Polk County Pulse November 23, 2022

Jail addition nearing completion

and Photos by Ethan Nahté (Part 1 of 2)

their offices and across the street, and the county jail began laying the ground work in the empty corner lot northwest of the former police department’s door.

Keep a cold, weather eye out for porch pirates

By Ethan Nahté

It’s that time of the season—for online ordering in abundance, shipping and receiving gifts from distant friends and family, and those sneaky thieves out to ruin it all by stealing packages left by a wide array of delivery drivers.

Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer said, “We’re probably about three to four weeks from opening. It’s getting close. We’re getting down to the final details.” Sawyer’s hoping to have the new wings open before the new year.

Package theft, also commonly re ferred to as porch piracy, is a Class D felony in Arkansas. The state is now one of 13 states where porch piracy laws have been introduced and passed.

The bill “Concerning the Theft of a Postal Package Delivered to a Person’s Residence and Left Within the Curti lage of the Residence” HB1317, 93rd General Assembly (Ark. 2021) Reg ular Session passed and became “Act 340” on March 15, 2021. State Rep. Lee Johnson was the lead sponsor and Sen. Bart Hester being the other primary sponsor. Arkansas State Rep. John Maddox was one of 10 co-spon sors.

“I have not had anyone from my district contact me about it but I have read many accounts of it happening all over the country,” Maddox said. “Delivery services are such a vital part of our economy, now, I felt it was im portant to address the issue.”

An emergency clause in the act states, in part, “It is found and deter mined by the General Assembly of the

The new expansion of the Polk Coun ty Jail is nearing completion after a year of construction that began in January 2022. Even a building is not immune to a pandemic, as the expansion was delayed in part due to COVID-19. The Mena Police Department moved out of See THEFT continued on page 10

JAIL continued on page 12

Article

See

Mena FFA trapshooting team district runners-up

By Ethan Nahté

The Mena FFA trapshooting team competed in the Arkansas FFA Trap Shoot in Jack sonville, Arkansas on Friday, Nov. 18. As a team, Squad No. 1 FFA members were district runners-up in the southern district and placed sixth overall in the state out of

86 teams with a total of 195 (out of 250), Squad No. 2 placed 45th with 145 points and Squad No. 3 placed 74th with 62 points

FFA member Luke Floyd led the team by shooting a 45 (out of 50) and was the indi vidual district runner-up. Floyd placed 10th overall in the state out of 377 competitors.

FFA member Caleb Simmons shot a 44 and was third overall in the district and 14th overall in the state.

The team will be competing in the Ar kansas Youth Shooting Sport Program (AYSSP) shoot in the spring of 2023.

Team members include Capt. Luke Floyd, Caleb Simmons, Case Wiles, Sean Maechler, Dylon Morris, Captain Lacy Floyd, Drake Dollar, Dax McMellon, Way lon Head, Kassidy Valdez, Captain Aslynn Jackson, Alanna Valdez, and Grayson Far ringer.

Cossatot River Squad No. 1 placed ninth with 192 points, Squad No. 2 placed 15th with 185 points, Squad No. 3 placed 54th with 134 points and Squad No. 4 placed 82nd with 37 points.

Mount Ida Squad No. 3 placed 13th with 188 points, Squad No. 4 placed 26th with 166 points, Squad No. 1 placed 40th with 150 points, Squad No. 2 placed 41st with 149 points and Squad No. 5 placed 73rd with 63 points.

Jett Baber is the winner of Pulse Multi-Media’s Buck Fever contest. He won a Franchi Momentum .308 bolt-action rifle by Benelli. The prize included a Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 scope from Mena Pawn and Gun. (l-r) Mena Pawn & Gun’s Mari sa Johnson, Jett Baber, and Pulse Multi-Media General Manager Ashley Moore. (Jodi Croft/Pulse)

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Letter to the Editor,

Sheriff Javier Salazar of Bexar County, Texas, announced his plans to start an investigation into illegal immigrants from his jurisdic tion allegedly duped into being flown to Martha’s Vineyard at the behest of Governor DeSantis of Florida. The re location of illegal immigrants to areas of the country, most notably sanctuary cities, seems fair in so much as these mayors are vocal in their support of il legal immigrants.

At least until they actually started to arrive in their cities a few hundred at a time, which overwhelmed their re sources. Then their tune changed. The call for federal aid and a declaration of emergency was immediate. And even faster they were bused out of affluent areas. A few hundred illegals verses thousands the border states contend with daily, and they cry foul. Hypocrites exposed.

I would think Sheriff Salazar’s time would be better spent serving the cit izens who elected him to keep their community safe. He should leave politics to the politicians. They seem to be doing a fine job messing things up without his help.

gets in. To the sanctuary city mayors, I say welcome to the challenges seen by those dealing with it daily at our south ern border, except on a much larger scale.

Read the story of Selena Price, own er of Wagon Wheel BBQ in Eagle Pass, TX (a border town). Her business has been broken into 5 times since Febru ary 2022. She is now out of business and selling her restaurant and trying to save her ranch. Her livestock keeps getting out because of illegals cutting her fences faster than she can repair them. She and her daughter sleep at night with a handgun by their bed. She, and so many more like her, are victims of this administrations failed/nonexis tent border policies. Eagle Pass is in Maverick County, roughly two counties southwest of Bexar County. It is not in the jurisdiction of Sheriff Salazar. Mid-term elections are coming and the long-term implications are critical. Please, do your own research, ask questions, and VOTE.

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Sheriff Salazar says just give the il legals a job. To Sheriff Salazar I would point out that for every job an illegal takes an American citizen remains unemployed, and the well-being of fellow Americans should be our first priority. His thinking is part of the problem. Re ward bad/illegal behavior and the re sult is uncontrolled illegal immigration. Most professional law enforcement of ficers I know find deterrent/punishment works best when dealing with crime. Not reward.

Our VP, Kamala Harris, just said our borders are secure. What an incredi ble disconnect from reality. There is a visible flood of illegal immigrants invading our country, with no solution to the problem being considered. There is no vetting. Pedophiles, murderers, drug dealers, rapists, gang members, and assorted criminals are among the families seeking a better life. That is why there is a process to control who

As always, thank you for a forum to express my thoughts.

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

(Eds: Mr. Goss asked that other let ters be printed ahead of this letter, re sulting in its publication occurring after the election.)

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New Arkansas law wins national award for helping fight fraud

LITTLE ROCK— During Inter national Fraud Awareness Week, Arkansas Attorney General Les lie Rutledge is highlighting an award-winning, Arkansas law she and members of the General As sembly introduced to help protect Arkansas Seniors and people with disabilities from falling victim to financial exploitation.

Rutledge helped craft the leg islation alongside Rep. Carlton Wing, Senator Jonathan Dismang and representatives of the state’s banks and other financial services providers, in an effort to develop protocols between state agencies and the Attorney General’s Office to expedite potential action when an individual is facing financial exploitation.

“I am proud to have worked with the many stakeholders to achieve this goal,” said Attorney Gener al Leslie Rutledge. “The need for this law is highlighted by the fact that the bill received bipartisan support as well as national recog nition.”

Act 1015 of 2021, known as the Safeguarding Against Financial Exploitation of Retirees (SAFER AR Act), passed both the Arkan sas House and Arkansas Senate with  overwhelming bipartisan support  . The Act is designed to protect older Arkansans and peo ple with disabilities by allowing fi nancial institutions to delay, refuse and report attempted financial transactions designed to exploit these individuals to Adult Protec

tive Services (APS). The Act also requires APS to report the sus pected fraud to the Attorney Gen eral’s Office within 48 hours.

Recently, Arkansas-based Sim mons Bank,  won an award from the American Bankers Associa tion  for its role in developing the SAFER AR Act to address this need to protect America’s seniors and people with disabilities.

“The SAFER AR Act provides banks and other financial insti tutions an improved reporting mechanism to state and local au thorities when they suspect finan cial abuse of the elderly and peo ple with disabilities,” said Steve Wade, EVP and assistant general legal counsel for Simmons Bank. “By encouraging financial insti tutions to act in circumstances of suspected fraud, this bill should help prevent financial loss to vic tims and give authorities an earli er start toward investigation and prosecution of perpetrators.”

