is Written,” and “The Quiet Hour.” She was an avid quilter and enjoyed scrapbooking. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Patricia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, and will be missed by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her daughter, Penny Lawry. Patricia is survived by her husband of 64 years, Robert Lawry of Mena; her son and daughter in law, Richard and Regina Lawry of Mena; her daughter and son in law, Jeannie and Dewey Amos of Ashland, Missour; and

host of other relatives and friends. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Mrs. Lawry was sent for cremation under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home. In lieu of owers, the family re uests that donations be made to the Maranatha Volunteer International One Day Church, 990 Reserve Drive, # 100, Roseville, California 95678. https:/ / maranatha.org/ programs/ one-dayprogram/ one-day-church/ Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com

JOSEPH “RICKY” FLETCHER Joseph “Ricky” Fletcher, age 64, of Heavener, Oklahoma, died

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................................................................................................................................ Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Heavener N ursing and Rehab. He was born on Friday, April 17, 1953 to Joseph Bernard Ledet and Imogene Williams Fletcher in N ew Orleans, Louisiana. Ricky lived in Muse, Oklahoma for many years of his life and then moved to different parts of Oklahoma. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. Rickey was a brother, uncle, and a great friend who will be missed by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his parents. Ricky is survived by his four brothers and sister in law, James and Dorothy Fletcher of Mena, Billy Fletcher of Mena, Bobby Fletcher of Mena and Loyd Fletcher of Houston, Texas; his sister and brother in law, Betty and K ervin Crochet of Mena; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Graveside services were held Tuesday, February 13, 2018 10:00 a.m. at Muse Cemetery in Muse, Oklahoma with Brother Tim ose officiating. isitation was on onday, February 12, 2018 from 4-6 p.m. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel. Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com

PHYLLIS ELAINE RANDA Phyllis Elaine Randa, age 91, of Mena, Arkansas, died Monday, February 12, 2018 at the Arkansas Hospice in Hot Springs. She was born on Monday, May 3, 1926 to Harold James and Alice McGravie Barott in Tamrack Township, Minnesota. Phyllis worked for many years as an administration assistant and accountant for many different companies, but most notably Safeway Food Corporation. She loved her family and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She really was excited to see how she could out fish her husband Eddie. She enjoyed sewing, making Jap-

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anese dolls and crafts. She was a very accomplished musician. She enjoyed playing her accordion. When she thought she was all alone in the house, she would play her wrap around Hammond organ at full volume. In recent times she played for a nursing home that she resided in their Christmas Carols for the other residents. She also loved to dance and was known to get up and boogie with the staff, their sneaky way of getting her up and moving. She also enjoyed working on the farm where they raised apples and cherries. She traveled extensively and lived in Spain and Japan when Eddie was working there. She taught English as a second language in Japan. Phyllis was a loving mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend and will be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edwin Randa; along with her two sisters and two brothers. Phyllis is survived by her son, Dennis Randa of Soldotna, Alaska; her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Gerry Sickler of Mena; her sister-in-law and her husband, Mary Jane and Phillip Johnson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Danee Z ah, Dalen Randa, Wendy Scott, Jason Holiday, Brien Sickler and Gary Sickler; 16 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Richland, Washington. Cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com

BARBARA A. RICE Barbara A. Rice, age of atfield, rkansas, passed away Monday, February 5, 2018 in Mena, Arkansas. Barbara was born on September 12, 1950 in Mena, Arkansas to the late Lloyd Alton Pate and Sybil Pate. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and doing crafts such as painting and drawing. Barbara loved to play music on her guitar and piano. She was a loving homemaker and loved God and her family. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to all. She is survived by sons, Michael Rice and wife onna of atfield, rkansas, Tracey ice of atfield, rkansas daughters, manda Beck and husband Russell of Mena, Arkansas, Ellen Busch and husband Bryant of Mena, Arkansas; grandchildren, Brandi Rice, anessa ice, and ayla ice of atfield, Arkansas, Bradlee Beck of Magnolia, Arkan-

sas, Travis Beck, Lauren Beck, and Clayton Beck of Mena, Arkansas, Chase Busch of Mena, Arkansas, Brandon Busch of Mena, Arkansas; mother, Sybil Beam Pate of Hatfield, rkansas sisters, etty ollar of Pine Ridge, Arkansas, Linda Ellison of Mena, Arkansas, Amy Pate of Mena, Arkansas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends She was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Alton Pate, brother, Alton Pate, and a sister, Janet Oglesby. Graveside service was held Thursday, February 8, 2018 10:00 a.m. at Pine Ridge, Cemetery in Pine Ridge, Arkansas with Brother Scott Jones and Donnie Jewell officiating under the direction of the easley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

LANNY E. TOOKER Mr. Lanny E. Tooker, age 64 of Cove, Arkansas, passed away Monday, February 5, 2018 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Lanny was born on May 31, 1953 in Greeley, Colorado to Alfred Tooker and K atherine Fosdick Tooker. He was happily married to Elizabeth Root Tooker for 46 loving years. Lanny worked in machine maintenance in various industries for the past 27 years. He enjoyed working with his hands in his shop, as he was very mechanically minded. Most of all he loved serving God with his family and friends. Lanny enjoyed helping others. He was a loving and kind husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He will dearly be missed by all. He is survived by wife, Elizabeth Root Tooker of Cove, Arkansas; son, Matthew Tooker and wife Debra of Rogers, Arkansas; daughter, K atharin Craft and husband John of Cove, Arkansas; grandchildren, Gabrielle Ray and husband Roy, Levi Craft and wife K .C., Ben Tooker, K ate Tooker, and N ate Tooker; great-grandchildren, Lakyn Ray and Marley Craft; brother, Orin Tooker; and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and K atherine Tooker, and a brother, Tony Tooker. Memorial service was held Saturday, February 10, 2018, 5:00 p.m. at Beasley Wood Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena. In lieu of owers donations can be made to either the Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Foundation (10411 W. Markham, Suite 130 Little Rock, AR. 722051409) or Circle of Life Hospice (1201 N E Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, AR. 72712).

MARY SUE VARNER

ary ue arner, age 80, of Mena, Arkansas, went to her heavenly home Friday, February 9, 2018 in Mena, Arkansas She was born on January 15, 1938 in Mena, Arkansas to Homer Meridieth and Iona Medford Meridieth. Mary Sue was happily married to am arner. he worked as secretary for TC Masters Cable Company and retired from Beasley Wood Funeral Home as an Administrative Assistant. Mary Sue enjoyed painting, playing music, reading, and going camping with family and friends. She loved God and always knew He would provide for her and her family. Mary Sue was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all. he is survived by husband, am arner of atfield, rkansas sons, rent Tibbs and wife egan of atfield, rkansas, am ub arner, r. and wife usan of atfield, rkansas, teve hucky arner of ouston, Te as, ike arner and wife udy of t. mith, rkansas grandchildren, rittney Tibbs ia and husband Cody, B. J. Schuller and wife Maddison, Lowell Tibbs, Marrisa Tibbs, Dustin Tibbs and wife K im, Darla Rowe and husband aston, oe arner, Tisha orman, Todd arner, yle arner, amuel arner, and andy arner 11great-grandchildren sister, Patsy Jenkins of Houston, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Iona Meridieth; son, Ricky Tibbs; sister, Coy Quinn; stepson, Stanley Punchie arner and daughter-in-law, arbara Ann Tibbs. Funeral Service was held Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Beasley Wood Chapel with Pastor on Tilley officiating with Doug Quinn and Steve Quinn as speakers. Interment followed in the Six Mile Cemetery in atfield, rkansas under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena. First Assembly of God Church in Mena provided the meal for family and friends immediately following the service. Pallbearers were Mike Crowley, Doug Quinn, K evin Randolph, Jerry Ralls and Brian K esterson. onorary pallbearer was ob arner. isitation is general.

