Polk County Pulse January 18, 2023

Water rate hearing floods City Hall

By Ethan Nahté (Part 1of 2)

The walls of Mena City Hall were practically bursting at the seams with the number of Polk and LeFlore County residents filling the chamber, lobby and any other space they could manage to stand the evening of Jan. 10 for a public hearing regarding the suggested rise in water rates. The hearing occurred prior to the regular monthly city council meeting, allowing residents and representatives for the City, Mena Water Utilities and Hawkins-Weir Engineers, Inc. to discuss issues and purpose for the rate increase.

The Mena City Council did approve amending Ordinance No. 2336-21, declaring an emergency; and prescribing other matters relating thereto, thus creating the new Ordinance No. 2369-23.

In addition to individual citizens, opponents included representatives of rural water utilities Freedom Water and LeFlore County Rural Water District, as well as Arkansas State Parks. There was no one representing Acorn Rural Water Association.

Mayor Seth Smith addressed the noisy crowd, saying, “First and foremost, I un-

derstand there’s a lot of passionate people about the rates proposal. I will tell you up front, we’re all adults and we’re going to act like adults. If you are unable to act like an adult, I will kindly ask you to leave right now. If at any point during the meeting somebody wants to get carried away, get loud or yelling, you will be removed from this building.”

Smith then turned the meeting over to Mena Water Utilities General Manager James Looney, who stood at the doorway to the council chamber in an attempt to be heard by those people in both rooms.

Looney said, “We’re a non-profit. The rates we’re proposing are to improve the wa-

ter utility system so we can continue to provide water to the public. These rates are not something any of us wanted to do. The rate increases are substantial for everyone, for all rate classes. These rate increases affect our families. They affect those that we go to church with, those we go to ball games with, those we go to lunch with, those that we work with. This affects everybody across the board and no one single rate class is singled out to pay a large increase.

“The water plant has received a letter of deficiency from the [Arkansas] Department of Health. We are required to fix that deficiency. This will result basically in a large remodel of the Iron Forks plant.”

The ADH Public Water System Compliance Summary states: If the ADH identifies a significant deficiency during a survey, or at any other time, corrective actions must be taken. Corrective action alternatives include one or more of the following:

1) Correct all significant deficiencies

Freedom Water Board President John Davenport addresses Mena City Council and residents regarding the proposed water rate increase. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Food

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) commodities will be distributed Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Polk County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The information for the Commodity Distribution is listed below. We are still following all safety precautions therefore this will be a drive through only distribution.

The above income guidelines are based on 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Add $512 for each additional family member. You cannot pick up commodities for more than two households.

Rules for acceptance and participation in the program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, or handicap.

As 2022 came to a close, local Knights of Columbus council 7258 was proud to present PCDC with a check for over $3,000. “We would like to acknowledge all of the businesses, as well as each and every person who donated and enjoyed a Tootsie Roll. Thank you all so much. We couldn’t have done it without our local support.” (Submitted photo)

Access Medical Clinic is the new business on Hwy. 71 S, located south of the signal light at Reine Street and across from the Lion’s Club Disc Golf Course. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Radio - Print - Web

1168 Hwy 71S

Mena, AR 71953

Phone: 479-243-9600 Fax: 479-243-9603

Email: news@mypulsenews.com

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Letter To The Editor:

Urging that you ask questions and do your own research has been in some of my past letters to the Pulse, most notably that you research and vote, never who for, but vote to become part of the process and be heard. Know what goes on in your government, not only what we are told but glaring omissions as well.

This letter is along some of those same lines. That is, ask questions, and seek the truth. There is stubborn resistance to building a wall along our southern border by some in our government. I have thought that odd in so much as the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Then I read a recent article and it helped me to see clearly what I had missed before.

ty is more important than that of the whole country?

How can someone, whose whole wage earning career has been as a politician, afford this beach house, among other properties, on a government salary?

Have other presidents had barriers built on their private properties as well?

What other prominent political figures have barriers protecting them?

Does the whole country deserve to be protected or only a select few?

Want to share your opinion?

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In September of 2022 construction began for a security barrier around the Biden’s private beach property located in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The final construction cost will be in the neighborhood of $500,000. The wall is being paid for by U.S. taxpayers through funding by the Department of Homeland Security. And here is where my questions begin.

How can a barrier cost so much for such a small project? Why are U.S. taxpayers paying for upgrades to private property?

When the president leaves office will the barrier be removed or will he reimburse the U.S. treasury?

Should a lien be placed on this property to recoup costs when the property sells?

Will the increase in property value and the increased taxes also be paid by taxpayers?

Does this mean that the president admits there are external dangers that a barrier can deter?

Is this barrier a sign that his safe-

Google provided some answers. This barrier is not limited by political party, as other presidents also have had barriers built on their property at taxpayer expense as well. Jill and Joe Biden have a net worth of 8 million dollars per Google.

I am not suggesting we do not take steps to protect the president but rather, during their tenure, provide a secure home, meeting places, and vacation/relaxation places. It should be clear that taking the job as president may entail certain lifestyle changes and that our president should adapt to the job and not the job adapt to the president.

Every day we fail to secure our borders affords terrorists, drugs, disease, and illegal weapons a chance to put us all at risk.

We are over $30 TRILLION in debt. It is past time we examine our spending habits.

Thank you for a forum to express my thoughts though we may at times disagree.

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

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From the

State House of Representatives

The 2023 Regular Session is now underway.

The session began on Monday, January 9 when members of the 94th General Assembly took the oath of office.

The House then elected Matthew J. Shepherd of El Dorado as the Speaker for the 94th General Assembly. He is the first person in state history to be elected Speaker for a third term.

Speaker Shepherd announced the chairs and vice chairs for committees. You can find the committee rosters at arkansashouse.org.

On the second day of the session, the House and Senate convened for a Joint Session. All constitutional officers took the oath of office and upon swearing-in, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave an address outlining her legislative priorities. The priorities mentioned include tax cuts, improving literacy, and improving public safety.

This week, the full House passed HB1001, an appropriation to pay for the expenses of the 94th General Assembly. The House also passed HB1051, the General Appropriation Act for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.