For more information and tips on how to avoid common scams and other consumer-related issues, call the Attorney General’s Office at (800) 482-8982, email  consum er@ArkansasAG.gov, or visit  Ar kansasAG.gov.

From the

State House of Representatives

Did you know that more than 12% of all turkeys pro duced in the United States are raised right here in Arkansas?

Arkansas produces 27 million turkeys per year and ranks third in the nation in turkeys raised.

But that’s not the only pop ular Thanksgiving dish that may have started its journey on an Arkansas farm.

Arkansas is the 4th largest produc er of sweet potatoes and our state ranks 6th in the nation in the acreage of pecans.

In the last year, Arkansas farmers harvested more than 690,000 acres of corn.

Arkansas currently ranks 11th in the nation in soybean production, producing more than 150 million bushels last year valued at $2 billion.

Soybean oil is used to make hun dreds of foods, including mayon naise, peanut butter, and ranch dress ing. These special ingredients may be the secret to pulling off the perfect pumpkin pie, casserole, and stuffing.

John Maddox

John.Maddox@ arkansashouse.org

520 Church Avenue Mena, AR 71953

Call: (479) 394-6060

Larry Teague

Larry.Teague@senate.ar.gov

P.O. Box 903 Nashville, AR 71852 (870) 845-5303

From casseroles to rice pud ding, another Arkansas crop makes its way to the Thanks giving table every year.

Arkansas ranks first among rice-producing states, ac counting for more than 40 percent of U.S. rice produc tion.

Agriculture is Arkansas’s largest industry, providing more than $19 billion in value to Arkansas’s econo my every year. There are 49,346 farms statewide and 97 percent of Arkansas farms are family-owned.

So as you gather around the table with family and friends next week, we encourage you to think about the men and women who helped bring your meal to the table. Arkansas farmers made not only your meal but countless meals across the country possible.

You can help show your appreci ation to our Arkansas farmers and food service workers by looking for the “Arkansas Grown” label at your local supermarket.

John Boozman

1120 Garrison Ave. Suite 2B

Fort Smith, AR 72901

Phone: (479) 573-0189

Fax: (479) 575-0553

Bruce Westerman

101 Reserve St. Suite 200 Hot Springs, AR 71901

Phone: (501) 609-9796

Fax: (501) 609-9887

From the State Senate

A record prize in the Pow erball lottery generated in creased ticket sales in Arkan sas in October.

Increased sales of lottery tickets generated an addi tional $2.1 million for college scholarships, compared to the same month last year.

Revenue from scratch-off tickets were almost the same as last year. It was the Powerball prize that boosted ticket sales in October. A state lottery officials said that sales of Powerball tickets in October were $5.7 million, compared to $3.1 mil lion in October of 2021.

The record $2 billion Powerball prize was awarded to a California ticket-buyer on November 7. In the first week of November, Powerball ticket sales in Arkansas were $9.4 million, so the final numbers for November are also expected to be more than normal.

During the first four months of the current fiscal year, the lottery has generated $36.2 million for scholarships. The lottery raised $32 million for scholarships during the first four months of last fiscal year.

Arkansas voters approved a state lottery in 2008. The first tickets were sold in September of 2009. Since then, about 30,000 students a year have qualified for a college scholar ship, but last year due to declining enrollment the number was 28,716.

The state lottery is projected to provide $91.4 million this fiscal year for college scholarships. Increased ticket sales, due to the popularity of the Powerball prize, have put ex pected revenue about $10 million more than was originally estimated.

The price of gasoline is another important factor that affects lottery ticket sales. When consumers pay more to fill up with gas, they tend to buy fewer lottery tickets.

Outsourcing Veterans Hospital

A subcommittee of the Legislative council recom mended approval of a request from the Department of Vet erans Affairs for $1.4 million to cover some of the costs to be incurred in changing the operations of the Arkansas State Veterans Home at Fayetteville to a private contractor.

The department has received two bids from firms with experience in providing skilled nursing home care.

Officials with the Veterans Affairs Department told legislators that staff turnover is very high. It has 65 residents, which puts its occupancy rate to just over 70 percent.

Many other states contract with private firms to operate skilled nurs ing facilities for veterans, the official said.

The subcommittee is called Per formance Evaluation and Expendi ture Review, or PEER. It is one of the most important of the legislative panels that meet during the interim between regular sessions.

In other action PEER recom mended approval of allowing the State Crime Lab to have $600,000 in reserve funds so it can contract with a private company to help clear its backlog of rape and sexual assault kits. About 500 evidence kits must be analyzed, the Crime Lab director said.

First Bill Filed for 2023

The first two bills have been filed in anticipation of the upcoming reg ular session of the legislature, which convenes on January 9, 2023.

They are a Senate bill and a House bill that mirror each other, and they would amend truth in sentencing laws and make changes in parole laws.

John Maddox Larry Teague

Obituaries

Kathleen “Kat” Hudson

Kathleen

“Kat” Hudson, age 75, passed away Friday, November 18, 2022, in Idabel, Oklahoma. She was born November 14, 1947, in Talihina, Oklahoma, to the late Dixon Hudson and Sarah (Amos) Hudson.

Kathleen retired from US Motors after 33 years. She was an avid bowl er, enjoyed playing pool and gospel singing. Additionally, she loved go ing to the casino in her later years. Kat is preceded in death by her parents, Dixon Hudson and Sar ah (Amos) Hudson; two brothers, Von Hudson, and Thurman Hud son; and by her two sisters, Corinne “Chop” Hudson, and Lita Baxter.

She is survived by her brothers, E.B. Hudson of Jacksonville, Flori da, Dean Hudson of Ignacio, Colo rado, Cordell Hudson of Fredricks, Oklahoma, Greg Hudson of Savan nah, Oklahoma, R.E. Hudson of Smithville, Oklahoma; sisters, Meg Scott of Smithville, Oklahoma, Ver della Hudson of Rogers, Arkansas, Loretta Richardson and husband Jimmy of Grannis, Arkansas; sev eral nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-niec es and nephews, other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Services for Kathleen “Kat” Hud son will be held at 2:00 p.m., Mon day, November 21, 2022, at the Choctaw Nation Community Cen ter in Smithville, Oklahoma. Inter ment will follow at the Smithville Cemetery in Smithville, Oklahoma. Brother Todd Webb will be offici

ating under the direction of Bea sley-Wood Funeral Home. There will be a visitation one hour prior to service.

Pallbearers are R.E. Hudson, Shane Hudson, Brian Tadlock, Hunter Miles, Tanner Hudson, and Timmy Brady. Online obituary at beasleywood funeralhome.com

Dwight Richard (Rick) Banning

Dwight Richard (Rick) Ban

ning of Staf

ford Springs, CT, was called to the Lord on October 28, 2022. Rick was a creative man who was loved and admired by everyone he knew. He had numerous friends from all parts of the country. Rick, or Ricky as his mother and older friends called him, was gentle and kind and en joyed a great cup of coffee and some good conversation.

He is well known for his Creative Carving on Wood and Fine Line Wood Carving and his artwork is displayed in the Smithsonian. Rick spent all of his time with his ador ing wife and his pets and work ing on his cars and hotrods. There was nothing he couldn’t fix and he loved the challenge of making them one of a kind. His best friend Tollie was always by his side helping him with his projects. He lived in many homes and he left his creative mark on each and every one of them. He was a proud Marine and was proud to be a fifty-year type one diabetes survivor.

He is survived by the love of his

life, Yolanda Banning of AR. He also leaves behind his son Sean Banning and wife Elizabeth Ban ning, grandsons Evan and Cole Banning of Tolland, CT; Daughter Stacy Banning Grant and husband Wynter Grant, grandsons London and Nolan Grant and granddaugh ter Isla Grant of Vienna, VA; and son Heath Banning and wife Mela nia, grandson Ethan Banning and granddaughter Heather Banning of Fayetteville, AR. He is also survived by his sister Joyce Dix of FL and his sister Sharon Greika of CT. In addi tion, Rick leaves behind the many friends he made along the way and his precious animals that he loved so much.

He is predeceased by his parents LeRoy and Mildred Banning of Stafford, CT, and his brother David Banning of Enfield, CT.

Verbie D. Hamm

Mr. Verbie D. Hamm, age 72, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2022, in Cove, Ar kansas. He was born October 19, 1950, in Ft. Worth, Texas, to the late Mr. Dewey Adison Hamm and Mrs. Betty Lucille (Snoddy) Hamm.