January 6, 2016

school

February 14, 2018

Weekly Publication

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Cross Places in AT&T Sponsored EAST Challenge

SUBMITTED

amuel Cross, 8th Grade Mena Middle School EAST student, received 3rd Place in the EAST Cyber Cipher Challenge by AT& T. There were 42 entries from across the state. Samuel received an award of a 32GB USB Drive. Mena Middle School EAST is preparing for EAST Conference which will be held in Hot Springs March 13-14. Several current EAST students have entered different competitions. The Cyber Cipher Challenge is only one of the EAST competitions. The remaining competition winners will be announced at Conference. There are 230 schools that participate in the

MONDAY ACORN SCHOOLS: NO SCHOOL MENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS: NO SCHOOL TUESDAY ACORN SCHOOLS: BREAKFAST: Variety cereal, breakfast pizza, parfait, fruit,

juice, milk. LUNCH: ELEMENTARY: Popcorn chicken, white bean chicken chili, cornbread, potato wedges, fruit, salad bar, milk. HIGH SCHOOL: Choice of hamburger. MENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS: BREAKFAST: Sausage/pancake stick, assorted cereal, string cheese, Scooby doo grahams, mixed fruit, milk. LUNCH: ELEMENTARY: : Steak fingers, mashed potatoes, chicken sandwich, ham & turkey cobb salad, sun butter/jelly sandwich. MIDDLE SCHOOL: Steak fingers, chicken fried steak sandwich, chicken sandwich, turkey sub, chicken salad sandwich, ham/turkey cobb salad. HIGH SCHOOL: Steak fingers, chicken fried steak sandwich, BBQ sandwich, chicken alfredo, flatbread pizza, nachos, tacos, burrito.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Acorn Elementary Students of the Month

SUBMITTED

FEBRUARY 19-23, 2018

uachita River School District’ s Acorn Elementary has announced their January Students of the Month. The students chosen have displayed excellent citizenship, exceptional academic effort/ improvement, and good attendance. Simple Simon’ s Pizza, Goss Electronics, and Laark Enterprises provided lunch and games. Front Row: Summer Southwick, K indergarten, daughter of Mark Southwick and Jolie Fielden; Marissa Husted, K indergarten, daughter of Michael and K risty Husted; Bailey White, 1st grade, daughter of Erin Ryan. Middle Row: Buck Smith, 1st grade, son of Buck and Claire Smith; Josey Dollar, 3rd grade, daughter of Ricky and Darcy Dollar; Ashlyn Aguilar, 3rd grade, daughter of Jessica Aguilar; Adalyn Bohlman, 2nd grade, daughter of Scott and Amanda Bohlman; Jaycelin Gardner, 2nd grade, daughter of Jay and Mary Gardner. Back row: K onnor Odom, 5th grade, son of K ayla Odom; Duncan Dill 5th grade, son of Randy and Jill Dill; Sarah Tedder, 6th grade, daughter of Chris and Tawaynea Tedder; Michelle Lewis, 4th grade, daughter of Alicia Lewis and Ashley Lewis; Addison Sipe, 2nd grade, daughter of Amber and Fred Baker.

WEDNESDAY ACORN SCHOOLS: BREAKFAST: Variety cereal, biscuit and sausage, cheese, parfait, fruit, juice, milk. LUNCH: ELEMENTARY: Mexican chicken, taco salad, spanish rice, pinto beans, fruit, salad bar, milk. HIGH SCHOOL: Choice of pizza. MENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS: BREAKFAST: Breakfast pizza, assorted cereal, string cheese, animal crackers, applesauce, milk. LUNCH: ELEMENTARY: Chicken pot pie, hot dog, tomatoes, turkey chef salad, sun butter/jelly sandwich. MIDDLE SCHOOL: Chicken pot pie, hot dog, chicken tenders, ham or turkey sub, turkey chef salad. HIGH SCHOOL: Chicken pot pie, mini corndog, sausage pizza, nachos, tacos, burrito. THURSDAY ACORN SCHOOLS: BREAKFAST: Variety cereal, chocolate donut, parfait, fruit, juice, milk. LUNCH: ELEMENTARY: Chicken nuggets, beef stroganoﬀ, roll, purple hull peas, fruit, salad bar, milk. HIGH SCHOOL: Choice of chicken patty sandwich. MENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS: BREAKFAST: French toast sticks, assorted cereal, string cheese, Scooby doo grahams, banana, cheery star juice, milk. LUNCH: ELEMENTARY: Chicken spaghetti, grilled cheese, sweet potato tots, popcorn chicken salad, sun butter/jelly sandwich. MIDDLE SCHOOL: Chicken spaghetti, chicken sandwich, BBQ rib patty, ham sub, chicken salad sandwich, popcorn chicken salad. HIGH SCHOOL: Chicken spaghetti, spicy chicken sandwich, sloppy jo’s spicy chicken pizza, nachos, taocs, burrito. FRIDAY ACORN SCHOOLS: Variety cereal, biscuit and gravy, parfait, fruit, juice, milk. LUNCH: ELEMENTARY: Vegetable beef soup, grilled cheese, ham and cheese sub, corn, fruit, salad bar, milk. HIGH SCHOOL: Choice of potato bar. MENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS: BREAKFAST: Powdered donut, strawberry poptart, string cheese, animal crackers, apple juice, milk. LUNCH: ELEMENTARY: Hot dog, pizza, broccoli, cucumbers, peaches, burrito, sack lunch. Middle School: BBQ rib sandwich, crispito, baby carrots, cheese pepperoni pizza, nachos, tacos, or burrito. HIGH SCHOOL: BBQ rib sandwich, crispito, baby carrots, pepperoni pizza, nachos, tacos, burrito.

This weekly info proudly sponsored by:

GEORGE S. DAVIS STATE FARM AGENT SINCE 1964

Insurance with a name you know STATE FARM INSURANCE624 Sherwood Avenue, Mena, AR 479.394.4521 Res. 479.394.1895

Weekly Publication

EAST Challenge CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

EAST Conference, so the competition is very strong. “Thank you to all the Veterans, Polk County Veterans Service, VA Medical Clinic, and all Veteran Organizations for your partnership in the “Honoring Our Veterans Project’ ,” said MMS EAST Facilitator Melissa Lunsford. “Also, thank you to all businesses who supported the project by providing items for the gift bags, radio coverage, newspaper coverage, advertising on your digital signs, owers, cake, and allowing your employees to attend the celebration. Thank you to our local officials for attending and showing your support. N ext year, we are planning a Polk County Red Carpet Veterans Event with the partnership of the University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain. More information will be coming soon. Thank you from Mena Middle School EAST.”

