Politics

As we approach the new academic school year, we want to extend our deepest appreciation to teachers across the state and wish them and our students a successful year. Classrooms are buzzing with excitement and we can’t wait to witness the progress our students will be making.

There will be several changes made to education over the course of the next few years due to the passage of the LEARNS Act. The legislation was the result of a joint effort between the Governor and members of the legislature. LEARNS stands for Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking, and School Safety.

While you have heard a great deal about the educational freedom accounts and the changes to teacher pay, we want to bring your attention this week to the literacy component of LEARNS.

Every child in Arkansas is capable of reading and writing proficiently, but today only 32.2% of 3rd grade students are reading at grade level.

One of the goals of LEARNS is to equip every K-3 classroom with materials aligned with the Science of Reading. Science of Reading refers to the decades of research in fields that point to effective strategies in teaching kids to read.

LEARNS also seeks to provide teachers with high-quality training material and to ensure every teaching candidate is trained in the Science of Reading.

Another component of the LEARNS Act requires the Arkansas Department of Education to recruit, train, and onboard at least 120 literacy specialists to provide direct coaching and professional learning to all K-3 teachers in D and F-rated schools.

The Department is in the initial stages of that recruitment process. The department is also working on guidance and resources for districts to implement individualized reading plans and readat-home plans for K-3 students who do not meet the reading standard. There will be opportunities for tutoring literacy grants for families of students in grades K-3 who are identified as at-risk readers. Families should anticipate information by Oct. 1.

While it may take time to fully implement all of the goals outlined in the LEARNS Act, we expect parents of elementary-age students to start seeing changes and progress this year.

You can read all of the objectives of the LEARNS Act at learns.ade.arkansas. gov.

Most of the bills that were approved by the legislature earlier this year became law on August 1.

Among the most important measures taking effect is the LEARNS Act, which raises teacher minimum salaries to $50,000 a year and makes sweeping changes in the public school finance formula.

LEARNS is an acronym that stands for Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking, School Safety.

Another important bill is Act 659, the Protect Arkansas Act, which lengthens prison sentences for violent offenders and requires prison inmates to work harder to qualify for parole. Making offenders serve longer sentences would bring Arkansas sentencing guidelines more in line with those used by federal prisons, where people convicted of federal crimes serve almost all of their sentence.

To more effectively implement Act 659, lawmakers approved funding in separate legislation for 3,000 more prison beds.

Act 584 creates a new felony of “death by delivery” for dealers who lace their illegal drugs with fentanyl, resulting in the death of users. The penalties range from 20 years to life.

Act 264 tightens up requirements for scrap metal dealers who must maintain records of buying recycled parts, such as catalytic converters. The bill also makes it a Class C felony to possess stolen converters. It will be illegal to buy or possess a catalytic converter if it has been removed from a car the person does not own.

gredients that go into Delta 8. Previously, it was sold in stores with no regulation of packaging or marketing. The act has been challenged by manufacturers and sellers of the product.

Another high-profile bill has been challenged in the courts. Act 372 gives parents more options to have offensive material relocated or removed from local libraries and school libraries.

After making an objection to the librarian and if necessary making an appeal to the library board, parents then can appeal to the county Quorum Court or City Council. Both are composed of people elected by voters.

Act 372 removes the current exemption that protects librarians from criminal prosecution. If librarians knowingly maintain material that is deemed obscene, they could be prosecuted.

Act 612 makes pornography websites liable for harm they cause to minors, and requires them to make reasonable efforts to require age verification. For example, they can require a digital ID before allowing viewers to access the site.

Act 689 would require social media sites to verify the age of users, and users under the age of 18 would need parental permission. Prosecutors could seek fines of $2,500 per violation against the social media companies.

Phone: (501) 609-9796

Fax: (501) 609-9887

Act 629 prohibits the sale of Delta 8 products, a marijuana product made legal by the passage of federal Farm Bill in 2018, which legalized hemp production. The law has a loophole that allows for extraction of the in-

Other new laws affect transgender people, and physicians who perform medical procedures to change genders. Act 274 allows medical malpractice lawsuits against physicians who perform gender transformation procedures on children, for up to 15 years after the minor turns 18. In most medical malpractice cases the limit is two years after the injury.

Act 777 clarifies that you don’t need a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Arkansas.

Governor Sanders declares August as Catfish Month

LITTLE ROCK, AR— On August 3, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined agriculture leaders and industry partners in declaring August as Arkansas Catfish Month. The proclamation highlights the state’s catfish industry and the value it contributes to industry stakeholders attended the event.

King Kat of Carlisle, Arkansas catered a catfish luncheon that also featured watermelons from Cave City and Hope.

Photographs from this event can be found at flic.kr/s/aHBqjAPRNR.

In her proclamation, it states taht Arkansas catfish farmers contributed $22.9 million to Arkansas’ agricultural economy in foodsize fish sales last year, a 5% increase over the previous year.

Two days prior, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with eleven of his colleagues, introduced a resolution that would establish August as National Catfish Month. The resolution recognizes the contribution of catfish to the American economy and commends catfish farmers and workers.

From the United States Congress

Investing in Arkansas aviation

In the 4th District, we are fortunate to have numerous small and medium-sized airfields that serve Arkansans and visitors from across the country, and we are home to a robust agricultural aviation industry. As such, Congress must make timely and strategic investments that will bolster our aviation capabilities.

benefit farmers, business owners, healthcare providers, and everyday folks through provisions that bolster aviation safety, economic growth, and local investments.

Arkansas’s economy.

“As the third-biggest catfish producer in the nation, our catfish farmers power the economy in communities across Arkansas,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “My administration will continue to support our great farmers – keeping our farming here and healthy for the next generation.”

“Catfish production in Arkansas is a great example of why agriculture is our state’s largest industry, with catfish consistently ranking in Arkansas’s top agricultural commodities,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Catfish month is a great time to recognize this industry and the dedicated producers who work hard to maintain Arkansas as a national leader in agriculture.”

Representatives from The Catfish Institute, Catfish Farmers of Arkansas, Catfish Promotion Board, Arkansas Farm Bureau, and other agriculture

Catfish resolution

“With Arkansas producing the thirdmost catfish in America, I’m proud to introduce this resolution recognizing August as National Catfish Month. We should celebrate this American classic that is important to both Arkansas and our country’s economy,” Senator Cotton said.

Senators Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), and Raphael Warnock (R-Georgia) co-sponsored the resolution.

The resolution regarding the nearly $2 billion industry can be read at https://www.cotton.senate.gov/imo/ media/doc/catfish_resolution.pdf

As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee and Aviation Subcommittee, I actively work to ensure this happens. A few weeks ago, the U.S. House passed historic, bipartisan legislation from the T&I Committee to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next five fiscal years. The “Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act” improves efficiency at the FAA, enhances passenger experience, encourages aviation innovation, and more.

I submitted two amendments to the bill that will strengthen data privacy and improve the safety of agricultural aircraft like crop dusters. I also supported provisions that make significant advancements to support the El Dorado, Hot Springs, Camden, Texarkana, and Mena Airports. The “Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act” affects more than just passengers and pilots. This legislation will

The bill authorizes funds to support the Essential Air Service (EAS) program in the next five years. This program ensures commercial air service from smaller regional airfields like Hot Springs Memorial Field and South Arkansas Regional Airport in El Dorado. This program serves much of the rural West, especially in areas where folks are often several hours away from the closest major airport. This program is essential to maintain air service and the economic activity that comes with it in rural communities that otherwise wouldn’t have the capabilities to engage in that industry.

Legislation like the “Supporting Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act” includes strategic and timely provisions to support General Aviation airports, like most airports in the 4th District. It also bolsters the safety of agricultural aviation aircraft, like crop dusters, which play an essential role in the success of our agriculture and aviation industries in the state and across the country. While the 4th District may not be home to what some may call a large or major airport hub, we can be a leader in the aviation industry, and legislation like this is a significant step in getting us there.

Carl Dwain

Wilson

Mr. Carl Dwain Wilson, age 91, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2023, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born May 8, 1932, in Hatfield, Arkansas, to parents, Nicodemus Harrison Lee Wilson and Violet Valentine Robinett Wilson.

Carl was a grader operator for the Polk County Road Department by profession. Mr. Wilson was known as an outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, riding the side by side to go to the deer lease, mowing the yard, spending time outdoors and playing with his dogs, Jack and Sassy. He loved playing checkers with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Carl is preceded in death by his parents, Nicodemus Harrison Lee Wilson and Violet Valentine Robinett Wilson; loving wife, Joyce A. Wilson; brother, R.B. Wilson, sister, Anna Marie Denton; and by his grandchild, Jason Scott Jewell.

He is survived by his daughters, Carla Myers and husband Thomas Dale, Sherri Jewell and Miles Kevin; grandchildren, Michael Dale Myers and wife Jessica, Jeremy Shane Jewell and wife Amy; great-grandchildren, Hunter Wayne Myers, Allie Sessler and Layla Sessler, Sophie Myers, Sawyer Myers, Samuel Myers, Maggie Myers, Maverick Myers, Kelby Shane Jewell, Kason Lane Jewell, Jason Kash Jewell, Sunee Younger, Sophie Younger, and Maddie Younger; brothers, Roger Wilson and wife Glenda, and Roy Lee Wilson and wife Marilyn.

Services for Mr. Wilson will be held, Friday, August 4, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Beasley-Wood Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Kevin Jewell and Brother Roy Wilson will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be general.

Pallbearers are Hunter Myers, Kelby Jewell, Kason Jewell, Kash Jewell, Nick Wilson, and Kendall Wilson.

Mary Faye Martin

Mrs. Mary Faye Martin, age 88, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2023, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was born February 17, 1935, in Fulton, Arkansas, to the late Damon Howard Norton and Clara Leona (Mitts) Norton.

Mary was a lady of many talents, most notably she was a member of the Quilt and Chat of Pine Ridge quilting group as well as a Master Gardener of Carroll County. She loved God and attended the Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Mena for many years. Mary was a very family-oriented woman, being a homemaker for her family as well as taking an interest in her family genealogy, working for over 30 years on learning about her lineage.

Mrs. Martin is preceded in death by her parents, Damon Howard Norton and Clara Leona (Mitts) Norton; husband, Tex Martin; son, Butch McMillen; and as well as by 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

She is survived by her sons, Gary McMillen and wife Elaine, Mike McMillen and wife Jennifer; daughter, Susie Cloran and husband Larry; grandchildren, Michelle McMillen, Brent McMillen, Misty Self and husband Brian; Brannen McMillen and wife Amanda, Shane McMillen, Adella McMillen, Justin McMillen and wife Amanda, Joshua McMillen, Shawnn Harvey and husband Nick, Damon McMillen; great-grandchildren, Lindy,

Landen, Desiree, Taylor, Kaiden, Jaycee, Korten, Codey, Grayson, Emily, and Tyler; brother, Bill Norton and wife Betty; sisters, Betty Vanderburg, Damona Bryant and husband Wayne; as well as by a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Services for Mrs. Martin will be held Monday, August 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at the Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Zach Johnson will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. There will be a visitation held prior to the service from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Faith Missionary Baptist Church. Cremation services for Mrs. Martin are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Alonzo Wayne Miller

Mr. Alonzo Wayne Miller, age 81, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2023, in Texarkana, Arkansas. He was born June 11, 1942, in Athens, Arkansas, to parents William Duncan Miller and Myrl V. Taylor Miller.

Wayne proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He was a farmer and rancher and owned and operated Miller’s Service Station in Cove for 20 plus years. He loved cutting hay, his horses and taking care of all his animals. He also loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting. Above all, family was the most important and he was always available at the drop of a hat if any of them needed anything, day or night. He was available for people in the community, no matter the need or problem, he always had a solution and was willing to help. Wayne was a pillar in the community and will be greatly missed.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, wife Flo Miller, brothers William Gene Miller, Robert Lee Miller. He is survived by his wife Susan Miller, sons Paul Miller, Lonnie Miller and wife Deanna; daughter Le-Ann Holmes and husband Robby; grandchildren Brooke Sanchez, Joseph Miller and wife Taylor, Harley Burgett, Gene Miller, J. T. Miller, Ashton Miller, Nick Holmes, Jared Holmes, and Caleb Holmes; great grandchildren Peyton Sanchez, Malakai Sanchez, Tristan Sanchez, Harper Miller, Brayden Burgett, Elijah Burgett, and Benjamin Burgett; brothers James Andrew Miller, Rickey Darrell Miller; sisters Patricia Gail Miller Cox, Linda Diane Miller Smith, Connie Louise Miller. And a host of nieces and nephews, other family members and friends. Services for Mr. Miller will be held, Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at Christ’s Church in Cove, Arkansas with Brother Victor Rowell officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Interment following at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cove. Visitation will be general.

Lynda

Kaye

Stewart

Lynda Kaye Stewart, age 75, of Mena, passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Mena Regional Hospital. She was born on February 24, 1948 to Guy Henry and Helen June Chancey Franklin in Hills Chapel south of Ozark, Arkansas. She was married to Larry Scott Stewart on May 28, 1966 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ozark, Arkansas by her father-in-law the Reverend Stephen Guice Stewart.

One of her favorite sayings was “This is my circus and these are my flying monkeys!”. Kaye loved the craziness of her large, noisy, active family. She would not have it any other way. Having grown up in a small country house with her five siblings, it was all she knew, and she embraced the chaotic beauty of life. She was a strong believer in the sanctity of home, and her greatest joy came from having her children and grandchildren by her side. Her back door was always open to the boys’ friends and the neighborhood kids. This resulted in dozens of “adopted” kids who still call her “mom”. When her youngest son graduated from high school, they had to change the locks because she had handed out so many keys! The one comment the family has repeatedly heard since her passing is “She treated me like family.”.

Upon moving to Mena in 1979, Kaye went to work at Plunkett Drug Store where she made lifelong friends. She then worked at The First Presbyterian Church in Mena as the church secretary. Kaye was very social and loved to help people in any way. When she was offered a job at Fare Finders Travel, she found her calling. Although Kaye rarely traveled, other than to Razorback games and to see her grandchildren, she enjoyed helping other people plan and go on their dream vacations! She loved hearing her customer’s stories and seeing pictures of their trips. She later purchased the business and for two and a half decades, she successfully owned and operated Fare Finders Travel Agency in the Old Mena Depot. She was also an original member of the Mena Advertising and Promotion Committee reflecting her commitment to community service and local development.

Kaye loved flowers and fresh garden vegetables. She had a remarkable green thumb. She was well known by the staff at Didier’s Nursery in Fort Smith! She could usually be found out in the yard tending to her many beautiful flower beds and gardens. Her ferns were legendary in Mena and were used at many weddings and funerals for decades until they were destroyed in the tornado.

Kaye was also known for her holiday decorations. Life-size stuffed dolls of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Easter bunnies, and witches appeared on her front porch with the approaching holidays. If she didn’t get them out on time, the neighborhood children would start asking where they were!

Kaye and Larry are lifelong members of the First Presbyterian Church. When their boys were young, they taught Sunday School to a group of rowdy middle schoolers who were “their kids.” They currently attend services at the First Christian Church in Mena.

Kaye’s strong relationship with the Lord showed in her serving heart. She loved God and others as well. She was a beacon of humility and kindness in her community, setting an example of selfless service for all those around her. When her mother-in-law Lillian was unable to live alone, Larry and Kaye built “the little house” next to theirs so Kaye could take care of “mom”. Her years as a caregiver to Lillian provided the family with many amusing stories!

The void left by Kaye’s departure is profound, but her memory continues to bloom in her flower beds and in the hearts of those she touched. Her life was a testament to love, service, and perseverance. As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate a life beautifully lived.

Kaye is preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Shirley Cross.

Kaye is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Larry Stewart of Mena, Arkansas; her two sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Jennifer Stewart of Midway, Utah and Brian and Tiffny Stewart of Conway, Arkansas; and one adopted son, Roger Bazan of Santa Cruz, Bolivia; one brother and sister-in-law, Ralph “Poke” and Patricia Franklin of Ozark, Arkansas; three sisters and two brother-in-laws, Donna and Charles Ray White of Ozark, Arkansas, Tuffy and Kenny Edwards of Pleasant View, Arkansas, and Fluffy Sory of Ozark, Arkansas; nine grandchildren, Seth Patrick Stewart of Midway, Utah, Brendon Jeffrey Stewart and Tess Kaitlyn Stewart both of Heber, Utah, Aidan Cross Dunagan Stewart and Ian Killian Franklin Stewart both of Midway, Utah, Sydney Alena Stewart, Zachary Aaron Stewart, Amelia Grace Stewart, and Jude Lyric Stewart all of Conway, Arkansas. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Church in Mena with Reverend Rob Williams officiating. A graveside service will follow at a later date at the Highland Cemetery in Ozark, Arkansas. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to St. Jude’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude. org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_ icid=header-btn-donate-now and The Hometown Hero Memorial Scholarship Fund at Mena High School at 1200 Dallas Avenue, Mena, Arkansas 71953.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Rose Marie (Haider) McLain, 80, passed away on Sunday, August 6, 2023, in Cove, Arkansas. She was born March 21, 1943, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to the late Frank Haider and Mary (Brandel) Haider.

Rose was the proud owner of McLain’s Drive-In in Hatfield, but in her later years, she worked at Wal-Mart as the door greeter for 20+ years. She had a passion for baking and enjoyed quilting, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was the friend and grandmother that never missed a birthday.

