Polk County Pulse January 25, 2023

Water rate hearing floods City Hall

By Ethan Nahté (Part

2 of 2)

Vickie Cearnal, the chair for the LeFlore County Rural Water District No. 17 spoke after the district’s operator, John Butler. She said, “I absolutely believe that our customers who cannot pay will shut off their water. We only have 172 customers in our district. If those customers turn their water off, that could force us into bankruptcy, therefore damaging everyone in the valley.”

Cearnal claims the water rate in the county west of LeFlore cost is $2.47 per thousand gallons, which is $1.24 less than the current rate of $3.71 per thousand gallons less than 10,000 gallons through Mena Water Utilities (MWU).

.A representative of Arkansas State Parks poses questions for Hawkins Weir and Mena Water Utilities at the public hearing. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Cearnal said she was told by their attorney that the MWU rate will make them the second-largest cost of water in the state of Oklahoma, for one of the smallest districts in the Oklahoma.

Some of the questions residents and business owners asked included wondering why the City of Mena has not been planning for the rate increase or correcting the infrastructure issues beforehand. Some residents found it hard to believe that the situation called for the building of a new treatment plant. There were questions of whether or not the City had been setting money aside or if they had applied for grants from either the state or federal. There were also some asking about the rates doubling.

Looney responded, “The base rate will double but the overall bill, when you figure that into 5,000 gallons, will not double. It will be around 40 to 45%, which still stinks.”

Looney addressed the issue of misinformation being spread through social media, suggesting that people are comparing the old rates and new rates and not at the gallons they used to see what the actual difference for the bill will be based on his calculations.

Some asked why there has not been a gradual increase to the base rate before now.

Smith said to the audience they had been trying for four years. “That’s one of the things I campaigned on. I’m not here to lay blame on anybody. The fact of the matter is we have a problem here in front of us and we’re dealing with that problem. We’re doing the best we can with what we have.”

Brett Peters, president and CEO of Hawkins-Weir (HW) said, “The City of Mena and Mena Water Utilities have exhausted every effort in applying for grant funds. Actually, in the base project on the water side and the wastewa-

ter die, they received some grants for both the water treatment plant and the wastewater treatment plant. But one of the things that the funding agencies look at, both the federal and the state, is they look at the existing water rates in a community and they compare that to what the median household income is for a community and if the rates aren’t comparable based on those median household levels, it limits the amount of grant funding that community can achieve. That said, even though we got a small amount on both the water and wastewater side, the magnitude of the improvements both necessary to the water treatment plant and the wastewater treatment plant, and the funding agencies acknowledging that Mena was going to have to pass along a large rate increase to both water and wastewater customers, that put [Mena] in an improved position for [Hawkins-Weir] to file applications on Mena’s behalf for ARPA, American Rescue Plan, funds. Those applications went in, in November of 2022 and we received positive word in December of 2022 that Mena was successful in receiving the maximum of $5 million for both water and wastewater.”

Peters went back to James Looney’s speech at the beginning of the meeting, stating that the projects identified today have not been bid yet. “The water treatment project is designed. We hope to advertise it for bid in February [2023],

First annual seed swap and sale

Submitted by Judy Petty

Polk County Master Gardeners, in cooperation with Polk County Cooperative Extension Services, are excited to announce the First Annual Seed Swap and Sale, Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Polk County Fairgrounds.

Doors will be open from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Admission to this event is free and open to all.

Special Guest Randy Forst, UofA con-

sumer horticulturist and educator, will be speaking at 1 p.m. There will be additional speakers throughout the day discussing various facets of gardening.

Need just a few seeds for your garden? Looking to try something new? Swap, sell, donate or purchase seeds at this event.

Door prizes to be given away all day. Coffee is provided. Stop on by for a fun time and help us kick-off this annual event.

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Letter To The Editor:

On January 10, 2023, the city of Mena voted to double Mena Water’s base rates for both water and sewage. This increase affects the customers of Mena Water, Freedom Water, Acorn Water, as well as some Oklahoma residents who receive their water from Mena. According to Mena Water, the rate increase is required to implement essential upgrades and repairs to the water and sewage systems.

When we purchased our home in Polk County, we attended local government meetings every month. We felt that it was important to be active members of our community and stay informed. The major ongoing issues discussed at water department meetings have been water loss and the need to upgrade the entire system. This has not changed in the years we have lived here.

The City has failed it’s customers in this situation. Previous City administrations have made circumstances worse by not taking appropriate actions earlier, such as raising the rates incrementally, setting money aside, and doing the proper upgrades as needed. The City has known about this issue for many years, but the stopgap measures applied have failed to achieve the desired results, and now, as Mayor Smith said, we have a problem that needs to be dealt with immediately.

Want to share your opinion?

public of upcoming government meetings, including changes to dates, times, and locations, in print, on air, and on social media and web pages to hopefully increase public awareness and participation.

As I close, I would like to thank Mayor Smith and Mr. Looney for having the courage to take the necessary step to finally address this issue. I know they were reluctant to take this measure, and it’s going to be hard for everyone, especially those on fixed incomes. Hopefully this will resolve the problem for decades to come and provide Mena and surrounding communities with clean water and proper sewage.

Mary Meier, Mena

One day after SB 43 got in, Arkansas is losing an intelligent, personable, married, and successful businessman. He knew this series of attacks against the LGBTQIA+ community would start once people voted in this governor. He is selling his property and leaving the state. He doesn’t plan to own property here again. Will large businesses follow his lead?

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HOWEVER, Mena Water customers and other end-users are also responsible for this situation. Local government meetings (water, council, quorum court, advertising, etc.) are rarely attended by residents. How can you expect your government to know what’s important to you, if you do not show up to meetings to listen, question, and contribute to the discussion? Residents cannot simply blame the City or County when they are not proactively engaging their government. When the public is not engaged, they create circumstances where the penalties can be harsh.

To encourage public involvement, I request the City Council reserve an appropriate venue for meetings that are likely to draw public interest and large crowds; City Hall was too small for this meeting, and it was frustrating for many people that there was nowhere to sit, they could not hear most of the meeting, and they felt inhibited in their ability to participate. I would also ask that the City and County keep social media pages up to date on upcoming regular meetings, including committee meetings, rescheduled meetings, and special meetings. And as a public service, it would be appreciated if the local news outlets inform the

I have had contact with some who have the attitude if you don’t like it leave. Senator Terry Rice made a point to tell me this is still a free country where people can move to other parts of the country when I didn’t agree with his view of drag. I certainly do not believe drag performers are expressing adult behaviors when they are reading stories to children in a library. The kids love it, are improving their reading skills while learning to accept “others”. Besides parents are bringing their children to these events. It should be up to them what their children experience. Not the government.

Perhaps my friend and his husband should stay and those promoting this new Christianity based on hatred and uncompromising unacceptance of anything different than them should leave. Their fear overrides anything sane.

