Polk County Pulse - February 22, 2023

Hopper guilty of murder in the second degree

Hackers scamming area emails

By Ethan Nahté

Watch out for those odd emails requesting some form of monetary value from someone you know. It’s a sad world when we have to treat every form of communication as a potential threat, always on the defensive to protect oneself. Although it is nothing new, and both phone and internet scammers are common everyday occurrences, some residents of Polk County and surrounding areas have been hacked recently.

A person who has sent the Polk County Pulse several articles and information regarding events, and whom we have met on several occasions, is one of those victims. The hacker obviously studied the victim’s emails to some degree, including not only the victim’s name, but also the victim’s nickname commonly used when communicating with those who know her. They possibly studied the elder care facilities in the neighborhood to make the email seem more legit.

So as not to clue these crooks in and assist them in improving their methods, I’ll omit certain obvious elements about the fake email which were a big clue the gift card request was not actually from the victim. The request stated the victim was in a cottage (nursing home) and could not get out to buy a gift card for

See HACKERS continued on page 9

February 18-25

Honoring Thomas Earhart

Jerry L. Hopper pled guilty to murder in the second degree and was sentenced.

Access Medical Clinic was welcomed into the Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce membership on Wednesday, Feb. 15, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Access Medical Clinic is located at 1805 Hwy. 71 south in Mena. They are open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. each day. For more information, give them a call at 479-385-2826 or visit https:// www.myaccessmedicalclinic.com/mena/ . (Alexis James/Pulse)

The Department of Arkansas Heritage awarded $5000 to Polk County’s Quality of Life (QOL) to host programs celebrating Arkansas. QOL will partner with UARM to host the first program with well-known outdoor enthusiast, nature photographer, and author Tim Ernst on Saturday, March 11 at 1 p.m. in the Ouachita Center on the UARM campus. All are welcome to attend. To learn more about DAH, QOL, or Tim Ernst, please visit arkansasheritage.com, qoloutreach.org, or timernst.com.

(L-R) Director of Development Dr. Diann Gathright, QOL’s President Bethany Hughes, and Librarian Brenda Miner.

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Letter to the Editor:

In an article in USA Today (1-17-2023) were warnings about eating locally caught fish and the dangers of contamination of PFOA (Polyfluoroakyl) and PFOS (Perfluooctane Sulfonate) chemicals. These are “Forever Chemicals” that do not break down in the environment.

The most common usage of these chemicals was in non-stick cookware, scotch guard fabric protector, Gore-Tex rain wear, firefighting foam, textiles, paper, and water repellent applications.

Among some of the health hazards are cancer causing properties, high blood pressure, liver damage, decreased vaccine response in children, and increased cholesterol, according to the CDC. Studies show that approximately 98% of Americans have traces of these substances in their blood at present. Traces have even been found in Polar bears.

Research by the EPA of 500 fillet samples from 44 species of fish across the nation from 2013 to 2015 showed levels of PFAS 280 times higher than commercially farm raised USA fish. PFOS were the highest detected of the PFOA compounds found in the fish samples.

Michigan issues Eat Safe Fish guidelines due to contamination by PCBs, Mercury, and PFAS compounds. Go to the Arkansas Department of Health website and you will find advisories on Mercury found in fish on Lake Ouachita. There are 20 bodies of water in our state with advisories. No advisories I found in Arkansas advised against consumption of all fish but did suggest serving size and frequency of consumption in some waters for some fish. I found no mention of PFOA or PFOS in Arkansas contaminates in our fisheries. The main contaminant in our fisheries was Mercury, and it was naturally occurring in most cases.

With the information now available it may be wise to do some research on

your own and find if the areas you harvest fish from have any consumption warnings.

Oklahoma was not immune from advisories. My favorite lake is Broken Bow in Oklahoma and there was no advisory on sunfish or channel catfish. Bass species, walleye, flat head catfish, and crappie had advisories on the larger fish of those species but not the smaller. I suspect larger fish had consumed more toxic substances over time, and the cumulative effect rendered them suspect. My source was the Oklahoma Environmental Quality website for full details.

Sadly, there is no plan to remove the contaminants currently in our environment. Our best bet is to stop future additions or even worse, more dangerous chemicals.

It is not my intent to scare anyone, but rather to make you aware of potential dangers that may have you look closer at where you find the fish you consume. It is sad we have polluted our planet so badly that warnings are so abundant. Maybe time to get out that iron skillet grandma left you and catch a mess of fish from your farm pond.

As always, I thank you for a forum to express my thoughts, though we may not always agree.

With respect and kindest regards, Ronald Goss. retired, Mena

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Reflections from History and Faith: A father’s legacy

By Jeff Olson

I’ve heard it said, “There are no extraordinary men... just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.” I do believe the latter part of this statement to be true, because the annals of history are replete with examples which pay tribute to such men.

However, I also believe there are in fact extraordinary men, even great men who not only by their actions in extraordinary circumstances but by their virtue and character in the ordinary circumstances of life speak volumes to us by both word and example.

One of those is my subject here. There is no way I can do this man justice in just one column or even one book for that matter, but I will honor him here as best I can. Born Feb. 22, 1732, George Washington is known as the “Father of our country” and has been described as “First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

When he was leaving home to begin what would become a lifelong service to his country, the parting words of his mother, Mrs. Mary Washington, included: “Remember that God is our only sure trust. To Him, I commend you...My son, neglect not the duty of secret prayer.”

Washington would later say: “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.

Through his creation of a personal prayer book at age 20, his witnessed prayers at Valley Forge, and his many supplications to Almighty God as President on behalf of his beloved nation, Washington was indeed faithful in heeding his mother’s admonition.

This was never more revealing than in his “Earnest Prayer” as expressed in his Circular Letter Addressed to the Governors of all the States on Disbanding of the Army, June 14, 1783, from Newburgh, New York, as he sought retirement and

refuge from public service.

In it, Washington stated, “Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”

Washington continued, “I have thus freely declared what I wished to make known, before I surrendered up my public trust to those who committed it to me. The task is now accomplished. I now bid adieu to your Excellency, as the chief magistrate of your State, at the same time I bid a last farewell to the cares of office and all the employments of public life.”

When King George III heard that Washington would resign his commission to a powerless Congress (essentially refusing the opportunity to be a king), he told the painter Benjamin West: “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”

It has been said that Washington was less eloquent than [Thomas] Jefferson; less educated than [James] Madison; less experienced than [Benjamin] Franklin; and less talented than [Alexander] Hamilton. Yet, these men and many others looked to Washington for wisdom and leadership. They knew from his personal virtue and character that he could accept, exercise and relinquish power — all with assurance, humility and purpose guided

by religious principle and tempered by moral restraint rooted in his Christian faith.

There are four important ways George Washington contributed to our nation.

First, he was an ambassador and major in the French and Indian War.

Second, he was the commanding general of the Continental Army during the War of Independence.

Third, he presided over the

writing of our Constitution. And fourth, he served as our first president under the U.S. Constitution.

However, even beyond these most notable contributions to his country, there are less-known facets about him. Washington was a successful farmer and entrepreneur. He owned and operated an integrated farming operation in which his own innovation and designs constantly improved the efficiency of his operation and the quality of his products.

A part of his vision for America was a country of both freedom and prosperity, a republic driven by innovation, self-re-

liance, and the use of its own resources. George Washington didn’t just believe in these principles and help institutionalize them in his beloved country — he lived by them.

During America’s War of Independence, Washington’s character alone was crucial to holding the struggling United States together. It is told that during one of the War’s battles, at Mommouth, New Jersey, in June 1778, the American troops were on the brink of destruction when General Washington appeared on the field. Soldiers stopped and stared at the tall, stalwart figure as he spurred his horse up and down the line, halting the American retreat. The young Marquis de Lafayette would remember that sight for the remainder of his life, how Washington rode “all along the lines amid the shouts of the soldiers, cheering them by his voice and example and restoring to our standard the fortunes of the fight. I thought then, as now, that never had I beheld so superb a man.”

After Washington’s death, Reverend J.T. Kirkland said of him, “....no one could express, more fully, his sense of the Providence of God, and the dependence of man.”

Washington was, as biographer James Flexner called him, the “Indispensable Man” of the American founding. Another author described Washington as the quintessential American. Without George Washington, there probably would not be a United States of America as we’ve known and lived it.

General George Washington rallying his troops at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778. “Battle of Monmouth” by Emanuel Leutze, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

More than 70 bills have been signed into law since the 2023 Regular Session began and several more are now making their way to the Governor’s desk.

In the 6th week of the session, the House passed bills addressing mental health access, payment to our county jails, teacher retirement, and voter input on tax measures.

On Thursday, the House passed HB1181. This bill seeks to address a shortage of mental health professionals in the state by establishing the Counseling Compact in Arkansas. The compact allows professional counselors licensed and residing in compact member states to practice in other member states without the need for multiple licenses.