The House also adopted the rules

for the 94th General Assembly. Changes in the rules from the previous year include adding language that incorporates bill filing deadlines and fiscal impact statement requirements for legislation related to state sponsored health benefits and scholarships. The deadline to file scope of practice legislation is January 23. The deadline to file retirement legislation and employee health benefits plans legislation is January 27.

The deadline to file constitutional amendments is February 8. And the deadline to file legislation impacting scholarships funded by the lottery or the Higher Education Grants Fund is February 13.

Another change to the rules specifies that once a bill is assigned to a committee it will then be listed on that committee’s agenda. Previous rules for the 93rd General Assembly directed committee chairs to set the agenda.

The legislature will not convene on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The House will reconvene on Tuesday, January 17 at 1:30 p.m.

You can watch all committees and House floor proceedings at arkansashouse.org/.

LITTLE ROCK – The 2023 legislative session got off to a smooth start. The full Senate confirmed the governor’s secretarial nominations, and Senate committees got their initial organizational meetings out of the way.

The governor had named 14 of a possible 15 cabinet nominees, and the Senate quickly confirmed her selections. The head of the Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Labor and Licensing and the Department of Agriculture will continue in the positions they held under the previous administration.

The other appointees are new. The new secretaries of three large and important agencies, Education, Corrections and Human Services, have many years of experience in their fields but are new to Arkansas government.

Also during the first week of the session, the legislature approved the General Appropriation Bill. Under the state Constitution, it must be approved before any other spending measures are approved.

From the State Senate Contact

John Maddox

john.maddox@ arkansashouse.org

520 Church Avenue Mena, AR 71953

Call: 479-394-6060

Larry Teague

Larry.Teague@senate. ar.gov P.O. Box 903 Nashville, AR 71852 870-845-5303

John Boozman

1120 Garrison Ave.

Suite 2B

Fort Smith, AR 72901

Phone: (479) 573-0189

Fax: (479) 575-0553

Bruce Westerman

101 Reserve St. Suite 200 Hot Springs, AR 71901

Phone: (501) 609-9796

Fax: (501) 609-9887

Appropriations generally don’t garner the same amount of public attention as other bills, but it is the legislature’s constitutional duty to approve budgets for state government. The Joint Budget Committee and its subcommittees will meet more often than any other committees.

Legislators will prioritize spending levels in the state’s $6.3 billion general revenue fund. State agency budgets will reflect the political values of Arkansas as much as bills related to socalled “hot button” issues.

State agency budgets reflect our political priorities because they determine how much state government will spend on public schools, health care, law enforcement, welfare and food stamps, higher education, job train-

ing, promoting our tourism industry, equipping our National Guard units and protecting the environment.

Last year the legislature enacted about 220 separate appropriations for state agency budgets.

The general revenue fund is the state’s largest discretionary fund. The major sources of revenue are sales taxes, individual income taxes and corporate income taxes.

Highway construction and maintenance are the responsibility of the state Transportation Department, which gets revenue from gasoline and diesel taxes and registration fees paid by heavy vehicles. Those are called special revenues because they are dedicated to maintaining highways and bridges, and are not considered during legislative debates about how to spend general revenue.

Arkansas operates under a balanced budget law known as the Revenue Stabilization Act. It will be one of the last bills considered toward the end of the session, probably in mid to late March or early April.

It prioritizes the state’s budget in the event of an economic downtown that slows or reduces the collection of state taxes. If tax revenue drops, spending will be reduced accordingly.

Fiscal decisions are different for Congress in Washington, D.C. because the federal government can deficit spend, which means it can borrow money for annual operations. The state legislature must balance its annual operating budget, so it sometimes has to make difficult choices about which programs are funded and which ones are not.

About 42 percent of the state’s general revenue budget goes for public schools and 13 percent goes for higher education. Health and human services account for about 31 percent. Public safety and prisons account for about 10 percent.

John Maddox

Terry Rice

Who’s car is that? Remembering ‘Bird’

By Ashley Moore

The first time I met Jamon “Bird” Moga was awkward. Quite possibly more so for him than for me. I was just a few months into my position as the Mena Polk County Chamber of Commerce director and I had a lot on my plate.

My first large-scale project was to plan and execute the 42nd Annual Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run. To say that I had no idea what I was doing was an understatement! I had never attended a car show, much less organized one. One thing I did know for sure, was that in order for any event to be a success, you need attendees.

My goal that year was to grow the waning attendance and my marketing brain was spinning with all the avenues I could use to advertise and entice potential participants. I was sure I had all my bases covered between print, radio, and social media, but I also knew that when it came down to it, nothing compares to word of mouth.

It was early afternoon when I stepped out of my office at the KCS Depot and saw something shiny— that shiny thing being a showstopping 1962 Ford Galaxie 500.

Upon closer inspection I spotted a swamp cooler mounted in the rear, a custom paint job depicting a beautiful girl, and a hundred other custom details that I can’t even recall at the moment.

I didn’t recognize the car as belonging to any local hot rod folks, nor did I have any clue if this beau-

ty was just passing through. All I knew was that this car needed to be at Rod Run and I wasn’t going to let it drive out of my life without personally extending an invitation to its owner.

A quick trot across the street and I stepped through the doors of the restaurant where the mystery ride was parked. I glanced at the hostess as I said, “My apologies for what I’m about to do, I’m looking for someone in here but I don’t know who it is.”

Her confusion was evident, but she didn’t move to stop me. A few more steps past the front counter and I was in sight of both dining areas, and at that point I cleared my throat and raised my voice. “Good afternoon, everyone!” I addressed the entire restaurant loudly enough

that forks clattered and conversation halted. “I’m looking for the owner of that gorgeous lowrider that’s parked outside like it owns the place.”

I scanned the crowd, waiting for my target to reveal his or herself. In the far back corner, a couple sat on the same side of a booth. The man was tentatively raising his hand while simultaneously lowering his head, making it appear he really did not want to claim ownership nor deal with this crazy woman who was hollering in the middle of a restaurant. I marched towards the couple and introduced myself to “Bird” Moga and Dominique Adams. In that one act of making it awkward for them, the staff, and all the patrons, I gained myself two new friends.