If this state wishes to claim to be a Christian state, why can’t it go back to the true principles of Jesus? He asked questions, invested his time with those who bore fruit, confronted superficial religion, confronted political power, was motivated by compassion, and was willing to die for His purpose. Add to that his teachings of love, acceptance, loving your neighbor as

Letters may be submitted by e-mail to news@mypulsenews.com; mailed to P.O. Box 1450, Mena, AR 71953 or dropped off at 1168 Hwy. 71 South, Mena, AR. A drop-box is provided by the front door for after-hour convenience. TO

yourself, forgiving others (particularly those who have wronged you), and most of all loving your enemies. Though how the LBGTQIA+ community can be taken as enemies is beyond me. Wake up people and walk the talk!

Cynthia Thanos-Wade

P.S. In response to Ronnie Goss’s Letter to the Editor of January 11th, 2023; I don’t see how an uncompassionate stance allowing people to starve and die at the border will magically right the wrong we are doing to our Veterans and people in need. Our selfish behavior is what needs changing.

House members will enter the third week of the 2023 Regular Session on Monday.

In the second week, several bills passed the House and are now making their way to the Senate.

On Wednesday, the House passed HB1018. This bill will allow members of municipal fire department bomb squads to carry weapons while responding to bomb threats.

The House also passed HB1086. This bill amends the law concerning parking privileges for a person with a disabled veteran special license plate. It states vehicles with a disabled veteran special license plate can have access to disabled parking spaces if the vehicle also displays a special certificate issued by the Office of Motor Vehicle.

On Thursday, the House passed HB1023. This bill states that all US flags and Arkansas flags pur-

chased by a public entity with public funds shall be made and manufactured in the United States.

The House passed HB1024. This bill removes the requirement to collect a tax on prepared food and hotel purchases for cities seeking to create an entertainment district.

The House also passed HB1028. This bill replaces the term “child pornography” with the term “child sexual abuse material” in Arkansas code. This is the term used by several states and by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Close to 170 bills have been filed in the House so far. More than 70 bills have been filed in the Senate.

We will continue to update you on developments throughout the session.

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

John Boozman

There are many stages in the process of convicting criminals and sentencing them to prison. Senate Bill 2, the “Truth in Sentencing and Parole Reform Act of 2023,” will change many of them.

Currently SB 2 is a shell bill, which means it consists only of the title. That’s because the co-sponsors are still gathering ideas from people in the many areas of law enforcement that will be affected.

Stakeholders include county sheriffs and police departments, prosecutors, judges, wardens, prison security officers, parole and probation officers, transition programs, victims’ rights advocates, defense attorneys, drug courts, specialty courts, drug treatment programs and alcohol abuse programs.

The reforms will cost money, so SB 2 will have a ripple effect on the other spending categories in state government.

Last year many elected officials listed stronger law enforcement as one of their campaign issues.

In an interview, the Senate sponsor said that a major focus of the bill would be to protect people from repeat violent offenders who are released from prison on parole, sometimes after serving as little as a sixth of their sentence.

Under SB 2 inmates would have to earn their parole eligibility through good behavior; it would not be guaranteed merely by serving a portion of their sentence. The bill would create incentives for inmates to complete rehabilitation programs.

One challenge the sponsors must address is that about 1,700 inmates are being held in county jails in an average month while they wait for

available space to open in a state prison unit.

County jails don’t have the funds or resources for the programs that state prisons can offer, such as treatment for drug abuse and job training. Thus, while inmates are serving time in in a county jail they are not preparing for a productive life after their release.

The measure will lengthen sentences and tighten parole provisions because violent offenders are getting out too soon, the sponsor said. Some inmates don’t participate in job training and drug rehab programs. A strong incentive to participate would be to make it a requirement in order to become eligible for parole.

The legislature will consider proposals to add prison space. The question is how many more beds to build, and how many of the new beds will be for violent and dangerous offenders.

At the end of 2022 the Department of Correction had more than 17,000 inmates in its jurisdiction. That is an increase of about 3,000 more inmates since 10 years ago, and an increase of about 5,000 inmates since 20 years ago.

In fiscal year 2010 the legislature appropriated $338 million from the state’s general revenue fund to the Correction Department for operating state prisons. Last fiscal year the appropriation was $494 million.

The Senate co-sponsor of SB 2 said that garnering a consensus in support of the bill would depend on its total cost. It probably will be a couple of weeks before the details are finalized. When that happens, the bill will be amended. It will no longer be a shell bill with just a title, but will be “a fairly large piece of legislation.”

John Maddox Terry Rice

Hosanna Katherine Barnes

Hosanna Katherine Barnes was born April 5th, 1999, in Mena, AR, to her parents, Jason and Katherine Barnes. She went home to be with the Lord on November 29th, 2022, in Conway, Arkansas surrounded by her family.

Hosanna was a member of the Canaanland Church in Mena, Arkansas and attended school in Mena, before graduating from the Pulaski Public School system. She resided at the Conway Human Development Center for the past two years in Conway, Arkansas.

Hosanna was a constant ray of sunshine to her family. Although she faced many health issues throughout her life, she never stopped bringing joy to all who had the privilege of being around her. Hosanna was a definite “Daddy’s girl” and enjoyed worship music and being around her family and nursing staff. Her nurses, Julie Moe of Mena, Arkansas and Cindy Jordan of Smithville, Oklahoma, supported her family in the care of Hosanna before she moved to Little Rock, and then on to CHDC in Conway to receive better therapies.

The testimony of God’s miracle working power in her life was heard around the world through various radio broadcasts, television interviews with her parents and social media websites. The lessons learned from applying faith for her to overcome the various health challenges she faced, birthed two churches and

Faith Bootcamp Ministries.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Reverend Perry and Sue Hart of Mena, Arkansas and her grandpa, Larry Golding of Modesto, California; and one aunt, Lydia Charlie of Minto, Alaska.

Hosanna is survived by her parents, Jason and Misty Barnes of Pryor, Oklahoma, and Katherine Hart of Conway, Arkansas; her brothers, Elijah, Israel, and Jedidiah Barnes of Conway, Arkansas, and her brother and sister-in-law, Zion and Emma Barnes of Stillwater, Oklahoma; her sister, Genesis Barnes of Conway, Arkansas; her grandmother, Clara Golding of Mena, Arkansas, and her grandfather, James Michael Barnes of Keyes, California; She is also survived by her loving nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins located around the world.

A celebration of life for Hosanna will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers you can give to the ‘Hosanna Fund’ a benevolent fund set up in her honor at www. freedomchurchpryor.com or $freedomchurchpryor in cash app.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. Online Guestbook: bowserffh. com

Patsy Ann

Hill

Powell

Mrs. Patsy Ann Hill Powell, age 74, of Mena, Arkansas passed away on Friday, January 20, 2023, at her home. She was born on Monday, December 20, 1948, to Herman Hill and Julia Ann Knox Hill in Blackfork, Arkansas.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Wanda Joyce Reichert and Kay Harvey; and two brothers, Larry Hill and Billy Hill.

