Polk County Pulse March 10, 2021

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600

March 10, 2021

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AP Commission: It’s Happening

INSIDE:

SPRING SPORTS SCHEDULES

Lum & Abner Festival planning underway

By Jeri Pearson

Pages 12- 13

Discovering the Depot

Page 22

Photo by Samantha Machlear The Tigers played aggressively during the Regional Tournament. See more tournament news on page 2.

Acorn Basketball Makes Noise

By Samantha Macheler

Polk County Watch

Page 24

Last week was the District Basketball Tournament. Our Sr. Girls played on Wednesday vs. Magazine and won 6744. Madi Ellis scored highpoint with 17 and also went 5-5 on the free-throw line. Halli Holland came close in sec-

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ond with 16 points and eight defensive rebounds, and Ashlynn not far behind with 15 points. In the first round, the Sr. Boys faced JC Westside, defeating them 71-42. In the second round of district, the boys faced off Lavaca. This was an excellent matchup because they

See BASKETBALL page 2

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After a year of canceled events, festivals and sports, the Mena Advertising and Promotion Commission is moving forward with business as near to normal as possible.

Planning for the Lum and Abner Festival is underway and an extension for vendor applications was approved by the commission for March 31.

Commissioner James Earl Turner and interim Marketing Director Marissa Johnson said they hope to attract quality vendors to the festival.

Johnson said most vendors paid the vendor fee last year, but the canceled 2020 event may have left some vendors unsure if the festival will happen this year.

However, with the anticipation of the state removing additional requirements to holding large events, the commission continues to plan for the event to be held.

In addition to the festival, spring sports at Aubrey Tapley Park are underway with more sign-ups than in previous years.

In addition to spring sports, Tapley

See COMMISSION page 3

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2 News

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

March 10, 2021

Scores at a glance 4-A South Star City Mena Ladycats - 55 vs Crosset Ladyeagles - 30 (March 3 10 AM) Mena Ladycats 40 vs Watson Chapel Lady Wildcats - 38 (March 5 10 AM) Mena Ladycats - 34 vs Star City Ladydogs - 65 (March 6 4 PM) 2nd Place finish 3-A Region 1 Bergman Cossatot River Eagles - 44 vs Westfork Tigers - 47 (March 3 4 PM) Did not place 2-A West Magazine Acorn Ladytigers 64 vs Yellville-Summit Panthers - 56 (March 3 10 AM) Acorn Ladytigers - 58 vs Flippin Lady Bobcats - 69 (March 5 10 AM) Acorn Ladytigers 44 vs Mansfield Tigers - 51 (March 6 10 AM) 4th Place finish Acorn Tigers - 90 vs Arkansas Arts Academy Diamonds 53 (March 4 7 PM) Acorn Tigers - 42 vs Lavaca Golden Arrows - 56 (March 5 7 PM) Acorn Tigers - 46 vs Mansfield Tigers 28 (March 6 1 PM) 3rd Place finish

BASKETBALL Continued from 1 Photo by Trey Youngdahl Mena Ladycats gather at Union Bank Center during the district play-offs against Arkadelphia..

Teams battle in regional tournaments

Ladycats finish 2nd, head to state

By Loki DeWitt It was a big week in Polk County high school basketball as four teams representing the area entered into tournament play in an attempt to stake their claim to a Regional Championship for their school.

It all started at 10 AM on March 3 in Star City as the Mena Ladycats took on the Crosset Lady Eagles in the opening round of the 4-A South tournament. The Ladycats seized the lead over their opponents early and never let it go as they continued their path of dominance closing out the one-sided affair with a score of 55-30.

March 5 began with Mena once again looking to continue their roll as they faced off with the Watson Chapel Lady Wildcats.

While Mena had been dominant in the majority of their previous game, they found themselves put to the test by the Lady Wildcats who kept the score close throughout the entire game. Though their opponents were persistent, the Ladycats were not going to let a chance at the regional finals slip through their fingers and pressed back even harder.

The Ladycats’ persistence paid off as they punched their ticket to the championship round with a close final score of 40-38.

March 6 saw the Mena Ladycats striving to take home a regional championship to go along with their conference one. Stand-

ing in their was the team that represented the school that was playing host to the regional tournament action, the Star City Ladydogs. While they played with skill and determination, the Ladycats quickly found themselves in a position that they were not used to, and were playing from behind in an attempt to overcome a massive lead mounted by the other team. It had been some time since the Ladycats had found themselves in such a spot, but they still pressed on in a strong showing of desire and heart as they attempted to gain footing in their title bid.

Despite all their effort, the lead the Ladydogs had amassed proved to be just too large to overcome before the final buzzer sounded, leaving the Ladycats heading home with a second-place tournament finish with a final score of 34-65.

Cossatot Lady Eagles

The Cossatot Lady Eagles hit the court in Bergman to take on the West Fork Lady Tigers as they sought to stake their claim to the 3-A Region 1 title. The game was very physical and saw both teams give their all in a back and forth encounter that saw the lead change several times. Despite the skill and grit that the Lady Eagles showed on the court they, unfortunately, saw their title hopes cut short in a fight to the finish that ended in a 47-44 defeat that finished their season.

had split 1-1 with each other earlier in the year. It was a hard-fought battle, but the Acorn Tigers came out on top with a score of 51-48. For the boy's season, they have shot 52%.

Brady Hair leads the team with four charges taken. Braylan Bohlman leads the team in rebounds with 210, while Damian Bohlman leads the team in free throw percentage with 81% on the year. They average a total of 62.2 points per game. The boys have had an excellent year so far. These wins for the Tigers meant both our girls and boys were sitting in the District Finals, both teams facing the Mansfield Tigers. The girls split 1-1 with Mansfield earlier in the year, so they knew the game would be challenging. Ashlynn Bissell scored the team's highpoint with 21 points going 7-8 on the free-throw line. Kaylee Tedder trailed close in second with 18 points, shooting a 73% field goal percentage. Many have agreed that was one of Kaylee's best games all year! The girls pulled out the hard-fought game with a score of 67-60. The boys fought hard in the finals but couldn't pull it out. They were tied until the last second when someone threw up a buzzer-beater, and it went in. The final score was 5154. It didn't roll the boy's way, but we are incredibly proud of them.

The Girls Placed 4th in the Regional Tournament, and the Boys placed 3rd. The boys and girls both advanced to the State Tournament next week at Melbourne, Arkansas. The Lady Tigers play Tuesday the 9th at 10 a.m.

The Boys play Wednesday the 10th at 1 p.m. Good luck, Tigers and Coach Jackson, and Ledbetter.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

March 10, 2021

Radio - Print - Web CITY OF MENA ANNOUNCES SPRING CLEAN-UP 1168 Hwy 71S Mena, AR 71953 Phone: 479-243-9600 Fax: 479-243-9603 Email: news@mypulsenews.com

KENA 104.1 - KQOR 105.3 MyPulseNews.com

Our Team:

Ashley Smith- General Manager Jeri Pearson - Editor Tori Stockton - Production Manager John Russell - Graphic Design Trey Youngdahl- Digital Producer Curt Teasdale - Programmer/ On-Air Personality Jim Pinson - Morning Personality Justin Richmond - Receptionist Jackye Pruitt - Senior Account Executive Brooke Rose - Account Executive Distribution & Insertion Staff Dan & Linda Deramus, Jason Sharp, Ryan Lewis & Zane Steele The Polk County Pulse is the area’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 an estimated readership of 10,000.

MyPulseNews.com has hundreds of visitors daily and KENA and KQOR have thousands of listeners hourly.

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The City of Mena Annual Spring Clean-Up is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. City trucks will pick up items you want to dispose of at no charge.

This Clean-up service is free for residences within the City limits of Mena only.

Please follow the below listed regulations to ensure that the pick-up runs smoothly.

Materials will not be picked up unless they are placed at the curb-side and separated. Street Department personnel can not go onto private property to assist in moving items.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SEPARATE ANY ITEMS THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP AWAY FROM THOSE THAT ARE TO BE DISCARDED (such as trash cans) The following items cannot be picked up: concrete, brick, rocks, dirt, shingles, batteries, and construction debris.

Please separate your items to be discarded into 5 distinct piles as follows: 1. Furniture--couches, chairs, televisions, window frames, etc.

2. Household trash--paper items, etc.

(Please place trash cans, that you wish to keep, to one side so that they will not be disposed of inadvertently) 3. Metal material--hot water heaters, stoves, appliances, etc.

4. Yard waste--tree limbs, shrubs, grass, etc.

5. Tires Note - it is required that all yard debris, such as small limbs, gum balls, and leaves, be placed in garbage bags.

The Mena Street Department will begin pick up in the Northwest part of the city and work their way across town following the same routes as Southern Disposal.

Trucks will run 1 to 3 days after the day of your normal trash pick-up. The response to this Clean-Up is usually overwhelming, so please be patient if the trucks are running somewhat behind the posted schedule; however, each route will only be covered one time. It is not necessary to call City Hall in order to receive this service.

COMMISSION continued from 1 will soon see the addition of at least one volleyball court thanks to a grant sought after and secured by Mena Mayor Seth Smith.

The thousand dollar grant was accepted by the commission, which also approved spending up to a thousand dollars for a second court if the pricing works out.

It was noted at the meeting that Pasha Watson, who was serving as the AP’s Marketing Director in conjunction with the contract between the Mena Polk County Chamber of Commerce and the AP, had resigned.

“The Chamber of Commerce values our relationship with the Advertising & Promotion Commission. The decision by the two organizations years ago was not based on any one person but a shared mission and services,” the chamber board said in a statement. “Our commitment to serving the chamber members and providing the services in the A&P contract does not waiver in the event of personnel changes. The board is actively seeking qualified applicants and plans to continue the work of the Chamber and the A&P seamlessly.”

Editorial 3

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Letters may be submitted by e-mail to news@mypulsenews.com; mailed to P.O. Box 1450, Mena, AR 71953 or dropped off at 1168 Hwy. 71 South, Mena, AR. A drop-box is provided by the front door for after hour convenience.

