From the State House of Representatives

In the 8th week of the 2023 Regular Session, the House passed SB294. This bill creates the LEARNS Act and outlines several educational reforms.

SB294 raises the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 a year and raises current teacher salaries by $2,000.

It requires that students be reading at a 3rd-grade level before advancing to the 4th grade. It also calls for 120 reading coaches to be deployed statewide and supplemental educational services for students struggling to read.

The bill creates the Education Freedom Account. In a three-year phased-in approach, the account would offer universal school choice to all parents by the 20252026 school year.

It also offers high school students the option of a career-ready diploma and requires high school students to complete 75 hours of community service before graduation.

This bill now goes back to the Senate to concur in a House amendment.

The House also passed HB1458. This bill creates the Vincent Parks Law. Vincent Parks was a Jonesboro police officer who died last summer during law enforcement training. HB1458 would require instructors to complete training on the recognition and management of certain health conditions and establish procedures in the event a cadet or officer has symptoms of cardiac arrest while receiving training.

On Wednesday, the House passed HB1486. This bill amends the law concerning distracted driving. It states if a distracted driver causes an accident that results in serious physical injury or death of another person, the driver upon conviction is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and could face a fine of up to $2,500 and imprisonment for up to one year.

The House also passed HB1365 and SB265.

HB1365 classifies the theft of a catalytic converter as a Class C felony. It states a person commits unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter if the person knowingly possesses a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle and is not permanently marked.

SB265 allows a hospital pharmacy to dispense up to a 31-day supply of medication to emergency room patients or patients who are being discharged from the hospital. Currently, hospitals can dispense a 2-day supply.

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

State government and a host of private organizations announced a new effort to recruit more foster families, streamline the process of placing foster children with relatives and accelerating the process for the permanent adoption of children.

The governor issued an executive order directing the Division of Children and Family Services to work with a list of more than two dozen organizations that recruit and train foster families.

In January the state had about 4,100 children in foster care but only 1,600 homes available for placement.

Three state agencies will work with a new group of organizations called Every Child Arkansas, with the goal of lowering the number of children in foster care. At the same time they will recruit more foster families so that placements are more suited to children and not driven by necessity. For example, it’s better for children to always be in a home with siblings.

Another goal is to increase the percentage of children placed with their biological families after getting out of foster care. That will require more effective services for biological parents, such as quickly getting them help with drug abuse or mental health treatment.

The executive order directs state agencies to better train foster parents and to improve retention rates of foster families.

The order directs agencies to streamline the process of placing foster children with relatives, and to streamline the process of allowing relatives to permanently adopt children in the foster care system.

Last year 196 children in foster care “aged out” of the system, which means they turned 18. The governor pointed out in her executive order that those young adults are more likely to be homeless, to be victims of human trafficking and to end up in prison.

By June 30, the state Human Services Department must have a list of recommended strategies for helping young adults who age out of foster care.

Within a year each of the 75 counties in Arkansas should have at least one advocate to help people become foster parents. The advocates will not only recruit new foster families but help them with support services after they officially become foster parents. The advocate will not be a state employee. The advocate will also help people through the adoption process.

The executive order also takes steps to better use technology and social media for recruiting, training and supporting foster families. There is a new website you can visit to learn more about becoming a foster parent, at this address: everychildarkansas. org

In other news, the Senate passed legislation that allows victims of human trafficking to file lawsuits in civil court against their abusers. It includes civil suits against people who should have known that trafficking was occurring, such as hotel owners. The legislation is Senate Bill 282.

The House passed and sent to the Senate legislation that sets criminal penalties and fines for drivers of motor vehicles who cause a wreck because they were on their cell phones. It is House Bill 1486, but is also called “Ashton’s Law” in honor of Ashton Rae Woods. She was killed last year in a wreck caused by a distracted driver in Stone County.

Obituaries

Vernon

Leslie Tallant

Mr. Vernon Leslie Tallant entered eternal rest on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in Cove, Arkansas. He was born on Thursday, April 1, 1943, to Marvin and Bessie Tallant at his family home in Winthrop, Arkansas.

