Performance Team’s Easter egg hunt raises money for HHE

The Performance Team Easter Egg Hunt at Janssen Park had several donors who donated either candy for the egg hunt, or money to purchase prizes for the kids or for the raffle.

The money the Performance Team collected from the raffle was used for the $350 donation to Mena Schools being presented at Holly Harshman Elementary School.

• Performance Team

• Bali Mendels - Mendels Team

- Elite Financing Group

• Booth Land and Dirt Services

• Mena Title Company

• Sassafrass Bakehouse

• Stewman’s Flowers

• Wolfpen Creek Cabins

• Davis Brothers

• Roofing Force

• Washburn’s Home Furnishings

• Shelter Insurance - Kenny Miller

• Shelter Insurance - Telissa Montgomery

• University of Arkansas Rich Mountain

• Ouachita Mountain ATV Club

Since its inception in 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 557 cases of human trafficking in Arkansas. Close to 1,500 victims were identified in these cases.

Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological.

For the last several years, the General Assembly has made a continual effort to strengthen our laws regarding human trafficking. In the most recent session, we passed legislation to expand civil remedies for trafficking victims, increase fines for trafficking convictions, and clarified language in existing laws.

Act 354 allows a victim of human trafficking to bring a civil action against a person or entity who knew or should have known that the individual was being trafficked.

Act 327 increases the fines for a human trafficking conviction and trafficking-related charges to a range between $5,000 and $15,000. The bill di- rects that the fines be divided between specified funds that support exploited children and trafficking victims.

Act 330 ensures victims are eligible for crime victim reparations even if they do not cooperate with law enforcement.

Act 722 creates the offense of sexual solicitation of a minor and classifies the offense as a Class B felony.

Act 736 adds the words “reasonably should know” to Arkansas code regarding trafficking of persons offenses. It allows individuals to be charged if they knew or reasonably should have known they were benefitting financially or actively engaged in trafficking.

Act 772 clarifies the definition of “serious harm” under the Human Trafficking Act of 2013.

We will continue to review ways to prevent future trafficking cases and raise awareness of the issue.

To report suspected human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text the hotline at 233733.

During the 2023 regular session, which adjourned on May 1, the legislature enacted a list of new laws to protect the integrity of elections.

Act 352 prohibits election officials at the local or state level from accepting any funds, grants or gifts from any entity other than the governing body. Its intent is to prevent Facebook, Twitter and other private entities from paying for election-related expenses.

Act 305 eliminates write-in candidacies.

Act 353 prohibits counties from accepting absentee ballots in a drop box.

Act 236 increases the number of signatures needed to place a citizens’ initiative on the ballot. It would increase the number of counties where sponsors would have to gather signatures from at least 15 to at least 50. Canvassers would have to collect at least half the number of designated electors in the county.

Act 620 requires the state Board of Election Commissioners to conduct more frequent reviews of election-related documents and results.

It creates an Election Integrity Unit within the Attorney General’s office.

Counties would get reviewed when chosen by random or when chosen by two-thirds of the Board. Also, the legislature’s Joint Performance Review Committee could designate which counties are to be reviewed.

Act 544 also creates an Election Integrity Unit with the Attorney General’s Office.

Act 194 authorizes the state Attorney General to review ballot titles and popular names of proposed amendments and initiatives. For years the AG reviewed ballot titles, but in 2019 the legislature transferred that authority to the Board of Election Commissioners.

Act 766 makes it a crime to destroy signatures gathered on petitions to place an issue on the ballot.

The bill was prompted by incidents that occurred when casino interests paid canvassers to gather signatures. Competing interests reportedly offered money, or harassed, to get them to stop collecting signatures or to erase the signatures they had already collected.

Act 300 schedules all special elections on the same day as ordinary elections, i.e., the May primary or the November general election date, except in years of a presidential election when the primary is in March.

Act 350 requires counties that choose to use paper ballots to use ballots that are compatible with machines used by the Secretary of State to count them. If counties do not use those ballots, they must pay for the expenses of the election themselves.