Mr. Hamm was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War. While stationed in Germany, he met his wife, Edith. They were married February 12, 1972, at Bethel Baptist Church in New Potter, Arkansas. Verbie was hard-working and good hearted. He tried to help everyone. He was known as his family’s hero.

Mr. Hamm is preceded in death

by his parents, Mr. Dewey Adi son Hamm and Mrs. Betty Lucille (Snoddy) Hamm; brother, Gary Kimbrough, and by his sister, Ger aldine Carter. He is survived by his loving wife, of 50 years, Edith Hamm; daughter, Melissa Gullet, grandchildren, Matthew Gullet and Brittany Brents; 5 great-grand children; brothers, David Hamm, Franklin Hamm, Kerry Hamm and Leon Carter; sisters, Jennie Merrick and Ruth Bishop Brown; and by nu merous nieces, nephews, other fam ily and friends.

Graveside services with military honors will be held Saturday, No vember 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at the Six Mile Cemetery in Hatfield, Arkansas. Brother Troy Denton will be officiating, under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Tony Hamm, Paul Hamm, Newton Hamm, Kenny Denton, Lesley Shores, and Dale Baker.

Online obituary at beasleywood funeralhome.com

Celebration of Life

Loyed Wayne Faught

There will be a Celebra tion of life for Loyed Wayne Faught, at Faith Mission ary Baptist Church, Mena, Ar kansas, 2407 Sutherland Avenue at 2 p.m., Dec. 3. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

LaVerta Jane Crowder

Meaney

LaVerta Jane Crowder Meaney en tered this life on May 2, 1947, in San Antonio, Texas. She was the daugh ter of James L. Crowder Sr., and Lola (Myers) Crowder, both deceased.

In 1961, the family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, where she continued her public-school edu cation. Jane excelled in all things academic and was valedictorian in high school. She graduated from Abilene Christian College, summa cum laude. She worked for Tenne co Chemicals and Bell Telephone Laboratories in New Jersey before returning to Texas and enrolling in the University of Texas at San An tonio Medical School. Upon grad uation she began her career in an esthesiology. Dr. Crowder worked in Dallas, Denton, Houston, and Huntsville, Texas, and she especially enjoyed her time with locum tenens which enabled her to see other parts of the country. She loved traveling with anyone and visited more than 70 countries.

She also loved the multiplicity of pets and playing and watching ten nis and college football. As a pilot of her own Mooney airplane, she logged more that 4, 500.00 hours and gladly ferried friends and an imals across the United States to wherever they needed to be.

She married William M. Meaney in 1980 and they had 42 years of marriage. She is survived by her hus band in Mena, Arkansas; her broth

er, James L. Crowder, Jr. of Edmond, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Without any fanfare, celebration or burial her final take-off occurred on November 15, 2022.  Mrs. Meaney was sent for cremation under the di rection of the Beasley Wood Funer al Home...no services are scheduled at this time.

Online obituary at beasleywood funeralhome.com

Cindy Lynn Hill

Cindy Lynn Hill, age 43, of Mena, died Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at the Mena Regional Health System. She was born on Wednesday, August 29, 1979, to James Darrel McMellon and Reba Faye McMellon Stanfield in Mena, Arkansas.

Cindy was outgoing and stub born, but very soft hearted and never met a stranger. She enjoyed being outdoors and always had fun at the creek or in the water. She loved her dogs, Sophie, Oreo, Pebbles, and Neighbor Kid. Cin dy liked fishing, but mostly as an excuse to get in the water. She also liked house plants, and would often replace them, as she didn’t have the greenest thumb. Cindy made her friends and family laugh and was never afraid to speak her mind.

Cindy was a loving companion, sister, aunt and friend and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and one sister, Mina An derle.

Cindy is survived by her loving companion of 8 years, Greg Tarkin ton of Mena and his son, Kyle Tarkinton; two brothers and sisterin-law, Cecil McMellon and com panion, Misty Martin of Mena and Archer and Shlinda McMellon of Mena; nephews and nieces, Brandi, Zachary, Cooper, Shiloh, Adileigh, Corbyn, Allie, and Brayden; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. Cremation services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funer al Home in Mena.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Ginger Bell, and Laurie Curtin; as well as numerous friends and other family.

There will be a family hosted me morial service to be announced later. Mr. Smith was sent for crema tion under the direction of Beas ley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary at beasleywood funeralhome.com

How lucky

Mr. James William Smith, age 90, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2022, in Mena, Arkansas. Mr. Smith was born February 14, 1932, in Tex arkana, Arkansas, to the late Theo dore Sanders Smith and Elizabeth (Howell) Smith.

Mr. Smith was a railroad worker by profession, and proudly served his country in the National Guard. He enjoyed men’s breakfast on Tuesdays, airplanes, old cars, and singing in the choir. Additionally, he liked watching sports on T.V., and outdoor activities, especially shooting.

Mr. Smith is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Sander Smith and Elizabeth (Howell) Smith; as well as by his brother, Fritz Smith J.R., and his wife, Frances Allen Smith. He is survived by his sons, Russell Smith, Jefferson Allen Smith, and Randy Smith; grand child, Bretton Smith; brother, John Smith; nieces, Gayla Amerman,

~Winnie the Pooh, The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh

I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

James William Smith

Give thanks for Arkansas farmers

It is no secret to most Arkansans that poultry is a major driver of the economy in the Natural State, but did you know that Arkansas’ Fourth District is also one of the nation’s top producers of Thanksgiving turkeys?

This Thanksgiving, I am especially thank ful for the meaningful contribution of Arkansas’ Fourth District to the nation’s economy. From Thanks giving turkeys to timber, America relies on Arkansas farmers, pro ducers, and ranchers to provide many of the basic goods enjoyed by Americans every day. Our agri culture workers never get a day off. Through rain, sleet, hail, and heat, farmers take care of their animals and their crops, often with little thanks or recognition. It is only because of their hard work that we have bursting grocery stores and enough left over to export around the world.

Rep. Bruce Westerman

I will never forget visiting the farm of a Fourth District constitu ent last year on my yearly agricul ture tour. In the middle of the tour, his neighbor and fellow farmer, who

had joined the tour, got news that his crop was completely destroyed in a passing hailstorm. The crop was scheduled to be harvested in the next couple of days. The farmer was dis traught telling me about how this meant he would be unable to pay back his loan. This is farm ers’ hard reality. Their livelihoods are at the mercy of the elements. Besides the usual risks, farmers and producers have faced serious challenges over the past two years in the face of the COVID-19 pan demic, a supply chain crisis, low labor engagement, and high in flation. High input costs have put significant strain on their busi nesses and forced farmers to raise their prices. I am committed to supporting farmers at the federal level however possible, including introducing bills in the 118th Con gress to unleash American energy independence and bring down en ergy costs. While one party rule in Washington, D.C., has made it impossible to bring these bills to the floor for consideration, I have made it one of my top priorities in the new Congress under a Republi can majority to ensure these issues receive proper attention and action.

As we gather with friends and family this holiday, don’t forget to give thanks for the hardworking and dedicated farmers who made the feast possible. Our nation is forever grateful for the Fourth Dis trict farmers and producers who keep America fed, clothed, housed, and thriving.

Giving Thanks for Arkansas adoption champions

Our country is shaped by in dividuals who take initiative to serve others. In Arkansas, we can give thanks for all these givers who are willing to serve causes greater than themselves.

Two individuals who embody this ideal are Monticello’s Hiller and Marilyn Suber. The cou ple opened their home and hearts to Arkansas teens in need of a lov ing and safe place to live more than 20 years ago. Since then, they have welcomed more than 350 young Arkansans in the foster care sys tem into their life and mentored them to stability and success. The Subers were recently recognized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) as 2022 Angels in Adoption.

Since 2001, CCAI has played a vital role in eliminating barriers standing between orphaned and foster children becoming part of a loving family. Through its signature public awareness program, Angels in Adoption, CCAI annually rec ognizes outstanding individuals, families and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to adoption and child welfare.

In Arkansas, we are fortunate to have many other angels. Like the Subers, families and organizations all across our state are working to ensure children can live their best lives.

