Polk County Pulse - February 8, 2023

A Tale Of Two Bears

public property

By Trey Youngdahl

wreck occurred on Sat., Jan. 28, at approximately 6:30 p.m. and involved a 2022 Dodge Dually and a late model Toyota Tundra.

“All I heard was a loud boom and tires screech,” Russell Cellular employee Teagan Rose said.

Charlton Recreation Area Now on Reservation System

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Campers looking to reserve a campsite on the Ouachita National Forest will now use the national reservation system to book a site at Charlton Recreation Area on the Caddo-Womble District.

“This is a really exciting new step for us and is part of our goal to provide a higher level of customer service,” District Ranger Amanda Gee said, “This is a great benefit especially to those who make the long drive to enjoy this scenic, natural location on the forest.”

This location will now be 100% reservable, which is a change from the previous first-come, first-served availability. It is reservable online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Sites can be booked up to six months in advance. The recreation area opens for the 2023 season on May 1 and closes Nov. 1. Site fees range from $15-$40, depending on amenities desired, which can include electricity, water, and sewer. There is an $8 processing fee to reserve.

Charlton Campground is located 20 miles west of Hot Springs National Park along Highway 270 West. The campground consists of three loops with 46 campsites, ranging from primitive to fully equipped. Bathhouses with warm showers and flush toilets are available. Known as one of the coldest swimming sites in the state of Arkansas, the cool water temperatures can be enjoyed throughout the summer months.

For additional information about the campground, please contact the district at (870) 867-2101.

A wreck at the intersection of Cherry Street and Highway 71 led to a truck hitting a signal light pole at the corner of the Northside Shopping Center parking lot. The

A 2022 Dodge Dually collided with a Toyota Tundra and came to rest against a signal light pole at the corner of Highway 71 and Cherry Street. (Trey Youngdahl/Pulse)

Lawrence suspect enters not guilty plea

Trey Youngdahl

Jerry L. Hopper, 46, of Cove, was arraigned Feb. 1, 2023, in the Polk County Circuit Court on the charges related to the disappearance of Erin Lawrence. Hopper was charged with one count each: Murder in the second degree; Kidnapping; Abuse of a corpse; Tampering with evidence; Use of a communication device during the commission of a felony.

Lawrence, also known as Pepper, was first reported missing in April of 2020. After being very active on social media for some time, she suddenly disappeared and her phone was later found in a culvert on Polk Road 31. Her

disappearance garnered support from the Morgan Nick Foundation, an Arkansas-based organization dedicated to preventing and supporting victims of crimes against children and adults. They donated ‘missing’ flyers, as well as 36 candles for a candlelight vigil held in December of 2021.

On Aug. 8, 2022, an inmate incarcerated on unrelated charges in the Polk County Detention Center took the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to a shallow grave in a heavily wooded area west of Hatfield. Investigators with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police processed the scene and recovered human remains the following day, where

they were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab.

Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer confirmed On Sept. 6, 2022, the remains were in fact Erin Lawrence.

Hopper, who is currently an inmate in the Arkansas Department of Corrections (Cummins), was transported back to Polk County to be arraigned on the new charges. Hopper entered a plea of not guilty at the arraignment.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Letter To The Editor:

It is hard to watch the news when there is another video of police interaction with another citizen that ends badly. The question is, has it always been this way or has there been an uptick in physical confrontations? Is this all the fault of police or do those citizens share some responsibility?

In police interactions with citizens there is a continuum called escalation of use of force. The first step is the presence of an officer. If this is insufficient, then verbal commands follow. Followed by hands on to effect an arrest or to control the suspect. Next is non-lethal (baton, taser, pepper spray, etc.). The last resort for officers to resort to is the use of deadly force. During interactions the last resort may immediately be the only option.

Ideally, the person officers interact with comply with verbal commands. You need only watch the videos presented on the news to see there are times citizens do not comply, and the question should be, “Are they to share blame when things go poorly?”.

In an ideal interaction, once control is achieved then force stops and does not escalate further, either by the officer or citizen. Currently, most, but not all, officers are wearing body cameras that record all their actions as well as those of the suspect. That unedited video is hard to dispute in examining the determination of fault. As a caution I question the wisdom of releasing body camera footage until trial. How loud would opposing counsel yell if inflammatory footage of the accused was released prior to trial. The question of a fair and impartial trial would be foremost in their arguments. Should be the same for law enforcement officers.

Are officers at fault. At times, yes, they are. In those cases, they face not only investigations by Internal Affairs (also referred to as Professional Standards) but by prosecutors as well.

Discipline can range from unfounded, to reprimands, or criminal prosecution depending on facts. The system is not perfect but from my experience, it is currently the best there is.

Officers receive training and are equipped with the tools to safely do their dangerous jobs. Their safety and those of the public are ever present and in most cases is readily apparent in the times they get reported positively in the news.

It is unfortunate that the lion’s share of reporting is focused on the times things get out of hand. When I see that, I am sickened by it as well. The times officers are hurt or killed often are relegated to the back page of the paper or not reported at all. I am in the camp whose thoughts are that we have good officers who deserve our support and respect as they perform dangerous jobs with our safety in mind. Bad actors will be weeded out. They

always are.

As always, thank you for a forum to express my thoughts, though at times we disagree.

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

Letter to the Editor

Interesting that the focus of the two responses to my letter were homosexuality and sin. Nothing about a government policy with a determination to cause problems for people in the LGBTQIA+ community. Along with a complete avoidance of the other letters in the LGBTQIA+ community. Or what a sad commentary it is that someone who is gay feels the need to move completely out of a state to avoid what will be coming in more oppression to a few select people mostly due to ignorance and lack of education.

First off extensive, scientific research was done in the 1930’s in America and one aspect of this is The Kinsey Scale. People will fall somewhere in this range and the LGBTQIA+ description is including some of those ranges.

Rating|Description

0|Exclusively heterosexual

1|Predominantly heterosexual, only incidentally homosexual

2|Predominantly heterosexual, but more than incidentally homosexual

3|Equally heterosexual and homosexual

4|Predominantly homosexual, but more than incidentally heterosexual

5|Predominantly homosexual, only incidentally heterosexual

6|Exclusively homosexual

X|No socio-sexual contacts or reactions

In the first month of the year our Arkansas government has chosen to focus on bills that target Drag Performers, Trans kids, and women who seek abortions. While there are real problems that need to be addressed like children going to bed hungry, lack of medical care, a need for an increase in jobs, work on our infrastructure, poor education levels, and more broadband necessary so people can get jobs.

In high school I read The Christine Jorgensen Story. I have understood the battle for people with gender dysphoria ever since (50+ years ago). For a recap of her life:https://www. nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/christine-jorgensen?fbclid=IwAR3bJz6AGeyphI_ f4tA2YNw2UqlsEVi8bPM8EuRd_VsAAF0dwvdeHJbjjqw

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For an understanding of Trans kids “Being Jazz”is a delightfulbook.

We are then left with Intersex and Asexual. Intersex is a person born with a combination of male and female biological traits. Note the word “born”. An Asexual has no feelings or desires of sex along with no attraction to a male or female.

All within the spectrum of the Kinsey Scale. All “Born that Way”. Please spend some of your time reading and researching rather than looking for sin along withoppression of groups it would appear you lack an understanding of.

Cynthia Thanos-Wade, Mena

Jonquil Festival springs back in March

Article by Patrick Massey

WASHINGTON - One of the region’s most popular festivals is coming next month in celebration of spring and warmer weather.

Historic Washington State Park kicks off the 55th annual Jonquil Festival March 17-19. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., March 17-18, and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., March 19.

Staff at Historic Washington are inviting everyone to come out and enjoy this annual tribute to the start of spring.

The Jonquil Festival is the preeminent festival in Southwest Arkansas and is set to include food, fellowship, music and, of course, the blooming of thousands of jonquils in celebration of warmer weather.

Tours of the park, historic homes and museums are scheduled alongside nu-

merous other activities. Parking will be available for a cost of $5.

Williams Tavern Restaurant will be open alongside food trucks galore. Past events have included 5Ks, car shows, blacksmithing demonstrations, fish fry fundraisers and more. A variety of musicians are scheduled to perform

throughout the festival.

For more information on the event visit  www.historicwashingtonstatepark. com or call (870) 983-2684.

Historic Washington State Park is located approximately 20 miles east of Nashville on Highway 278E.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

In the 4th week of the 2023 Regular Session, the House passed bills impacting taxes, healthcare, education, and criminal justice.

