January 28, 2015
FREE WEEKLY
THE POLK COUNTY
Stay Connected!
1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600
O’Neill to Headline Annual Chamber Banquet
MyPulseNews.com . . . Your DAILY News Source!
County Sees First Snow of 2015!
Harris Excused from Hatfield City Council Gordon Named as Replacement
MELANIE BUCK • PULSE
The local area got its first snowfall last Thursday morning (January 22). Within just a few hours of the giant snowflakes cascading from the sky, the area was quickly blanketed creating a winter wonderland and exquisite photo opportunities. Above is one of Mena’s most iconic buildings, the historic Mena Depot Center, once a KCS Train Depot. Roads remained passable, much to the disappointment of local students, and didn’t prompt any school closings. A complete photo gallery is available at MyPulseNews.com. See complete story and additional photos on page 2.
BY LEANN DILBECK The Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce has announced the keynote speaker for the 2015 Chamber Banquet to be held Tuesday, March 17, as Arkansas native and TV personality Craig O’Neill. Craig graduated from Little Rock's Central High School in 1968 and from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in 1972. His career as a deejay began in 1969. A self-confessed sports nut, he became the host of ESPN2 Outdoors in 1995. In 1997, Craig became the stadium announcer for all home football games for the Arkansas Razorbacks. “In August of 1999, I began to park at THV's front door and demanding to be put on TV," said
BY MELANIE BUCK Arkansas is on the list as one of the states with ‘high’ levels of influenza outbreak in the country; however, Chief Nursing Officer at Mena Regional Health System, Rick Billingsley said, “Although we are seeing a lot of flu-like illness, we are only seeing moderate confirmed flu” in Polk County. He added, “It’s less than what we would expect this time of year.” Kerry Krell, Public Information Officer for the Arkansas Department of Health, said there is influenza all over the state although the numbers are difficult to gather. “Not everyone who gets the flu goes to the doctor and not every doctor tests for the flu.” Krell explained that when a doctor sees several patients in the day with the same symptoms, the logical conclusion is the flu. Also, the cost
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
Flu Season in Full Swing
BY MELANIE BUCK During Tuesday night’s January 20 meeting of Hatfield Town Council, all city officials were sworn into office with exception to David Harris, an unopposed alderman on the November 2014 ballot, who was excused from his position. Harris first came under fire, prior to the election, when his residency was in question. The Pulse first brought you the story in September 2014 after the Town of Hatfield had filed a complaint with the Polk County Election Commission stating: “It is a fact that David Harris a CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES REEVES
An excavator belonging to Mid-Central Contractors, clearing brush along the Kansas City Southern railroad right-of-way behind the Acorn school campus, caught fire on Monday afternoon. Acorn Fire Department, Polk County Sheriff's Office and Polk County Emergency Management responded.
WINTER CLEARANCE SALE Going On Now!
Up to 50-70% OFF*
* on selected items
1020 MENA ST. MENA, AR 71953 | SINCE 1939
www.washburns.com
Mon-Fri 8:30 to 6:00 Sat 9:00 - 3:00 (479) 394-4332 (888) 394-4332