Hundreds of kids in our state are waiting for a permanent home. As part of National Adoption Month, in mid-November, 15 children were

united with a loving family during an adoption celebra tion in Pulaski County.

As a member of the Con gressional Coalition on Adop tion, I am pleased to support efforts in Arkansas and all across the country that put love into action and make a positive impact on the wellbeing of children.

I’ve championed legislation in the Senate to expand the ability of fam ilies to welcome children into a per manent home. This is often a costly process, which is why I cosponsored the “Adoption Tax Credit Refund ability Act.” This legislation would make the existing federal tax credit for adoption expenses fully refund able so it’s more affordable for fami lies to expand through adoption.

In recent years, the Arkansas leg islature has taken action to decrease the number of children in foster care. Programs like The CALL and Project Zero help place children in loving homes, while facilities like the Young Children’s Home provide a family atmosphere for many young people and prevent them from being moved far away or separated from their siblings while in foster care.

We are blessed to have families like the Subers who are setting an amazing example for others across Arkansas and the nation. As we join with our family and friends around the Thanksgiving table, let us con sider the call to serve the children around our state and across the na tion in need of a forever home.

Sen. John Boozman

By Richie Lawry

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and I am getting excited. We will be heading to Ashland, Missouri, on Thursday morning to celebrate Thanksgiving with my sister and her family. Thanksgiving is such a fantastic holiday. To me, Thanksgiving is a holiday that focuses on family even more than Christmas. I am very thankful for my family.

How we celebrate Thanksgiving in America has its roots in British harvest festivals and U.S. history. In 1620, a group of more than 100 Puritans fleeing religious persecution settled in a town called Plym outh in what is now Massachusetts. The Pilgrims’ first winter was so harsh that few er than 50 survived the season.

The following spring, Native Americans taught them how to get sap from the maple trees and plant corn and other crops. The harvest was successful, and the Pilgrims had enough food for the winter. Plymouth Colony’s governor, William Bradford, de cided to throw a harvest festival and invit ed the colony’s native neighbors to take part.

Historians believe this celebration oc curred sometime in the fall, though there are few clues to reconstruct the feast. What we know about it comes from a letter Edward Winslow wrote to a friend in England: “Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men fowling, that we might rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They, in one day, killed as much fowl as served the company almost a week. At which time, with many of the Indians coming among us, for three days, we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation, and bestowed on our governor.”

I learned in school that this festival held by the Pilgrims in 1621 was the first Thanksgiving. I later found out that it wasn’t entirely true—the Pilgrims didn’t think of it as a Thanksgiving observance but a harvest festival. The Pilgrims did not hold an actual Thanksgiving until two years later.

The harvest in 1622 was a poor one for the Pilgrims in Plymouth. The following summer, they were running out of food. The outlook was grim as they were waiting for the fall harvest. The weather was hot

An Arkie’s Faith Thank God for grace

through prayer and petition with thanksgiv ing, tell your requests to God.”

He added in Colossians 3:17 (ESV), “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

The Greek word, translated in the Bi ble as thanksgiving, is “eucharistia.” The English spelling is eucharist. One of the definitions in my dictionary is “the giving of thanks; thanksgiving.” The root word in “eucharistia” is “charis.” Charis is trans lated into English as grace. That makes sense. What happens at the beginning of your Thanksgiving meal? Someone says “grace.” Saying grace is giving thanks.

At a British conference on religions, ex perts from around the globe debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C.S. Lewis wandered into the room. “What’s the rum pus about?” he asked and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Chris tianity’s unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”

and dry, and the crops were failing. The Pilgrims lived on a few grains of corn for days at a time. Their hopes rested on a good fall harvest. But a drought began in June, and they watched as the crops turned brown and slowly withered away. The Pilgrims turned to the only hope they had. They appointed a solemn day of prayer to ask God to intervene.

The Pilgrims assembled one July morn ing under a hot, clear sky and prayed for nine hours. God answered their prayers the following day. Edward Winslow wrote, “For the next two weeks distilled such soft, sweet, and moderate showers that it was hard to say whether our withered corn or drooping affections were most quickened and revived.”

Later that year, the governor of the colony, William Bradford, issued a proc lamation. “Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant har vest, has spared us from pestilence and disease, and has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of

our own conscience. Now I, your magis trate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, do gather at ye meeting house, on Thursday, November 29th, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.”

Gov. Bradford’s Thanksgiving was the first in the English colonies in America, but the custom of marking good fortune with a day of gratitude caught on throughout New England. In 1789, President George Washington issued a Proclamation that called for a day of thanksgiving, and President Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation during the Civil War in 1863. Each year since 1863, the president of the United States has issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation.

For the Christian, Thanksgiving shouldn’t be a day; it should be a lifestyle. In Philippians 4:4-6 (NET), Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! Let everyone see your gentle ness. The Lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation,

After some discussion, the conferees had to agree. The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, is singularly Christian. Of all the world’s religions, only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional. “For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (NLT)

Gentle Reader, Paul tells us in 2 Cor inthians 4:15 (NET), “For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God.”

What causes Thanksgiving in God’s people? It is grace! I am so thankful for God’s grace and the gift of His Son that makes grace possible. When you cele brate Thanksgiving, be sure to give thanks to God for grace.

Replacing windshields in Polk County for over 40 years.

Give Richie a call at 479-394-9938

Located at 3008 Hwy 71 South

Joke of the Week: I didn’t think orthopedic shoes would help, but I stand corrected.

Four generations of Richie’s family preparing a Thanksgiving meal several years ago.

State of Arkansas that due to the coro navirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandem ic and public health restrictions and advisories, more people are ordering household items and goods to be de livered to their residences… .”

Prior to “Act 340,” package theft was a misdemeanor. Now, a conviction could mean up to six years in prison. Arkansas took less than two months to introduce and pass the law, where the remaining 12 states have taken four months to over a year.

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN-3) in troduced H.R.6852-Porch Pirate Act of 2022 to the House Committee “To amend title 18, United States Code, to extend to private or commercial interstate carriers (e.g. UPS, DHL, Fe dEx) the same protections enjoyed by letter and mail carriers, and for other purposes.” A bipartisan group of 88 co-sponsors are behind the bill. No other action has been taken on the bill at this moment.

Not just presents

Piracy does not just take place during the holiday season, and items swiped are not only Christmas and birthday presents. It includes groceries and

medications. Imagine being someone who is homebound, dependent upon specific items to maintain one’s health or life, only to have an important pre scription stolen, either by someone just out for kicks or someone looking to sell them on the black market.

This has included critical prescrip tions for the disabled, elderly and even rare cancer medications needed by children.

During the height of the pandemic from March-December 2020, when many people were staying home and ordering online, a survey by Value Penguin reports 57% of stolen pack age were delivered by Amazon. Gro ceries made up 14 % of the thefts.

C+R Research found that 43% of

people they surveyed had packages stolen in 2020. Plus, 64% of those who have had a package stolen were repeat victims. Perhaps this is because a pi rate takes notice of homes that receive deliveries on a frequent basis.

Ariel Varner suspected somebody followed the UPS driver delivering a packaged birthday present to her home in Mena, then waited a couple of minutes until the UPS driver had gone. She said, “I got a $300 package, and it was big package. They slit the package open with a box cutter— shredded it—all of the packing pea nuts were all over the yard, all over the neighbor’s yards. My grandma opened the window within a minuteand-a-half of hearing the UPS driver. She looked out and the [person] took off running.”

Varner suspects the person didn’t take off with the large package that had been left under her carport be cause of its size. She said she had a dif ficult time dragging it into the house with a dolly.

The next day, they observed a blue car they had seen the day before had stopped for six minutes near the area of West Boundary Road and Westmo reland Drive. She said the driver spent the entire time looking up and down the road at each house before taking off.

Whether it was the same person who vandalized Varner’s package is uncertain, or that the person in the

Value Penguin’s survey states 57% of packages of stolen packages in 2020 were delivered by Amazon. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

car had criminal intents, but it does draw suspicion.

Varner reported the package inci dent to the Polk County Sheriff’s of fice. She also ordered a video door bell. One of her neighbors has a Ring doorbell, but the distance between their houses was too great to capture any useful details about the suspect. Footage did capture the UPS driver dropping the package off using a dolly.