Tax related bills that passed the House this week included HB1026 and HB1143.

HB1026 prohibits local governments from enacting an income tax.

HB1143 defines “homestead” for purposes of property tax exemption for disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and minor dependent children of disabled veterans.

The House also passed HB1127 which creates the Rural Emergency Hospital Act. This bill would provide a way for rural hospitals in the state to qualify for a new federal designation and be reimbursed at a higher rate for outpatient services.

Other healthcare related bills now advancing to the Senate include HB1042, HB1082, and HB1267.

HB1042 enhances coverage of prostate cancer screenings by directing the Insurance Commissioner to adopt any updated guidelines published by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

HB1082 establishes the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact in Arkansas.

HB1267 requires home caregivers to have a specific number of hours in dementia training.

On Wednesday of this week, the House

passed three education bills.

HB1238 outlines enhanced transportation funding for school districts.

HB1156 states that public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools shall designate multiple occupancy restrooms for exclusive use by the male sex or exclusive use by the female sex.

HB1157 states that every public school and open-enrollment charter school shall provide parents with digital or hard copy information about local water safety education courses and swimming lessons offered for free or at a reduced price.

In addition, the House passed bills addressing criminal justice issues.

HB1004 amends the Sex Offender Registration Act by requiring the physical address of the sex offender, including the house or apartment number, to be made public. Currently, only the street name and block number are required.

HB1208 limits the time period during which restricted driving permits are valid for those on probation or parole to one year from the date it was issued.

We will continue to update you on the legislation advancing during the session. You can watch all committee meetings and House floor proceedings at arkansashouse.org.

The Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor endorsed legislation to repeal language in state law allowing medical facilities to be licensed in order to perform abortions.

Senate Bill 138 is what legislators call a clean-up bill. Usually, such bills merely correct typographical errors in state regulations or they update obsolete language.

But SB 38 is not like other clean-up bills because it is enormously symbolic.

Last year in a case out of Mississippi the U.S. Supreme court repealed Roe v. Wade, a precedent that allowed abortions. Arkansas had in place a “trigger” law, Act 180 of 2019. It immediately outlawed abortions except to save the life of the mother and now Arkansas is considered one of the most pro-life states in the country.

Prior to the Supreme Court ruling, laws passed by the Arkansas legislature to restrict abortions were tied up or overturned in federal court. That allowed facilities in Arkansas to perform abortions because federal law superseded state laws. The state Health Department used to license those facilities.

However, now that Act 180 is in effect there is no need for language licensing abortion facilities. SB 138 recognizes that fact.

After committee approval, the next step is for SB 138 to be voted on by the entire Senate and sent to the House of Representatives.

In other action, the full Senate unanimously approved SB 66 to require Internet sites to verify the age of viewers if the sites are harmful to minors due to the availability of pornographic material. The required age verification could be a digital ID, such as a driver’s license.

Web sites that fail to verify the age of viewers would be liable for harm done to minors. Also, the adult sites would not be allowed to keep information, but would have to immediately dispose of personal information obtained from adults. If the sites keep identifying information of adults they would be liable for damages, court costs and attorneys’ fees.

The Senate sent SB 66 to the House.

The Senate also approved legislation that allows a city to create an entertainment district without having an advertising and promotion tax. They are commonly known as “hamburger” taxes, and current law does not allow entertainment districts in cities without them.

The legislation is House Bill 1024. It has already been approved by the House, where it originated, and now will be sent to the governor for her signature.

Another bill that has been approved by both chambers and awaits the governor’s signature is HB 1123, to allow someone who has voluntarily sought mental health treatment to apply for a concealed carry permit. The person would have to wait two years after completing treatment and then could file a petition in circuit court.

A bill to categorize drag shows as adult entertainment is progressing, although with amendments. The Senate approved SB 43, but a House committee changed it to further define adult oriented businesses.

SB 43 would restrict where drag shows could be performed, because adult entertainment such as strip clubs are restricted. For example, they cannot be held on public property and minors may not attend.

The Senate must agree to the changes adopted in the House before SB 43 is sent to the governor.

John Maddox Terry Rice

Obituaries

Jerry Lee Johnson

Mr. Jerry Lee Johnson, age 82, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born June 16, 1940, in Mena, Arkansas to the late Gerald Johnson and Chloe Lane Johnson.

Mr. Johnson was a farmer by profession, and proudly served in the National Guard as a mortarman. Jerry was united in marriage June 2, 1962, to his wife, Sharon Johnson, who he remained married to until her passing in December 2022. Mr. Johnson was a U of A graduate, and a member of the REA Board of directors and a member of the AFCS Board. He was also an award-winning calf roper.

He is survived by his son, Jeff Johnson and wife Dena; daughter, Kim Bryan and husband Pooh, Jodie Hunt and husband Donny; grandchildren, Jordan Hunter and husband, Chance, Kristen Manasco, Jacquelyn Romine and husband Justin, Kyleigh Johnson, Zach Bryan, Eli Bryan, Darius “June Bug” Sims, Alyssa Seals, and Donavan Hunt; great-grandchildren, Parker, Haydyn, Tate, Averie, Analeigh, Kynleigh “George”, Ace, Shaela, and Spencer; brother, Wingo Johnson; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.

Jerry is preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Sharon Johnson, and by his parents; Gerald Johnson and Chloe Lane Johnson. Services for Mr. Johnson will be held Friday, February 3, 2023, at

2:00 p.m., at Beasley-Wood Chapel, in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Donnie Jewell will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas. Visitation is general.

Pallbearers are Teal Henry, Brent Gorden, Lloyd Fields, Steve Strothers, Brian Kesterson, Steve Bell.

Honorary Pallbearers are Larry Miller, Terry Terrell, and Raymond Yahn.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Essie is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Amanda Hambrecht and husband Mike of Hot Springs; one son, Justin Loyd of Wickes; five grandchildren, Adrienne Neal and husband Curtis of Vandervoort, Alec Frachiseur of Vandervoort, Zae-lei Frachiseur of De Queen, Eli Loyd of Wickes and Klara Loyd of Wickes; two great-grandchildren, Alec Frachiseur, Zae-lei Frachiseur, Hayden Neal and Harley Neal; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.

Utah; and several beloved aunts and uncles.

Essie Jeanelle Loyd, age 65, of Wickes, passed away Monday, January 30, 2023 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was born on Saturday, October 19, 1957, to Clarence G. Caswell and Esta Lee Caswell in Boise, Idaho.

Essie loved helping others. She made her living in her earlier years as a Home Health aide where she enjoyed seeing and taking care of her patients. Essie was known for raising quarter horses and met many people she grew quite fond of during her times of buying and selling horses. She loved her children and enjoyed watching her grandkids participate in any of their activities.

Essie was a loving mother, daughter, sister and friend and will be missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Sonya Turner; her brother Butch Caswell; and her sister Sharron Mayo.

Krystel Darlene Norman

Mrs. Krystel

Darlene Norman, age 54, passed away Friday, February 3, 2023, in Wickes, Arkansas. She was born June 22, 1968, to the late Glen Dale Merworth and Hildred Grenita Briggs Gray.

Krystel was a homemaker; she enjoyed her years playing softball and loved her teammates throughout her life. She loved to dance and sing and listen to music. Krystel had a way with words and always had a story to tell. Above all else she was crazy about her grandchildren and loved her title of K.K.

Mrs. Norman is preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Rachel Rada-Mae Norman; parents, Glen Dale Merworth and Hildred Grenita Briggs Gray; sister, Amanda Grenita Merworth; brother, Curtis Glen Merworth of Salt Lake City,

She is survived by her husband, Tim Norman; sons, Jonathan Davidson and wife Rose, Nick Reves, Vince Norman and wife Jenny; daughter, Ashley Ruthardt and husband Deagan; grandchildren, Brynley Ruthardt, McKenna and Lainey Norman, Reeve and Rhett Davidson; brothers, Brandon Merworth and wife Bronice (Cricket) of West Columbia, Texas, Danny Fatheree and wife Angelica of Nathan, Arkansas, Allen Briggs and wife Lavene of Grannis, Arkansas; sisters, Diane Maker of Palestine, Texas, Donna Jo and Ines Flores of Comanche, Texas, Deedee Williamson and Dale Howard of Hatfield, Arkansas, Tammy Merworth of Salt Lake City, Utah, Glenda Stinnett and husband Ray of De Queen, Arkansas; as well as nieces, nephews, other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Services for Mrs. Krystel Norman will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at the Beasley-Wood Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. Pastor B.J. Jenkins will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mineral Cemetery in Gillham, Arkansas. There will be a visitation held Tuesday, February 7, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Clyde Fatheree, Bryle Fatheree, Jonathon Rye, Adam Shores, Massey Hoover, and Rodney Lawrence Jr.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Obituaries

Robert Sexton la Sexton of Bismarck, Arkansas, and Shane and Tara Sexton of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and his former wife and loving friend Karen Sexton of Hackett, Arkansas. Robert is also survived by his three grandchildren, Austin Sexton, Avalyn Sexton, and Thaddeus Sexton.