As I got to know them and their daughters, I quickly recognized that these were the type of people you wanted on your side. If they claimed you as a friend, then you could count yourself among the lucky ones. There was never any hesitation on their part to lend a hand, or an ear, or a wrench, but you can bet that “Bird” would be attached to the other end of that wrench.

I’ll never forget when Dominique showed up to drop off their car show registration and I was frantically filling 200 goody bags for the show… by myself. She took one look at me, dropped her bag in a chair, and for the next few hours we stuffed bags and got to know each other.

Or when I suddenly found myself a widow, and upon moving to a new house discovered that some minor repairs and renovations were necessary that definitely exceeded my skill set. “Bird” instructed me to gather the needed materials and he would handle the rest.

If one of our vehicles started to act up, straight to “Bird” it went. His talent as a mechanic was known far and wide and was coupled with an intelligence that could be easily overlooked if you were the type to judge a book by its cover. But I never hesitated to consult him on any matters I was facing. Mechanical or not.

Jamon “Bird” Moga (Photo by Levi Holmes - www.SquirrelShots.com)

Obituaries

Marion Lee Thomas of Mena passed away on Sunday, January 8th at the age of 73. He was born on April 12, 1949, in De Queen, AR. He grew up in Cove, AR, and graduated from high school there in 1967.

Marion was preceded in death by parents, Alfred Lee Thomas and Virgie Hayes Thomas.

He is survived by three sons, Don of Hot Springs, David and his wife Sarah of Troutville, VA, and Daryl of Hatfield; four sisters Dixie Jean Dohrn of Rogers, Candace Casey of Mena, Anita Thomas of Sapulpa, OK, Rose Fairless of Mena; and one brother, Tom Bennett Thomas of Reno, NV. He is also survived by four grandsons, two granddaughters and many nieces and nephews.

Marion worked as a heavy machinery operator, working on construction sites all over the country, and was particularly skilled at operating a Road Grader. He was also very proud to have worked in the Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Services in Cove, AR. Marion most enjoyed offering a helping hand to friends and family or sharing stories over a cup of coffee.

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 14th at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cove, Arkansas, with visitation on Friday, January 13th from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Beasley Wood Funeral Home in Mena.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Jamon “Bird” Wynn Moga

Jamon “Bird” Wynn Moga, age 46, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023. He was born on Friday, March 19, 1976, in Odessa, Texas.

Jamon was incredibly smart and extremely talented. He was a great role model, mentor and shared countless life lessons and skills that people who knew him will value forever. He had a very generous spirit and helped anyone that he could. You knew he loved you if he picked on you. Jamon loved to cook and feed everyone. He was a jack of all trades and an excellent mechanic. He loved restoring anything with wheels. Jamon was a loving companion, father, son, brother and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Geri Seago-Moga; and his stepfather, Delton Earl Kemp.

Jamon is survived by his loving companion of 11 years, Dominique Adams of Mena; one son, Jacob Seago-Moga and partner Paul Lebarron of Augusta, Wisconsin; two daughters, Isabel Adams of Mena, and Zoe Adams of Mena; his father, Ted Moga of Fountain City, Wisconsin; his mother, Gwen Huett Kemp of Hope, Arkansas; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Robyn and Austin Curry of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Caren and Barrett Duncan of Hope, Arkansas; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

of man that picked on you because he liked you. He was the type of man that always looked out for his friends. He was the type of man that put his family first. And he was the type of man that I will never forget because people like him don’t come around very often.

BIRD continued from page 5

When I remarried and my musician husband began playing shows locally, “Bird” and Dom were there. Nearly every show he played in Mena, they attended. My husband, Nash Moore, like nearly everyone else, immediately liked “Bird.”

This past fall, as I hosted Thanksgiving for my friends, “Bird,” Dom, and the girls came to celebrate with us. Their holiday plans had fallen through and, while I felt bad for them at the time, I am so very grateful that I got that one last gathering with my friends.

Last Thursday evening, Jan. 12, my phone rang at 9:45 p.m. Dread immediately fell over me, as I knew that no one calling this late had good news. I was right and the caller on the other end told me that my friend “Bird” had passed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 46.

We all have heard that old cliché, larger than life. Every so often we actually meet someone that brings that phrase to mind, and even more rare than that is meeting someone who truly is larger than life. “Bird” was all of this and more. He was the type of man that you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley until you got closer and realized he was actually a huge teddy bear. He was the type

In the days following his death, it became clear from the outpouring of memories on social media that this mountain of a man made an impression 3-miles-wide, all across Mena—an impression that was not only made on people of our age, but on all ages: Teenagers that had learned invaluable skills from him, those of us in our 30s and 40s that were blessed to have him as a friend, elderly folks he helped any time they were in need.

His loss is a heavy gray cloud that has settled on our community during a time when we are already facing so much grief.

A few days after the accident, I sat with Dominique and did what we do in times like this. I observed, reminisced and listened. I observed the strength of the support system that had showed up in full force. I reminisced about the first time we met. And I listened. I listened as the grief fought its way through the stoicism in her voice. I listened as each breath was measured and carefully executed. I listened as she said what we were all thinking… “How could this happen? How was this possible? What cosmic algebraic equation equaled a world without ‘Bird’ in it?”

There is no answer that I can find, but the closest I can come would be a song by Sturgill Simpson. I think it sums it up and we can all relate.

“Life Ain’t Fair and The World is Mean.”

Marion Lee Thomas

By Richie Lawry

As soon as we parked the car in the condo parking lot, I got out and headed down the path to the beach access. Steep wooden steps led down the cliff to the ocean below. It had been 48 hours since we drove away from Mena towards Dallas to catch our flight to Portland. After flight delays caused by an FAA computer malfunction, we were finally on the Oregon Coast.

The ocean looked angry as huge waves created an almost deafening roar. I was looking forward to walking on the beach, but the tide was high, and occasionally the water and foam would roll in and crash into the cliff banks. As I was standing on the cement landing at the bottom of the stairs to the beach, a colossal sneaker wave crashed ashore, and I realized that the water and foam were going to cover the landing. I headed up the stairs, and although I made it up several steps, the sea foam licked at my heels.