Patsy Ann was a good and faithful Christian woman. She was a very hard worker which extended into every aspect of her life. Patsy loved to cook, sing, garden, birdwatch, read her Bible, and spend time with her family. She devoted her life to raising her children and played a huge role in raising her grandchildren. Patsy was a kind soul, who had many friends. She had a big family, but loved each and every one all the same. She was the family historian, spending countless hours researching the family lineage and documenting it for future generations. She absolutely loved Bluegrass & Gospel music, and sang in a small group with some of her beloved family members. Patsy Ann was one-of-a-kind and will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

“But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are out-

side, and that you may lack nothing.” I Thessalonians 4:11

Patsy is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Don Powell of Mena; one son and daughter-in-law Danny and Renae Powell of Mena; one daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie Powell and Jason Bahr of Mena; three brothers, Gene Hill of Bates, Darryl and Tina Hill of Page, and Jeff Hill of Clarksville; three sisters, Stella Benjamin of Mena, Sue Carter of Mena, and Brenda and Danny Reel of Bates; five grandchildren, Dustin & wife Shawna Powell, Sabrina & husband Dean Heath, Raegan Weiss, Payton Medlin, and Maddox Medlin; six great-grandchildren Laliegh Powell, Albany Powell, Cooper Crees, Adeline Powell, and Everlee Heath; several very special nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives, friends, and singing buddies who she loved very much.

Services for Mrs. Powell will be Friday, January 27, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at the Church of God, in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Bobby Rosson and Brother Keith Rose will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Gann Cemetery in Potter, Arkansas. There will be a visitation held Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Pallbearers are James Powell, Tony Powell, Doug Powell, Duane Powell, Dennis Powell, and Darrell Powell

Honorary Pallbearers are Shelby Sullivan, Joseph Powell

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

The dew of compassion is a tear.

~ Lord Byron, poet

Randy Lynn McDaniel

Randy Lynn McDaniel, age 60, of Hatfield, Arkansas, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

He was born on November 1, 1962, in Mena, Arkansas, the son of the late Roy Lee McDaniel and Barbara Elaine (Stephens) McDaniel. He served his country in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Missouri. He was an excellent HVAC Tech and later managed a plumbing supply store in Mena for 20 years.

He is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law, Joshua and Angela McDaniel of Russellville, Arkansas, Justin and Elena McDaniel of Big Cedar, Oklahoma, Jordon and Chelsea McDaniel of Conway, Arkansas. Stepson Johnathan Martin of Mena, The mothers of his children Tina Hennigan and Donna McDaniel. His mother and step-father, Elaine and Ralph Riggs of Owasso, Oklahoma, his stepmother Mary McDaniel of Hatfield, Arkansas, twelve grandchildren, one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his twin brother, Ricky McDaniel of New Boston, Texas, his sisters Linda Kay Tulk and husband Donnie Tulk and Brenda Holler and husband Rob Holler, His Aunt Rita Clayburn and several nieces, nephews and extended family members and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Hatfield at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Bob Bradley officiating. Interment will follow in the

Six Mile Cemetery of Hatfield.

Pallbearers will be Joshua McDaniel, Justin McDaniel, Johnathan Martin, Chase McDaniel, Ricky McDaniel and Matthew Grabau.

Honorary pallbearers, Rob Holler and Donnie Tulk.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

ary at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home in Mena. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with services to follow at 11 a.m. A private ash ceremony for the family and close friends will follow at a future date.

The family would request in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Molly Gann Cemetery, in care of Union Bank of Mena, Arkansas, 71953.

Joe Lee Murphy, age 75, died 19 January 2023, at his home in Hatfield, Arkansas. He was born 13 June 1947, in Hatfield to Chester and Hazel (Kinnerson) Murphy.

Raised at Camp Pioneer, he took the reins from his father as Camp Ranger, serving at that post for 25 years. Joe enjoyed fishing and all activities outdoors, including hiking Rich Mountain barefoot. He was known as someone who could fix anything with nothing and saved everything just in case you might need it in the future. Joe was the neighbor everyone would call and was always willing to help anyone in need.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, and his brother, Lynn Murphy.

Joe is survived by his son, Matthew L. Murphy (Albert Romkes) of Rapid City, South Dakota; one sister, Linda Sanders (Bob) of Dayton, Texas; Peggy Murphy of Mena; two close personal friends, Brandon and Ericka Eaton of Mena; and a host of family and friends.

Visitation and Services will commence at 10 a.m. Tuesday, 24 Janu-

Mr. Lee Roy Stokes, age 78, of Mena, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

Mr. Stokes was born December 9, 1944, in Hatfield, Arkansas, to the late J.C. Stokes and Emma Louise Bledsoe Stokes.

Mr. Stokes was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. Stokes and Emma Louise Bledsoe Stokes, mother of his children, Edna Faye Anderson Stokes; daughter, Nuestra Starr Stokes Ginn; granddaughter, Janie Faye Ginn; half-brother, Bill Stokes; brothers, Donald Ray Stokes and Tommy Joe Stokes.

Mr. Stokes is survived by his daughter, Tamara Leah Stokes Lee and husband Tommy of Mena, Arkansas; granddaughter, Shelly Paige Ginn; grandson, Adam Ty Chevy Lee; granddaughter, Avery Rain Timrie Lee; brother, Roger Dale Stokes of Hatfield, Arkansas; sisters, Barbara Sue Stokes Gage of Mena, Arkansas, Charlotte Ann Stokes Thacker and husband Jeff of Mena, Arkansas; numerous nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

Mr. Stokes loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He was an avid fisherman and spent many hours at Lake Wilhelmina doing just that. Our family would like to thank the Hospice Staff for their great care of our father and brother. A special thank you to Brother Mark Lyle and Brother Jerry Musgrove for leading him to the Lord. Mr. Stokes will be sent for cremation under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. There are no services planned at this time.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Joe Lee Murphy

By Richie Lawry

I rode the elevator down to the motel lobby and walked into the breakfast area. The few options on the breakfast bar were mainly mediocre-tasting carbs. I tried to make a meal even though the selections were minimal. I was heading to the airport and wanted to avoid the overpriced food there. As I was eating, I looked at the television on the wall. The morning news was playing with the sound muted. The headline on the bottom of the screen read, “FAA Grounds All Flights From Taking Off.”

I almost choked on my cereal as I read the headline. We were supposed to be at DFW for our flight to Portland in an hour. “What is going on?” I thought. I took out my phone to see what I could find out and soon learned that there was an outage of an FAA computer system that sends safety notices to pilots. The outage triggered the FAA to halt all US departing flights. As I read further, I found that the FAA planned to resume flights in about an hour. I checked with American Airlines, and it showed that our flight was still on schedule. Maybe this would still work out okay, but I felt anxious as we headed to the airport.

After going through the TSA checkpoint with only a minor delay, the TSA agent couldn’t tell what our selfie stick was on his x-ray screen; we made our way to our gate. We learned that the airline had delayed our flight for one hour. “That’s not too bad,” I thought, “I feared it might be longer.” We contacted our family in Portland that was going to pick us up at the airport to let them know of the delay.

When it was five minutes from the new boarding time, and passengers were beginning to line up to board the plane, the information screen at the gate flashed a new departure time. Everyone sat back down to wait for the new time.

Twice more, the airline pushed the departure time forward at the last minute. Each time we contacted our family in Portland with the updated information. Finally, after a couple of hours, the boarding time came,

An Arkie’s Faith Corrupted data

destination the same day. Our trip to the Oregon coast the following day was not affected.

The computer failure that led the FAA to halt all U.S. flight departures was caused when a data file was damaged. According to a Fortune article, “Unspecified ‘personnel’ were responsible for corrupting the file, which led to the outage of an FAA computer system that sends safety notices to pilots, the agency said in a statement. That triggered the FAA to order a halt to all U.S. departing flights, causing thousands of delays and cancellations Wednesday… .

erate or even applaud lying if it benefits them or their agenda.

As our culture has accepted lying, so have many Christians. I have felt the sting of fellow Christians spreading lies about me. But God has made it very clear how he feels about lying. In Psalm 34:13 (NLT), the Bible tells us, “Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!”

And in Proverbs 12:22 (NLT), we read, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.”

Proverbs 19:5 (VOICE) teaches us, “A false witness will not escape punishment, and one who breathes lies will not go free.”

Knowing this, it is incredible that we, as Christians, would continue to lie and promote lies. It seems that we don’t only lie but dismiss it as if it was not a sin at all.

and the information screen didn’t change. In a few minutes, the airline employees announced that it was time to board the plane. We were finally able to board the plane and find our seats. In a few minutes, we were in the air, headed for Portland.

That evening, I was curious about the cause and severity of the nationwide stoppage of all plane departures. As I read, I learned that over 10,000 flights were delayed and over 1,300 canceled in the first national grounding of flights since 9/11. I felt fortunate that even though we had to wait several hours, we still made it to our

“The preliminary indications are that two people working for a contractor introduced errors into the core data used on the system known as Notice to Air Missions, or Notam, according to a person familiar with the FAA review. A complete shutdown was required to restore the system, leading the FAA to halt all flight departures for roughly 90 minutes Wednesday morning.”

As I read about the computer shutdown required to repair the issues caused by corrupted data, I thought about how much data we consume and dispense daily. When we receive corrupted data, it affects our actions and decisions. All too often, we disseminate corrupted data. Sometimes it is accidental, but many times it is intentional.

It seems to me that lying has become acceptable in our culture. Every day, newscasters put their spin on stories; adults cheat on their spouses or income tax forms; students cheat in school. Many people tol-

Lies are like masks we wear to conceal the inside, and we all do it! Sometimes we think that it is to our advantage to lie. But we all have been a victim of deception, fooled by other people’s lies. We don’t like it when others deceive us. We live in a distorted world where we lie to others, and they lie to us. But what can we do about it?

To begin with, be honest. Stop deceiving yourself and others. Lies will make you feel good for a moment but, eventually, become a heavy burden. And be careful about the information that you choose to pass on. Are you sure that the juicy story you heard about your neighbor is true? Is the social media post that you are sharing factual? Remember, “Liars take no pity on those they crush with their lies, and flattery spoils everyone it touches.” Proverbs 26:28 (VOICE)

Gentle Reader, let’s make sure we are not disseminating corrupted data. Sometimes that corrupt data can have widespread consequences. We need to listen to the advice of the Apostle Paul; “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” Ephesians 4:25 (NLT)

Joke of the Week: I was so broke when I was young that I couldn’t pay my electric bill. Those were the darkest days of my life.

Better late than never. (Photo by Richie Lawry)

Reflections from History and Faith: Lincoln’s Path

By Jeff Olson

February is the month in which two of America’s greatest presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, have traditionally been honored. Both were born in that month; however, we are not into February just yet so here I will jump ahead and honor Lincoln for another reason—a specific event in his life occurring in the month of January. This event was a speech he gave when he was a young man not quite 29-yearsold; a speech which should speak to America in 2023 as much as it did in 1838.

Many believe Abraham Lincoln to be our greatest president, primarily due to his leadership during the Civil War. This leadership however was not a series of reactions to a four-year national crisis. Rather it was intentional, well thought-out, prudential and deliberate responses rooted in character and wisdom gained and cultivated over a journey of many years strewn with struggle, tragedy, pain, disappointment and finally a victory—a very costly victory he could not entirely relish nor experience but for a few weeks.

Abraham Lincoln failed in business in 1831. He was defeated for the legislature in 1832. He lost his job and couldn’t get into law school. He declared bankruptcy and spent the next 17 years of his life paying off the money he borrowed from friends to start his business. He was defeated for the legislature again in 1834. He suffered a broken heart when his fiancée died in 1835 and had a nervous breakdown thereafter in 1836, spending the next six months in bed. He was defeated in becoming the speaker of the state legislature in 1838, and two years later defeated in becoming an elector. He was defeated for Congress in 1844 and 1848. He was rejected for the job of Land Officer in his home state in 1849. He was defeated for the Senate in 1854 and suffered another defeat for Vice-President in 1856.

He was defeated for the Senate for the third time in 1858. After nearly 30 years of this, at this point (if not before) most of us would have grown weary and discouraged to the point of throwing in the towel and saying enough is enough. Not this man. On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States.

It is apparent that Lincoln’s life was one of more defeats than victories, and likely most political observers of the time didn’t give him much of a chance for amounting to much in the arena of public office. Ah… but this is where Lincoln stood out head and shoulders above others. He demonstrated that greatness first and foremost originates in personal virtue and determination.

He came by his nickname “Honest Abe” quite honestly. As but one example, when he was a young storekeeper in New Salem, Illinois, he accidentally shortchanged a customer by six and a quarter cents. Upon discovering the error, he walked 6 miles to pay the money back.

Though he failed in more endeavors than he succeeded, Lincoln came to see failure only as a decision to give up. In his words, “The path was worn and slippery. My foot slipped from under

me, knocking the other out of the way, but I recovered and said to myself, it’s a slip and not a fall.” In his quest for and commitment to public service, he stated, “The sense of obligation to continue is present in all of us. A duty to strive is the duty of us all. I felt a call to that duty.”

In addition to his two most famous speeches, the “Gettysburg Address” and his “Second Inaugural Address,” Abraham Lincoln gave many other speeches, both prior to and during his presidency. One of them, the “Lyceum Address,” was presented before the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois, 185 years ago this week on January 27, 1838. This speech not only held broad implications for Lincoln’s later public policies but perhaps as important, has a timelier and more potent message for 2023 America. This speech was effectuated by a fire set in St. Louis by a mob a few weeks earlier. Lincoln’s subject was “the perpetuation of our political institutions.”

Lincoln warned of two results of a growing disregard for the rule of law. The first was mob rule: “whenever the vicious portion of population shall be permitted to gather in bands of hundreds and thousands, and burn churches, ravage and rob provision-stores, throw printing presses into rivers, shoot editors, and hang and burn obnoxious persons at pleasure, and with impunity; depend on it, this Government cannot last.”