According to the emergency clause, the intent of Act 350 is to protect the integrity of elections that rely on paper ballots.

Act 462 sets petition requirements for new political parties. They must submit at least 10,000 signatures of registered voters. Previously, the threshold was three percent of the number of votes cast in the most recent election for governor.

Drag Racing

The legislature passed Act 714 to further crack down on drag racing. It grants police officers the discretion to impound motor vehicles that have been operated in a drag race, if the violation is a second offense. Recovering the vehicle would come at the owner’s expense.

John Anthony Hensley

Mr. John Anthony Hensley, age 77, of Octavia, Oklahoma, passed away May 1, 2023. He was born March 9, 1946, in Mena, Arkansas, to the late Allen A. Hensley and Mary Adele (Wenzel) Hensley.

He is preceded in death by his father, Allen A. Hensley and his mother, Mary Adele (Wenzel) Hensley of Octavia, Oklahoma.

He left behind three brothers, Thomas A. Hensley of Octavia, Oklahoma, Timothy L. Hensley of Octavia, Oklahoma, and Joseph H. Hensley and wife Vada of Octavia, Oklahoma; four sisters, Mary E. Fontana and husband Jim of Phoenix, Arizona, Elizabeth A. Webb and husband, Mark of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Ruth Hensley of Octavia, Oklahoma, and Rita Hensley of Octavia, Oklahoma; as well as several nieces and nephews, other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Graveside services for Mr. Hensley will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Octavia Cemetery in Octavia, Oklahoma. Reverend Bryan Ketterer will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Judy Ann Ray

Judy Ann Ray, age 76, of Nashville, Arkansas passed away, May 2, 2023, in Texarkana at St. Michael’s Hospital. She was born May 8, 1946, in Delight, Arkansas, the 5th and youngest daughter of the late Clyde Jewel Johnson and Eula Mae McClane Johnson.

Judy was a member of Sunset Church of Christ in Nashville. She loved her cats, working in her yard, walking with friends, and most of all, spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She was beloved by all who knew her and had many friends who were like family to her and was known to be someone always willing to go above and beyond to care for and nurture those who needed it.

She worked at Husqvarna of Nashville for 35 years, beginning when it first opened as Beaird-Poulan in 1980. She retired in 2015 at the age of 68.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Johnson Hicks and Clyda Johnson Avant.

Survivors include her three daughters, Teresa Jackson Miller and husband John, Tammy Jackson Cope and husband Scott, and Trina Jackson Holbrook, grandchildren Anna Combs Jones and husband Scott, Damien Cope and wife Tiffany, Brandyn Gortemiller and wife Cassondra, Sean Miller, Amanda Gortemiller Hohmann and husband Taylor, Abigail Cope Crow and husband Dustin, thirteen great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild, two sisters Earline Johnson Tipton and Faydean Johnson Gatliff, and many nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville, at 2:00 PM with Rex Roberts of Nash Baptist Church, and Terrell Polite, Chaplain of Heritage Hospice of Texarkana officiating. Visitation with the family will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to Judy’s Alzheimer’s Association Tribute Page. http://act.alz.org/goto/judyray

You may send an online sympathy message at latimerfuneralhome.com

He is survived by his son, Richard Howard Barrett, Jr. and wife Sonya; daughter, Rebecca Barrett; grandchildren, James Barrett, Anna Barrett, Ethan Barrett, and Stephen Barrett; sister, Velma Rans; and by a host of nieces, nephews, other family, and friends too numerous to mention.

Graveside services for Mr. Richard Barrett will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Witherspoon Cemetery in Vandervoort, Arkansas. Brother Donnie Jewell will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation is general.

Pallbearers are Donnie Barrett, Hank Sandefur, Bill Barrett, Mike Rans, Randy Milam, and Perry Barrett.

Mr. Richard Howard Barrett, age 85, passed away Monday, May 1, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born April 3, 1938, to the late Neal and Matilda (Brun) Barrett.