That same day the House passed SB 72. This bill requires the Division of Correction to begin paying reimbursements to county jails for holding state inmates from the day the inmate is sentenced. Currently, reimbursements can start after the division receives commitment orders.

Earlier this week, the House passed SB116. This bill would allow a classroom teacher that leaves active employment for a period of time and then returns back to employment, to purchase the gap years at actuarial cost with the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. The purpose of this bill is to encourage experienced teachers to return to the classroom.

The House also passed HB1027. This bill would require voter approval for any new

advertising and promotion tax or any increase of existing advertising and promotion tax. Currently, this tax can be levied by county quorum courts.

Other bills passing the House this week include the following:

HB1006-This bill states that an employer that covers abortions or travel expenses related to abortions for employees shall provide 12 weeks of paid maternity leave to eligible employees.

HB1334-This bill creates the Restroom Access Act. It requires retail establishments to allow access to employee restrooms for customers with certain medical conditions.

HB1325-This bill states that if a county board of election commissioners decides to hold early voting at an additional polling site, the hours the additional early voting polling site is open shall be the same hours as the county clerk’s designated early voting location.

HB1307-This bill authorizes the State Treasurer to divest certain investments if financial providers discriminate against energy companies, firearms entities, or otherwise refuse to deal based on environmental, social justice, and other governance-related factors.

The House will begin the 7th week of the session on Monday, February 20.

You can watch all committee meetings and House floor proceedings at arkansashouse. org.

Arkansas is changing the eligibility requirements for people who are enrolled in ARHOME, a category of Medicaid the program. Beginning next year they will have to work, volunteer in their community or continue their education in order to continue receiving benefits.

The state must first get approval from the federal government, which pays for 90 percent of the cost of ARHOME. The state pays 10 percent.

The governor and top officials at the state Department of Human Services expressed confidence that the federal government would approve the change. They also are confident that if the work requirement is challenged in federal court, it would be upheld.

This recent work requirement is different from one that was challenged and struck down in court in 2019. The previous requirement caused about 18,000 people to lose Medicaid coverage because they failed to work or seek employment.

The new work requirement will not drop people from the Medicaid rolls. Instead, people who do not work will be transferred to a different category of Medicaid with fewer benefits.

About 345,000 people are enrolled in ARHOME, which the legislature created with Act 530 of 2021. The program is for people with incomes below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which for an individual is less than $18,000 a year.

The state buys private health insurance for people in ARHOME. A focus is to improve the overall health of people who are particularly vulnerable, such as women with high risk pregnancies. Also, ARHOME has programs for residents of rural areas who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness, and young people who have been in foster care or juvenile detention.

The private insurance that ARHOME provides will cover the costs of mental health treatment and social services that traditional Medicaid does not cover. If someone enrolled in ARHOME is dropped for failure to work, he or she would still be covered by traditional Medicaid.

The fact that enrollees won’t completely lose Medicaid coverage makes the new work requirement distinct from the previous one. Also, it’s the reason state officials are confident the federal government will approve it, and why it would withstand a legal challenge.

ARHOME is one category within the state’s traditional Medicaid program, which provides coverage for more than a million Arkansas residents. Medicaid pays for long term care for senior citizens. It pays for residential care and community services for people with disabilities. It pays for doctor visits and hospital stays for low-income families.

The end of the Covid-19 pandemic will greatly affect Medicaid programs throughout the United States. During the pandemic, the state received extra Medicaid funding from the federal government, but at the same time the state was limited in its ability to remove people from its rolls.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services has already begun preparing for the expected official declaration of the end of the public health emergency. People enrolled in Medicaid should expect to receive letters asking them to submit updated information about their income, so that DHS can determine whether or not they remain eligible.

The family income threshold is higher for children than for adults. It can happen that parents are dropped from Medicaid because they get a job or a raise, but at the same time their children can remain eligible for ARKids First or other Medicaid programs.

John Maddox Terry Rice

Obituaries

Charlotte Jo Carter Coburn

Charlotte Jo Carter Coburn, age 81, passed away in her home, Sunday, February 12, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas. Mrs. Coburn was born November 18, 1941, to the late Henry and Jewell Carter in Brady, Texas.

Jo was a smart, fun-loving lady with a lot of spunk and quick wit. Patti Jones, of Mena, has been a close dear friend of Jo’s for 50 years. She has given us more insight into Jo’s life before we knew her. They met each other in a real estate office in Las Vegas where Jo was working in mortgages and loans. Patti and Jo became friends for life then. Jo moved to Las Vegas in the 1960’s where she lived for many years. She started her professional career as Secretary to the President of Nevada State Bank. She worked in the mortgage loan business for many years and opened a mortgage loan processing company when she moved to Austin, Texas. She also had a gift shop and plant care service in the metropolitan area.

In 2009, upon retiring, she moved to Mena, where Patti lived. She had fallen in love with this town by reading the Mena newspapers of Patti’s over the years and visiting. That same year, she met Douglas Coburn and they were married in the fall of that year. They were happily married for 13 years.

Jo was rather athletic and competitive in her younger years. She enjoyed golf, snow, and water skiing, plus ice and roller skating. She

also enjoyed reading and watching TC judge and detective shows from her recliner. Jo loved all animals and gave her favorite dogs, Jigger and Buttons loving care.

Jo had many wonderful neighbors and friends who helped with food and visits during her illness, the Alleys, Genungs, Lands and Floyds. Elite Home Health and Hospice were a God-send. We could not have managed this alone. Housekeeping help Charity and Mark Mabry and Angela Ferrill were super. Jo loved you all! Thank you so much.

Mrs. Coburn accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior when she was younger. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. Brother Vernon Payne will be conducting the service.

Mrs. Coburn is survived by her husband, Douglas Coburn, sister-inlaw, Lynnda Carter Mullin of Austin. Many nieces and nephews, plus her adopted Mena family, Bill and Becky Bell and family, Stephen and Jane Coburn, Clay and Erma Coburn of Monticello, Jimmy and Martha Ann Barrett of Dumas, and Steve and Mary Moore of Benton, plus a host of grands and great-grands.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Jewell Carter; sister, Sandra Brooks of Mena, and 3 brothers, H.C. Carter Jr., Travis Carter, and Marcus Dodson.

Mrs. Coburn’s service will be held at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Pallbearers will be Stephen Coburn, Bill Bell, Steve Moore, David Dodson, Chris Lee, and Beaux Vaughn. Honorary pallbearer will be Clay Coburn.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Mena City Council approves water-related amendments

By Ethan Nahté

Following the department head reports and the A&P committee report, new business began with Item A, a resolution authorizing financing from USDA for improvements to Mena Water Facilities. The City of Mena will be responsible for raising a portion of the costs with an issuance of its bonds in the principal amount of $6,610,000. Resolution 2371-23 passed. There was no additional discussion on Item A or on most of the following items.

Item B was to consider a resolution authorizing the purchase of a less-then-lethal weapon system for the Mena Police Department. The City of Mena was awarded a grant of $9,148.73 from a Department of Public Safety equipment grant to purchase Firestorm JPX Pepper Spray Guns. (Eds. According to the Firestorm website, the average retail price is $400-$500 a piece, depending on model.) Resolution No. 1461-23 passed.

Item C was to consider a resolution authorizing ratifying an amendment to the agreement with Hawkins-Weir Engineers, Inc. for the Iron Forks Water Treatment Plant improvements. Resolution No. 1462-23 passed.

Item D was to consider a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Hawkins-Weir Engineers, Inc. to address the following matters: DBE Davis-Bacon Act, and American Iron and Steel monitoring as required by the funding agencies USDA Rural Development and Natural Resources Division. Resolution No. 1463-23

passed.

Item E was to consider an ordinance permitting the city attorney of the City of Mena to conduct business with the City of Mena Advertising and Promotion Commission under certain circumstances, as authorized by Arkansas Code §14-42-107; and specifically prescribing the extent of this authority; declaring an emergency to exist; and for other purposes. Ordinance No. 2372-23 passed.

Item F was to consider an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 616 prescribing zoning regulations for the City of Mena to re-zone property located at 1607 Hamilton Ave. from an R-1 to an R-2 zone. (Eds. R-1 is predominantly a single-family residence, whereas R-2 is a multi-family residence ranging from medium-density to high-density housing.) Ordinance No. 237323 passed.

Item G was to consider an ordinance accepting E & J Estates as a dedicated lot-split/minor subdivision in the Power and Thayers Addition to the City of Mena… located at 209 Finks St. for Mark Callahan. Ordinance No. 2374-23 passed.

Item H was to consider an ordinance to provide the waiver of competition bidding in an exceptional situation; to utilize Fire Hydrant Repair and Service to rebuild certain fire hydrants; declaring an emergency to exist; and for other purposes. Ordinance No. 2375-23 passed.

Item I was discussion of an amendment to Ordinance No. 2136 — procedures for purchasing, sale or exchange of City property.

Ordinance 2376-23 passed.