I watched my granddaughter climb off the platform and onto the beach while keeping a wary eye on the ocean. She wanted to touch the sea foam and play in it. But it wasn’t long before a wave chased her back onto the platform and up the steps. Playing on the beach would have to wait for another day.

Early the following day, I headed back down to the beach for a walk, but the tide was so high that I couldn’t. Many waves came to the towering cliffs at the beach’s edge, leaving no place to walk. I went back to the condo and checked the tide chart. It was only an hour after high tide, but the tide was receding. Maybe I would be able to walk the beach after breakfast.

I was on the Oregon coast for a family reunion. Relatives were here from Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Louisiana, and Arkansas. My brother-in-law and sisterin-law provided condos for everyone, and their condo was the central meeting place. We all crowded into their condo, where they served a delicious breakfast. After eating, I took out my phone and began looking through my photos to choose some to post to Facebook. As I opened the app, the

An Arkie’s Faith

The tide rises, the tide falls

that would indicate a possible place for surf fishing. The tide was still high enough that the occasional wave would send us scrambling up the rocks at the bottom of the cliffside to escape the water. Walking along the beach, I could hear The Moody Blues singing in my head. “I’ve been searching for my dream a hundred times today. I build them up, you knock them down, like they were made of clay. Then the tide rushes in and washes my castles away.”

As the waves chased us onto the rocks, I thought about the tides as a metaphor for life. There is a cycle to life, and sometimes it seems that the waves will drown us. One minute you may be excitedly visiting with family you haven’t seen for several years, and the next minute the tide rushes in, and the news of a tragedy cuts your legs out from under you.

first post I saw shocked me.

A friend posted, “Today we struggle to find much joy. Our little family that we have formed in Polk County took a hard hit last night. We lost a pillar of the crew in a motorcycle wreck. Jason Bird Moga, or Uncle Bird to our kids, leaves a big hole in our hearts.”

Over the last few years, Bird and I have become friends. I had talked to him just hours before I left for Oregon. When I read the horrible news, I blurted out to those in the room, “My friend passed away last night.” A wave of emotion rolled over me, and I couldn’t stay in the room.

I grabbed my coat and rushed outside. Thoughts swirled in my head as I walked down the path to the beach access. I reminisced about my first meeting with Bird and being intimidated by his size and appearance. But when I got to know him, I found him to be a gentle giant. Our mutual love of cars brought us together, but his kindness and willingness to help others made me want to be his friend.

I stopped and looked out over the ocean

when I reached the stairs leading down to the beach. As the waves crashed into the shore over and over, I barely saw them. Thoughts of Bird raced through my mind as my eyes filled with tears. I remembered all the discussions we had about the project we were planning. We had planned to resurrect the 1967 Toyota Stout that had moved my family to Mena in 1981. The old Toyota was in rough shape, but Bird planned to get it back on the road. His health issues seemed to postpone the project every time we were ready to start.

I stood lost in thought and blankly staring out over the ocean. My nephew came by on his way down to the beach. As I spoke to him, telling him that my friend had died, it was like a dam broke, and I couldn’t hold it inside. I broke down, cried, and couldn’t get my emotions in check. When I was finally able to speak again, he told me that he was going to scout a location for surf fishing and invited me to go with him.

We walked along the beach as a drizzle kept us wet. My nephew explained what he was looking for in the wave formations

Even David felt this way when he wrote in Psalms 42:6,7 (NLT), “Now I am deeply discouraged, I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote about this cycle of life; “The tide rises, the tide falls, the twilight darkens, the curlew calls; Along the sea-sands damp and brown the traveler hastens toward the town, and the tide rises, the tide falls.”

In his poem, Wadsworth contrasts the traveler’s journey with the endless, ongoing cycles of the natural world. Our time on earth is so short compared to the vastness of eternity. “The little waves, with their soft, white hands, efface the footprints in the sands, and the tide rises, the tide falls.”

Gentle Reader, we all witness the tide rising and falling in our lives. There are times when the surging tide rushes in and sweeps over us. Sometimes circumstances overwhelm us and leave us gasping for breath. But God has promised us that there will come a time when He will break that cycle.

Revelation 21:4 (NCV) tells us, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain.” I long for that day.

Replacing windshields in Polk County for over 40 years.

Give Richie a call at 479-394-9938 Located at 3008 Hwy 71 South

Joke of the Week: Every morning I walk my cow through the vineyard. I herd it through the grapevine.

Sunset over Gleneden Beach on the Oregon coast. (Photo by Richie Lawry)

Incoming

submittedPhotosandtextbyJudyPetty

Polk

The Polk County Master Gardeners held their 2022 Awards Ceremony along with the induction of the new 2023 Polk County Master Gardener Board on Jan. 5.

Outgoing Polk County Master Gardeners Board (l-r) LaRayne Risenhoover, treasurer; Lena Day, vice president; Fran Hadaway, president, Ladonna VanWolf and Rebecca Thornton, members at large.

board 2023 (l-r) Joe VanWolf, treasurer; Judy Petty, president; Catherine Conner and Patsy Drager, members at large, Vickie Kreymeyer, secretary, Lena Day, vice president.

The Polk County Friends of Master Gardens, Bob and Suzanne Manis of Suzanne Manis Pottery.

County Project of the Year was the Polk County Courthouse coordinated by Joan Irish (left) and Polk County Master Gardener of the Year Lena Day (right).

The Polk County Master Gardener Rookie of the Year was Bill Raby, being presented an award by Ladonna VanWolf.

Polk County choice for Friends of Master Gardener Business is Rick Evans of Grandview Prairie Nature Center.

