Polk County Pulse October 5, 2022

Hopes to reestablish overnight camping at Albert Pike gets congressional support

By Patrick Massey

LANGLEY – One of the region’s most popular outdoor locations may reopen for overnight camping after receiving some congressional attention last week.

On Sept. 29 U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) introduced the “Ouachita National Forest Overnight Camping Act” to reopen overnight camping at Albert Pike Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest.

The Albert Pike Recreation Area

(ARPA) is one of the most popular sites within the 1.8 millionacre Ouachita National Forest. The park features hiking, swimming and day-use only activities.

Albert Pike has prohibited

Polk County Fire Departments recognizing Fire Prevention Week

Submitted by Mena Fire Chief Steve Egger

The Mena and Polk County’s Fire Departments are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Associa tion® (NFPA®)—to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week TM (FPW), October 9-15, 2022. This year’s FPW campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape TM,” works to educate everyone about simple but

important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

“Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire de pends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Out

reach and Advocacy at NFPA.

The Mena and Polk County Fire Departments encourages all residents to embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme.

“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Ev eryone needs to be prepared in ad vance, so that they know what to do

Arkansas’s scenic byways lead to fall color

Submitted by Arkansas Tourism

Arkansas is one of the top fall color destinations in the country.

The state has three national forests, the Ozark, the Ouachita and the St. Francis, that make wonderful destina tions to experience the beauty of the season.

From the ridges of the Ouachita and Ozark mountains to the Delta flat lands, Arkansas highways offer some incredibly scenic views. The state is home to many designated scenic by ways, three of which are National Sce nic Byways and one that has a presti gious All-American Road designation. Along these routes are opportunities to explore the state’s impressive history, heritage, wildlife and outdoors.

In 2021, Arkansas’s section of the Great River Road National Scenic By way was designated the state’s first All-American Road. To receive this designation, a road must have one-ofa-kind features that do not exist else where. The scenic route goes through 10 counties of the Arkansas Delta through the eastern portion of the state, roughly paralleling the Mississippi River.

There are many historical sites to vis it along the lengthy route including the Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess; Hampson Archeological Museum State Park in

Wilson; the Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion; the Delta Cultural Center in Helena-West Helena; Louisiana Pur chase State Park and Natural Area near Brinkley; the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie in Stuttgart; Arkansas Post National Memorial in Gillett; the World War II Japanese American In ternment Museum in McGehee and more.

Scenic drives abound in the Del ta. Crowley’s Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway is the state’s first Na tional Scenic Byway and runs roughly the length of its namesake, Crowley’s Ridge. Along the way, museums, state

parks and historic sites offer a chance to get out and stretch your legs. Both Village Creek State Park and Crowley’s Ridge State Park can be found along the byway.

The Talimena National Scenic Byway offers panoramic views of the Ouachita National Forest and is one of the most scenic drives around. The road goes for 54 miles along forested mountain tops between Mena in southwest Arkansas and Talihina, Oklahoma. The drive is beautiful year-round and stands out in fall due to the color that can be seen there. In Mena, the route goes up Rich Mountain, Arkansas’s second highest

peak, and by Queen Wilhelmina State Park.

Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway was Ar kansas’s first state-designated scenic byway and runs almost the entire state from north to south. It goes from near the Arkansas/Missouri state line, south through Harrison, Russellville, Hot Springs and Arkadelphia, on through El Dorado to the border with Louisi ana. Along the way you’ll pass through the Grand Canyon of the Ozarks at Jasper, cross over the Buffalo National River, cruise through Hot Springs Na tional Park, drive across DeGray Lake and more.

More scenic drives can also be found across Arkansas. Fall color change be gins in the Ozarks of northern Arkan sas in late September or early October. The trees in central Arkansas and the Ouachita Mountain range of west-cen tral Arkansas start changing noticeably by early to mid-October. Southern and eastern Arkansas foliage usually begins changing during mid-October. Typi cally, peak color occurs around two or three weeks after color changes begin. However, please note that these are not predictions.

For updates throughout the season, sign up for weekly fall color reports at  https://www.arkansas.com/thingsto-do/attractions/fall-attractions

Talimena Scenic Byway in the fall (Photo courtesy of Arkansas Tourism).

Print

Letter to the Editor,

I would like to give a spe cial shout out to a great person in our community. Denie Westphal has been fostering cats and kittens for several years and has recently had to give it up.

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Over the years, she has fostered 214 animals. Can you imagine? Most of them orphaned kittens. Some of them mama cats with kittens. Many of them with health problems.

Fostering kittens is not easy as they have to be fed every two hours. Trying to do that night and day with as many as six or seven kittens is a tremendous undertaking. But she has done it lovingly and most of the kittens have survived and gone on to be spayed and neutered and placed at the local Humane Soci ety for adoption. Some of them are there now waiting for a home.

As a fellow cat lover, I so appre ciate what Denie has done and all the other foster parents also. Ku dos to you.

Karen Laible, Mena

Letter to the Editor

I often think about where we have come from, what we have done along the way, those we have helped and those we have hurt, and where we are headed. No mat ter what part of our past I look at, I can see the good we have done and as well as the bad.

I can see the promises made and kept, and those broken.

How badly we treated some we brought here as slave labor and the terrible treatment they endured at our hands.

The Native Americans we stole from and relegated to reservations.

In California there is debate about restitution to a minority for beach land taken from them. How arrogant are we to forget it was the

property of indigenous peoples to begin with, but now think a minority claim trumps the original owner’s rights. We constantly rewrite our history to suit some agenda and forget the truth.

We have an out-of-control surge of illegal immigrants into our repub lic by those seeking a better life. I get that and wish them a bright future, however, there is a right way and wrong way to achieve that goal. To start a new life by breaking the laws of your new country to me is the wrong way. For us to encourage it or not stand fast by our own laws makes us a part of the prob lem. Think about this... how can it be that laws only apply when they are convenient. Need money— so it is OK to rob a bank. Need a home—so it’s OK to kick out the current homeowner. Need to see a doctor—so it is OK to get care and not pay. Hungry? Take what you want, someone else will pay for it. No need to work, we have taxpay ers for that. Stay home in subsidized housing and have babies that become citizens and who, in no time at all, will outnumber American voters that did not vote and gave it to you without a whimper.

How is this different from the crimes we seem to be willing to accept from people that do not ap preciate the work and sacrifices our ancestors made. And why should they? We seem to have forgotten.

It is interesting that illegal immi grants are not seeking abortions. To the contrary. They are frequent flyers to our hospitals to have their babies, and we pay for it, before and after, while at the same time decry how unfortunate a young American-born mother-to-be can ill afford the same consideration and

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

assistance. I smell hypocrisy.

We are at a crossroads in history and will be judged not only by what we do, but also by what we fail to do. See through the lies and seek the truth. VOTE. It is all we have to stop the insanity that is our future if we continue to sleep.

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

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

Ashley Moore - General Manager

Ethan Nahté - Production Manager/Editor

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Reporter

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PREVENTION continued from page 1

when the smoke alarm sounds. Giv en that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different,” said Mena Fire Chief Steve Egger. “Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need as sistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them!”

The Mena Fire Department, Big Fork, Board Camp, Dallas Valley, Cherry Hill, Shady, Ink, Acorn, Shady Grove, Rocky, Potter, Hatfield, Cove, Vandervoort, Wicks, and Grannis Fire Department wants to share these key home fire escape planning tips:

§ Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family mem bers, including those with sen sory or physical disabilities.

§ Smoke alarms should be in stalled inside every sleeping

Mena firefighters shown with Mayor Seth Smith are Assistant Chief Charles Hankins and Chief Steve Egger.

(2nd. Row L-R) are Bryan Ross, Ben Vincent, Joe Quinn, James Turner, Keena Ashcraft, Eric Turner, and Mike Cross. (3rd. row L-R) are Peter Gandy, Dustin Stover, Wes Kimp, Nat Ferry, Donnie Harvey, Daniel Sanchez, Ray Surber Jr., and Trey Vann.

Unavailable were Darrell Page, Andrew Vance, Clint Sharp, Jason Head, and Emory Zakin.

§

room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnect ed so when one sounds, they all sound.

Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.

§ Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.

§ Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with every one in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit fpw.org and sparky.org/.

See PROCLAMATION continued on page 8

From the State House of Representatives

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., one in eight women will develop breast cancer. It is the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death among women.

However, more women are living longer and healthier lives after a diagnosis. The key is early detection.

lar breast exams as well as the risks associated with breast cancer.

From the State Senate

in Arkansas except to save the life of the mother.

Since its inception 25 years ago, the BreastCare Program has enrolled over 128,000 women for breast and cervi cal cancer screening and di agnostic services.

