The Polk County Pulse - May 8, 2024

UARM Bucks men win the championship Bucks women are the runners-up

By Jerod McCormick, Bucks Athletic Director

UARM Bucks baseball wrapped up their season on Saturday at Benton High School. The Bucks split the doubleheader with SAU Tech, giving the Bucks the season series win over the Rockets.

The win also helped the Bucks solidify the NJCAA Region 2 East Division Championship with a 22-8 record in region play. The East

See BUCKS continued on page 7

Help Stamp Out Hunger this Saturday

By Ethan Nahté

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is asking for your help once again to Stamp Out Hunger. Each year, letter carriers across the country head out on their routes on the second Saturday in May to collect donations of non-perishable food items to benefit local food pantries. This year, it is Saturday, May 11, the day prior to Mother’s Day for those who might

need a reminder.

You may have also seen the postcard and bag mailed out in Friday’s mail.

Since launching in 1993, the NALC’s annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States.

NALC invites you to join letter carriers and their partner organizations in the fight to end hunger in

food collected by Mena-based letter carriers in 2022.

No. 1 seeded Bucks take on No. 4 Carl Albert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. (Photo courtesy of UA Rich Mountain)

Karen Agee with some of the

(File photo)

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The first week of March, my news feed featured numerous stories about readiness, or prepping, for a myriad of challenges that could test our preparedness for the worst-case scenarios we face. The pressing concerns ranged from global warming, supply chain issues, food insecurity, financial collapses, threats of nuclear war, global shifts in population, pandemics, riots, terrorism threats, pollution, plastics and forever chemicals in our food and water, and wars being fought around the globe. The concerns are real. The question posed in one article is “ do you feel safe and how prepared are you if there are disruptions”?

empty. Having a clean water supply is an absolute necessity. Hedging your investments with some cash on hand and precious metals will help survive power outages, 34 trillion of national debt, or a run on the bank. There are never ending attempts to use computer viruses to shut down banks, power distribution, and our infrastructure. These are facts, not some paranoid ranting. You need only watch the nightly news to see our predicament.

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The question is valid. The recent challenges we faced from Covid should have been a wakeup call. I did not understand the rush to buy bath tissue and the resulting shortages. Seemed to me the need to “wipe” would soon be a non-issue if you ran out of food. In short order supply chain weaknesses became apparent and certain foods were in short supply or unavailable altogether. It did not take long for prescription medications to experience spotty supply as well. Seems we did not learn as we still rely on outside countries to supply medications that should be made here. Cheap labor and corporate greed are the inevitable result of high labor costs and government over regulation, sending crucial manufacturing facilities overseas.

It may be prudent to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. Having some long-term food supplies, freeze dried or dehydrated, can feed your family if the stores are

So, the pertinent question is, do you feel safe and are you ready to face the challenges of an uncertain future?

I would ask if you have confidence in our leaders?

When all else fails, who do you trust to take care of you and yours?

If nothing else, it is better to have things you need and not need them than to need them and not have them. Now is a good time to learn what our parents and grandparents knew; self-reliance and the ability provide our own needs. They may turn out to have been better stewards of our planet than we have become. What is your plan when you cannot call 911?

As always, I thank you for a forum to express my thoughts though we may peacefully disagree.

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

Letters are published at the discretion of the Editor and Publisher.

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. A drop box is provided by the front door for after-hour convenience.

TO SUBMIT:

Jamie Hammack General Manager

Nomination period opens for 2024 ‘Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas’

By Patrick Massey

What’s the coolest thing made in Arkansas?

That’s the question Arkansans are being asked to answer as part of the 2024 “Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas” campaign. Hosted by Arkansas Business — in partnership with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, Entergy and AEDC’s Manufacturing Solutions — the promotion seeks to highlight the state’s manufacturing sector and the vital role it plays on both the national and international scene.

Bonnie Jacoby, vice president of sales and training at Arkansas Business, said the campaign launched after a casual conversation she had with Randy Zook, president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.

“This program has actually been a few years in the making,” Jacoby said. “[Zook] asked me, ‘What is the coolest thing made in Arkansas?’ As we progressed that conversation, he brought up a program that the Wisconsin State Chamber had done called The Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. We wanted to mimic that program here in the state with the whole goal to create awareness for the variety of products that are manufactured in Arkansas.”

The 2022 inaugural campaign resulted in 16 finalists in a single-elimination, bracket-style contest. Products ranged from snack foods to industrial equipment pioneered by Arkansas-based companies like Nabholz and Aerojet Rocketdyne. The winner, however, was a clear choice for the Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas — Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS.

The HIMARS is produced in Camden and has received widespread international attention as a critical part of the U.S. assistance package to Ukraine in its defense against the ongoing Russian invasion.

Jacoby said the HIMARS was a bit of a surprise winner of the 2022 competition because many Arkansans — and even a few Lockheed Martin officials — had no

idea this sophisticated weapons system was produced right here in Arkansas.

“Even within the company, there were people who had no idea it was made in Camden, Arkansas,” Jacoby said. “Most people don’t have the opportunity to know everything that they do, so it was a good opportunity for [Lockheed Martin] to raise awareness.”

Jacoby stressed, however, that Arkansas products don’t have to be as impressive as the HIMARS to become a finalist in the Coolest Thing campaign.

“We actually had one of our products last year that made it to the feature four that was up against a popular snack food and actually beat them because they used social media engagement to be able to pull that off,” Jacoby explained.

Last year’s winner was the fluff pulp made by Domtar at its facility in Ashdown. The material is used as raw material in the absorbent core for a wide variety of personal care products. The mill introduced fluff pulp during one of its largest ever capital projects and established itself as the third-largest fluff pulp producer in the world.

The campaign’s primary goal is to highlight the products made in Arkansas and the needs they fill not just within the state, but across the nation and globe. Jacoby hopes the effort will encourage Arkansans to be even prouder of the state’s manufacturing sector.

“For the average person who lives in a city, they may know a manufacturing company’s name, but not necessarily understand what they make or its impact, whether it’s on a statewide basis, national basis or even an international basis,” Jacoby said. “So we want to be able to raise awareness not only among business and political leaders but also within that local community so people understand a little bit more about the products that are manufactured here and develop a greater sense of pride for them.”

The nomination period for the 2024 campaign remains open through May 31. Visit coolestthinginarkansas.com and cast your vote. This year’s winner will be announced in October.

OLT audition information for ‘The Little Mermaid’

Submitted by Julie Ulmer

Auditions for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” will be held on Monday, May 13, and Tuesday, May 14, from 6-8 p.m. at the Ouachita Little Theatre, 610 Mena St. Information regarding callbacks will be sent out after auditions. Performances will run July 26, 27, 28, and Aug. 2, 3, 4.

You will be asked to sing a 16-32 bar cut of a song you have prepared, preferably something in the style of the show. This can be performed acapella, or with a backing track you provide. This will count as both your singing and acting audition. Please demonstrate your acting abilities as well as your vocal skills in your song.

Character descriptions and other details can be found on the OLT website at oltmena.com. Check the OLT Instagram and Facebook pages for updates.

From the State House of Representatives

This week, the House addressed several key issues including state employee pay, digital asset mining regulations, and the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

shall not purchase or acquire any interest in a digital mining business in the state.

From the State Senate

The Senate has passed a balanced budget for state government for next fiscal year, clearing the way for completion of the 2024 session.

SB77, which was passed by the House, outlines a temporary pay plan for state employees, including a potential 3% raise and setting the minimum salary at $32,405 per year. Additionally, it increases the maximum salary range for pay grades by 10% and offers special compensation under specific circumstances.

The House also passed two bills, SB78 and SB79, addressing regulations for the digital mining industry. SB78 mandates noise-reduction techniques for digital asset mining businesses, while SB79 requires a valid permit from the Oil and Gas Commission for operation in Arkansas. Both SB78 and SB79 state that a prohibited foreign party

John Maddox

john.maddox@ arkansashouse.org

520 Church Avenue

Mena, AR 71953

Call: 479-394-6060

Terry Rice

Terry.Rice@senate.ar.gov

P.O. Box 2195

Waldron, AR 72958

479-637-3100

The House passed HB1097 and SB80. These identical bills amend the Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA) by outlining state spending for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year.

The RSA includes a 1.76% increase in state spending. It increases funding for the Education Freedom Accounts by $65.7 million. The public school fund will increase by $38.2 million and the funding allocated for Arkansas State Police will increase by $3.9 million.

The House will reconvene on May 9.

When the Fiscal Session adjourns Sine Die, House Rules state that the election for Speaker-designate will occur 15 minutes following the adjournment. That election, and all House proceedings, will be streamed live at arkansashouse.org

Contact Your Legislators!

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 budget calls for general revenue spending of $6.31 billion in Fiscal Year 2025, which begins on July 1.

John Maddox Terry Rice

That is an increase of only 1.76 percent over current general revenue spending. The legislature has always been fiscally conservative, and the 2025 budget is one of the most conservative in recent history.

In Arkansas the balanced budget law is called the Revenue Stabilization Act. The bulk of state general revenue comes from three major sources. They are the state sales tax, the state individual income tax and the state corporate income tax.

General revenue is distributed to public schools, institutions of higher education, corrections, the State Police, health care programs and human services programs.

Growth in general revenue will be an estimated $109.3 million from this fiscal year to next. Under the governor’s proposed budget, public education from kindergarten through twelfth grade will receive the majority of that increase. Legislators are increasing the amounts available under the Education Freedom Account program that provides financial help to parents who choose to send their children to a private school rather than to a public school.

Public elementary and secondary schools will receive about $2.4 billion next year.

The Department of Human Services will receive about $1.8 billion in state funds. However, its spending authority is much higher because it receives so much in federal matching funds.

For example, the state contributes

about 29 percent for Medicaid spending in Arkansas while the federal government pays for the remaining 71 percent.

The Division of Correction is budgeted to received $536 million. It operates state prisons. The Division of Community Correction monitors inmates on parole and runs re-rentry programs for inmates just out of prison. It is budgeted to receive $105 million next year.

The fund for reimbursing county jails that hold state inmates will remain stable at $25.7 million. The state is working to open space for about 3,000 additional beds, and when that happens the backlog of state inmates in county jails should lessen.

The State Police are budgeted to get a 4.4 percent increase, from $88.6 million to $92.5 million.

Under next year’s Revenue Stabilization Act, institutions of higher education will get a decrease in state aid of $2.45 million. This year they are receiving about $781.3 million and next year they’re budgeted to receive about $778.8 million.

Four-year universities will receive $628.6 million in state support and two-year colleges will receive $117.1 million.

Some state agencies receive special revenues and their budgets are not included in general revenue category. An example is the Department of Transportation, whose revenue comes from motor fuels taxes, fees on large trucks and federal highway funds.

The state is projected to end next fiscal year with a surplus of about almost $400 million, after ending the current fiscal year with a surplus of about $240 million. The amount of the budget surplus allows legislators to seriously consider further tax cuts.

Affordable health screenings coming to Mena

Residents living in and around Mena can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening.

First Baptist Church will host this community event on May 18. The church is located at 811 Port Arthur Ave. in Mena.

Screenings can check for:

- The level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health.

- HDL and LDL Cholesterol levels

- Diabetes risk

- Kidney and thyroid function, and more

Screenings are affordable and convenient. Free parking is also available.

Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors.

Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit our website at lifelinescreening.com.

Pre-registration is required.

Ouachita National Forest issues updated prohibitions

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – May 6, 2024 — Ouachita National Forest Supervisor Dan Olsen has issued updated Forest Prohibitions for the Ouachita National Forest. Forest Prohibitions are designed to control actions that cause damage to natural resources and facilities, as well as actions that cause unreasonable disturbances or unsafe conditions for visitors.

The orders expire and are renewed bi-annually. Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an

Marilyn Shields

Marilyn Shields, age 66, of Oden, Arkansas, went to be with our Lord and Sav-

ior on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at her home. She was born on Friday, September 6, 1957, to John and Julia Hickman Allen in Rawlins, Wyoming.

Marilyn had a passion for arts and was very artistic in painting and crafting. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her granddaughters fiercely. She met the love of her life, Jimmy, and the two shared many wonderful years together. Marilyn was also a loving and caring mother and loved her sons, Zachary and Nathan, dearly. She will continue on in our hearts and memories and will be greatly missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Julia Allen; and her son, Nathan Bates.

Karen Renee Pennington

Karen Renee Pennington of Mena, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on Saturday, January 30, 1954.

Karen was a homemaker and a retired preschool teacher. She was an excellent cook and she enjoyed canning. She was also an avid Razorbacks fan, especially Hog Baseball. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Earl Thurston Taylor and Laveena Taylor.

organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

Complete prohibitions and maps can be viewed on the Ouachita National Forest website at www. fs.usda.gov/detail/ouachita/ alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd1174493.

The Current Forest Orders list includes the Wolf Pen Gap trail area, Mountain Fork and Glover Rivers, Caddo Pond Trail, Friendship Trail, Shady Lake, Red Slough, as well as eight other links related to ponds, wildlife, roads, fire and more.

Marilyn is survived by her loving husband and soulmate, Jim Shields of Oden; her son, Zach Bates; brothers, Doug Allen, and John Allen; grandchildren, Kailey Bailey, Abbi Cook, Zoey Bates; nieces, Alanah Allen, and Tiffany Crawford; nephew, Josh Carmack; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas with Brother Reggie Fryar officiating. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. Online Guestbook: bowserffh. com

She is survived by her husband, Jim Pennington of Mena; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeremy and Jo Givens of Sparkman, and Joe and Jane Givens of Sparkman; one daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Ron Bacon of Byron, Georgia; grandchildren, Conner Givens and fiancée Molly Thompson of Rogers, Alyssa Poindexter and Joey of Rogers, Jasmine Givens of Sparkman; and one great-grandchild, Beckett Poindexter of Rogers.

A private celebration of Karen’s life is planned for a later date. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Acorn High School FFA chapter.

Obituaries

Tony Joe Ballard

Mr. Tony Joe Ballard, age 88, of Mena, Arkansas, walked through Heaven’s gate on Tuesday, April 29, 2024, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born December 8, 1935, in Fisk, Texas, to Purvie Andrew Ballard and Della May Kanaday Ballard.

Tony was a quiet, gentle soul who was kind to everyone he met. He and Meda were married for 62 years, and he so loved and cherished their only child, a son, Barry Wayne Ballard.

Tony did not care at all for hunting, fishing or playing sports. He did love to ride his “Gator” around on the mountain with his and Meda’s little dog, Trinket, riding with him. He loved the computer and spent untold hours at the keyboard. He was a huge Dallas Cowboy and Texas Ranger fan.

Tony graduated from McKinney High School in 1955. After which, he served out country in the U.S. Army, Military Police, rank E5 and was honorably discharged in 1964.

Tony retired in 1979 after 31.4 years’ service with General Motors Assembly Plant in Arlington, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Purvie Andrew Ballard and Della May Kanaday Ballard; sisters, Letris Inez Dobbins, Lois Freda Axum, Ina Joyce Calloway, Dorothy Janelle Lovelace, and by his infant brother, Royce Ballard.

Tony is survived by his son, Barry, of Mansfield, Texas, and wife Meda of Mena, Arkansas; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and precious friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, May 6, 2024, at the First Freewill Baptist Church

in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Donnie Jewell will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Cremation services are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Warden

Leavuse

Dunagan Warden

Leavause

Dunagan, 82, of Vandervoort, Arkansas, passed away on April 30, 2024, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born on November 3, 1941, to Palmore Dunagan and Waneva Howard in Vandervoort, Arkansas. He worked at Alcoa Aluminum for 30 years and was a member of the U.S. Army. He loved hunting elk and deer, fishing, music, and his two dogs.

Warden is survived by his daughter, Lisa Marie Dunagan-Beard, sisters, Darlene Allen, Pat Dunagan, Debbie and husband Mike Burnette, Barbara and husband Gene Whisenhunt, brothers, Tim Dunagan and wife Toni, and Ken Dunagan and wife Teri, along with a host of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Sue Dunagan, and his parents, Palmore and Waneva Dunagan.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Beasley Wood Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas, with Brother Kenny Posey to officiate. Interment will be at Cedar Hike Cemetery in Princeton, Kentucky, at a later date. There will be a visitation from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm prior to the service.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Tommy Douglas Smith

Mr. Tommy Douglas Smith, age 68, entered his heavenly Father’s home on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Cove, Arkansas. He was born December 1, 1955, in Mena, Arkansas, to Mr. Tommy and Mrs. Ramona Loretta (Caldwell) Smith.

Mr. Tommy Smith was a 1973 graduate of Van Cove High School, after graduation he went to Broken Bow to work at Weyerhaeuser for 8 years. Tommy worked at a lumberyard by profession and was known as a true nature lover. He enjoyed hunting and fishing when able and loved to watch and feed the deer in his backyard. Mr. Smith also had a deep love for his dogs, Lanky and Gizmo. But above all else, Tommy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and son.

Mr. Tommy Smith is preceded in death by his father, Tommy Smith, and by his beloved daughter, Melinda Jean Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Debra Darlene (Fox) Smith; daughter, Jennifer Dawn Belknap and husband Steve; granddaughters, BreAnna Hutson, Savanna Hutson; grandsons, Anthony James Hutson, Brandon Lee Smith, Donald Thomas Smith, William James Smith; great-grandchildren, A.J. Hutson, Beauden Cusher, Brixley Cusher; his mother, Ramona Loretta Smith (Moller); his sister, Lisa Williams and husband Danny; as well as by a host of nieces, nephews, other family, and friends too numerous to mention.

Graveside services for Mr. Tommy Douglas Smith will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 6, 2024, at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cove,

Arkansas. Brother Ron Ladd will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers are Anthony James Hutson, Brandon Lee Smith, Donald Thomas Smith, and William James Smith.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Phyldeana Marian Mowdy

In loving memory of Phyldeana Marian Mowdy (Tannie) Age: 79 Born November 16, 1944, til April 27, 2024

We part ways temporarily with an amazing woman with many hats in life. Tannie was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and so much more to many people. She lived a selfless life always giving her time and love to everyone she was around. She loved Jesus and we take comfort knowing that we will see her again one day. Until then. She will be always be loved and missed. She is preceded by death by her son Adam Mowdy and daughter Marilyn Kessel.

She is survived her husband of 63 years Elvy Mowdy, sons Andrew Mowdy, Shawn Mowdy, Jose Mowdy, and Eric Mowdy along with daughters Amber Mowdy, Ani Mowdy, Tarra Estel, Tana Mowdy, Tasha Smith, and Mercedes Mowdy. She was also survived by 17 grandkids and 8 great-grands.

BUCKS

continued from page 1

Division includes the DII Baseball Arkansas schools of Region II.

Season Highlights

- The men started the season 2-14 and have now won 25 of their last 34 games to have an overall record of 27-23.

- The Bucks avenged an early season loss to Seminole State and won 6-5 at home over the tradition-rich NJCAA DI Trojans.

- The Bucks won every 6-game region series of the season, except for splitting the series with ASU Mountain Home (3-3).

- This season, the Bucks have several multiple season and career records.

- Trace Watkins (Sheridan, AR) and Aiden McGinnis (Jasper, AL) broke the season record of hit-by-pitches. Both are currently tied at 25 in 2024.

- Caleb Bryant (North Little Rock, AR) is currently tied with the season record for stolen bases at 22 this season. He does hold the new record for career stolen bases with 32 in his career at UARM.

- Austin Rainey (Conway, AR) is on pace to set a new season ERA record for the Bucks. He currently has a 2.68 ERA heading into the tournament.

- With a strong showing in the tournament, Ethan Diaz (Minneola, FL) could break the strike out record currently held at 79 in a season. He has 73 this season.

Tournament Preview

- With the No. 1 seed in the tournament, the Bucks will face off in the opening round against No. 4 Carl Albert State College on Thursday at 7 p.m. Earlier this season, the Bucks dropped a mid-week contest against the Vikings 8-6 at Union Bank Field.

- The Bucks will match-up with the winner/loser of the No. 2 NOC-Tonkawa versus No. 3 ASU Mountain Home matchup on Friday. The tournament is double elimination.

- The winner of the region tournament will then host the NJCAA DII Baseball West District Championship against a school from Region 1 (Arizona). This will be a 3-game series to determine who advances to the DII Baseball World Series.

- First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. against Carl Albert at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Oklahoma.

- Livestreaming for the tournament can be found at www. tsbnsports.com.

Tournament Bracket & Times *

Thursday, May 9

- Game 1 - 10 a.m. - No. 2 South Arkansas vs. No. 3 NOC-Enid

- Game 2 - 1 p.m. - No. 1 Western OK State vs. No. 4 National Park

- Game 3 - 4 p.m. - No. 2 NOC-Tonkawa vs. No. 3 ASU Mountain Home

- Game 4 - 7 p.m. - No. 1 UA Rich Mountain vs. No. 4 Carl Albert

Bucks Softball

UARM Bucks softball wrapped

No. 2 seeded Bucks take on No. 7 North Arkansas at 1:30 on Thursday, May 9. (Photo courtesy of UA Rich Mountain)

up their regular season Saturday at North Arkansas. After winning the first game 11-5, the storms set in, and the Bucks had to move to a different field. The ladies overcame the delay and won 10-1 to get the season sweep over North Arkansas.

The wins gave the Bucks a new school record of 32 wins in the regular season. The ladies finished the regular season at 32-17 overall, while finishing as the Region 2 Regular Season Runners-up.

Season Highlights

- The ladies took down a pair of NJCAA DI ranked programs: No. 9 Seminole State 2-1 and 6-5 & No .8 Paris Junior Col-

lege 3-1.

- The Bucks were ranked No. 13 in NJCAA DII Softball Rankings on February 26.

- Earlier this season, the Bucks surpassed the century mark in school history. This included Coach Tracy Nealy’s 100th win as a college coach.

- This season, the ladies have several multiple season and career records.

- JJ Bass (Joaquin, TX) broke her own season record for stolen bases with 29 total this season. She also broke the career record with a total 46 in her career be-

See BUCKS continued on page 9

By Richie Lawry

My phone dinged, alerting me to a new message on Facebook Marketplace. I sighed and pulled my phone out of my pocket to check the message. For the past few weeks, I have received hundreds of responses to my ad for my 1937 Buick Coupe. Most responses are a simple, “Is this still available.” Quite a few make a ridiculous lowball offer without asking questions about the car. Even more ask about making a trade and send me photos of something I am not interested in.

But this message is a bit different. “I’m from Austin and really interested. I would love to get more pics of the underneath and door edges. I would love to take a look in person but would like to know what condition it will be in.” After several messages, he messaged, “We can also get on the phone if you don’t believe that I’m really interested.”

We talked on the phone for 15 minutes while I described the car in detail. “It is an older amateur restoration with some scratches and flaws in the paint, but as far as I can see, the body is solid and rust-free,” I told him. After the phone call, I sent him more pictures of the areas he was worried about. A few days later, the man from Austin messaged me. “Could you send me your address? I think we would like to come take a look.” The next day, he sent another message. “We are on the way. We will be there tomorrow morning. We hope to make it into town late tonight.”

The following day, I received another message. “Good morning, sir. We managed to get to Texarkana. We are getting some breakfast now and then driving on. I think we should be there around 11.”

When the Ram pickup with Texas plates pulled into my shop, I was sure they were there to look at the ‘37 Buick. Two men got out of the truck and introduced themselves. I showed them inside the building where the Buick was stored.

An Arkie’s Faith Perfect

They inspected the car thoroughly for the next hour, taking lots of videos. They were trying to broker a deal with a collector in Germany, sending him the videos and explaining everything they found out about the car. Ultimately, the German collector would decide whether to purchase or not. It looked like the Buick was heading to Germany. After a detailed and meticulous inspection outside, I drove the car back inside. They wanted to get a better look underneath the vehicle. As he inspected the car, I could hear one side of the conversation he was having over the phone with the German collector. I didn’t understand the words, but I sensed something was wrong. When he crawled out from under the car, he told me he had bad news. He had found some areas on the floor that had been repaired, and his customer wanted a perfect unrepaired floor pan. He apologized for taking up so much of my time, got back in his truck, and headed back to Austin.

Over the years, I have learned never to count on a sale until the money is in your hand, but this one seemed to be in the bag. Disappointed, I returned to work, trying to put the day’s events out of my mind. But I kept returning to the idea that the customer wanted the

Buick to be perfect. And although the car is very nice, it isn’t perfect. Finding a perfect 1937 Buick Coupe would be very difficult, and the price would double or triple what I asked.

As I thought about the missed sale, I realized that far too often, I do the same thing when I think of people. It is human nature to look for flaws in other people. I was raised in a religious tradition that stressed living the perfect Christian life. I was taught that my salvation depended on my attaining perfection. When you have that outlook on life, you constantly see the flaws in yourself and others.

Social media has a way of bringing out the spirit of fault-finding, unlike anything else. We rarely compliment people for their good deeds but quickly criticize them and point out their imperfections. As humans, our first instinct is to point fingers at other people’s problems, sins, and character flaws. Yet the Bible teaches us that looking to ourselves before looking to others is wise. Jesus addressed the issue in Matthew 7:3-5 (VOICE)

“Why is it that you see the dust in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but you can’t see what is in your own eye? Don’t ignore the wooden plank in your eye, while you criticize the speck of

sawdust in your brother’s eyelashes. That type of criticism and judgment is a sham! Remove the plank from your own eye, and then perhaps you will be able to see clearly how to help your brother flush out his sawdust.”

American writer and historian James Truslow Adams wrote, “There is so much good in the worst of us –and so much bad in the best of us –that it hardly behooves any of us to talk about the rest of us.”

And Dale Carnegie penned these famous words. “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving!”

It is similar to Paul’s words in the Bible: “Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

In modern times, being critical is almost a virtue. Critical thinking skills are essential to problem-solving, analysis, and reasoning. But what happens when we use our critical thinking skills to attack people? We become fault finders.

People with the habit of fault-finding are so overwhelmed with details of other people’s faults that they can’t see the positive. Our marriages, business relationships, friendships, and families would be stronger if we refused to allow ourselves to be preoccupied with the faults of others.

Gentle Reader, when we continually look for faults, we will always find them. In the same way, when we are looking for good things, we will find them. Finding fault with others is dangerous because you are assuming God’s role!

Mother Teresa once said, “If you judge people, you will have no time to love them.”

God is the judge, and he alone knows all the facts. Let’s leave it to him. Nobody’s perfect.

The 1937 Buick Coupe — not perfect but it’s a beauty. (Photo by Richie Lawry)

BUCKS

continued from page 7 fore the tournament. Bass will be playing at Delta State University in 2025.

- Emma Reynolds (Cayuga, TX) broke not only the season record for triples, but she broke the career record for triples with 10 so far this season. She is a freshman that is set to return in 2025.

- Lilli Williams (Granbury, TX) broke the single season and career hit-by-pitches record with 13 this season.

- McKenna Bittle (Greer’s Ferry, AR) broke the single season wins record with 16 wins in the circle in 2024. She also is on pace to set the new single season ERA record. She currently has a 2.29 ERA this season. At

press time, she was in three of four Top 5 categories on the NJCAA site for Region 2 DII site. She will be playing at Williams Baptist College next season.

Tournament Preview

- With their runner-up finish in the regular season, the ladies will be the No. 2 seed in the Region 2/Southwest District Championship this coming week, May 9-12, in Ardmore, Oklahoma. The Bucks will draw the same team they finished the regular season against, No. 7 North Arkansas. The ladies swept North Arkansas in the regular season: 11-3, 7-6, 11-5, and 10-1.

- The Bucks will match-up with the winner/loser of the No. 3 National Park versus No. 6 Carl

STAY ALERT. STAY INFORMED. STAY SAFE.

Albert matchup in the next round. The ladies took three out of four games from each team in the regular season.

- The region tournament will also serve as the NJCAA DII Softball Southwest District Tournament. Winner advances the NJCAA DII Softball World Series in Spartanburg, South Carolina on May 20-25.

- The tournament is a double elimination tournament.

- First pitch for the Bucks is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. against North Arkansas at Regional Park in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

- Livestreaming for the tournament can be found at www. np.edu/live.

Tournament Bracket & Times Thursday, May 9

- Game 1 - 11 a.m. - No. 4 Western OK State vs. No. 5 SAU Tech

- Game 2 - 1:30 p.m. - No. 2 UA Rich Mountain vs. No. 7 North Arkansas

- Game 3 - 4 p.m. - No. 1 Murray State vs. No. 8 ASU Mountain Home

- Game 4 - 6:30 p.m. - No. 3 National Park vs. No. 6 Carl Albert

*Visit BucksAthletics.com for daily updates to both teams’ schedules as they progress throughout the playoffs. The baseball playoffs will continue through Monday, May 13, if necessary. The softball playoffs will continue through Sunday, May 12. The times for each bracket may also be found on each teams’ individual Bucks Athletics page.

Bill and Ginny Long

Polk County Master Gardeners Yard of the Month 2024 kicked off with a bang. We could not have found a more deserving April winner than Bill and Ginny Long of Mena. Their home, at 411 N. Fourth St. is a must see.

Bill grew up in this home. His family moved in in the early ‘60s when Bill was in the third grade. He graduated from Mena High School, just down the block. He bought the home from his family after his father passed away.

including dogwood, Japanese maple, double flowering cherry, Jane magnolia, and redbud along with bearded iris, climbing roses, and many others.

He’s added birdhouses and birdbaths to help entice the pollinators.

Bill and Ginny’s home lost all its original trees in the 2009 tornado. Now the property is bordered with a beautiful variety of trees along the street

Bill and Ginny are proud Americans, displaying their patriotism with a flagpole flying the Stars and Stripes and a hand-painted ‘home of the brave’ sign on their fence. Please drive by and enjoy all their love and hard work. And be sure to nominate your own friends and neighbors anywhere in Polk County, so they can join Bill and Ginny in the Yard of the Month club.

NALC

continued from page 1

our communities by participating in the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. In 2022, the Mena U.S. Postal Service collected 6,037 pounds of food. In 2023, Mena letter carriers collected nearly 5,000 pounds of food.

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

The National Association of Letters Carriers partners include the United States Postal Service, AFLCIO, Local Food Pantries, National Rural Letter Carriers Associatino, Kellogg’s, Valpak, CVS Health,

United Way, Vericast, and their premiere partner UFCW.

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

There’s an update to the information on the postcard as requested by the Mena Post Office. Leave your donation of non-perishable food in a bag either by your mailbox if the mailbox is by your front door or leave the bag of food inside your mailbox if your mailbox is beside the road. Letter carriers having to get out of their vehicle on busy roads and highways puts them at risk.

You can also take food donations to the post office on May 11.

Small Works National Show winners

Submitted by Sandra Spencer

The Small Works National Show is open and on public display. Please come to the Mena Art Gallery and feast your eyes on this varied and beautiful show.

2024 winners:

- Best in Show: “Young Bull”, Brenda Morgan, Dardanelle, Arkansas

- First Place: “Hide & Seek”, Jeanne Brown, Hatfield, Arkansas

- Second Place: “Morning in the Branding Pen”, Kristi Rose, West, Texas

- Third Place: “The Look”, Cheryl Harley-Volz, Fruita, Missouri

- Arkansas Artist Award: “Holly’s Joy”, Carolyn MacMahon, Mena, Arkansas

Awards of Excellence:

- “Bird Songs”, Bill Wells, Mena, Arkansas

- “Ready to Go”, Debra Keirce, Broadlands, Virginia

- “In Remembrance”, Jeanette Kanozik, Vallejo, California

- “Ready Boss?”, Nettie Rickerson, Fallon, Nevada

- “Glorious Eclipse”, Carol Sheets, Mount Ida, Arkansas

Thank you to all our contributing artists for making this a terrific show!

The exhibit is open through June 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday. The gallery is located 607 Mena St., Mena, Arkansas.

Email email@MenaArtGallery.org or call 479-394-3880 for more information.

Decoration Day for Nichols Cemetery at West Valley will be celebrated on Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. Come prepared to sing and visit and reminisce. Bring your lawn chair.

Witherspoon Cemetery at Vandervoort will have a clean-up day at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 25. For questions contact Bill Barrett, (479) 216-4361.

Ink-Concord Cemetery Assoc. Decoration Day, Sunday, May 19 with Annual Meeting following at 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Concord Baptist Church. Please bring your maintenance donations at this time or mail them to P.O. Box 696, Mena, AR 71953.

The Owens Chapel Cemetery cleanup week is May 5-11. Decoration Day is May 12.

Nunley Cemetery Decoration Day clean-up May 6-10. Please remove all flowers and decorations as they prepare for Decoration Day on Saturday, May 11. All donations are appreciated. For questions about donations or the cemetery clean-up call Melissa Redding at 479-234-7847.

Mollie Gann Cemetery Decoration Day, Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, with annual business meeting at 10 a.m. Donations will be accepted at that time or can be deposited to the Mollie Gann Cemetery Fund at The Union Bank of Mena.

Country, Western, gospel singing and music in the Daisy Room (behind Janssen Ave. Florists), 800 Janssen Ave., Mena, 6:309:30 p.m. every Thursday. Free event. Bring finger food. For information call Lloyd Knight (479) 234-3547.

The Polk County Social Seniors will be meeting at noon on May 14 at Queen Wilhelmina Lodge. Need a ride? Meet at the parking lot in front of Walmart gas station by 11 a.m.

Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234

Around Town

Hwy. 71 S, Cove, gathers every Tuesday, 8:309:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.

The Polk County Democrats meeting will be on May 13 at Papa’s Mexican Cafe, 1317 Hwy. 71 South. Come early to eat and socialize before the meeting starts 6:30 p.m. Any questions, call Linda Johnson at (479) 234-7966. Bring a friend.

GriefShare at First Presbyterian Church Mena meet every Wednesday at 1 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

The next Women for Jesus meeting will be honoring all mothers. The meeting date has changed and will be Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Zafra Church of Christ, 13455 Zafra Rd., Smithville, Oklahoma. Food will be provided. Please bring your bible. For more information call Cindy Perkins at (918) 429-8538.

GriefShare at The Crossing in Mena meets every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

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

First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a series on the Book of Revelation in its Adult Sunday School class on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:45. Earl Harrell will be the presenter and will focus on the titles of Jesus as revealed in the Book of Revelation. The public is invited to attend. Classes will be in the Helen Barham Room at the church, 904 Church Avenue, Mena.

Join the Ouachita Beekeepers Association on the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. (new time) in the Education Building of the Polk County Extension Office, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. Enjoy bee education, door prizes, and socialization with oth -

er beekeepers. Contact: Tommy Payne (903) 521-4611.

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.

Jam session every Tuesday night, 6-9 p.m. at Shady Mountain Events, 428 Hwy. 375 East, Mena. No charge, everyone is welcome. All genres of music. Bring your own instrument, come watch or dance. Call (479) 234-7174 with questions.

The Back Country Extension Homemakers Club meets the second Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at the UA Extension’s Education Building, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. We are a service organization affiliated with UA’s Division of Agriculture with a mission to have fun and learn new things while enriching our community and creating a more contented family life. We believe the greatest force that molds character comes from the home.

Come join new friends and old as we together grow. For more info, contact Ginger at Gingerkm@protonmail.com.

The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing.com.

Hatfield First Baptist Church “Shepherd’s Closet” Open Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Large selection of good, used clothing & a limited supply of non-perishable food items. Free to anyone in need.

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 Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from noon-4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 2348366 or (479) 216-3786.

The Cove Branch Library is open Monday and Thursday from noon-5 p.m. The Library is located next to Cove Town Hall at 5568 Hwy. 71 S.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors. The hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

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

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

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 2439600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!

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

April 29, 2024

Deputies responded to a report of damaged mailboxes on Polk 67 near Big Fork.

Brandon Rose, 26, of Mena was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Probation Violation Warrant.

An incident near Hatfield led to the arrest of Robert Johns, 64, of Hatfield on a charge of Public Intoxication.

April 30, 2024

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a trespasser.

Ava Fender, 23, of Mena was arrested on a warrant for 1st Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Race Lane near Mena in reference to a break-in.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 375 W near Mena in reference to a physical altercation leading to the arrest of Weston Dean, 48, of Mena on charges of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery, two counts of 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, and Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.

Melissa Matheson, 47, of Hatfield

was served a warrant for 3rd Degree Domestic Battery, Permitting Abuse of a Child, and Tampering.

May 1, 2024

Tyler Ginn, 29, of DeQueen was arrested on a Body Attachment Warrant and to be held for another agency.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on W Roark Street near Hatfield in reference to an attempted break-in.

Deputies were dispatched to a business near Cove in reference to a break-in. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

May 2, 2024

A traffic stop on Geyer Drive near Mena led to Ana Nelson being issued a citation for Careless and Prohibited Driving, Fleeing, and Failure to Dim Headlights.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 24 near Cove in reference to a welfare check.

Amy Evans, 32, of Wickes was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on a Body Attachment.

Deputies responded to a report of vandalism.

May 3, 2024 No reports.

May 4, 2024

Braeden Turner, 21, of Mena was

arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 41 S near Mena in reference to property damage.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Big Fork Creek Lane near Mena in reference to a trespasser. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

A traffic stop on Hwy 71 S near Hatton led to the arrest of Brittany Wheless, 27, of Mena on charges of DWI and Driving Left of Center.

A traffic stop on W Johnson Avenue near Hatfield led to the arrest of Trent Morett, 38, of Smithville on charges of DWI, Driving Left of Center, and No Vehicle License.

May 5, 2024

Jimmy Evans, 53, of DeQueen was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Parole Hold.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 1 vehicle accident this week.

Polk County Detention Center

Jail Population: 48 Incarcerated Inmates with 10 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

April 28 No report.

April 29

Toby Shores, 51, was served with

warrants after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

April 30

Ronnie Watts, 44, was served with warrants at the county jail.

May 1

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

May 2

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

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

May 3 No report.

May 4

Joseph Davidson, 23, was charged with no driver’s license and served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Reine Street.

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

Justin Chicago, 26, was charged with Driving on Suspended License, No Liability Insurance, and served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 88 East.

Sandra Hill, 36, was charged with Battery, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Government Operations, and Disorderly Conduct at a residence on 10th Street.

- CLASSIFIEDS -

- SERVICES -

Mobile lawnmower repair and repair flats. Minimum, $20 service call. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204. T0508

Carter’s Excavating - Licensed Contractor: Heavy and light dozer work, heavy excavation, soft ground to rock excavation, heavy off-road hauling, road design and construction 50 years in trade, 40 years in area. Subsidiary of RCI Construction (479) 394-9227

T0529

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T0424

Construction, steel buildings, welding, pads, ponds, roads, tree services, and mulching. Insured. Give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T0626

Need your yard mowed? Free estimates. Referrals available. Call (479) 234-0509. Leave a message. T0710

Carter’s Excavating - Licensed Contractor: Roads, bridges, house pads, building pads, basements, land clearing, small lots to large tracks, ponds, stream crossings, farm roads, building demolition, site planning & prep.

50 years in trade, 40 years in area. Subsidiary of RCI Construction. (479) 394-9227 T0529

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. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

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

T1030

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for a CNC Programmer/Machinist.

The CNC programmer will utilize CAD/CAM software to develop programs to control contour-path machining of aluminum parts on CNC mill machining centers. Responsible for reading and interpreting technical blueprints, inputting design specifications, adjusting machine cutting paths, performing quality checks on final products. Must be able to troubleshoot issues that arise during the manufacturing process, ensure conformance to established procedures and engineering specifications, and pay close attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

• High Competence in Fields of CNC Machines, Tooling, and Programming

• 5 Years CNC Set-up and Programming Experience

• Proficiency in Programming Software (Mastercam) and CAD.

• Ability to Lift or Maneuver up to 50 lb.

Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple in Mena, Arkansas from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment. T1030

- FOR SALE -

Large-capacity front load, manufacturer Whirlpool washer, perfect balance, and top load Amana dryer - both $350. Must sell together. Good condition. (210) 544-0607

T0508

- WANTED TO BUY -

Buy and sell U.S. pre-65 silver coins. Paying top prices. Also buying scrap gold, rings, teeth and coins. Come see Dan every Friday and Saturday at the Duke’s Junction Flea Market-booth 76 from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. Call during the week (479) 234-3409 T0508

- HEALTH -

Helping Hands Massage Therapy is accepting new clients. Decrease stress, decrease pain and stiffness, increase energy, increase productivity. 30 or 60 minutes available. Call (501) 538-3412 to schedule. T0508

- HELP WANTED -

F.M. Dix Foundry is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

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

T1030

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for a technical/phone sales position.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering technical inquiries, providing product information and recommendations, troubleshooting with potential and current customers, and processing orders in a fastpaced office setting.

Parts, automotive, and computer experience would be helpful. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

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

T1030

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

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

T1030

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced TIG Welder/Manual Machinist for Cylinder Head Repair. This is for a permanent day shift position. The applicant must be proficient in welding aluminum and have manual machining experience. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available. Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

T1030

Daniels and Fields awarded George Thomas Scholarship

By Ethan Nahté

Kenzie Daniels of Acorn High

School, and Jennessa Fields of Mena High School, have been chosen as this year’s recipients of the George Thomas Scholarship awarded by the

tions of their extracurricular school, church and community activities they’ve been involved with during their years in high school, as well as a list of any special awards during the same time period.

John Golding, grand knight for

Monsignor A.P. Gallagher Council No. 7258 of the Knights of Columbus.

The two $1,000 scholarships are offered in memory and honor of George Thomas, a past member of St. Agnes Catholic Church. Graduating seniors from the Mena, Ouachita River or Cossatot River School Districts are eligible to apply if they will be attending college the following school term.

The seniors turned in their forms, letters of recommendation (optional), high school transcripts, descrip-

Knights of Columbus 7258, said, “They were both outstanding.”

The award decision is split into thirds and based on academic achievement; financial need; and special efforts put in on church, community and extracurricular school activities.

Fields said, “I do a lot of volunteer work at The Crossing and I’m doing some mission work during the summers out in Lima, Peru. I want to study business communications as well as foreign language.”

Daniels said, “Right now, I’m serving as Miss Polk County, so I do a lot of community service with that. I’m just helping out anyway I can with my community. I’m also concurrently enrolled in college at UA Rich Mountain and I’m graduating this year with my Associate of Arts. I plan to transfer to [University of Arkansas] Fort Smith where I plan to become a nurse anesthetist.”

Both young ladies were excited to be awarded the scholarships. They each receive the first $500 for the first semester to be spent as they wish upon acceptance confirmation by the college they choose.

The remaining $500 is available at the beginning of their second semester after the Knights are sent a copy of their college transcript to verify they have maintained a passing grade.

Their reactions at being notified they were recipients of the scholarships were similar.

“I was very excited,” Daniels said, “because college is very expensive, and any help I can get is greatly appreciated. It was an honor to receive it.”

“I am in the same boat as her,” Fields said. “I was super excited and happy that I got that because it’s definitely going to help with college funds. I plan on attending at the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain, [then] I am thinking of possibly moving and finishing my degree at a ministry-based school.”

Asked if she would consider college in Peru, Fields and the others laughed. Fields replied, “I would love to. I just have to see where this summer takes me.”

(L-R) Seniors Kenzie Daniels and Jennessa Fields are recipitents of this year’s George Thomas Scholarship, to be presented by John Golding, grand knight for Knights of Columbus Local Council 7258. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

May 8,

Polk County students attended 2024 Governor’s Scholastic Honors Day

By Ethan Nahté

Six Polk County students, along with top, high-achieving and outstanding seniors represented from high schools across Arkansas, attended the 2024 Governor’s Scholastic Honors Day at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock on May 4. They were hosted by Governor Sarah Sanders and First Gentleman Bryan Sanders.

The Scholastic Honors Day honors the top graduates from public and private high schools throughout the state.

Acorn High School selected Ava Smith-Hawley, daughter of Emily and James Schnell, and Kenzie Daniels, daughter of Jon and Lisa Daniels were selected to attend this annual prestigious event.

Acorn, which is a part of the Ouachita River School District, stated that a video and photo display highlighting seniors represented will be available at a later date this spring.

Cossatot River High School’s selected honorees were Austin Bailey and Ethan Youngblood as part of CRSD’s top graduates.

Mena High School seniors in attendance were Psalm Wistrand, daughter of Greg and Hope Brotherton, and Hudson Vacca, son of Johnny and Christi Vacca.

Ava Smith-Hawley

Kenzie Daniels

Austin Bailey Ethan Youngblood

(l-r) First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, Governor Sarah Sanders, Psalm Wistrand and Hope Brotherton

(l-r) First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, Governor Sarah Sanders, Hudson Vacca, Christi Vacca and Johnny Vacca

Sports camps schedules: Basketball, softball, volleyball and wrestling

By Ethan Nahté

There are a handful of sports camps for May, June, and even August… and not all in Mena. The Girls Little Cat Basketball Camp crept like a kitten past our radar and wraps up May 9, but there are other camps, including a one-day basketball camp at Cossatot that’s open to school children from any school.

May 13-15 - Little Cat Volleyball Camp, 4-6 p.m., at the Union Bank Center on the Mena High School campus, for girls entering first-seventh grade.

May 25 - Cossatot Basketball Little Camp: Skills & Drills - The kids will get hands-on help from college basketball players, developing ball handling, shooting and defensive footwork.

Forms were sent out this week to CRSD students and can also be filled out at the gym the morning of the camp, Saturday, May 25, at the Cossatot River High School. Doors open at 7 a.m. The camp runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The camp is open to third-sixth grade (2023-2024) school year for boys and girls from any school. The fee is $30 per child. All money raised will go directly towards high school and junior high basketball team camps.

Collegiate basketball players Rustin Coffey of Murray State College, and Kieler Young of Northeastern State University will be working hands-on with every athlete.

Bring the form and $30 the morning of the camp. They are not responsible for injuries during the camp.

June 5-7 - Mena Youth Wrestling Camp, 5:15-6:15 p.m., ages 7-14, at the Union Bank Center on the Mena High School campus. $10 per session. Parents must sign waiver before their

child’s first session. No equipment or pre-registration required. Email zen.valencia@menaschools.org with questions.

June 19-21 - Mena Little Cats Basketball Camp (two Sessions) at the Union Bank Center on Mena High School campus. Introduction and fundamentals of basketball, broaden athlete’s knowledge of basketball, while encouraging competition and good sportsmanship. Taught by Bearcat basketball coaches and players. You do not have to be a student at Mena Public Schools to attend.

All campers will receive a T-shirt the last day of camp. Individual and team awards awarded at the camp. Bring a pair of clean shoes that are gym floor appropriate. Any required medical for your child (e.g. inhaler, EpiPen, etc.) Concessions will be offered at the Cat Shack.

The Bearcat basketball team will be handing out information at LDE and HHE in the days ahead.

$40 per student camper. You may pre-register/pay or pay on the first day of camp. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on day one of camp. Pre-registration forms can be returned to the Mena High School office. Please register by June 1 to ensure your child receives a T-shirt. They will have extras, but it will be first come first serve.

Campers should be dropped off at

the back door of the Union Bank Center by the baseball/softball fields.

If you require more information email Coach Peters at randy.peters@ menaschools.org or Jr. boys Coach B at robert.sweere@menaschools.org.

- Session One for boys entering first-fourth grade, June 19-20, 8:30-11:30 a.m., and June 21, 8:30-11 a.m., with awards starting at 10:30 a.m.

Focus: Developing fundamentals, team building, using stations, individual drills, team development and activities. They’ll develop a love for the game to use in competition and at home, then move to small team play with senior Bearcats as the coaches.

- Session Two for boys entering fifth-seventh grade, June 19-20, noon-3 p.m., and June 21, 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., with awards starting at 12:45 p.m.

Focus: Introducing basic fundamentals and developing new skills. They will start with team building, basic ball handling, shooting, and defense, and then move to small team play with senior Bearcats as the coaches. Competitive drills and competitions will be used.

August 25 - UA Rich Mountain Softball Youth Camp: Registration will be noon-1 p.m. Ages 6-9 will have camp from 1-2 p.m. The fee is $20. Ages 10-14 will have camp from 2-4 p.m.

The fee is $40. Mail a check to UARM Softball Foundation, c/o Tracy Nealy, 1100 College Dr., Mena, AR 71953 or pay on site at registration. RSVP by Aug. 4 to Coach Essary at 662-2952744 or dessary@uarichmountain. edu. You can also visit the bucksathletics.com site and register online.