Item J was to consider an ordinance to provide for the waiver of competitive bidding in an exceptional situation; to purchase three vehicles from Gentry Chevrolet, Inc. for the Mena-Polk County Senior Center; declaring an emergency to exist; and for other purposes. Ordinance 2377-23 passed. The vehicles, purchased with a grant, can be viewed on p.10 of this issue of the Polk County Pulse.

Item K was to consider quotes received for the 2023 Street Overlay Hot-Mix Program. Mayor Seth Smith said that at the previous day’s committee meeting, the lowest of three bids and the recommendation of the street committee was Tri-State Asphalt at $156 per ton. It was suggested by council member James L. Turner that the entry way to Tapley Park be added to the list of areas to lay asphalt. The recommendation to use Tri-State Asphalt was passed.

Item L was to consider interest quotes received for General Fund Sales Tax Checking Accounts. The City opened bids the at noon on Feb. 13. The highest percent was 3.5% from Chambers Bank, which was the recommendation of the finance committee at the Feb. 13 meeting. It’s a three-year commitment on a fluctuating percentage that can go as low as 1%. The current rate the City is being paid is .25%. Smith said the 3.5% interest will be on almost $5 million. The recommendation to use Chambers Bank was passed.

Item M was to amend the required signature on all Advertis-

ing and Promotion Commission accounts to remove Linda Rexroad and Terri Neugent and add Kacie Rose and Brooke Hines. The amendment was passed.

Item N, which Smith stated should’ve come before Item M, was to consider the re-appointment of Brooke Hines to the Mena Advertising and Promotion Commission for a four-year term to expire April 30, 2027. Her re-appointment was passed.

Item O was to consider the appointment of Alicia Farringer to the Mena Water Commission to fill the unexpired term of Debra Buschman — the remainder of an eight-year term to expire Feb. 13, 2024. Farringer’s appointment was passed. The meeting adjourned.

Does Polk County have a litter problem?

By Ethan Nahté

At the monthly Democratic Party of Polk County meeting held on Monday, Feb. 13, Cynthia Thanos-Wade informed the Polk County Pulse that the subject of Polk County’s litter problem was discussed. She said Don Marten brought up the subject and remarked it seems as though the problem has increased in the last three years. There seems to be less respect. Is there an element of anger? Hwy. 375 South is a particular problem.

The group discussed several items:

Adopting a piece of highway Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) states on idrivearkansas.com there are more than 100,000 acres of rightof-way to maintain along the state highway system, stretching almost 16,500 miles. For fiscal year202, ARDOT spent approximately $4.3 million picking up 46,854 cubic yards of litter. That’s equivalent to enough limestone to construct six Empire State Buildings plus a little extra.

Currently, more than 2,500 organizations have adopted a highway since 1987 in Arkansas. The program supplies trash bags, warning signs and safety, vests, helps with coordination of events, disposes of the litter and installs signs with an organization’s name for public recognition. Visit ardot.gov/programs and the first option is the Adopt-A-Highway link that has a very quick and simple form to request more information about the program.

State or county program assistance

There are state and federal programs and grants available to communities, cities, and nonprofit groups/organizations. Many are very specific on whether funds are to be used for water, roadways, forests and so forth.

A good starting place is https:// www.arkansaswater.org/23-uncategorised/204-for-groups/ which not only lists what they have to offer, but gives a good lists with links to several other sources such as the EPA, NRCS, USFS, AGFC and several others.

Keep Arkansas Beautiful

Keep Arkansas Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., is one of four state agencies that shares proceeds from

the Amendment 71 1/8-cent Conservation Tax. The 15 of the 1/8-cent tax provides KAB with an annual budget of approximately $869,000 according to the site.

Only 13 Arkansas communities are currently involved in the program. Despite the high-volume of tourism and the natural beauty of the Ouachita Mountains, there is no community affiliate in or immediately around the Polk County area. The most recent Great American Cleanup in Arkansas opened for registration on Feb. 13 for events that must occur between March 1 and May 31. Several events are already listed on their calendar. The KeepArkansasBeautiful.com/ site also has many links to other resources and grants.

The Talimena Scenic Drive Association did have their second annual Beautify the Byway last October, which we reported on once again. 21 volunteers collected approximately 34 bags of trash, cleaned signs, trimmed hedge, tended flower beds along the 54-mile drive over the course of just a few hours for one day. Last year’s contacts: Mena, pashaross@yahoo.com , Talihina, crimsreno@gmail.com

Cigarettes are litter

Cigarette butts are possibly the source of most litter thrown from vehicles or dropped on the ground, consistently making up 30%-40% of litter since the 1980s. They pose a wildfire threat, clog sewage, take years to break down, and release toxic chemicals such as arsenic and lead into the soil and waterways.

Community service

A representative of the Arkansas Division of Community and Correction’s Probation and Parole office in Mena stated, “Our community service [adults] does pick up litter… but not on a regular schedule.” Their community service program is more designed around allowing parolees to get caught up on their probation and parole fees. They pick up litter every other week or so.

Comprehensive Juvenile Services does have the juveniles pick up litter alongside the roads, as well. At least once a month or more, they can be seen alongside highways such as 8 East with a car nearby supervising and transporting them.

As mentioned in an article about graffiti in the Oct. 12, 2022, issue of the Pulse,

juveniles are prosecuted differently than adults and do not face the same penalties. Many times, instead of incarceration, some form of community service may be the sentence handed down by the judge.

The above information is not a comprehensive list, by far, but it is a good start.

Other groups, such as the state’s oldest and largest non-profit conservation group Arkansas Wildlife Federation, have helped pick up litter in various areas of the state. Once, in 2013, the organization, along with the help of the Little Rock Air Force Base, and students from Arkansas Tech University and University of the Ozarks picked up two dumpsters totaling 70 yards of garbage and 263 tires from all sizes of vehicles and trailers. Both Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Regional Recycling and Waste Reduction District (RRWRD) were helpful to the organization in safely disposing of it all.

The Polk County Master Gardeners recently started a program to nominate Yard of the Month (see Polk County Pulse, Feb. 15, 2023), which is not only an initiative to get people planting flower gardens and other types of gardens, but to get Polk County residents to take some pride in their community and yards by cleaning them up and beautifying properties.

The issue isn’t just an eyesore, but it is a chain effect, which poses health and environmental risks to people, animals, water, soil and plants.

Thanos-Wade said, “[Democratic Party of Polk County] as a group would be willing to get out and help. We are lovingly calling this ‘Mr. Don’s Initiative’.”

The organization’s Steve Allen planned

to contact Sen. Terry Rice in hopes to mention specific areas to Teague as well and perhaps get out the word to clean up the town.

Allen said, “So, what I have right now is Highway 71S, from Mena and going through Hatfield, Cove, Wickes, and Grannis. I have Northbound 71 as well. I have noticed rest areas on that side look fairly decent but they have trash containers. So maybe asking if we can have some community/county trash receptacles every ‘x’ number of miles. Are there any other areas I should mention? I’m thinking with Larry we should stick to more major routes but I’m open to ideas.”

Marten planned on bringing up the problem at the next Mena City Council meeting.

Thanos-Wade will be following up an email to Rep. John Maddox, hoping this could be a non-partisan way we can all work together and discovering how he can help.

The community should not rely on one organization to do it all. Each person and organization that does their part in preventing or cleaning up litter does help. Sign-up now for the Keep Arkansas Beautiful event that is beginning in March. Look into the other projects mentioned in the article.

If you see someone littering, call the hotline at 1-866-811-1222. You will be asked to provide the date, time and location. Also, the make, model, color of the vehicle and license plate of the vehicle. Take note of the item littered and which side of the road.

In the words of Aldo Leopold, considered by many as the father of wildlife ecology and the United States’ wilderness system, “When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

A volunteer cleans a sign during the Talimena Scenic Drive Association’s clean-up last fall.

HACKERS

continued from page 1 a friend’s birthday. During my nearly two years of corresponding with the real person, the email request did not sound like something she would ask me to do.

Instead of responding and interacting with the hacker, I had the victim’s phone number and was able to call and confirm the scam, letting her and her husband know she had been hacked.

Fortunately, the couple were already aware of the issue. Never assume someone you know is aware they have been hacked. Inform them just in case.

Victims of email hacks or the hijacking of phone numbers happens to people of all ages, races, etc. Some people lose their entire life savings. The Federal Trade Commission has very good advice on their site on how to avoid scams, ways to attempt preventing unwanted calls, texts and emails, identity theft and more. Visit consumer.ftc.gov/ to get started.

The same goes for those who get scammed: trying to help a friend in need of money, bailing a friend/relative out of jail, pay an imaginary overdue bill, pay a parking/speeding ticket so they won’t be arrested. The Expert Insights website reported in an article by Caitlin Jones on Jan. 27 that the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported a 34% increase in 2022 compared to 2021 with 323, 972 victims.