Security

Video doorbells increase a homeown er or business’ security. A doorbell might act as a deterrent, but at the very least, it might help law enforce ment identify the culprit. The top five video doorbells for 2022, according to CNET.com, range in price from $90$400. Many include livestreaming so if a homeowner is watching from home or abroad, they can see some one approaching their door. This al lows them to see when a package is be ing delivered, or when anyone enters within the range of the camera eye, be it friend or thief. Some doorbells have no monthly fee, and the video data is generally saved to an SD card. Other doorbells have a slight monthly fee and footage is stored in the Cloud.

The doorbells also assist law en forcement with identifying a criminal and putting together a timeline. One such incident occurred in February in Fayetteville, Arkansas, when a thief stole a package with $3,700 worth of chemotherapy medication. A video doorbell caught the suspect on cam era posing as a food delivery driver. The suspect was identified and arrest ed thanks to the video footage.

For the moment, Mena Police Chief Tommy Stueart said there had been no recent reports he had heard of, which is encouraging.

Still, diligence and awareness are recommended. In 2020, less than 10% of package thieves nationwide were arrested. That may not seem prob lematic unless you take into account that places like New York have up to

90,000 packages go missing daily ac cording to a New York Times report. That may not be anywhere near Mena, but what if someone in Polk County is sending a package to someone in New York?

Recent studies estimate that 35 mil lion Americans claim to be victims of package theft, equating $5.4 billion per year in losses.

According to C+R Research, they found that 24% of online shoppers used a video doorbell or surveillance system to help prevent theft package during the 2020 holiday season, while 64% of people stayed home for their deliveries in an attempt to keep deliv eries safe. Another 24% did in-store pickup, 19% requested a signature for deliveries and 13% had their package sent to a delivery center. Some 13% of shoppers asked for the driver to hide the package and 11% had their orders sent to a friend or relative for safe keeping.

Another option is to have the pack

age sent to your work, if allowed, since odds are the business will be open and the package will be brought inside the building.

There are also apps, such as the free Apple app Nextdoor, which uses a se curely encrypted HTTPS. It connects neighbors, allowing them their own social media interaction to share rec ommendations and advice, classifieds, and important alerts. In the instance of package theft, the app is a quick way to notify immediate neighbors who also have the app that property has been stolen or vandalized. According to the website’s Mena page, there are 12 neighborhoods within Mena and 1,265 residents who use the app.

There are similar platforms such as Neighbors by Ring, Olio, Nearlist, Cit izen, and several others. Research the apps and check with your neighbors to see if any of them are already using a particular app so you can all proper ly interact using the same service.

It’s recommended to report a stolen

package, regardless of size or value, to the authorities.

There are a few things a person can do to help prevent or lessen their chance of having a package stolen. The site https://www.preventpackagetheft. com/theft-prevention-guide/ has a simple guide. Another site with tips and interesting statistics that includes thefts by generations, sex, repetition and frequency can be found at https:// www.finder.com/porch-pirates-statis tics/.

Protecting the home

On a related subject, take preventa tive measures to protect your home. Be conscious of discarding packaging for expensive gifts such as TVs, gam ing consoles, cell phones, etc. Empty boxes waiting for trach pickup, and a family who has left for the holidays makes for a tempting and easy target for burglars.

JAIL

The room facing Dequeen Street, clos est to the former Mena Police Department before they relocated, holds all of the ex ternal duct work, which Sawyer is excited about.

“Right now, when we have plumbing problems, we have to actually go into the cells and work on them. One of the pods is just on the other side of the wall, but all of their toilets and showers are plumbed through here. We have these valves that have a pin in there. If one of the inmates flushes a blanket, it hangs on that pin. We open the valve and just pull it out.”

Sawyer said that if they have a good set of inmates, they won’t have any problems for six months. Then there are those times when inmates try to destroy the jail from within their cells a couple of times per month. One method is by flushing a blan ket, then repeatedly flushing the toilet to flood a cell.

“You get that one drunk that’s just a jackass who tries to destroy the cell. He only does it once or twice because then we’ll pull his blanket. In the old days, if somebody flushed a blanket, we had to go up on the roof and to get one of the [drain snakes] and go down basically and fish for

the blanket.”

The building that houses the jail was built in 1978 and the jail was moved from the Polk County Court House building to the new building around 1980. The tornado that hit Mena the evening of April 9, 2009, did severe damage to the jail, re quiring in mates with serious charges to be moved to other facilities, including 25 to Howard County Jail, and the release of lesser of fenders. The communications center was also damaged, forcing emergency calls to be rerouted to other counties, which would then communicate with the police and am bulances.

When flooding a cell occurred, it would shut down an entire wing by having the

water shut off for an hour or several hours, plus cost the department money to bring in a plumber, not to mention any physical damage to equipment. The new section is all electron ic and will be easier to maintain.

New wings

“Once we get the new addition done, my females will go to the old west wing, which is the big gest wing I’ve got. Without having any interaction with the inmates, we’ll be able to push a button and buzz an inmate out of these gates and straight into here so they can get some outside time,” Sawyer said as he looks over the recreation (rec) area. “This will just be the females. We had to build a wall because it borders the street. It will have a net ting over the top to keep somebody from

throwing something in.”

At one time, the jail was cited for not having any space to allow inmates ex ercise, which is part of the proposed jail standards. Section 14-1005 states, “Exer cise outside of the shall has to be made available to all inmates on a daily basis for one hour, provided the inmate(s) elect to participate. This standard is subject to the discretion of the Chief Executive in situ ations where security may be jeopardized.”

Sawyer said that during the upgrades made in 2018, that problem was resolved. The rec yard built in 2018 is currently used at separate times between the male and the female population and is not within sight of city streets.

In addition to the outside rec yard, they also added an external kitchen to meet the requirements. The larger kitchen space is capable of serving 65 inmates.

“When we did all that, we did it with an ticipation we were getting ready to do an addition at some point in time. We built this extra rec yard to make it easier on my jail ers. It’s all set up as all pushbuttons. When you get jailers hurt is when they are trans ferring inmates back and forth. The less time we have to be face-to-face with an inmate, the less likely I am to have a jailer hurt. We’ll have a control tower, and the guard in the control tower will push buttons for each door. If we’re bringing inmates out here, he won’t have to come into the cell and open the door. He’ll just buzz them in and out. Right now, we have to go open doors for them.”

Construction and costs

Construction on the new addition began in January but had been planned for some time. There were some minor hurdles to overcome. The jail expansion sits on a cor ner section of the lot that was once vacant of any structure, bordering the entrance to the Mena Police Department. The new building required having to relocate all of the gas, water, electric and 9-1-1 lines that ran through the area.

Sawyer said, “When I took over, we were under a state mandate and the state was trying to shut down my jail. They had shut down several county jails in about a three- or four-year period. They told [sher iff] Mike Godfrey before he left, they were going to shut it down and he said, ‘No.’

“When I came in, they said they were going to shut down the jail and I said, ‘No, we’ve got a plan.’ The first plan we spent about $600,000 to do a jail upgrade to get

us within what they call substantial com pliance. We built the outside rec yard, I widened a bunch of doors inside because we didn’t have enough room inside, and I built that external kitchen, changed some locks out, redid my dispatch and several things like that. That got the state off of me for then and kept my jail open.”

If the jail had been shut down, then prisoners would have to have been held in other counties and brought to Polk County for trials, which is costly.

“If I had to transport inmates, we had to pay $50 or $60 per day to Sevier County or Scott County,” Sawyer said. “There are some counties driving four or five hours away to store inmates. It’s fine if all you have to do is put them there, but we have court three days per week. Yesterday we had court and I had 14 inmates in my jail who had to be transported up to court. If I had them in Ouachita County (Camden), which is three hours one way, I’d spend all day having to transport them. A lot of our state inmates are held in Camden for the state price. Once they’re sentenced here in Polk County, if I don’t have room for them, I’ll load them up and take them Camden.”

Once the state prison system calls for the prisoner, then the Camden prison will transport them.

The state pays the county jails $32 per day per inmate for housing and feeding, but Sawyer said the real cost to house an inmate is closer to $65 per day. They bumped it up to $40 per day to pay the county jails, but Sawyer said the state has no motivation to get inmates out of county jails because it costs the state $80 per day to keep them in their prisons. There are times when an inmate served their full sentence in the Polk County Jail, then the state will call for them and the convict will go serve 30 days in state prison and be released.