TAK E S TE PS TO A B RI G H TE R FU TU RE ! E ARN Y OU R G E D ! FRE E CL AS S E S S TARTI NG I N Y OU R ARE A NOW! For more information, visit: Please make The Cole

Fender Blender Comes to Acorn W

hat is a “Fender Blender? ” Ask any Acorn student in grades K -3 and they will tell you. Bridgett Martin, Polk County tension Office amily and Consumer cience pecialist, visited rs. usert’s cience classes at corn lementary School last week to help K indergarten through third grade students learn the importance of exercise and healthy eating habits while making a Green Monster Smoothie. The Fender Blender is part of the 4H program in Arkansas. It is a stationary bicycle with a blender attached to the fender. It only works when the bicycle is being pedaled. Mrs. Martin told the students, “We will be making a smoothie with colors of the rainbow.” She stressed the importance of adding foods of different colors in order to get all the nutrients our bodies need to be healthy. Some children were hesitant to taste their “Green Monster Smoothie” because they thought it would taste like spinach. But adding pineapple, banana, strawberries, and yogurt changed the taste and the smoothie got thumbs up. There are many different smoothie recipes that can be made with the fender blender, including adding plums, blueberries, apples, and other seasonal fruits and vegetables. Kindergartner Cody Rusert pedals Aside from using pedal power to create a smoothie, the Fender Blender can also be to blend up a tasty Green Monster used to make salsa, nut butter, guacamole, hummus, and other tasty treats. Smoothie. The Fender Blender bike is a fun way for children and adults to increase physical activity while making a healthy snack.

UA Rich Mountain Spring Erollment

In the web across U A Rich Mountain is an E address qual Opportunity/ Affirmative Action I nstitution the bottom, capitalize the Ad paid with funds from D ept. of Career M in Mena, the ERducation, in AdultReal E d D &ivision the E in Estate.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

first time freshmen. ollowing a close third in line on the growth trend was high school enrollment at 1 . Other areas e periencing a positive incline included sophomore enrollment up . , enrollment from cott County residents up . , and total enrollment from spring to spring up . . y e panding our curriculum and offering some different program options, our students are provided better opportunities. We are pleased that students are taking advantage of the offerings and options provided”, stated Dr. K rystal Thrailkill, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Opportunities abound for current and prospective students at the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain. Expanded services through partnerships and renovation of facilities are some of the ways the College is progressing to enhance the college experience for students. The main campus in Mena has added a new partnership to provide a “one-stop” experience for our students and prospective students. ith the addition of the rkansas epartment of orkforce ervices to the bernathy uilding, ob-seekers can also find out about education and training options available at the College to assist them in their job search. Current students can receive assistance with learning more about what careers are available and placement opportunities, post-graduation from a degree or certificate program. This collaborative partnership between ich ountain and epartment of orkforce ervices is the first of its kind for a community college campus in Arkansas. Construction plans to begin summer 1 include the renovation and retrofit of the science classroom and lab on the main campus in Mena. The renovations will provide cutting-edge equipment and technology for students to engage in STEM programs. Wendy McDaniel, Director of Admissions offered this advice to current and prospective UA Rich Mountain students, “Early preparation for the summer and fall classes is going on now students can get an early start on admissions, financial aid, and scholarship applications. Priority registration week to enroll in classes for summer and fall 1 will be held pril - , 1 . or more information, contact admissions uarichmountain.edu or financialaid uarichmountain.edu or call main campus in ena, aldron campus, or ontgomery County campus in ount Ida. ointhetradition

January 6, 2016

www.uarichmountain.edu/adult-basic-education Team Bold & larger than

the address & phone U A Rich Mountain numbers Adult E ducation L ocations: Polk County -below (479) 394-7622, 2309 it. 1100 College D rive, Mena, AR Omit the 800867-5264 number and Montgomery County - (870) 31 I ndustry D the rive,e-mail Mountaddress I da, AR and Scott County -substitute (479) 637-5502, 4014 4 56 Westwww.FarrellCole.com 6 th, Waldron, AR instead.

SUBMITTED

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .February . . . . . . . . .14, . . .2018 ......

MENA REAL ESTATE

Farrell & Sharon Cole

The Cole Team

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

Williams Medical Clinic, L.L.C.

Dr. Robert S. Williams, M.D. All Major Insurance Accepted 403-E N. Morrow St., Mena, AR 71953

479-243-9024

New Patients Welcome

410 Sherwood Ave. • Mena, AR

Late Night Date Night Week Feb. 13th, 14th, & 15th 6:00pm - 8:00pm Stop in for deals, refreshments, games, prizes, and more!

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

Diesel REPAIR 1408 Hwy. 71 N • Mena, AR 71953

479-394-5700

TIRES Diesel Repair on Semi Tractor Trailers & All Diesel Engines

MENA REAL ESTATE

Proud FFA Supporter!

1500 Hwy 71 South, Mena

394-1938 We

Rent - Buy - Sell

Construction Equipment Concrete & Wood Finishing

479-394-1300

Servicing Mena & Surrounding Areas

(479) 394-3419

February 14, 2018

A-Z Rentals 112 Polk Rd. 177 Mena, AR 71953

Team Smallwood Kevin & Rebecca Smallwood 816 S. Mena St. • Mena, AR 71953 Office: (479) 394-5000 Cell: (479) 243-3407(K) • (479) 243-3226(R)

ksmallwood@remax.net or rsmallwood@remax.net

www.ksmallwood.com

February 14, 2018

309 S . M orrow, M en a

479-394-365 0

Proud supporters of our FFA Chapters in Polk County!

was founded by a group of young farmers in 1928. Their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. They taught us that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting - it’s a science, it’s a business and it’s an art. FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. Today, our members live the motto Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live and Living to Serve. FFA members rise to the challenge of service embracing members of all walks of life united through FFA. We Are FFA.

Ouachita Equine Clinic Serving all your small & large animal needs.

Proudly Supporting Local FFA Chapters! Hours: Mon. Tues. Wed., and Fri. 8am-5pm Closed on Thurs.

479-394-7185

Randy J. Burgess D.V.M. 2920 Hwy. 71 N, Mena, AR 71953

WE CAN DO IT ALL

LICENSED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR

P roud FFA S up p ort er JAMES EARL TURNER (479) 234-6244 ERIC TURNER (479) 243-5549

MenaFord. com Hwy. 71 North, Mena (479) 394-2214

Proudly Supporting FFA! 710 4th Street • Mena, AR Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 am-6 pm Sat. • 9 am -12:30 pm Sun. • Closed

P roud Sup p orter of A ll L ocal FFA P articip ants

We sell the best & work on the rest!

Proud FFA Supporter!

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

Bowser Family Funeral Home 2608 Hwy 71 South • Mena, AR 71953

2642 Hwy. 71 N., Mena, AR (479) 243-9494 Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. - Noon

www.todayscoop.com 318 Hwy 71 S

479-394-3353

479-394-4477 • www.bowserffh.com

515 Janssen, Mena

394-4140

Celebrating your loved one is our family’s commitment.

Proud supporter of FFA! Rex Dollar

1607 Hwy 71 N. • 394-1027

Proud FFA Supporter

(479) 243-2053 1003 Mena St Mena, AR 71953

Arkansas and Oklahoma Licensed

. . .February . . . . . . . . .14, . . 2018 ..................................................................................................................

sports

Weekly Publication

Two Young Ladies Box their way to Title Belts

BY EASTON LEONARD

SUBMITTED

wo area youth boxers competed in Conway, Arkansas on Saturday, February 10, at the Gillispe Boxing Show and returned with title belts. Sage Bailey, from Smithville, Oklahoma, was involved in a hard fought 104 lb. division bout and was victorious bringing home a championship belt. ina yrd, of atfield, rkansas, competed in the 94 lb. division where she dominated her opponent and landed a third round TK O, earning her the division championship title belt. Both young ladies train and box out of the Defenders Boxing Club in Mena, Arkansas and are registered boxers with USA Boxing. Look forward to further news on these two young ladies and area youth as they compete in state and national competition. Their coach, Richard Hexamer, said, “These two young ladies have worked so hard to get here. I am honored to be their head boxing coach and they have my upmost respect. They deserve the title of Champions.”