Robert Sexton, age 70, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 4, 2023, at his home. He was born on Sunday, June 1, 1952, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert E. and Bessie Mae Sexton.

Robert was a loving father, grandpapa, and friend who loved his family more than anything else in this world.

Robert always took an active role in the lives of his grandkids. He taught them how to identify venomous and non-venomous snakes, trees, plants, and all sorts of wildlife. He was always thrilled to hear about their martial arts lessons, classroom stories, football/volleyball, and all of their outdoor adventures. He would constantly encourage them and praise their successes.

Robert had a substantial work ethic, spending countless overtime hours providing for his family for over 30 years at Best Foods in Little Rock, Arkansas. He enjoyed listening to old rock bands such as the Eagles, CCR, Black Oak Arkansas, and Buddy Holly. His hobbies were making wire trees, writing, studying wildlife, reading the newspaper, and rooting for the Hogs.

Robert was a man of little fear and big morals. He lived his life with love, honesty, and integrity. He always had his family and friends in his mind and heart and will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Robert is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Dallas and Ange-

No services are planned at this time. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Online guestbook: bowserffh.com

Christopher Eric Burt

Christopher

Eric Burt, age 38, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at his home. He was born on Monday, October 8, 1984, to Patrick and Fe Burt in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Chris was always funny and crazy. You were sure to have a good time while spending time with him. He loved farming and had a huge heart for animals of all kinds. Chris served proudly in the United States Army. He was very proud of his children and family and loved them with all his heart. He enjoyed listening to R&B and hip hop. Chris was a loving father, son, brother, uncle and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his father, Patrick Burt.

Chris is survived by his son, Devon Burt of Mena; three daughters, Phoebe Burt of Mena, Olivia Burt of Mena, and Angelina Miles of Germany; his mother, Fe Burt of Deer Park, Washington; and one brother and sister-in-law, Patrick and Kiura

Burt of Cabot; one niece, Maya Burt of Cabot; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A private family memorial service will be held. Visitation will be general at the Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday, February 6, 2023 and Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Tears are the silent language of grief.

~Voltaire

Arkansas native Tracy Lawrence to receive humanitarian award

By Ethan Nahté

The Country Radio Broadcasters Association has named Foreman, Arkansas, native and country music star Tracy Lawrence as the recipient of the 2023 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Artist Humanitarian Award.

their names or influence. Each has devoted personal time, talents, and resources over a significant period of time. The results of their initiatives have improved lives in their communities. We are beyond proud to recognize Tracy and Brent’s efforts at CRS 2023.”

Lawrence was selected for his strong level of personal commitment in his efforts toward addressing multiple aspects of homelessness, including his Mission: Possible platform that has raised more than $2 million.

Lawrence also formed the Mission: Possible Celebrity Golf Classic, which has raised $850,000 in its first two years according to Lawrence’s website.

Lawrence also returned to his hometown of Foreman annually in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s for a benefit concert that raised thousands of dollars for local charitable projects. During the benefit concert run, he brought numerous other country stars with him to perform in Foreman such as Kenny Chesney, Tracy Byrd, and more.

Record 50M Americans to wager $16B on Super Bowl LVII

Washington, D.C. – A record 50.4 million American adults (20%) are expected to bet on Super Bowl LVII, a 61% increase from the record set in 2022, according to a new American Gaming Association (AGA) survey. Bettors plan to wager an estimated $16 billion on this year’s championship game, more than double last year’s estimates

With the expansion of legal sports betting, traditional Super Bowl wagers are expected to pass casual wagers for the first time ever:

• 30 million American adults plan to place a traditional sports wager online, at a retail sportsbook or with a bookie, up 66 percent from 2022.

• 28 million plan to bet casually with friends or as part of a pool or squares contest, up 50 percent from 2022.

Sports betting legalization is also driving fan interest in the NFL, as more than a third (34%) of NFL fans say that the expansion of legal sports betting has made watching an NFL game more exciting.

bettors are more likely to say it is important to only wager legally.

“As interest in legal sports betting continues to expand, the gaming industry remains committed to responsibly delivering world class entertainment, educating consumers about how to bet responsibly, and combating illegal gambling as we work to build a safe, competitive and sustainable legal market for all,” Miller continued.

Bettors are evenly split on the outcome of the game with 44% each planning to bet on the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, playing Sunday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. CST.

• 33 states and Washington, D.C currently feature live, legal sports betting markets (including Arkansas), with three additional legal markets awaiting launch.

• More than half of American adults (57%, 146M) live in a live, legal sports betting market.

Lawrence will receive his award alongside KUZZ program director and on-air radio personality Brent Michaels, who is the recipient of the 2023 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award.

Beverlee Brannigan, CRS/CRB board member and chairwoman of the awards committee, said, “We commend both Humanitarian Award winners for deep and personal commitment to their causes. Tracy Lawrence’s and Brent Michaels’ contributions go far beyond simply lending

The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 and honors a country artist whose philanthropic efforts have significantly improved the effectiveness and impact of the causes they support. This individual not only lends their name and influence but also dedicates their time, talent and resources.

The CRS 2023 event takes place at the Omni Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, March 13-15. The award will be presented to Tracy during the New Faces of Country Music ® show on the evening of March 15.

“Every year, the Super Bowl serves to highlight the benefits of legal sports betting: bettors are transitioning to the protections of the regulated market, leagues and sports media are seeing increased engagement, and legal operators are driving needed tax revenue to states across the country,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.

Industry investments in responsible gaming continue to resonate. The majority of traditional Super Bowl bettors (71%) report seeing a responsible gaming message in the last year. Importantly, younger Americans (under 35 years old) are more likely to recall seeing a responsible gaming message and younger

• AGA’s “Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly™” campaign is bringing sports betting stakeholders together to promote responsible gaming. NFL team partners include the Washington Commanders and New York Jets.

Morning Consult conducted the online survey on behalf of the AGA between Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, 2023, among a national sample of 2,199 adults. The data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment and region. The margin of error is +/-2 percent and greater among subgroups. Bettors include those who expect to place a bet online, with a bookie, with a casino sportsbook, in a pool or squares contest, or casually with family or friends.

Tracy Lawrence at the Academy of Country Music Awards 2018 at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Apr. 15, 2018, in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jean Nelson)

Prescribed burns will cause temporary trail closures

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Feb. 1, 2023)

— Oklahoma Ranger Districts’ fire managers will be implementing several prescribed fire treatments in LeFlore County this Spring which will require temporarily closures to trails, campgrounds and roads within the Ouachita National Forest.

During the prescribed fire treatments, residents and visitors may experience increased smoke in the area. Prior notification of these burn days will posted the Ouachita National Forest’s Facebook page (@ouachitanf), and will include information on hiking trails, campground and road closures. Larger, more complex, and longer burns may also be announced by a news release.

Southern Forests benefit from both dormant season and growing season burns. “The preferred time to conduct these prescribed fire treatments is during winter and spring months,” said Kris Wilson, Oklahoma Ranger Districts’ zone fire management officer. “By re-introducing healthy fire back into the landscape, we are removing dead and down fuels, including fallen trees, and leaf and needle litter and drape.”

Over time, accumulation of these fuels increases the possibility of a high-intensity and severe wildland fire which can pose a threat to life and property of residents and visitors along the wildland-urban interface.

“The occurrence of an unplanned, large wildland fire would result in a fire that is more intense and severe than our prescribed fire treatments,” Wilson said. “Prescribed burning on the landscape every three to five

Boozman applauds Section 32 purchase of

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval of Section 32 purchase of up to $42 million of catfish products for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs, including charitable institutions.

catfish

to help America’s catfish producers reduce the risk of financial insecurity they are facing as a result of sharply-climbing inventories and rapid increases in feed costs.

years mimics historic fire regimes and fire return intervals.”

