National Association of Letter Carriers’ 31st Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

By Ethan Nahté

Be on the lookout in your mailbox for a grocery bag to help Stamp Out Hunger. The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will be doing their 31st Annual Letter Carrier’s Food Drive. They need your help to fill a bag and help feed families.

Carriers will be picking up baghealthy, non-perishable food items Saturday, May 13. Just place the provided bag by your mailbox. Your food donation will be delivered to food banks and pantries in your community. All donations stay in Arkansas.

In 2022, the Mena U.S. Postal Service collected 6,037 pounds of food. Local food pantry assisted

Acts of Love assisted and picked up the non-perishables.

Suggested healthy, non-perishables include pasta, cereal, oatmeal, canola oil, peanut butter and canned goods, including beans, fruit, vegetables, soup, tuna in water, meat and sauce. Avoid glass containers.

The National Association of Letters Carriers partners include the United States Postal Service, AFLCIO, Local Food Pantries, Kellogg’s, Valpak, CVS Health, United Way, Vericast, and their premiere partner UFCW.

For more information, visit stampouthungerfooddrive.us, or search for Stamp Out Hunger on Facebook or Twitter. Fill a Bag. Help Feed Families.

In the months leading up to the 2023 Regular Session, several legislators were meeting with mental health providers, medical professionals, and behavioral health stakeholders to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the mental and behavioral health care currently available in the state.

This study resulted in several recommendations and as a result, the 94th General Assembly passed several bills intended to improve access and quality of mental health care.

Testimony in the working group meetings revealed that more than that more than 36,000 adolescents in Arkansas had a major depressive episode in the last year and that pediatricians across the state were spending the majority of their day working on behavioral health issues. One of the recommendations from the group was to incentivize medical homes, through supplemental reimbursement rates, to address prevention and early intervention through universal, teambased enhanced primary care services for children.

That recommendation led to the passage of Act 513. This act directs the Arkansas Medicaid Program to provide a supplemental reimbursement rate for physician practices enrolled in the patient-centered medical home program that participate in a teambased, evidence-based pediatric practice transformation model of care.

In an effort to increase the number of mental health counselors, the legislature passed Act 260 creating the Counseling Compact in Arkansas. It allows licensed professional counselors in Arkansas to treat clients in person or via telehealth in other compact member states. Currently, 17 states are members.

Other pieces of legislation passed addressing mental health include the following:

Act 494 requires the Arkansas Medicaid Program and insurance policies to reimburse for behavioral health services.

Act 316 requires screening for depression in birth mothers at the time of birth and mandates that insurance policies cover the screening.

Act 30 allows an individual who voluntarily seeks mental health treatment in a mental health institution or facility to petition the court for a license to carry a concealed handgun two years after treatment.

Act 61 creates a specialty court program for families involved in a dependency-neglect proceeding affected by substance abuse or mental health disorders.

The General Assembly also passed Act 512 which creates the Arkansas Legislative Study on Mental and Behavioral Health so we can continue to review the needs of our state and make recommendations for future legislative sessions.

We’d like to remind Arkansans that if you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis call 988. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing lifeline network.

The scheduled finish of the 2023 regular session of the legislature is May 1, when lawmakers adjourn sine die.

Adjournment means that the legislature will not convene again until next year’s fiscal session, which will convene on the second Wednesday in April of 2024. Until then, the legislature can only convene if the governor calls a special session.

However, during the interim legislators will have plenty of influence over the daily operations of state government. The Legislative Council meets regularly to closely monitor state agency policies.

The Administrative Rules Subcommittee will have an important role in the coming months because it will review numerous rules and regulations written by state agencies to carry out the new laws enacted during the 2023 session.

For example, the Division of Education will write rules to implement the LEARNS Act, sweeping overhaul of public school finance proposed by the governor and enacted by the legislature.

The Divisions of Correction and Community Correction will implement a battery of new rules to enforce the details of the criminal justice package approved during this year’s session.

It lengthens prison sentences for violent crimes, so that juries and judges will know more accurately how long convicted criminals will have to stay behind bars. It creates incentives for inmates to prepare for the outside world, requiring them to complete drug rehabilitation and job training in order to qualify for good time.

Those changes mean that prison officials, parole officers and the inmates themselves must adapt to a new and significant list of changes in how state prisons operate. Those changes will be reviewed by subcommittees and ultimately by the Legislative Council.

The legislature passed 203 appropriation bills that authorize spending by state agencies. It is the “power of the purse string” that the Arkansas Constitution grants to the legislative branch.

During the interim, the Legislative Council’s subcommittee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review will review requests by state agencies to transfer funding from one department to another. The subcommittee’s review ensures that executive branch agencies spend public tax dollars in accordance with the appropriations approved by the elected officials in the legislature.

The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee meets regularly in the interim. Its staff audits spending by school districts, colleges, universities and state agencies.

The legislature completed its business on April 7, the 89th day of the 2023 session. It recessed until May 1, when it formally adjourns. The three week recess allows legislative staff and the governor’s office to closely check bills for typographical or drafting errors.

During the recess the governor vetoed three bills and a part of another.

The legislature can attempt to override those vetoes on May 1, but if lawmakers choose to do nothing the vetoes will stand and the bills will not become law.

The number of bills introduced and passed was historically low this year. Of 1,439 bills filed, 889 were passed and became law.