W AI T I NG

Bearcats Dominate Fouke On eastonsports@yahoo.com Senior Night O n Tuesday night, February 6th, the Mena Ladycat and Bearcat basketball teams hosted Fouke at the Union Bank Center for their last regular season home game. In senior girls game, the Fouke Lady Panthers started the game on an 8-0 run, before finishing over the uarter outscoring the adycats 1 - . ena uintupled their score in the second, but the Ladycats were still outscored 14-8, to trail by si teen going into halftime, with the score -1 . Mauldin led the Lady Panthers with 8 points at halftime, as Thacker led Mena with 6 points. ouke outscored the adycats again in the third uarter, 1 -1 , to take a twenty-three point, - , lead into the final uarter of play. In the fourth uarter, ena added on seven more points, but fell short in the end by twenty-eight, - . ardir led the ouke ady Panthers with 1 points on the night, while auldin added on 14 points, Larey 10 points, Smallwood 6 points, McMurray and Oliver points each, and ivens points. Tateli Thacker led the Mena Ladycats with 10 points, as Grace Wagner scored 6 points, K iera K esterson and Paige Evans 4 points each, and Cadie Cannon 3 points. or the finale of the night, the ena senior boys matched up against the Fouke Panthers.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

O NG O D

I have known for years that the hardest thing in the Christian life and the most important thing in the Christian life are, in fact, the same thing, and that thing is waiting on God. In Isaiah 40:31 we ding these words: “But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with winds as eagles, they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” The promises of the verse are incredible, for they are as good as God Himself! But there is a condition, clearly stated in the verse: “…those who WAIT ON THE LORD.” We humans are very impulsive. Waiting on someone is hard for us to do. “Let’s do it! Let’s get it done!” And for most of us, if not all of us, waiting on God before we choose or act is just simply a hard thing for us to do. But it is important beyond description. We make mistakes, sometimes very bad ones just because we decided to go on with a thing before God has answered. On a personal level, in my recent history involving serious and difficult choices, He has told me on numerous occasions this simple little formula: “w ait until you hear from M e.” It works. It will always work if our waiting is truly a “waiting” on God rather than a waiting for circumstances to line up our way. We are often “in a hurry” God is not. “If we don’t get it done right now something bad will happen.” Truth is that often our “hurry” is the very thing that causes bad things to happen. God is all-wise and knows exactly what we need, always under any circumstances. And when His knowledge of us and our needs is ties in with His incredible love for us, “waiting” should be an easy thing to do. Should be. When Jesus left those first disciples He told them to “wait” (Acts 1:4). They wanted to get out and “win the world” to Him! The Great Commission was their marching order, and they were anxious to get about it! OK! We, too, should be about the business of winning our world to Jesus Christ, but there is a little proviso that we must never forget if we are to truly be about His work: running ahead of Him can be just as destructive and counter-proactive to our mission as getting too far behind Him. The key is to be WITH Him, and that comes only when we learn the lesson of “waiting on God.” In all of God’s work nothing is more important than receiving our instructions from Him, and sometimes this requires a great deal of “waiting” on God. Nothing is wrong with being inactive if we are waiting on Him. We need to lose the mind-set that we must always be doing something. Doing a “good thing” sometimes fails because the good thing was done at the wrong time and/or in the wrong way. Wait on Him. Wait until you know that you have heard from Him. There is a certain kind of tyranny involved in being overly urgent. Yes, the world still needs Christ! Yes, we have the message! But Jesus still says “wait, go into the city and wait. Pray and wait.” Activity in the flesh will bring us to despair. Activity in the Spirit will bless us and others. And activity in the Spirit comes only to those who have learned to “wait on the Lord.” He will answer, He will act! And then, and not before, is when we must act. My name is Gene Stacks and I approve this message.

T HI S AD PU RC HAS E D B Y G E NE S T AC K S

Weekly Publication

Jr. Ladycats Win 7-4A District Jr. Lady Tigers Win 1A-7 West District eastonsports@yahoo.com Championship eastonsports@yahoo.com Tournament T T

BY EASTON LEONARD

his past week, the ena r. adycats and r. earcats competed in the r. asketball istrict Tournament, hosted at the nion ank Center. The r. earcats fell short to shdown by three, - , in the semi-finals of the tournament. owever, the r. adycats won their first round game against rkadelphia 1and their semi-finals game against ashville - , to advance to their district championship game against the shdown Pantherettes. The Pantherettes started the game on a - run, but ena was able to cut the deficit to one, -1 , before the first uarter came to a close. The adycats umped ahead in the second, and outscored shdown - , to take a three point, 1 -1 , lead into halftime. reelee led the Pantherettes with points at the half, as agner led ena with 1 points. In a close knit third uarter, the Pantherettes cut ena’s lead down to one, to make the score - 1, going into the fourth and final uarter of play. shdown cut to as close as one, but never gained the lead, as the adycats held on by three points to win the istrict Championship, 1- . reelee led the shdown r. Pantherettes with 1 points, while andle scored points, mith and Cook points each, and ill points. mily agner led the ena r. adycats with 1 points in the game, as annah tockton added on 1 points of her own, and racie yle points. ead Coach of the adycats, honda Thigpen, is very proud of her team, saying, This group came right off of a olleyball istrict Championship and moved up the ne t day to help the senior high team go to the state volleyball uarterfinals. They had less basketball practices, but still had to win early to be the champions that they are.” Thigpen went on to say that the team’s motto the last few weeks of the season was OC on the I I . he added, They are an amazing group I am blessed that I get to be their coach. ena has such a strong tradition, and to win championships in volleyball and basketball, that shows these young ladies represent that tradition.” Congratulations to the r. adycats and r. earcats on successful seasons.

sports

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .February . . . . . . . . 14, . . . 2018 ........

his past week, the Acorn Jr. Lady Tigers and Jr. Tigers both competed in the 1A-7 West Jr. Basketball District Tournament, hosted at Oden High School. The r. Tigers won their first round game against the hosting r. Timberwolves from Oden, but fell short to ineral prings in the second round. fter a first round bye, the r. ady Tigers defeated ount Ida to advance to the district championship game against ierks, who had tournament wins over ineral prings and irby. arlier in the season, corn defeated the r. ady Outlaws - . In a very low scoring first uarter, corn held the ady Outlaws to only three points, while scoring fourteen of their own, to take an eleven point, 1 - , lead into the second. The r. ady Tigers heated up a bit in the second, outscoring ierks 1 -1 , to take a thirteen point, 1-1 , lead into halftime. ckert and . trasner led ierks with points each at halftime, while shlynn issell led the Jr. Lady Tigers with 12 points. The r. ady Tigers e tended their lead to twenty-five in third, outscoring ierks 1 - , to take a - lead into the final uarter of play. In the fourth, corn didn’t let up, against outscoring the r. ady Outlaws 1 - , to win the game by thirty-one, - . llison trasner led the ierks r. ady Outlaws with 1 points, as acy ckert added on 1 points, mma trasner points, and Taylor Pounds points. Ashlynn Bissell led the Acorn Jr. Lady Tigers with 26 points on the night, while Halli Holland scored points of her own, Corryn olland and utterfield points each, arren and llis

January 6, 2016

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Jr. Lady Eagles Win 7-3A District eastonsports@yahoo.com Championship

BY EASTON LEONARD

ast week the Cossatot iver r. ady agles and r. agles competed in the r. asketball istrict Tournament, hosted at enoa Central. The r. agles were eliminated in the first round, after suffering a loss to the oratio r. ions. owever, the r. ady agles advanced to the district championship game against Centerpoint, and defeated the r. ady nights - . ayla ichardson led the Cossatot iver r. ady agles with 1 points, while ortlyn c ee added on points of her own, andrie Tadlock points, aylin c ee points, and avannah White 1 point. Congratulations to both the Cossatot iver r. ady agles and r. agles on successful seasons.