“We fought and kept our jail open. The day after we finished construction of the upgrade, we started planning the construc tion of this addition. This has been in the process since 2018. It just took us four years to get to this point.”

A lot of the new construction work has been performed by local contractors. They have also met state mandates with the inclusion of natural lighting via skylights, which required the pods to be built tall. The height also prevents inmates from messing with the overhead lights or the fire suppression system. Sawyer said that they can hit a switch and vent all of the room in 10 seconds or less if the fire suppression is activated.

“I get a lot of the credit for it, but Polk County Judge Brandon Ellison is awe some. He deserves 95% of the credit. He’s got us in a position financially where we can afford to do this. Fifteen years ago, there’s no way we could’ve done it. Nine ty-five percent of the jails in Arkansas are built on a tax. You pass a tax and use that money. Very few counties have worked themselves in a position where they can afford to do something like this without a tax, and we can.

“Judge Ellison has been very conserva tive with our money since he took office in 2011. They went through a long period where Polk County employees didn’t get raises for several years. He’s got our sala ries up, he’s getting grants, and he’s very fiscally responsible with our money. We built this whole jail off of existing sources of revenue, which is something I promised when I was running for sheriff the first time was, I can build a jail without a tax.

“We will have this whole thing paid for and we won’t owe anybody anything with this jail is done. In fact, Polk County has cut millage rates and saved the tax-payers money while we were constructing this, which is amazing.”

Especially considering the new expan sion cost a little over $3 million, which is considerably less than the $12 million that

had been estimated for the building of a new jail. A new jail possibility had also re quired a long and futile search for property dating back several years.

Part of the $3 million also came from an American Recovery Plan grant totaling $1.8 million.

Jail population

Why was an expansion needed if the current jail isn’t at full capacity, handling a population of somewhere in the mid-20s?

“I’m at 28 beds right now,” Sawyer said. “We’re under a state mandate to stay be low that number. We run mid-20s most of the time. With this addition, we’ll have bed space for 60.

“Right now, we’re not holding any mis demeanors. Everybody that’s in my jail right now is charged with a felony. We’ve got murderers, we’ve got rapists, child molesters, armed robbers, and things like that. We just don’t have room to hold mis demeanors.

“County jails are built for misdemeanors. They’re not built for long-term housing felony inmates. Felony inmates are sup posed to be in prison. Bring them to coun ty, hold them until they go to trial, as soon as they get done and are sentenced—they go to prison. The state, over the last eight years, has forced the counties to build

2,200 new jail beds for the counties, while the state has lost 500.”

Currently, about 40% of the Polk County Jail population are state inmates awaiting transfer to state prisons.

“The problem we’ve got right now is that a lot of mine are being basically re leased to home detention until they go. If they’re non-violent—on drug charges or something like that—they may be sent home once they’re sentenced. They may sit home for six months before the state opens up a bed. In the meantime, they’re re-offending, because they’re not getting any help and they already know they’re going to prison.

“The state has already started construc tion at Calico Rock on 1,000 beds and sent out a notice to counties working on building another 2,000 or 2,500 beds. You know, counties that want a new prison there. I’m hoping in the next four or five years that will be fixed.”

A prison system needs to be near a large urban center where it can draw from a big workforce. Odds are, Polk County would be one of the locations for a state prison. Sawyer claimed that the jobs pay well and state benefits are good.

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Trial for former Dierks city clerk set for February 2023

By Patrick Massey

A former clerk for the City of Dierks who is accused of embezzling more than $500,000 in city funds will see her trial rescheduled to next year.

Cheryl Delarosa, age 59, of Dierks, appeared in the Howard County Circuit Court earlier this month and received a continuance in her trial. Her new trial date has been set for Feb. 21, 2023.

Delarosa faces six felony charges for theft of property greater than $25,000 and six felony charges for abuse of public trust. Special Agent Joe Pickett, with the Arkansas State Police Special Investigations Unit, led the investigation of this case and found a total of $501,193 unaccount ed for under Delarosa’s time as clerk

for the Dierks City Water Depart ment. Authorities also found bank accounts under her name that had unexplained cash deposits, along with possible gambling winnings, totaling approximately $261,000.

Delarosa reportedly turned herself over to authorities in August of last year after state auditors discovered the missing funds. The funds were misappropriated from the Dierks Water and Sewer Departments be tween 2015-2020.

The audit led to an investigation by the Arkansas State Police. Inves tigators allege they were able to show unexplained cash deposits and pos sible gambling winnings in Delaro sa’s bank accounts. The affidavit claims Delarosa was credited with more than $365,000 on her Choctaw

Gaming “players club” account be tween 2015 and 2018.

During a state inquiry, officials with the City of Dierks said a lack of oversight and accounting of deposits and the city’s bookkeeping allegedly allowed Delarosa to misappropriate funds over the six-year period. May or Ronnie Cogburn said the issue came to light when the city was no tified of unpaid bills and that money appropriated for those bills was not available.

Since Delarosa’s arrest Cogburn says procedures have been put in place to better account for the city’s finances.

Upon a conviction, each count of felony theft of property and abuse of public trust carries a sentence of five to 20 years in prison.

Photographers should prepare for bigger-than-ever show

The Mena Art Gallery/Southwest Artists 2023 Photography Show will be bigger than ever for a couple of reasons this year, the first being cash prizes to taling well over $1,000.

Secondly, according to Lisa Keeling, Mena Art Gallery/Southwest Artists executive director, there will be an ad ditional youth division (ages 14-18) added for 2023.

“The name of this division is ‘Bikes in Our Lives’ and the focus will be, of course, on bikes!” Keeling noted.

“We want to give young adult pho tographers a chance to showcase their creativity by showing us how bikes af fect their lives,” she added.

Keeling noted that more and more young adults are discovering cycling and that mountain bikes and street bikes are becoming more popular than ever in Mena and Ouachita Mountains.

Photo submissions for the 2023 Mena Art Gallery/Southwest Artists Photog raphy Show are due Feb. 18 and the photos will be exhibited at the gallery show Feb. 22 through March 15.

The exciting awards reception will be

held Feb. 25 at which time winners will receive their prizes.

For more information and submis sion rules and an application, please visit the Mena Art Gallery website at SouthwestArtists.org. or visit us on Facebook or email the gallery at  email@menaartgallery.org or call 479-394-3880.

Polk County Master Gardeners welcomed these new Master Gardeners who completed a six-week Master Gardener Training course instructed by Polk Coun ty Extension Agent Sherry Beaty-Sullivan. (l-r) Catherine Conner, James Ash baugh, Sandy Wilson and Deadria Williams graduated on Nov. 16. (Submitted photo)

Christmas letters and baby’s first photos

By Ethan Nahté

Head’s up to teach ers and parents, the season approach es when the Polk County Pulse pub lishes our annual “What Christmas Means to Me” let ters, as well as pho tos of a baby’s first Christmas or Han nukah.

Due to space al lotment, we can only accept let ters from a sin gle grade. Once again, we will be accepting letters from second grade classes from all Polk County Schools, including home-schooled children. Letters must be to the Pulse office, 1168 Hwy. 71 S, Mena, by end of the business day on Wednesday, Dec. 14, to give us time to sort and type the letters in. If a school is bringing let ters from more than one second-grade teacher, please divide them up by class and include the teacher’s name, plus the student’s name and age clearly on each letter.

School representatives may pick the letters back up any time during business hours after Dec. 21. We will hold the let ters until Jan. 13, 2023, before recycling.

Baby photos

Families can send in a photo of their baby’s first upcoming Christ mas or Hannukah. The photos do not have to be a Christ mas-themed pic ture. Once again, due to space, we can only accept photos of babies born between Dec. 26, 2021, and Dec. 16, 2022. Please include the baby’s name, age and the name of the par ents.

For best results, we suggest scanning the photo at 300 dpi and sending it to us. We do not suggest taking a photo of a photo that is in a frame with glass. Remove it from behind the glass if possible. Also, be aware of a camera reflection if tak ing a picture of a picture.

Photos can either be sent by email to News@mypulsenews.com or you can stop by the Pulse office during regular business hours and we will scan your photo then return it to you on the spot.