In addition to reducing fire danger to residents and visitors, forest wildlife also benefits from prescribed fire treatments. “Opening the forest floor to sunlight initiates the germination cycle of those seeds lying dormant, and reintroduces nitrates and minerals back into the soil which provides vital nutrients for the understory to grow,” Wilson said. “This understory vegetation is the food supply for much of the wildlife on these landscapes.” Healthy fire also creates new habitat and improves existing habitat conditions.

Visit the “Fire Information” link at  https://www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita for more information on planned prescribed burn activities, or contact the Oklahoma Ranger Districts office at 580-494-6402. People with smoke sensitivities who are not currently on the Forest Service’s prescribed fire notification list may also call this number to be added.

Boozman, who led a bicameral coalition in support of the request, announced the details of the purchase while speaking at the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas’s annual convention in Hot Springs.

“This is great news. It means more catfish will be purchased to alleviate the constraints on producers’ stocks and food insecure Americans will have additional nutritious, U.S. grown food on their plates. It’s a win-win,” Boozman said.

In November 2022, Boozman led a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the purchases

“Catfish producers and processors are predominantly located in rural America. Due to historically high inflation across the economy these communities continue to feel the burden of increased prices. Purchasing catfish will help to strengthen rural America and provide a nutritious, U.S.-grown product to families, children, and our communities,”  the members wrote.

The following Senate and House members joined Boozman to send the letter: Sen. Tom Cotton (RAR), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) and Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS).

State records over $444M in unclaimed property

By Patrick Massey

LITTLE ROCK – State officials are once again reminding Arkansas residents they may have unclaimed property just waiting for them to discover.

Auditor of State Dennis Milligan, whose office administers the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, joined colleagues from around the country on Feb. 1 in highlighting Unclaimed Property Day.

Unclaimed Property Day was launched by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators in 2021 to raise awareness of unclaimed property.

Unclaimed property can be any number of financial items, such as unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, certificates of deposit, unused rebate cards – you name it.

The state currently records a total of $444.1 million in unclaimed property owed to Arkansas citizens through the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt program.

When owners abandon an account – through a move or a death, for instance – and the company cannot locate the owner, the money or properties are submitted to the Auditor of State’s office. The office’s Unclaimed Property Division then works to connect property to its rightful owner, Milligan said.

Statistically, one in seven people nationwide have unclaimed property. In Arkansas, the percentage is greater at one in four.

Since Milligan took office on Jan. 10, his office has returned more than $1.4 million in unclaimed cash through the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt program.

To see if you might have unclaimed property in Arkansas, visit www. ClaimItAR.com. Those who wish to check whether they have unclaimed property in other states may visit www. missingmoney.com

Arkansans may also call the Auditor’s office at 501-682-6000.

CPS/KCS final Environmental Impact Statement available

The Surface Transportation Board’s (Board) Office of Environmental Analysis is pleased to announce that the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the Proposed Acquisition of Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS) by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) is available.

The Final EIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Acquisition and addresses public and agency comments received on the Draft EIS. Please click this link https://www. stb.gov/news-communications/latest-news/pr-23-02/ for the official

HMH reaching out to patients, employees potentially impacted by 2022 data breach

By Patrick Massey

NASHVILLE – Howard Memorial Hospital is reaching out via mail to patients and employees who may have been victims of a data breach of the hospital late last year.

Earlier this month, the Howard Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held its regular monthly meeting and CEO Debra Wright informed the board that the notification letters were approved to be sent out to anyone who may have been victim of the 2022 data breach, described as a “cyber security event” by hospital officials.

The hospital announced last month that the breach may have impacted “the confidentiality and security of information related to certain patients as well as current and former employees of HMH.”

ry, diagnosis, treatment information, and physician name. Other data related to hospital employees, both current and former, may have been breached, as well.

For individuals seeking additional information regarding this event, call the dedicated assistance line we have established at 1-833-570-2728, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Individuals can also find additional information on how they can help protect their personal information as well as obtain additional resources, on the HMH website:  www.howardmemorial.com/public-notice

press release, which provides information about the Final EIS.

Next Steps

The Board will issue a final decision that will take into consideration the transportation merits of the Proposed Acquisition and the entire environmental record, including the Draft EIS, Final EIS, and all public and agency comments received.  In its final decision, the Board will decide whether the Proposed Acquisition should be authorized and, if so, what conditions, including environmental mitigating conditions, to impose.

HMH officials said steps were “promptly taken to secure HMH’s network,” and an investigation began with assistance from outside cybersecurity specialists to determine the nature and scope of them data breach.

The investigation into the data breach remains ongoing. Hospital officials have determined that certain files were potentially stolen from its network by an unknown actor between Nov. 14, 2022, and Dec. 4, 2022.

The types of information potentially impacted for patients includes name, contact information, date of birth, Social Security number, health insurance information, medical record number (MRN), medical histo-

HMH is encouraging potentially affected current and former patients and employees to remain vigilant against identity theft by reviewing account statements and explanations of benefits for unusual activity. Patients are encouraged to report any suspicious activity promptly to their insurance company, health care provider, or financial institution.

A class action lawsuit has since been filed against Howard Memorial by a group of patients represented by Little Rock-based law firm Carney, Bates & Pulliam, LLC. The patients allege through the complaint that their personal information “is now in the hands of cybercriminals.”

The plaintiffs are asking the court to ensure the hospital employs “adequate security protocols consistent with law and industry stands to protect” the personal information and health records of its patients. The complaint is not seeking monetary compensation but damages to be determined by “the trier of fact.”

Reflections from History and Faith: A tale of two bears

By Jeff Olson

Those who read this probably include some bear hunters, so I’ve got a story for you and for that matter... about everyone. There are lots of bears out there, and some of them live in our neck of the woods. My short story today involves two bears:

First — one real bear which was hurt and frightened.

Second — one toy bear in particular which, among other roles, has soothed many who have been hurt and frightened.

The two bears’ emergence into our culture came quite by accident, you might say. Our story begins in a most unexpected way in November 1902. The states of Mississippi and Louisiana had a disagreement over the location of their common boundary, which bisected some of the least well-developed land in the United States. The governors of both states invited President Theodore Roosevelt to arbitrate the dispute.

Roosevelt decided to combine his tour of the disputed territory with a five-day black bear hunt. The president was having unusually bad luck on his hunt, and as the end of the outing was drawing near, one of his guides, Holt Collier, decided to wound a small bear he had located so that the president could shoot it and claim a kill. The president flat out refused. Having shot grizzly bears out west, he could not bring himself to taking unfair advantage of a terrified trapped animal. The President is rumored to have said, “I’ve hunted game all over America and I’m proud to be a hunter. But I couldn’t be proud of myself if I shot an old, tired, worn-out bear that was tied to a tree.”

Well, it wasn’t long before this story made its way out of Mississippi and into newspapers. One of the first, if not the first, was to cartoonist Clifford Berryman. He wasted no time in drawing and publishing a picture in the Washington Post newspaper of the president turning away in disgust from the idea of shooting a helpless bear. The cartoon was titled “Drawing the Line in Mississippi,” and it endeared much of America to the president. Soon the story grew a life of its own and spread like wildfire, including to two Russian-Jewish immigrants, Morris and Rose Michtom. They owned and operated a candy store in Brooklyn, New York, and came up with an idea. Since they also sold stuffed animals in their store, after seeing Berryman’s drawing, Michtom created a small plush bear cub and sent it to the president, seeking his permission in naming it after Roosevelt himself.

Upon Roosevelt’s approval (and serious doubts about the success of the en-

terprise), Michtom made several more bears and, in February 1903, placed several of them in his store shop window with a sign “Teddy’s bear.”

Soon after Michtom began advertising them, the demand for Teddy Bears became so great that he couldn’t make enough of them to satisfy demand. Since there turned out to be more profit in teddy bears than in candy, they decided to produce them on a full-time basis.

Other manufacturers soon jumped on the bandwagon and started turning out copies of Michtom’s stuffed bears. From here, the Michtom’s business grew into the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company in 1907, which remained in the family until the 1970s.

Because of the doll’s popularity, Roosevelt and the Republican Party adopted it as their symbol in the election of 1904.

By 1908, the bear had become such a popular toy nationwide that a Michigan minister warned that replacing dolls with toy bears would destroy the maternal instincts in little girls.

Through a series of communications with one of President Roosevelt’s daughters, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Michtom’s son Benjamin convinced her to donate one of her original Teddy Bears to the Smithsonian ’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. She did so in January 1964.

Whatever happened to the wounded and frightened bear which drew the attention of

millions and helped to inspire an American institution? To avoid further suffering, it was ordered put down by the man who could have chosen to exploit it for the furtherance of his rugged outdoorsman reputation. Unbeknownst to Roosevelt at the time, this compassionate decision would add to his legacy of sportsmanship and conservation and evermore be symbolized through the Teddy Bear.

And, what about the man who brought this to the national spotlight, Clifford Berryman? He went on to become a Pulitzer-Prize-winning cartoonist with The Washington Star newspaper from 1907 until his death in 1949.

While the Teddy Bear wasn’t the first stuffed animal or even the first stuffed bear to come on the scene, it certainly became the most popular and endearing. Sales of stuffed bears exceeds $50 million annually in the U.S., and I would venture to guess that just about everyone reading this has either owned their own Teddy Bear or known someone who did. It may have not been called that by name, but at the very least it was manufactured by a company which was influenced by Teddy.

Some companies even offer made-to-order stuffed bears, and some give you the opportunity to build your own bear, so getting in on the act and in creative ways has become a huge and profitable industry.

Stuffed bears are also made for members of American military branches (i.e., Bear Forces of America), and have served as sources of comfort, including for POWs. There are also Gold Star mothers who create Teddy bears out of the uniforms of fallen soldiers to help other families cope with their tragedies. Teddy’s stories are inspiring and seemingly endless.

And, finally for me, I can still remember my own little stuffed bear which gave me countless hours of comfort, companionship, and even some relief from reality from time to time. Nothing speaks as deep as personal

experience.

It is reported that about 44% of adults still have their childhood “Teddys” and around 34% sleep with a soft toy of some kind. My first Valentine’s Day gift to my wife (fiancée, then) was a big red and white stuffed bear. That poor old, ragged bear was still around until our last move, when we finally had to put it down after 42 years in the family. That give you any ideas, since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner? To this day, I have neither heard nor seen anything indicating the Teddy Bear or any of his cousins have gone out of style… and they won’t for as long as there is a human capacity and need for love, friendship, comfort, affection, security and imagination.

Happy 120th Birthday, Teddy… and a Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!

Clifford Berryman’s illustration of Theodore Roosevelt’s 1902 bear hunt, which inspired the birth of the Teddy Bear.

An original Teddy Bear thought to be made by Morris Michtom, donated by the Roosevelt family to the Smithsonian ’s National Museum of American History.

By Richie Lawry

“Come on over to our condo,” my niece said. “We are having a technology show and share.”

My niece loves new technology and always finds the latest cool and exciting gadgets. At the show and share, my niece showed us several recent purchases. First, she had us try the Oladance open-ear headphones. Unlike traditional in-ear headphones, Oladance features a completely open-ear design that rests gently and securely on top of your ear. The sound and comfort were great, and some ambient sound still came through, so you could hear if someone spoke to you.

The next item in the show and share was the ThermoPro wireless meat thermometer. With its Bluetooth connection, this wireless thermometer can monitor your cooking or grilling up to 500 feet away. It provides an easy way to keep track of the cooking progress and ensure that the meat is cooked to the proper temperature.

When my niece passed the OCOOPA rechargeable hand warmers around, I was impressed by how warm they were. They had three temperature levels to keep your hands warm. The high heating level works for eight hours on a charge, medium for 12 hours, and low for 15 hours. One of the useful features of these hand warmers is that they can also be used as an extra power bank. They can provide more than two charges for a cell phone and easily fit into any pocket or bag.

After showing several smaller items, my niece brought out her premier attraction, the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset. This strange-looking bulky headset was a life-changing experience when strapped onto your head. Virtual reality uses computer technology to create simulated environments and places you inside a three-dimensional experience. Instead of viewing a screen in front of you, you are immersed in and interact in a 3D world.

I do not think I have ever had such a bizarre experience as seeing a virtual world with the Meta Quest 2 headset! Here I am learning the controls through a tutorial game, and I can reach down onto a table and pick up blocks, hit a ping pong ball with a paddle, and throw paper airplanes while standing in the middle of my living room.

An Arkie’s Faith Virtual reality

the reality we want to experience and shut out all influences that might change our reality. We ensure that all of the information we consume aligns with our world view and the reality we want. Our virtual reality makes it easier to shut out the unpleasant realities of life. When we live in the reality that we have invented, we cannot see injustice and the plight of people around us.

Jesus spoke to this problem when he said, “The King will say to those on his left, ‘Go away from me. You will be punished. Go into the fire that burns forever that was prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you did not invite me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me nothing to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then those people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or alone and away from home or without clothes or sick or in prison? When did we see these things and not help you?’ Then the King will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, anything you refused to do for even the least of my people here, you refused to do for me.’” Matthew 25:41-45 (NCV)

This artificial environment makes it possible to experience anything anywhere! I explored Jeju Island in Korea, where a K-drama I had recently watched was filmed.

As I played with the headset’s possibilities, I swam with sharks, traveled through strange rock formations in Russia, and found myself in the middle of a Cirque du Soleil performance. I rode a roller coaster and felt nauseous by the end. With the virtual reality headset on, it was as if my living room no longer existed and I was thousands of miles away. The whole experience of being immersed in an exciting virtual world is incredible.

As I explored the virtual world in front of me, I remembered a book I read many years ago in high school. In the book “Brave New World,” by Aldous Huxley, there is an advanced form of technology called the feelies that is like a movie theater in many

ways. However, on top of sight and sound, smell and touch are added to the experience through vents pumping in various scents and two metal knobs that allow the viewer to feel what is happening on screen. While most people enjoyed this cheap thrill, the protagonist John hates it and believes the feelies are a base, lesser art form than reading. The feelies don’t exist today, but virtual reality devices resemble Huxley’s feelies. They distort the concept of what is real.

With virtual reality, the reality is defined and controlled by the user. There’s a world ready to explore, and you never need to leave your house. The truth of your surrounding no longer matter because you are immersed in an alternate truth. But this alternate truth is not reality.

I feel that many of us are living in virtual reality. We have surrounded ourselves with

The people that Jesus was talking about were religious but had been living in virtual reality. They had constructed a world in which they could not see injustice and the needs of others. And in the end, they paid with their life. “For the anger of God is unveiled from heaven against all the ungodliness and injustice performed by people who use injustice to suppress the truth.” Romans 1:18 (NTE)

Gentle Reader, virtual reality may be fun to experience, but if we live in a virtual reality that we have constructed, we need to open our eyes and see the world the way Jesus sees it. “Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. Because of the grace allotted to me, I can respectfully tell you not to think of yourselves as being more important than you are.” Romans 12:2,3 (VOICE)

That is the reality we should strive for.

Richie Lawry experiencing virtual reality islands, sharks and roller coasters. (Photo by Gina Lawry)

Arkansas Digital Library Consortium Reaches Record-Breaking One Million Digital Book Checkouts in 2022

Arkansas Digital Library Consortium announced Jan. 23 that it exceeded its 2021 record-breaking one million digital book checkouts. In 2022, ADLC checked out over 1.3 million eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital media to library users in over 135 library locations around the state. For ADLC, this milestone illustrates the continued growth and importance of libraries, as well as the libraries’ success in serving all members of the community. With 1.3 million checkouts, Arkansas Digital Library Consortium is #31 of all public library consortia worldwide, and one of 129 public library systems to surpass one million checkouts in 2022 (complete list here).

Arkansas Digital Library Consortium member libraries have been providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines for several years through the award-winning Libby app, the library reading app created by OverDrive, which lets readers search ADLC’s collection of over 100,000 titles

and enjoy them on the device of their choice. The robust collection serves readers of all ages and interests, and usage has grown every year.

“These numbers are impressive, but not at all surprising, said Jennifer Chilcoat, Director of the Arkansas State Library. “Libraries in Arkansas do so much to meet their users where they are, providing resources that are not only valuable, but also tailored to the needs and interests of each individual.”

Polk County Librarian Mary Renick reported that the Libby app is extremely popular with patrons in the Polk County service area. At no cost to patrons, e-books and other materials may be downloaded and enjoyed by all who have a current library card.

The highest-circulating title Arkansas Digital Library Consortium readers borrowed in 2022 was The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. The top-circulating genre, romance, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes mystery, fantasy, children/ young adult and more.

The top 5 eBook titles borrowed through Arkansas Digital Library Consortium’s digital collection in 2022:

1. “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave

2. “The Judge’s List” by John Grisham

3. “Verity” by Colleen Hoover

4. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

5. “Run, Rose, Run” by James Patterson

The top 5 audiobook titles borrowed through Arkansas Digital Library Consortium’s digital collection in 2022:

1. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

2. “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave

3. “Run, Rose, Run” by James Patterson

4. “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah

5. “The Judge’s List” by John Grisham

Residents of Arkansas just need a valid library card from a member library to access digital books from Arkansas Digital Library Consortium’s OverDrive-powered digital collection. Readers can use any major device, including Apple(R), Android™, Chromebook™ and Kindle(R) (U.S. only).

Download the Libby app or visit https://adlc.overdrive.com/ to get started borrowing eBooks, audiobooks and more anytime, anywhere.

Polk County

Polk County students competed ing Bee, on Tuesday, Jan. 24, hosted the Mena High School Performing by Union Bank.

Winners

First Grade

1st Place-Liam Walker, Cossatot

2nd Place-Preston Pate, Mena

3rd Place-Story Alexander, Cossatot

Second Grade

1st Place-Benz Dees, Cossatot

2nd Place-Liam Walker, Cossatot

3rd Place-Emma Hargis, Acorn

3rd grade

1st Place-Taijah Hollins, Cossatot

2nd Place-Blayze McCoy, Cossatot

3rd Place-Eleanor Bradley, Mena

Fourth Grade

1st Place-Raj Dandikar, Acorn

2nd Place-Rafael Salgado, Cossatot

3rd Place-Eden Ward, Mena

Fifth Grade

1st Place-Raj Dandikar, Acorn

2nd Place-Briggs Robertson, Mena

3rd Place-Aubry Arnold, Acorn

Sixth Grade

1st Place-Gloria Roberts, Mena

2nd Place-Dylan Henderson, Cossatot

3rd Place-Drew Mabry, Acorn

Seventh Grade

1st Place-Alexis Miller, Cossatot

2nd Place-Shooter Davis, Mena

3rd Place-Jaylie Brantley

Eighth Grade

1st Place-Alexander Aguilar, Cossatot

2nd Place-Alexi Miller, Cossatot

3rd Place-Adileni Herrera, Cossatot

Overall Winner

Alexander Aguilar, Cossatot

EMMA HARGIS

DREW MABRY AUBREY ARNOLD

Spelling Bee

in the annual Polk County Spellhosted by Mena Public Schools at Performing Arts Center and sponsored

BRIGGS ROBERTSON PRESTON PATE

GLORIA ROBERTS ELEANOR B DLEY SHOOTER DAVIS EDEN WARD

Polk County Master Gardeners donated a book to the Polk County Library in name of Rae Grasso a former Master Gardener who donated many iris and trees to our Polk County Master Gardener Plant Sale.

(L-R) LaDonna Van Wolf, Lena Day, Judy Petty, Susan Raby, Fran Hadaway, Joe Van Wolf, Cortez Copher, Patsy Drager, Mary Renick (Polk County Librarian), Ann Glenn (holding Book), Catherine Conner, Debbie Thompson.

Backroad therapy

It is speculated that millions of Americans are SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression characterized by the change in seasons and lasting short periods of time, typically four to five months. Those afflicted by SAD often experience a change in mood, habits and behavior as fall shifts to winter. They can think negative thoughts and feelings about winter and stress over its limitations.

Research suggests that a lack of Vitamin D due to the shortened daylight hours is to blame. When exposure to sunlight is decreased, serotonin can also decrease, particularly in people who have SAD. In true cases of SAD, these symptoms disappear as soon as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer.

After an intense period of self-reflection a few years back, I began to track and examine my emotions instead of just letting them overtake me. Each fall, as the days would begin to shorten, the dread would set in. My mood would plummet and I would get gloomy enough to convince myself that things would never get better. It gave me cause to wonder… had the reality of life as a middle-aged human arrived and dug in its claws? Or is it possible that I might have a small case of SAD?

What is a SAD human to do? Depending on the severity you suffer from, there are four options: light therapy, psychotherapy, antidepressants, and Vitamin D supplements. I’m not a doctor, but I’ve become an armchair expert in the field of mental health, at least where it applies to myself and I concluded that an alternative form of therapy could be sufficient for treating my case of SAD.

To quote one of my heroes, Ron Swanson, there has never been a sadness that can’t be solved with breakfast food. While

that is entirely true and I agree one million percent, I want to offer up that there might be another solution to what ails you. Breakfast is grand, but backroading is better. An afternoon of sunlight, forests, dirt roads, and noisy streams might be just

lazy Sunday in the dead of winter, and there is a good chance you can chase away the winter blues, even for a while.

A few weeks back, my husband Nash and I were feeling the weight of the season. We had been stuck indoors for too long and, while neither of us could exactly pinpoint what our restlessness was related to, it was evident we needed a change of scenery.

Spur of the moment, I insisted we load up for a drive. Within 30 minutes we packed the cooler, grabbed the tripod, notebooks, paper towels, other various accouterments. We had to circle back when I realized I had forgotten the kitchen sink. It never hurts to be too prepared, and when you aren’t really venturing all that far from home, you are more apt to meander and take your time if snacks are in reach and tools are on hand to document your adventures. What we didn’t have was a solid plan, but my failsafe for a day of backroading is always the same. When in doubt, head to Shady.

note of where you are on the map and quite possibly where you are at in your head. Should you be lucky enough to find yourself tucked into a particularly interesting holler or on the moss-covered bank of a headwater, it might just be enough to ground you. Ground you in a sense of reconnecting with the earth, but also in the sense of how we humans tend to make the unimportant seem like the “most“ important. Literally going day in and day out, making mountains out of molehills, often for no other reason than that we overestimate our own self-importance.

what the doctor ordered.

I can tell you with all honesty I’ve never met a backroad I didn’t like. Whether driving or riding shotgun, there is a lovely simplicity that comes from observing the world with the window down (yes even in winter, wear a hat and some gloves!) Conversation flows easier, and bouts of silence are nothing but an opportunity to meditate on the mountains as the tires slowly eat up the gravel.

Give yourself three to four hours on a

That day we kept it simple with no real end goal in mind as we headed out Highway 375. The winding ribbon of road taking us by the old Shady store, now Thibodeaux’s, and absolutely worth the drive to sample their boudin.

Nash listened patiently as I navigated and narrated points of interest relevant to my teenage years. We made time for stops at the Caney Creek WMA Lookout and Buckeye Vista, and a quick side trip down to Bard Springs, where he scoured the ground for worked flint as I snapped 100 photos of the same waterfall.

Each stop is therapy, a chance to stretch (physically and mentally) and really take

The day’s drive ended with a loop around curious and quaint Shady Lake before coming out on Highway 264 for an equally beautiful blacktop drive back home. Over the top of the mighty Cossatot with a painted sky stretching for miles. A breathtaking sunset is usually the final eye candy in a day of backroading.

While it may not be feasible to indulge yourself in a daily or even weekly backroading session, its benefits are undeniable and usually instantaneous. I prescribe at the very minimum, a once-amonth treatment of no less than 20 miles of backroading. Apply liberally and repeat as necessary.

Follow along for more adventures and media @AshleyinArkansas on Social Media.

Column & Photos By Ashley Moore

Around Town

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.

The men of the Calvary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall will have a Valentine’s Celebration catered dinner Saturday, Feb. 11. You must have RSVP’d by Sunday, Feb. 5 for the dinner, but all are welcome to come hear Special Guest Speaker “DeeWayne” at 2100 Highway 375 West, Mena.

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 pulledpork 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.

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 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.

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.

The Polk County AR Democratic Party will be meeting at PaPa’s Mexican Café 1506 Hwy 71 S, on Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.

Come early for eating and socializing before the meeting starts. New to the area? Come and joins us. You are always welcome. Questions can be directed to Linda G. Johnson , 479 234 7966.

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.

The Polk County Social Seniors will meet at the New China Chinese Restaurant, 409 Hwy 71 N, on Feb. 14 at noon. The Entertainment will be the Lyric Readers from OLT. Newcomers are always welcome. Any questions? Call Linda at (956) 241-2633.

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.

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!

Announcing auditions for OLT spring musical

Submitted by Julie Ulmer

Ouachita Little Theatre’s spring musical will be “Little Shop of Horrors” directed by Alex Night.

Auditions will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 and Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the OLT located at 610 Mena Street. Callbacks will be Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. Performance dates are May 12 - 14 and May 19-21.

This comedy revolves around a meek floral assistant named Seymour who stumbles across a new breed of plant that mysteriously sings “R&B” and has a rather dark, carnivorous habit. Written as an off-Broadway musical by composer Alan Menken with Howard Ashman who wrote the book and lyrics,

the musical is itself an adaptation of a 1960 film by Roger Corman of the same name. A popular film version of the story was also produced in 1982 by director Frank Oz.

The director encourages potential actors to be available for the callback date. Night also suggests those auditioning should be familiar with the Menken/Ashman music of the show, as material from the musical will be used.

The cast includes 10 characters. Those interested in auditioning should check oltmena.com or Ouachita Little Theatre social media sites on Facebook and Instagram. Updates, expectations, and other details concerning characters and the audition itself can be found there.

Skyline Cafe is 2023 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame finalist

Skyline Cafe in Mena is one of 12 Arkansas restaurants named as finalists for Arkansas Heritage’s 2023 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism announced the finalists Monday for the seventh annual Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.

Arkansas Heritage launched the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame program in 2016 to recognize Arkansas’s legendary restaurants, proprietors and foodthemed events across the state.

More than 1,800 submissions were received from all 75 counties this year. The nomination period ran throughout October 2022.

Winners will be selected by the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Committee and then announced at a hybrid ceremony at Central Arkansas Library

System’s Ron Robinson Theater on March 6.

The public is invited to attend the reception and induction ceremony virtually or in-person. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at  www.ArkFoodHOF.com. All nominees and finalists are also listed on the website as well.

Master Gardeners introduce Yard of the Month project

Submitted by Judy Petty

Polk County Master Gardeners are pleased to announce the start of a community project. A Polk County resident will be honored each month as having the Yard of the Month; starting March-November, with December being chosen for best decorated home.

A committee made up of volunteer master gardeners will look at yards that are nominated by community members, to assure they are: Wellgroomed and attractive

• Regularly mowed and edge

• Weedless flower beds

• Seasonal color

• Regular mulching of flower beds

• All shrubs trimmed

• Insect control

• Green healthy lawn

• Yard must be free of debris, trash cans, recycle bins, etc.

To nominate a yard, fill out the form below or pick one up at the Polk County extension office. Each nomination submitted will be given a drive-by judging. The winner will receive a specially designed Yard of the Month sign placed in their front yard for one month, a certificate of recognition signed by a Polk County representative, along with their picture being taken for the local newspapers, the Master Gardener website and Master Gardener newsletter. The nominee must be a resident of Polk County and can only receive this award once a year.

March is coming up quickly, so please make your nominations soon and turn them into the Polk County Extension Office.

Hogspore News: Hoggy didn’t see his shadow

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson

The real groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow on February 2, and some guy in a top hat in Philadelphia said six more weeks of winter are coming. That’s a few days before the calendar says it’s Spring. Why do we need a giant squirrel to tell us what we already know? The town’s own Hoggy didn’t see his shadow, and everybody cheered. Mayor Ringer announced it was a hollerday, and had Hoggy dispatched to a new home in the Mayor’s smokehouse.

Polk County Master Gardeners “Yard of the Month” Nominee

Name of Nominee:

Address of Nominee:

Phone # of Nominee:

Please fill out and return to Polk County Extension Office 211 DeQueen St. Mena, AR

* Master Gardeners are ineligible to be nominated.

Space aliens on a barbeque scavenger hunt years ago visited Linda Meeker, co-owner of the now closed Happy Porker Barbeque Restaurant. The critters abducted her and returned her to earth seven years later in a family way. She’s writing a book about the experiences in the spacecraft, which looked like a greyhound bus with fins instead of wheels.

Linda doesn’t have a title yet, so she calls it Turn Off the Light-Years, I’m Trying to Sleep. The memoirs will take us from the day of abduction to earth’s return to birth a litter of pods.

She’s occupied a the epilogue, where the story tells what happened to her pod prodigies, and how the children are faring now. The spaceshells hatched and survived. They got their mother’s good looks, ‘cept for being three feet tall. I don’t want to ruin the ending, but here’s a small spoiler. They’re doing well in careers around the country and getting

highly paid, ‘cept one who is still working as a permanent mascot for our High School Rooters football team. He wears a furry pig costume and does a really fine job keeping the crowd excited, rooting for the home team. It’s a full-circle thing writers try to shove into books: The father comes to our planet to get barbeque pulled pork, and now the son is a cute swine himself. It’s supposed to be an ironic twist. It isn’t. Mother Meeker ain’t a very smart writer. Give her credit though for being famous throughout the galaxy for her sauce. Punkin wanted to add a joke here. Not cause it’s funny or a clever comment, but cause she’s the boss of me. Punkin says, “Linda’s barbeque sauce is out of this world.”

Here’s a limerick from an unknown Hogspore citizen. I was gonna say anonymous, but I don’t know how to spell anonymous.

“Missing A Limberick”

A civil war vet in battle was put Soon he was shot and lost his left foot.

The surgeon sawed it off, Turned, and then coughed. Sawbones inhaled much too much soot.

Mumford Pickens’ riddle and answer too, cause folks that read this kinda stuff aren’t into delayed gratification: “What do you call a bison, playing cards with a poker face? A Bluffalo.”

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

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

January 30, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 414 near Hatfield in reference to a Verbal Domestic Disturbance leading to the arrest of Nancy Odle, 38 of Cove on a charge of Public Intoxication and Richard Cheshire, 60 of Mena on a Felony Failure to Appear Warrant and a Felony Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Deputies responded to a report of a break-in on Polk 168 near Hatfield.

An encounter on Hwy 71 near Hatfield led to the arrest of Leon Jordan on a Felony Warrant

January 31, 2023

Jerry Hopper, 46 of Cove was arrested on a Felony Warrant for 2nd Degree Murder, Kidnapping, Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Physical Evidence and Fraudulent Use of a Communications Device.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 76 E near Mena in reference to a Domestic Dispute. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

February 1, 2023

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 111 near Acorn in reference to an unattended death.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 S near Mena for a welfare check.

February 2, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 S near Cove leading to the arrest of Joshua House, 22 of Cove on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 8 W near Mena in reference to an unattended death.

February 3, 2023

Veronica Smith, 44 of Cove was arrested by an officer with Probation and Parole on charges of Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons, Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and a Misdemeanor Failure to Appear Warrant.

February 4, 2023

Deputies responded to a residence on April Lane near Wickes in reference to a death.

February 5, 2023

Deputies responded to the jail in reference to a combative inmate leading to Andrew Stewart, 22 of Alaska being charged with 1st Degree Criminal Mischief. Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 20 West near Cove in reference to a stolen UTV.

Britney Watts, 24 of Mena was arrested on two Felony Warrants for Failure to Appear as well as a Felony

Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver, Possession of a Controlled Substance and two Felony Warrants for Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 302 near Cherry Hill in reference to a domestic disturbance. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 2 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center

Jail Population: 25 Incarcerated Inmates with 16 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

January 29

A report of theft was taken at James’ Food.

Rachael Crow, 42, was served with a warrant at the county jail.

Bobby May, 35, was served with a warrant on Pickering Avenue.

January 30

A report of financial identity fraud was taken from a walk-in complainant.

February 1

A report of theft of motor fuel was taken at The Corner.

February 2

A report of theft of property was taken from Walmart.

February 3

Bradley Brumfield, 32, was served with warrants on Bethesda Road. A report of criminal mischief was taken from The Corner.

February 4

No report.

Russell Cellular is adjacent to where the crash occurred. “I called and the (Police Department) said that they heard about it already and the cops were on the way.”

Three officers with the Mena Police Department responded to the call, including one sergeant and two patrolmen. One of the officers, Jesse Curry, described what led to the accident.

“The Dodge was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Cherry Street,” Curry said. “The Toyota Tundra was north-bound on the outside lane with a green light and the Dodge pulled out in front of the Toyota.”

Curry estimated approximately $10,000 of damage to the Toyota and approximately $30,000 of damage to the Dodge.

The pole is state property, but because it’s located in city limits, responsibility for the approximate $5,000 in repairs rests in the City of Mena’s hands.

There were only the two drivers involved in the accident and no passengers. No injuries were reported at the scene.

CLASSIFIEDS

- HELP WANTED -

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. T0208

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

T0208

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.

T0208

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 T0208

- JOBS WANTED-

(479) 234-0461 T0222

Hello Anita, friend from Texas, who was looking for Paul Berry and found inhospitable wife instead. Need to catch up. Please call 234-6214.