Mr. Barrett was a firefighter by profession as well as a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Richard was united in marriage to Janice Elaine Pace on June 21, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. They were married for 57 years until her passing in 2020. Richard was a member of the Masons, and enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and raising cows. At age 70, he decided to retire from raising cows and traveled extensively with his wife, Elaine, going to such places as Germany and all over the world. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren, and was well known for feeding his pet raccoons O’Roy dog food.

Mr. Barrett is preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Matilda (Brun) Barrett; his loving wife, Elaine Barrett; brothers, Charlie, Wes, Pete, Doyle “Doc”, John; and by his sisters, Orena, Lena, Maggie, Virdie “Shorty”, Ethel, and Bonnie.

Honorary Pallbearers are Dwight Barrett, Raymond Jewell, Keith Jewell, Tim Smedley, and Johnnie Barrett.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Kathy Thomas

Kathy Thomas passed away peacefully in her home on March 24, 2023, after a brief illness. Kathy was born in Mena, Arkansas, on January 5, 1935, to Ruth Corley Masters and John Dewey Masters, and graduated from Mena High School in 1954.

In 1955, she married Delbert Wayne Thomas, and the couple resided for several years in Salina, Kansas, while he was stationed at the Smokey Hill Air Force Base. Upon leaving service, they returned to Arkansas and had three children.

In 1975, the family relocated to Denison, TX, where Kathy worked in retail sales before serving as a 911 operator for the Denison Fire Department until her retirement in 1996. Kathy loved her family, often sharing childhood memories of time spent with her aunts Alcie Cogburn and Willie Jean Brassfield. In her adult years, she cherished her close relationship with her mother-inlaw Helen Thomas; son, Delbert (Tom) Thomas; granddaughter Delaina Nipper Smith; and cousins Bonnie Blackburn, Char Blair, and Tammy Rodgers. Kathy enjoyed her time spent with her close friends and entertained them often in her home. For many years, she was an active member of the Red Hats Club – Denison Chapter and enjoyed participating in many of their trips and social activities. Her dogs Andrew, Kaitlyn Dianne, and Jax brought her great joy over the years. Kathy was a member of Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in Denison, TX.

Kathryn is survived by her three children, Judy Thomas Harwronsky, Kayla Thomas Sofijczuk, and Tom Thomas, 11 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother.

ews and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Wickes Bible Church on Hwy. 278 E. in Wickes, Arkansas, with Brother Don Youngblood officiating.

Leon Evans

A private ceremony was held in Mena, AR, on March 30, 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Denison Animal Welfare Group, Denison, TX. Leon Evans, age 67, passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. He was born on Thursday, March 29, 1956, to Henry and Gladys Evans in De Queen, Arkansas.

Leon’s passion for the outdoors was best demonstrated through his love of trotline fishing, a pastime that brought him great joy and satisfaction. It was in these moments, surrounded by the natural beauty of the world, that Leon found his tranquility and peace. Leon was the type of person who would give you the shirt off of his back. In his younger years, Leon worked as a long-distance truck driver, an occupation that allowed him to explore many parts of the country that some are only able to dream about. Later on, he owned and operated a log skidder, a testament to his hardworking and dedicated nature. He loved his family and was proud of them all. Leon was a loving father, brother, uncle and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Gladys Evans; and one sister, Lucy Robb.

Leon is survived by two sons, Wayne Ellis and James Pierce; one daughter, Jennifer Pierce; four brothers, Paul Evans, Robert Evans and wife Rosa, Earl Evans and wife Seven, and Jimmy Evans; five sisters, Fern Dering and husband Rocky, Kathy House, Robby Evans and Clyde, Mary Evans, and Arlene Midge Evans; several nieces and neph-

John Steven Sanders

John Steven Sanders, age 70, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died Thursday, May 4, 2023. He was born on Tuesday, September 9, 1952, to Gene and Reva Sanders in Mena.