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4 State News

Pulse State House of Representatives

March 10, 2021

From the

State Senate

Both chambers of the legstate troopers, from 30 to 28 islature have approved a bill years of service. that prohibits abortions, exAlso in the package is SB cept if necessary to save the 346 to add audiovisual memother’s life in a medical dia to the list of documenemergency. tation that law enforcement Several legislators said they agencies maintain in crimihad concerns about the bill nal investigations. because it does not have an Other criminal investigaLarry Teauge exception for rape or incest. tion documents include lab reSenate Bill 6 passed in the Senate ports, arrest records, search warrants by a 27-to-7 vote and in the House of and incident reports. The bill outlines Representatives by a 76-to-19 vote. how many years those documents It authorizes penalties of up to 10 must be retained, which depends on years in prison and a fine of up to the severity of the crime. $100,000 for people who are convicted SB 346 would allow law enforceor performing or attempting to per- ment agencies to charge reasonable form an abortion. It specifically does fees for the costs of copying audiovinot authorize any criminal charges sual media and electronic records, for against any pregnant woman in the example to comply with a request for death of her unborn child. public records under the state freeAlso, SB 6 does not prohibit the dom of information act. sale or use of prescription drugs, conReasonable fees could include pertraceptive measures or chemicals as sonnel time needed to reproduce the long as they are administered before documents. the pregnancy has been determined Some advocates for transparency in through conventional medical testing. government have expressed concern In other news, the governor signed that approval of SB 346 might encourSB 24, known as the “Stand Your age other government entities, apart Ground” bill. It is Act 250 of 2021. from law enforcement agencies, to It removes the previous requirement charge for personnel time when comin state law that people had to retreat plying with FOI requests. from a confrontation if they could do The House has passed several bills so safely. prompted by the coronavirus panUnder Act 250, a person is not re- demic. HB 1488 would allow employquired to retreat before using deadly ees to file a workers’ compensation force if he or she is legally at the loca- claim if they can prove they contracted tion where the confrontation occurs, the Covid-19 virus in their workplace. and has a reasonable belief that the It would expire in two years. other person is threatening his or her The House also passed HB 1521 life with death or serious physical in- to provide immunity from civil lawjury. suits for health care providers when A group of about 35 legislators they diagnose and treat patients with formed the “Back the Blue” caucus to Covid-19. Their immunity would be support bills strengthening law en- similar to that of emergency respondforcement. One measure in the pack- ers. age is SB 300 to prohibit parole for HB 1061, called the “No Patient Left certain repeat offenders who use a Alone” act, would create procedures firearm to commit a felony. for allowing people to visit family in Another measure is HB 1343 to hospitals and nursing homes during lower the threshold for retirement for the pandemic.

THE POLK COUNTY

As we wind down the 8th week of the contact information.

2021 Regular Session, HB1457-This bill creates “Paisley’s more than 270 bills have Law”. It allows parents of a stillborn been signed into law. child to claim an income tax credit in Next week, the House the amount of $500.

State Agencies and GovHB1488-This bill allows employees to ernmental Affairs Comfile a Workers’ Compensation Claim for mittee will begin hearing COVID-19 if the employee can prove proposals for constithey contracted the virus at their place John Maddox tutional amendments. of employment.

According to Joint Rules, the House and HB1407-This bill modifies the method Senate can each recommend one amend- of calculation of the stabilization tax and ment, but it must be approved by a ma- caps the tax at .2% for 2022. jority in both chambers. A 2/3 vote is HB1409-This bill caps the taxable wage required by both chambers to introduce base for employers at $10,000 for 2022. a third proposed constitutional amendHB1433-This bill outlines transportament. tion funding for the 2020-2021 school This week, the House passed more year for districts that need more than the than 50 bills, including the following: foundation funding provided to all pubHB1061-This bill creates the No Pa- lic schools. tient Left Alone Act. The bill outlines HB1464-This bill adds a provision to visitation rights for hospital patients, the Arkansas Code that allows parents to including children, patients with dis- challenge instructional material, events, abilities, hospice care, long-term care pa- or activities in public schools. tients, and members of the clergy.

HB1389-This bill creates the Arkansas SB6-This bill would ban abortions ex- Foresters for the Future Scholarship Procept those performed to protect the life gram. This scholarship will be funded by and health of the mother. the State Forestry Fund.

HB1568-This bill creates a legislative SB287-This bill expands eligibility for study on the possible use of election the Governor’s Scholars Program and the technology to increase transparency and Arkansas High Technology Scholarship security.

Program to migrants from the Compact SB137-This bill states that a local gov- of Free Association Islands (Marshallese) ernment shall not adopt any ordinance and to an individual or child of a person or policy that would prohibit a custom- who holds a Federal Form I-766 Employer’s right to purchase, use, connect, or re- ment Authorization Document (work connect to a utility service. permit).

HB1437-This bill concerns “Publish HB1462-This bill allows state-supportfor Pay websites” or privately-owned ed two-year and four-year institutions websites that request a fee to remove a of higher education to designate a staff booking photograph from the website. member as a homeless and foster student The bill states the person responsible liaison. for removing the booking photograph There will be some changes to comfrom the website shall remove the picture mittee schedules beginning next week within five business days of receipt of a to accommodate hearing bills and prowritten request and not require payment posed amendments. You can find updatof a fee for removing the booking photo- ed schedules and links to live streams on graph. It also states the website must post our website www.arkansashouse.org.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Obituaries 5

March 10, 2021

Roberta Marlene Ashman

Roberta Marlene Ashman of Mena, AR passed away peacefully on March 1, 2021 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was surrounded by her loved ones when she passed into His arms from ours.

Marlene was born on April 26, 1940 in Mobeetie, TX. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband John, parents Roy and Eunice (Robinson) Howard, and sisters Dorothy Gay Howard and Barbara Geraldine Howard Kishiyama.

Marlene was a force of nature to all those who knew her. She was funny, kind, empathetic, charitable, and loyal.

She placed her family above all else.

Throughout her marriage to John, a sailor in the United States Navy, it fell to her to be both mother and father to her three children due to some of his long sea deployments. They would have been celebrating their sixtieth wedding anniversary on the 18 th of this month.

She was a strong and determined woman and her selflessness and love of family served as an example of how life should be lived. She was wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Marlene lived a life of service.

Throughout her life she volunteered as softball coach, Little League coach, PTA member, Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout Den Mother, Naval Ombudsman, and was a member of the James K. Polk chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Marlene was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2020. She was treated at Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa, FL from July to October 2020. She returned to Mena in October 2020. In late February the cancer began to spread aggressively. Her health failed quickly in the last four days of her life and the family was called to come see her.

She is survived by her children Joseph Ashman (Carrie), Jeffrey Ashman (Connie), Amy King (Brian), and Michelle Kasper (Bill). She leaves behind nine grandchildren: Kristin, Jacob, Ashley, Casey, Kayla, Emily, Nicholas, Catherine Grace, and Joseph as well as two great grandchildren, Rourke and Annie.

Marlene will be remembered as Mom, Momma, MA, Omi, and Deanie.

She was so much more than the cancer that took her life....

Doyle Dean Beck

Mr. Doyle Dean Beck, age 82, of Mena, Arkansas passed away Sunday, March 7, 2021at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Mr. Beck was born on February 26, 1939 in Mena, Arkansas to the late Elvis Doyle Beck and the late Clara Williams Beck. After high school Doyle went to the United States Navy and spent his adult life serving his country until retirement. Doyle loved to be outside hunting, fishing, and playing golf. Mr. Beck is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lorene Johnson Beck of Mena; two sons, Steven D. Beck and wife Shirley and Gregory W. Beck, Grandchildren; Christopher Beck and wife Mershon, Shane Beck and wife Coleen, Sarah Beck, Loren Macagni and husband Chris, and Cheryl Beck, eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Barbara Magnino, five sisters-in-law; 3 brothers-in-law and their spouses which he loved as his own, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Elvis Beck, Jr.,

and Bill Rucker.

Mr. Beck was sent for cremation under the direction of Beasley Wood Funeral Home in Mena. There are no services scheduled at this time.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Autry Gene Dilbeck

Autry Gene Dilbeck, age 77, passed away March 2, 2021 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born to the late Aubrey and Clyda Dilbeck on November 5, 1943 in Opal, Arkansas.

Autry enjoyed fishing, playing dominoes and cards. In his professional life he was a Mena City Police Officer for many years. He served our country as a member of the National Guard.

He is survived by his wife, Fairy Dilbeck; son, Chris Dilbeck and wife Kimberly of Mena, Arkansas; daughters, Beatrice Watkins and husband Dwayne of Mena, Arkansas, Sheri France and husband Todd of Pocola, Oklahoma, Lisa Meador and husband Owen of Keokuk, Iowa; grandchildren, Adam, Christian, Clayton, Justin, Lyndie, Desiree and husband Tony, Ericka and husband Brandon, Colton, Angela, Brandon, Audrey and husband Jermiah, Tiffany, Athena, and Kerry; ten great grandchildren; sister Lorene Armstrong of Texas; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Autry is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Deloise Egger, and Barbara Abbot; brother, Darrel Dilbeck.

Graveside service will be Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Big Fork, Arkansas at 4:00 p.m. with Colton Watkins officiating.

Interment to follow under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Chris Dilbeck, Adam Dilbeck, Clayton Dilbeck, Gage Henry, Dwayne Watkins, and Justin Drager.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Quentin Bradley Justice

Quentin Bradley “Brad” Justice was born on June 27, 1938 in Winding Gulf, West Virginia, at the home of his parents, Glenn Emmitt Justice and Fern Louis Brown Justice.

He passed away at his home on March 3, 2021.

Brad served in the United States Marine Corp as an instructor of communications from 1956 to 1960 on active duty and completed his service commitment in the reserves.

Brad was a carpenter by trade, building and remodeling homes, including building two homes for him and his loving wife Genie. Brad and Genie were united in marriage on May 21, 1971.

He was an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer and outdoorsman. He was a charter member of the Ouachita Bowmen Club, an archery club established in Mena in the mid 1970’s. In his retirement years he made custom made recurve and long bows, that received rave reviews from professional archers.

He became an excellent classic guitar instrumentalist having played most of his adult life and taking self taught correspondence courses. Many of his long time friendships were formed by playing music in the Mena area. He also played at the Mountain Home Music Festival, competing in the classical guitar category. He built several guitars during his lifetime.