According to USA.gov, an official website of the United States government, “With so many kinds of scams, it’s hard to figure out where to report each type. Gather emails, receipts, and phone numbers so you’re prepared to complete your report. Start by reporting the scam to your state consumer protection office at https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer/ . If you lost money or other possessions in a scam, report it to your local police too.”

The link above will have a drop-down menu to select your state or territory. If you choose “Arkansas,” for instance, there are contacts for the state attorney

general’s office, banking, utilities and more.

Federal contacts

The site goes on to say, “You can report scams to the federal government. Your report may keep others from experiencing a scam. Government agencies use reports of scams to track scam patterns. They may even take legal action against a company or industry based on the reports. However, agencies don’t follow up after you report, and can’t recover lost money.

“Do not use the contact information included in scam messages. Use verified contact information in USA.gov’s federal agency directory to report other government imposters.”

The federal agency list is quite lengthy but broken down into very specific organizations and administrations.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports.  Report the scam to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-3824357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET).

The most common scams:

• Phone calls

• Emails

• Computer support scams

• Fake checks

• Demands to send money (e.g., check, wire scams, gift cards)

• Student loan or scholarship

• Prize, grants and sweepstakes offers

The FTC also collects reports of identity theft. Report identity theft online at  IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET).

Other scams the site recommends reporting:

• Disaster and emergency calls

• Social security or IRS imposters

• Online and international scams (e.g., fake websites, malware, emails, etc.)

Report fake websites, emails, mal-

ware, and other internet scams to the  Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Some online scams start outside the United States. If you have been affected by an international scam, report it through  econsumer.gov. Your report helps international consumer protection offices spot trends and prevent scams.

More scams

There are other subjects the site discusses, including reporting identity theft, scams to third parties and who to contact for suspected tax fraud.

Scammers don’t rely simply on technology either. It’s not uncommon for people to arrive at your front door trying to sell life or health insurance.

Some con people into improving things around the property such as the driveway, roofing or siding, taking the victim’s money up front and either never doing the job or doing such a poor job it takes a lot more money to repair

the damaged property.

There are many other ways that con artists, scammers and hackers come up with on a regular basis. Do your research before committing to anything that seems to be too good of a bargain. Remember that the IRS, police and such offices will not contact you over the phone to demand money. If a phone call or email from a friend or family member seems fishy, don’t take the bait.

Make sure to not only report scams and hacks to authorities, but let your friends, family and social media contacts know so they can be aware. Many scam attempts happen in a large volume, with the thieves trying to hit as many people as they can in the shortest amount of time possible.

If you do get scammed, don’t be embarrassed. Contact the authorities at the very least so you can hopefully rectify the situation and perhaps even get your money back. Staying silent does no one but the scammer any good.

Senior center receives new vehicles

Mayor Seth Smith and City Clerk/ Treasurer Kacie Rose presented the Mena/Polk County Senior Center with three new vehicles Thursday morning. The vehicles will be used by the Senior Center for their Meals On Wheels program.

AEDC awards grants to support wildlife education, improve school conservation programs

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (February 14, 2023) - The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Division of Rural Services has awarded grants totaling $645,493.22 to promote wildlife education and improve school conservation programs to 206 schools, school districts, and conservation districts in 68 Arkansas counties. These grants are funded by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission through fines collected from hunting and fishing violations. Only money collected in the county where the violation occurred may be used as grant funds for that county.

“Contrary to what some Arkansans may think, the AGFC never sees a single penny from citations our officers write,” AGFC Director Austin Booth said. “Instead, that money is invested in the children of that county to help instill that love of the outdoors that makes Arkansans unique.”

All schools in the state are eligible to participate in the program. The funding has helped schools create and maintain archery, fishing, and competitive shooting sports programs. Schools also have used the money to help improve wildlife education by purchasing educational materials, materials for the creation of indoor and outdoor habitats, lab supplies, and field trips to AGFC nature and education centers. Conservation districts have used the funding to help promote wildlife conservation awareness in the communities by hosting environmental education days and fishing derbies for children of all ages.

“As Arkansans, we are fortunate to live in a state with abundant wildlife and outdoor recreational opportunities,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic

Development Commission. “Supporting programs that enhance education and outdoor activities for students is an important investment in the future of our state.”

Outdoor education plays a vital role in understanding the need for conservation and participation in the outdoors, according to AGFC Chief of Education Tabbi Kinion.

“The AGFC is happy to partner with Rural Services on this program,” Kinion said. “Thousands of Arkansas students will be outdoors or having hands-on experiences in nature centers, learning and perfecting skills. These grants offer the opportunity to learn about wildlife habitat and conservation as part of the Arkansas school experience.”

Recipients from Polk and surrounding counties include:

• Caddo Hills High School$1,163.06 x 2

• Cossatot River High School$2.996.40

• Cossatot County Conservation District - $6,942.22

• De Queen High School -$3,000.

• Dierks High School - $1,184.07

• Mena Middle School - $203.52

• Mine Creek Conservation District - $1,184.07

• Mineral Springs High School$1184.06

• Mount Ida High School$1,163.05

• Ode Maddox Elementary School - 1,000.00

For more information, including a complete list of  2023 Game and Fish Wildlife Grant Award recipients and program narratives, visit  https://www. arkansasedc.com/Rural-Services/division/grants/wildlife-education-grant

Mayor Smith with assistance from the Western Arkansas Planning & Development District secured the vehicles through a grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

(L-R)Trena Looney, Senior Center Executive Director; Jennifer Rogers, Senior Center Office Manager; Seth Smith, Mena Mayor, and Kacie Rose, Mena City Clerk/Treasurer. (Submitted photo)

Woodworking Artist of the Year gallery opening at Forest Heritage Center

BROKEN BOW, OK, March 5 —

The work of some of the nation’s top wood artists will be on display during the 2023 Woodworking Artist of the Year gallery, located at the Forest Heritage Center in the heart of Beavers Bend State Park.

The 2023 Woodworking Artist of the Year will be named at the opening reception which will take place on March 5, at 1 p.m., a free event open to the public.

Graduates from the Beginning Woodturning program will also be recognized at the gallery opening and have their pieces on display. Beginning Woodturning is a grant-funded curriculum hosted at local high schools for youth and adult learners in partnership with Southeast Oklahoma Woodwork-

ers.

As the “Wood Art Capital of Oklahoma,” the Forest Heritage Center has the honor of hosting the gallery with exquisite pieces from

across the country.

Artists will compete in this year’s show with a diverse array of techniques including marquetry, furniture making, woodturning, carving, and sculpture.

The featured non-competing showpiece for this year’s exhibit is a life-size, fully operational wooden motorcycle and side car, crafted by Darrell Whisenhunt. Many wood artists select their material from Oklahoma’s diverse array of native

woods, choosing to harvest timber or knots and burls that are otherwise unsuitable for construction, adding immense value to Oklahoma’s already booming forest industry.

The Woodworking Artist of the Year exhibit will be open free to the public from March 5–May 7 at the Forest Heritage Center. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1– 4 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information call 580494-6497 or email fhc@ag.ok.gov

This exhibit is made possible by the Oklahoma Arts Council, Forest Heritage Center, Oklahoma Forestry Services, Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department.

Darrell Whisenhunt’s wooden motorcycle on display at Lum & Abner Music & Arts Festival 2022. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

By Richie Lawry

As I walked up to the beautiful antebellum mansion hidden behind lush old trees, I was impressed by its size and presence. I was in Natchez, Mississippi, with my wife and my sister, and it was the third historic home we had visited that day. The exotic oriental design of the house, with its octagonal shape and the Byzantine onion-shaped dome, was unlike any of the other homes we had seen. It seemed out of place in the southern United States. Each of the antebellum mansions in Natchez has a story to tell. Wealthy men wanted to show off their wealth and make sure they were noticed by Natchez society. The Natchez homes were town homes, as most of the homeowners’ wealth came from operation cotton plantations across the Mississippi River in Louisiana. The finest things that the world had to offer adorned these opulent homes. Marble and mirrors from Italy, carpets and china from France, clocks from Switzerland, and furniture from the finest furniture makers in the eastern United States were used in these luxurious houses.

Haller Nutt was one of the wealthiest citizens of Natchez. He was born on a plantation, and after attending the University of Virginia, he returned home to help his father run the family’s plantations. Nutt inherited and purchased several plantations. By 1860, he owned 43,000 acres of land and 800 enslaved people. It was Nutt’s oriental-style octagonal mansion that stood before me, gleaming in the sunlight.

As we toured Nutt’s home, that he called Longwood, our guide told us the story of the house. The tour started on the basement floor. One of the first things I noticed was how low the ceilings were compared to the other homes we had toured. The other grand homes we toured had ceilings from 12 to 19 feet tall. But here in Longwood, the rooms had 9-foot ceilings. Our guide explained that these basement rooms were never intended to be the living spaces for the family. Those rooms had 14-foot ceilings.

Unfortunately, the family never lived in those rooms. Our guide continued with the story of Longwood. Nutt hired Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan for his ambitious project. Sloan brought 200 artisans from Pennsylvania to Natchez and began work

An Arkie’s Faith Longwood unfinished

bers lived in the basement rooms of Longwood for the next 100 years, there were so many dreams about what could have been. I wondered how often they went to the upper floors and looked at the tools and materials left there. As I looked around at the unfinished rooms, I thought about the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew

6:19-21 (NLT)

Here Jesus tells us not to place too much value on the things of this world. If you treasure them as essential things in your life, one day, you will find yourself very disappointed when they are devalued, destroyed, or stolen.

Is Jesus telling us that we should not have any possessions here? Of course not. But he tells us that earthly treasures are subject to being eaten, rusted, or stolen. Treasures in heaven are secure. They will remain.

in 1860. Producing over 1 million bricks on site, the structure of Longwood started to rise to impressive heights. When the structure of the six-story building was complete, the artisans began finishing the inside, starting with the basement.

When the Civil War broke out, the artisans from Pennsylvania didn’t want to be in Mississippi. So, they dropped everything and made their way home. Work on Longwood came to a halt. Sensing that things would never be the same and unsure of the future, Nutt was able to finish the basement rooms with slave labor and moved his family into them. He hoped to finish Longwood when he could, but that never happened.

Nutt suffered substantial financial losses during the Civil War. Both armies helped themselves to whatever he had stored and destroyed his cotton. His cash flow problems led to the foreclosure of his Louisiana plantations. He died from pneumonia in

1864, but his family said he died of a broken heart as his empire crumbled around him and his wealth vanished. The family was able to retain Longwood for the next 100 years, but no more work was ever done to complete the remaining floors.

After we had toured the rooms in the basement, our guide took us up to the unfinished first floor, where four 34-foot by 20-foot spaces surrounded a central rotunda. When you look up from the center of the first floor, you can see the cupola on the sixth floor. The rotunda was designed to have a system of mirrors inside the cupola to reflect sunlight into the many rooms below. The shape of the cupola was designed to pull hot air upward toward the top of the cupola, creating an updraft to draw fresh air through the lower floors. The design and engineering of Longwood were very progressive, but sadly, it was never completed.

I can only imagine that as family mem-

We understand what treasures are here on earth, but what did Jesus mean by “treasures in heaven”? Many preachers have used this verse to explain why I should give my money to the church. While that might be part of it, I’m confident that is not what Jesus had in mind. He wants us to use our time, energy, and finances to pursue those things that are of eternal value — those things that will have value in heaven, not on earth.

Gentle Reader, treasures in heaven are things of worth in the kingdom of heaven, such as justice and respect for the dignity of every person. Jesus implies that we should invest our money in activities that transform the world, instead of accumulating earthly treasures.

The Bible says, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth.” Colossians 3:2 (NKJV)

Fortunes are made and lost. Mansions deteriorate, or like Longwood, are never finished, “But the word of the Lord endures forever.” 1 Peter 1:25 (NKJV)

I don’t understand people who have trouble sleeping. I can do it with my eyes closed.

Haller Nutt’s unfinished mansion Longwood. (Photo by Richie Lawry)

Financial concerns raised after opening of Sevier’s new hospital

By Patrick Massey

Sevier County’s new hospital and its finances dominated the discussion during the February meeting of the Sevier County Quorum Court.

Officials with the Sevier County Medical Center approached justices of the peace with a plan to fund the hospital over the next several months until it is able to bill insurance and receive reimbursement for services through Medicare and Medicaid. Right now, the hospital is unable to bill these healthcare providers and is, in effect, providing medical services at little to no cost. That means the hospital is currently operating without any meaningful income.

“When it comes to a critical access hospital, or an acute care hospital, which is technically what we are right now, and when we’re brand new, we have nothing,” said Dr. Steve Cole, chancellor of

UA Cossatot and the chair of the Sevier County Medical Center Board of Governors. “The only thing we have is sales tax revenue. Our monthly expenses run close to a million dollars. That’s not a surprise to us. We’re open, we’re saving lives

already, but we’re not making any money. We have no income right now.”

Hospital officials estimate it could take around five years before the hospital nears complete solvency and is able to meet expenses through its own revenue.

The current financial situation is one Cole and other hospital officials have discussed openly and officially over the last two years. The revenue gap, Cole said, will be apparent until the hospital can show a certain level of in-patient stays. Currently the hospital is approximately halfway towards reaching that goal. In total, the Sevier County Medical Center has seen over 300 patients since its opening on Jan. 23.

Once that threshold is met, the hospital can become eligible for reimbursement for its services and bill insurance providers. In the meantime Cole said the hospital must fill the revenue gap by securing a line of credit.

“As early as two years ago we were talking that we are under no illusions and we will need, at some point when we start this hospital, some type of assistance in

See MEDICAL continued on page 21

(Photo by Bartek Recon)

Thomas Earhart

Article and photos by Ethan Nahté

The VFW and VFW Auxiliary paid tribute to Sgt. Thomas Earhart on Sunday, Feb. 19. Earhart, who turned 100 in October 2022, and 60 others had a steak dinner and cake, honoring his birthday and his military service in the Army Air Corps, Dec. 1943-Dec. 1945.

Earhart was given a handmade wooden plaque created by James Scott, another plaque presented by VFW District 9 Commander Ron Cloud, and an original Quilt of Valor created by Johnston’s Quilt of Valor out of Benton.

A second quilt was presented to retired USAF Senior Master Sgt. Linda Johnson. Earhart seemed pleased as he celebrated with his family and friends.

(More photos will appear in a Pulse Facebook album.)

Article and photos by Ethan Nahté

Stephen Moody, welding instructor for UA Rich Mountain and a group of UARM co-ed students hosted female students from some of the local school districts on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the classroom located at the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport.

Moody said, “We had three dif ferent groups of young ladies. They’re here to try out welding. We’ve made a little deal for them to weld on they can take home with them and say, ‘This is my first weld.’”

WELSCO, Inc. is the largest industrial gas and welding supply distrib utor in the U.S. that is woman-owned. Welder Makayla Hernandez and Tag Green, a process specialist and certified welding inspector (CWI) were in attendance representing WELSCO. Hernandez came to speak to the girls about welding and what it has done for her life. They showed some welding examples, as well.

Airgas, another company that supplies gases, welding and industrial equipment, contributed stick welding gloves to fit females, 60 pairs of safety glasses and 5-pounds of stain less welding wire. An Airgas representa tive was unavailable to be in attendance.

The students were given stainless-steel pieces and welded them at a 90-degree angle. When finished, it’s a heavy-duty phone stand that allows the charging cord fit through a hole.

Kristen Dobbs, a student at Oden High School, tried welding for the first time. “It was good.” Unlike a few of the students, Dobbs said she wasn’t really intimidated about giving welding a shot. Once she discovered what she was mak ing, she smiled and responded, “That’s cool. I could really use that.” Dobbs said she liked it enough she might consider taking courses in welding, adding that she believed her dad used to do welding.

Moody said, “We want something

Women in welding at UARM

useful, but something they can take home.”

Female students created something different at a previous event they held. Moody held up a stainless-steel ‘I love you’ hand that stands on its own. Its design allows it to hold rings and jewelry.

“Some of them have welded before,” Moody said. “That kind of helps. It’s to get them an idea of the trade, what it’s like, the safety measures you have to deal with to do the work properly and safely.”

Though the job is not glamorous, welders are generally making something that will last. A steady hands and great eyes are preferred, but there are ways to compensate. Several studies over the years have suggested that on average women have steadier hands than men and are more ideal at welding, soldering and brazing.

Welding processes

“We’re doing a seamless MIG right now, but we’ve got other stations set up for them to try some things,” Moody said, “some stick welding or plasma welding, torch cutting. We’ve been trying to give them something to do while they’re waiting for somebody else.”

The UARM welding course culminates with an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS), specifically AAS Advanced Manufacturing, upon completion of the twoyear course.

“They get a certificate, but as far as a certification, I take them to [UA] Fort Smith and they test them there. If they pass the test there, then they’re certified. We also have a deal they can use, like machine tool classes as an elective to welding; welding classes as an elective to machine tools. If they go another semester, they come out of here with two associate degrees — one in welding and one in machine tools. I have had three or four students who have done that so far.”

“Our main course is a two-semester structural steel welding course. Then we have a separate MIG and flux cored course. More companies are going to using MIG and flux cored because it’s faster. We have a semester of TIG welding that’s really a lot of hands-on stuff. That takes the longest to learn. We have plasma cutting, oxy-fuel cutting and we have what is called an air-carbon

art gouger that takes welds back out instead of putting them in.”

“I’m just trying to get them to take as much as we offer. With me being the only instructor, it’s kind of hard to offer more. For instance, we don’t have pipe welding course, but when they do well enough in the plate and structural, I’ll put them on pipe. I’ve got pipe to put them on. I tell them don’t ever worry about having something to weld,” Moody said with a laugh.