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479-394-7301

1102 Crestwood Circle Mena, AR 71953

. . .February . . . . . . . . .14, . . 2018 ..................................................................................................................

sports

Weekly Publication

Lady Eagles Cruise Past Prescott On Bearcat Senior Night eastonsports@yahoo.com Senior Night BY EASTON LEONARD

n Friday night, February 9th, the Cossatot River Lady Eagles and Eagles hosted Prescott for Senior N ight. In what turned out to be a very tight first half, the ady Curley olves outscored Cossatot - in the first uarter. The ady agles tied it up in the second, to make the score 1 -1 at halftime. olen led the ady Curley olves with points at halftime, as onzalez led Cossatot with points. The ady agles began to pull ahead in the third, outscoring Prescott 1 - , to take a si point, - , lead into the fourth and final uarter of play. Cossatot continued to e tend their lead in the fourth, as their defense held the ady Curley olves to zero points, while the ady agles scored ten points of their own. Cossatot went on to win the game by si teen, - . olen led the Prescott ady Curley olves with points on the night, while oberts added on points, yers points, iley and ooney points each, and orrough 1 point. shlen onzalez led the Cossatot iver ady agles with 1 points in the game, as aegan ichardson scored points, hyen artin points, arley ering points, and acie ilkerson 1 point. In the senior boys game, the agles umped out to a - lead, before Prescott ended the uarter on a 1 - run, to lead by nine going in to second, 1 - . In the second uarter, Cossatot scored only five points, while the Curley olves scored seventeen points, to e tend their lead to twenty-one, -1 , at halftime. Thompson led the Curley olves with 11 points at halftime, while mith and alls led Cossatot with points each. oth Cossatot and the Curley olves scored twelve points each in the third uarter, to make the score - , going into the fourth. The agles outscored Prescott 1 -1 in the final uarter of play, but fell short in the end by twenty, - . Thompson led the Prescott Curley olves with 1 points, as Page and i on added on points each, ohnson points, aynie and arham points each, ill and ouchet points each, Caldwell points, and Peters 1 point. Trenton osson led the Cossatot iver agles with points on the night, while uan Trinidad and Cody rown scored points each, rayden mith points, avin alls points, and rayvon rock, Coy rachiseur, Timur hek, olby rachiseur, and artin arate points each. This week, both the Cossatot River Lady Eagles and Eagles will compete in the r. asketball istrict Tournament, hosted at Cossatot iver igh chool.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

The earcats outscored ouke 1 - in the first four and a half minutes, forcing the Panthers to call a timeout with left in the opening uarter. ollowing the early timeout, both teams scored si points each, to make the score -1 , going into the second. Connor arvey outscored the entire ouke team with 1 points in the first. ena went on to outscore the Panthers 1-11 in the second, to lead by eighteen, - , at halftime. rowning led the Panthers with 1 points at the half, while arvey led ena with 1 points. ena didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let up in the third uarter, holding the Panthers to only seven points, while scoring twenty-eight of their own, to make the score 1going into the fourth. ouke narrowly outscoring the earcats - in the final uarter, but ultimately fell short by thirty-seven, - . rowning led the ouke Panthers with 1 points, as Crump scored points, coggins points, mith points, Townsend points, and ale, Crabtree, and Tice points each. Connor arvey led the ena earcats with points on the night, while ick yers added on 1 points of his own, lake eals 1 points, rock trother points, arc ilson points, aniel avis points, ane tephens points, avid renier points, and Caleb aber 1 points. oth the adycats and earcats are competing the - Conference asketball Tournament this week, at obinson igh chool in ittle ock, Arkansas.

Mena 5th Grade Girls Win Tri-County Championship

Jr. Lady Tigers Championship CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 points each, Tedder and ill points each, and trother 1 point. Coach ackson says, This is an e tremely hard working team. They never leave anything on the oor. They are a oy to coach, and have super good attitudes. ackson added that it was a very successful year with a record of 1 - . ead Coach of the r. Tigers, Chris edbetter, says of his team, I am very proud of the heart that we played with all year, and they never gave up. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; m proud of the way we competed and improved all throughout the season. The corn unior boys finished their season with a record of 1 -11, and will return three starters ne t season. Congratulations to both the r. ady Tigers and r. Tigers on successful seasons.

Get all your sports updates at MyPulseNews.com

he Mena 5th grade girls recently won the Tri-county Peewee Basketball League Championship. Pictured are the championship team. Back row (left to right): Coach Cody Gibbs, Isabel Vacca, Taliyah DeFrenchi, Dani Gibbs, and Isabel Cross; Front row: Addison Thomas, Laney Gilchrist, Emma Ferguson, and K arley Sharp. N ot pictured is Lauren Beck.

February 14, 2018

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

. . February . . . . . . . . .14, . . .2018 ..................................................................................................................

calendar

Weekly Publication

Thursday, 2/15 • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Humane Society of the Ouachitas is open at 366 Polk Road 50. • 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – The Board Camp Baptist Church at 107 Country Road 63 will distribute food. • 10:30 a.m. – Gator & Friends will be performing at The Mena Senior Center. • 11:30 a.m. – Rotary Club of Mena/ ol ounty ill meet at apa’s e ican Café. Contact Sue Cavner at 2345844 or Linda Rowe at 234-2575 for more info. • 12:00 p.m. – Polk County Library Board will meet in the Susanna Mosley Community Room at the Library. • 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. - The Cove Branch of the Polk County Library is open. • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. - The Sonlighters in Action Card Shop will be open at 3665 Highway 8 West, one mile from Louise Durham. • 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Salvation Army Family Store helps families with utilities. • 5:00 p.m. - 9th Street Ministries will have a free dinner and fellowship in the 9th Street Ministries building. • 5:30 p.m. – Weight Watchers meets at Dallas Avenue Baptist Church Family Life Center. Call 479-234-2297 for more information. • 5:30 p.m. – Humane Society of the uchita’s ill have their monthly meeting at the Limetree Restaurant. Call Cheryl at 243-0771 for information. • 5:30 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous omen’s eeting at the lub across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy, 71, S., Mena. 479-216-4606 or 479-2430297. • 6:00 p.m. – Acorn Water monthly meeting at the ater ce • 6:00 p.m. – Live Country, Bluegrass and Gospel music in the Daisy Room at Janssen Ave Florist. • 6:00 p.m. – Christian Singles will meet at Union Bank Community Room. • 6:30 p.m. – Disaster Preparedness Group meets at Assembly of God Church, 2111 Sutherland Ave. in Mena. • 7:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-2164606 or 479-243-0297.