In the fiscal session earlier this year the legislature appro priated a million dollars for pregnancy resource centers.

John Maddox Larry Teague

October is Breast Cancer Aware ness Month. Now is the time to talk to your healthcare provider about getting screened and encourage your family and friends to do the same.

In 1997, the Arkansas General As sembly passed the Breast Cancer Act, which led to the ADH’s BreastCare program. The BreastCare program has coordinated efforts with a state wide network of providers offering no-cost screenings and follow-up services to eligible women who are uninsured or underinsured. Women aged 21-64 can be screened for cer vical cancer, and women aged 40-64 can be screened for breast cancer.

In addition to screening and diag nostic services, BreastCare provides educational information to commu nities about the importance of regu

In the 2021 Regular Ses sion, we passed Act 553. This act amends the law concerning coverage of diagnostic examinations for breast cancer under certain health benefit plans. It clarifies that an insurer, upon the recommendation of a woman’s physician, must offer screening mam mography as an essential health ben efit if the woman has a prior history of breast cancer or the woman’s mother, sister, or any first- or second-degree female relative of the woman has had a history of breast cancer, positive ge netic testing, or other risk factors.

The General Assembly continually reviews legislation to improve ser vices for early detection.

If you would like more information on the BreastCare program, call 501661-2942 or visit www.ARBreastCare. com.

Contact Your Legislators!

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

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

The state has awarded grants totalling about $455,000 to 14 centers. Because $545,000 has still not been awarded, the Department of Finance and Administration will open a second round of applications in Oc tober.

The department will accept appli cations for 30 days. There will then be a 30-day review period, so the sec ond round of awards should be an nounced by late November or early December.

Act 187 of 2022 defines pregnan cy resource centers as organizations that seek to provide services to wom en facing unintended pregnancies. The purpose is to encourage them to give birth.

No organization qualifies if it makes referrals for abortions or is affiliated with an organization that performs abortions.

Grants are available for centers that traditionally have been known as crisis pregnancy organizations. Also, adoption agencies, maternity homes and social service agencies qualify if they provide material support and assistance to pregnant women, in order to help them with delivery of their babies.

In a Mississippi case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court in June overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right of a woman to have an abor tion.

Arkansas had a “trigger law” in place, Act 180 of 2019. It is called a “trigger law” because it was writ ten to take effect in the event the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. When that happened, the state attorney general certified Act 180 and said that abortion was illegal

The attorney general also said that Arkansas was now the most pro-life state in the nation.

Legislative funding of preg nancy resource centers was in anticipation of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The decision was ex pected to increase the number of un wanted pregnancies in Arkansas, and more young women will need help.

Faith-based organizations are eligi ble for grants, and accepting a grant will not restrict the group’s ability to support religious activities. Howev er, the money must be used to help pregnant women and may not be used to promote religious activities.

Grant funds may not be used for food and beverages, such as at a baby shower. It can be spent on advertis ing.

Grant money can be used to hire staff, but only if the staff person as sists pregnant females. If the staff person has other duties, such as sup porting religious activities, the posi tion must be “split.”

For example, if half of the staffer’s time is dedicated to supporting reli gious activities, then half of that per son’s salary must come from a source other than the state grant.

Pregnancy centers can use the grant money to contract with health care professionals, if the medical ser vices provided are to help pregnant females.

To qualify for a grant, the organi zation must be physically located in Arkansas. The finance department rejected one application because it was submitted by an organization that applied for the entire $1 million and is not located in Arkansas.

The awards to the 14 pregnan cy centers ranged from $5,880 to $40,000. Many were between $30,000 and $40,000.

Betty Louise Beard Wagner

Betty Lou ise Beard

Wagner, age 78, of Greenwood, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She was born March 18, 1944, in Mena, Arkansas, to the late, George Beard and Mildred Morris Beard. Mrs. Wagner was a proud democrat who hated Donald Trump.

She is survived by her son, Landon “Andy” Wagner of Greenwood, Ar kansas; granddaughters, Ashley Keel of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Briana Elmore and husband D.J. of Mans field, Arkansas; 7 great-grandchil dren and one on the way; siblings, Linda Fryar and husband Darrell of Mena, Arkansas, Patricia Barrett of Mena, Arkansas; several nephews, nieces, and cousins; as well as a host of friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Mildred Beard Ferguson; her beloved hus band, Dewayne Wagner; sister, El len Ferguson Swycaffer; and by her brother, Steven Ferguson.

The family of Mrs. Betty Wagner wish to offer special thanks to Pink Bud Nursing and to the staff of Mer cy Hospital.

Services for Mrs. Wagner will be held Monday, October 3, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., at Beasley-Wood Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Floyd Folsom will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funer al Home. Interment will follow at Lower Big Fork Cemetery in Opal, Arkansas. There will be a sched

uled visitation held Monday, Octo ber 3, 2022, at 12:00 p.m., at Beas ley-Wood Chapel.

Online obituary at beasleywood funeralhome.com

Mariah “Piddles”

Grace Edwards

Alice Potter Mariah “Piddles”

Mrs. Alice Potter, 74, of Hatfield, passed away in De Queen on Thursday, September 29, 2022. She was born to William Edward Metcalf and Al ice Mildred English, on February 8, 1948, in Chula Vista, California.

Alice was known for being the loving mother to everyone she met, her house was the house to be at growing up, because everyone was known to be over all the time. She was notorious for feeding the stray animals, but what she loved most was being a homemaker, and being there for her children. She loved to crochet in her free time, and she loved her cats.

Alice is survived by, one daugh ter, Melissa Matheson and hus band Mike; two brothers, Wil lie and Johnny; two sisters, Doe, and Lillie; eleven grandchildren, Amanda, Stephen, Travis, Zachary, Sherissa, Sadie, Courtney, Bridget, Austin, Alexis, and Kenan; twelve great-grandchildren, Brailey, Kyn dal, Zayne, Avery, Bryce, Daxton, Dawson, River, Levi, Felicity, Liam, and Weston; along with several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Potter, three sons, Steve, Tommy, and Junior; one daughter Cheryl; and one sister, Betty.

maternal great-grandmothers, Pa tricia Barrett of Lodi, Arkansas, and Kathy Mitchell West of Glenwood; two sisters, Zoe Edwards of Mena, and Jolene Edwards of Mena; sever al aunts and uncles and cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

Grace Ed

wards, 1-year-8-months old, of Mena, was lifted up to Heaven on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. She was born on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, to Cody and Kimberly Barrett Edwards in Mena, Arkansas. Mari ah was born happy and healthy as her family prayed for.

Mariah was a beautiful light in the lives of all her family. She was so loving and was always excited to go outside and say hi to everyone. Mariah loved playing with her pup pies, kitties and stuffed animals and singing along to her favorite Mickey Mouse, Bluey and Little Mermaid music. Mariah loved playing with her sisters. She loved being with everyone. Her family cherished her life as the brief gift that it was. Ma riah Grace Edwards was our perfect baby. She will forever be our little best friend. One finger touch, one knucks or just her high fives with smiles. Always remember to smile and say Hi. Mariah was loved and cared for by her loving mother, fa ther and sisters.

Mariah is survived by her parents, Cody and Kimberly Edwards of Mena; paternal grandparents, Tim and Charlene O’Flinn of Mena, and Leslie and Sharon Edwards of Mena; maternal grandparents, Russell and M’Charla Barrett of Kirby, Arkan sas; paternal great-grandparents, Charlotte Mayfield of Pine Ridge, and Elaine Edwards of Big Fork;

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 2:00 PM at the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena with Brother E.J. Tena officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home. No visitation is planned.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com George Shipman, age 78, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away September

30, 2022.

George Shipman

He is a U. S. Air Force and Viet nam War veteran serving 21 years until retiring with the rank of Tech nical Sergeant. After his military service, George worked for GMAC.

In 2009, George was ordained into the Gospel Ministry. He was a pas tor of Big Fork Baptist Church and later became the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church.

George was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Juanita. He is sur vived by siblings Jim Shipman, Joe Shipman, and Janice Parks; step children Thomas (Jeff) Vaughn and Janice Vaughn.

No services are planned at this time. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

The Cash Mob is celebrating a birthday

Submitted by Judy Thompson

Having survived COVID-19, torna dic activity, freezing weather and as sorted conflicts, the Downtown Cash Mob will be celebrating its fifth birth day this month when the Mena Star hosts the Mob on Saturday, October 8, 10 a.m.

The Cash Mob began in October 2017. Since that time, many different persons have been a part of the Mob events. It is never the exact same peo ple each time. New people come… some regulars have moved or are no longer able to attend. There are al ways conflicts in scheduling for some Mob’sters. The actual people present differ, but some things remain the same such as meeting new friends, having fun, getting door prizes and, of course, the reason for the event: shopping! The Mob is sponsored by Mena Downtown Partners and is a part of its “Buy Local, Shop Small” effort.

Judy Thompson, MDP Downtown Business liaison and Mob coordina tor, invites not only those who have attended Mobs previously, but any one who wants to have a fun time, meet new people and spend at least $20 shopping to attend the birthday celebration.

There will be complimentary re freshments (including birthday cake), games, and door prizes. In addition, some special ‘birthday’ prizes will be given.

Tom Byrd, MDP president, ac knowledges that the Cash Mob has been a very important part in pro moting downtown businesses. Even though there have been 17 times that the Cash Mob has not been able to meet monthly during the last five years primarily because of COVID,

the shoppers attending Cash Mobs have contributed nearly $31,000 in sales to downtown businesses. Partic ipating shops and hosts are members of Downtown Partners.

Cash Mobs continue to be popular throughout the country and are an entertaining way to encourage shop pers into businesses where they not only normally shop but also, to stores that they are not familiar with.

Rules to participate are very simple:

1) Commit to spend at least $20 at each Cash Mob and 2) Have fun.

You do not have to be pre-regis tered as a Mob member. Just show up and sign in at the door. Help the local economy and indulge in that all-American pastime of… shopping. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and hang out with old friends.

SWEPCO announces rate increase

By Patrick Massey

Southwestern Electric Power Com pany has announced it will imple ment a rate increase for its residen tial electric customers beginning this month.

The rate increase will average $12.05 per month for SWEPCO’s residential customers. The rate in crease will continue through March 2023, according to a company press

release. These rates will go into ef fect automatically and do not re quire regulatory approval.

The company said rising natural gas prices were responsible for the temporary rate increase. The addi tional revenue is expected to offset above average energy costs over the summer.

The rate increase will see SWEP CO’s fuel-factor rate increase from 37 to 64 cents, or around 74 percent.

Nominations for 2023 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame open

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas De partment of Parks, Heritage and Tour ism Secretary Stacy Hurst announced that nominations for the 2023 Arkan sas Food Hall of Fame, a program of Arkansas Heritage, will open on Oct. 1, 2022. Now in its seventh year, the program celebrates Arkansas’s unique culinary heritage.

K“Food plays an integral role in our Arkansas history and heritage,” said Hurst. “Food is family; it’s home; it’s community; it spurs conversation; it creates memories. The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame facilitates storytelling around the food traditions, tastes and talent that give our state its unique food culture and customs.”

Nominations will be open at ArkFood HOF.com from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2022, with categories that recognize culturally significant restaurants, pro prietors and food-themed events that celebrate food heritage from every part of our state including:

L• Arkansas Food Hall of Fame – rec ognizing long-standing restaurants that help create our food culture

• Proprietor of the Year – honoring a chef, cook and/or restaurant owner with significant impact on our local food tastes and preferences

• Food-Themed Event – honoring a community food-themed event or festival that preserves a communi ty’s unique food history

• Gone But Not Forgotten – remem bering past establishments that set

the table for our food tastes and preferences today

• People’s Choice – restaurants or food trucks, new or old, that keep our palettes whetted for more Arkan sas flavors

“Arkansas is packed with flavor,” said Jimmy Bryant, director of Arkansas Heritage. “We encourage the public to share with us those restaurants, events and people who help us preserve our food history and share our food story.

During October, we invite every Arkan san to submit a nomination in one or more categories for the 2023 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame.”

Winners will be chosen by the Arkan sas Food Hall of Fame Committee, a group of Arkansans who are historians, chefs, foodies and food authors. Committee members include Paul S. Austin, Chip Culpepper, Quantia “Key” Fletch er, Cindy Grisham, Montine McNulty, Rex Nelson, Tim Nutt, Kat Robinson, Stephanie Wade, David Ware and Stanley Young, in addition to Hurst and Bryant. Finalists will be announced in January 2023 and honorees will be in ducted during a special ceremony on March 6.

More information about the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame can be found at Ark FoodHOF.com. Follow the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame on Facebook, Insta gram and other social media platforms by searching and using the hashtag #ArkFHOF.

CACA King Art Show set for Oct. 7-9

By Patrick Massey

Organizers with the Cossatot Arts and Crafts Association remind area art lovers that the 50 th annu al King Art Show is scheduled for this weekend.

Art-check in is over but orga nizers are expecting hundreds of pieces of art and photography from regional artists at this week end’s shows.

The Cossatot Arts and Crafts Association will present the King Arts and Crafts Festival. This event includes the always popular King Art Show as well as a num ber of other activities.

This year the King Art Show cel ebrates its 50 th year of providing the public with the opportunity to

enjoy artwork from local and re gional artists. This year’s Golden Celebration will include the art show as well as food vendors, out side craft booths, a live art con test, live music, artist demonstra tions and more. The art show and sale will return this year as well.

The show will be open to the public on Oct. 7-8 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and for a final day on Oct. 9 from noon-4 p.m.

Organizers invite anyone inter ested in becoming a sponsor for this year’s art show to call 479216-1537.

The Cossatot Arts and Crafts Association’s art show in King is one of the region’s top art shows and annually draws in hundreds of artists and art lovers.

PROCLAMATION continued from page 4

2022 Proclamation

WHEREAS, the City of Mena Arkansas is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting Mena; and

WHEREAS, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire; and

WHEREAS, home fires caused 2,580 civilian deaths in the United States in 2020, according to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), and fire departments in the United States responded to 356,500 home fires; and

WHEREAS, smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger in the event of fire in which you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely; and

WHEREAS, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half; and

WHEREAS, Mena’s residents should be sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the smoke alarms and knows how to respond; and

WHEREAS, Mena’s residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire; and

WHEREAS, Mena’s residents will make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms meet the needs of all their family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Mena’s first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education; and

WHEREAS, Mena’s residents that are responsive to public education measures are better able to take personal steps to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Fire Prevention WeekTM theme, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.TM,” effectively serves to remind us it is important to have a home fire escape plan.

THEREFORE, I Mayor Seth Smith of Mena do hereby proclaim October 9-15, 2022, as Fire Prevention Week in the City of Mena, and I urge all the people of Mena to plan and practice a home fire escape for Fire Prevention Week 2022 and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Mena’s fire and emergency services.

Dated September 27, 2022

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to Arkansas small businesses

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Small nonfarm businesses in 75 Arkansas counties and neighboring parishes in Louisiana and counties in Missis sippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennes see and Texas are now eligible to ap ply for low interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced Direc tor Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disas ter Field Operations Center-West. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by excessive heat and drought in the following primary counties that be gan on May 30, 2022.

Primary Arkansas counties:  Ar kansas, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Chicot, Clay, Cleburne, Cleveland, Columbia, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Cross, Dal las, Desha, Faulkner, Franklin, Ful ton, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Howard, Independence, Izard, Jack son, Jefferson, Johnson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Logan, Lonoke, Madi son, Miller, Newton, Ouachita, Per ry, Pike, Poinsett, Pope, Prairie, Pu laski, Randolph, Saint Francis, Sa line, Scott, Sebastian, Sharp, Stone, Union, Washington, White, Wood ruff and Yell;

Neighboring Arkansas counties:  Ashley, Baxter, Bradley, Calhoun, Clark, Drew, Greene, Hempstead, Lee, Lincoln, Little River, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, Nevada, Phillips, Polk, Searcy, Sevi er and Van Buren;

Neighboring Louisiana parish es:  Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, East Carroll, Morehouse, Union, Web ster and West Carroll;

Neighboring Mississippi counties:  Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Issaque na, Tunica and Washington;

Neighboring Missouri counties:

Barry, Butler, Dunklin, Howell, McDonald, Oregon, Ozark, Ripley, Stone and Taney;

Neighboring Oklahoma counties:  Adair, Delaware, Le Flore and Se quoyah;

Neighboring Tennessee counties:  Shelby and Tipton;

Neighboring Texas counties:  Bowie and Cass.

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural pro duction losses caused by the disas ter and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Garfield said.

Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organi zations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet finan cial obligations and operating ex penses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the di saster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 2.935 percent for businesses and 1.875 percent for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Garfield said.

By law, SBA makes Economic In jury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on Sept. 13, 2022.

Businesses primarily engaged in

farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agri cultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture as sistance made available by the Sec retary’s declaration. However, nurs eries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.

Applicants may apply online, re ceive additional disaster assistance information and download appli cations at  https://disasterloanassis tance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email  disas tercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Ad ministration, Processing and Dis bursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

The deadline to apply for econom ic injury is May 15, 2023.

Other SBA News

WASHINGTON(September 29) – Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and voice for America’s 33 million small busi nesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, released the following statement to day after the House voted to reau thorize funding for the Small Busi ness Innovation Research (SBIR) program:

“Today’s Congressional vote demonstrates strong bipartisan sup port for the Small Business Inno vation Research program, which is vital to our nation’s capacity to in

novate and improve the lives of all Americans. When President Biden signs this bill, America’s innovators, scientists, and entrepreneurs will have another three years of certain ty as they continue to create oppor tunities that lead to jobs and equity in our nation’s innovation economy.

“If past performance of the SBIR program is any guide, new genera tions of entrepreneurs will be break ing barriers in science, medicine, and technology, while ensuring that the United States maintains its po sition as an innovation leader at the forefront of science and technology in a rapidly evolving global market. A new three-year reauthorization for SBIR is a significant win for our nation’s small businesses and the American jobs it supports.”

ORSD seniors attend UARM Senior Day

Submitted by Tammy L. Young

Acorn and Oden High School Class

es of 2023 attended Senior Day on Wednesday, Sept. 21, hosted by the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain and held in the Ouachita Center on the UARM main campus in Mena. Also in attendance were seniors from all service area county school districts from Polk, Scott, Montgomery coun ties in Arkansas and Smithville High School in Oklahoma.

UARM presentations included a wel come by Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson

and the following departments: TRiO Educational Opportunity Services Pro gram, Admissions, Financial Aid & Scholarships, Athletics, and Academic Programs.

Seniors and school staff participat ed in interactive trivia games and were provided lunch by UA Rich Mountain.

ORSD would like to say thank you to UA Rich Mountain staff and facul ty for the invitation and opportunity to learn about UA Rich Mountain pro grams, services and admissions process to be better prepared for life after high school.

NIDEC donates to Acorn Schools’ Backpack Program

Submitted by Tammy L. Young

Thank you to NIDEC Motor Corporation for the generous donation in support of the Acorn Schools’ Backpack Program!

If you are interested in supporting the Backpack Pro gram, you can mail or drop by donations to Acorn High School at 143 Polk Road 96, Mena, AR 71953.

Acorn Schools will be hosting a couple of upcoming events this fall to support food drives: Saturday, Octo-

ber 7, at 7 p.m. in the Acorn Cafeteria, AHS Band and Choir will be hosting a Fall “Fun”D Concert and collecting “ready-made” meals, snacks and drinks for the Backpack Program.

Acorn High School Project Prevent Student Organization is hosting a Food Drive on November 1 for the Acorn vs. Cossatot River basket ball game at the Acorn gym. We appreciate your sup port for this worthy cause and for your valuable part nership in meeting food insecurity needs.

Acorn High School Principal Dewayne Taylor accepts a donation for the school’s Backpack Program from Billy Carmack of Nidec. (Photo courtesy of ORSD)

Acorn FCCLA students elected

Submitted by Mindy Lyle, FCCLA Adviser, ORSD

Acorn FCCLA attended the FCCLA Region VI Planning & Election Meet ing at Lake Hamilton High School on September 28.

Students were able to observe par liamentary procedure and the election process firsthand.

Kora Carter (Acorn Junior) and Da

mon Cruz (Acorn Sophomore) ran for regional office. Carter was elected Region VI First Vice President. Cruz was elected Region VI Vice President of Parliamentary Law.

Both students will be inducted into their new positions at the Region VI Winter Conference in January. They will serve as a part of the regional offi cer team during the 2023-2024 school year.

Incoming Region VI Officer Team along with members of the current Arkansas FCCLA State Officer team. Kora Carter-2nd row, first from left and Damon Cruz-2nd row, third from left. (Photo courtesy of ORSD)

By Richie Lawry

It is early Sunday morning, and I am writ ing an article at my desk. It is quiet in the house, with only the sound of my fingers on the computer keyboard. My dogs have been fed and are now curled together, sleeping on the floor of the living room. The stillness of the morning is interrupted by the ringtone of my cell phone. “Who can be calling me on Sunday morning?” I thought as I answered the phone.

“This is your cousin from Michigan,” the voice on the other end of the line said. “We are in Branson for a few days and would like to come see you.” As we visited for a few minutes, we tried to remember when we had last seen each other. We couldn’t pinpoint the exact time, but it was when we were both young children. Before we ended the call, we made arrangements to meet in a few days.

As we walked out onto Little Italy’s back patio, I saw my Daddy seated at a table with a couple. I knew that it must be my cousin and her husband. After greeting each other and the small talk people engage in when meeting someone for the first time in years, we ordered our food. While waiting for our food, we enjoyed the fresh garlic rolls and continued our conversation. Even though we hadn’t seen each other since childhood, conversation flowed easily.

We had so many topics of mutual interest that there was never a hint of awkwardness or a lull in the conversation. We reminisced about my grandparents and my cousin’s dad. We talked about our kids and grand kids, sharing photos from our phones. Sto ries and remembrances filled the air and enveloped us like a warm hug. We had a lifetime to catch up on and far too little time. After we finished our meals, we contin ued to visit. The sun had gone down, and there was a fall chill in the air. Everyone was cold, but we didn’t want the evening to end. There were still stories to be told and remembrances shared. As the evening ended, we determined we had to see each other again. My cousin and her husband talked about coming back to Mena for a more extended visit, and my wife and I said we would like to find a time to visit northern Michigan. After a long goodbye, we said goodnight.

An Arkie’s Faith Reconnecting

will come in, and we will share a meal to gether as friends.”

And in John 15:15 (AMP), he says, “I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you My friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.”

Some Christians feel that friendship with Jesus seems too familiar. I’ve heard the idea stated, “Jesus is not our friend; he is our King.” But we don’t have to choose, be cause both are true. Jesus is our King, and he wants to be our most trustworthy friend. But does relating to Jesus as a friend dimin ish his authority in our lives? No, because when he calls us friends, he is still our King. He said, “You are My friends if you do what ever I command you.” John 15:14 (NKJV) Our obedience doesn’t earn friendship but proves our friendship with him.

The 18th-century American preacher, Jonathan Edwards, wrote, “Whatsoev er there is, or can be, that is desirable to be in a friend, is in Christ, and that to the highest degree that can be desired.” Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves, and he loves us more deeply than anyone else could. We are closer to his heart than anyone has ever been to ours.

Sometimes you meet a person and just click; you’re comfortable with them, like you’ve known them your whole life, and you don’t have to pretend to be anyone or anything. That’s the way it was for me with my cousin. Even though we know that we met as children, neither one of us have any real memories of the other one. But now we have a real connection. It is a beautiful feeling to make that kind of connection with someone you haven’t known.

Christian author, John Eldredge, writes: “We’re told that you can have a relationship with Jesus, but most Christians don’t expe rience Jesus personally like that. They just don’t. We honor Him. We respect Him. We worship Him. We don’t experience Him and

His personality like we do the people we love the most in our lives.” But Jesus longs for a real connection with us.

When Jesus talked to his disciples, he told them, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” John 14:23 (NKJV)

Jesus wants a friendship and intimacy with you as if he was living in your home. He doesn’t want to only visit with you for an hour a week with a large group of people. He longs for personal, intimate time with you.

In Revelation 3:20 (ESV), Jesus says to you and me, “I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I

God created us for friendships. He never intended for us to be alone. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But some one who falls alone is in real trouble. Like wise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)

Gentle Reader, Jesus chose us as friends. He died for us as friends, he wants us to trust him as our friend, and he will re main our friend for eternity. Maybe it has been too long since you had a beautiful evening spending time in conversation with Jesus. Perhaps it’s time for you to recon nect with Him. He is standing at the door and knocking. Will you let Him in?

Reconnecting with family after decades.

(Photo by Chad Beckman)

Mabry recognized for excellence

At the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Of ficials (NAHRO) Fall Conference held September 13 - 15 in Hot Springs, Jeanne Mabry received the prestigious PHriday Award of Ex cellence.

The award is given for a front-line person in the housing office that has gone beyond expectations in their job duties.

Jeanne has worked for the Polk County Housing Authority for 26 years. She is the Section 8 manager and assistant executive director. She also does payroll, policy updates and many other tasks. Jeanne is very deserving of this honor. Executive Director Dixie Shrad er, stated, “Jeanne is our rock, I depend on her knowledge of the

housing policies and procedure daily.” PCHA is very fortunate to have Jeanne on the staff.

The Coffee Vault, located at 5607 Hwy. 71 S. in Cove, had a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 27, as a member of the Mena/ Polk County Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Melanie Wade)

Halloween at High Point will house a haunted village

By Ethan Nahté

When Camp High Point has their free community trick-or-treating Hallow een at High Point event on Saturday, Oct. 15 (see story in Sept. 28 issue), there will also be a free haunted village children and families can attend.

According to the ghostly operator, Bryant Cobb, “That place is broken up into five or six different camp ar eas and one is going to be a haunted village.

“I had a haunted house and I’m doing it for charity. I discovered [Camp High Point] when I helped out with the Cub Scouts. We’re doing it for them to try and get them back on track. I’m try ing to help them out and get the camp some attention. The community could really benefit from that place.”

Cobb will also be doing an event

closer to Halloween for the Scouts and the Freemasons at the Mena Lodge, but he says the Haunted Village will be a little different than the one at the

Freemasons.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

“The village will be five walkthrough cabins with animatronics and five different themes. I have laser

shows for the outside and illusions and sound effects.

“I’ve basically been collecting gad gets and gizmos for 15 years and it just kept getting bigger and bigger. We started having haunted houses for our selves for private events. We figured we could help some of these charities out.”

Cobb said he may be looking for people to help out with the haunted village, especially with setting it up and striking. “I have a lot of stuff to set up. There’s some rigging and things to do outside. Most of it’s simple, like setting up decorations. I do need help setting up the inside of the rooms and the wall coverings.”

If you’d like to help Cobb with the village and give some time and effort for the children and Camp High Point, contact him at 479-216-9879 to volun teer.

Talimena Scenic Drive beautification October 15

The Talimena Scenic Drive Associ ation (TSDA) is having its second “Beautify the Byway” on October 15, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., and is seeking volunteers to help beautify this na tional treasure.

People can show up to clean any time between 10 a.m. - noon. The group, for the Mena side, will initially meet at the Acorn Vista, on the by way, where volunteers can pick up cleaning supplies. They must bring the litter they collect back to the parking lot by 2 p.m.

“Litter continues to be a problem and all we need is for people to show up and help clean up,” said Pasha Watson, secretary for the Talimena Scenic Drive Association board. The event, that includes the Mena and Talihina areas, is part of a statewide push from Keep Arkansas Beautiful

to rid the state of litter.

Everyone is encouraged to partici pate in this year’s clean-up effort. Civ ic and service organizations, church and youth groups, school groups and clubs, individuals, families, neighbor hoods, and businesses can organize teams and pitch in.

In 2021, the Keep Arkansas Beau tiful Wrap-Up Report stated that 30 volunteers cleaned 26 public spaces over 54-miles of roadway along the Talimena Scenic Drive. There were 40-plus bags of litter collected during that four-hour period. There were five contributors supplying items such as the bags for the volunteers usage.

To coordinate with the TSDA, please email Pasha Watson, pashar oss@yahoo.com, for Mena, and Reno Crims, crimsreno@gmail.com, for Talihina.

By Ethan Nahté

Understanding technology for ei ther individuals or business owners can be confusing or a constant learn ing process, especially at the high-rate technology changes between operat ing platforms, new devices, and the in-demand needs of businesses to stay competitive. It’s handy to have some one knowledgeable who can assist you in staying up to date, help you improve the quality of work environment or help you decide what is the best and most cost-effective way to accomplish your goals.

That’s where Chris Kuakahela comes in with his new business Chris’ IT Consultations, or C.IT.C. Don’t let his name fool you. The Hawaiian-born IT wiz moved to Mena when he was two years old, and his family has been here going back five generations.

The young man already has nine years of professional experience under his belt. He graduated from Neumont College of Computer Science (former ly Neumont University) in Salt Lake City with a Bachelor of Science degree in business operations and technolo gy management. “It’s a fancy way of saying I know everything a developer knows as well as a business owner or project manager would need to know.”

He worked for Numetric, a traffic safety analytics solution provider in

Kuakehela is the IT consultant

Utah, as a data analyst for three years. Numetric was a start-up company where he was placed while in college for course credits.

He then moved to Florida for a year working on the technical side of tech nology for Xfinity sales for their rout ers, cell phones and other equipment.

Following that, Kuakahela worked approximately four years for the FDM Group, based out of the United King dom. “They’re a pretty big interna tional company that houses IT consul tants,” he said. Through FDM, he did contract work. “I worked for Charles Schwab for about two years in Colo rado and I recently just came off con tract with HSBC, which is an inter national bank. [With] Schwab I was more of a support analyst. If issues would arise, I would mainly solve that, mainly for our traders—the guys put ting in the stock trades. Any problem they had on their systems; I was the person helping them out. On HSBC, they switched me over to a business analyst role.”

Beyond business practices, Kuaka hela also offers services to individ uals for home and personal usage, including optical tech solutions for leisure activities, such as model mak ing, outdoor activities and gaming systems, including building gaming systems to help gamers get that extra edge. He also makes it handy for the client, whether it be consulting over the phone or email, or making house/ business calls to work directly with the client.

“Whatever my client is the most comfortable with; whatever helps me finds the best solution for my clients. If they need me to go into a residence or go into a business to get a feel with what we are dealing with, that’s what I’ll do.

“I’m more versed in Windows, but I have experience with Mac.” He also has Linux experience.

One example to assist people with their clutter or organization is digi talizing information. Kuakahela pro vides an example based on his dis cussions with people in Polk County: “How do we get this contract or these receipts into a digital format? What’s the best tools to use? How do I go about doing that? I’ll be offering my clients courses on how to do that to help their lives.

“Or, how to give you a more pro fessional and tech-literate presence online. That’s sort of the end goal here for my personal consultation.” That includes working with emails, every-day system usage and becom ing technologically literate. His rates are a mere $50 for the first hour and

a dollar-a-minute for each additional minute, but he is confident that most problems can be solved in less than an hour.

Something that would also fall un der his personal consultation is train ing in the proper usage of phones and iPads. For some, that may seem ludi crous, but there are several people in the area who are unfamiliar with the ins and outs of technology. The pro cess of sharing a photo or file is not as familiar to some as it is to others.

C.IT.C can be reached at 479-4379704 or chris.kuakahela@gmail.com. More information on his services can be found on the company website https://chrisitconsultations.square space.com/. Information and tips can also be found on Kuakehela’s YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/chan nel/UClqd1iA-m7_9FOjyxlrD1xA/.

Dickens, Seuss and the Phantom of the Opera at OLT

classic for young and old. Rated PG13, parental discre tion is advised for younger viewers. The concession stand will be open to purchase your Halloween candy early; or go for the popcorn!

Autumn is officially here, and Ouachita Little Theatre is hosting some great events.

First is Wednesday Night at the Lyric on October 12 at 6:30 p.m. The free film featured is everyone’s favorite spooky musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.” Directed by Joel Schum acher, this movie has become a cult

Auditions for the JOLT (Junior

Ouachita Little Theatre) holiday play will be held on October 17 and 18 from 4-6 p.m. Director Makayla Kenyon-Ortiz invites grade school students to try out for “A Seussified Christmas Carol” which is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Per formance dates are December 2, 3, 4 and 9, 10, and 11.

Around Town

Mena Parent Training: Cindy Brevik will be hosting a parent training on HAC and Google Classroom. This training will be for Holly Harshman, MMS, and MHS parents.

This event is scheduled for Thursday, October 6 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Mena High School Library. Par ents are encouraged to attend.

The Polk County Democratic Party will be meeting at Papa’s Mexican Café 1506 Highway 71 South on October 10, 2022. Meeting starts at 6:30 PM. Come early for fellowship and eats. Bring a friend or two, “Be the wave in 2022!”

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.

Covenant Ministries annual BIG SALE will be Friday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. inside the gym at Penuel Assembly Church, 100 Polk Rd. 282, Hatfield. Lots of great stuff!

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 Ap plicants 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 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The Center will also start having an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For infor mation call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

The Polk County Social Seniors will be meeting on October 11 at Noon at Simple Simon’s Piz za, 4778 Highway 71 South at Hatfield. Bring a friend or two for good food and fellowship. If new to Polk County, you are most welcome to attend.

Hatfield First Baptist Church “Shep herd’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 Ouachita Strings Ensemble is

performing a Rock Extravaganza concert at 4 p.m. in Janssen Park, Saturday, Oct. 8, by the pavilion. Free and open to the public; bring chairs & refreshments, In case of rain, concert will be moved to the OLT.

The DAV will be having an appreciation dinner at the American Legion in Veteran’s Park on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. to recognize the DAV van drivers.

The Food Pantry at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church is open every first and third Monday of each month, 4pm - 6pm, located at Fair Grounds Road. For more information, call 479-437-4018.

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

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

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8:00 a.m. (full breakfast for small do nation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

The Living Word Pentecostal Church in Hatfield would like to invite you to supper every Wednesday at 6 p.m. We are serving a free meal to our community. Everyone is welcome. We would love your company. Located at 171 Johnson in Hatfield. Turn at Jordan’s Tire.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 8 p.m. Fri days at the First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

The Revelation of Hope Prophecy Seminar with speaker Tommy Blount opening night presentation “Hope Beyond Tomorrow” begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, at the Mena Seventh-day Ad ventist Church, 149 Polk Rd. (Fairgrounds Road). The seminar continues Saturday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. with the first of two presentations.

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 sta tions KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 243-9600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!

(Photo by Hannah Smith on Unsplash)

CAMPING

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. T1116

Mobile lawnmower repair and repair flats. Minimum, $20 service call. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204. T1005

Construction, pads, ponds, roads and more. Military discounts. Insured. Just give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T1026

- YARD SALE -

Big Yard Sale, 209 Eve St., Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.. Nice furniture, area rug, lots of décor, nice men’s Invicta watch collection and guns. T1005

Estate Sale, Saturday, Oct. 8th, 8 a.m.3 p.m. Grandfather clocks and other clocks, living room furniture, dinette set, very nice bedroom suite, big entertainment center, cab inets, televisions, roll-top desk, lots of very nice furniture, refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer. Behind Country Club, 301 Polk Road 625. Mary Dixon, (479) 234-3335 T1005

Selling 57 years of antiques/collectibles and household items. Sales ongoing as house is cleaned out. Good deals for the collector or to resale. Friday & Saturday, 204 Reine Street South, Mena. T1005

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

T1005

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. T1026

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergen cy appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T1012

- FUNDRAISER -

Elite Hospice Foundation fundraising sale, plus donation bake sale, 602 Dequeen St., Mena, Thursday, Oct. 6th, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Friday, Oct. 7th, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday is $5/ grocery bag sale from 3 - 4 p.m. Multiple fami ly: clothing, holiday & household items. T1005

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overnight camping since 20 people tragically died in a 500-year-flood in the early morning hours of June 11, 2010. The incident was followed by a lawsuit brought by families of the victims. In 2020 the U.S. Forest Service conducted a public review and planning process to determine the future use of the park. In its final decision, the U.S. Forest Service stated it would not reopen the park for overnight camping due to the risk associated with possible future floods.

Westerman said he introduced the legislation to Congress last week after hearing from numerous constituents who expressed their hopes to see the park reopen for overnight camping.

camping is possible within the park.

“The Forest Service decided to close it and only allow day use. And as the infrastructure fails, they’re not going to replace it,” he said. “That’s when it’s time for Congress to step in and reevaluate the decision and the process. [Allowing overnight camping at Albert Pike] is something that can be done and be done in a way that’s rational, safe and good for residents of the Fourth District and for everyone who grew up camping at this beautiful location.”

- MISCELLANEOUS -

Evil genius seeks minions. We are look ing for residents to dedicate their lives in a world domination attempt. Must be prepared to work 24-7 for evil entrepreneur for no pay. Failure inevitable. Costumes and laser death rays provided. - Jey Bird T1005

- EMPLOYMENT -

Help Wanted: Pharmacy Technician, Ex perience and license required. Apply in person at MediShop Pharmacy, 204 Hwy. 71 South in Mena.

T1005

Mena Mountain Resort - Help Wanted for housekeeper/general assistant. 24 hours per week. Weekends required. Call Denni 479394-3110

T1005

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. Com petitive 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.

T1005

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. Com petitive 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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“It was an incredibly tragic event, but in the last 12 years I’ve had lots of people reach out and say they want to reuse that site for overnight camping,” Westerman explained. “People were frustrated with the decision because there are safe options and plans out there for camping in this area.”

Westerman added that he understood but ultimately rejected the Forest Service’s appraisal and said he believes safe, overnight

If passed by Congress and signed into law, the “Ouachita National Forest Overnight Camping Act” would require the Forest Service to reopen any campsites outside of the 100-year flood plain within 30 days of the bill’s enactment. In addition, the act would also require the development of at least 54 campsites within 2 years of the bill’s enactment. This would include at least eight campsites with water and electric capabilities. All of these would also be located outside of the 100-year-flood plain.

“We want to be rational with this, we don’t want to build these campsites along the river where the tragedy occurred, but rather build above the 100-year floodplain,” Westerman explained.

“It’s something that can be done, and I hope we can make it happen with this bill.”

Police

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

September 26, 2022

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 75 near Acorn in reference to destruction of property. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

A minor vehicle accident in a busi ness parking lot near Mena led to the arrest of William Hale, 59 of Mena on charges of DWI, Ignition Interlock Device, Driving on a DWI Suspended License and Careless and Prohibited Driving.

Tommy Black, 49 of Boles was ar rested on a Felony Body Attachment Warrant, a Felony Failure to Appear Warrant, two Misdemeanor Failure to Appear Warrants, a Misdemeanor Warrant for Possession of Drug Para phernalia and a Misdemeanor Warrant for Possession of a Schedule VI Con trolled Substance.

September 27, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a busi ness near Wickes in reference to an alarm.

Deputies responded to a report of a physical domestic disturbance at a res idence on Robin lane near Mena lead ing to the arrest of Clay Breeden, 43 of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Do mestic Battery.

William Hinkle, 49 of Cove was ar rested on a Felony Warrant for Posses sion of Drug Paraphernalia.

Deputies responded to a report of a car fire at a residence on Polk 295 near Hatfield.

September 28, 2022

Deputies responded to an altercation at a residence on Hwy 71 North near Acorn.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to harassing communications.

Deputies were dispatched to a res idence on Pebble Lane near Mena in reference to a physical domestic dis turbance leading to the arrest of Glenn Gowdy, 36 of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery.

Deputies responded to a report of fi nancial identity fraud.

September 29, 2022

Deputies responded to a structure fire on Prairie Dog Lane near Hatfield. Deputies responded to a report of ha rassment.

September 30, 2022

Deputies responded to a report of fi nancial identity fraud.

Deputies were dispatched to a resi dence on Polk 46 near Mena in refer ence to vandalism.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to possible stolen property being found at a prop erty on Polk 143 near Hatfield.

October 1, 2022

Deputies responded to a residence on Hwy 278 East near Wickes in reference to an altercation. This led to the arrest of S J Goss, 70 of Wickes on charges of Possession of a Firearm by Certain Per sons and Aggravated Assault on a Fam ily or Household Member.

Deputies were dispatched to a res idence on Polk 32 near Cove in refer ence to vandalism.

Deputies responded to a theft report from a residence on Cajun Lane near Mena.

October 2, 2022

Deputies responded to a report of a missing gun.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 37 near Hatfield in reference to a domestic disturbance.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 3 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 20 Incarcerated Inmates, with 10 Inmates currently on the Wait ing List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

September 25

Caleb McLellan, 22, was charged with DWI 3rd, Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test, Violation of Ignition Interlock Device, Possession of Open Container in Vehicle, Driving on Sus pended License, Driving Left of Cen ter, and Speeding after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

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

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

September 26

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

A report of failure to stop after an ac cident was taken at a residence on Hol ly Avenue.

A theft report of taken at Executive Inn.

A theft report was taken at a resi dence on Meadow Brook Drive.

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

September 27

A death investigation report was tak en at a residence on 3rd Street.

September 28

A report of a missing person was tak en from a walk-in complainant.

Anthony Robertson, 31, was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle on Highway 8 East.

September 29

Bryan Terry, 40, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Ransom Road.

A report of criminal mischief was taken at a residence on Pine Avenue.

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

A report of harassing communica tions was taken from a walk-in com plainant.

A report of theft and criminal mis chief was taken at Washburn’s.

A report of theft was taken at Walmart.

September 30

A report of criminal mischief was taken at a residence on Cherry Street.

Michael Williams, 40, was served with a warrant after contact on High way 71.

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

A report of disorderly conduct was taken at a residence on Bethesda Road.

A report of disorderly conduct was taken at a residence on Dequeen Street.

October 1

No reports.

Fatal motorcycle accident claims life of Mena man

By Pulse Staff

A Mena man died in a wreck on U.S. Highway 71 in rural Scott County on Friday evening near Needmore, according to a pre liminary fatality report from the Arkansas State Police.

Rodney Joe Emry, 50, known by many in the area as Night Train, was northbound on a Yamaha motorcycle on the highway at 5:13 p.m. when he attempted to pass a Toyota Corolla on the left.

The Toyota simultaneously turned left into a driveway and was struck on the driver’s side by Emry’s motorcycle, killing Emry.

The driver of the Toyota, Dan ielle Yavon Slater, 23, of Waldron, was also injured in the wreck.

Arkansas State Trooper Cpl. Mike Lance investigating the col lision reported that the weather was clear, and the road was dry at the time of the accident.

An account for Emry has been opened at Union Bank to help pay for funeral expenses. Donations can be made under the name of Janie F. Farley.

There is also a benefit yard sale occurring all week at the Heaven ly Acres Mobile Home Park, 204 Jolie Way in Mena to also raise funds.

Scott County sheriff and a former Waldron police officer face battery charges

WALDRON -- The Scott County sheriff and a former Waldron police officer were arrested and charged Friday in connection with report ed use of force during an arrest in February.

Sheriff Randy Shores, 61, of Waldron was arrested Friday by Arkansas State Police on a warrant for two counts of accomplice to third degree battery, a class A misdemeanor, ac cording to records filed in Scott County Circuit Court in Waldron. He posted bond that same day.

Omar Gonzalez, 38, of Waldron was also arrested on a warrant for three counts of third degree battery and posted a bond Friday, ac cording to records.

John Rhone, a special agent with Arkansas State Police, wrote in Shores’ and Gonzalez’s arrest affidavits the Mansfield and Huntington police departments were chasing a white van being driven south on U.S. 71 by Robert Deer of Van Buren at 11 :11 p.m. Feb. 16. Shores and Gonzalez, along with other Waldron and Scott County law enforcement officers, joined the chase in the Packsaddle community and continued on through Waldron.

Deer lost control of his van at the intersec tion of U.S. 71 and Echo Road, after which it left the road and stopped, Rhone said. Deer followed orders officers gave to exit his ve hicle and lie on the ground. Gonzalez then reportedly approached Deer and kicked him on the back of the head. Gonzalez proceeded to place his knee in Deer’s back and hit him “several times” on the head with his fist.

“After Mr. Deer’s hands were cuffed behind his back, Officer Gonzalez picked Mr. Deer off the ground and slung him into the front of Mr. Deer’s van, headfirst,” Rhone said. “This treatment resulted in Mr. Deer’s right eye swelling shut.”

Rhone wrote in Shores’ arrest affidavit that, per body camera videos two police officers re corded at the scene, Shores witnessed Gon zalez hit Deer on the head several times and sling him while handcuffed into the front of his van.

Jeremy Hunt, Waldron police chief, wrote in a post on his department’s Facebook page Friday the Mansfield Police Department con tacted him Feb. 17 about body camera foot age from the arrest. He reviewed the video the following day and went on to share it with Mark Johnson, Waldron’s city attorney and deputy prosecuting attorney, and Prosecut ing Attorney Tom Tatum, the latter of whom requested Arkansas State Police investigate the incident.

Gonzalez, who was a sergeant at the time, was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation’s outcome, according to Hunt. Rhone notified Hunt on April 26 the case had been turned over to the Prosecutor’s Of fice, which requested a special prosecutor be appointed. This prosecutor was identified in the court documents as Emily White.

Hunt said Gonzalez resigned from his posi tion May 2. Paperwork was sent to the state Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training to decertify Gonzalez that day. Hunt was notified about the outcome of the investigation and charges were to be filed against Gonzalez on Wednesday.

“Since February, the Waldron Police De partment has procured body cameras and Tasers,” Hunt wrote. “We have instituted a mandatory camera policy and will also be re training each officer in response to resistance techniques, along with requiring refresher training each year on use of force.”

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office wrote a post on its own Facebook page Friday stating it reviewed the actions the deputies who as sisted with the Feb. 16 pursuit took while fully cooperating with the Arkansas State Police’s investigation. The department determined its deputies conducted themselves within both its policy and state law.

“Our deputies behaved appropriately and within the scope of their duties,” the post states. “They were not yet present on scene when much of the incident took place and our review concluded that, partially due to that lack of context and partially due to the short time period during which the incident took place, they did not have a realistic opportunity to intervene.”

Shores has previously stated, including to Arkansas State Police, he didn’t witness the actions that are the basis for the charges White filed against Gonzalez, meaning he wasn’t in a position to intervene as well.

“While we are disappointed in the decision made by this prosecuting attorney regarding Sheriff Shores, we remain dedicated to our system of justice, and trust in our court system as this issue is addressed,” the post states.

Shores said Friday he felt his arrest was “political” in nature given its timing ahead of the Nov. 8 general election and when Deer’s arrest took place. He also stated his belief that he didn’t “do anything.”

Shores and Gonzalez are scheduled to ap pear in Circuit Court at 9 a.m., Dec. 6, accord ing to court records.

Reflections of History and Faith: Copy that

By Jeff Olson

I seriously doubt that there is anyone reading this article who hasn’t enjoyed the convenience of making a photocopy of a picture or document. Today, we take this technology as a given and for granted. And most of us probably have never giv en much thought to how this marvel ever came to be.

Chet Carson was born on February 8, 1906, in Seattle, Washington, the only child of an itinerant barber. Upon resetting in San Bernardino, California, and at age 14, he began working after school and on weekends to support his family. His father was crippled with arthritis and his mother died of Tuberculosis when he was 17.

One of his jobs was working for a local printer, from whom he acquired (in return for his labor) a small printing press about to be discarded. He used the press to pub lish a little magazine for amateur chem ists. Even as a boy, Carlson was fascinated with graphics and chemistry. In his words, “Work outside of school hours was a ne cessity at an early age, and with such time as I had I turned toward interests of my own devising, making things, experiment ing, and planning for the future. I had read of Thomas Alva Edison and other success ful inventors, and the idea of making an invention appealed to me as one of the few available means to accomplish a change in one’s economic status, while at the same time bringing to focus my interest in technical things and making it possible to make a contribution to society as well.”

After graduating from high school, Carlson worked his way through a nearby junior college where he majored in chem istry. He then entered the California In stitute of Technology where he graduated in two years with a degree in physics in 1930. Job opportunities were very limited at the time, though he applied to 82 firms and received only two replies before final ly securing a $35-a-week job as a research engineer at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City.

While working at Bell Labs, Carlson wrote over 400 ideas for new inventions in his personal notebooks. He kept com ing back to his love of printing, especially since his job in the patent department gave him new determination to find a better way to copy documents.

As the Great Depression deepened, he

was laid off at Bell, worked briefly for a patent attorney, and then was hired by an electronics firm, P.R. Mallory & Company. While there, he studied law at night and earned a law degree from New York Law School in 1939. Carlson was eventually promoted to manager of Mallory’s patent department.

As he later recalled, “I had my job, but I didn’t think I was getting ahead very fast. I was just living from hand to mouth, and I had just gotten married. It was kind of a struggle, so I thought the possibility of making an invention might kill two birds with one stone: It would be a chance to do the world some good and also a chance to do myself some good.”

While at his job, Carlson noticed that there never seemed to be enough carbon copies of patent specifications, and also no quick or practical way of getting more. As the old saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” So, Carlson had two choices: He could send for expensive pho tocopies, or he could have the documents retyped and then reread for errors. It then occurred to him that offices might benefit from a device that would accept a docu ment and make copies of it in a matter of seconds.

For months Carlson spent his evenings at the New York Public Library reading all he could about imaging processes. As he saw it: “The need for a quick, satisfac tory copying machine that could be used right in the office seemed very apparent to me—there seemed such a crying need for it—such a desirable thing if it could be obtained. So, I set out to think of how one

could be made.”

With an inven tor’s instinct, he decided to “think outside the box” as we would say today. He pursued the lit tle-known field of photoconductivity and primarily the work of Hungar ian physicist Paul Selenyi, who was experimenting with electrostatic images.

Carlson learned that when light strikes a photoconductive material, the electrical conductivity of that material is increased.

He began some experimenting in his home in Jackson Heights, Queens, to con vert his theory into practice. He poured what few resources he had into his re search and set up a small lab in Astoria, Oregon, in 1934. He hired a young Ger man physicist named Otto Kornei to as sist in the lab. It was in this lab, a rented second-floor room above a bar, where they discovered the core fundamentals of what Carlson called electrophotography, which was later named xerography. As he stated, “I knew that I had a very big idea by the tail, but could I tame it?”

He filed his first preliminary patent ap plication on October 18, 1937. In Septem ber 1938, he applied for a patent based on the principles of electron photography. A month later he and Otto made the first electrophotographic copy. It read simply “10-22-38 Astoria.” The patent application was filed in April 1939, and 80 years ago this week, October 6, 1942, Carlson’s pat ent (U.S. Patent 2,297,691) was issued.

Any concern Carlson may have had about other scientists taking the same path or trying to copy (no pun intended) his ideas was unfounded, to say the least. He and he alone was blazing this trail, having no contemporaries who believed there ever would be any practical value to xerog raphy. From 1939 to 1944, he was turned down by more than 20 companies in his search for one that would develop his in vention into a useful product. As he stated, “The years went by without a serious nib

ble… . I became discouraged and several times decided to drop the idea completely. But each time I returned to try again. I was thoroughly convinced that the invention was too promising to be dormant.”

At last, in 1944, Battelle Memorial In stitute, a non-profit research organization, showed enough interest to sign a royal ty-sharing contract with Carlson, and be gan to develop the process. 75 years ago, in 1947, Battelle entered into an agreement with a small photo-paper company called Haloid (later to be known as Xerox), giving Haloid the right to develop a xerographic machine.

In 1959, the first office copier using xe rography was marketed. The 914 Copier could make copies on plain paper quickly at the touch of a button. It was a huge suc cess and made Carlson a wealthy man.

Today, xerography is the foundational cornerstone of a huge worldwide copying industry, including Xerox and other cor porations which make and market copiers and duplicators.

Carlson’s determination and belief in his cause finally paid off, but Chester Floyd Carlson was not in it for the money. He had always lived quite modestly, even after becoming wealthy, and was very generous with his fortune. During his last years, he was given dozens of honors for his pio neering work, including the Inventor of the Year in 1964 and the Horatio Alger Award in 1966. All the fame, wealth and honor he received was met with the grace and humility of a reserved, quiet and gen tle soul—a man who had given away most of his wealth to various foundations and charities by the time of his death in 1968. In 1981 Carlson was inducted into the Na tional Inventors Hall of Fame.

He once said, “You are successful the moment you start moving toward a worth while goal.” By that standard, or about any for that matter, Carlson was more than successful!

Chester Carlson was honored as “The Father of Xerography” when United States Public Law 100-548 was signed into law by Ronald Reagan, designating October 22, 1988, as “National Chester F. Carlson Recognition Day”. He was honored by the United States Post Office with the issue of a 21-cent stamp.

Acorn XC athletes top runners

The week of September 19 proved to be an outstanding one for Acorn XC Ti gers and Lady Tigers. Acorn XC athletes in the top 22 runners for the UA Rich Mountain Buck Fever Showcase 2022 held on September 20 at Mena Lion’s Club included:

1st Place/Overall Winner: Chance Ragain, Freshman 6th Place: Isaac Tedder, Senior 22nd Place: Jonah Rogan, Senior

Acorn XC athletes in the top 15 runners for Today’s Bank Mansfield XC Invita tional 2022 held on Saturday, September 24 included: Acorn XC Senior Boys won the Mansfield XC Invitational 2022

Senior Boys results:

- 18.48.04 Isaac Tedder 2nd Place

-19:02.94 Chance Ragain 4th Place

-19:32.74 Braven Rodgers 5th Place -21:40.79 Caden Tarkinton 10th Place -22:23.06 Jonah Rogan 11th Place -28:24.70 Aiden Kimp 15th Place

Senior Girls results: - 22:13.65 Annabella Tedder 2nd Place

Congratulations Coach Keith Willsey and Acorn XC Tigers and Lady Tigers on an outstanding week of XC events! We are proud of you!

Bearcats and Ladycats hit-and-miss

By Ethan Nahté

The past few games for the bearcats football teams and the Ladycats volleyball has been hit-and-miss for the win-loss results.

Thursday, Sept. 29, the Seventh grade Bearcats team beat the Arka delphia Badgers 14-6.

The junior high team fell to the Badgers 8-0.

Meanwhile, the Ladycats were playing the Magnolia Panthers. The Jr. Ladycats lost 2-1, while the Sr. Ladycats came out victorious 3-0.

The following night, the varsity Bearcats team played their first con ference football game of the season,

also taking on the Badgers. After a season thus far of one or two point wins, they had a considerable loss of 54-7 to Arkadelphia.

The Bearcats play next at Nash ville this Friday.

Saturday, the Jr. Varsity Ladycats played in the River Valley Tourna ment. They came away as the Silver Bracket winners. (See photo below.)

Monday afternoon, the Sr. La dycats whipped the Badgers 3-0, extending their record to 11-0 in conference and 15-2 overall for the season.

The Ladycats play next at Malvern on Thursday.

Football

10/07 - Mena @ Nashville

Volleyball

10/06 - Mena vs. Malvern

10/08 - Mena @Paris Tournament (Sr. V)

10/10 - Mena @ Ashdown

10/11 - Mena vs. Hot Springs

Wheel A’ Mena riding back this weekend

By Ethan Nahté

Be on the lookout Saturday travel ing between Mena and Acorn, or if you are enjoying the day on the mountain. The Wheel A’ Mena— Tour to the Top cycling event has returned for their annual fall event.

The parade will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, where cyclists

Baseball

10/06 - UARM@ Carl Albert State College

10/08 - UARM vs. Twin City Post Grad

Soccer

10/07- UARM @ Eastern Oklahoma State College

10/09 UARM vs. Crowder College

Softball

10/08 - UARM @ Lyon College

10/02 - UARM vs. ASU

will begin their route from Janssen Park. Distances will be offered of either a 30-mile, 50-mile, and 70mile route.

Cyclists will travel east to Mena Street, turn south, cross railroad tracks, turn left at red light onto Hwy. 71 N, travel on 71 N to Acorn community, turn left onto Hwy. 270.

Home

There will be a Mena Police es cort for the parade from Janssen Park to the Mena city limits. The Polk County Sheriff’s Department will escort the cyclists from the Mena city limits through the Acorn community to Hwy. 270.

There will be closed intersections from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Warner Avenue and Mena Street; Sampson Avenue and Mena Street; Dequeen Street and Maple Avenue; and Sev enth Street and Maple Avenue.

(Trey Youngdahl/Pulse)

Visitor finds 35,000th diamond at Crater of Diamonds

(MURFREESBORO, Ark.) — Scott Kreykes of Dierks has been visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park for the past four years and has reg istered more than 80 diamonds. On Sept. 6 he registered his 50th diamond of the year and the 35,000th found and registered since the state park opened in 1972.

Kreykes recently spent a day at the park sifting dirt from the East Drain of the diamond search area. He took his sifted gravel home to look through later. Park Interpreter Tayler Markham said, “Each visitor that comes to the park is allowed to take one five-gallon bucket of sifted gravel home with them per day. Some visitors like to resift their gravel at home or wait for it to dry to look for the metallic shine of a diamond.”

While searching through his gravel at home, Kreykes spotted a pearl-shaped diamond and excitedly called his wife over to show her. He knew the park was preparing to celebrate the 35,000th diamond find since 1972 and was hopeful that he would register the milestone gem. As he left for the park on the morning of Sept. 6, he slipped his diamond into a glass vial and told his wife, “This could be the 35,000th diamond!”

Kreykes carried his gem to the park’s Dia mond Discovery Center, where staff registered it as a 3 pt. white diamond. Markham said, “Diamonds are weighed in points and carats. One hundred points is equal to one carat, like pennies to a dollar. Most diamonds found at the

park weigh between 20 and 25 points.” When park staff revealed that Kreykes had indeed registered the 35,000th diamond, he told them he had goosebumps.

As finder of this significant milestone, Kreykes received a free two-night stay at an Ar kansas State Park, recognition from Murfrees boro officials, and a special display for his dia mond and registration card, donated by Sam Johnson and Caddo Trading Co.

Many people who find diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park choose to name their gems. Kreykes chose to name his jewel Leo, after his grandson.

As of this date, 512 diamonds have been registered at Crater of Diamonds State Park in 2022. An average of one to two diamonds are found by park visitors each day.

Quick Facts about Crater of Diamonds State Park:

• Diamonds come in all colors of the rain bow. The three most common colors found at Crater of Diamonds State Park are white, brown and yellow, in that order.

• In total, over 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at the Crater of Diamonds since the first diamonds were discovered in 1906 by John Huddleston, a farmer who owned the land long before it became an Arkansas State Park in 1972.

• The largest diamond ever discovered in the United States was unearthed in 1924 during an early mining operation. Named the Uncle Sam, this white diamond with a pink cast weighed 40.23 carats. It was later cut into a 12.42-carat emerald shape. The Uncle Sam is now part of the Smith sonian’s mineral and gem collection and can be seen at the National Museum of Natural History.

• Another well-known diamond from the park is the Strawn-Wagner. Found in 1990 by Murfreesboro resident Shirley Strawn, this 3.03-carat white gem was cut into a round brilliant shape weighing 1.09 car

ats. It graded as ideal cut, D-colorless and flawless and was set in a platinum and 24-carat gold ring. In 1998, the State of Arkansas purchased this diamond for $34,700 in donations and placed it on per manent display at the park visitor center.

• On Labor Day 2020, Kevin Kinard of Mau melle found a large, brown gem weighing 9.07 carats. It is the second-largest dia mond found at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Crater of Diamonds State Park is located on Arkansas Highway 301 in Murfreesboro. It is one of 52 state parks administered by Arkansas State Parks, a division of the Arkansas Depart ment of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism.