September 17, 2014
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THE POLK COUNTY
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Montgomerys Qualify for Optima Search for Ultimate Street Car
County Continues Road Improvements
BY MELANIE BUCK The county road crews are continuing to complete scheduled improvements across the Polk County. Polk County Judge Brandon Ellison reported that crews were working hard in both North and South County. Thousands of dollars and man hours have been allocated to make quality, long-term, sustaining road improvements for citizens and Ellison expressed his gratitude to everyone for their patience as they juggled heavy damage from multiple floods over the last two years. In North Polk County, the roads, or portions of roads, that received new drainage pipe where needed, asphalt leveling, and a single seal of emulsified asphalt and class 1 crushed aggregate are: Polk 76E from the Ouachita River Bridge to Polk 676; Polk 74 from Polk 75 to Polk 184 and all of Polk 184 to Polk 70 (Posey Hollow); Polk 44 (Bethesda) from Polk 42 to State Highway 375E;
Arkansas Issue 5 Proposes Higher State Minimum Wage Rates CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Jeff and Penny Montgomery and their 1963 Corvette have qualified in the Optima National Search for the Ultimate Street Car to be held in November in Las Vegas and featured in a new reality RV series to air on MAVTV. READ COMPLETE STORY PAGE 5.
Members of James K. Polk Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution are celebrating Constitution Week Tuesday, September 17, through Monday, September 23. Mena Mayor George McKee signs a proclamation for the weeklong commemoration of America’s most [PHOTO BY MELANIE BUCK] important document.
With an entire support team standing behind him in more ways than one, Ty Thacker stood on the start line with fellow racers surrounding him to lead off the 5K race held to benefit the Thacker family. SEE FULL PICTORIAL & STORY ON PAGE 10.
BY MELANIE BUCK Arkansas voters will get a chance at the polls this November to have their say in the minimum wage increase issue. If the proposal, submitted by Give Arkansas a Raise Now and certified by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, passes, Arkansas will gradually increase minimum wage rates over the next 2 years to bring workers a minimum of $8.50 per hour. Currently, Arkansas’ minimum wage is $6.25 per hour compared to a federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour. Arkansas’ last increase in 2006 still did not equal federal rates. In fact, at $6.25 per hour, Arkansas is one of only three states that have a rate that is less than the federal minimum wage. Georgia and Wyoming are behind Arkansas with a rate of $5.15 per hour. Employers must meet the federal rate if certain conditions apply. Although most employers meet the federal rate willingly, there are exemptions in the state that allow employers to pay less than the federal rate. If a business makes less than $500,000 per year, they are allowed to pay $6.25 per hour to their employees. There are also exempCONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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