His family moved working in the fields harvesting crops, construction building houses, while his father was a pastor. The family lived in Lovington, New Mexico in 1958 where Vernon worked in a grocery store and became a butcher at 14. While working there, he met and married his life companion, Linda Cross, while living in Lovington.

Vernon and Linda raised three children living and traveling through many states before settling in Cove, Arkansas, on January 1, 1976. His final business venture was Vern’s Meat Processing. It was a Cove staple for over 10 years before retiring.

Vernon and Linda enjoyed traveling to new places visiting their children and grandchildren. Vernon’s legacy to his children is an incomparable work ethic and support and love for family. He loved playing music with his friends, gardening, fishing and hunting. He was known for his love of music sharing his talent with many. Vernon was a self-taught lead guitar player and musician playing strictly by ear.

Vernon is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Bessie Tallant.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Linda Tallant, daughter, Leslie and Mark Davis of Cove, Arkansas; grandson Marty and Morgan Davis; great-grandson Mason, and great-granddaughter Maggie; daughter, Kim and Steve Baker of Wichita Falls, Texas; granddaughter Casey and Caleb Parker; great-granddaughters Zoie and Ariel, granddaughter, Brandy Baker and great grandson Hayden, son, Darin and Angela Tallant of Charles Town, West Virginia; granddaughter, Abby Tallant; brothers, Melvin Tallant of Winthrop, Arkansas, Louise Tallant of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Ollen Tallant of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Garland Tallant of Horatio, Arkansas; and multiple aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, too numerous to mention.

The family of Vernon Tallant are asking in lieu of flowers donations be made to Elite Hospice of Mena, Arkansas. Donations may be mailed to, 602 Dequeen Street Mena, Arkansas 71953.

There will be a memorial service held, Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at the Christ’s Church in Cove, Arkansas, with Pastor Daniel Labertew officiating.

Cremation services are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Honorary Pallbearers are Darin Tallant, Steve Baker, Mark Davis, Marty Davis, Hayden Briscoe, and Mason Davis.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Jane

Evans

Jane was born in Mena, Arkansas, on July 21, 1958, to Rosa Mae and Morris Evans of Grannis, AR. She passed peacefully on March 3, 2023, in Texarkana, TX, at Christus St. Michael hospital.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her best friend, Mona Branson Shelton.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years Billy Alford; her children: Mandy and Paul Simers of Mena, Arkansas, Leslie and Matt Beavers of Diana, Texas, Lisa and Ryan Gilley of Diana, Texas, and Chayden and Lindsey Beggs of Diana, Texas; Grandchildren: Keelan Baucom and Lily Oglesby, Macey and Alden Maywald, Jaycee Beavers, Kaylee Beavers, Gavin Gilley, Carson Beggs, Casen Gilley, Lawson Wyatt, and Lucas Beggs; Great-grandchildren: Miya, Ace, and

Emilia.

Services will be held at the Beasley-wood Chapel Monday, March 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with Mark Berrier officiating. Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Hatfield, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Paul Simers, Matt Beavers, Ryan Gilley, Keelan Baucom, and Alden Maywald.

Honorary pallbearers are Gavin Gilley, Carson Beggs, Casen Gilley, Lawson Wyatt, and Lucas Beggs.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Rev. Dr. John Scott Stewart, age 57, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born December 30, 1965, in Dallas, Texas, to the late John Maxwell Stewart and Virginia Diane (Elliott) Stewart.

Horald Wayne Fruen, a longtime resident of Hatfield passed away Tuesday February 28th. He was born on June 18, 1946, in Bates, AR, to parents, Ellis & Evelyn Fruen.

Horald was a member of the Wickes Pentecostal Church where he served in the capacity of Sunday School Superintendent for twenty-two years. Before retirement, he was employed in the retail industry which included his management of three Dollar stores.

Horald enjoyed deer hunting; eating fried catfish; shopping at pawn shops; listening to gospel music; attending church; and spending time with his family & friends.

There was only one Horald Wayne Fruen. He truly had a kind heart and he will be missed by all who knew him & loved him.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Friday, March 3, 2023, at Bowser Funeral Home in Mena. A private burial will take place at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home.

Rev. Dr. Stewart was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He was the Reverend of the First United Methodist Church in Mena, Arkansas. He enjoyed hiking, spreading the word of God, tinkering with old muscle cars, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of both the Dallas Valley and Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. He could always be found telling jokes.

Rev. Dr. Stewart is preceded in death by his parents, John Maxwell Stewart and Virginia Diane (Elliott) Stewart; as well as by his maternal grandmother, Velma Elliott.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia Starleen Denise Stewart; daughter, Georgia Diane Stewart-Perez and husband Christopher; grandchildren, Rosa Starleen Perez, Christopher Scott Perez, Maxwell Kash Perez, Winny Faith Perez, Summer Reign Perez, and one on the way, Jax Jayden Perez; half-brother, Brian Herbert; brother, James Edward Stewart; half-sister, Jane Kelley; sisters-in-law, Mary Mize and husband Jimmie, Kathy Schee; and by special friend, Terry Hargett.

Cremation services for Rev. Dr. Stewart are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. There will be a memorial service held at a later date.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

~Jean Giraudoux

Barbara Alice Stiefer

Barbara Alice Stiefer, age 80, of Mena, Arkansas, died on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at The Green House Cottages of Homewood in Mena, Arkansas. She was born on Tuesday, July 14, 1942, to Charles Searcy and Alice Lorraine Smith Stogner at Florence Nightingale Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Barbara grew up in both Wichita, Kansas, and Dallas, Texas, graduating from Sunset High School, Dallas, Texas, in 1960. A close friend, Joyce Price Lindsey, chose to play matchmaker, and invited both Barbara and husband-tobe Bill to her house in the fall of 1966. The spark was there as they met and became acquainted that day. Bill soon called her and the rest “is history” as they say. Barbara and Bill wed on September 2, 1967. They lived in Dallas, Texas, early on, and later in Garland, Texas, when their son was born in 1969. In 1975, Barbara and Bill moved to what became in later years The Colony, making it their home until 2021, when they moved to Mena, Arkansas, to be closer to family.

Barbara loved God and knew He had her in His care, which gave her peace. She loved meeting people and caring for others. Barbara loved to read and also loved crossword puzzles and Wheel of Fortune. She and her husband were active in Trinity Presbyterian Church, The Colony, Texas, for nearly 40 years. Barbara and Bill also spent many summers months in Colorado where they hiked and enjoyed the scenery. Her love of Colorado began in the summer of 1948, when she first traveled to Nederland, Colorado, with her maternal grandparents. Barbara worked several summers as a docent at the Nederland Mining Museum and trained new docents, as well. She also volunteered at the pancake breakfast during Miners Days. Barbara was also active at Nederland Community Presbyterian Church in the summer, where she volunteered at the annual church Christmas bazaar and was a member of the Presbyterian Women. Barbara was known for her neighborhood parties as well as her annual chili party where friends and family could enjoy her Texas chili. At the time of her death, Barbara was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Mena, Arkansas.

She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Reverend William Washington and Bessie Lena Andrews Stogner, her maternal grandparents Charles Clinton and Alice Kingsbury Starkie Smith, and her parents Charles Searcy and Alice Lorraine Smith Stogner.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 55.5 years, Billy Gene Stiefer of Mena; one son and daughter-inlaw, William Eugene “Wes” and Patricia Lynn “Tricia” Stiefer of Mena; one grandson, William “Wes” Eugene Stiefer II of Mena; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 12:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Mena, Arkansas, with Pastor Bill Seitz officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. Interment will follow at the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas.

Barbara was a huge supporter of mission ministry and programs over the years. The mission statement of First Presbyterian Church, Mena, Arkansas, is:

…to make the Kingdom of God real for the hungry, thirsty, stranger, poor, sick and prisoner.

In Barbara’s last days, she discussed with family how, even in eternal life, she could make an everlasting impact for those left behind in this place. To that end, in lieu of flowers, Barbara requested to send a donation to the mission program “Carus Cares” at the following address:

First Presbyterian Church

904 Church Avenue

Mena, AR 71953

***Memo line: Carus Cares

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Naomi Florine Judkins

Naomi Florine Judkins, age 86, of Mena, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born on Tuesday, November 17, 1936, to Orville Curry and Ida (Reeves) Curry in Fort Worth, Texas.

Naomi was a loving Christian. She loved the Lord and took pride in serving him daily while sharing his love with others. Naomi was a longtime member of the Hatfield First Baptist Church where she served many roles throughout the years. She was a Sunday school teacher, she helped with the after-school JAM program on Wednesday nights, she was on several committees and she would pick up any kids that may need a ride and bring them to church. Naomi loved God and she loved her family. She loved to spend time with them all but she especially loved being able to love on her great-grandbabies. Naomi enjoyed listening to gospel music. She was a great cook and took pride in sewing and do- ing needlework in her down time.

Naomi worked as a secretary for US Motors for over 40 years before retiring. She proudly graduated college with an associate degree at age 63 right alongside her daughter-in-law, Sharon.

Naomi was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister in Christ and friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, H.L. “Jerry” Judkins; two brothers, Orville Curry Jr. and Carl Curry; two sisters, Inez Alconn and Sandra Smith.

Naomi is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Roger Judkins Sr. and wife Theresa of Hatfield, Arkansas, and Doyle Judkins and wife Sharon of Hatfield, Arkansas; one brother-inlaw, Jerry Smith of Rhome, Texas; six grandchildren, Crystal Huff and husband Michael of Hatfield, Arkansas, Reba McLellan and husband Daniel of Hatfield, Arkansas, Roger Judkins Jr. of Hatfield, Arkansas, Jeremiah Judkins of Pensacola, Florida, Stephanie Gill and husband Thomas of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Kristen Baxter and husband Odis of Fort Smith, Arkansas; nine great-grandchildren, Whitney Bunyard and husband James, Clayton Cearley, Caleb McLellan, Nate McLellan, Liam Baxter, Alexi Baxter, Harper Blake, Aubri Gill and Jackson Gill; one great-great-grandchild, Noah Bunyard; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Hatfield First Baptist Church in Hatfield, Arkansas with Brother Bob Bradley officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Interment will follow at the Six Mile Cemetery in Hatfield, Arkansas.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Hatfield First Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Banquet

continued from page 1 bike trail development and other outdoor recreation projects.

Vernon is now the director of Outdoor Recreation and Trail Innovation for Runway Group and is considered one of the leading experts in developing mountain bike trail systems. He oversees the design and construction of over 600 miles (and growing) of worldclass mountain bike trails around the state of Arkansas and other locations. His work includes the Oz Trails region of Northwest Arkansas, as well as the Arkansas State Parks Monument Trail projects.

In 2019, Vernon was the recipient of the American Trails Chairman award for advancing trail design and changing the landscape for trail systems. Vernon has traveled around the U.S. and Europe, as well as the U.K., sharing the knowledge of trail development innovation and programming he has learned over the past 15 years.

He has been married to Aimee Vernon for 25 years and has two children – Grayson, 16, and Abby, 21.

The Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce Membership Appreciation Banquet is set for Thursday, March 30, 6-8 p.m., at The Ouachita Center on the campus of UA Rich Mountain. The banquet will feature a cocktail hour from 5-6 p.m. with Brothers & Sons providing entertainment.

At 6, the meal will be presented by Chicollo’s Food Emporium with a fundraising auction and Gary Vernon completing the night.

The dress code is from “business casual” all the way to “black-tie affair.” Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce, 524 Sherwood Ave., Mena. For questions, contact them at 479394-2912 or director@menapolkchamber.com.