The letters and photos are scheduled to appear in the Dec. 21 edition of the Polk County Pulse.

Around Town

Veteran’s Thanksgiving Dinner for single, homeless, and veterans with no family. The dinner will be 1-3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24 at the First Assembly of God Church, Mena. For questions call Linda John son at 956-241-2633.

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.

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 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 Mon days 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.

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 Polk County Housing Authority will be closed Thursday, November

24, and Friday November 25, in observance of Thanksgiving.

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 informa tion, call 479-437-4018.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows.

Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

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.

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) 2439600 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!

Wesley Ann Watts (Christmas 2021); parents Ward and Ashlyn Watts.

CLASSIFIEDS

- SERVICES -

Wendell’s Tree Service - Tree Removal and Trimming. Experienced and fully insured for ALL your tree-trimming needs. Call (479) 394-0227 or (479) 216-4328. T1211

Handyman services - small jobs pre ferred. Plumbing, electrical, small engine re pair. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204.

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- HELP WANTED -

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced CNC Machine Operator. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with ben efits available.

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

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F.M. Dix Foundry is accepting applica tions 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. T1123

Mena ARVAC Headstart is hiring for

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Construction, pads, ponds, roads and more. Military discounts. Insured. Just give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976.

Daniel’s carpentry and painting and handyman service. Deck and privacy fences, etc. Call (479) 216-1101 or (479) 216-2299.

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Tree services, forestry mulching, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light re placement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate. T0104

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergen cy appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T1214

Assisted or Full Care available in my home or yours. Long term or short term. 20+ years experience. Located in Mena Call (479) 234-0461. T1123

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. Competi tive 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

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- FOR SALE -

Almost-new Whirlpool large capacity washer. Had 5 months. Still under warranty. In perfect condition. Paid $788, asking $450. (479) 234-9626. T1123

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced TIG Welder for a permanent day shift position. The applicant must be pro ficient in welding aluminum.

Applications may be picked up at the Bro dix 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.

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Hogspore News: What do you do here?

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson

Granddaughter Evangeline has been working a few times a week after school at a coffee shop, Java Forest, (Java Jungle was already being used by another shop in town). She was com plaining about a customer who asked her, “What do you do here?” She told the customer that she was a barista. The customer said, “Well, there’s noth ing wrong with that.” Evangeline took it as a slight.

We solved the problem at the Bar bershop Think Tank. We come up with something for Evangeline to say when somebody said that. We found one that we agreed on. Here it is, “And, there is nothing wrong with being a coffee shop customer. Just be the best coffee shop customer that you can be.”

Morton Trubletoof said, “I had trou ble years ago with walking and chew ing gum.”

I sez, “So you learned how to walk and chew gum?”

“No, I quit chewing gum.”

Orchard Park in Buffalo had over six-and-a-half feet of snow by 1 p.m. Sunday. The game between the Buffa lo Bills and the Cleveland Browns had been moved to Detroit. The Bills team tried to get the snow moved to Detroit in time for the game, but they couldn’t get any trucks within 10 miles of the Buffalo stadium. The Bills won, but the bad news is that the team has to go back to Buffalo for the rest of the winter.

Mumford Pickens says, “Socrates and Plato agreed on many ideas. That’s where the phrase comes from, ‘All Greek minds think alike.’ Plato was the more empathetic of the two phi losophers. He was the first to say, ‘I feel your pain.’ He said that after Soc rates drank the poison hemlock.

You can contact Celt Litter at bob simpson1947@yahoo.com.

Early Headstart/Headstart teachers and program aides. Come by 606 Pine Ave. in Mena for an application. T1123

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

November 14, 2022

A report of a vehicle accident on Polk 44 near Mena led to the arrest of Jeffery Parnell, 61 of Mena on four Felony Failure to Appear Warrants.

A report of a physical domestic dis turbance at a residence on Polk 122 near Mena led to the arrest of Kaylie Stroud, 26 of Mena on three Failure to Appear Warrants, a charge of Vio lation of a no Contact Order and Pos session of Drug Paraphernalia. Also arrested was Cody Thornton, 30 on a charge of Fleeing on Foot.

Deputies were dispatched to a busi ness near Cove in reference to shop lifting leading to the arrest of Joshua Heifner, 21 of Hatfield on charges of Possession of a Schedule VI Con trolled Substance, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Theft of Property and three war rants for Failure to Appear. Informa tion has been forwarded to the Pros ecuting Attorney for further consid eration.

Deputies were dispatched to a res idence on Polk 76 E near Acorn in reference to a disturbance. Informa tion has been forwarded to the Pros ecuting Attorney for further consid eration.

Deputies responded to a report of stolen guns from a residence on Polk 67 near Big Fork.

November 15, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a resi dence on Hwy 88 E near Cherry Hill in reference to a Physical Domes tic Disturbance leading to the arrest of Chad Thornton, 31 of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Bat tery, Carolyn Thornton, 32 of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery and Tammy Smith of Mena on a charge of Obstructing Govern mental Operations.

Stacey Burnett, 36 of Mena was ar rested on six Felony Warrants.

November 16, 2022

Deputies responded to a residence on Hatton Lane near Wickes in refer ence to Harassment.

Deputies responded to a report of Harassment.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to Financial Identity Fraud.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 56 near Nunley in reference to trespassers.

November 17, 2022

No reports.

November 18, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a res idence on Hatton Lane near Wick es in reference to a dispute among neighbors leading to the arrest of Alexander Cernoga, 34 of Cove on a misdemeanor warrant for Failure to Appear. Information has been for warded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies were dispatched to a resi

dence on Hwy 270 near Acorn in ref erence to a trespasser.

November 19, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to an area on Polk 95 near Rocky in reference to a wrecked and abandoned vehicle.

November 20, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a resi dence on Polk 70 near Cherry Hill in reference to a chimney fire.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a vio lation of an order of protection. In formation has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further con sideration.

Deputies were dispatched to a res idence on Polk 75 near Acorn in ref erence to a trespasser leading to the arrest of Anthony Robertson on a charge of Criminal Trespassing. In formation has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further con sideration.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 18 Incarcerated Inmates, with 14 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA

taken at a residence on Hamilton Av enue.

A report of breaking or entering and criminal mischief was taken at a residence on Hamilton Avenue.

November 15

A report of inadequate supervision was taken at a residence on Meadow brook Drive.

A death investigation report was taken at a residence on Fink Street.

Joshua Graham, 32, was charged with Driving on Suspended License and Possession of Drug Parapherna lia after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

A report of assault and reckless driving was taken on Highway 71.

November 16

A report of violation of a no-con tact order was taken by a walk-in complainant.

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

November 17

Thomas Chesser, 58, was charged with Violation of Interlock Device, and No Vehicle License after a traffic stop on Mena Street.

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

A report of theft of property was taken from Walmart.

POLICE

REPORTS

November 13

A report of forgery was taken at Murphy USA.

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

Dax Wood, 26, was served with four warrants at the police department.

November 14

A report of a missing person was

A report of violation of a protection order was taken from a walk-in com plainant.

Bradley Brumfield, 32, was charged with Theft of Property at Wal-Mart.

November 18

A report of possession of metham phetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia was taken after a traffic stop on North Reine Street.

November 19

No report.

Mena High School awarded $24,200 for academic growth

Submitted by Mark Hobson

The Mena School Board met for their regular November meeting on Tuesday at the dis trict administration building. It was a very brief meeting.

The meeting began with the superintendent’s report and Dr. Lee Smith immediately yielded the floor to Mena High School Principal David Maxwell.

Maxwell informed the board that the Department of Elemen tary and Secondary Education has awarded Mena High School with a monetary reward of $50 per student for their perfor mance on the latest test scores. Mena High School was rated in the top 6-10% of schools in the state for academic growth. Maxwell recommended that

the $24,200 be equally distrib uted to all faculty and staff at MHS. The board approved.

Dr. Smith then continued with more information for the board. He stated that discipline reports are 22% lower across the district compared to last year.

The district attendance rate was reported to be 92.6%, which is below the district goal of 96%. Smith explained that the flu and other illnesses have had a major impact on students and staff attendance and has made it difficult for them to at tend school at a high rate.

Smith also told the board that the district is meeting the read ing goals, set at the beginning of the year, with the exception of fifth and eighth grades.