She was a member of St. Agness Catholic Church in Mena, Arkansas, the Secretary of the D.A.V. Auxiliary, Secretary and Chaplin of the American Legion, the Chaplin of the V.F.W, and a part of the E.H.C.

Rose is survived by her son, John McLain and wife Jessica; one daughter, Heidi Dixon, and husband Brian; one stepson Bill McLain and wife Darla; one sister, Frances McCreery; one sister at heart Carol Burns; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Hank McLain; sisters, Margaret and Katherine; and her brothers, Dennis, and Phillip.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Agness Catholic Church, on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. With Father Joseph Shantiraj officiating the Mass and Brother Ron Ladd leading the graveside. Inurnment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cove, Arkansas. Cremation is under the direction of Beasley Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Backpack

continued from page 1 store bags. She was once a recipient of this program when she was in school. She’s now the store manager at Shoe Sensation in Mena. She said, “This is the first year we’re doing the backpacks. I didn’t realize last year they were sending them home like that.”

Shoe Sensation also had a few backpack donations from individuals they included with the large boxes that were toted out to the bed of a pickup truck. Ashworth stated Nidec donated 283 of the backpacks and the rest were from what the store has collected throughout the summer.

Daniel Wood, controller at Nidec, said, “We felt like we needed to partner with the schools to give back. We’re a large employer in the community. We felt like this was something we could really do to give back and really impact the community. It’s for all the county schools. We’ve partnered with the Lionesses and Shoe Sensation.”

Wagner is also president of MLLC and the Backpack Program coordinator. She said, “When I took the chair position in 2021, I was ordering food for around 250 children. At the end of the school year in 2023 I was ordering for 310.”

According to feedingamerica. org/, in 2021, 3,460 (17.8%) of Polk County residents had food insecurity. The estimated eligibility among food insecure people in Polk County was 42% above the SNAP threshold and 58% below SNAP threshold of 130% poverty. Polk County’s annual food budget shortfall was estimated to be $2,023,000.

The site states: Food insecurity is defined by the United States De- partment of Agriculture as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is associated with numerous adverse social and health outcomes and is increasingly considered a critical public health issue. Key drivers of food insecurity include unemployment, poverty, and income shocks, which can prevent adequate access to food. Alternatively, multiple interventions have been shown to reduce food insecurity, including participation in food assistance programs and broader societal-level improvements in economic stability.

One can only surmise what the current numbers may be after the fallout following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The need for the backpacks was realized more this last year,” Wagner said, “as we had almost no middle and high school students taking home food items. We want to make sure that everyone that has a need is covered and want to be discreet as they need us to be.”

“The backpack makes it a little more covert and they can’t be bullied for it,” Ashworth said.

Wagner explained, “ The Mena Lioness Lions Club is the sponsor of the Polk County Backpack Program. Each week we send over 300 food insecure children home with food to get them through the weekend. Funding is made possible by donors, and our annual dinner and auction fundraiser. This year we will be having a tailgate party on September 28th and hope to see everyone there.”

It costs $150 to sponsor a child for an entire school year. That’s $16.67 for one month of backpack items for a food insecure child.

For anyone interested in sponsoring a child, you can contact any Mena Lioness member; drop off your donation at Union Bank; mail donations to Mena Lioness Lions, P.O. Box 688, Mena, AR 71953; search for Mena Lioness Lions Club on Paypal https://www.paypal.com/ fundraiser/charity/4112572/ or use the QR code below. You can also call

Wagner at 479-234-9222.

MLLC is also having a food party on Thursday, Aug. 10. It is a funnel party made possible by The Pack Shack. MLLC are partnering with volunteers from Mena FFA, Polk County 4-H and the Rotary Club of Polk County/Mena. Their goal is to prepare 15,000 meals for the backpacks in a 4-hour period. All of the meals will be staying in Polk County and sent home with the backpacks over the course of the next year.

“I think [the program] is amazing,” Ashworth said. “Even with it being in a backpack, as a high-schooler, I was very self-conscious and nervous. I didn’t really like it, even though it helped. I couldn’t imagine having to take it home in a [plastic] sack. I’m happy to help get the backpacks for them. I’m happy that we have a community that wants to get the backpacks for them.”

Kelli Lacefield, backup assistant manager at Shoe Sensation, agreed, adding, “This community is very charitable. They’ve donated a lot to us since we’ve opened, like with the Socks 4 Troops and veterans. I feel like if we do any more programs, we’ll keep donating and keep helping our community.”