John was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved Harleys, Corvettes, and the Dallas Cowboys. One of his favorite pastimes was loading up in the truck and heading to the creek making sure to take the long way back home. John loved to tell stories and never really knew how to “make a long story short”. He was a loyal and faithful friend, spending a lot of his time staying connected with his lifelong friendships. He had a gentle spirit and a servant’s heart, always ready to help anyway he could. He will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents (Gene and Reva), sister (Judy Crawford-Campbell) and nephew (Adam Emerson).

John is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Charmaine Sanders of Little Rock, daughter Heather Larsen and husband Chris and their children Kate, Luke, Caleb, John Patrick, Asher, Jake, and Jude, daughter Jonté Cummings and her husband Aaron, along with their children Wilson and Mattie, son James Sanders of Eureka Springs, two sisters Jane Edwards and Nancy Emerson, and two nephews Mike and Mark Crawford.

A memorial to remember John will be held on Saturday, June 3, at First Christian Church in Mena, Arkansas, at 3 p.m.

Hunger for the Word of God

Over the years I have noticed that there is more than one kind of hunger for the Word of God. Hear me out. First, there is the hunger that comes from the human quest for knowledge. And the Bible is book filled with knowledge. Prophecy, history, culture, morality, and more and more. Prophecy is a very interesting study, for as each little bit is uncovered the quest is partially satisfied, but, it creates a desire for more and more. And in this it is the human mind that finds satisfaction. We are able to argue our viewpoints intellectually and that brings great satisfaction to the ego. And many “believers” are satisfied with that, and often think that this is their ultimate goal. And the knowledge of the Word of God is a worthy goal. But is not enough. It is not simply the mind that must be satisfied, it is also the spirit in us (John 14:17; I Cor. 3:16) It is our spirit that hungers and thirsts after the Spirit. Knowledge, yes, but far more important is the feeding of our spirits. We are, each of us, “spirit, soul, and body,” (I Thes. 5:23’). And each part of us longs for fulfillment, and the most important of the three is “spirit.” In the book of James, chapter two, verse 26 we find these words: “For just as the body without the spirit is dead so also faith without works is dead.” “ ... just as the body without the spirit is DEAD ... “ The feeding of the spirit is of ultimate concern, for we do not live for God apart from the living, thirsting, hungering spirit within us. And every regenerated person has that “hungering, thirsting, spirit.”

And when the precious Word of God is treated purely academically it appeals to the soul, with little help for the spirit. Paul had it right when he wrote these words: “For our gospel did not come to you IN WORD ONLY, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit” (I Thes. 1 :5). Those who teach or preach the words of Jesus apart from the power of the Holy Spirit feed the mind only and not the spirit. And that is not enough. It needs to be both! Knowledge? Yes! But not to impress someone. Knowledge controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit is everything.

Paul wrote it this way: “What then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray also with the mind; I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing also with the mind”( I Cor. 14:15). The human mind MUST be in tune with and controlled by the Holy Spirit in order for the Word to accomplish what God intends.

Otherwise we end up with a group of”religious” people who have some knowledge but none of the life of the Spirit. And when that happens we end up with a congregation of people who are involved in the leading of others into their own death. They are those who “ .. .I know your works, that you have a name that you are living, and yet you are dead” (Rev. 3: 1 ). Of “Christianity” without the Holy Spirit Paul wrote these words: “ ... having an outward form of godliness, though denying its power, from these also turn away” (II Timothy 3: 5).

Good teaching can change lives. Hitler changed lives. Hitler changed the world. But change apart from the Word of God in the Spirit of God produces change that will never benefit us. Hitler changed the world, but only for evil. The Word of God in the Holy Spirit of God will do everything we need ... everything I

Knowledge of the Word, yes, surely, but the Word without the Spirit simply satisfies the mind, and that is never enough. Knowledge without the Spirit creates “believers” without the Life of God.

My name is Gene Stacks and I approve of this message.