Welding careers

The industry has a high demand for people with such skills. According to the American Welding Society, more than 300,000 job openings are expected in 2024. Their reasoning is older welders are reaching retirement age and not enough young people are joining their ranks, which Moody agreed with.

“More and more people like me are retiring. The whole thing about the ladies, is that in the United States, ladies make up 3% of the welding workforce. In Canada, it’s 6%. There’s lots of room for them to grow in welding. I’ve worked with some excellent lady welders. I know they can do it just as good as guys.”

Career websites show a salary range of $28,000-$57,000 for welding. Specialized welders can sometimes make six figures, but it takes going where the jobs are.

“In this area there’s just not a lot of demand for welders,” Moody said. “Right now, Tulsa is screaming for welders. They’re begging for them. It’s all a matter of being willing to go off.

“I was really fortunate. I worked for Nidec in their fab shop for three years. I was gone and worked construction. I came back and got in on the Mena hospital addition. I welded probably 95% of the pipe in there. I went off and worked construction some more, came back, went to work at Nidec running a CNC [machine]. I started taking classes at the college. Pretty soon they

cal orange welder that Moody said he used in a class he took at Rich Mountain Vo-Tech in 1981. The Vo-Tech is now UARM. Moody said his students see it daily and love it.

The building UARM uses for the welding classes is divided, part of it being the airport managers area, which is noticeable with a three-quarter scale Sopwith Camel hanging over that portion of the work area. The welders also have two classrooms in the building.

“We got a grant that allowed us to buy this new cutting table. The company has got to come and do their part in setting it up. We’ve done everything we can do. Also, in the grant — tankers call it a ‘goat.’ It’s submerged arc [welding] tractor.” The submerged arc welding (SAW) tractor is a piece of machinery Moody said they’re pretty tickled about.

Ziprecruiter shows jobs working with SAW are being offered $15-$21 per hour while various other sites state the average annual salary is anywhere from $43,000-$73,000.

The SAW is a giant MIG welder using a self-propelled mechanized DC wire feeder. The name is a bit misleading because the device is not for underwater usage.

Moody explained, “You put granulated flux in here and it dumps the flux ahead of the weld. The wire comes down — it’s underneath the flux — and you don’t even see any light from it. That’s why it’s called submerged arc. They use this a lot tanking, shipyards, and stuff like that.”

UARM also has a high school class called Career Center for the past six years. Moody currently still has three juniors. They get concurrent credit both in college and high school. Can come out with 28 credit hours of college when they graduate high school. We’ve got six coming from Waldron and seven Mena that are seniors. The younger I get them, the better. They pick it up quicker.

asked if I wanted to start a welding program.

“We started with five booths and five welding machines. Now we’ve got 12.”

One of the machines in the shop is a histori-

Whether it be welding pipes, buildings, machines, or even decorative welding (e.g., scroll work for gates and columns), there are many opportunities for women and men. The craft seems to always have technological advancements… and humans will always be building something.

Kristen Dobbs with her phone stand.

Putting on safety gear before approaching the welding booths.

As women educators impacting education worldwide, Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Kappa Chapter presented a check for $250 to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

DPIL provides a child from birth un-

til age 5 with a book each month at no cost to the parent(s) or caregiver(s). The local sponsor of DPIL is Polk County’s Quality of Life.

For more information about DKG, please visit https://www.dkg.org.

Sen. Boozman visits UARM

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) met with University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Krystal Thrailkill to hear about plans for future growth and development at

the school in support of training the next generation of medical professionals.

Boozman is an advocate for increasing and retaining healthcare students and professionals in Arkansas.

The Cossatot River High School Sr. Choirs presented their 10th annual Valentine’s Singagrams to students on February 14. (Submitted photo)

QOL DPIL Committee Chair Brenda Miner (left) and DKG President Dr. Krystal Thrailkill. (Submitted photo)

(L-R) Former Congressman Mike Ross, Dr. Krystal Thrailkill, Senator John Boozman, Dr. Phillip Wilson (Submitted photo)

Scholarship offered by conservation district

Submitted by Deanna Wright

Could you use some extra money at college next year? Thinking about studying agriculture, environmental science, or conservation? Then listen up!

As part of a statewide education program, Rich Mountain Conservation District is offering a $1000 scholarship for a local high school student and local college student according to James Watkins, chairman of the district. As well as receiving the District Scholarship, the winner will be eligible to compete at both the area and state level.

The Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts awards two scholarships, $1,000 and $500, based on a student’s essay.

The rules are simple, and the con-

test is open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 2.5 grade point average who are Polk County residents and will follow a conservation related course of study. Contest entries must be submitted by March 27, 2023, to: Rich Mountain Conservation District 508 Seventh St. Mena, AR 71953.

High School Counselors, 4-H Leaders, FBLA Sponsors, FFA Sponsors, Scout Leaders, and County Extension Agents have entry forms and rules.

They are also available at Polk County Library and at the Cooperative Extension Service Office. Those interested should call the district office at 479-437-6044.

Ash Wednesday Service with Rev. Scott Stewart at First United Methodist Church, 501 Ninth St., Mena, 5 p.m., Feb. 22. (479) 394-3051.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Dequeen St. in Mena, begins their Lenten season on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. with a worship service with the Imposition of Ashes! All are welcome to worship with us and be blessed as we hear, “The Cries of the Passion”! For more information, please call (479) 394-1290.

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 6 p.m. on Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at (479) 234-5289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

Henry Classic Lever Action .22

Carbine Rifle to be given away Feb. 25 at the Gillham Fire Department at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 each or five tickets for $20. All proceeds will go to Rebecca (Burris) Alexander to help with funeral and other expenses. Her husband Mikeal Alexander died suddenly Jan. 8. There will be a pulled-pork sandwich dinner by donation from 4-6 p.m. and an auction from 6-8 p.m. Any items can be donated for the auction. Call Judy Oliver at (870) 584-8254 or Maude Burris at (870) 386-2530 for any questions or to buy tickets.

The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing.com

The Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from noon-4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.

Around Town

GriefShare continues to meet every Thursday from 10 a.m.-noon at First Presbyterian Church Mena for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

The Polk County Republican Committee will meet Monday, Feb. 27, in the Community Room of the Polk County Library. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Election of officers is on the agenda and Thomas Burchfield from the State Auditor’s office will be our guest speaker.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

Hatfield First Baptist Church “Shepherd’s Closet” Open Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-Noon. Large selection of good, used clothing & a limited supply of non-perishable food items. Free to anyone in need.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

Happy birthday Wingo Johnson! Help celebrate Feb. 25 from 1-3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Your presence is all the gifts Wingo would love to have. RSVP (918) 775-4929

B.B.B.C. Gardening Tips Ladies Meet-

ing. Flowers or vegetables, Saturday, Feb. 25 at 4:30 p.m., Cherry St. and Deridder. Snacks will be served.

The Food Pantry at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church is open every first and third Monday of each month, 4-6 p.m., located at Fair Grounds Road. For more information, call (479) 437-4018.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows.

Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

Bluegrass Jam Session is open to musicians and fans alike. Bring your instruments for an unplugged session to the Daisy Room (behind Janssen’s Avenue Florist & Gifts) the first and third Thursdays of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. Free event. Some snacks are provided.

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 243-9600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!

Wendell’s Tree Service - Tree Removal and Trimming. Experienced and fully insured for ALL your tree-trimming needs. Call (479) 394-0227 or (479) 216-4328. T0308

Handyman services - small jobs preferred. Plumbing, electrical, small engine repair. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204.

T0222

Construction, steel buildings, welding, pads, ponds, and roads. Military discounts. Insured. Give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T0301

Daniel’s carpentry and painting and handyman service. Deck and privacy fences, etc. Call (479) 216-1101 or (479) 216-2299.

T0222

Tree services, forestry mulching, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light replacement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate. T0301

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T0308

- JOBS WANTED-

Full time caregiver available in Mena area. Honest and reliable. 20 years experience. Good references. Call Ann (479) 234-0461 T0222

SKL Custom Sawmilling, on-site in Nunley area. Call for details: Kenneth (479) 2163913 or Leroy (870) 582-5817. T0222

- FOR SALE -

Firewood for sale, oak, green or seasoned. $80 per rick, delivered. Call (479) 234-1528. T0222

- HELP WANTED -

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.

T0222

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

T0222

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.

T0222

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced TIG Welder for a permanent day shift position. The applicant must be proficient in welding aluminum.

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.

T0222

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for a technical/phone sales position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering technical inquiries, providing product information and recommendations, troubleshooting with potential and current customers, and processing orders in a fast-paced office setting. Parts, automotive, and computer experience would be helpful.

Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple 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. T0315

MEDICAL

continued from page 13 the form of a line of credit or a loan,” said Dr. Steve Cole, chancellor of UA Cossatot and chair of the Sevier County Medical Center Board of Governors. “That would fill the gap between when we open and we are able to generate sufficient revenue. That time has come.”