In new business, Smith gave an update on school projects, including the vehicle plan. A new truck for the band has been ordered through Mena Ford and is on its way. A new car for district use is also ex pected to arrive in six to eight months. That car was paid for with proceeds from an auction of surplus equipment earlier this year.

Estimates from the district’s construction management company, C.R. Crawford, have also arrived on the construc tion of the new activity center, a new concession stand and restrooms at Bob Carver Bear cat Stadium and an outdoor classroom. The board approved moving forward with the proj ects and await official bids and funding recommendations in December.

Next was the financial re ports. Dr. Smith stated that rev enues outpaced expenses in the past month and the district is on target to meet the projected ending balance. The board ap

proved.

Finally in personnel. The board accepted the resignation of Scott Wright as head girls’ basketball coach and senior high assistant volleyball coach. They also accepted the resigna tion of Tiffany Sims from her position as paraprofessional at Mena Middle School.

The board accepted the re tirement of Suzanne Bentley, administrative bookkeeper, ef fective June 30, 2023.

Several contracts were re structured. Including bus driv er Peggy Foster from a full time E route to an afternoon only C route. Brad Lyle from senior girls basketball assistant to se nior girls basketball interim head coach. Tia Fryar from ju nior girls basketball assistant coach to senior girls basketball interim assistant coach.

New hires included Tyler Smedley as bus driver and Whitney Horner as paraprofes sional at Louise Durham Ele mentary.

MHS band accolades

The following Mena High School students made the All Region Jazz Band: Carter Cossey- 1st alternate, alto saxophone Logan Shone- 2nd alternate, alto saxophone Jesse Garcia- 1st alternate, bass trombone Cason Bowling- 1st band, 5th chair trumpet Alexia Minzel- 1st band, 2nd chair drumset Hudson Vacca- 1st band, 1st chair piano

The following students qualified to try out for the Arkansas All-State Band. Cason Bowling- trumpet Alexia Minzel- drumset Hudson Vacca- piano

AHS Students Tour the University of Arkansas

Rotary adopts Polk County Single Parent Scholarship Fund

Submitted by Pete Chambers

The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Polk County is now being operated by the Rotary Club of Polk/County Mena.

The Single Parent Scholarship Fund board believed operation by the Rotary

enrolled in.

Hooper emphasized that the scholar ships are paid directly to the recipients. If a recipient maintains at least a 2.50 grade point average, the scholarship is automati cally renewed until the recipient graduates. Students choosing to continue toward a de

Acorn High School juniors and seniors toured the University of Arkansas campus on Tuesday, Nov. 8, to help prepare students for postsecondary education and training. They learned about degrees and programs offered, university and foundation scholarship require ments and deadlines, and a vari ety of student organizations for

opportunities for students to get involved in student life on cam pus.

On the campus tour, students learned historical traditions of the university and viewed a host of college departments, the library/media center, stu dent union, dining hall and food court, and student centers for ad missions and financial aid, just to name a few.

Club would provide stability and opportuni ties that the Fund could not provide as a stand-alone operation.

Tanner Hooper, Rotary Club president, said the Scholarship Fund will continue to issue scholarships to Polk County res idents. The scholarships now are worth $2,000 a semester for nursing students and $1,100 to full-time students enrolled in oth er fields. Single parents that are enrolled part-time are eligible for scholarships pro portional to the number of hours they are

gree at a four-year college will continue to receive the scholarship.

Single parents attending or planning to attend any non-profit, postsecondary insti tution are eligible for scholarships.

Hooper said, “Basically, if you’re a single parent looking to improve your and your children’s lives, we want to talk with you about ways we can help with that.”

For information, e-mail rotaryclubofpc@ gmail.com.

Rotary’s First Single Parent Scholarship was awarded to Kaylen Wells (r) by Rotary Club member and Past President Crystal Liles. (Submitted photo)

Submitted by Tammy L. Young

Louise Durham’s grade improves

Submitted by Mark Hobson

Louise Durham Elementary School in the Mena School District, today’s School on the Move, whose letter grade increased to a B in 2022.

The school’s previous letter grade was a C.

The Arkansas Department of Ele mentary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) vision is to transform Ar kansas to lead the nation in stu dent-focused education. Stakeholders across the state designed the Arkansas ESSA School Index and the index was approved by the U. S. Department of Education in January 2018 as part of Arkansas’s ESSA plan.

Arkansas schools are utilizing a continuous cycle of inquiry (Plan, Do, Check) to meet the needs of their students. Arkansas districts are ex amining educational systems to en sure that barriers are removed and schools are supported. Stakeholders are actively engaged. As a result of this dedication from all education

partners, we are seeing positive re sults across the state.

Schools on the Move Toward Ex cellence recognizes Arkansas schools who make significant progress on their Public School Ratings and ESSA School Index Reports. Each year, schools are identified (where ap propriate by grade span) for various aspects of improvement such as: in creased by one letter grade, increased the overall ESSA School Index Score by five points or more, weighted achievement increase of 10 points or more, two standard deviations above the mean in value-added growth.

The Schools on the Move campaign celebrates schools that demonstrate improvement on recent state and federal accountability reports. DESE will highlight different schools that showed progress.

Be sure to follow Schools on the Move on Facebook, Twitter, and In stagram. Learn more at bit.ly/AR SOTM/.

Acorn High School choir to perform ‘Bah Humbug! Scrooge’s Christmas Carol’

By Ethan Nahté

The Acorn High School choir will present “Bah Humbug! Scrooge’s Christmas Carol” in the Mary Davis Gym on the evenings of Dec. 8, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m.

Author and lyricist A.D. Hassel bring’s musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic “A Christmas Carol,” was put into book form by Rebecca Ryland, owner of Heartland Plays, Inc.

Prolific composer and actor Bill Francoeur wrote the music and lyrics

that became “Bah Humbug!”

The musical is produced through special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Colorado. The running time is gener ally between one and two hours.

Admission is $5 and concessions will be available.

Lions advance to semi-finals

Mena and Cossatot basketball results

By Pulse Staff

The Mount Ida Lions overcame Des Arc 30-28 in the quarter-finals last Friday. This coming Friday at 6:30 p.m., KQOR goes live to Carlisle where the Lions will battle the Carlisle Bison in the semi-finals of the Class 2A State Playoffs.

Trey Fiorello will have the play-by-play with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 on 105.3 KQOR, barring any technical difficulties as we experienced from the booth in last week’s game in Des Arc.

Mena

The Jr. Bearcats and Jr. Ladycats bas ketball teams played in the Nashville Junior Insurance Invitational Tournament. On Wednesday, the Bearcats lost to De Queen 46-23 and the Ladycats beat Neva da 31-7.

On Thursday, the Bearcats beat Ash down 46-22, while the Ladycats lost to De Queen 33-18.

The Jr. Bearcats played in the consolation finals on Saturday, beating Springhill 31-30.

Cossatot River

The Cossatot River Eagles and Lady Ea gles traveled to De Queen Friday night for a couple of thrilling contests that went right down to the wire in action heard live on KENA 104.1.

In girls’ action, Cossatot River led throughout, and took a 30-25 lead after the third quarter. But the Lady Leopards went on an 11-0 run to open up the fourth quar ter to rally for the 40-38 win. For the Lady Eagles, Landrey Richardson led all scorers with 16 points. Charlie Tadlock scored nine, and Chelsea Carterby added eight. The Lady Eagles fell to 4 and 4 on the season.

The boys contest came down to the buzzer. After the Eagles converted one of two free throws to take a 55-53 lead, De Queen called a timeout with three seconds left to draw up a play. The in-bound pass went to half court, and another quick pass set up De Queen’s Nathan Patterson about 35 feet away from the basket. The senior nailed the 3-point shot to secure the 56-55 victory for the Leopards. Hunter Burke led the Eagles with 17 points. The Eagles fell to 5 and 3 on the season.

Mena High School senior Emmi Hines signed her Letter of Intent on National Signing Day, Nov. 9., sharing the moment with her parents and sister. She will be playing softball for the UA Rich Mountain Bucks. beginning the 2023 fall season. She has been playing soft ball since she was a young child. She also plays on the Ladycats volleyball and basketball teams.

(Pictured, l-r) Robby, Emmi, Sherri and Brooke Hines. (Jodi Croft/Pulse)