• 7:00 p.m. – Narcotics Anonymous meets at the old bus barn ne t The Crossing Church. • 7:30 p.m. – Dallas Masonic Lodge #128 meets at the Mena Lodge located in the ld ost ce by anssen ar Friday, 2/16 • 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Road tests are given at the Morrow Street Housing Authority Community Room unless the roads are wet. Written tests are given at 1:00 p.m. • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Humane Society of the Ouachitas is open at 366 Polk Road 50. • 12:00 p.m. – PCDC Board of Directors meets in the MRHS Conference Room A. • 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Fibers Arts Group meets at Mena Art Gallery. • 12:00 p.m. – The Lions Meetings are held in the Lions Club House on Highway 71 South. • 7:00 p.m. – Narcotics Anonymous meets at the old bus barn ne t The Crossing Church. • 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Gator and Friends ill be playing at the at eld Auditorium. $6.00 admission. 50/50 drawing, potluck, and door prizes. • 8:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-2164606 or 479-243-0297. Saturday, 2/17 • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Humane Society of the Ouachitas is open at 366 Polk Road 50. • 1 00 p.m. 00 p.m. hildren s Art Class at the Mena Art Gallery, for children ages 5 to 9. Cost is $2. Call 479-394-3880 to reserve spot. • 5:30 p.m. – 3rd Saturday Gospel Singing to be held at Janssen Park. Bring a lawn chair and cold drink. Musicians and singers welcome. For more information, contact Stanley or Jeanette Dreyer at 479-216-0533. • 6:00 p.m. – PCVO Bingo at American Legion Building, Hwy 71 N., Acorn. • 8:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71 S., Mena. 479-2430297 or 479-216-4606. Sunday, 2/18 • 2:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-216-

4606 or 479-243-0297. • 3:00 p.m. – Worship service is held at Sulpher Springs Church. • 5:00 p.m. – United Methodist Youth Group at the First United Methodist Church in Mena. Monday, 2/19 • 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. – The Cove Branch Library will be open. • 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Mena Seventh-Day Adventist Church Food Pantry across from the Polk County Fairgrounds. Non-perishable food, personal care items, and nutritional help. No one will be turned away. • 5:30 p.m. – Polk County Republican Committee meets at Polk County Library, North Room. • 6:00 p.m. – PCVO Bingo at American Legion Building, Hwy 71 N., Acorn. • 6:30 p.m. – Boy Scouts of America Troop 92 meets at First United Methodist Church. Everyone is welcome. • 6:30 p.m. – The Lady Ouachitas will meet at the Bear State Bank Main Branch. • 7:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-2164606 or 479-243-0297. • 7:00 p.m. – Narcotics Anonymous meets at the old bus barn ne t The Crossing Church. • 7:00 p.m. – Ouachita Beekeepers Association meeting at Union Bank. Tuesday, 2/20 • 8:00 a.m. – The Reynolds Gardener ommunity en s reakfast at the First United Methodist Church in Mena. • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Polk County Family Mission is open in the 9th Street Ministries Building. • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Humane Society of the Ouachitas is open at 366 Polk Road 50. • 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – “Art Day” at Mena Art Gallery, 607 Mena St. Bring your current project and work with other artists. • 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – The Sonlighters in Action Card Shop will be open at 3665 Highway 8 West, one mile from Louise Durham. • 12 00 p.m. 00 p.m. The atfield Branch library will be open. • 5:00 p.m. – T.O.P.S. will meet in the Union Bank Community Room for weigh-ins, followed by a meeting.

• 5:00 p.m. – Country and Gospel music is played at the Polk County Housing Authority Community Room. • 00 p.m. The e ular atfield Town Council will meet at the Town all in at eld • 7:00 p.m. – VFW Post 4451 meeting at Veterans Park in Acorn. • 7:00 p.m. – Al-Anon for families of addicts and alcoholics meets at the ABC Club. • 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Bluegrass music at Morrow Street Housing Authority Community Room. • 8:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur. 479-2342887 or 479-234-3043. Wednesday, 2/21 • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Humane Society of the Ouachitas is open at 366 Polk Road 50. • 12:00 p.m. - The Emergency warning sirens will be tested in Mena. • 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – The Polk County Library Cove Branch is open. • 5:45 p.m. – The Mena First United Methodist Church Kidz will meet. • 6:00 p.m. – Warriors for Christ will meet at the Southside Church of God. • 6:00 p.m. – Regeneration Youth Ministries at Mena Church of God Hwy 88 East. • 6:15 p.m. – Dallas Avenue Baptist Church hosts Discovery Kids – Kindergarten Thru 5th Grade; Collide Youth Ministry – 6th Thru 12th Grades; and Adult Bible Study. • 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Trek and Varsity for Middle and High School students at Grace Bible Church, 1911 Hwy 71 N. Mena. All Area Middle and High School students are welcome. • 7:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-2164606 or 479-243-0297. • 7:00 p.m. – Inquiry Classes into the Catholic Faith will be held in the St. Thomas House at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 203 8th Street, and continue through Easter 2018. No cost or obligation, anyone interested is invited. Call 479-394-1017 for more information.

February 14, 2018

Weekly Publication

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POLK COUNTY BIRTHS

Celebrating 100 Years

AT MENA

REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM

Nor a Mur p hy a nd S a muel R ob i nson, of W i ckes, a r e the p r oud p a r ents of a b a b y g i r l b or n on F eb r ua r y 5 th. S hennel a nd B r a nd on D eer , of D i er ks, a r e the p r oud p a r ents of a b a b y g i r l b or n on F eb r ua r y 6 th. K a tlynn H ug hes a nd Ca leb Cla usen, of Mena , a r e the p r oud p a r ents of a b a b y g i r l b or n on F eb r ua r y 6 th.

s. Dolly Hampton celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends on February 9, 2018 at Peachtree Assisted Living Center. Hampton was born in Page, Oklahoma and was raised in the Rich Mountain community. Hampton, and her late husband Elwood, have two daughters, five grandchildren, 1 great-greatchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Five generations of her family are pictured with her at her 100th celebration.

Chloe a nd R ob er t G ur ley, of U mp i r e, a r e the p r oud p a r ents of a b a b y b oy b or n on F eb r ua r y 8 th. S a v a na h a nd R owd y H a ynes, of S mi thv i lle, O K , a r e the p r oud p a r ents of a b a b y g i r l b or n on F eb r ua r y 9 th.

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT MYPULSENEWS.COM

CUTEST PET PIC Bullet

Great watch dog. He belongs to Bill and Sharal Davis.

100 birthday G

enevieve Leslie Davis Lancaster celebrated her 100th birthday on February 9, 2018 at The Oaks Assisted Living Center, surrounding by her family and friends. She was born in Lake Charles, LA, and grew up there, along with several other places such as N ashville, TN , St. Augustine, FL, and Pineville, LA, where her father was caretaker of N ational Cemeteries in those cities. She married James L. Lancaster in Lake Charles prior to WWII and moved to Denver, CO, with her father while her husband went to war. They resided in Denver until February of 1 when she, her husband, daughter, Ann, and son, Robert, moved to Mena (Y ocana). She has been here in the area since. She is blessed with her two children, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. “After moving to town from Y ocana following my father’ s passing, she was very active as a volunteer in the Hospital gift shop and as a docent/ volunteer at the visitor information center on Rich Mountain drive just outside of town,” said her son, Robert.

January 6, 2016

Hunter Computerized 4-Wheel Alignment & Wheel Balancing Tires • Brakes • Custom Exhaust • Shocks & Struts Hours: Mon.-Fri. • 8am-5:30pm 1500 Hwy 71 South, Mena

Please share your favorite photo of your pet. You may drop it off or mail it to: The Polk County Pulse 1168 Hwy 71 S. • Mena, AR 71953 or email: e.rowell@mypulsenews.com

This week’s Cutest Pet Pic made possible by your friends at:

Ouachita Equine Clinic Serving all your small & large animal needs. Hours: Mon. Tues. Wed., and Fri. 8am-5pm • Closed on Thurs.