Cole, along with board treasurer Greg Revels and hospital CEO Lori House, approached the quorum court with a plan to pay the hospital’s operating costs, which total around $1 million a month. They announced the hospital has been offered a $4.5 million line of credit through Farmers Bank & Trust.

Last week, however, the hospital was informed by its legal counsel that the process of obtaining the $4.5 million loan would not be as simple as signing a loan agreement. The hospital would be required to provide the public with legal notice, hold a public hearing and phrase the loan as a bond—essentially, in this case, another word for a loan issued to a government entity.

Hospital officials and quorum court members expressed concern this wording would confuse some county residents given that the hospital was constructed through a bond supported by a sales tax increase. That sales tax increase was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2019.

The $4.5 million bond would not be paid for by tax revenue, but rather the revenue the hospital is expected to make once it is eligible to bill insurance and receive reimbursement from government-subsidized healthcare plans. And because the loan would not be tax-supported, no additional election is needed to approve it. However, county officials will need to host a public hearing and a 30-day public comment period before the loan can be obtained.

“We’ve been trying to look at lines of credit or loans or different ways we can fill this gap in revenue,” Cole explained. “We did not know until this past Thursday that when it comes to a large loan or line of credit, we actually have to have an ordinance from the quorum court to

allow us to go do that. There needs to be a 10-day window for a public announcement and a 30-day time period for public comment. That way everyone knows we’re looking for a loan and if anyone has any objections now’s the time to go through that process.”

Following a lengthy discussion during its meeting on Monday, the quorum court voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the hospital to secure the loan. The necessary public hearing was then scheduled for Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. in the conference room of the Sevier County Courthouse.

Ryan Bowman, a representative with the Friday Firm which handles the hospital’s legal issues, stressed that the bond would not be collateralized by any other county revenue. In effect, the loan is held and secured by the hospital alone using its revenue as collateral.

Hospital officials say this loan will allow the hospital to cover its expenses until it can support itself through revenue from medical services. Before the loan was approved, Cole estimated the hospital had enough money to fund four months of operation. That will be extended through most of the year through the $4.5 million bond.

Several justices of the peace raised the issue of budget cuts until the hospital reaches a level of solvency. Cuts are something the hospital is pursuing, Greg Revels informed the board, but he, CEO Lori House and Cole stressed that the hospital is currently running at minimum staff levels. For instance, House said the hospital has refrained from hiring a maintenance team and is currently relying on other hospital employees to cover those needs.

“We’re literally running at the absolute minimum level of staffing we can right now,” said House.

The discussion ended with officials agreeing to hold a work day between the hospital board of governors and the entire quorum court to further discuss hospital finances. That meeting is expected to be set for later this month.

WHEN NEWS MATTERS, WE’RE HERE TO KEEP YOU INFORMED. MyPULSE NEWS.COM

Trial reset for Dierks City Clerk

By Patrick Massey

DIERKS - A former city clerk for the city of Dierks charged with embezzling half a million dollars will see her case continued to this summer.

Cheryl Delarosa, 59, of Dierks requested and was granted a continuance in the Howard County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Feb 15. Her new trial date has been set for June 20.

Delarosa faces six felony charges for theft of property greater than $25,000 and six felony charges for abuse of public trust.

According to court records, Delarosa is accused of committing the act of theft of property from the City of Dierks between the dates of

Jan. 1, 2015, to Sept. 30, 2020.

Special Agent Joe Pickett with the Arkansas State Police Special Investigations Unit led the investigation of this case and found a total of $501,193 unaccounted for under Delarosa’s time as clerk for the Dierks City Water Department. Authorities also found bank accounts under her name that had unexplained cash deposits, along with possible gambling winnings, totaling approximately $261,000.

Delarosa has been accused of taking more than $500,000 dollars in city funds. She has been charged with multiple counts of Theft of Property and Abuse of Public Trust.

Delarosa is currently free on a $500,000 bond.

MURDER

continued from page 1

Submitted by Debra Buschman

On Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, Jerry Hopper pled guilty in the Polk County Circuit Court to Murder in the Second Degree for killing Erin “Pepper” Marburger.

Jerry Hopper murdered Erin Marburger on Apr. 2, 2020. He dumped her body in a wooded area west of Hatfield on Apr. 3, 2020. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the 18th West Drug Task Force jointly investigated Erin’s disappearance for over two years, culminating in the recovery of Erin’s partial skeleton in 2022. The Arkansas State Crime lab later confirmed that the bones recovered belonged to Erin Marburger.

Debra Buschman, prosecuting attorney said, “The sheriff and his team as well as the Drug Task Force exhibited determination and hard work over the course of this multi-years’ investigation to solve the disappearance of Erin Marburger. They worked tirelessly to find the truth and to get justice for Erin and those who loved and cared for her.

“Although no amount of time spent by the defendant in the penitentiary will ever bring back Erin’s life, or adequately repay him for taking Erin’s life from her, I was pleased with the sentence my team was able to get in this case given that Erin’s cause of death could not be determined due to the poor condition of her remains, most of the witnesses were extremely reluctant to share information with investigators, and one witness had passed away before investigation in the case was complete. These kinds of cases are extremely tough. We must take into account all of these factors when we resolve a case, in order to get the most justice we can and to hold the defendant accountable. I am very pleased with the outcome in this case given all these considerations.”

Jerry Hopper was sentenced to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Murder in the Second Degree is a Class A Felony, with a range of punishment between 6 and 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, and the possibility of a fine, not to exceed $15,000.

Waldron officer charged with battery

The state has resolved its criminal case against a former Waldron police office charged in connection with the use of force during an arrest last year.

Omar Gonzalez, 39, entered a negotiated guilty plea to one count of third-degree battery, a

Class A misdemeanor, in Scott County Circuit Court.

Gonzalez was fined $1,000, according to a Wednesday, Feb. 15 news release from Emily White, a special prosecuting attorney for the 15 th  Judicial District.

The 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

February 13, 2023

Richard Cheshire, 61 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver, two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons.

Tyler Crider, 32 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Rape and 2nd Degree Sexual Assault.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 284 near Hatfield in reference to an altercation.

Deputies took a theft report from a walk-in complainant.

Deputies took a report of a missing firearm.

February 14, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Venable Lane near Mena in reference to a break-in.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 117 in reference to harassment.

February 15, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Treasure Lane near Acorn in reference to a domestic disturbance.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to theft of property.

Kenshaska Zollar, 43 of Grannis

was arrested on Felony Warrants for Bond Revocation, Harassment, and Intimidating a Witness.

Deputies took a report of a scam from a walk-in complainant.

February 16, 2023

Deputies responded to a residence on Hilton Lane near Mena in reference to mailboxes being damaged.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 42 near Mena in reference to stolen property.

Deputies responded to a report of damaged mailboxes on Polk 42 near Mena.

Stacey Pollard, 45 of Grannis was arrested on charges of DWI and Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test.

February 17, 2023

A traffic stop on Hwy 8 W near Mena led to the arrest of Jacob Harris, 31 of Bedford, Texas on a charge of DWI.

Cash Parker was issued a citation for Minor in Possession and Expired Tags.

Deputies responded to a report of a hit and run at a residence on Hwy 8 E near Mena.

Deputies responded to a report of a vandalized vehicle at the Foran Gap Trailhead.

February 18, 2023

A traffic stop on Hwy 8 W near Rocky led to the arrest of Aldeen Quillin, 52 of Mena on a charge of DWI.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hatton Lane in reference to a domestic disturbance.

February 19, 2023

No reports.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 1 vehicle accident this week.

Polk County Detention Center

Jail Population: 23 Incarcerated Inmates with 18 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

February 12

Bobby Shelton, 43, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

A report of theft of property was taken from a walk-in complainant.

Terry Duke, 57, was charged with Driving on Suspended License and served with warrants after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

Jacob Rowe, 25, was served with warrants at a residence on Rogers Avenue.

Michael Matthews, 34, was charged with Domestic Battery, Assault on a Family Member, and Criminal Mischief after a disturbance call to a residence on Adams Street.

February 13

Matthew Townsend, 28, was charged with Dogs Running at Large at a residence on Miller Avenue.

Brandon Vereyken, 62, was charged with Violation of the Advertising and Promotion Tax Ordinance 2280 at Branding Iron.

February 14

Dawn Rios, 42, was charged with Public Intoxication and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at a residence on 10th Street.

Bradley Brumfield, 32, was charged with Public Intoxication and Criminal Trespass at Mena Regional Health System.

Michael White, 57, was served with a warrant at the county detention center.

February 15

A report of fraud was taken at McDonald’s.

A report of harassment, disorderly conduct, and possession of drug paraphernalia was taken at Walmart.

February 16

A report of theft of property was taken from a walk-in complainant.

February 17

A report of possession of drug paraphernalia was taken after a traffic stop on Reine Street.

A report of criminal trespass was taken at a residence on Missouri Avenue.

A report of criminal mischief was taken from a walk-in complainant.

Lisa Latham, 45, and Ashley Swindle, 39, were both charged with criminal trespass at Walmart.

Jesse Zamora, 39, was served with a warrant at the county detention center.

February 18

Tanisha James, 23, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, and Taylor Hicks, 23, was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest at a residence on Amsterdam Street.

Darrell Garrett, 36, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Pine Avenue.

Hogspore News: A free truckload of used bricks

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson

The town received a free truckload of used bricks from an old house. We used them to pave the Town Rectangle. Workers couldn’t break apart some of the chimney without damaging the bricks. The building was so ancient that the mortar recipe was long gone. Whatever the goo was, it’s there forever. The town council had an idea to use the remaining 4-foot chimney part. A statue of the founding father, Judge Rinseonce Hogspore, stands atop the chimney on a new roundabout in the Town Rectangle. Get close to the statue, and you can spot the silver dollar coin that the judge flipped, when he couldn’t make a judicial decision.

Here’s an update for Bring Your Mule to Work Day from Friday: The mules did not forget last year’s attempt to make peace between the city mules and the rural mules. This time, Mayor Ringer had a plan to give both factions a common enemy they hated: Him. He announced, “All the mules are selfish and have no civic pride.” Every mule in Muleberry County is now slowly clopping in front of the Mayor’s house 24 hours a day. They’re braying slurs and leaving mushy offerings on the sidewalk.

37th annual Hot Springs Boat & RV Show

By Patrick Massey

Folks started calling the civil disobedience, The Nonstop Clop and Plop Drop.

Looks like we might not ever see another Bring Your Mule to Work Day. It’s hard to keep up with all this progress and change here. I remember when mules just worked til they died. Then the town would hold a Mule Pull to drag the animal to its reward under a big shade tree on a hill. Mules didn’t have any rights at all, cept to die. At least, now in Hogspore, they can vote, picket, protest, and be as happy as the rest of us. Once a cell phone with a keyboard for hooves is made, them mules are gonna be on Twitter. It should be mighty interesting, cause mules like to gossip, and they can get real sarcastic.

National News: The Independent political party has a campaign to solve the Republican-Democrat gridlock. They’re offering free untethered balloon rides over Alaska to any registered Democrat or Republican in the country. Libertarians can also ride at no cost, cause they love that freedom stuff too.

Answer: “He’s shear.” Question: “Do you still have the Alpaca?”

You can contact Clet Litter at bobsimpson2007@AOL.com You know you wanna.

HOT SPRINGS – Local lovers of the outdoors, get ready. The outdoors-themed event of the region is this weekend.

The 37th annual Hot Springs Boat, Tackle and RV Show will take place this weekend, Feb. 24-26, in downtown Hot Springs at the Hot Springs Convention Center and Bank OZK Arena. If you are in the market for a new boat, RV or tackle, you’re in luck. The Hot Springs Boat, Tackle and RV Show is one of the best places for adventures-seekers to find their dream boat, RV and will showcase the latest innovations in gear, tackle, accessories and apparel.

Arkansas continues to be a giant recreational area with hundreds of lakes, rivers, streams and parks offering boaters and campers fun, affordable family recreation. The Hot springs Boat and RV Show will feature a wide variety of information on Arkansas-based resorts, campgrounds, boating and RV accessories. The event will also include the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Mobile Aquarium as well as dock and lift boat exhibitors and other exhibits related to the boat and RV industries — all under one roof.

Recent boat and RV shows have shown solid attendance and solid sales

as the boating and RV industries continue to do well. There has hardly ever been a better time to enjoy the vast outdoors opportunities Arkansas provides.

“The outdoors industry in Arkansas is thriving,” said Ken Griffey, show producer to the Hot Springs Boat, Tackle and RV Show. “Arkansans recognize the outdoor opportunities available in the Natural State and there is no better way to reconnect with family and friends than in a boat or RV. With 52 state parks right here in Arkansas, family camping and boating experiences are endless. And if you’re looking for the next boat or RV to enjoy our great outdoors, the 37th annual Hot Springs show is the place to be.”

This year’s show includes free, unlimited parking. And, thanks to a donation from Gregg Orr Marine, everyone who stops by can enter their information for a chance to win a Havoc VJ Duck Boat valued at $12,000.

Show hours for this year’s Hot Springs Boat, Tackle and RV Show are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission price is $10 for adults while children 12 and under get in for free.

For more information contact Ken Griffey at (501) 765-1423, email  griffeyinc@sbcglobal.net or visit dgattractions.com

Local teams heading to state archery tournament

By Patrick Massey

Thousands of young archers throughout The Natural State took their places at the firing line the second weekend of February to compete in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Archery in the schools regional qualifying tournaments. At the close of competition, 105 teams including a number of local ones, were chosen to compete in the 2023 state championship event.

The championship will be held at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs, March 3-4.

Local teams heading to the state championship include Cossatot River High School. The Acorn School District proved to be a powerhouse archery competitor with teams set to compete at all three elementary, middle and high school divisions. Teams from De Queen and Waldron will also attend the state tournament.

Teams competed in one of three divisions to qualify for the state championship. Twelve in-person regional shoots were held throughout the state Feb. 11 for teams who wished to compete in a traditional manner. Teams also had the ability to compete virtually through a standard-

ized scoring system and tournament framework the week before.

The AGFC said it used a virtual design with good success when COVID-19 prevented many schools from attending in-person events.

The top two teams in each region for each division earned berths into the state championship, as did the remaining top 12-scoring teams in each division, regardless of location.

2/27 - Mena @ Nashville Soccer

2/28 - Mena vs. Centerpoint

Attitude Angels compete at Nationals

By Ethan Nahté

The youth female boxing team Attitude Angels competed in The National Silver Gloves Championship tournament in Independence, Missouri, Feb. 8-11.

Sally Davison, 13-14-year-old division,105 pounds division; “… boxed a really good match,” according to her coach Richard Hexamer. “She took on the most experienced female in her division.” Davison placed fourth in her division.

Baseball

2/27

Softball

2/25 - UARM vs. Eastern Oklahoma State College

2/28 - UARM @ Bossier Parish Community College

Jasmine Parker, 13-14-year-old age division, 110 pounds; drew a West Coast opponent who was a good foot taller than her. Hexamer said, “Parker gave as good as she got but was honestly robbed by the referee who stopped the match for no reason whatsoever. Jasmin answered his questions and did as she was instructed after a fast standing eight count only for referee to wave it off.”

A standing eight count, or protection count, is when the referee shall give an injured boxer a count of eight when a knockdown occurs. The referee does not have to continue to count if in the referee’s opinion a boxer is unable to continue to box.

“I am protesting this match as well as one other,” Hexamer said. Parker placed third in her division.

Victoria Stearman, 15-16-yearold division, 138 pounds; “…tried her best and didn’t back down,” according to Hexamer, “but she was far outmatched by the No. 1 seated girl in division. The referee did what was best and stopped the match.” Stearman took the third place in her

division.

Carolina March, 15-16-year-old division, 145 pounds; This bout is the second of the two matches being protested by Hexamer. “March was clearly outworking her opponent until the referee decided, for some reason, she needed an eight count only to wave the match off for no reason.” March took third place in her division.

Augustine Frost, 15-16-year-old division, 176 pounds; weighed in as was instructed and made weight, just to be told later her opponent either did not make the competition or failed to weigh in. Hexamer said, “Being in the light heavyweight division, there are not a bunch of 15-16-year-old females who compete, therefore she was awarded the division championship belt for doing everything she was supposed to. Not the way we like to take it but that’s just the rules.”

Hexamer further explained his argument regarding his protests. “I am first to protect a boxer in ring if they need it as a certified official judge and referee, but the two quick stoppages were nowhere even close to be standing eight counts, let alone stoppage. Unfortunately, even in amateur boxing, the best fighter in the ring at the time does not get the win.

“The girls loved the experience nonetheless and enjoyed the opportunity to be there.”

Some members of the Attitude Angels will compete next in an all-female tournament in Forney, Texas.

“I’m super proud of them and the work they put in and their sportsmanship. We would like to publicly thank those who helped in different ways to get the girls there. You are greatly appreciated.”

Basketball regionals tourney line-up

Class 4A North Regional at Morrilton

Wednesday 4:00 p.m.

Mena vs. Farmington Girls

Class 3A Region One at West Fork

Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Cossatot River vs. Elkins Girls

Thursday 5:30 p.m.

Cossatot River vs. Valley Springs Boys

Class 2A South Regional at Fordyce

Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Acorn vs. Gurdon Girls

Thursday 8:30 p.m.

Acorn vs. Woodlawn Boys

Class 1A Region Four at Lafayette County

Wednesday 8:30 p.m.

Mount Ida vs. Nevada County Boys