In the past several decades, the number of bills introduced has been closer to 2,000. The last time a legislative session considered fewer bills than this year was 1971, when 1,438 bills were filed and 829 became law.

Cheryl Ann Wolf

Cheryl Ann Wolf, 75, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, April 28, 2023, at her home surrounded by family.

Cheryl was born on February 23, 1948, to Anthony Edward Wolf and Faye Maxine Hardage (Wolf) in McAllen, Texas. She was an avid Gardener and was adventurous. She loved to rescue any cats she could. She was also known as being a family matriarch and loved by many.

Cheryl is survived by two brothers, Paul Wolf (Joyce), of Mena, Arkansas, and Steven Wolf (Karol), of Tyler, Texas, two sisters, Virginia Smith (Jim), and Donna Luker, three nieces, Heather Hardaway, Katherine Wolf, and Valerie Drozdowski, seven nephews, Eric Wolf, David Wolf, Brian Smith, Kevin Smith, Joshua Luker, Jacob Luker, and Seth Luker. She is also survived by her beloved four-legged feline child, Pretty Boy.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Beasley Wood Funeral Home

Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of the Ouachitas at 366 Polk County Road 50 in Mena, Arkansas.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Deborah Ann Lott

Deborah Ann Lott, age 64, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Mena Regional Health System. She was born on Monday, June 2, 1958, to Carl and Nadine Smith in Mena, Arkansas.

Deborah spent her professional career working at the Arkansas River Valley Action Council, where she dedicated herself to helping those in need. After years of service, she retired in 2015, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the individuals she served and the colleagues she worked alongside.

A brilliant student, Deborah was valedictorian of her graduating class, setting the stage for her many accomplishments throughout her life. Her legacy, however, goes far beyond her academic achievements. Deborah’s greatest gift to those who knew her was the constant kindness and genuine care she showed towards others. She always spoke with warmth, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. Deborah loved her son dearly. Her family brought her so much joy, especially her husband and best friend, Randy.

Deborah’s creative talents were many; she was a skilled seamstress, known for her beautiful work on wedding and birthday cakes, as well as her love for crafting. No celebration was complete without one of Deborah’s exquisite creations, and her artistic abilities brightened countless occasions for her loved ones.

Her passion for southern gospel music was a true testament to her spirit, as she sang with fervor, her voice filling hearts with joy and uplifting all who listened. Deborah’s love for music will be remembered as one of the most cherished aspects of her life. She was a member of Lifeline Tabernacle and she loved Jesus. Deborah was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her father, Carl Allen Smith; and one granddaughter, Abby Lott.

Deborah is survived by her husband, Randy Lott; one son and daughter-in-law, Josh and Tera Lott of Mena; her mother, Nadine Smith of Mena; one brother and sisterin-law, Odell and Jennifer Smith of Mena; two grandchildren, Jason Lott and Kayla Lott; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at the Posey Hollow Cemetery with Pastor Odell Smith and Pastor Allen Smith officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Theresa Ann Cook, 72, of Mena, Arkansas passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Theresa was born on April 18, 1951, to James (Cobb) Wagoner and Lois Elizabeth (Harris) Wagoner in Mena, Arkansas. Theresa was a daycare owner and a home maker. Every child she looked after was treated as family and to this day they still know and love her as “Mrs. Ann.” She loved to scrapbook and was obsessed with her soap opera “Days Of Our Lives”. She was most passionate about is her grandchildren.

Theresa is survived by, one son, Mike (Brandi) Cook, one daughter, Kelli Vincent, one sister, Marsha Tapp, one sister-in-law, Karon (Kenneth) Wood, one niece Shannon Beck, two nephews, Matthew Atkinson and Brian Wood, and twelve grandchildren Keith (Brianna), Alex (Brooklyn), Mackenzie, Orion, Bentleigh, Cali, Nevaeh, Gunner, Trey, L.J., Beckett, and Wraylyn.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Bob Cook, nephew, Dustin Tapp, and son-in-law, Ben Vincent.

Funeral Service will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Salem Baptist Church in Nunley, Arkansas, with interment to follow at Pine Crest Memorial Park. Pallbearers are, Keith Cook, Alex Cook, Kenneth Wood, and Daren Ross.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Mena Fire Department organizes local fire safety program for students

A major key in keeping our community fire safe is awareness and education. With this thought in mind, the Mena Fire Department is working with the National Fire Safety Council, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to provide fire-prevention materials for our community through their Annual Fire Prevention Program for the children of Mena and Polk County. These materials will be extremely effective in providing important information and valuable resources for our community.

Some of the materials they have carefully selected include activity manuals, brochures, booklets and other valuable teaching aids. A broad range of critical topics are addressed in these materials, including: How to Report a Fire: 9-11, Home Fire Safety, Crawl Low Below the Smoke, Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Fire Extinguisher Awareness, Burn Prevention, and other community concerns.

The Mena Fire Department will distribute these materials through presentations, activities and programs in the community. “This information is a great tool to help children, parents, teachers, and our community better understand and respond to the challenges and education needed to help protect our citizens every day,” chief Steve Egger said.

The department is asking for the support of local businesses, by donating to help cover the cost of the materials they will be distributing. With last year’s tremendous support, the department provided 1,593 Official Fire Safety Manuals for not only Mena students but also the Cossatot River School District and the Ouachita River School District.

The fire department also filled 700 trick-or-treat bags loaded with fire education materials and distributed them to local youth during the downtown