Lincoln also warned of those of great ambition who thirst and burn for distinction; “and, if possible, he will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves, or enslaving freemen. Is it unreasonable then to expect that some man possessed of the loftiest genius, coupled with ambition sufficient to push it to its utmost stretch, will at some time spring up among us? And when such a one does, it will require the people to be united with each other, attached to the government and laws

and generally intelligent, to successfully frustrate his designs.”

Whether left or right, Democrat or Republican, liberal, Libertarian or otherwise—both mob rule and tyrannical rule violate the rule of law because both are rule by man’s unrestrained base passions rather than by personal self-restraint/self-government possible only through applied religious [Christian] principle, spiritual authority and a belief in a future state of rewards and punishments. In the end, Lincoln’s solution must also be our solution:

“Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;--let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children’s liberty. Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap--let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs;--let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice.”

Pretty in Pink’s ‘Cinderella’s Closet’ fundraiser

Pretty in Pink, originally started in 2014 by members of The Crossing Church in Mena, is a non-profit organization that provides prom dresses to area teens so that no one is unable to attend because they cannot buy a dress. Pretty in Pink will now operate under the Polk County Quality of Life Outreach program (QOL), with Mysti Gates serving as Chair of the project.

Over the years, Pretty in Pink has changed leadership a couple of times, as securing a place to store the dresses year-round is always a problem. For charitable organizations, it simply isn’t feasible to pay for a monthly storage unit. The dresses will

now be stored on what used to be The Oaks’ property, which was shut down in August 2019 due to a reduction in Medicaid reimbursements across the state. The facility is now being leased by UA Rich Mountain and will hereafter be referred to as Bucks Crossing at The Oaks.

“We are excited to take on the Pretty in Pink project and even more excited that we have a place to set up and store the dresses. We couldn’t ask for a better facility, and we are so grateful for the partnership we have with UA Rich Mountain. It is because of their generosity that we can keep the Pretty in Pink project alive,” Gates said.

Gates also shared, “We look forward to serving Polk County’s youth through this project. This month, I will be visiting area schools, and next month we’re hosting a fundraiser. This fall, we plan to expand our services to include Homecoming, Pageant, and other formal occasion dresses.”

The “Cinderella’s Closet” Fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m.–2 p.m on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Bucks Crossing, located at 1341 S. Mena St. Anyone who would like to contribute to the Pretty in Pink project is encouraged to attend.

Donation needs include long and short formal dresses, gen -

tly used dress shoes, and sturdy clothes hangers. Those who would prefer to make cash donations can donate any amount to the project or, in keeping with the fundraiser’s theme, can donate a quarter for each pair of shoes in their closet right now. There will also be a raffle, with a themed gift basket including gift certificates from area businesses as the grand prize. Donors will receive raffle tickets for their donations, as well as charitable donation receipts from QOL.

For questions about the project or the fundraiser, contact Mysti Gates at mgates@uarichmountain.edu or at (479) 394-7622, x.1385.

Homecoming

Aubrey Lackey, Flower Girl

Jaxson Lyle, Crown Bearer

First Grade

Reigning 2021-2022 Queen Kiersten Larucci

Regan Larucci Eighth Grade

Ashlee Arce, Senior Maid Braylan Bohlman, Senior

Acorn High School

2022-2023

Homecoming ceremony and basketball games were held on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

The homecoming royalty court included both Acorn Elementary School and Acorn High School.

Maddie Powell, Flower Girl

Tanner Davis, Necklace Bearer

First Grade

Queen Parnell shared her sentiments and gratitude to the student body for their vote and support as this year’s AHS Homecoming Queen.

Acorn vs. Murfreesboro homecoming basketball included junior girls, senior boys and senior girls games.

Homecoming festivities also included a dance held on Saturday, Jan. 14.

Senior 2022-2023

Homecoming Queen Paige Parnell

Reigning 2021-2022 Queen Kiersten Larucci

Reigning Queen Kiersten Larucci presented the Queen’s necklace and crown as she crowned Senior Queen Paige Parnell.

Ally Bissell, Senior Maid of Honor Aaden Bissell, Freshman

Shay Allen, Junior Maid Isaac Tedder, Senior

Senior 2022-2023 Homecoming Queen Paige Parnell Gage Davis, Freshman

Sydney Holliday, Sophomore Maid Caden Tarkinton, Sophomore

Kylee Johnson, Freshman Maid Austin Davis, Senior

KaitLynn Ledbetter, Freshman Maid Colton Taylor, Sophomore

Sophie Strasner, Junior Maid Sky Carmack, Senior

MaryClaire Laing, Sophomore Maid Bradley McEntire, Sophomore

Rachael Weddle, Senior Maid Jonah Rogan, Senior

Hattie Smith named to Harding University Dean’s List

SEARCY, AR (01/19/2023)—Hattie Smith, a Junior from Mena, studying interdisciplinary studies, is among more than 1,200 Harding University students included on the dean’s list for grades achieved during the fall 2022 semester.

The dean’s list is published each semester by Dr. Marty Spears, University provost, honoring those who have achieved high scholarship. To be eligible, a student must be carrying 12 or more hours with a 3.65 or higher grade-point average and no incompletes.

Harding University is a private Christian university located in

SAU President and Dean’s List

Searcy, Arkansas. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it is the largest private university in the state.

Harding’s student body is made up of students representing 49 states and 55 nations and territories. The University offers more than 100 undergraduate majors, graduate and professional degrees at the master’s, specialist and doctoral level as well as numerous international study offerings including locations in Australia, Latin America, England, France, Greece, Italy and Zambia. For more information, visit  harding.edu/.

STAY ALERT. STAY INFORMED. STAY SAFE.

MAGNOLIA, AR (01/17/2023)—Southern Arkansas University has announced that 415 students earned a 4.0 GPA for the fall 2022 semester and have been named to its President’s List.

• Christina Gragg is a freshman Psychology major from Hatfield.

• Katie Benefield is a junior Pre-Nursing (BSN) major from Mena.

• Jamie Copelin is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena.

• Macie Johnson is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena.

• Lauryn Maechler is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena.

• Lisa Roberts is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) Non-Licensure major from Mena.

A total of 415 students were honored on this semester’s President’s List.

Southern Arkansas University has announced that 581 students earned a 3.5 GPA or higher for the fall 2022 semester and have been named to its Dean’s List.

• Blake Castor is a sophomore Pre-Nursing (BSN) major from Mena.

• Alexander Cude is a senior Performing Arts: Instr Music Performance major from Mena.

• Makori Gabourel is a senior Agricultural Business major from Mena.

• Jackson Teater is a junior Social Studies Education major from Mena.

• Esperanza Ortiz is a senior Spanish Education major from Wickes.

• James Stark is a senior Computer Science major from Wickes.

A total of 581 students were honored on this semester’s Dean’s List.

Southern Arkansas University provides students the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu/.

Cossatot River honor roll

Cossatot River Primary School

1st Semester Honor Roll (2022-2023)

First Grade-All A’s:

Story Alexander, Raymond Ashcraft, Kamden Baker, Kynlie Barton, Aedan Brummel, Brooklyn Crook, Maggie Davis, Tinley Davis, Henry Dixon, Genesis Esquivel, Isabel Gomez, Nataleigh Harper, Skyler Head, William Jeanes, Wyatt Jenkins, Xander Leach, AJ Lowrey, Calvin Mayo, Brynn Parker, Rylan Russell, Kye Sellers, Jaxen Shouse, Adeline Strother, Reiner Thomas, Skyla Tipton, Liam Walker

First Grade-All A’s & B’s:

Nicholas Aaron, Angel Alarcon, Lhiam Alexzander, Jessie Denton, Montserrat Gomez, Heidi Holbrook, Kendryck Moran, Gunner Murphy, Logan Pennell, Edwin Perez, Christian Quintana, Parker Watkins

Second Grade-All A’s:

Melody Ashcraft, Kade Denton, Emma Hulliberger, Honesty Joream, Magaly Salgado, Wyatt Vaughn, Ashlyn Wilhite, Sophia Williams

Second Grade-All A’s & B’s:

Mason Davis, Benz Dees, Jesus Delgado, Matthew Dixon, Landon Gertiser, Rebecca Goethals, Adaleine Hernandez, Zaily Hernandez, Joshua Hibbs, Hayden Hunter, Cooper Jester, Mia Juarez, Jaxson Knopp, Ely Loyd, Creeden Lyle, Yoselin Maldonado, Christopher May, Alejandro Maya, Kamden Meredith, Bentley Moss, Nathan Murray, Avanlei Rogers, Brandon Teodoro-Marroquin, Jaxton Thomas, Dani Toon, Karson West, Braxleigh Williams, Lucas Wray

2nd 9 Weeks Honor Roll (2022-2023)

First Grade-All A’s:

Story Alexander, Raymond Ashcraft, Kamden Baker, Kynlie Barton, Aedan Brummel, Brooklyn Crook, Maggie Davis, Tinley Davis, Henry Dixon, Genesis Esquivel, Isabel Gomez, Nataleigh Harper, Skyler Head, Wyatt Jenkins, Xander Leach, AJ Lowrey, Calvin Mayo, Brynn Parker, Logan Pennell, Rylan Russell, Kye Sellers, Jaxen Shouse, Adeline Strother, Reiner Thomas, Skyla Tipton, Liam Walker

First Grade-All A’s & B’s:

Nicholas Aaron, Angel Alarcon, Lhiam Alexzander, Jessie Denton, Montserrat Gomez, Heidi Holbrook, William Jeanes, Kendryck Moran, Edwin Perez, Christian Quintana, Parker Watkins

Second Grade-All A’s: Benz Dees, Kade Denton, Emma Hulliberger, Magaly Salgado, Jaxton Thomas, Wyatt Vaughn, Ashlyn Wilhite, Sophia Williams

Second Grade-All A’s & B’s: Melody Ashcraft, Mason Davis, Jesus Delgado, Matthew Dixon, Landon Gertiser, Rebecca Goethals, Adaleine Hernandez, Zaily Hernandez, Hayden Hunter, Cooper Jester, Honesty Joream, Mia Juarez, Jaxson Knopp, Yoselin Maldonado, Kamden Meredith, Bentley Moss, Nathan Murray, Avanlei Rogers, Dani Toon, Braxleigh Williams, Lucas Wray

ORSD school board recognized in appreciation

Submitted by Tammy L. Young

The Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA) announced that January is School Board Recognition Month in Arkansas. School board members play an essential role in our schools and community. Ouachita River School District will join other districts in Arkansas in celebration of our board by thanking them for the time, talents, and knowledge they bring to our district and for their commitment to the families and children of our community.

Jerrall Strasner, ORSD superintendent stated, “On behalf of the ORSD family and community, our deepest gratitude and appreciation is extended to the Ouachita River School District School Board members whose commitment and

dedication is to our mission: Providing a safe, caring environment where everyone learns and grows in order to be prepared for life. Our board members are involved and committed to our community by investing their time, knowledge and support to provide an enriching educational experience that impacts the lives of our students and families. Please join us in saying “thank you” to our school board members.”

Mr. Strasner added that elected school board members give our citizens and constituents a voice in education decision making. “While we make a special effort to show our appreciation in January to recognize our dedicated board members, their contribution is a year-round commitment.”

The board members serving the ORSD district are as follows: (back row, l-r) Gene Monk, Jason Neugent, Chris Tedder. (front row, l-r) Annette Hays, Lana Philpot, Cheryl Boyd, Rhonda Anderson. (Submitted photo)

Around Town

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.

Select Realty is hosting a food Drive for Acts of Love food Pantry from Monday, Jan. 23 to Friday, Feb. 3. You can drop your non-perishables off at Select Realty, 1161 Hwy 71 South, Mena, AR.

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) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has

meals and activities for seniors. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

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

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) 2430297.

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.

Hogspore News: You don’t have to cook anymore

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson

Punkin was telling me what she heard on a cooking show. She said, “The host was saying that, with the modern conveniences in the kitchen and the prepared foods you can buy at the grocery store or online, you don’t have to cook anymore. My deceased home economics teacher, Poultryla Fowler is rolling in her giblet gravy.”

The county south of Muleberry County is Least County. It’s the poorest county in Arkansas. The capital city is Fringe. It’s divided into Upper Fringe and Lower Fringe. The folks in Upper Fringe keep their doors locked, but they’re still poor. The citizens in Lower Fringe don’t keep their doors locked cause they ain’t got anything to steal. They still have their dignity, but they rent that out to social climbers in Upper Fringe. The only industry in Upper Fringe is a family business that makes dolls for the unfortunate humble. The product’s name is Baby Dowel, made with wooden dowels. The doll is not real cuddly. It has a recycled kitchen cabinet knob head with a painted face

and sawdust hair glued on top.

Pie Week started Monday. It’s a week of crust-busting fun, a Best Pie Contest, followed by a Pie-eating Competition, and a parade. The ditches are already full of pie filling sludging through town. We got a retention pond outside of town, but nobody can see it or get near it till the flies have had their filling fill.

Today is National Handwriting Day, but we don’t celerbrate that any more. We still teach Cursive Writing and Math in school. Neither one are necessary, but we do it anyway, so the Federal Guvernment will leave us alone.

Today’s selection is from the late Butterbean McCurdy, race car driver and rancher. This Butterbean quote came after a slipstream crash when he was recovering from a concussion. “Riding a horse is like riding a bicycle, cept it’s higher off the ground, it don’t have pedals, and you step in something nasty. If a horse throws you, may you always land in a big pile of marshmallows.”

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

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!

CLASSIFIEDS

- HELP WANTED -

LEGAL NOTICE

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.

