January 16, 2019

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JANUARY 16, 2019

FREE WEEKLY

THE POLK COUNTY 1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600

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Commonwealth College mural to be displayed at UALR A mural painted in 1935 by artist Joe Jones in Mena and displayed at Commonwealth College, which was located near Rocky, is to be placed on display at The University of Arkansas Little Rock. The mural, titled, The Struggle Of The South, was found in 1984 in deteriorated condition. The painting depicts scenes of the era from the point of view of Jones, a self-professed communist. Scenes include miners meeting in thoughts of a strike and the lynching of an African-American man. Commonwealth College was located at Rocky and operated from 1925 until closing in 1940. The college was founded by socialist and operated as a labor school. Several factors led to its

closing including internal strife, changes in the direction the school was taking in its leanings farther to the political left, and finally charges in court which led to hefty fines, which the college could not pay. All of the college’s assets were sold to pay the fines. The painting, thought lost to time, was eventually rediscovered in a Fort Smith home in 1984. Over the years the massive 44’ x 8’ mural has been restored and is ready for its new home at UALR in Little Rock and will be presented on Wednesday, January 16th with a ceremony including a ribbon cutting attended by UALR Chancellor Andrew Rogerson and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.

Union Bank makes donation to Hope Backpack Program The Union Bank of Mena recently presented a check for $3,000 to the Mena Lioness Lions Club to be used for the Polk County Harvest of Hope Backpack Program. The Harvest of Hope Backpack Program provides child friendly foods to food insecure children for the weekends. All Polk County School Districts participate in the Backpack Program and 240 children

are supported each month through the program. The Mena Lioness Lions Club raises funds and partners with the River Valley Food Bank to meet the needs of area students. According to Patty Young, Backpack Program Chairperson for the Lioness

-See Union Bank, continued pg. 6

[PHOTO BY BRIAN CHILSON]

AEDC Rural Services Awards $531,602 in Grants The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Division of Rural Services has awarded grants totaling $531,602 to promote wildlife education and improve school conservation programs to 253 schools and conservation districts in 71 Arkansas counties. The grant program is funded by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission through fines collected from hunting and fishing violations. Only money collected in the county where the violation occurred may be used as grant funds for that county.

In Polk County, Cossatot River High School will receive $2,501.74, Holly Harshman Elementary School will receive $3,433.40. Mena Middle School will receive grants of $213.84 and $498.69, Ouachita River School District: Acorn Campus receives $3,676.28, and Wickes Elementary School will receive $2,080.94. In Montgomery County, Caddo Hills High School receives $2,439.09 and Mount Ida High School will receive $2,439.08.

-See AEDC grants, continued pg. 6


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