479-394-7185

Randy J. Burgess D.V.M. 2920 Hwy. 71 N, Mena, AR 71953

•394-1938• Owner : Stacy & Julie Nash

Swap Shop Buy • Sell • Trade • Give Away Live Broadcasts at 8:05 am & 12:30 pm Monday - Friday

Drop of your Swap Shop items here!

or call in to KENA 104.1 FM

479-394-2800

. . February . . . . . . . . .14, . . .2018 ..................................................................................................................

history

Weekly Publication

Moments From America’s History: V W

alentine’ s D ay and L ov e

BY JEFF OLSON

olson0371@gmail.com

ell, it didn’ t take long after Christmas was over before we started seeing red and pink hearts in stores. As some of us guys would see it, we got a seven week break before having to shop for another gift for our wife or girlfriend as an e pression of our love. This one is usually a little easier though, in that candy and or owers are normally a pretty safe and savvy way to go. But, not always..... The history of Valentine’ s Day and the story of its patron saint is actually a bit of a mystery, but we do know that it contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend relates that Valentine was a priest who served during the 3rd century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Realizing the in ustice of the decree, alentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages in secret for young lovers. hen alentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered him put to death. Other stories contend that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first valentine greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl, possibly his ailor’s daughter who visited him during his confinement. efore his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed rom your alentine. hile the truth behind the alentine legends is uestionable, the stories all emphasize his nature and appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and romantic figure. o, why is alentine’s ay on ebruary 1 ome believe that alentine’s ay is celebrated in the middle of ebruary to commemorate the anniversary of alentine’s death or burial. Others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place t. alentine’s feast day in the middle of ebruary in an effort to Christianize the pagan celebration of upercalia which was a fertility festival dedicated to aunus, the oman god of agriculture. This celebration took place at the ides of ebruary, or ebruary 1 . In merica, the tradition of the e change of hand-made valentines probably began in the early 1 th century. In the 1 s, sther . owland, known as the other of the alentine, began selling the first mass-produced valentines in merica. any of us probably have our own fond memories and stories of alentine’s ay, as do I. In looking back, I can remember the first alentine’s ay that my wife and I spent together. ittle did we know then that forty years later we would be in our th year of marriage with three children, one grandchild and another on the way. And, while that Valentine’ s Day was indeed memorable, it really had little to do in a substantial way to what grew into genuine love and devotion in the years to come. These came in the ensuing years through sharing life’s ups and downs and with the conviction that uitting was not an option. mong the things we learned were one another’s needs and how best to meet them. umility - to admit wrongs over issues and disagreements often petty . e learned that being right wasn’ t always the most important purpose and outcome of an argument. We learned that an apology did not always to indicate being wrong, but most importantly to restore relationship. We learned not to end the day in anger or unforgiveness. We learned the power of prayer - praying earnestly for our unborn baby who was expected to have Downs Syndrome or be still born. We learned the inconvenience of love - getting up in the middle of the night to care for a crying baby or worse, a sick one. We learned how temporary and fragile life is when rushing a spouse on the brink of death with severe pneumonia to the hospital and praying that we get there in time. e learned that raising children means sacrificing for them and watching them grow and actually apply what you taught them – and then always loving them unconditionally, especially when they make a wrong decision or let you down. We learned the blessed e perience of holding a grand baby for the first time, and taking oy in the simple things in life. e learned life is first not about either one of us but about us and most importantly about od and is rightful place in the center of our marriage and family. uch has been our e perience, and we are still learning. hat a list you say ot hardly that ust scratched the surface and it is common to many families. The point is that Cupid and all his minions are amateurs at best when it comes to love. ove may start out as a feeling, but not until you begin life’s ourney together committed to od and to each other will it transform into the love and sacrifice re uired to sustain that ourney and win life’s race in the way od intended. s a country song by Clint lack said it some years back ove’s not ust something that we’re in, It’s something that we do.

Weekly Publication

arts

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Something for Everyone at OLT I

SUBMITTED

f you are looking for entertainment the next couple of weeks, look no further than Ouachita ittle Theatre on ain treet. fter an enthusiastic opening of our eddings and an lvis last weekend and a special alentines ay show at ena ountain esort, you still have three more chances to catch this comedy live on stage. riday and aturday performances are at p.m. and unday is at p.m. Tickets are available at the door or advanced seating is available at the O T office 1 a.m. until p.m. on weekdays. The movie party for this month was pushed back one week to allow for the ebruary 1 performance of our eddings, but that doesn’t mean the film choice isn’t inspired by everyone’s favorite romantic holiday, Valentine’ s Day. Be sure to catch the free showing of leepless in eattle at O T, p.m. on ebruary 1. This timeless comedy stars Tom anks and eg yan, and won the hearts of movie-goers in 1 . ll friends of O T are invited to come and en oy the complimentary movie. As always, the concession stand is open for business with 1 items, and donations are always appreciated. osdpell auditions were held ebruary 1 , but you have another chance to try-out for this popular and lively musical on Thursday, ebruary 1 from p.m. until p.m. irected by essica ropp, this ground-breaking 1 1 musical production is based on the gospels of atthew and uke. Those auditioning should be prepared to sing the chorus of od ave the People and a solo selection based on the character for which you are trying out. If you have any uestions about the events at O T, check out the webpage at ouachitalittletheatre.org or our acebook page.

Youth and Beginning Adult Art Classes

BY BARBARA M. TOBIAS

ena Art Gallery has been conducting Children’ s Art Classes for many years, but now we have a new approach: classes for youth and beginner adults. tudents for these classes should be at least 1 years old, but they are also suitable for adults who are beginners in the art field. Our instructor is icky empsey, a talented artist who has many years e perience teaching both children and adults. These classes will go back to the basics: how to mix colors using only the three primary colors and white did you realize that any color even black can be mi ed from the primaries , terms to communicate about art, and construction methods. The focus will be on three-dimensional art with some work on two dimensional art as well . The classes are three hours long and will be on the second aturday of each month from 11 am to pm. ee is per class. Whatever project the class decides on will begin with basic instructions and will continue over several classes so that students will have ample opportunity to complete their projects. Please call the gallery at to reserve your space in these e citing new classes. e are still searching for a ualified instructor for the younger children and will resume those classes as soon as we find someone with the necessary skills both in art and in working with children. eborah ongest, who passed away a few weeks ago, had been handling these children’ s classes and she is sorely missed.

news

February 14, 2018

Weekly Publication

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MRHS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE at risk. MRHS encourages women to be proactive about their heart health by living a healthy lifestyle, knowing personal risk factors, and sharing concerns or symptoms with a primary care provider. American Heart Month, a federally designated event, is an ideal time to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends, and communities involved. The biggest part of living healthy comes down to simply making healthy choices. While you can’ t change things like age and family history, the good news is that even modest changes to your diet and lifestyle can improve your heart health and lower your risk by as much as 80%.