T0125

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

FOR RENT -

For Rent: Three Bedroom two bath apartment. $800 per month, which includes utilities. Mary Dixon (479) 234-3335 T01125

FOR SALE-

Champion Trike Honda Goldwing GL1800, 2008, mint condition, silver. Only 32,700 miles. Selling for $18,000. Call Sam (757) 639-5984 T0125

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 Wanted: Part-time Janitor needed at Mena Elks Lodge approximately 3 hours per morning, 5 days a week. Apply at Mena Elks Lodge, 124 Elks Lane, Mena, Ark. T0125

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

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 16, 2023

Deputies responded to a residence near Hatton in reference to juveniles who had run away. They were later located.

January 17, 2023

Courtney Sullivan, 26 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for 2nd Degree Forgery. Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 46 near Mena in reference to dogs being shot.

January 18, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 284 near Hatfield in reference to an unattended death. Ava Dixon, 28 of Gillham was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on charges of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery and Abuse of Adults.

January 19, 2023

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 136 near Cove in reference to a cow being shot.

January 20, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 67 near Mena in reference to a trespasser.

January 21, 2023

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to identity fraud.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Stone Lane near Acorn in

reference to a disturbance.

January 22, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a business on Hwy 71 N near Mena in reference to commercial burglary. Deputies responded to a report of a wrecked vehicle on Polk 18 near Vandervoort.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 25 Incarcerated Inmates with 19 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

January 15

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

January 16

A theft report was taken from Walmart.

A theft of motor fuel report was taken from Murphy USA.

Megan Hubbard, 35, and Curtis Hudson, 53, were both charged with Theft of Property at Walmart.

January 17

A report of criminal trespass was taken from Walmart.

with warrants at a residence on Evans Circle.

January 19

Brandon Falls, 37, was charged with Possession of Marijuana after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

January 20

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

January 21

A report of a dog bite, and dog running at large was taken on 4th street.

Cyrus Stephenson, 22, was charged with Drinking in Public at Wendy’s.

Scott County sheriff’s trial postponed

The jury trial for the Scott County sheriff and a former Waldron police officer regarding their use of force during an arrest in February of 2022 has been postponed.

Sheriff Randy Shores, 61, and Omar Gonzalez, 39, both of Waldron, were scheduled for a jury trial on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 9:30 a.m. in Scott County Circuit Court in Waldron, according to court records.

WATER

continued from page 1

but we don’t have a hard number yet.”

The previous week’s article mentioned an estimate of a total cost at $31.6 million. The water treatment project would constitute an estimated $15-$16 million of that total.

Peters said, “No one wants to pay higher rates. I get it. The reality is, when it comes to those grants, Mena is not in a position until they know what those costs are going to be with hard bid numbers before they can take into consideration those grant funds and what potential impact in can have in lowering the rates… . Mena has applied for grants at the local, state and federal level—to USDA Rural Development, to the Arkansas Division of Agriculture Natural Resources Division and across the board.

“The rate increase is based on the estimate,” Peters said. “There is existing cost that goes into any rate study. Then there’s this proposed new debt that Mena has been awarded from the state government and the federal government. The rates are based on that new debt that’s being incurred. Let’s not forget another component to this… the issue of Arkansas ‘Act 605’, which is new legislation that was approved.”

‘Act 605’, which was approved in 2021, tasked retail water providers with additional responsibilities in managing and operating their water systems. The intent is to provide funds for any municipal water provider to set aside funds for the replacement of pumps, motors, any manmade equipment that has some defined life and to operate that system.

The impact of ‘Act 605’ on Mena, and quite frankly, all water customers, is significant. A large portion is to pay the debt for the water plant, but there’s a significant portion being to pay for ‘Act 605’. The reason Mena is having to pass along ‘Act 605’ immediately is because they have a major capital improvement project that is necessary today. It cannot be staged in.”

Wholesale customers

The rural water groups believe that they are being treated unfairly and discriminated against. Peters and Freedom Water Board President John Davenport debated on what was fair. Davenport brought up the 65% increase for Freedom’s users. Davenport said, “We are not 750 users to the City of Mena. We are one user. We need to be looked at as one user. Acorn needs to be looked at as one user, as well as LeFlore.”

Peters provided an example: “Mena’s rate increase for a 4,000-gallon customer, Mena’s rate increase to a wholesale customer is around $8.20. It’s significantly more in just the base rate increase for a Mena water customer.”

January 18

Abram Abernathy, 26, was served

A motion for continuance filed by Shores’ attorney on Jan. 13 requested the trial be postponed for 60 days, stating he is still collecting and reviewing evidence in the case.

Peters replied to Davenport’s comments about the rates being skewed for the wholesale customers, such as Freedom. “It’s skewed because the contract between Mena and the wholesale folks will not allow the implementation of a base rate and a usage rate, whereas the Mena retail customers allow for that. What went into the rate study for everyone is there are fixed

WATER

continued from page 17 expenses that any entity has and then there are variable expenses. That’s true on the water and wastewater side.

“When we did the rate study, that contract was in place, we just abided by the contracts that were in place between Mena Water Utilities. It wasn’t a situation where we prejudicially said, ‘We want to take out the base rate’ conversation. We went by the contracts between the Mena Water Utilities and the wholesale folks.”

Former Justice of the Peace, District 6, Terry Terrell, addressed the crowd, “It’s not right we have to pay a $1.50 more per thousand just because you live in a certain part of the county. If we have to change the contract, let’s do it.”

Butler said, “I think that’s been our whole emphasis all along., is a fair and equitable treatment under the rate study. We understand costs. We live with those every day. A rate study that singles out a particular group with no particular reason is just hard to take.”

Terrell also spoke with the Polk County Pulse afterwards, stating, “It’s just not equal when the citizens of Nunley and Board Camp are paying a third less than the people of the water associations—the same water. The man with [Hawkins-Weir] said it had to be that way. We can change laws. We can change legislation. That’s not fair.

“When you grew up, you were taught right from wrong. This isn’t right. I wanted people to know they’re paying a third more than their fel-

low citizens serviced by Mena water. It’s a rural water line, but it’s serviced by Mena Utilities. For normal homeowners, that’s going to make a difference of $30—or $20—per month difference than other areas.”

Action required

Prosecuting Attorney for the 18th West Judicial District Debra Woods Buschman is also a member of the Mena Water Commission. She asked Peters, “If the Council chooses not approve an increase in any of the water rates, what happens to the project, and ultimately, what happens to the availability of the water for all of the customers: rural, wholesale, and city, across the board?”

In part, Peters said, “… the funding agency, a good portion of those monies are loan funds, those funding agencies have got to have confidence that Mena can pay back those debts. Without approval of the rate increases necessary to make those improvements, they’re not going to allow this project to go forward and advertise for bids. Minimally, it’ll postpone the project. If the rates are never improved… I think the project will die and not be implemented. At that point in time, the Arkansas Department of Health will probably take action since there has been a significant deficiency identified at the water treatment plant in regard to the clear well.

Peters agreed with Buschman’s statement that it could mean no water for anyone.

Peters also explained Mena has tried on multiple occasions to fix the clear well with less expensive alternatives, all of which have failed.

