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January 25, 2017
THE POLK COUNTY
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1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600 ...............................................................................................................................................................................
Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 FM & MyPulseNews.com
Meet ‘Otto’ - Polk County’s Newest Deputy
Home a Complete Loss Following Fire BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com
A two-story home in Shady Grove, approximately 3 miles west of Mena, was deemed a complete loss after a fire consumed the home on the night of Saturday, January 21, 2017. Shady Grove Firefighters were dispatched to the fire around 9:30 p.m. The fire was located in a home directly across the road from the fire station at 120 Polk Road 49; however, it was fully involved when fire fighters arrived. The Mena Fire Department, as well as, Potter, Dallas Valley, Acorn, and Ink, were all called upon to provide mutual aid as they tried to protect nearby structures and drown out the massive flames on the approximately 3,000 sq. ft. home. Polk County Emergency Management CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Hatfield to Install Outdoor Fitness Area BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com The Town of Hatfield received a $16,400 grant from the Arkansas Blue Cross’ Blue and You Foundation at their monthly meeting on Monday, January 16, 2017. Hatfield Mayor Linda Denton and the Hatfield Town Council accepted the grant from Ginger Hamrick of the Blue and You Foundation. The funds will be used to create an outdoor exercise area at Hatfield City Park. There will be six stations installed and Mayor Denton hopes to have it ready for public use very soon. The six stations to be installed are a Dual Hip station, Dual Abductor station, Ab station, Tri-Fitness station, Stepper-Bike station, and a Dual Air Walker. “We’re excited because now there will be something different we can do without having CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Election Commission Elect New Chair PHOTO BY MELANIE BUCK
Captain Seth Smith of the Polk County Sheriff’s Department has a new partner! ‘Otto’ is a two-year old golden labrador retriever trained to sniff out narcotics and is officially the county’s newest deputy. Smith attended training last week before bringing Otto home and said he had his choice of two dogs, but liked the observancy of Otto the best. Not only will Otto serve as a narcotic K-9 for the department, Sheriff Scott Sawyer said he will also be used to visit children in local schools as an anti-drug tool.
BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com The Polk County Board of Election Commissioners met on Monday, January 23, 2017 to elect a new chair to the three-member commission that presides over all election affairs in the county. Bernie Mize, representing the majority as member of the Republican Party, was nominated as the new Chair, and serves alongside Vice-Chair, LaDon Copelin, who also represents the Republican Party and is new to the commission. David Ray remains a member of the Election Commission, representing the Democratic Party. The law requires that each county board of election commissioners meet by February
Mena’s Newest Event Venue! THE GREEN ROOM RESERVE YOUR DATE: 479-394-3737
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