T0208

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

LEGAL NOTICE

INVITATION TO BID

The Polk County Housing Authority will receive sealed bids under HUD procedures for lawn and grounds maintenance services until 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Bid packets are available upon request at the Housing Authority office at 509 South Morrow Street, Mena, AR: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Authority desires to enter into a contract for these services for a period of one (1) year with the option to renew at the sole discretion of Polk County Housing Authority for three (3) additional one-year periods.

This bid will be to provide lawn and ground maintenance services at six sites within Polk County, including all labor, supervision, equipment and supplies for mowing, string trimming and cleanup services. A complete description of services requested, and requirements are included in the bid packet. A mandatory pre-bid visit of sites is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2023, beginning at the housing authority office.

The Polk County Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids and to waive informalities.

Sealed bids must be received at the Housing Authority office 509 South Morrow, Mena, AR 71953, attention Dixie Shrader, no later than 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2023, CLEARLY LABELED- LAWN CARE BID 2023.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF POLK COUNTY, ARKANSAS CIVIL DIVISION

ARVEST BANK PLAINTIFF vs. No. 57CV-22-115

MARY L. FIELDS; AND ANDREW DEFENDANTS CURTIS ROGERS

WARNING ORDER

TO THE DEFENDANT: MARYL. FIELDS

On September 13, 2022, a complaint was filed against you by Arvest Bank in the Circuit Court of Polk County, Arkansas, for the purpose of foreclosing on real property in the principal amount of $55,876.99, together with accrued interest, attorneys’ fees, costs and late charges, if any. The above-mentioned real property is described as follows:

Part of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of Section Thirty-four (34), Township Three (3) South, Range Thirty-two (32) West, Polk County, Arkansas, described as follows: Beginning at the Southeast Corner of said NE 1/4 SW 1/4; Thence West 472 feet to a metal stake; Thence North 467 feet to a metal stake; Thence East 472 feet to the East line of the NE 1/4 SW 1/4 and metal stake; Thence South along the East line 467 feet to the Point of Beginning. Subject to all public utility and roadway easements as now may exist. An easement 30 feet in width for ingress and egress Running from Hwy No. 71 West over and across the existing driveway to lands herein described above over and said easement is across lands described as, being A part of the Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of the Southeast Quarter (SE 1/4) of Section Thirty-four (34), Township Three (3) South, Range Thirty-two (32) West, Polk County, Arkansas, described as: Commencing at the SW corner of the NW 1/4 SE 1/4 for a Point of Beginning; Thence North 01 degrees 06 minutes 20 seconds East 310.00 feet; Thence South 88 degrees 25 minutes 34 seconds East 382.94 feet to the West right of way of U.S. Highway 71; Thence South 37 degrees 11 minutes 20 seconds West and along the West sight of way line of said highway 381.19 feet; Thence leaving highway and North 88 degrees 26 minutes West 158.57 feet to the Point of Beginning and containing 1.93 acres, more or less, as surveyed by D.C. Spencer, PLS #424, recorded in Plat Cabinet SC5-l 00, 9/25/96 as described in Misc Book M-310, pages 247-248 , recorded 10/15/2001.

The property is more commonly known 5340 Highway 71 S, Cove, AR 71937. You are hereby warned to appear and defend by filing an answer or other responsive pleading with the Court within thirty (30) days from the date of the first publication of this Warning Order.

Your failure to file a written answer within thirty (30) days may result in a default judgment being entered against you for the relief sought in the complaint.

WITNESS my hand and seal as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Polk County, Arkansas on this ____ day of ________ _

Polk County Circuit Clerk

By Deputy Clerk

Full time caregiver available in Mena area. Honest and reliable. 20 years experience. Good references. Call Ann

Sherry Beaty-Sullivan among Mississippi State University’s fall 2022 graduates

MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS (02/02/2023) — Sherry Beaty-Sullivan of Grannis, Arkansas, is among nearly 1,500 students graduating from Mississippi State University in fall 2022.

Beaty-Sullivan received the Doctor of Philosophy from MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Mississippi State University is a national STEM-focused, doctoral degree-granting, land-grant uni-

versity offering a wide range of educational experiences for learning and growth to a diverse student body of approximately 23,000 students. Among the National Science Foundation’s Top 100 research universities, MSU provides access and opportunity to students from all 50 states and 86 countries. MSU is committed to its comprehensive research university mission, addressing complex local and global issues with innovative ideas and solutions.

WGU launches enrollment for 14-to-18-years old students

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Feb. 2, 2023) — Western Governors University (WGU) has announced a new enrollment opportunity for 14-to-18-years old students into academic programs in WGU’s School of Education, Leavitt School of Health, College of Business, and College of Information Technology.

In this new academic pathway, 14-to-18-years old may apply for and enroll in select WGU bachelor’s degree programs. This opportunity is ideal for students who have postsecondary aspirations, have completed a high school diploma or equivalent at an early age, have an openness to convenient and flexible online learning, and possess career ambitions that are aligned to WGU’s programmatic offerings.

“High school-aged students and their families are seeking new postsecondary options as they increasingly question the value of tradi-

tional college and learning delivery models,” said WGU President Scott Pulsipher. “We are proud to serve these young learners and play a role in helping them achieve their dreams.”

WGU’s teenage students will enroll in the same industry-informed, career-aligned degree programs and courses as currently matriculated WGU students. They also will benefit from a specially designed orientation and onboarding process, dedicated points of contact for parents and guardians, and all of the mentoring support, resources, and capabilities of WGU.

Accepted teenage students at WGU will begin classes on March 1, 2023, with a capacity for 500 students in this first cohort. Prospective students can visit  wgu.edu/ teenlearners for more information about eligible degree programs, and to apply.

Austin Bailey of Cossatot River High School placed third in Arkansas for 11th grade social studies at the National Beta Convention in Hot Springs held Jan. 18-20. National Beta Club is the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America. And for more than 80 years, it has prepared today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders. (Submitted photo)

Mena High School crowned Taeyon Anderton as their King of Hearts and Gabe Corcoran as their Jester at a pep rally the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 7. The evening was topped off with Senior Night, as the Mena Ladycats and the Bearcats basketball teams took on the Waldron Bulldogs at the Union Bank Center.

AHSCA announces four All-Star Games rosters

Mena’s Brad and Madi Lyle selected

By Ethan Nahté

The 2023 Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star games are still a few months away but now we know who will be on the roster for the football, volleyball, cheer and dance competitions.

The rosters are made up of eligible players as selected by the coaches. The remaining rosters that have not been announced will be released once those decisions are made at the conclusion of each season.

The 2023 All-Star games return to the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway on June 23 and June 24.

West All-Star roster of players and coaches from Polk and adjacent counties include:

Football

Andrew Hill (Dierks)

Eli Sharp (Dierks)

Head Coach Paul Ernest (Dierks

Drayton Standridge (Mount Ida)

Volleyball

Madi Lyle (Mena)

Assistant Coach Brad Lyle (Mena)

Natalie Allison (Mansfield)

Assistant Coach Kaylie Pyles (Mansfield)

There were no students or coaches from Polk or adjacent counties selected for either cheer or dance.

* All-Star Rosters - Please note the tabs at the bottom of the document to cycle between sports.

Madi Lyle of the Mena Ladycats volleyball team was part of the 2022 Conference and District championships. Both she and Ladycats head coach Brad Lyle will be a part of the All-Star Games, representing the West. (Photo courtesy of Mena Public Schools)

Archery

2/11 - Acorn @ Archery Regional Tournament

Wrestling

2/11 - Acorn - Girls Regional Tournament

Archery

2/11

Basketball

2/09 - Cossatot Jr. High District Finals

2/10 - Cossatot vs. TBA

2/11 - Cossatot Jr. High District Finals

2/11 - Cossatot vs. Charleston

2/13-18 - Cossatot @ Paris - Sr. High District Finals

Basketball

2/08 - Mena @ Fountain Lake-Jr. District Finals

2/10 - Mena @ Subiaco

Wrestling

1/30 - Mena @ Acorn - Girls Regional Tournament

The Cossatot River Jr. Lady Eagles placed third in the Umpire Junior High Invitational Tournament. The Umpire Tournament is the oldest running junior high basketball tournament west of the Mississippi River, with 67 years of play. The Acorn Jr. Lady Tigers won the tournament, beating out the Dierks Jr. Lady Outlaws. (Submitted photo)

Basketball

2/06-11

2/13/18 District Finals