OLT announces cast for winter comedy

Submitted by Julie Ulmer

Ouachita Little Theatre has reached into the classic comedy file drawer and is reviving one of the most popular comedies it has ever produced. “You Can’t Take It With You” by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart is a Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy that celebrates non-conformity. It boasts an ensemble cast that includes OLT veteran actors as well as some very talented newcomers. Director Amanda Baker announces her cast. It includes Alahna Norton as Penny Sycamore, Sterling Freeman as Essie Carmichael, Blade Slatten as Ed Carmichael, Stacey Musgrave as Rheba, Mike Rohland as Grandpa, Jered Biard as Paul Sycamore, Tara Cornelius as Alice Sycamore (Jocelyn Biard as understudy) Silas Baker as Tony Kirby, Tim Hesse as Mr. Kirby, Evelyn

Performers from “You Can’t Take It With You” are preparing for OLT’s Winter Production. (Photos courtesy of OLT)

Dedman as Mrs. Kirby, Jason Myers as Donald, Scotty Jenkins as DePinna, Robert Canterbury as Kolenkhov, Ann

Glenn as the Grand Duchess, Linda G. Johnson as Gay Wellington, Scott Roberts as Henderson, and government

agents are played by Ryan Lewis, Kristi Kenyon, and Lilli Loyd.

Assistant director is Sarah Lewis, costumer is Sharon Hose and property master is Linda G. Johnson. The technical crew includes MaKayla Ortiz, Mikayla Barber, Jocelyn Biard, Trinity Thomas, and Taz Howard.

Performance dates are scheduled for February 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m.

Reserved tickets will be available soon online at oltmena.com or at the OLT office located at 610 Mena St. during office hours. Tickets will also be available at the door. Season tickets are accepted for this show and may be used to reserve seats through the website or in person at the office.

WATER

continued from page 1

2) Provide an alternate source of water

3) Eliminate the source of contamination

4) Provide treatment that reliably achieves 4-log inactivation and/or removal of viruses Corrective actions are to be discussed with and receive approval of ADH before undertaking any action.

Water Rate Increase Proposal

a long time ago that have car bodies and other things in it. There are concerns those levees could fail and that’s the reason we’re having to do this.”

In the Wastewater Treatment Plant Master Plan (WWTP) on ADEQ’s site, dated August 21, 2019, part of the conclusion and recommendations read:

“The City of Mena’s existing WWTP

study. They had to meet the requirements of the American Water Works Association.

Current Rates

User Class Base Unit

$$/1000 gal less than 10,000 gal $$/1000 gal greater than 10,0000 gal

Inside City Limits $14.15 $3.71 $3.27

Outside City Limits $17.50 $3.71 $3.27

Proposed Rates

User Class Base Unit

Inside City Limits $28.70 $3.70

Outside City Limits $34.00 $3.70 Wholesale 0 $3.15 $3.15 Wholesale 0 $5.20

2" Meters $47.73 $3.71 $3.27

Garden Meters $7.23 $3.71 $3.27

Extension $24.87 $3.71 $3.27

Sewer Rate Proposal

User Class

Current Rates

Base Rate (Includes first 1000 gal)

Cost per 1000 gal (After first 1000 gal)

Inside City Limits $8.97 $3.77

Outside City Limits $12.22 $4.22

Sewer Only $18.40 0

Flat Rate Sewer $8.97 0

Truckload $10.00/load 0

Looney said, “Engineering is complete for this project and we’re trying to take this to bid in February.

“We’re under two consent orders from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. This only involves those who have sewer with the City. One is for the plant, and this will require a brand-new treatment plant as well. So, we’re building two new treatment plants. Engineering is under way. The existing wastewater plant is not adequate to maintain our treatment standards. There are parts of the levee built

price per 1000 gallons

2" Meters $75.50 $3.70

Garden Meters $28.70 $3.70

Extension $45.60 $3.70

Proposed Rates

User Class

Base Rate (Includes first 1000 gal)

Effective July 1, 2023

Base Rate (Includes first 1000 gal) Effective Jan 1, 2024

Inside City Limits $19.00 $29.00 $5.30

Outside City Limits $25.90 $39.60 $5.30

Sewer Only $39.00 $59.50 0

Flat Rate Sewer $19.00 $29.00 0

requires repairs and process modifications to consistently comply with NPDES permit requirements and meet the City’s future wastewater needs. Without capital improvements and process modifications, permit exceedances will continue indefinitely. Additionally, the City will be unable to comply with future permit limits for nutrient removal.”

Looney said, “We’re also under a consent order from ADEQ on our sewer collection system. We get a lot of water in the plant that’s rainwater that seeps into the pipes through cracks and breaks and things. We have to address that now to avoid any further fine or penalties. We haven’t received any so far.

“In addition to these,” Looney said, “Arkansas legislature has passed ‘Act 605’ which covers a lot of different things, but specifically requires a water utility conduct a rate study every five years and specify what must be done a year before any project is to begin. The rate study must be done by an outside company.”

In this case, the approved company is Hawkins-Weir that conducted the rate

Cost per 1000 gal (After first 1000 gal) Effective Jul 1, 2024

Truckload $25.00/load $25.00/load 0

Looney said, “It has to ensure that the rates established are sufficient to pay for the financing of the projects. Without this rate study being done and implemented, we will not receive any funding for the projects… . The only obstacle is the approval of the rate increases. The rate increases are proposed to take affect July 1, [2023].”

Looney said, “We hope there are some of the ARPA funds left over and we can decrease the cost of the loan. If we can reduce the cost of the loan, we can look at the water rates and reduce the water rates accordingly.”

The water associations and Hawkins-Weir were unlimited on their time to talk. Other citizens were allowed two minutes to talk or ask questions directly to Looney or Hawkins-Weir.

Freedom Water Board President John Davenport said, “I was instrumental in starting that endeavor back in the late ‘80s. I’ve been on the board now for a little over 34 years. That doesn’t qualify me as a rate study expert, but I did spend 35 years at U.S. Motors and the majority of that career was spent in product costing. The last 15 years, I was the cost control manager and I was responsible for developing cost rates and implementing those for all of U.S. motors product lines.

“In early November of last year, Acorn, Freedom and LeFlore County water asso-

ciations were notified by Mena Water Utilities of a rate increase that would be effective on January 1, 2023. That rate increase will take the current wholesale rate of $3.15 per thousand gallons of water to $6.50 per thousand gallons of water, an increase of 106%. Representatives for all three regions attended the regular meeting of the Mena Water Commission to express their concerns.”

Davenport reviewed the approved Hawkins-Weir rate study. He said, “It became readily apparent to me that a generalized allocation methodology applied across the sum of the utility expenses and liabilities were used to arrive at the so-called wholesale rate. The authors of the rate study calculated the ratio of 57% city, 43% wholesale based on water sold to each [group] respectively. That was for water sold, not necessarily produced. This allocation was then applied to the sum of all liability and expenses without a line-item investigation as to the applicability of each line item to the wholesale user rate.

“I did not perform a full investigation of the entire rate study, primarily because as soon as I realized the allocation flaw, it was my opinion that this rate study was not valid.”

Davenport sent the mayor and Looney his findings and requested an audience. He said the meeting never occurred due to scheduling difficulties. His document was forwarded by Looney to Hawkins-Weir.

Mena Water Commission held a special meeting on Dec. 13, 2022, and reviewed fa revised study from Hawkins-Weir with four alternatives.

Davenport said, “That revision was a direct result of Mr. Looney forwarding my document. Some of my findings were accepted, while others were not. In my opinion, there are other challenges to the rate study that I did not document. The commission went on to adopt Alternative 3 from the revised rate study, which did lower the wholesale rate from the initial $6.50 per thousand to $5.20 per thousand gallons.”

That would be a $1300 per thousand gallons difference.

“It’s still a 65% increase to the rural water association… . Mayor Smith, members of

the council, this evening you will be asked to adopt a water rate proposal, that in the opinions of myself, the boards of Acorn, Freedom and LeFlore County water associations, that is flawed, biased and discriminatory.”

Davenport went on to give an example with a hypothetical set of numbers based on the actual rates that showed a vast difference of over $7,400 for the usage of 5 million gallons of water between one customer within city limits and Freedom on the same water line, paying more, located just outside the city limits.

“How can this not be viewed as discriminatory, based on where you live and who you are?” Davenport asked.

Davenport went on to provide other examples. On behalf of the three water associations, he proposed the council vote nay on the rate increase, receiving a round of applause from several members of the audience.

John Butler of Big Cedar, Oklahoma, was one of two representatives for rural water district 17 in LeFlore County. Additionally, he was the district’s first water operator (2001-2003) and returned as operator in 2022. Butler is also the minister of the Big Cedar Freewill Baptist Church and the minister and chairman of Christ Food Center, one of the few emergency food pantries left in southern LeFlore County.

Butler said, “These positions give me a very unique perspective into the people of our valley. Many must choose between medicine and food every month because they don’t have the money for both… .”

Butler believes that the rate increases will force many of the Big Cedar residents to revert back to ancestral wells, ponds or streams, which have reportedly been the cause of illnesses, including cancer. “Once again, they will face health issues using contaminated waters,” Butler said.

He stated the water line for their community was put in so poorly 22

years ago that after trying to fix leaks, it averages a 50% water loss on a monthly basis.

“Our customers struggle to bear that burden at our existing rates,” Butler said. “Our current water board has designed a six-year plan to replace the existing water line and make the water more affordable.

“There are signs of the beginning of growth in that valley. Your rates will stop that. Our area will no longer be

community.”

He was not seeking special treatment, but suggested the increase be placed on hold and that another study be done, possibly by the Arkansas Rural Water Association.

Looney said after the meeting, “We can change the rate at any time, but what I have to do is maintain that bottom line figure of $3.3 million to pay those bonds.”

fies that we need these projects need to happen… somebody who doesn’t have a situation as serious as ours is may only get $2 million. We got the $5 million for the wastewater and the sewer side. I think that speaks volumes for the importance it is to get this project done.”

attractive to new growth when a few miles west, land will be costing the same but the water over there will be affordable. Without new customers, our community’s hope for growth will evaporate.

“Very few of our existing customers will be able to pay the cost of this outrageous rate hike that Mena Water Utilities is proposing. We are a retirement community with the majority of our community living on fixed incomes.

If you raise our rates as proposed, you will devastate our community. This rate increase is unfair for everyone in our

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants for Mena, totaling $5 million for the Iron Forks Water Treatment Plant and the other for $5 million for the Mena Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements (see Pulse, Dec. 14, 2022) are projected to cost a total of $31.6 million. The ARPA grants were the maximum that could be received.

Looney said they have to start spending on those relatively soon. He did not have the deadline dates readily available. “In the application, we have to state what these funds are for. There’s a deficiency according to the Arkansas Department of Health, which solidi-

“Before I got here, there was an agreement with the Water Utilities about the Letter of Deficiency and how to fix the clear well.” Again, Looney did not have the information readily available, but said if he remembered right, the clear well either had to be fixed by 2025 or at least started by 2025.

“The rates don’t have to be implemented—I have sometime this year to implement the rates—but they have to be passed before we can go bid. We’re trying to get ready so we can go bid on those projects now and move this project along and get started on it. That’s why we went ahead and passed this. We’re on a big push because of the agreement timeline. We’re having a lot of communication with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) on getting this sewer plant done.”

We will have more in next week’s issue, including comments by Hawkins-Weir, as well as more from Arkansas State Parks, former JP Terry Terrell, Looney, and the public. W will also have more on what the council discussed before approving the new ordinance by a vote of 4-1, and an ordinance relating to the sewer facilities.

The lobby of Mena City Hall began to fill a half-hour before the public hearing. The council room was already packed. The lobby would be packed by the time the meeting commenced. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Kimberly Howard named to SNHU President’s List

MANCHESTER, NH (01/13/2023)—

Kimberly Howard of Hatfield has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Fall 2022 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum gradepoint average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with a 90-year his-

tory of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 170,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative” regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.

Cossatot River Primary School perfect attendance

1st

Kindergarten:

2nd

Kindergarten:

First

Second

Holly Harshman Reading Club learns about cartography

Submitted by Barbara Genung

Recently, Brad Fountain, CMS, the mapping specialist who works out of the Polk County Court House, visited with one of Holly Harshman’s reading clubs. The fourth graders in this particular club are reading “Map Trap,” by Andrew Clements.