5 Ways to Prioritize Your Health

(StatePoint) It’ s easy to fall into a rut where health is concerned. Here are some old and new ways to prioritize wellness. Make Mornings Count Let’ s face it. Evenings are busy. So, taking control of your mornings can be key. If the hardest part about working out is just getting out of bed, stay accountable by making plans with friends. Get your yoga-loving coworker to commit to a weekly class with you, or start a steps competition at work to motivate yourself to move more. Try Out Tech ew, innovative technologies can inspire you to take charge of your health. earable fitness trackers have been around for a while, but home DN A tests, like Orig3n’ s Fitness test, can help you optimize workouts by providing insights into your genes. Discover whether you have the genes that need an extra rest day, or whether you’ re better at high-intensity workouts or endurance exercises. Then, adjust your routine accordingly. If you’ re looking to eat more healthfully, the Orig3n N utrition test analyzes your hunger and weight genes so you can learn about how your body processes fats (good to know for cookie portion control) and if you’ re predisposed to any food sensitivities. Strike a Balance Exercise accounts for only about 25 percent of weight loss, while healthy eating accounts for 75 percent. So, balance favorite indulgences with smart choices. If you know you’ re having a big dinner later in the day, eat healthfully at breakfast and lunch. Instead of reaching for all the sweets and rich foods in front of you, think about what you’ d really like to eat. Choose wisely and mindfully. Focus on Fun, Not Food If you spend all your time at parties counting calories, you’ll miss out on time spent with loved ones. hat’s more, you may find yourself overindulging later if you’ re too restrictive. Instead, focus on the people in your life and the memories you’ re making. Get Rest A University of Chicago study found that people overeat on snacks -- sometimes hundreds of additional calories -- when they aren’ t getting enough sleep. Take a breather, and when you can, get yourself to bed early. Don’ t neglect your health. Adopting simple habits and using new tech tools can help you take better control of your wellness.

January 6, 2016

. .February . . . . . . . . 14, . . . 2018 ...................................................................................................................

police

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.

Mena Police Department February 4, 2018 A local man reported that the window on his work vehicle had been shattered while it was parked in his yard. Case is pending. Aaron Marcus Shores, 27, of Mena, was arrested on two outstanding warrants. February 5, 2018 Gregory John Nagy, 46, a transient, was arrested and charged with criminal trespass a ter o cers responded to a call at a local retail store. Stacie Leeann Shores, 27, of Mena, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear. February 6, 2018 o reports led February 7, 2108 Jared Paul Blank, 30, of Mena, was arrested and charged with battery and interference with emergency communications a ter o cers ere called to a local residence. Billy Souther, 31, of Mena was charged with harassing communications and terroristic threatening. Report was made of someone stealing a vehicle from the parking lot of a local business. Case is pending. February 8, 2018 A local woman requested a police escort to city limits. February 9 & 10 2018 o completed reports on le olk ounty heriff s Department February 5, 2018 Report from a Mena woman of an

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individual that refuses to return her vehicle. Information has been provided to the rosecuting ttorney’s ce or urther consideration. February 6, 2018 Arrested was Zackery W. Benson, 25, of Mena, on a Warrant for Violation of Suspended Imposition of Sentence and three Warrants for Failure to Comply ith a ourt rder Report from complainant on Highway 88 East near Yocana of an individual that refuses to return their vehicle. Information has been provided to the rosecuting ttorney’s ce or urther consideration. Report from complainant on Polk 43 near Mena of an attempted scam regarding a vehicle transaction. Report from complainant on Polk 38 near Potter of damage to a mailbox. Investigation continues. Arrested was Kenneth A. Bodwell, 49, of Mena, on a Warrant for Failure to omply ith a ourt rder February 7, 2018 Report from complainant on Highway 71 South near Cove of a fraudulent internet transaction. Deputy advised complainant of legal options. Report of an abandoned wrecked vehicle on Love Lee Lane near Potter. Deputies responded. Investigation continues. Arrested was Zachary A. Lunsford, 30, of Mena, on a Warrant for Probation Violation. February 8, 2018 Report of a disturbance on Trailwood Lane near Mena. Deputies responded. Two of the parties involved left the residence for the night. Investigation continues. Arrested was Billy P. Souther, 31, of Cove, on a Charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Warrants for Failure to Appear and Bond Revocation. Arrested was Seth Singleton, 28, of Mena, on a Warrant for Battery 2nd Degree. February 9, 2018 Report from complainant on Polk 26 near at eld o the the t o prescription

medication. Investigation continues. Arrested was Jose Perez, 20, of Georgia, on a Warrant for Absconding. February 10, 2018 Report from complainant on Polk 70 near Acorn of the theft of an engine hoist, valued at $200.00. Investigation continues. Report from a Mena woman that her 16-year-old son had ran away. Deputies responded. Report of a disturbance in the Polk County Detention Center led to the arrest of Kelly W. McCarley, 38, of Grannis, on a Charge of Battery 3rd Degree. Report of a one-vehicle accident on Polk 41 near Potter led to the arrest of Robin L. Hames, 53, of Mena, on Charges of DWI, Careless/Prohibited Driving and Refusal to Submit. Report of a disturbance in the Polk

County Detention Center. Investigation continues. Arrested was Brandon D. Stowe, 20, o atson, , on a arrant or Terroristic Threatening 1st Degree. Arrested by a trooper with the Arkansas State Police was Emiliano Garza, Jr., 49, of Dallas, TX, on a Charge of Driving ith a uspended Driver’s License and a Warrant for Failure to Appear. February 11, 2018 Report of a one-vehicle accident on Highway 375 West near Potter led to the arrest of Lyndon L. Lunsford, 61, of Mena, on a Charge of DWI. Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 28 Incarcerated Inmates, with 11 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

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Ad deadline is 12 p.m. on Monday. Payment is due with ad. Publishing and distributing 8,000 copies weekly. J Do er Trackhoe, Backhoe, Dump Truck, Ponds, Pads, Clearing, Roads, Hauling, Rich Top Soil, Fill Dirt, Shale, Gravel. Dozer operator Randy Egger, over years’ e perience e appreciate your Business! Call 479-234-1357 TFN ACTIVITY DIRECTOR: The nation’s leading psychiatric contract manager, Horizon Health, seeks a Full-time Activity Director for our behavioral health unit located at Mena Regional Health System in Mena, AR. Responsibilities: treatment planning, group and individual treatment, functioning well as a member of multidisciplinary team and participating in community relations program uali cations erti ed ctivity Therapist, erti ed ecreational or Occupational Therapist. Company will sponsor costs or online T certi cation course or uali ed candidates such as individuals with social services or nursing home activities exp or LPNs with geriatric e p alary avg hour ith bene ts end resume via email: sue.cavner@horizonhealth.com or fax to Sue Cavner @ 479-394-2668. 2/14

obile Do Grooming, bath, nails, eats, brushing, clipping. Deanna Boyd, 479-234-1866. www.scmobiledogwash.com. I will come to you. 2/14 Daniel s arpentry and Painting, home repair, decks, privacy fences, fence rows, underpinning, etc. Also lawn and garden work. Call 479-216-1101 or 479-216-2299. 2/28

ouse leanin and more. Call Winnie Cotter at 234-3418 or Ina Lewis at 234-5396. 3/7

classifieds

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Du an awn Care Fall and Winter services. hrub and hedged trimming, o er bed cleanup, leaf clean up gutter clean out, brush hogging, light driveway repair, property cleanup, and light tree removal. Residential and commercial services. 479394-2699. TFN

J&L Cafe Next to book store. Sherwood Ave. Open Tue-Sun 8am-3pm. Salad bar – soup – chili. Fresh hashbro ns rea ast Early bird special a e 1 egg $3.10. Closed Mondays. Orders to go. 479216-4807 2/28

ard owin weed eating, bush hogging, handyman services, power washing, garden tilling with tractor. Have tractor with implements for larger jobs. Bill Duff. 479-216-5204. 2/7

lean and comfortable housing since 1969, No ets ay aria’s ar and entals y 71 North, Mena, AR. 479-216-3085 TFN

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MyPulseNews.com

January 6, 2016

Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK Icy and Betsy are both sister kittens and would make an excellent pair of barn cats. We would like them to be adopted together. These girls were born outside and have had minimum socialization. If you have a barn in need of mousers then these attractive girls would love to move in. Both are spayed and have their shots. Adopt this dynamic duo and kiss your rodent problem goodbye!

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

February 14, 2018

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