The clear well and 40-year-old equipment need to be replaced. Yet, MWU plans to retain every piece of viable infrastructure possible and repairing or replacing what isn’t viable.

Buschman clarified that the water commission cannot tweak HW’s rate study and come up with their own numbers.

It was suggested the City obtain a second opinion.

A member of Arkansas State Parks questioned whether MWU has a system in place that can detect water loss.

Looney said, “I have a plan in place that we’re trying to execute. We just hired some folks on… the six months prior to December, our water loss has consistently come down to where in the first time in 20-25 years, our water loss was below 20%.”

Looney said that MWU has Stata, a statistical software that enables them to analyze, manage and produce graphic visualization of data, on some of their tanks. A Stata upgrade is part of MWU’s plans.

The public hearing was closed a few minutes later, with many disgruntled commercial and residential water users staying to hear the results of how the Mena City Council would vote on Item E to “Consider and Ordinance Fixing Rates for Services Rendered by the Water Facilities of the City of Mena Arkansas; amending Ordinance No. 2336-21; declaring an emergency; and prescribing other matters relating thereto.”

Council member Larry Stewart said he also found some problems with the HW rate study. “Some things I think need to be reallocated and I think we need to understand it a little bit better. I know we have a base rate in the city and I know we don’t charge the wholesalers a base rate. I don’t know if we can or not by law. I think we need to go back and look at the rates. I think all the rates are going to go up, I have no doubt about that. I don’t like it any better than anybody else… . I do think we need to re-look, if we pass this ordinance tonight. I think we need to do some additional study and look at both rates— the $3,70, the base; and the $5.20—and make sure we have everything allocated extremely fair. Everybody should pay for the clear well, the capital investment of that. Everybody who uses (MWU) water uses that, but there are certain other things that only the City uses them, and we’re the only ones… who should be responsible for some fixed items and variable expenses.

“You can’t have a water department with James Looney and all his employees, and the wholesalers need to pick up some of that cost, but it doesn’t need to be a major portion of that cost by any stretch. I don’t think it needs to be split the 43/57, which is the usage of water. I won’t to have fair rates for anybody. I don’t think anybody is going to be happy when we’re done. The sewer is going to be worse than the water.”

Council member James Earl Turner asked HW and MWU, “If we go ahead and pass this, we can get things moving, right?” Their response was a positive. “We can still adjust it later—keep looking at things? If we don’t do what we need to get this thing bid, our costs is going to go up every day.”

Stewart added, “I want to see it bid immedi-

ately, if we can, but before we finalize and people get bills in July that we re-look at that rate structure.”

Ordinance No. 2369-23 for the rate increase passed 4-1, with Stewart voting nay.

Item F was a similar Ordinance, No. 230119, for the Sewer Facilities. New Ordinance No. 2370-23 was passed.

Item I was the approval to open a new checking account at Chambers Bank for the Iron Fork Water Treatment Plant Construction account.

“I think the big thing I would like to get out of this,” Looney said, “is that it was not a vote to add to our customers water and sewer bills but a vote to be able to continue to provide safe drinking water to our customer base and for us to continue to be able to treat sewage water to meet EPA standards without having to pay any fines. The vote allows us to proceed with bids and I continue to look at options on the billing side.”

Fallout

The LeFlore County Rural Water District No. 17 Facebook page posted the following on Jan. 17.

“During the Mena City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 10th, the council voted to approve an increase to water purchased by our district effective July 1, 2023. The cost increase, as recommended by a rate study, is a significant amount, approximately 65% higher than what we pay today.

While the news is disheartening, there is water available to purchase from other sources. The Board is working already with several other districts and agencies to ensure we have water for our members and that we have as little financial impact as possible.

We ask that you plan to attend our General Membership Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, January 28th at 2PM. We hope to discuss options. Bottled water is available by calling the water district and making an appt. for pick-up and a delivery can be set up if necessary (918) 839 1473… .

“While we continue to experience low water flow and low pressure from our providers, please continue to CONSERVE and BOIL. We are working with multiple sources for help to locate and repair the loss of water and pressure. At this time, it appears it may be isolated to the state line master meter.

As a reminder, we have bottled water and non-potable water for pick up at the Christs Food Center. If you are unable to pick up water, please call or text the District phone at 918-8391473 for delivery.

Encourage your neighbors to sign up for text and/or email alerts from the website. We will be posting updates and information about the Annual Meeting which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2:00 p.m.

CORRECTION: In part one (Pulse Jan. 18, 2023) it was stated that Acorn Rural Water Association was not present. They did have members at the meeting, but did not respond when Mayor Seth Smith asked if there was a designated speaker for Acorn.

CRSD studying possible pee-wee football program this year

By Patrick Massey

The Cossatot River School District will host an interest meeting Thursday evening to discuss the possibility of forming a peewee football team ahead of the 2023-2024 school year.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Cossatot River High School cafeteria. Superintendent Tyler Broyles said the idea of the meeting is to offer an informal opportunity for Cossatot River parents and students to share their interest in launching a pee-wee football program and to gather more information on the process.

“We’re starting our football and volleyball programs later this year, but pee-wee football, as with any sport, is so crucial to the success of your older teams,” Broyles explained. “We’re going to hold this meeting to gauge that interest and get an idea of how a pee-wee team might go for the district.”

Broyles said the district’s goal is to create a pee-wee football program for Cossatot River students in grades three through six. The program would kick off alongside the junior varsity program at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

Coach Dakota Barrett will host Thursday’s meeting to provide some general information on launching the pee-wee football program and he’ll be available to answer any questions from those in attendance.

Another purpose of the meeting is to

gather names of anyone interested in coaching a pee-wee football team for the next, and inaugural, season at Cossatot River School District.

“The upcoming third through six graders are invited to attend along with anyone else interested in being part of the program,” Broyles said. “It’ll be an informal event, and hopefully we can get a number together of who’s interested. Coach Barrett and our athletic director have been working on this just to be able to answer some questions about what pee-wee football might look like, what league we’ll be in, what uniforms might look like, etc.”

Broyles said older students interested in the district’s junior high football program are also invited to attend and ask questions.

Cossatot River School District announced last year its plan to launch a football and volleyball program beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

“We got quite a bit of excitement early on,” Broyles said. “Just for junior high foot-

ball alone, we had over 50 boys in grades seven and eight sign up in interest. That’s a great start.”

Broyles added that the volleyball program had between 70-80 girls express their interest in joining the junior high team.

“That’s just interest and you can expect some of that to taper off, but to have numbers like that, that’s a big plus,” he said.

Broyles said the district is launching into the fundamental aspects of creating a new sports program, such as ordering uniforms, building schedules, finding schools to play and building more interest.

“We’re going to give it our best shot and see how it goes,” he explained. “We’re going to see if it’s viable and try to give our students even more opportunities in the district.”

Cossatot River is the only Class 3A school in its conference without a football team, and one of only a couple of teams without a volleyball program. It is also the third-largest school in the conference.