Fountain gave great insight into his education, the history of surveyors and mapping, and what his job entails.

He brought detailed maps showing the history of mapping out Arkansas counties, in particular Polk County.

He also spoke about tools he uses and an old stone marker found in the forested area used for marking plots of land.

Each child was given a binder of information with facts about cartography.

We thank Mr. Fountain for go -

ing above and beyond to share, professionally and personally, this important job he loves.

Sevier County appoints first-ever female county judge

By Patrick Massey

The Sevier County Quorum Court made history this month after it appointed the first woman to ever hold the office of county judge in Sevier County.

During the Jan. 9 meeting of the Sevier County Quorum Court, justices of the peace unanimously announced their pick of Sandra Dunn as the next interim county judge. She will replace Dick Tallman, who was appointed as the interim office holder following the passing of Sevier County Judge Greg Ray in late August of last year.

Tallman, who served as county judge for 16 years (1994-

2010), agreed to the interim appointment through the remainder of Ray’s 2019-2023 term. Tallman said he was honored to serve out the term, despite the tragic circumstances that brought him back to the office. Dunn will be the first woman to ever hold the highest elected position in Sevier County. She previously served as the elected county clerk for Sevier and for the last few years as the administrative assistant to Ray and then Tallman.

Tallman said the county could not have asked for a better person to serve as interim judge through Ray’s 2023-2027 term. As Dunn was appointed to the

position, rather than elected, state election law will prevent her from seeking reelection in 2026. Her term as interim county judge will officially expire on Dec. 31 of that year.

meeting.

Making history-incoming Sevier County Judge Sandra Dunn poses next to outgoing county judge Dick Tallman following the appointment of Dunn by the Sevier County Quorum Court on Jan. 9. Dunn is the first woman to ever hold the office in Sevier County. (Submitted photo)

“I just want to thank you [justices of the peace] for the opportunity, I’m honored by your trust in me for the position of county judge,” Dunn said during the

Around Town

The Polk County Social Seniors will be meeting at New China restaurant in February. New to Polk County? Come and meet Seniors (55+ and up) and make new friends. Any questions call Linda Johnson at (956) 241-2633.

Fund for Bill Davis at Union Bank. If anyone wants to donate to assist with shelter and food. Bill is going through chemo and radiation. He does not have transportation between Mena and Hot Springs and will be required to stay in Hot Springs for treatment.

DIY Learn Something New class will meet Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Extension Education Building at 211 DeQueen St. In January, we will decorate cupcakes. Classes for Feb. 18 are making a corn husk doll; March 18 we will be making wildflower seed bombs; Apr. 22 will feature Dr. Carmen Jones; May 20 we will learn to make tamales; June 17 we will make a mug rug and July 15 we will make a button Christmas ornament. Polk County Extension Homemakers Council (EHC) sponsors sessions once a month. The community is invited to join us to “Learn Something New”. For more information on EHC call the Extension office at (479) 394-6018.

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 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) 2348366 or (479) 216-3786.

OLT announces an additional evening performance of the Roy Orbison Tribute concert, now at 2 an 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21. Information and tickets can be found at OLTMena.com in Plays and Events or purchased at the Ouachita Little Theatre office Thursdays and Fridays, 2-4 p.m. or Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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 Board Camp Baptist Church will distribute free food to anyone in need on Thursday, J. 19 from 10 a.m.-noon. The church is located at 107 Polk 63 at the corner of Hwy. 8 E and Polk 63, approximately 9 miles east of Mena.

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!

Hogspore News: The reason for wisdom teeth

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson

Dr. Brace Gumm, dentist, came from Bent Fork, Arkansas, a few years ago. Bent Fork had a lotta dental problems til the dentist discovered the cause and ran the used silverware salesman out of town. Here’s some advice from him. Dr. Gumm says, “Wisdom teeth are the anchor stores in your chopping center.”

Old Man Grimely pulled up front of the Come-On-Give-Us-OneMore-Chance Diner this morning. He was maneuvering his adult tricycle, locking it to a light pole out front. When he entered, he saw me and Morton Trubletoof at our table. He sat down. We didn’t invite him. He didn’t ask. We was too busy eating, and he’s rich, so he sits wherever he wants. That’s how things are here.

I sez, “Have you named your trike yet?”

Before he could answer, Morton asked, “Why would he call it Yet?”

I was gonna explain, but the four remaining slices of bacon on his plate interrupted his interest. Grimely said, “Yep, named my tricycle. The seat is a nice rounded soft cup that holds my butt. That’s why her name is Butter Cup.”

The Hogspore Elementary Spelling Bee was last Friday. Everybody knows who won, so this ain’t a speller spoiler alert. The rules stated that third, fourth, and fifth-graders could enter. This year, a first-grader competed. Here’s the reason:

When Petey Magoo wanted to participate, his teacher said No. Petey jumped around the room yell-

ing, “No Fair, No Fair.” Down to the principal’s office strolled Petey. Barkley Spellbetter listened to the plea, and said No. Petey began his previous response, “No Fair, No Fair.”

The principal replied, “Mr. Magoo, that is a rather presumptuous request coming from a six-year-old.”

Petey come back with, “p.r.e.s.u.m.p.t.u.o.u.s, presumptuous.”

“It’s still No.”

The first-grader said, “Sir, your reply is somewhat pedantic. p.e.d.a.n.t.i.c, pedantic.”

“Listen, short stop, the answer is still No.”

“If you don’t let me, my lawyer daddy will sue for age discrimination. d.i.s.c.r.i.m.i.n.a.t.i.o.n, discrimination.”

“You’re in Petey. Good luck, Mr. Magoo, B.r.a.t, Brat.”

The spelling bee in the high school auditorium dragged on for three hours. Two contestants remained, fifth-grader Lisa Bumpimoff and first-grader Petey Magoo. Petey was first. The Principal read the word. It didn’t matter, cause here’s what happened. Petey got scared. He ran off the stage, shouting, “I gotta go potty. p.o.t.t.y, potty.”

