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September 30, 2015
THE POLK COUNTY
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1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600
Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 & MyPulseNews.com
Polk County’s Newest Royalty
Fink’s Life Sentence Upheld by State’s Highest Court BY LEANN DILBECK A Mena woman charged with the stabbing death of an 80-year-old Mena man has had her life sentence upheld by the Supreme Court of Arkansas. Cheyenne Fink, now age 20, was given a lifetime sentence after she was charged with first degree murder in the death of Loyd Cole on the morning of December 3, 2012. Fink was only 17-years old at the time of the incident but was charged as an adult in a case that shocked the local community. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Curve on Hwy 8 West Claims Second Life in a Week BY LEANN DILBECK A single vehicle accident in the early morning hours of September 25 has claimed the life of a Mena woman. The accident is the second fatal car crash in less than a week in the same location on Hwy 8 West, near Polk 41, commonly referred to by locals as Peach Orchard Road. Michelle Berry, age 20, was driving a 2006 Hyundai Sonata when her vehicle left the highway as she was negotiating the curve and struck a tree. The vehicle wasn’t located until approximately 3 a.m. but after interviewing neighbors, Arkansas State Trooper Bo Hayes believes the incident to have occurred close to midnight. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Polk Among 28 Arkansas Counties to Receive Disaster Aid
Mckinzy McGee was crowned the new Miss Polk County and Makenna Lee was crowned the new Little Miss during the annual pageant hosted by the Lady Ouachitas held Saturday at the Mena Performing Arts Center. McGee is the daughter of Sharon McGee and Leslie Edwards. Lee is the daughter of Stefanee Lyles. FULL STORY ON PAGE 4. [PHOTO BY LEANN DILBECK]
BY MELANIE BUCK The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services a National Emergency Grant to support the creation of 100 temporary jobs for clean-up and recovery efforts underway in 28 counties that were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred May 7, 2015, through June 15, 2015. The grant was approved for up to $2,300,000, with $740,000 to be released initially. At the request of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a major disaster declaration was issued in the state of Arkansas on June 26, 2015. This declaration made public assisCONTINUED ON PAGE 4
76th Anniversary Sale Going On NOW! Hurry In...Sale Ends October 10th
See Pages 12-13 for all of the details!
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