May 6th paper sm

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FREE WEEKLY

May 6, 2015

THE POLK COUNTY

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

MyPulseNews.com . . . Your DAILY News Source!

Ladycats Claim 4A-7 District Title

Debate on New Jail Construction vs. Renovation Continues as May 12 Draws Near

BY MELANIE BUCK Citizens against the proposed jail tax are questioning the economic feasibility of the new construction of a $10.9 million facility vs. the former Mena Middle School building. Supporters of the idea believe retrofitting the vacant building at the north end of Mena Street to meet required state standards would be more cost-effective for the county than the new construction being sought by Polk County Sheriff Mike CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Polk County Set to Observe National Day of Prayer

BY MELANIE BUCK Thursday, May 7, marks the 64th annual National Day of Prayer where millions of people will gather to pray at thousands of events facilitated by volunteers. The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Mena Poised to Host its First AAA State Softball Tournament

The Mena Ladycats claimed the 4A-7 District Softball Title Monday evening, defeating Bauxite 2-1 and are now the No. 1 seed heading into the regional play-offs that will begin this Friday in Dumas. You can be a part of all the action and watch the Ladycats’ road to bring back the 4A-7 State Championship Title on MyPulseNews TV. Following Monday night’s victory, Pulse Sports Reporter Norm Betz caught up with Head Softball Coach Ray Hunter and willl have that full interview broadcasting Friday, May 8, on KENA-FM 104.1. [PHOTO BY NORM BETZ]

BY MELANIE BUCK Coach Ray Hunter and Mena High School are gearing up to host their first Arkansas AAA State Softball Tournament slated for play May 14-16. Coach Hunter said the school has bid on the tournament for the last two years and were finally able to win that bid this year. Hunter said that the AAA (Arkansas Activities Association) was attracted to Mena’s new facilities and had seen how Mena High had handled the regional tournament last year. The economic impact of such a tournament on a community can CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

1020 MENA ST. MENA, AR 71953 | SINCE 1939

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