In the later years of his life, Brad began painting landscapes which were displayed at the Polk County Library and the Polk County Fair.

Brad loved his family and the home he and Genie built over almost 50 years together. Brad loved his church family, the Church of Christ which meets on Mena Street.

Mr. Justice was preceded in death by

Justice Obituary Continued on Page 6

6 Obituaries Justice Obituary Continued

his parents and his brother-in-law, Joe Venable.

Mr. Justice is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Genie “Bonner” Justice of Hatfield; his sister, Rosetta Jean Venable of Brevard, NC; his four children, son, Bradley Justice and wife, Paula of Springdale; son, Jerry Justice and wife, Peggy of Newport Beach, CA; daughter, Suzon Hansen and husband, Ric of Chandler, AZ; and son, Andy Justice and wife, Shiela of Punta Gorda, FL. Six grandchildren, Timothy Justice of Mena; Daniel Justice and wife, Cynthia of St. Joe, AR; Matthew Justice and wife, Janie of Orange, TX; Isabella Hansen of Chandler, AZ; Nicholas Justice and Charleigh Justice of Punta Gorda, FL. Four great grandchildren, Hailey DeMatteo and Christopher DeMatteo of St. Joe, AR; and Xavier Justice and Merrick Justice of Orange, TX. And a host of In-Laws, nieces and nephews and many friends.

A celebration of his life will be held on April 10, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena. Cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

FOR ALL OF YOUR LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS FIND US ONLINE AT

THE POLK COUNTY

March 10, 2021

James Edward Long, Sr.

James Edward Long Sr., age 67, of Mena, Arkansas died on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at the VA Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on Wednesday, January 6, 1954 in Hartville, Missouri to John Alton Long and Florence (Pruitt) Long.

James was a spiritual man who was ordained in the early 1970’s. He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked for many years as a truck driver under the handle “Blue Beard”, and later went on to work at U.S. Motors. James also volunteered at the Potter Rural Fire Department. Growing up his dad had a catfish farm, and his joy of fishing carried on throughout his life. He loved the outdoors, especially deer hunting.

James liked Western movies and television shows as well as country music.

His family was very important to him and he never failed in providing them a good home. James was a loving father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Opal Joy. James is survived by four sons and daughters in law, James and Misty Long of Denton, Texas, Robert and Becky Long of Bolivar, Missouri, John Henry William Long of Hatfield, and Jacob Long of Hatfield; one daughter and son in law, Delta and Adam Gunn of Mena; one brother, David Long; ten grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grace Bible Baptist Church in Mena, Arkansas with Dr. Lamar Austin officiating. Cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Charles Mowdy Mr. Charles Mowdy, age 82, passed away February 26, 2021 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born on October 26, 1938 in Hatfield, Arkansas to the late L.B. and Mary Ellen Mowdy.

Charles was a simple man but also very complex. Friends would say he was a gentleman and a scholar. He was known for his dry sense of humor and always helping in a time of need.

Charles spent his career as a teacher at Smithville High School for 22 years and Watson School for a year. Since “retiring”, he continued ranching and farming. He enjoyed time in the garden and fishing with Myra.

He is survived by his wife, Myra Mowdy; brothers, Kenny Mowdy and wife Ronna, Douglas Mowdy and wife Polly; sister Marjorie Mowdy Cunningham; and several nieces, and nephews.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 2021 in the Smithville High School Gymnasium at Smithville, Oklahoma with Brother Cody McDaniel officiating.

Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Hatfield, Arkansas under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 pm on Thursday, March 4, 2021 in the Beasley-Wood Chapel.

Online obituary at beasleywood funeralhome.com

Complete Up-to-Date Obituaries at

MYPULSENEWS.COM

Pulse Pamela Dian Nance Duprez

Pamela Dian Nance Duprez was born March 20, 1948 in Bay Town, Texas. Pam passed February 23, 2021 in Casper Wy. Pam was a resident of Glendo, WY formerly from Mena, Arkansas, Colorado City, CO and Houston, Texas.

Pam attended the University of Texas and was a member Alpha Omicron PI sorority. Pam loved to sing, work at The Son Lighters card shop, and enjoyed hosting her Friday afternoon card games at her Red Roof ranch home with her friends. She was a member of the Polk County Cattleman Assoc.

Pam is survived by husband Bill of 20 years. Brother Frank Nance and wife Mary, nieces Emily Rostad husband Clarence, Linsey Sefovic husband Justin, 5 great nephews all of Windsor, Co. Extended family Scott Cooper and wife Ann, children Eleanor, Coeta and Hollis of Pueblo West, Co. A memorial service is planned for a later date in Glendo, Wy. Donations may be made to Glendo Volunteer Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 404, Glendo, WY. 82213 in Pam’s name.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Reflections of Faith and History: Another Look at Slavery

By Jeff Olsen

America has been in a culture war for some time and in 2021 we are seeing it continue and even accelerate at an alarming rate. A part of this involves our nation’s history and within this the subject of slavery has been at the forefront. This week I would like to provide another look at slavery which I hope will provide some clarity and perspective for those narratives which fail to include some very important aspects.

Today, some believe and are taught that America’s founding was actually in 1619, the year when slaves were first brought to our shores, rather than in 1776 when America declared her independence from Great Britain.

This could lead some to conclude that the American founding is defined primarily by slavery rather than by freedom. However, this is not consistent with neither the beliefs of most of our founders nor the scope and depth of history.

Most people today believe slavery to be wrong, and would likely go a step further and say that it is evil. However, just because it was not always thought of as such doesn’t justify the ignoring of lessons learned, battles fought, and lives dedicated and lost to the eradication of its evil as an institution. Why? Because this long and painful journey was at its core a reflection of the human condition - that humanity is inherently imperfect, and only through humility and recognition and acceptance of transcendent truth beyond ourselves can we see the way through the evil that lurks within every human heart. “In the course of human events,” human beings are called to learn from their own mistakes and failures, to incrementally develop a design for the institutions of liberty rooted in truth and experience. Had any one of us lived more than 300 years ago, it is likely that we would have seen little or nothing wrong with slavery. Why 300 years, and why are there still those in 2021 who not only are indiffer-

History 7

March 10, 2021

ent about it but in fact make a living through slavery of various forms?

If aliens came to earth for a visit to America today, and they started with learning history, news, and current events according to some of our media and institutions of higher learning, their first impression might be that slavery began in America or perhaps that she was among the first countries to host the institution of slavery. But let’s take a closer look. First, slavery’s origins go back thousands of years before the American founding and certainly before 1619. Second – slavery at its core is not a racist institution.

Slaves and slave owners were often of the same race. For instance, blacks were not enslaved because they were black, but because they were available at the time. For centuries before the first black slave was brought to the Western Hemisphere, whites enslave other whites, Asians enslaved other Asians, Africans enslaved other Africans and so on. So, those who define or typify slavery as if it were only the enslavement of blacks by whites either do not know or ignore how widespread this institution was and still is.

Actually, more whites were brought as slaves to North Africa than blacks brought as slaves to the 13 colonies or to the United States. White slaves were still being bought and sold in the Ottoman Empire decades after blacks were freed in the United States.

According to a recent National Geographic article, there are an estimated 46 million men, women, and children in the world who are enslaved. This includes human trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, forced or service marriage, and the sale and exploitation of children. There are more slaves today than were seized from Africa in four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Where is the outrage on this?

The silence is deafening... Throughout human history the institution of slavery has been more the rule than the exception.

See HISTORY page 8

PUBLIC NOTICE Public School Choice in Arkansas allows students to attend a public school in a district other than the one in which they reside. The applications must be made by May 1, 2021, to qualify for provisions under the Arkansas Public School Choice Act of 2013.

Pursuant to standards adopted by a nonresident district may reserve the right to accept or reject applicants based on capacity of programs, class, grade level or school building. Likewise, a nonresident district’s standards may provide for rejection of an applicant based upon the submission of false or misleading information to the above listed request for information when that information directly impacts the legal qualifications of an applicant to transfer pursuant to the School Choice Act. However, a nonresident district’s standards shall not include an applicant’s previous academic achievement, athletic or other extracurricular ability, handicapping conditions, English proficiency level, or previous disciplinary proceedings, except than an expulsion from another district may be included pursuant to Ark. Code Ann 618510 Priority will be given to applicants with siblings attending the district.

The nonresident district shall accept credits toward graduation that were awarded by another district and award a diploma to a nonresident district’s graduation requirements. Applications postmarked or delivered to the Superintendent of Schools no later than May 1 for a child to be able to enroll for the fall semester. Transfers shall be granted on a nondiscriminatory basis. Students who have been accepted and enrolled in previous years do not have to reapply as approved transfers remain valid for as long as the student attends public school.

The following districts comply with this public school announcement: Ashdown, Caddo Hills, Cossatot River, DeQueen, Dierks, Foreman, Horatio, Mena, Mineral Springs, Mount Ida, Nashville and Ouachita River.

MENA REAL ESTATE

Simpson

Chiropractic Clinic 1142 Hwy 71 S, Suite D Mena, Arkansas

ANNOUNCEMENT!

www.MenaRealEstate.com

Dr. Simpson will be retiring on April 1, 2021. Patient records will be available for pick-up until April 1, 2021 Questions?

Call (479) 394-3540

8 News

HISTORY continued from page 7

So, what happened around 300 years ago? What was it about America that somehow brought about the eventual eradication of slavery as an institution when in most other parts of the world people saw nothing wrong with it.

As a matter of fact, just about nowhere in the world was slavery a controversial issue until the eighteenth century and then it was an issue only in Western Civilization and in particular a young America. Among those who became strong opponents of slavery were George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but no such staunch opposition could be found among leaders of other countries of the time.

Yes, these men were slave owners but they were also men of their times who had inherited slaves and drew their anti-slavery convictions from not only first-hand knowledge and experience but most importantly and deeply from their firm belief that slavery was morally wrong. George Washington wished for “a plan adopted for the abolition of it” and by the end of his life freed all the slaves in his family estate. Other men of our founding held similar beliefs including, but not limited to, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Rush, John Adams, Thomas Paine, James Otis, James Madison, Richard Bassett and John Jay. Our founding generation grew up during what is known as the Great Awakening, a religious revival which rejuvenated personal spiritual growth and corporate church life contributing to greater biblical morality and cultural norms. This Judeo/Christian moral ethos became the lens through which slavery came to be viewed and the foundation upon which its demise as an institution had its beginning in America.

Perhaps the most notable expression of this ultimate demise is found in the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson’s phrase that “all men are created equal...” is often met today with claims of hypocrisy, but in the original draft one of the grievances he listed included a scathing condemnation of slavery. However, it was removed at the insistence of certain slave-holding delegates. Inscribed in marble at Jefferson’s memorial in Washington, D.C. is his reference to the injustice of slavery: “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.” Jefferson also wished to free his slaves, but unlike Washington was unable to do so because of subsequent Virginia laws that imposed steep and prohibitive financial burdens on emancipators. As Jefferson lamented to an abolitionist minister, “the laws do not permit us to turn them loose.”

In understanding the maxim that politics is the art of the possible, and as a matter of practical politics, it is important to remember that no durable union could have been formed without compromise at the Constitutional Convention. While the Constitution accommodated pro-slavery delegates, it did not sanction slavery in the states where it existed. There was also a provision that forbade any restriction of the slave trade for 20 years after ratification. The Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves of

March 10, 2021 1807 was enacted on March 2, 1807 and took effect on January 1, 1808, the earliest date permitted by the U.S. Constitution. The Northwest Ordinance, a pre-constitutional law passed to govern the western territories, explicitly banned slavery from those territories and from any states that might be created thereof.

The question is sometimes asked: Why did we make a declaration of equality in 1776 and not subsequently use the Constitution to declare slavery illegal in 1787? First – the established constitutional principle of consent as the basis of all political legitimacy needed to be followed from the outset for confirmation and precedent. Second – to provide a safeguard or check against any future movement toward or return to tyranny where decisions on slavery or any other national concern might be by decree or edict and not through constitutional process. As Abraham Lincoln expressed it: “to declare the right, so that enforcement of it might follow as fast as circumstances should permit.” Lincoln understood that time (in view of the founders) was created by God, for the unfolding of human liberty, for human emancipation. History is a record of this, wrought with progress and decline, measured

by God’s permanent standards as learned from and tested by long and sometimes painful and costly circumstances and experience. This is why we must not erase or revise our history. We must learn from it!

While no nation, including America, has never perfectly lived up to the universal truths of equality, liberty, justice, and government by consent, no nation prior to America has ever so boldly and unequivocally stated those truths as the formal basis of its philosophy and politics and none has strived harder or done more to achieve them. The foundation of our Republic planted the seeds of dissolution of the institution of slavery in America. Those seeds germinated over time, spurring a growth in common moral sensibilities and cultural norms which gave the political and legal processes legitimacy and authority to create and work through our founding documents towards a nation characterized by: individual freedom, liberty of conscience, equality before God and truth and justice before the law. This has been America’s trajectory for most of 245 years, and it still can be if more of us in America choose it to be so and then act on it accordingly.

As Samuel Adams admonishes us: “The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.”

James Russell Lowe was once asked by Francois Guizot, the French historian and diplomat, “How long will the American Republic endure?” Lowell replied: “As long as the ideas of the men who founded it continue dominant.”

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Holly Harshman set to receive shade trees from playground program

Holly Harshman Elementary School was one of 15 schools chosen to receive trees through the Shade Trees on Playgrounds (S.T.O.P.) program.

The S.T.O.P program was organized in 2004 by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division to lower adult skin cancer risk by reducing childhood exposure to direct sunlight where children play, like school playgrounds.

A tree planting ceremony was held at the school on January 12th. Five trees, one tulip poplar, one pin oak, one chinquapin oak, one white oak and one Shumard oak were planted on the school playground.

“The STOP program combines hands-on, outdoor experiences with classroom curriculum about the importance of trees and how to care for trees,” says Urban & Community Forestry Program Coordinator, Kristine Kimbro. “We hope this program not only improves the health of Arkansas students, but also leaves a lasting impression about the value of forests and how to be good stewards of our natural resources.”

Schools are invited to submit S.T.O.P. applications annually. To qualify, participating schools must lack shade, participate in a S.T.O.P. workshop (virtually as needed), agree to use Forestry Division-provided curriculum to emphasize the importance of trees and forestry in Arkansas, hold a tree-planting ceremony, and agree to long-term maintenance of the planted shade trees. Forestry Division personnel assist with the transport and planting of the trees. Trees for each campus are chosen by local Forestry Division staff to fit the unique region and conditions of each playground and are purchased from local nurseries and suppliers.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Outdoors 9

March 10, 2021

OUACHITA BUSHCRAFT AND SURVIVAL

ESTABLISHING A BASE-CAMP

By Steven E Stillwell

When I hear the old saying, HOME IS WHERE YOU HANG YOUR HAT, I visualize a place of warmth, comfort, and security. Just because you’re staying in the woods doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice all of your creature comforts. One of the first things a person needs to determine is how long they’re going to stay? A short excursion isn’t as complicated as a month, so a quick lean-to with a tarp would probably suffice for a couple of days, but certain luxuries become an important factor when you’re staying for extended periods.

IT’S TIME FOR A HISTORY AND PSYCHOLOGY LESSON. Base-camps have been used for centuries by our ancestors to establish homesteads, for prospecting, hunting, fishing, scouting and military operations. I’m going to share a psychological secret of mine that will enable you to stay put for a long time. Try thinking of your encampment as a home away from home, because it’s hard to get homesick when you’re already home. I do this all of the time, and it works. When it’s time to pack-out, I leave with a feeling of satisfaction knowing that I’ve conquered every obstacle and I’ve accomplished my mission, whatever that might be!

LOOK FOR NATURAL RESOURCES. In order to have a long-term, sus-

tainable camp, you need a fresh water source, level ground, and plenty of timber. Desert and arctic regions require different strategies, but fortunately, we live in an area that’s brimming with natural resources, and that’s why I live here! When choosing a place to setup, avoid areas that are prone to flooding, dead, widow-maker trees with dangerous over-hanging limbs, and places where gusting winds can wreak havoc. There’s nothing worse than a storm front destroying your camp in the middle of the night, especially when it’s accompanied by rain and hail. Wisdom and proper planning are essential, because survival is paramount.

TURKEY SEASON IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. My last outing entailed scouting for a new place to turkey hunt, and a primitive base-camp will factor into this equation for the Spring Season opener. My good friends’ Morris McCann and Liston Haseman Jr. accompanied me on this journey, and we found a safe and comfortable spot hidden deep in the forest. This was also the perfect place to practice some of our Bushcrafting skills, so we decided to stay for a couple of days. 40 yards to the east of our level campsite was a beautiful flowing creek, plenty of downed timber, pitch-pine, and all of the remaining trees were healthy! This place had everything we were looking for plus, lots of rocks for a fantastic fire-pit.

GOOD PARTNERS ALWAYS WORK TOGETHER. Teamwork is important if you intend on surviving and thriving in the wilderness, so split up

and designate certain tasks to perform.

You can make a few improvements each day and, in a short time, they’ll begin to make a difference. Adding extra stones to your fire ring, fortifying your shelter, making tripods, clotheslines, a latrine and building furniture are a few of the amenities that’ll make your living area more comfortable. It’s even possible to

build a primitive oven, if you find the right configuration of rocks and you stack them correctly, so use your imagination.

If you enjoy networking with other outdoor enthusiasts, we invite you to join our Facebook page, OUACHITA BUSHCRAFT AND SURVIVAL. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

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10 Faith

By Richie Lawry

THE POLK COUNTY

March 10, 2021

An Arkie’s Faith: Ed’s Calling

My favorite place in Arkansas is the Buffalo River area. The Buffalo River starts in the Boston Mountains and flows in an easterly direction. Along the river are multi-colored bluffs of eroded sandstone, limestone, and dolomite, with some towering to heights over 400 feet. In 1972, Congress named the Buffalo River as the country’s first national river. It is one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers in the lower forty-eight states.

The Flood Control Act of 1938 included the Buffalo River in its plans for dams on the White River.

The threat of a dam on the Buffalo worried Arkansas conservation groups and those who used the river for recreation. Decades of political maneuverings, including a canoe trip on the Buffalo by Supreme Court Justice Douglas, came to a head in December 1965, when Governor Orval Faubus said he could not support a dam on the Buffalo River. Naming the River a National River put an end to the controversy.

In 2017, The Buffalo River National Park Service brought Still on the Hill, an Arkansas folk duo, to the Ouachita Little Theater. I had heard them in concert once before and made plans to attend. They sang songs from their Still a River CD. The songs told the stories of well-known landmarks along the Buffalo River, such as Bee Bluff, Sam’s Throne, Tyler Bend, Granny Henderson’s cabin, and the zinc mine at Rush Creek. I loved the music, but one part of the concert made an impression on me. Kelly Mulhollan picked up the strangest guitar I have ever seen and began telling Ed Stilley’s story. The guitar looked rough and homemade. With its butterfly shape and the words “True Faith, True Light, Have Faith in God” inscribed on the body, the guitar didn’t seem real.

I was fascinated as Kelly told the story of his friendship with Ed. He first met Ed in 1995. His wife, Donna, was visiting friends who had been Ed’s neighbors and had received a guitar from Ed. Donna knew her folk-art-loving husband would appreciate the strange piece. “She ran home to me and said, ‘You’ve got to see this to believe it,’” He continued, “from the very start, we both felt like we had stumbled into one of the great folk artists of our time,” The Mulhollans de-

veloped a beautiful friendship with Ed, spending a lot of time with him. As he strummed a few chords on the strange guitar, Kelly said, “Ed gave me this wonderful instrument in 2004. It was among the last instruments he built. Its proportions are undeniably dramatic, and it’s a fine-sounding instrument as well.

I have been using it for years in live performances.”

Ed’s story is remarkable. The Still on the Hill website tells it this way. In 1979, he led a simple life as a farmer and singer of religious hymns in Hogscald Hollow, a tiny Ozark community south of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Life was filled with hard work and making do for Ed, his wife Eliza, and their five children, who lived simply, as if the second half of the twentieth century had never happened.

But one day, Ed’s life was permanently altered.

While plowing his field, he became convinced he was having a heart attack. Ed stopped his work and lay down on the ground. Staring at the sky, he saw himself as a large tortoise struggling to swim across a river. On his back were five small tortoises—his children—clinging to him for survival. And then, as he lay there in the freshly plowed dirt, Ed received a vision from God, telling him that he would be restored

Pulse

to health if he would agree to do one thing: make musical instruments and give them to children.

And so he did. Beginning with a few simple hand tools, Ed worked tirelessly for twenty-five years to create over two hundred instruments, each a crazy quilt of heavy, rough-sawn wood scraps joined with found objects. A rusty door hinge, a steak bone, a stack of dimes, springs, saw blades, pot lids, metal pipes, glass bottles, aerosol cans—Ed used anything he could to build a working guitar, fiddle, or dulcimer. On each instrument, Ed inscribed, “True Faith, True Light, Have Faith in God.” As a craftsman using only basic woodworking tools, a fertile imagination, and materials available to him from the forests of the Ozark Mountains, Ed Stilley made hundreds of guitars that he gave away to neighbors and children.

When an interviewer asked Ed why he never signed his guitars, he replied, “because I done it for the glory of God. I never done it in my name. I wasn’t smart enough to make ’em and I shore wasn’t gonna put my name on ’em. I had some people try to get me to and I said you just get yourself a piece of paper and put my name on that. I said, “I’m gonna tell you why.” I said, “Now whenever God tells you to do something, He wants you to do it exactly like He gave the order.”

The calling that Ed felt reminds me of a verse found in 1 Corinthians 7:17 (NIV) “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.” And the Apostle Peter tells us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) Gentle Reader, sometimes we may feel that God calls only pastors. In Christian circles, the word “calling” feels like a name saved only for special people and those paid to do ministry. But God calls every one of us. Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT) Our first calling is to be near Jesus. When we are, everything else begins to fall into place. What is God calling you to do today?

It may not be building handmade guitars, but He has a calling for you. Ask Him what he wants you to do.

Joke of the Week:

Dad, are we pyromaniacs? Yes, we arson.

Replacing windshields in Polk County for forty years.

Give Richie a call at 479-394-9938 Located at 3008 Hwy 71 South

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Humor 11

March 10, 2021

Hogspore News: A Murder on the Phone

By Clet Litter from the Ozarks Old Man Grimely got to reminiscing about his childhood. “We didn’t have cell phones in my day. Everybody talked to each other face to face. It was a true free person-to-person chat. The kids only had tin cans with a tight string between two houses. Later, we would add another house and get party strings. We tugged our phone line for can-waiting. There was worthy reception cept when a flock of crows settled on the string for the night.”

I corrected him, “A flock of crows is called a Murder.” He looked like he was pondering a murder of his own. If he had killed me right then, it mighta been ruled just caws.

He come back with, “Well, why can’t you let the other patrons over at the library use the thesaurus some time?” I couldn’t come up with more corrections, cept for something better than "patron," but I didn’t wanna make Grimely mad again.

He kept going, “The only cell phones were the ones in prison. They were available only once a year on Mother’s Day. There was one more cell phone inside that special room in Tucker, Arkansas. It was a direct line to the governor’s office.

Course, I don’t really know that for sure. It’s only what I heard from the older boys.”

Morton Trubletoof said, “I bought a used 40-foot recreational vehicle. It’s a project to work on an hour after supper every night.”

I sez, “That’s gonna be nice when you finish it. You and Portia can do some camping or fishing overnight, maybe even take a few months to go see America.”

He says, “Oh no Clet, that’s not what happening with this gal. I’m gonna paint her yellow and convert her into a school bus.”

I was over to Smartins Grocery Store buying stuff that Punkin won’t buy when she goes shopping for staples: tater chips, dip, cookies, Cap’n Crunch cereal, strawberry soda, and cans of sardines, which I have to dispatch out in the barn.

It ain’t fair that I gotta pay for the butternut ice cream for my wife, so she won’t have folks seeing her buy it herself.

Lots of shoppers was busy reading the ingredients labels on packages. They were doing that cause they’re careful about how they eat. I’m careful about how I eat, and I hardly ever cut myself with my knife or spill gravy on my overalls.

I seen Jimmy Suspenders at the magazine rack. I thought he was sneaking a look at the article on duck blind building in the edition of Today’s Young Hunter.

Turns out, he was looking for the magazine’s list of ingredients.

Mumford Pickens says, “You’re never poor when you’re happy.” Preacher says, “You’re never poor when you give to the church.” Punkin says, “You’re poor most of the time, but I still love you … most of the time.” I sez, “I’m never poor … unless Punkin is not happy.

You can contact Clet Litter at bobsimpson1947@yahoo.com.

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12

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

March 10, 2021

MENA BEARCAT BASEBALL

MILLER’S PAINT & BODY LLC (870) 387-5271

5594 Hwy 71 S - Cove AR

GO TIGERS! 707 7th St., Mena, AR

(479) 394-7257

GO TIGERS!

GO TIGERS! ACORN HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL March 4- 6 Tournament at Mena TBA March 8 vs Talihina 4:30 March 9 @ Two Rivers 4:00 March 12 @Caddo Hills 4:30 March 15 @Magazine 4:00 March 18 vs. Lavaca 4:00 March 29 @ Mansfield 4:30 April 1 vs. Westside Johnson Co 4:00 April 5 @Mountainsburg 4:00

13

March 10, 2021

April 8 vs. Magazine

4:00

April 12 @Lavaca

4:30

April 15 vs. Mansfield

4:00

April 19 @Westside Johnson Co 4:00 April 22 vs. Mountanisburg 4:00 April 23 vs. Mt Ida April 26-May 1 Conference Tournament @ Lavaca TBA

MARCH 2 TON MARCH 4-6 MENT MARCH 9 MARCH 12 MARCH 16 LAKE MARCH 18 MARCH 19 MARCH 30 APRIL 1

@LAKE HAMIL-

APRIL 2 APRIL 5 APRIL 6 APRIL 9 APRIL 13 APRIL 15 APRIL 16 APRIL 20 APRIL 23 APRIL 27 APRIL 30

MENA TOURNAHOPE @MALVERN @FOUNTAIN HORATIO BAUXITE @DEQUEEN MT. IDA

4:30

April 1 VS Westside JC

4:00

March 5 @ Hackett

4:30

April 5 @ Mountainburg

4:00

March 8 @ Dierks

4:30

April 8 VS Magazine

4:00

March 10 @ Cossatot

4:30

April 12 @ Lavaca

March 11 @ Waldron

4:30

March 12 @ Caddo

(479) 394-7257

GO EAGLES!

MILLER’S PAINT & BODY LLC (870) 387-5271

5594 Hwy 71 S - Cove AR

GO EAGLES!

LADYCAT SOFTBALL MARCH 12

@MALVERN

4:30

MENA HIGH TRACK

APRIL 16 VS FOUNTAIN LAKE 4:30

MARCH 16 @FOUNTAIN LAKE 4:30

APRIL 20 @BAUXITE

4:30

MARCH 18

VS BAUXITE

4:30

MARCH 30

@DEQUEEN

4:30

APRIL 23 VS DEQUEEN

4:30

APRIL 1

@NASHVILLE

4:30

APRIL27

4:30

APRIL2-3

@RIVER CITY

@NASHVILLE

APRIL 30 @ARKADELPHIA

4:30

MAY 5-9 REGIONAL

RUMBLE (VAN BURNEN)

TBA

APRIL6

VS ARKADELPHIA

4:30

APRIL 8 VS CENTERPOINT

4:30

MAY 13-15 STATE

APRIL 9

4:30

TOURNAMENT

TBA

4:30

MAY 21-22 STATE FINAL

TBA

@HOPE

APRIL 13 VS MALVERN

ACORN TIGER SOFTBALL March 2 @ Boonville

707 7th St., Mena, AR

NASHVILLE @WALDRON ARKADELPHIA @HOPE MALVERN @HORATIO FOUNTAIN LAKE @BAUXITE DEQUEEN @NASHVILLE @ARKADELPHIA

TOURNAMENT

TBA

MENA SOCCER MARCH 2 @ POTEAU

5/7PM

MARCH 18 DEQUEEN MARCH 30 MANSFIELD APRIL 8 WALDRON APRIL 27 CONFERENCE MEET (NASHVILLE) MAY 4 STATE MEET (NASHVILLE) MAY 15 MEET OF CHAMPIONS MENA JR. HIGH TRACK MARCH 1 MARCH 9 APRIL 1 APRIL 6 APRIL 22

BOONVILLE DEQUEEN MANSFIELD WALDRON CONFERENCE MEET (NASHVILLE)

MARCH 15 VS CENTERPOINT 5/7PM

APRIL 16 @ NASHVILLE

5/7PM

MARCH 5 VS ARKANSAS HIGH 5/7PM

MARCH 16 VS COSSATOT RIVER 5/7PM

APRIL 20 @ HOPE

5/7PM

4:30

MARCH 9 @ DANVILLE

APRIL 9 VS HOPE

5/7PM

APRIL 23 VS DEQUEEN

5/7PM

April 15 VS Mansfield

4:00

MARCH 11 VS HEAVENER 5/7PM

APRIL 13 @ DEQUEEN

5/7PM

APRIL 27 VS NASHVILLE

5/7PM

4:00

April 19 @ Westside JC

4:00

March 15 @ Magazine

4:00

April 22 VS Mountainburg 4:00

March 18 VS Lavaca

4:00

April 23 TBD Mount Ida

March 29 @ Mansfield

4:30

April 26-30

March 30 VS Dierks

4:30

District Tournament @ Lavaca TBA

5/7PM

MILLER’S PAINT & BODY LLC (870) 387-5271

4:00

GO BEARCATS!

5594 Hwy 71 S - Cove AR

GO BEARCATS!

707 7th St., Mena, AR

(479) 394-7257

GO BEARCATS!

GO EAGLES! MARCH 10 MARCH 12 MARCH 13 MARCH 13 MARCH 15 MARCH 16 MARCH 17 MARCH 19 MARCH 30

COSSATOT RIVER EAGLES SOFTBALL

VS ACORN 4:30 @ HACKETT 4:30 HAZEN@POYEN 2:30 @ POYEN 4:00 @ LAKE HAMILTON 4:30 VS CEDARVILLE 4:30 VS FOREMAN 5:00 @ PARIS 4:30 VS WALDRON 4:30

APRIL 1 APRIL 6 APRIL 8 APRIL 9 APRIL 12 APRIL 13 APRIL 16 APRIL 20 APRIL 22

@ DANVILLE 4:30 VS BOONVILLE 4:30 @ DIERKS 4:30 @ WALDRON 4:30 @ FOREMAN 5:00 VS DANVILLE 4:30 @ BOONVILLE 4:30 @ MURFREESBORO 4:30 VS DIERKS 4:30

COSSATOT RIVER EAGLES SOCCER

COSSATOT RIVER EAGLES BASEBALL

MARCH 11 @NASHVILLE GIRLS/BOYS 5:00 MARCH 16 @MENA GIRLS/BOYS 5:00 MARCH 18 VS SUBIACO ACADEMY BOYS 5:00 MARCH 30 VS DANVILLE GIRLS/BOYS 4:00 APRIL 1 VS BAPTIST PREP GIRLS/BOYS 5:00 APRIL 6 VS CENTERPOINT GIRLS/BOYS 5:00 APRIL 9 @CENT. ARK. CHR GIRLS/BOYS 5:00 APRIL 13 VS MAUMELLE CHARTER GIRLS/BOYS 5:00 APRIL 16 @GURDON BOYS 6:00 APRIL 20 VS HARMONY GROVE GIRLS/BOYS 5:00 MAY STATE TOURNAMENT TBA

MARCH 12 @HACKET 4:30 MARCH 16 VS. CEDARVILLE 4:30 MARCH 19 @PARIS 4:30 MARCH 24 @HORATIO 2:00 MARCH 26 VS MINERAL SPRINGS 1:00 MARCH 30 VS WALDRON 4:30 APRIL 1 @DANVILLE 4:30 APRIL 6 BOONVILLE 4:30 APRIL 9 @WALDRON 4:30 APRIL 13 DANVILLE 4:30 APRIL 16 @BOONVILLE 4:30 APRIL 28-MAY 1 CONF.TOURNEY@BOONVILLE TBA

14 Business

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

March 10, 2021

MHS Seniors Blake Castor and Emily Wagner were named recipients of the 2021 Governor's Scholastic Honor award at Monday night's ceremony at the Mena High School Performing Arts Center.

Scholastic Honors Day recognizes Arkansas' best and brightest high school Seniors. These Seniors are recognized by the governor for excellence in academic achievement. Mena High School selects the top ranked male and female from the Senior class as the Governor's Scholastic Honor recipients. Blake and Emily are recognized as 2021 Scholastic Honor Graduates.

Also during the evening's recognition and induction ceremony, the National Honor Society held it's induction ceremony for both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, the National English Honor Society held it's induction ceremony, and students received their academic letters and bars they have earned with their grade point averages.

MHS Seniors Blake Castor and Madison Blair were named recipients of the 2021 Arkansas Times Academic All-Stars award at Monday night's ceremony at the Mena High School Performing Arts Center.

The Arkansas Times recognizes outstanding students in the state. The students need to be well rounded, with the emphasis on academic achievement. The award each year goes to one male and one female student. Blake and Madison are now recognized as Mena High School's Academic All-Stars for the Class of 2021.

Also during the evening's recognition and induction ceremony, the National Honor Society held it's induction ceremony for both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, the National English Honor Society held it's induction ceremony, and students received their academic letters and bars they have earned with their grade point averages.

Polk County Tractor

Proud Polk County Dealer

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THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Community 15

March 10, 2021

Congratulations to Autumn Lockhart and Kaylee Noble. Both applied and were accepted to participate in this year's Girls of Promise Conference. Girls Austin Rose and Jarrett Burger placed 6th at the Arkansas Student Angler of Promise, an initiative of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, exposes girls Federation State Championship held on Lake DeGray on Sunday 3/7/21. to opportunities and mentors in STEAM fields. GOP has the goal of increasing the They will be back in action this coming weekend on Lake Degray and Lake Gree- number of women in higher-level STEAM courses, careers and putting them on the son. With the lead in the Arkansas Youth Fishing Federation points standings, path to achieving economic security as women. The Girls of Promise Conference Rose and Burger are hoping to finish strong and qualify for the High School Na- is open to 8th-grade girls who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math in Arkansas! Students will spend multiple days learning about various tional Championship.

This year the High School National Championship will be held on Lake Hartwell in STEAM careers, enhancing their skills, and meeting women mentors excelling in their fields. The conference will be held virtually, April 1 and 2.

South Carolina.

4154-Privacy, acreage and your own water!!

Old Artesian well with rock dome over the source is on this nearly 20 acres, county road on 2 sides makes it easy to pick your perfect place to build! Wooded property with pines and hardwoods backs to Weyerhaeuser Forest, loaded with deer and wildlife. This is the last private property before the forest on the road to Cossatot River Falls access and campgrounds, Road frontage to Polk 735 and Polk 13. More acreage available with timber and views. $90,000 LLC

Holly Springs Real Estate, 1114 A Highway 71 S, Mena, AR 71953 Tabitha Booher Sales Agent 479-234-1280

479-394-4200 hollyspringsrealestate.com 4094-Hunter, Fisherman, Farmer or Rancher this is your dream property!

45 acres of RIVER FRONTAGE FRON with A ROCK country home and a mobile home.

Stocked pond, hay fields, barns, cross fenced, wooded and half a mile of Ouachita River frontage with sandbars and easy access to the water. Located on the high side of the Ouachita River and could be easily subdivided. $350,000

16 School News

March 10, 2021

60 WOODED ACRES NEAR COVE, ARKANSAS

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Congratulations to Colten Quebedeaux from Acorn High School on being elected the 20212022 FCCLA District VI Vice President of Public Relations. Colten worked hard to prepare for this year's

District VI elections. He will travel to Hot Springs Junior Academy next year to help plan and execute all District VI events. He is the son of Jay & Barbara Quebedeaux.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education in public and private school through grade 12. FCCLA offers intra-curricular resources and opportunities for students to pursue careers that support families. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.

Close to Cove, AR this wooded 60 acres has a nice Creek running through the property. There's a small Farm House with a neat metal roof ready for you to create your own home/cabin to decorate and enjoy. There is deco some fencing on this old farm place that is now woods and ready for you to explore and love. There is a Barn with a side shed down the hill from the Farm House.

MLS #20038060

$190,000 Hershel Bell Executive Broker

479-243-5613

hbell.hollysprings@gmail.com

Holly Springs Real Estate, LLC 1114 A Highway 71 S, Mena, AR 71953

479-394-4200

hollyspringsrealestate.com

Acorn High School has been awarded a grant in the amount of $65,480.02 to start a Culinary Arts program in their Family Consumer Science department.

This new program of study will allow students to acquire skills and certifications that lead to gainful employment within the culinary industry. The grant was a partnership between Acorn High School and DeQueen/Mena Education Service Cooperative. Mindy Lyle, Acorn FACS teacher, collaborated with Stacey Southerland, DMESC Career and Technical Education Coordinator on the grant application process. "Career and Technical Education is a vital part of our school district. CTE allows students to have hands-on experience and earn certifications that can be used in many workplace settings. We are currently working with the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College to allow students who complete our culinary program of study to earn articulated credit which would be applied to a culinary program on their campus. I am extremely excited about this opportunity for our students", said Mrs. Lyle. A commercial remodel of the FACS classroom kitchens will begin this summer.

Pictured left to right: Dewayne Taylor (AHS principal), Jerry Strasner (ORSD Superintendent), Mindy Lyle (Acorn FACS), Stacey Southerland (DeQueen/Mena Educational Coop)

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

March 10, 2021

Community 17

Electric Utility Bill MDP presents free Disconnect Moratorium: training for downtown businesses

After review and consideration of comments, the Arkansas Public Service Commission finds that it is not in the public interest to lift the moratorium on past due electric accounts immediately but to announce a target date of May 3, 2021, to lift the moratorium on electric utility disconnections.

The Commission will continue to review all information relevant to a discontinuation of the moratorium and the status of the Governor's emergency order to determine if it remains in the public interest to lift the moratorium on May 3, 2021. On March 26, 2021, the Commission will issue an order either confirming the lifting of the moratorium on disconnections on May 3, 2021, or extending the moratorium.

This letter is an attempt by Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative to prevent an abrupt disconnection of your electric service in the event you have not reached a payment agreement with the cooperative when the appropriate time comes.

Furthermore, it would be in the best interest of the member who has a past due account to: Attempt to pay the balance through ARVAC or LIHEAP funds as they come available.

Find other available funding organization.

Utilize stimulus funds to erase delinquent balances or a portion thereof.

As of this date the anticipated plan is to allow the member who has an account with a past due balance of over 60 days to sign an agreement to make installments which will include the current bill in full plus a portion of the delinquent account.

We encourage you to call the offices listed below and keep track of the

scheduling for the funds in order to take advantage of available funding opportunities: Arkansas

Howard County:

Friends, Inc of Howard Co.

Phone: 870-845-1505

Salvation Army of Howard Co.

Phone: 870-845-0404

Southwest Ark. Development

Phone: 870-845-3586 Montgomery County: CADC

Phone: 501-603-0909 Polk County:

Salvation Army

Phone: 479-437-3110 ARVAC 479-394-4707

Ninth Street Ministries 479-394-2541 Sevier County:

Salvation Army

Phone: 870-642-3463 SADC

Phone: 870-773-5504 The goal of Rich Mountain Electric is to establish a path for the member who has endured a hardship through the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to receive electric power through one of the above options.

If you have questions feel free to call us at 479-394-4140 (Mena Office), 870-286-2012(Howard County), or toll free at 1-877-828-4074, and speak to one of our member service representatives.

Sincerely yours, Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative

In the past, the Main Street America annual conferences have been in large meeting venues in cities throughout the country. The 2021 Main Street Now Conference will be virtual because of Covid-19 restrictions. Main Street Now Conferences offer a variety of outstanding speakers dealing with various aspects of Main Street downtowns. For the first time ever, there will be a Small Business Day at the conference on April 13. This special education track will be filled with content tailored for small business owners—from live, interactive sessions with retail experts to a “happy hour” with fellow entrepreneurs.

In an effort to support as many small businesses as possible, Main Street America will be offering free one-day registration to all businesses located in Main Street America downtown districts. As Mena is part of the Arkansas Main Street Program as an Arkansas Downtown Network, Mena Downtown Partners president, Linda Ostman, advises that Mena downtown businesses qualify for this educational opportunity. It is necessary to register by March 22 to take advantage of this offer. Small Business registrants will receive limited conference access including the entire Small Business Day content on Tuesday, April 13 and special plenaries on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday sessions run from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM CDT. Small Business Day attendees can look forward to the following: Trusted insight specific to small businesses, including retailers, restaurants, salons and more; actionable strategies to grow and market your business, including free resources to lean on and learn from; supportive direction from industry retail experts, with several sessions led by Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, founder of Retail Minded; and engaging, interactive experiences that welcome attendees to bring their own perspectives while also learning from others.

The schedule at a glance: Virtual Roundtable: What Brick & Mortar Stores Need to Know About Being Online Small Business Marketing: Three Ways to Increase Customer Engagement for Physical Storefronts Shifting Your Business Model: Five Marketing Strategies to Reach Customers Despite the Challenges of Covic-19 Happy Hour Roundtable: Action Steps to Gaining Visibility & Sales in an increasingly Challenged Marketplace Plenary: Big Plans for the Future of Small Business And more!

For complete information on registering for this training, text either Linda Ostman at (469) 644-5761 or Judy Thompson (479) 216-7644. Remember the deadline for registering is March 22.

18 Police Reports

March 10, 2021

Report from complainant on Polk 194 near Ink of a dog being shot.

Deputy responded.

Arrested was Krystal M. Neer, 35, of Hatfield on two Warrants for Failure to Comply and a Hold for Other Agency.

270 near Acorn of problems involvMarch 7, 2021 ing property easements. Deputy re- Report from complainant on Ruby sponded.

Lane near Acorn of trespassers. DepReport from complainant on Polk uty responded.

117 near Acorn of a break-in and theft of tools and a stove in the Polk County Sheriff ’s Office March 1, 2021 Traffic stop on Hwy 71N near amount of $1,000.00. Deputy re- worked five vehicle accidents this Mena led to the arrest of Cheyenne sponded. week.

N. Smith, 26, of Mena, on Charges March 4, 2021 of Possession of a Controlled SubPolk County Detention Center Report of receiving bills on an Jail Population: 21 Incarcerated Instance, Driving on a Suspended Driver’s License, Fictitious Tags, unauthorized account. Deputy re- mates, with 14 Inmates currently on Possession of Meth or Cocaine with sponded. the Waiting List for a State Facility.

Purpose to Deliver, Possession of An incident involving the discovery Drug Paraphernalia, and Furnishing of suspicious items led to a juvenile male being issued a Juvenile CitaProhibited Articles.

Arrested was Terrina D. Williams, tion. Juvenile was released to the cus49, of Mena, on Charges of Posses- tody of a parent/guardian. sion of Meth or Cocaine, Possession March 5, 2021 of Schedule VI, and Possession of Report of a disturbance at a housFebruary 28, 2021 Drug Paraphernalia.

Arrested was Jody L. Carter, 36, ing authority near Hatfield led to A death investigation report was of Mena, on Charges of Possession the arrest of James D. Ralph III, 21, taken on Reine Street. of Meth or Cocaine, Possession of of Mena on a Charge of Disorderly A report of a disturbance was taken on 7 th Street.

Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Conduct.

Schedule VI, Theft by Receiving, five Report of a disturbance near a state A report of battery was taken on 11 Warrants for Failure to Appear, and a park led to the arrest of Adrian P. th Street.

Warrant for Possession of Drug Par- Fleming, 45, of Benton, AR on a Charge of Disorderly Conduct.

March 1, 2021 aphernalia.

Arrested was Michael L. Lance, 57, Report from complainant on Hwy A report of battery was taken at Liof Mena on a Warrant for Probation 71S near Hatfield of a possible break- metree Inn. A report of theft was taken from a Violation, and two Warrants for Fail- in. Deputy responded. walk-in complainant. ure to Comply.

March 6, 2021 A report of possession of schedule Report from complainant on Hill- 2 controlled substance, possession March 2, 2021 Report from complainant on Polk crest Lane near Acorn of a missing of drug paraphernalia, possession of schedule 6 controlled substance, 732 near Acorn of the unauthorized person. Deputy responded.

Traffic stop on Hwy 71S near Cove disorderly conduct, and driving on use of a vehicle. Deputy responded.

Report from complainant on Hwy led to the arrest of Miguel A. Nie- a suspended driver’s license was tak270 near Acorn of an argument be- to-Mendoza, 18, of Dequeen on a en after a traffic stop on Highway 88 tween neighbors. Deputy respond- Charge of Purchase, Possession of East. ed. Complainant refused to press Intoxicating Liquor by Minor.

Report from complainant on Hwy March 2, 2021 charges.

88E near Ink of a possible theft. Dep- No reports. uty responded. Information has been March 3, 2021 March 3, 2021 Report of an incident between fam- forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration A report of theft by receiving, posily members.

Report from complainant on Hwy of charges. session of drug paraphernalia, crimThe 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.

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG

MENA POLICE REPORTS

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

inal mischief, obstructing government operations, and theft was taken at the Executive Inn. Elizabeth Trusley, 27, was charged with charged with Public Intoxication after a complaint on Highway 71.

March 4, 2021 Elizabeth Trusley, 27, was charged with Theft of Vehicle, Fleeing in a Vehicle, Speeding, Disregarding Signs and Traffic Signals, Driving on a Suspended Drivers License, and Resisting Arrest after a complaint from a person at a doctors office on College Drive.

Eddie Clovis, 36, was charged with Breaking or Entering, and Theft of Property after a complaint at a residence on Cherry Street.

A theft report was taken at a residence on 7 th Street.

March 5, 2021 Russell Boyd, 25, was served with a warrant at the police department.

Clay Breeden, 41, was charged with Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and served with a warrant at a residence on 2 nd Street.

March 6, 2021 David Heard, 34, was served with five warrants after a traffic stop on Reine Street.

n

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Puzzles 19

March 10, 2021

03.10.21

03.10.21

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ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 03.03.21

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Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

Hello! My name is Dottie! I am a beautiful tan and white mix. I am an absolute sweetheart and delight! I am an easy-going happy dog who is gentle and eager to please. I am very affectionate and enjoy giving and receiving love. I am about a year old and weigh in at about 35 pounds. Celebrate my birthday in February (02/01/2020). I am good with other dogs. I am leash trained and enjoy being with people. However, HSO staff is not sure how I would do with cats. I do need to be kept on heartworm preventative to ensure my best health.

All selected Pet of the Week animals come with a gift package. This special starter pack for dogs includes a collar, bed, toy, clothing, and harness selection. All animals at the Humane Society of the Ouachitas are current on their vaccinations and spayed/neutered prior to adoption.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OUACHITAS TUES. THROUGH SAT. 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. 368 POLK 50, MENA, AR 479 3945682 WWW.HSOMENA.ORG

20 Classifieds

March 10, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS - SERVICES - EMPLOYMENT Land Clearing, Tree Service, RC Customz can handle your construction needs, mulching and more. Military discounts available. Insured. Call (479)216-2976 for Free estimate. T12302020

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also lite deliveries.

(870)490-1191 T120220 Mowing, weedeating, and hedge trimming- When you need an extra hand in Mena/Polk County call 479-234-0509. Please leave a message 070721

Recycle- Does anyone know where Polk County residents can recycle plastic? If so, please call 479-216-9675

Polk County Births

F.M. Dix Foundry is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced CNC Machine Operator.

Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available. Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment. .

Mena Regional Health System FEBRUARY 26, 2021 TO MARCH 05, 2021 Savannah & Shaun McCauley of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born Feb. 26th Jennifer Green of Booneville, Arkansas is the proud parent of a baby boy born Mar.1st Veronica Heath & William Hicks of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby boy born Mar. 2nd Karla Chavez & Jay Garrett of Dierks, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Mar. 2nd Courtney Willis & Logan Davis of Mena, Arkansas are the proud parents of a baby girl born Mar. 3rd

479-394-7301

1102 Crestwood Circle Mena, AR 71953

ATTEMPTED CAPITAL MURDER WARRANT SOUGHT FOLLOWING STATE POLICE PURSUIT A Faulkner County man was arrested last night (Wednesday, March 3rd) after fleeing from Arkansas State Police Wednesday morning. Joey James Staley, 38, is expected to be formally charged later today.

State police attempted to make a traffic stop about 7:30 AM yesterday south of Conway near Baker Willis Parkway and Sturgis Road. The driver of the sport utility vehicle did not pull over, but sped away leading to a police pursuit that ended in the Mayflower area along Sullivan Road.

During the pursuit, the driver, later identified as Staley, brandished a gun outside the driver’s window and is believed to have attempted to fire the weapon at the pursuing trooper.

Staley abandoned the SUV and fled on foot.

Last night about 7:30, state troopers, accompanied by Faulkner County Sheriff ’s Deputies, and U.S. Marshals, located Staley at a residence on Flag Pond Road west of Mayflower. Staley was arrested without incident and is being held at the Faulkner County Jail. Maumelle Police Officers had worked closely with troopers in a search for Staley earlier in the day.

State troopers are preparing an affidavit of arrest today seeking formal charges against Staley for attempted capital murder.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

SWEPCO offering additional extended payment agreements for Arkansas customers State sets May 3 for end of moratorium on disconnections The Arkansas moratorium for utility service disconnections for non-payment is scheduled to end May 3, 2021. Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) continues to work with customers who are struggling to pay electric bills during the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has proven to be a real hardship for many of our customers,” said Paul Pratt, SWEPCO director of Customer Services & Marketing. “If you are having trouble paying your electric bill, we urge you to contact us about setting up a payment agreement. Let’s work together to find a solution.”

Contact SWEPCO at: SWEPCO. com/Assist, Customer Solutions Center 877-446-7211, Facebook or Twitter SWEPCO has been offering multiple options for extended payment agreements and is now expanding those options to 18 months.

Before any customers are disconnected for non-payment, they will receive multiple notices and opportunities to enroll in extended payment agreements.

“Our goal is to help customers get back on track by finding payment arrangements that work for them to avoid disconnection of service,” Pratt said.

The Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) issued an order Feb. 8, 2021, setting May 3, 2021, as the date to lift the state moratorium on disconnections. The APSC also said it will issue an order on March 26, 2021, either confirming the May 3 date or extending the moratorium.

SWEPCO serves approximately 123,000 customers in 13 Arkansas counties.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

March 10, 2021

Women – 40 and Over Have you had your mammogram this year?

The UAMS Mobile MammoVan will provide on-site mammograms at the Polk County Health Department in Mena. This service is provided by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Who: Women age 40 and over that are due for a mammogram.

Date:May 19th 2021 Time: 9am Location: Polk County Health Department , 702 Hornbeck Avenue in Mena Contact: UAMS Mobile Mammography Call: 1-800-259-8794 * Mammograms are by appointment only. Please call the office to schedule. With or Without Insurance. Pre-registration is required.*Must be 40 and older

Around Town

Around Town 21

5 p.m. Tuesdays and at 8p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn Presbyterian Church in Mena. Meetings are each Thursday at the Crossing Church. For information call 479-234-8366 or from 10 am until noon and are open to anyone in the com479-216-3786 munity grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information call 479-234-3419.

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Monday, at 7 p.m. Thurday, at 7 p.m. Friday, and at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Ouachita Expressions Show at the the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Mena Art Gallery is open through April 24th. This Erica at 479-216-7249. multi-media show includes blown glass, fused glass, pine needle baskets, ceramics, wood, paintings, drawings, phoThe Mena Lioness Club is asking the com- tography, fabric arts, and an antique doll with hand-made munity to make donations to the Backpack dresses. Something for everyone, and the Gift Store is full.

Program, which sends food home with children during the school year. It cost $126 to sponsor one child for the year, It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which or $14 a month. To help assist the program and help a food will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply insecure child through this program, drop off donations at send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulseUnionBank, to the BackPack program or mail donations to news.com or call 479-243-9600 and let us know about your Mena Lioness Lions, PO Box 688, Mena AR 71953. event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuGriefShare is starting a new 13 week series at First ing to serve the community!

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 3 p.m. Sundays, at

The

Green House Cottages of Homewood

NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER

Reinventing The Nursing Home

LOCATED IN MENA CALL TODAY

(479)3377115 WWW.HOMEWOODGHC.COM

22 Education

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse Stilwell and the Spirits: the Story of Mena and The Depot March 10, 2021

Photo by Trey Youngdahl

By Trey Youngdahl It is well-known that there is an old train station at the heart of Mena. Both longtime citizens and visitors see it while passing through on Highway 71. What many don’t know is that without that train station, and of course a little help from otherworldly spirits, Mena might not exist today-at least not at the capacity that it does now. Our story starts with a young and ambitious businessman named Arthur Stilwell.

Arthur Stilwell was a man in New York who owned a printing business, where he would travel the country selling business and legal forms. His company found its biggest success when he started selling railway time-

tables that carried commercial advertising. Through his business endeavors he gained an interest in railroading and the railroad industry. In 1885, he moved to Kansas City, where he acquired railroads that eventually became the Kansas City Southern Railroad. His ultimate dream was to expand this railroad from Kansas City to the Gulf of Mexico, but unfortunately in 1893 an economic depression known as “The Panic of 1893” dried up his funds.

Stilwell was not stifled by this however; he then made his famous journey to the Netherlands, where he met a coffee merchant named Jan DeGoeijen, who agreed to invest in Stilwell’s dream.

Unbeknownst to his peers,

DEPOT continued on page 23

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

March 10, 2021

DEPOT continued from 22 however, this dream had supernatural influence.

Arthur Stillwell believed himself to be a medium of sorts, seeing visions and talking to spirits. These spirits, whom he affectionately called “brownies”, gave him directions on how to merge development in real estate with construction in the railroad industry to make him rich. He stated in an interview with The New York Times, "Every part of every route had been determined by spirits who have come to me in my dreams and told me what to do...They have never given me a false message." These spirits guided him to around 40 towns that he would found, including Port Arthur, Texas, Stilwell, Oklahoma, and eventually to our very own Mena, Arkansas, Mena getting its name from the wife of the previously mentioned Dutch coffee merchant Folmina Margaretha Janssen DeGeoijen.

Mena’s railroad boom-town

got medicare???

era began when the original train station was built in the summer of 1896. This provided hundreds of jobs to people who moved to Mena for the opportunities that the railroad afforded. Many Mena residents today can trace their roots back to their relatives coming here for the work. Because of our position, Mena was the central division point on the Kansas CityPort Arthur route. But the boomtown era died out when the division point was moved from Mena to Heavner, Oklahoma. It was also around this time that freight traffic would cease at the depot in Mena.

Hundreds of people lost their jobs because of this. After the division relocation, conditions of the former train station declined, causing complaints of poor accommodations and safety concerns. This led to the construction of the current depot in the fall of 1920. The depot stayed functional as a passenger station for just under 50 years, tak-

ing its last passenger on November 9th, 1969.

After the depot closed its doors, the old building fell into a state of disrepair. That is until around 1985 when a group of volunteer business owners and citizens started discussion of restoring the building. Kansas City Southern then deeded the building to the city of Mena, a commission was formed in 1986 and the station was rebuilt and reopened to the public in 1987. Now the depot serves as both the visitor’s center for Mena, as well as a museum for Mena history. Here, visitors can tour the old depot where the museum displays photos from throughout the decades, a Lum and Abner exhibit, and even a collection of art from Monta Black Philpot. Today, visitors near and far are welcome to visit the historic KCS Depot in the heart of Mena, Arkansas.

Education 23

The Fight is Back

The Defenders Boxing Club in Mena recently returned to action after being out of ring for over a year due to Covid. Lance Wolf fought in Conroe Texas coming up short in his 160 lb fight. Jesse Self faired a whole lot better in his 145 lb bout in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, bringing home the championship belt.

24

March 10, 2021

THE POLK COUNTY

THE POLK COUNTY WATCH

Across the towns of early America, during the Revolutionary War, civilian colonists independently organized a “first line of defense.” They were called “Minutemen,” and they did what they did for the love of country and community, and quite rightly for the fear that the freedom they had come to appreciate might well be taken away from them by a group of people who had no true love of America.

Today our nation is in the midst of a new struggle, and it is becoming as much physical as it is ideological. A new, very real battle is being fought to determine what type of society will emerge. While Congress and its lawmakers continue their debates on new national policies, many of the cities and towns of this nation are being plagued by a growing lawlessness and a vicious new righteousness in the name of parity.

Thievery, random robbery, arson, and senseless violence have become

far more prevalent across the country. The additional problem, exacerbated by all this, is fewer authorities. Police and fire forces are actually shrinking in some places, as many of the best personnel America has to offer are becoming disillusioned and overwhelmed, and are simply resigning their commissions.

Here in our area we are blessed with exceptional law enforcement, from the city police to the sheriff ’s department. (And our fire departments – city and rural – are simply remarkable). But even so, this overall growing situation can create holes in

the everyday safety net for communities, and law enforcement’s standard surveillance can suffer.

In many places, the good guys are being overwhelmed and mayhem is increasing.

In addition, as this situation grows, we are seeing a continuous migration of crime from the cities into surrounding rural areas, and this will, at some point, affect us directly. But there is some hope...

Let me introduce an old concept that is once again, rising to meet the challenge across America, as it did long ago. Not with muskets or swords this time, but with vigilance, dedication, and trusty cell phones – The “SIXTY SECOND SENTINEL…” Anyone can be a “Sentinel,” from teenagers to retirees. All it takes is a love of community and a belief in the dignity of service to your fellow man.

You too, can serve your neighborhood with pride – simply by paying attention to your surroundings at all times, networking with friends, family, and authorities, and continually watching for situations or individuals that seem questionable, or “out of place.” Observe, Analyze, and Report … But only if you feel a situation actually warrants it, do you contact the authorities.

I repeat … ‘You call the appropriate authorities!’ (Sheriff ’s Department, Police Department, or Fire Department).

It is not your responsibility to act on a situation, but to identify it!

To all Polk County citizens I say, rise to the occasion here! Serve your family and your community with pride! Become the eyes and ears of your neighborhood. Network with friends!

Maybe we can’t change the world, but with diligence and determination we can preserve our piece of it.

I AM THE EYES AND THE EARS OF MY COMMUNITY I AM THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR AN INTELLIGENT SOCIETY

Pulse

JOIN THE POLK COUNTY WATCH

I Continually Watch For Suspicious or Unlawful Activity I Immediately Notify The Authorities of “Unusual Situations” I Am A Sixty-Second Sentinel

*** Watch forthcoming issues of The Pulse for more information on The Polk County Watch.

A NOTE FROM THE SIXTY SECOND SENTINEL… Given the times we live in -- with the specter of life-threatening disease looming over all of us who come together in groups, large gatherings are just not in vogue right now. So, let’s treat this new community-protecting union, our “Polk County Watch” like a delicious rumor, or a wonderful new “empowering” perception... Let’s pass it on to our neighbors, call our friends and tell them about it, incorporate our parents and our children who are in this community. Let’s make this spread like wildfire! Let’s have T-shirts and ball caps with the “Polk County Watch” prominently displayed. Let’s have ProWatch bumper stickers everywhere.

We need to make Polk County the safest, most secure community in Arkansas, and in the process we’ll make Mena and the surrounding area the most damned uncomfortable place this side of hell for hoodlums, thieves, and hustlers!

All it takes is relatively good eyesight, a telephone/cell phone, and a continuous will to preserve your homeland…

Join The Polk County Watch Today… Let’s all become “Sixty Second Sentinels”.