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.

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.

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