Barkley Spellbetter shook his head, “Well, that’s disappointing. Miss Bumpimoff, your word is cat.” Lisa won. The principal smiled. He then wished the audience Good Evening. Folks were mighty impressed with how nice a contestant Lisa had been, since she kept offering cups of water to Petey Magoo throughout the contest.

You can contact Clet Litter at bobsimpson1947@yahoo.com You know you wanna.

CLASSIFIEDS

- SERVICES -

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. T0118

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. T0125

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

- HELP WANTED -

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced CNC Machine Operator.

Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

T0125

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

T0125

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.

T0125

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. T0125

Help

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 9, 2023

No reports.

January 10, 2023

Nancy Odle, 38 of Cove was arrested on a charge of Violation of a No Contact Order and Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance.

January 11, 2023

Holly Robinson, 31 of Mena was arrested on charges of Interference with Custody, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

January 12, 2023

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a dog bite victim.

Deputies responded to a residence on Cardinal Lane near Acorn in reference to property damage.

January 13, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 69 near Big Fork in reference to a verbal domestic dispute.

January 14, 2023

Natasha Smith, 45 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Gober Lane near Mena in reference to a physical domestic disturbance leading to the arrest of Tammy Turner, 43 of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery.

A call to a residence on Trailwood Lane near Mena led to the arrest of Jericho Clements, 27 of Mena to be held for another agency for outstanding warrants.

Clayton Kesterson, 29 of Wickes was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on a charge of DWI.

Ashley Laughter, 51 of Mena was arrested on charges of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and 1st Degree Terroristic Threatening.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 56 near Nunley in reference to a physical domestic disturbance leading to the arrest of Laura Hanks, 51 of Mena on charges of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and 2nd Degree Terroristic Threatening.

January 15, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Pebble Lane near Board Camp in reference to a criminal mischief complaint.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 332 near Cove in reference to stolen property.

Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle fire on Hwy 246 West.

Deputies responded to a residence on Butler Circle near Hatfield in reference to a residential burglary. 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 18 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

January 8

A theft report was taken at a residence on Evans Circle.

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

January 9

A report of assault and disorderly conduct was taken at a residence on South Reine Street.

January 10

Kyle Scheppman, 32, was charged with Possession of a Schedule 2 Controlled Substance, Possession of a Schedule 4 Controlled Substance, and served with warrants after contact at EZ Mart.

A missing persons report was taken from a walk-in complainant.

Michael White, 57, was charged with Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons, Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor), Driving on Suspended License, and No Vehicle License after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

January 11

Rodney Morrison, 37, was served with a warrant after contact at Kess’ Korner.

Bobby May, 35, was served with warrants after contact on Magnolia Avenue.

Jason Rosson, 41, was charged with Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Breaking or Entering, Residential Burglary, and Theft of property at a residence on Warner Avenue.

January 12

No report.

January 13

No report.

January 14

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

A report of theft was taken from a person at the hospital.

Colton Loyd, 18, was charged with Theft of Property at Walmart.

ABF Marathon runs past weather extremes

By Stacey Shaver-Matson

The Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon was a hit. This year we had 172 finishers out of 181 runners. A few of those who did not finish sacrificed their race to help an injured runner. This is quite an impressive outcome considering the swing in temperatures with frost in the

47, of Bryant was barreling downhill, fell, and could not catch himself with his hands. He hit headfirst. As soon as I received word through our HAM operators with Ouachita Amateur Radio

morning and unusual heat in the afternoon.

The overall marathon winners were Cliff Pittman, 4 hours, 44 minutes, from Fayetteville; and Karen Holland, 5:07, who just moved to Bentonville from Toronto, Canada.

The overall 17-Mile Fun Run winners were Jacob Anderson 2:45, owner of Norfork Outdoor Supply in Norfork, Arkansas; and Brandy Risner (3:58:30) from Hot Springs.

This was the 24th year for the full marathon and the 25th year for the event. One year was altered due to high creek levels. In that span of time, this was the first time that we had to implement our emergency response plan. It was a test on all systems and I believe we all passed that test.

Long story short, one of our faster full-marathon runners, Kenny Garner,

Association, I began our emergency response plan starting with a call to 911.

Stacey Shaver-Matson and Jacob Anderson

Brandy Risner and Stacey Shaver-Matson

Wrestling

1/19 - Acorn vs. Lakeside

1/23 - Acorn vs. Subiaco Academy

1/24 - Acorn @ Bauxite-Tri with Arkadelphia

Basketball

1/20 1/24 Basketball

1/20 - Mena @Ozark

Wrestling

1/23 - Mena @ Pottsville-Quad

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, our medical director Chrissy Ferguson (a retired Fire Chief with EMT Training), and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department were quickly on the scene.

Two EMT units were soon behind them and a medflight helicopter. After an evaluation, it was deemed that an air evacuation was unnecessary and ground transportation to Mena Regional would be sufficient.

Thanks to the fast and professional action by all parties, Garner received the prompt care he needed. He required 14 staples in a cut that ran 4 inches up

from his eyebrow, was ½-inch wide and deep enough to see his scalp. Thankfully he did not have a concussion or any brain bleeding and was released to the care of his parents the same day.

Emergency response was ready with a Stokes basket had it been necessary. However, Garner chose to come

over the two final mountains into the aid station on his own. Several of our participants stayed by his side and assisted him down the mountain where the above-mentioned emergency re-

sponse entities were staged and ready to evaluate and care for our runner. I would like to personally thank all agencies involved for their prompt and professional action. I am extremely grateful.

Garner has reported that he returned to work the week of his accident.

I am also grateful to the community of Big Fork for showing up every year to visit and offer us home-baked goods. It is this kind of hospitality that gives my event that down home feel and makes our runners want to come back for more year after year.

For more photos, information about the marathons and Arkansas UltraRunning (AURA), start at https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100047773131922.

Kenny Garner had a spill, and stitches, but made it back on his feet and has already returned to work.

Cliff Pittman and Stacey Shaver-Matson

Karen Holland and Stacey Shaver-Matson

Runners making their way through wet leaves and streams during the Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon.