The Polk County Pulse - June 5, 2024

By grannys, it’s that time again

By Ethan Nahté

The Lum & Abner Music & Arts Festival is this weekend, bringing back popular events such as the 3-on-3 basketball (between The Crossing and the old middle school), the 5k race, the baby crawling race, and the youth firefighter challenge.

There will also be the arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, the car show, kid’s corner, blacksmith demos, paddleboats and more.

Canines in the Clouds won’t be there this year, but LifeLine Service Dogs will be rotating some of their service dogs and some upand-coming service pups that are sure to be a hit.

Many bands from last year are also returning. Bring a blanket or your lawn chairs.

Check out the schedule of events, including the bands, found in the center of this issue, or pick up a copy at the 1851 log cabin.

Last but not least

Dear Readers:

It’s literally midnight as I write this final piece for The Polk County Pulse newspaper. Neither the time nor the fact that I write a goodbye letter for this newspaper, ironically placed on the front page of all places, was purposely perpetrated. It came about by chance as I rolled my thoughts around throughout the day while laboring upon other stories and photos.

The original idea was to write a longer farewell. As usual, I had more stories than space would allow.

With Ouachita Broadcasting Inc.’s purchase of Lancaster Management’s newspapers in this portion of Arkansas, there has been a sense of wonder and nervousness (from employees and the public) to add to all the organization and meetings that have taken, and are taking, place. I expect a few bumps as we combine our newspaper staff with the staff at The Mena Star building.

From The Pulse’s inception with Michael Reisig until now, 17 years later to the day according to the Arkansas Digital Archives, thank you, readers.

I hope you will follow us in this new venture as we combine what we hope are the best of our products.

Sincerely,

Ethan Nahté Editor/Production Manager

The Lum & Abner Music & Arts Festival is this coming Friday and Saturday at Janssen Park. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

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Letter to the Editor:

This didn’t require alot of research to figure out, in fact it’s just common sense!

You don’t get to choose your family even if you want to, it doesn’t work that way. You may have siblings, you may not. If you do have siblings you may love all of them, or part of them or none of them. But they are your siblings!!

of a free country.” James Madison

My Mother told me many time while I was growling up that I had to decide if the friends I choose would be good or bad. I’ve had both good and bad friends. Some of them I have never seen or heard from in decades! Probably a good thing too.

I know many people won’t agree with me but that’s OK. This is MY opinion and that’s what is import to me.

Donna Lay, Mena

Letter to the Editor

Consider the following quotes from our forefathers regarding their views on the Second Amendment of our Constitution. I share them with you as a refresher of our history, that we may remember where we started, what we stand to lose, and where we are headed.

“The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” Thomas Jefferson

“A free people ought to be armed.”

George Washington

“To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms.” Richard Henry Lee

“The constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceful citizens from keeping their own arms.” Samuel Adams

“The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.” Alexander Hamilton

“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.” Thomas Jefferson

“A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense

“Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion for the defense of the country, the overthrow of tyranny, or in private self-defense.”

John Adams

“Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance: They are the people’s liberty’s teeth.” George Washington

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little safety, deserve neither liberty or safety.” Benjamin Franklin

“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” Thomas Jefferson

“I ask sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials.” George Mason

“The right of citizens to bear arms is just one more guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against tyranny.” Hubert H. Humphrey

“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”

Thomas Jefferson

“Civilian ownership of firearms is not only a constitutional right, but also a fundamental aspect of the American identity, rooted in our history, culture, and tradition.” Ronald Reagan

I heard an argument that our forefathers could not have envisioned advancements of firearms today. That is true but does not undermine their reasoning behind the Second Amendment. Also true is they could not have envisioned cellphones/phones, TV, the internet, or satellites either. Does that mean we should suppress free speech or freedom of our press?

It is important to remember our forefathers set out to create a free country that is made up of many cultures and peoples who fled countries that were oppressive and tyrannical. Many have died for our freedoms. We should nev-

Want to share your

opinion?

The Polk County Pulse welcomes letters to the Editor addressing any topic of interest to our readers. To be published, letters must not contain obscene or libelous language. Letters do not reflect the viewpoints or opinions of Pulse Multi-Media.

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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.

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er forget their sacrifice. We should never be quick to give up rights. We must be ever vigilant. Relinquish one right and others will follow.

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

Jamie Hammack General Manager

The May Yard of the Month awarded to Williamson

Submitted by Sadie Merrill

Polk County Master Gardeners are proud to announce Laura Williamson as the Yard of the Month recipient for May 2024.

Williamson purchased her home at 1011 Eighth St. in Mena in early 2022. She left behind her family home of 30 years in Cherry Hill. She kept enough land to keep her cattle and her vegetable garden, but she is quite content that her next season of life will be enjoyed in town.

Williamson does not take all the credit for this new home, thanking the previous owners for gifting her a well-loved canvas. Based on our tour, if this is what Williamson can accomplish in two years of green thumb work, we cannot imagine what her home of 30 years looked like. We will wager it was extremely impressive because her current home knocked our socks off.

Williamson is not the first woman in her family to cultivate a love of

(Pictured left-right) May winner Laura Williamson, student helper Jackson Merrill, Sadie Merrill - Master Gardener representative, and Rachel Williamson. (Photos courtesy of Polk County Master Gardeners)

The large gold lily flower is the Dempsey Ever Blooming Gold Daylily that is referenced as being created by Laura’s aunt.

The James K. Polk Chapter, NSDAR, has had a busy spring

Submitted by Kathy Hagler

The James K. Polk Chapter, NSDAR, has been very busy this spring.

Chapter members met with Polk County Judge Brandon Ellison, Mike Shogren and James Scott, to give a presentation on honoring Polk County’s only Revolutionary War veteran, Samuel Quinton, with a memorial that would be added to the existing memorial on the courthouse square. The gentlemen approved the proposal. More information will be given at a later date.

As part of DAR’s support of literacy, the James K. Polk Chapter has helped establish a Little Free Library in Waldron. Scott County Judge Brian Jones, members of the Scott County Historical and Genealogical Society, members of the Waldron Chamber of Commerce, along with members from the James K. Polk Chapter, official-

ly “opened” the library in early May. Also pictured are the young artists who painted the library, along with their teacher, Kathy Powell. “Mister John” (holding certificate) donated the supplies and his considerable skills to

build the library.

The Little Free Library is a nationwide endeavor to help promote literacy by making free books available to all age groups. Each library has its own national number. Books can be donated and/or exchanged at any time, as well as from one library to another. Just use your favorite search engine to find which towns or communities have a Little Free Library. Borrow a book or two (or more) and return them to the library you originally borrowed them from, or to another library in another town. Remember, “Little Free Library, always shared, never sold.”

For the Memorial Day weekend, Little Italy, La Villa Mexican Restaurant, Papa’s Mexican Restaurant, New Chi-

na and Chopping Block, once again donated space for the Missing Man tables. This project has become a yearly event for our community and helps highlight DAR’s continuing commitment to our country’s military.

A Missing Man Table is set in honor of those soldiers who didn’t make it home. The glass is set upside-down because the soldier will not be there to drink from it; the salt poured on the plate represents the tears cried by loved ones; the yellow ribbon around the vase is to remind us not to forget them or why they died; the rose symbolizes our love for our fallen soldiers; the Bible on the table symbolizes the duty to God; and the flag represents duty to Country.

From the State House of Representatives

Arkansas Farmers Market Week is just around the corner, running from June 9-15. With over 100 markets across the state, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the vibrant offerings of Arkansas agriculture.

Direct-to-consumer sales through these markets and other channels support more than 1,500 local farmers. Whether you’re after the freshest produce, a sense of community, or a pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning, Arkansas farmers markets provide a unique and enriching experience.

porting sustainable farming.

From the State Senate

The number of fatalities in Arkansas due to drug overdoses declined faster than the national average last year, according to records maintained by the Centers for Disease Control.

$200 million over 18 years to combat opioid addiction.

These markets are more than just venues for purchasing food; they are bustling community centers. They foster connections, nurture friendships, and invigorate the local spirit. By conversing with the farmers, you gain insights into their practices and the seasonal nature of various crops.

Every trip to a farmers market brings something new. From the first strawberries of spring to the hearty squash of autumn, the produce changes with the seasons, ensuring variety and excitement year-round. Buying directly from farmers means you’re not only enjoying the best seasonal produce but also sup-

Your dollars spent at farmers markets have a significant impact, staying within the local economy and bolstering family farms and small businesses. This economic support is crucial for rural communities across Arkansas. Additionally, consumers benefit as producers can sell their goods at retail prices, ensuring fair compensation for their hard work.

Choosing to buy local helps secure the future of these farms and ensures the continuous availability of fresh, local produce for everyone.

In 2021, the General Assembly passed the Food Freedom Act (Act 1040), allowing even more products to be sold at local farmers markets. This legislation exempts certain homemade food and drink producers from licensure and certification requirements, including those making baked goods, candies, and jellies that don’t require refrigeration.

For a comprehensive list of all farmers markets in Arkansas, visit our website at www.arkansashouse.org. Celebrate Arkansas Farmers Market Week by supporting your local farmers and enjoying the best of what our state has to offer.

Contact Your Legislators!

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

John Maddox Terry Rice

John Boozman

1120 Garrison Ave. Suite 2B

Fort Smith, AR 72901

Phone: (479) 573-0189

Fax: (479) 575-0553

Bruce Westerman

101 Reserve St. Suite 200

Hot Springs, AR 71901

Phone: (501) 609-9796

Fax: (501) 609-9887

From 2022 to 2023 the number of fatalities dropped by 13.7 percent, from 591 fatalities caused by an overdose to 510 fatalities.

Nationwide, there was a decline of 5.1 percent in the number of people who died from an overdose. In 2023 there were 103,793 fatalities, down from 109,413 in 2022.

It was the second consecutive year that the number of fatalities went down. In 2021 there were 627 deaths from drug overdoses. The number of fatalities went up sharply during the pandemic. The goal of public health officials and policy makers is to first bring the totals down to pre-pandemic levels, and ultimately to eliminate drug overdoses as a cause of death.

The director of the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership attributed the drop in fatalities to a couple of factors. One is an increase in the availability of Naloxone, an antidote.

The other factor is a lessening of the stigma attached to addiction, he said. For example, the Partnership relies on people who have overcome addiction to help with at-risk individuals, because former addicts have credibility.

The Partnership is a united venture of the Arkansas Municipal League and the Arkansas Association of Counties that was formed after all 75 Arkansas counties and almost every city and town in the state sued pharmaceutical manufacturers in 2018 for their role in creating the opioid epidemic. There were several settlements that will result in Arkansas getting more than

The dispensing rate for opioids is very high in Arkansas. In Arkansas in 2022, for every 100 people in the state more than 80 prescriptions were filled. That is an improvement over 2018, when more than 93 prescriptions for painkillers were prescribed for every 100 Arkansas residents.

The dispensing rate was even higher in some counties. In 2018, in Garland County 126 prescriptions were dispensed for every 100 residents.

In 2021 the legislature passed Act 651to mandate the prescription of Naloxone for people with a documented history of opioid use.

About $2.6 million of the settlement has already been used to purchase Naloxone and distribute it to organizations, first responders and health professionals. About 80,000 people were trained in how to use it. Also, $23 million has been granted to organizations for treatment and prevention programs.

Act 586 of 2023 expands access to Naloxone by allowing health care professionals to prescribe and dispense the antidote not only to people at risk of overdosing on opioids, but also to their family members. It also allows prescriptions to be dispensed to employees of law enforcement, schools, hospitals and clinics, homeless shelters, local governments and building managers.

Act 811 of 2023 mandates that kits with the antidote be available at all public schools and state-supported colleges and universities in Arkansas. Orientation classes for freshmen shall include training in the use of Naloxone and telling students where kits are located on campus.

Obituaries

Mitchell Maynard Kanna

Mitchell Maynard Kanna, departed this world on Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the ripe old age of 92. He was born in Vandervoort, Arkansas, on November 6, 1931, to the late Pete and Katherine Kanna.

The old adage, he never met a stranger, summed him up quite well. He loved talking with people, always with a genuine smile and some sage advice. He enjoyed getting together with his friends just to spend time with them and get caught up on all the latest news. All were better off knowing him and to say that he left this world a better place than he found it, would be an understatement. He loved being outdoors and had a great respect for nature. One of his fondest past times was feeding all the local wildlife around his home.

He was a proud Veteran of the United States Army, serving his country as a Field Artillery Cannoneer during the Korean War. And after his dutiful service ended, he traveled abroad for several years working as a heavy machinery operator. He eventually returned to his hometown of Wickes, Arkansas, and commenced running his own heavy equipment business. He worked hard and found enjoyment in doing a job well done.

Mitchell is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Billie Pat Kanna, together they raised their one and only child Teresa C. Bell. He had three grandchildren, Samantha M. Barrett and Fiancé Bradley Grogan, Serena Bell and fiancé Alex Baldridge, and JeffRhey Todd (J.T.) Bell. Two great-grandchildren Aiden Jackson and Jake Barrett, sister-in-law, Linda Gilcrease and Fiancé

William Wiseman, and brother-in-law

Tony Hayter, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins who he loved dearly but are too numerous to mention.

He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, mother and father-inlaw, Buddy and Edith Hayter, a sonin-law, Donald A. Bell, Brothers, Andy, Jack, Pete Jr., George, Paul, Sam, and John Kanna, sisters, Helen Faris, Ann Lee, and Mary Manuel, along with their husbands and wives.

There will be a private family hosted memorial service with brother Cody McDaniel officiating.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Wayne Plunkett

Wayne Plunkett, age 81, of Watson, Oklahoma, passed away Friday, May 24th, 2024, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born August 24, 1942, in Mena, Arkansas, to the late Cleo Plunkett and the late Edward Plunkett.

Wayne was a life-long mechanic who loved to repair things broken or build something new. He went to Okmulgee school for auto mechanics and worked in his own garage for 5 years in Smithville, Oklahoma. He worked as an auto mechanic for Bob Carver’s Chevrolet for 26 years before retiring to his own auto shop in Watson, Oklahoma.

In earlier years, Wayne worked at an aircraft machinist shop in Arlington, Texas, for 6 years. He made machine parts for airplanes for the Vietnam War. He was 2nd in command in the tooling and die department. During this time, he had the opportunity to make machine parts for the Apollo 11 spacecraft. He loved hunting, saw milling, and fishing in the Arkansas River.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce

Plunkett of Watson, Oklahoma; daughter, Marlow Bailey and husband James Bailey of Watson, Oklahoma; grandson, Michael Bailey and wife Jacqueline Bailey of Benton, Arkansas; great-granddaughter, Scarlett Bailey of Benton, Arkansas; great-grandson, Elijah Bailey of Benton, Arkansas; brother, Paul Plunkett and wife Gail Plunkett of Albuquerque, New Mexico; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Cleo Plunkett, and sister June Frachisur.

Graveside services for Mr. Wayne Plunkett will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cove, Arkansas.

Brother Todd Webb and Michael Bailey will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Michael Bailey, James Bailey, Paul Plunkett, Todd Webb, Kevin Campbell, and Matthew Walston.

Online obituary can be found at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Robert

Anthony Bates

Mr. Robert Anthony Bates, age 57, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born in Los Angeles, California, to the late Mikael Alonzo and Teresa Lynn (Estrada) Bates.

Mr. Bates was a CNC machine operator by profession, working for Sterling Machinery. He was known as a very talented wood craftsman, always working on creating new ideas. Robert was also an avid LA Dodgers fan. He loved spending time with his daughter, Joscelyn, and the rest of his children.

Mr. Bates is survived by his wife,

Jeannie Bates; sons, Joshua Bates and fiancé Jordan, Mathew Meade and wife Sophie, of Mena, Arkansas; daughter, Joscelyn Bates of Mena, Arkansas; grandchildren, Maybree Bates, Easton Schoeppey, Juliet Schoeppey, Dylan Meade, and two grandchildren on the way, Levi Meade and Bellamy Bates; brother, Mikeal Bates and wife Mona of McKinney, Texas; sister, Brandee Wheeler and husband Mark of Mena, Arkansas; nephews, Elijah Snider, Noah Snider, Joseph McLellan; nieces, Ashley Hinsley, Aitana McLellan; as well as a host of other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents; Mikael Alonzo and Teresa Lynn (Estrada) Bates, and by his daughter, Chelsi Bates.

A memorial service for Mr. Robert Anthony Bates will be held Friday, May 31, 2024, at the Beasley-Wood Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Allen Taylor will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Cremation services for Mr. Robert Bates are entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary can be found at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Don’t cry for me, for I go where music was born.

~J.S. Bach

Broyles reflects on his time as CRSD superintendent

By Patrick Massey

WICKES – Cossatot River Superintendent Tyler Broyles will mark his last day with the district on June 30 after three years of leading one of the region’s most unique school systems.

Broyles, who came to the district in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, will officially take over as superintendent of the Gentry School District on July 1. Broyles recently spoke about his time with the district, the accomplishments he helped implement and some of his other thoughts leading the Cossatot River School District.

Broyles believes the district is in a stronger position than ever thanks to changes and a new vision implemented through an effort led by Broyles as well as his principals, the Cossatot River School Board and the district as a whole.

“First off, it really has been an honor to serve as superintendent of the Cossatot River School District,” he said. “The district was already a great district and we’ve been able to make some changes and implement a new vision to get us going on a stronger path of unity and with a stronger identity, and it really has been an honor to help move the district forward with that new vision.”

Broyles said leading a consolidated district like Cossatot River has had plenty of challenges, but he highlighted the opportunities it offered and some of the new

programs the district was able to implement during his time as superintendent.

“I’m very proud of the work that we’ve done, not just my self but in conjunction with our school board and our community members because we wouldn’t have been able to do it without them coming together and mak ing sacrifices and making hard decisions,” Broyles explained. “When you have a consolidated school that consisted of rival schools before it consolidated, and they were able to come together like they did for the overall best interest of the district, that’s huge.”

a stronger sense of vision that our students and community members can be proud of.”

Broyles credits many for the challenges implemented during his time at Cossatot River, particularly his school board for their support these past several years.

Among the changes Broyles implemented included a realignment of the elementary school’s kindergarten through sixth grade, so that students are now together at each grade level as opposed to two separate campuses.

“That saved us a little bit of money on salaries and aligned our curriculum,” he said. “Most importantly it promoted a vision of unity. We also started a new football and volleyball program, so a lot of things to strengthen who we are and help us come out of the shadows to make it exciting for our students so that other students might want to come here. The thing I’m most proud of is that we’ve given the district

“I’ve mentioned my school board right off the bat,” he said. “Being a school board member is one of the hardest jobs that you can have. You are a board member in a community where you’re born and raised, and it’s tough to be a board member and have to make tough decisions that the community may not always understand. And my board has supported me 100 percent since I’ve been here, even through some uncomfortable changes that they trusted me on. And it turned out they were the right decisions, thankfully, because it’s always a risk when you’re making big changes. But my school board has always been there and stuck their neck out to support me, even when it was uncomfortable.”

Broyles said he’s also grateful for the support he’s received from the district’s families and patrons.

“I appreciate the community members. I really mean that,” he said. “It’s one of the best communities you could ever expect to live in. The staff has been fantastic. Your job is easy when you

have a staff like mine and the students. The students make Cossatot River such a great place to be. And thank everyone enough for welcoming me and making this such a great district to be a part of.”

Broyles also shared some thoughts on moving to northwest Arkansas to lead the Gentry School District. He said some of the challenges he hopes to tackle are opposite of those at Cossatot River.

“It’s very bittersweet for me because we’ve grown to love this area so much. You know, here we’re looking at all kinds of ways to increase enrollment and counter decreases,” he said. “In northwest Arkansas it’s the other side of that coin, how to deal with an increasing school population in a growing part of the state. It’s going to be interesting looking at that challenge and developing plans to deal with that.”

The Cossatot River School District is continuing its search for a new superintendent. David Tollett was hired earlier this year, but announced a change in plans last month and declined the position. The hunt is on for a new superintendent to begin July 1.

The superintendent position and other job openings at Cossatot River School District can be found at https://cossatot.tedk12. com/hire/index.aspx/ complete with the job descriptions and the ability to apply for the positions online.

Housing Authority reminds residents of public hearing

The Polk County Housing Authority will hold a Public Meeting on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Community Room of the housing authority located at 509 South Morrow Street, Mena, Arkansas, to receive comments on the 2024 5-Year PHA Plan/2024 Annual PHA Plan and the 2024 Capital Fund 5-Year Action Plan Budget/2024 Annual Statement as well as updated Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy and Administration Policy’s All documents are on display and available for viewing at the office of the Housing Authority, located at 509 South Morrow Street, Mena, AR, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Lyric Players performing Lum and Abner

Ouachita Little Theatre’s Readers Theatre group will be showcasing matinees of “The Adventures of Lum and Abner” at the OLT on Friday, June 7, and Sunday, June 9, at 2:30 p.m. for a requested $10 donation.

On Saturday, June 8, the group will make a brief appearance on the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage at 1 p.m. in Janssen Park during the Lum & Abner Music & Arts Festival.

Lum (Chet Lauck) and Abner (Norris Goff) were the main characters of a radio comedy program from 19311954. The program appeared on all four major radio networks at that time, NBC, Mutual, CBS, and ABC (formerly NBC Blue).

They also made six films, as well as a three-part TV pilot that was eventually edited together as a seventh film.

EHC fair judging, classes and fundraisers

Submitted by Kathy Hagler

Fairs have been an important part of Extension work since Extension Homemakers were still Home Demonstration Clubs. These days, Extension Homemakers are a vital part of their individual counties’ fairs.

Our local Extension members will soon begin to travel to other counties to help judge their fairs; and Extension members from other counties will travel to Polk County in August to judge our fair.

But we don’t just judge each other’s fairs. Extension Homemakers are responsible for their Cultural Arts Building (or Education Building at the Polk County Fairgrounds). Cultural Arts include baking, sewing, knitting, needlework, adult and children’s crafts, horticulture, art, quilting and more — all in

one building.

It will be fair time before you know it. This year’s fair will be August 27-31. Have you started on your entries yet?

For our June Happenings, Extension member Sharon Hose will hold a scone making class on Saturday, June 15, beginning at 10 a.m. The class will be held in the building next door to the Extension Office on 211 DeQueen Street in Mena. There will be a $5 fee to help cover the cost of supplies. Space is limited, so call 479-394-6018 to reserve your spot.

In other Happenings, Extension member Chris Krell is selling purple Iris as a fundraiser to repair/replace displays in the Photography Department of the Education Building at the Polk County Fairgrounds. Call Krell at 479-243-5736 for more information or to place an order.

2024 Art of the Heartland National Competition call for entries

By Ethan Nahté

The 2024 Art of the Heartland National Competition has begun. The competition is hosted by Southwest Artists Inc. and will be judged by acclaimed artist John Lasater. Southwest Artists was founded at the end of World War II to help heal the wounds of war. Today they are still faced with challenges, but the national competitions continue to flourish.

The show will be held at Mena Art Gallery, located in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains at the foot of Rich Mountain. It happens to be the start of the Talimena National Scenic Byway. The area is a plein air painter and photographer’s paradise. This show aims to bring together the best of art depicting life and landscapes of America, with a

focus on the heartland.

This exhibition is limited to original, two-dimensional painting in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic and other mediums completed within the last five years. Computer-generated art, photography or overpainted photography are not eligible. Size is limited to 38 inches in any direction, including frame. For complete information and rules, note carefully our prospectus located at https://userfiles.faso. us/115149/22654.pdf/ Entry deadline is July 25 at 11:59 p.m. and can be completed at https://www.smarterentry.com/ CallsForEntry/SWA/. The entry fee is $50 for the first piece and $25 for each additional entry. Prizes range from $100 to $4,000. Artists must be 18 years of age or older.

Boater education course scheduled in Mena this month

By Patrick Massey

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is organizing a boater’s education course in Mena this June to help ensure everyone’s safety on the water as the busy summer season approaches.

The free, instructor-led course will be held at the Mena Library on Saturday, June 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The library is located at 410 Eighth St. in Mena. The course will take place in the community room. Chad B. Lowe, III is the organizer. The COVID-19 pandemic, and orders from health care officials to socially distance from others to limit spread of the virus, sent many people socially distancing on the lakes of Arkansas four years ago. Boating use increased during the summer of 2020 and has remained higher than pre-2020 numbers; it’s no coincidence that boating accidents have been on the uptick since more people took up boating.

During National Safe Boating Week, May 18 through May 24, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission emphasized — not only that week but through the summer — safe boating by users of the water resources around The Natural State, and a strong emphasis will be on boater education, according to Stephanie Weatherington, the AGFC’s boating law administrator.

The first law that needs heeding is wearing a life jacket and the boat operator making sure he or she has enough life jackets on board, including life jackets that are the proper size for boat passengers.

National Safe Boating Week prompts more media pushes nationally for boaters and boat riders to be more aware.

Anyone born before Jan. 1, 1986, isn’t required to have a boater education card. Anyone born on or after that day, and of legal age to operate a motorboat or sailboat, must have completed an approved AGFC Boating Education Course and carry proof while operating a motorboat or sailboat on Arkansas water. There are two online methods to taking a boater education course: The Original Arkansas Boater Education Course is $34.95 and available at https://www.boat-ed.com/ arkansas/

A more “gamer” style course is available online, for $49.50, at https://www.ilearntoboat.com/arkansas/.

Find more scheduled classes and sign up here: https://register-ed. com/programs/arkansas/38-arkansas-boater-education-classroom/.

Along with taking a boating safety course, wearing a life jacket, and avoiding alcohol while operating a boat, the National Safe Boating Council recommends these tips for boaters:

- Check equipment. Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working and in good condition.

- Make a float plan. Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including opera-

tor and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board before you leave the dock.

- Use an engine cut-off switch –it’s the law. An engine cut-off switch is a proven safety device to stop a powerboat engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.

- Watch the weather. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion.

- Know what’s going on around you at all times. Nearly a quarter of all reported boating incidents in 2022 were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.

- Know where you’re going and

travel at safe speeds. Be familiar with the area, local boating speed zones, and always travel at a safe speed.

- Keep in touch. Have more than one communication device that works when wet. VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones, and cell phones can all be important devices in an emergency.

The National Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The campaign offers a variety of free and paid resources to support local boating safety education efforts. Learn more at www.safeboatingcampaign.com.

Although the number of fatalities in Arkansas boating accidents dropped to a five-year low in 2023, the number of accidents remained virtually unchanged according to the AGFC. One trend that continued to hold true was the high percentage of fatalities that were not wearing life jackets. (Photo courtesy of the National Safe Boating Council.)

YARD

continued from page 3 plants and gardening. Her grandmother, mother, and aunt were all gardeners. Many of the plants in her yard today once grew in her grandmother’s garden in east Texas. At the front of her picture-perfect walkway sits a Dempsey Ever Blooming Gold Daylily, a cultivar created by her aunt.

When you first arrive at Williamson’s home, the beds bordering the large front porch and walk instantly catch your eye. They are filled with daylilies, including the Dempsey Gold, along with echinacea (cone flower), pink vinca, roses, and much more. If you look closely, you will see she mixes in edible pepper plants in the ornamental bed along with culinary herbs.

Butterfly bushes bookend the front corners of the home as the beds lead on to more and more plant varieties along the house and front fence including a Neco blue hydrangea, forsythia, mullein, ginger, and a stunningly pink autumn sage.

The fence bed is also home to an oak leaf hydrangea whose mother plant still grows on the Cherry Hill property where Williamson raised her own babies. Regarding her many transplanted flowers and shrubs, Williamson said, “I like the old stuff, because you don’t have to do anything to them, and they please you every year.”

The property is home to many trees including crab apple, sugar maples, pink dogwood, crape myrtle, many pecan trees, and a Bradford pear. The Bradford has been allowed to stay as it provides shade and is an excellent plant stand

Williamson’s shaded backyard is filled with a variety of flowers, plants and trees, providing for pollinators, birds, and small mammals.

for many of Williamson’s indoor plants during the warmer seasons. Even an old tree stump was not ignored. Instead, Williamson planted its slowly rotting center with bright green potato vine. Her eye for detail is on point.

The Bradford and large pecan trees stand tall over the peaceful backyard filled with more and more of Williamson’s handiwork.

A meandering walk around the backyard lets you discover a Japanese maple sitting court over a rose garden that includes roses left behind by the previous owner and transplants from Williamson’s ancestors. There are weigela, azaleas, a mock orange, iris, hostas, canna, amaryllis, golden sedum, white and pink oleanders, and a banana tree.

You may be wondering how Williamson makes this mix and match of beauty possible. She shared with us, “When I shop for plants, I stand back and look and see what catches my eye and say, ‘You are coming home with me.’”

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week 2024

This week, June 3-9, 2024, is Medicare Fraud Prevention Week. According to an article by Senior Medicare Patrol on the Social Security Administration blog, not only does it costs Americans billions each year, but it affects Medicare beneficiaries in terms of time, stress, and health.

Snake oil salesmen may be a little slicker than they were decades or even centuries ago, but many of their fraudulent tactics are basically the same, just wrapped in a shinier wrapper.

How to Prevent Medicare Fraud

Medicare fraud is a serious problem. Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion each year to fraud, errors, and abuse. Every day, these issues affect people across the country and can lead to identity theft and cost you money. The good news? Some simple tips can help you protect yourself. Watch for warning signs of a scam:

- Unsolicited calls, emails, or visits – someone contacting you out of the blue, claiming to be from Medicare and offering free services.

- Requests for personal information – a demand for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or other personal information.

- Pressure to act quickly – any threat that you’ll lose benefits or face other consequences if you don’t comply with a deadline, often by paying or providing personal information.

- Billings with errors – charges for services or supplies that weren’t ordered, were never received, or that Medicare already covered.

- Suspicious websites or mailings – fake websites created to look

like official ones but that have inconsistencies, errors, or other odd elements.

Reduce your risk. The most effective way to combat fraud is to prevent it from happening:

- Only share your Medicare and Social Security numbers with people you trust.

- Carry your Medicare card only when you need it.

- Keep a record of all your medical visits and procedures.

- Carefully review Medicare statements for mistakes and charges you don’t recognize.

- Trust your instincts and report any suspected fraud.

Ask for help:

If you have questions about how to protect yourself, need to report fraud, or want help determining whether you’ve been a victim, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) can help.

SMP provides free, unbiased, one-on-one assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. SMP has offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local team members teach people how to prevent fraud, assist beneficiaries with billing errors and disputes, and help to report suspected fraud to the correct state and federal agencies. SMP is a national program of the Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To discover more prevention resources contact the Arkansas Senior Medicare Patrol (AR SMP) at 866726-2916 or email AID.Insurance. SMP@arkansas.gov.

By Richie Lawry

“Wake up, wake up,” my sister-inlaw hollered up the stairs to the loft. “I hate waking you, but you must see this.” I sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. Looking out the windows that stretched across the entire end of the cabin, I saw an incredible sight.

It was the last week of September 2020, and we were staying at the Wildwood Cabin high atop a mountain north of Ponca, Arkansas. Perched on a hillside, so high up on stilts that the deck is in the treetops, the cabin seems straight out of a fairytale. Oversized windows provide a sweeping view of the upper Buffalo River wilderness.

The sun was coming up as I lay in bed, my heart filled with a profound sense of awe at the sight of the Buffalo River valley. The orange glow, like a majestic canopy, spread over the valley stretching below the cabin. White clouds filled the valleys, and it looked like a vast, white ocean stretching as far as my eyes could see. The wispy tops of the clouds added to the illusion of looking out over a body of water. I quickly dressed and went down the stairs and onto the deck, eager to immerse myself in this breathtaking beauty.

After a difficult spring and summer, we were on our first out-of-town trip since the COVID-19 outbreak. We visited our favorite place in Arkansas, the Ponca and Jasper area of the Buffalo River. I knew it would be a great day with the beautiful sunrise and the otherworldly view from our cabin. Today, we were going somewhere we had never been before: The lower section of the Buffalo River.

After spending a couple of hours at the old, abandoned mining town of Rush, we headed to Buffalo Point. When we arrived, I pulled into a parking spot and exited the car. The

An Arkie’s Faith Goodbye

views of the river and bluffs were terrific. The large bluff at Buffalo Point is named Painted Bluff. It gets its name from the water seeping over the top portion of the bluff, darkening the rock and giving it a painted look. After taking in the spectacular view, I started walking down the steep path to the water’s edge to get a better look at the bluff. After taking only a few steps, my phone buzzed, alerting me that I had received a text message. I was surprised because there was no cell service, but I had a new message.

As I read the text, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It said, “Hey there! You might not remember me, but I was the editor at the Star a couple of years ago. I’ve moved back to town, and the Pulse offered me a job as editor. I’ve been here for about two months now. In that time, I’ve noticed your column is no longer in the Star. I was really disappointed with that because I really enjoyed your column. I’d be thrilled, as I know readers would, if your thoughts were circulating again. I hope you’ll consider sharing your thoughts with the Pulse and let me know if it is a pos-

sibility.”

It had been over six months since I had written anything. I had gone from writing every time I had a chance to writing almost nothing. When COVID-19 sent the world into a tailspin in March 2020, the column I had written for over four years was one of the casualties. Like many other people, the pandemic turned my world upside down. I felt like nothing would ever be right again. It seemed like I was trying to swim upstream through molasses. This trip to the Buffalo River was starting to give me a new lease on life. I had always found solace in writing, a significant part of my identity. The absence of it during the pandemic had left a void in my life.

When I told my wife about the text message, she said, “That is an answer to my prayers.”

“What do you mean?” I replied.

“I have been praying that you would be inspired to write again,” she answered.

I immediately knew what to do and quickly texted, “I would love to write for you.” With a new reason to write, I had an article finished in a couple of days, and my column, An Arkie’s Faith, debuted in the next week’s issue of the Polk County Pulse.

Writing again was a beacon of light in my life, lifting me out of a dark place filled with lethargy and depression. With a renewed sense of purpose and a weekly deadline, I started looking for the positive things around me instead of focusing on the craziness that still flooded the world. We can never know what might have been if something in our lives had never happened, but I am

sure that the text message I received while looking at the breathtakingly picturesque Painted Bluff changed my life. I know that over 190 articles; 200,000 words; and a book exist because of that text.

Most people underestimate their ability to make a difference. They ask, what can just one person do? But we never know how our actions will impact someone’s life. Jude 1:22 (NKJV) says, “And on some have compassion, making a difference.” You have the power to make a difference. You can have compassion. You may not be able to change the world, but you can significantly impact someone’s life. John F. Kennedy said, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.”

In Zechariah 7:9 (GW), God tells us to “be compassionate and kind to each other.” Imagine the profound difference you could make by being kind and compassionate to others.

Just like a text changed my life in 2020, I recently received an e-mail explaining the changes at the Pulse that would affect me. Learning that the Polk County Pulse would no longer exist filled me with a profound sense of loss. The Pulse has been more than just a platform for my writing; it has been a community where I could share my thoughts and connect with readers. The news of its end felt like the loss of a dear friend. Gentle Reader, I want to thank Jeri for sending that text and the Polk County Pulse for allowing me to share my thoughts with you for the past four years. I want to thank all the readers of An Arkie’s Faith, especially those who have contacted and encouraged me.

“It’s time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad, and I’d much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure.” – Ernie

Harwell

Buffalo River valley taken from the deck of Wildwood Cabin near Ponca.

(Photo by Richie Lawry)

Humane Society of the Ouachitas recognizes shelter volunteers

by Cheryl Murphy

Humane Society of the Ouachitas celebrated another year of honoring its volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, held April 22. The social event recognizes all volunteers’ contributions to the betterment of the local non-profit animal rescue organization.

Volunteering at the shelter usually includes one-on-one time spent with the resident animals, offering them much needed human interaction and contact, which in turn makes them more adoptable. Some animals distrust humans because of trauma they may have endured prior to being rescued, or just trying to adapt from a former home routine to a shelter environment.

Although shelter employees are in contact with the animals daily, they are still pressed for time in getting their chores done, so can’t spend quality time with the animals. Volunteers meet

this vital need by leash-walking dogs and playing with cats.

Other activities at the shelter may include yard, building, and vehicle maintenance, and transporting animals to and from vet visits.

Off-site volunteer activities may include driving shelter pets to adoption events and working those events, fostering shelter pets, organizing and facilitating fundraising programs, working at the spay-neuter clinics, paper and computer work, publicity, and generally running errands.

There are many needs involving operating the shelter business, and volunteers meet the majority of those needs. Each year HSO selects a “Volunteer of the Year” bestowing special recognition to that worthy individual. Mike Keeling of Mena was recognized during this year’s event.

Keeling’s many contributions to HSO include general building and maintenance projects, care and repair of HSO’s

Keeling with a framed

van, as well as serving for his third year as a member of the all-volunteer Board of Directors.

Keeling is another amazing volunteer whose contributions build on the volunteerism of the past, which helps HSO thrive in its, now, 46-year-old mission of helping pets in need in Polk County. The well-known saying “Teamwork makes the dream work,” is certainly true of the volunteer spirit at HSO.

Anyone interested in sharing their

(Photo courtesy of HSO) time and talents for the good of helping animals, check out hsomena.org, or contact the shelter at 479-394-5682 or hsoshelter@outlook.com.

HSO Board President Neal Fosdick presents Mike

award certificate for Volunteer of the Year.

Sports Camp 2024, Calvary Baptist Church, 2100 Hwy 375 W, Mena, 6:30-8:40 p.m., June 17-June 20. See the ad on Page 11 for more details and a list of the variety of sports for this free event.

UA Rich Mountain Livestock Judging Camp, June 11-13 at the UARM Mena Campus, ages 14-plus. Over $3,5000 in awards and scholarships. Cost is $175/individual, or $150 for counties or schools that bring four or more students. Contact wanttila@ UARichMountain.edu or (406) 298-0283 for questions or to register.

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.

Veterans Coffee Brunch at Sherwood Bistro, 11 a.m., June 13 & 27. Southwest Arkansas Veterans Coalition monthly meeting, 5:30 p.m., June 14, at The Polk County Fairgrounds.

Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234 Hwy. 71 S, Cove, gathers every Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.

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.

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 Mena Farmer’s Market at the Historic Train Depot on Sherwood Avenue will be open 7 a.m. until sold out each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The next Women for Jesus meeting will be Wednesday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Christ’s Church at Lenox, 31503 OK-63, Muse,

Around Town

Ok 74949. Food will be provided. Please bring your Bible. For more information call Dr. Cynthia Perkins at (918) 429-8538.

Mystery Island Vacation Bible School, Cove First Baptist Church, 114 Middle St. Pre-registration is 4-6 p.m., June 2. VBS is June 3-7, 9 a,m,-noon. Breakfast is 8-9 a.m., Bus pick-up at 8:15 a.m. at Vandervoort, Hatfield and Wickes. Family night is 6:30 p.m., June 9. Call (870) 387-6631 for details.

Fish Fry at the Cornerstone Church, 1129 Hwy. 71 S, Mena at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 15. Call in orders from 5-6 p.m. at (580) 306-6480. Fried fish, baked beans, cole slaw, fries, hushpuppies and a drink is $15 for adults and $8 for kids. There will also be a dessert auction and live music by Brother Stanley Dryer.

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.

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.

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

The Polk County Social Seniors will be meeting at noon, June 11, at El Rincon, Waldron, Arkansas. If you need a ride, meet at Walmart’s gas station at 11 a.m. Any questions? Call Linda Johnson at (956) 241-2633.

The Polk County Democrats will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. on June 10 at Papa’s Mexican Cafe. Come early to eat and socialize.

22nd Acorn School Reunion will be held Saturday, June 15, in the Acorn Old Main Building. Registration begins at 1 p.m. All former students, graduates, faculty, staff and community members are welcome.

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.

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.

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) 3568300.

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) 234-8366 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, 10:3011:30 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.

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) 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!

- CLASSIFIEDS -

- SERVICES -

Mobile lawnmower repair and repair flats. Minimum, $20 service call. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204. T0605

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. (479) 394-9227 T0529

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T0529

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. (479) 394-9227 T0529

- FOR RENT -

Room available for rent. Credit check, $400 a month, shared bathroom, 2210 Missouri Ave., Mena. Call Jenny (909) 246-5359. T0612

- FOR SALE -

2006 Ford F-150 XLT 4-wheel drive, 5.4L Triton V-8. Runs great, drives great, excellent work truck, crew cab. Call (870) 828-9897 T0605

2002 Grand AM GT1 Coupe, automatic, loaded, dependable, clean. (919) 432-7980 for info. T0605

- 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 T0612

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

- 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

Find your next employee in the Pulse classifieds!

Inside sale, 1100 Reine St., Friday and Saturday, June 7 & 8, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Different items added since last sale. Craft making items, dressers, items for men, and many other things. T0605

Garage Sale, Saturday, June 8, 8 a.m.-

5 p.m. Turn right at airport sign on Airport Road off Hwy. 8 East. First house on the right, A-frame design

A well-used Ludwig drum set, small amplifiers and speakers, keyboard, 1 large 4’x8’ mirror with spots at bottom edge. Will give away. Miscellaneous household items, cookware, dishes, a lot of decorating items, knickknacks, old books and magazines. Some jewelry, garden tools, DVDs, Wii games, some smaller tables but no other furniture, tools. Priced to sell. T0605

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

Aircraft Interior Installer — responsible for the installation of aircraft cabin furnishing, including equipment, floor covering, cockpit, cargo, windows and doors. Experience helpful.

Disassemble and reassemble as directed to facilitate avionics installation/repairs. Installer adjusts, repairs, or replaces malfunctioning components or assemblies according to blueprints and diagrams.

Ability to work in a safe professional manner adhering to all regulatory requirements including, OSHA, EPA, State and Federal regulations. Valid Driver’s License required. Must be able to work in Hot/Cold – Indoor/ Outdoor, able to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted, work above head, at heights, in confined spaces and able to climb steep stairs. Call Boyd Interiors, (479) 437-3870, for an appointment or apply in person at 104 Plane View Lane, Mena. T0605

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

May 27, 2024

Deputies responded to a report of a theft at a residence on Polk 63 near Mena.

Deputies responded to a fence being damaged on Polk 663 near Cherry Hill.

Kenneth Chaney, 29, of Mena was arrested on two Failure to Appear Warrants.

May 28, 2024

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to an assault.

May 29, 2024

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to obtaining an order of protection.

Peter Heinritz, 32, of Arkoma was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Deputies were dispatched to Hwy 71 near Cove in reference to a child walking in the highway.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 8 near Wickes in reference to a physical domestic dispute. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

May 30, 2024

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Farmer Lane near

Hatfield in reference to a physical domestic altercation leading to the arrest of Matthew Scoggins, 34, of Lake Jackson, TX on charges of DWI 3rd, Aggravated Assault, Disorderly Conduct, Careless and Prohibited Driving, Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test, and Refusal to Submit to Arrest.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 624 near Mena in reference to someone being shot.

May 31, 2024

Deputies responded to a residence on Hwy 88 E near Mena in reference to a death.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 N near Mena in reference to a stolen cell phone. The phone was later returned.

A traffic stop on Hwy 71 near Mena led to the arrest of Taylor Dees, 31, of Cove on charges of Public Intoxication, Careless and Prohibited Driving, and No Proof of Insurance.

An incident on Hwy 71 near Hatton led to the arrest of Roy Lister, 52, of Cove on a charge of Public Intoxication.

Deputies responded to a report of an altercation. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 35 near Hatfield in reference to a theft of property.

June 1, 2024

An encounter on Hwy 71 S led to

the arrest of Nathanial Brown, 24, of Mena on a 3rd Degree Domestic Battery Warrant and a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine.

Gerald Davis, 48, of Mena was arrested on two Failure to Appear Warrants and a warrant for Criminal Contempt.

Klinton Wilson, 36, of Wickes was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on charges of Fleeing on Foot and Disorderly Conduct.

June 2, 2024

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 44 near Mena in reference to a vehicle fire. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 S near Grannis in reference to a welfare check leading to the arrest of Stacey Hill, 43, of Gillham on a charge of DWI 1st.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 0 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center

Jail Population: 48 Incarcerated Inmates with 14 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

Sex Offender Registry Maphttps://sexoffenderregistry.ar.gov/ public

MENA POLICE REPORTS

amine and served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Cherry Street.

May 27 No report.

May 28

Heather Wagner, 35, was served with a warrant at the county jail.

Thomas Hilderbrand, 34, was charged with Theft at Walmart.

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

May 29

A firearm was found at the intersection of Morrow Street and Dallas Avenue. If you are missing a firearm, contact the Mena Police Department.

Linda Deaton, 73, was served with a warrant at the police department.

A report of theft of services and financial identity fraud was taken from a walk-in complainant.

May 30 No report.

May 31 No report.

June 1

Heath Sanders, 32, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Morrow Street.

Daruis Sims, 25, was charged with Public Intoxication after a disturbance call to a residence on Missouri Avenue.

May 26

George Trivette, 31, was charged with Possession of Methamphet-

SAU announces spring 2024 lists

MAGNOLIA, AR (06/03/2024)--

Southern Arkansas University has announced that 532 students earned a 3.5 GPA or higher for the spring 2024 semester and have been named to its Dean’s List. The list includes students from Polk County.

SAU Dean’s List Spring 2024

- Christina Nicole Gragg is a junior Psychology major with a minor in Social Work from Hatfield.

- Makori Elizabeth Gabourel is a senior Agricultural Business major from Mena.

- Anna Katherine McDonald is a sophomore Pre-Veterinary Agricultural Science major from Mena.

- Trysten Jacob Richey is a senior K-12 Physical Education and Health major from Mena.

- Molly Jean Schnell is a junior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena.

- LayLa Rayne Spenser is a junior Psychology major from Mena.

- Brody Duane Webb is a senior Agricultural Business major from Mena.

Southern Arkansas University has announced that 422 students earned a 4.0 GPA for the spring 2024 semester and have been named to its President’s List. The list includes students from Polk County.

SAU President’s List Fall 2023

- Deantha Rue Gibbons is a junior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Cove.

- Lauryn Kaye Barrett is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena.

- Tabetha Danielle Bennett is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena.

- Jaimeson Albright Biard is a junior Theatre major from Mena.

- April R. Burt is a senior Musical Theatre major from Mena.

- Alexander Freeman Cude is a senior Instrumental Music Education major from Mena.

- Ranessa Jo Ricker is a junior Biology major from Mena.

- Jackson Ty Teater is a senior Social Studies Education major from Mena.

- Audrey Raquel Youmans is a senior Elementary Education (STEM) major from Mena.

Southern Arkansas University provides students the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today.

To learn more about SAU, visit saumag.edu

UA Little Rock announces spring 2024 lists

LITTLE ROCK, AR

(05/28/2024)--

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announces students who have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2024 semester, recognizing more than 1,265 students whose academic performances have been superior at the end of each semester.

To be on the Dean’s List, UA Little Rock students must earn at least nine credit hours and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA. The list includes students from Polk County.

UALR Dean’s List Spring 2024

- Luz Alarcon of Wickes.

- James Brinkley of Wickes.

- Alexia Minzel of Mena.

- Justice Neufeld of Mena.

- Harmony Peterson of Mena.

- Chloe Speight of Mena.

UA Little Rock announces the Spring 2024 Chancellor’s List, recognizing students with superior academic performance in a semester. More than 600 UA Little Rock students were named to the Chancellor’s List for the spring 2024 semester.

To be eligible for the Chancellor’s List, students must earn at least nine

credit hours and at least a 3.9 GPA. The list includes students from Polk County.

UALR Chancellor’s List Spring 2024

- Luz Alarcon of Wickes

- Chloe Speight of Mena

With about 9,000 students and 100 programs, UA Little Rock offers learning, research, service, social and career opportunities that can only be found at a metropolitan university located in Arkansas’s capital city.

To learn more about UALR, visit ualr.edu

By Jeff Olson

Reflections from History and Faith: D-Day plus 80

There are certain events in American history which have a perennial home in this column. This is because those events were especially consequential and pivotal to the future course of not only America but for the world.

One of those is history’s largest and most consequential amphibious military operation. I hope this brief account will not only be informative but may also serve as an impetus to inspire you to learn more because within this epic event can be found individual acts of courage and sacrifice unequaled in the annals of human endeavor and military history. And, I think you also will discover that there was much more than just humanity, circumstances and chance involved.

As expressed in a prayer offered by Lt. Col. Robert L. Wolverton to his battalion shortly before the D-Day parachute drop behind enemy lines. It reads in part, “God almighty, in a few short hours we will be in battle with the enemy. We do not join battle afraid. We do not ask favors or indulgence but ask that, if You will, use us as Your instrument for the right and an aid in returning peace to the world.”

After France fell to the Nazis in 1940 during World War II, the idea of an Allied invasion of Western Europe began to develop. The Allies understood that in order for the Germans to be soundly defeated they would have to eventually be driven back to their homeland. The decision to undertake a cross-channel invasion was addressed at the Trident Conference in May 1943. At the Quebec Conference in August 1943, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt accepted the initial draft of the plan which was code-named Overlord.

Addressing a joint session of Congress, Churchill warned that the real danger now was the “dragging out of the war at enormous expense” because of the risk that the Allies would become

“tired or bored or split” — and play into the hands of Germany and Japan. He pushed for an early and massive attack on the “underbelly of the Axis.” The decision to mount the invasion was cemented at the Tehran Conference held in November and December 1943.

Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force Dwight D. Eisenhower described the assemblage of Allied forces in Britain for the D-Day invasion of northern France as “a great human spring, coiled for the moment when its energy would be released, and it would vault the English Channel in the greatest amphibious assault ever attempted.”

In the months and weeks before D-Day, the Allies carried out a massive deception operation called Operation Fortitude South intended to mislead the Germans into thinking the main invasion target was Pas-de-Calais (the narrowest point between Britain and France) rather than Normandy. Many tactics were used to carry out the deception, including fake equipment; a phantom army commanded by George Patton; double agents; and fraudulent radio transmissions.

Another preparatory action for D-Day was an elaborate “dress rehearsal” in late April. Codenamed Exercise Tiger, it was carried out at Slapton Sands, a picturesque seafront that bore a striking resemblance to the coast of Normandy.

However, through German intelligence the exercise was discovered and nine German S-boats (fastboats), attacked the unsuspecting, under-protected Convoy T-4, killing over 700 American soldiers and wounding several hundred more. However, the subsequent actions taken, and lessons learned through this disaster, did serve to make the landing at Normandy more successful, thus rendering these causalities not in vain.

The Normandy invasion date was initially chosen as May 1, 1944, at the

Trident Conference, but had to be postponed. As time got closer, it was reset for Monday June 5, but bad weather and rough seas forced a delay.

On the morning of June 5, Gen. Eisenhower, assured by British meteorologist James Stagg of a break in the weather, announced, “O.K. We’ll Go.” He knew that the tides would not favor an invasion again for nearly two weeks, long enough for the Germans to possibly learn of the Allies’ plan. In his written message, sent just prior to the invasion, the general told the troops, “... You are about to embark upon a great crusade...The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you... you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely... I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory! Good luck and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

Prior to the invasion, Eisenhower prepared two statements. One was to be opened if the invasion was a success and in it, he credited this to his field commanders and soldiers.

The other statement was to be opened if the invasion was a failure. In the latter, he stated in part, “My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.”

Minesweepers had gone ahead to clear the water and thousands of paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines to capture bridges and railroad tracks. At dawn, June 6, 1944, battleships

opened fire on the beaches, and at 6:30 a.m. troops from America, Great Britain, Canada and France stormed ashore releasing that tense coiled spring that the general described. One commander told his men that only two types of people would stay on the beach, those dead and those going to die, so they had better push forward — and push forward they did!

The Normandy campaign involved 39 Allied divisions, totaling over 1 million military personnel, including the combined forces of 156,115 U.S., British and Canadian troops, 6,939 ships and landing vessels, 13,000 aircraft and 867 gliders that delivered airborne troops. Those crossing the English Channel faced a German force of more than 50,000 troops, well-fortified across a 50mile front. Anticipating an impending Allied invasion somewhere along the French coast, the Germans had completed construction of the Atlantic Wall, a 2,400-mile line of bunkers, landmines and beach and water obstacles. It’s estimated that the Nazis planted 4 million landmines along Normandy’s beaches. At D-Day’s end, all five landing beaches had been secured and at a cost of approximately 10,000 Allied casualties, including more than 4,400 dead. By the end of D-Day plus 5,326,547 troops, 54,186 vehicles and 104,428 tons of supplies had landed on the beaches.

In addition to the troops who landed in Normandy on D-Day and those in supporting roles at sea and in the air, hundreds of thousands more men and women in the Allied countries were involved in the preparations for D-Day. They played many different roles, both in the armed forces and as civilians. By the end of July, Allied forces had broken through the German lines into open country establishing a toehold in northern Europe. The enemy’s retreat inland was underway, marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany and the final beginning of freedom’s march to victory!

Inspired Counseling ribbon cutting ceremony

By Ethan Nahté

The Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Inspired Counseling as one of their new members with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday morning. The event had balloons, cake, snacks and drinks for attendees as staff took people on a tour of the facility.

Julie Oglesby, LPC, LMFT, addressed the group, saying, “Thank you guys for being here. We just have such a passion for mental health in our community, helping people grow and overcoming challenges they have in their life.

“The vision in starting the clinic was basically to pull together a group of the most incredible therapists you could find, all specializing in different and unique things, and also do general counseling. Under this one roof, we are able to collaborate together with each other, and we’re able to provide specialty services in our small community.

“We do marriage and family therapy. We do trauma-based counseling. We do addiction counseling. We do a little bit of everything that you can think about. It’s just a really unique thing that we’re able to all do that altogether.

“The biggest thing, and the most important thing, is that everybody here isn’t just a clinician or a staff member. Everybody here has a passion,” Oglesby said. “We’re all so incredibly blessed because we all have a passion and a love for people. That’s something that can’t be trained and can’t be taught.

“In picking the therapists who are

here and picking our beautiful staff members… we’ve created what I had envisioned. Everybody jumps on that board and they’ve envisioned it, too.

That’s kind of what we have at our core is just a love and a heart for people and we’re serving our community through that.

“Thank you all for being a part of this and being supportive of our mission and our goal and just being here today.”

Visit InspiredCounselingMena.com or call 479-437-7967 for more information.

Employees of Inspired Counseling, members of The Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce, friends and family were part of a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 31. Inspired Counseling is located at 1142 Hwy. 71 S, Suite C, in Mena.

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

The Pulse/KENA says goodbye as Southeast Arkansas College announces new head softball coach

It’s only befitting that the last issue of The Polk County Pulse has us also saying goodbye to KENA morning host Matt Allen [Prysock]. Prysock, who was an assistant coach for the UARM Bucks softball team has been made the head softball coach at SEARK.

The radio and newspaper staff here wish him well as this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Following is the news from SEARK:

Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK) is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Prysock as the new head softball coach, effective July 1, 2024. Prysock brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the sport, making him an excellent addition to the SEARK athletic department.

With a strong background in coaching and a deep understanding of the game, Prysock is poised to lead the SEARK Sharks softball team to new heights. His expertise and dedication to player development will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of the program.

SEARK, a leading educational

institution in Pine Bluff, is committed to providing its students with a well-rounded college experience, including a robust athletic program. The addition of Prysock to the coaching staff aligns with SEARK’s mission to foster student growth and success both on and off the field.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Matt Prysock to the SEARK family,” said Chad Kline, athletic director of Southeast Arkansas College. “His proven track record and dedication to the sport will undoubtedly elevate our softball

program and provide our student-athletes with the guidance they need to excel.”

Prysock’s previous coaching experience includes successful tenures at several esteemed institutions, where he demonstrated his ability to develop athletes both athletically and academically. His commitment to building a strong team culture and fostering individual growth will undoubtedly benefit the SEARK Sharks softball team. “I am honored and excited to join the SEARK Sharks as the head softball coach,” Prysock said. “I am committed to building a program that not only achieves success on the field but also prepares our student-athletes for their future endeavors. I look forward to working with the talented players and dedicated staff at SEARK.”

Under Prysock’s leadership, the Sharks softball team aims to continue its winning tradition while instilling values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication. The College and the entire Pine Bluff community eagerly anticipate the upcoming season and the positive impact Prysock will undoubtedly make on the program.

For more information about Southeast Arkansas College and its athletic programs, please visit www.seark.edu.

About Southeast Arkansas College: Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK) is a comprehensive twoyear college located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. SEARK offers a wide range of academic, technical, and workforce training programs, empowering students to achieve their educational and career goals. With a commitment to student success, SEARK provides an inclusive and supportive learning environment that fosters personal growth and academic excellence.

Mena reports on May school board meetings

Submitted by Mark Hobson

The Mena School Board met for their regular May meeting on Tuesday, May 21, in the District Administration Building.

The meeting began with Kristine Albin and yearbook staff members presenting each member of the school board with their own copy of the 2024 Mena High School Yearbook. Albin expressed her appreciation for their continued support and praised the hard work of the students on the yearbook staff.

That was followed by the superintendent’s report. Lee Smith began with the annual safety assessment report. He stated that School Resource Officer Justin Wagner, as well as the district’s Head of Safety and Security Shane Torix, had completed an overview of all the district’s security measures. They found that all categories scored over 90 %. As part of the report, Smith also noted that a total of 28 bullying incidents were reported over the school year.

Smith then recognized Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley who shared the end-of-year academic report for reading and math. Overall, in reading for the district, there was a gain of 8.83% of students improving to “ready” based on grade level standards. In math for the district there has been an overall gain of 8.25%.

Contributing to areas of success is fidelity to the curriculum and intensive intervention practices as well as work with The Bailey Group and behavior practices that support the work in the classroom.

Instructional focus in the upcoming school year will include the identified areas of need and that work will begin on June 3 with both The Bailey Group and Solution Tree supporting Mena elementary teachers and continue throughout June and July with focused professional development with The Bailey Group and secondary staff.

Smith then explained to the board that these numbers do not fully reflect the growth students experienced throughout the year. Many students gained significant academic ground, even if they were not counted in the percentage of those on grade level. The district will not know the

complete extent of this growth until they receive their ATLAS exam scores from the state, which are expected in late October or early November.

Next was the approval of the Budget of Assurance Agreement for Special Education and all other federal programs for the 2024-25 school year.

Also on the agenda was the 2024-25 Horizon Software Renewal. This is the software used by food services in the cafeteria. It was approved with no discussion.

The board then approved the renewal of the 2024-25 Student Accident Insurance.

The board also approved an increase in student and adult meal prices for 202425. Student meal prices will increase by 10 cents to $3.05. Adult meal prices will increase from $4 to $5. Breakfast prices will remain the same.

Next on the agenda was the renewal of the district’s maturing Certificates of Deposit. The board approved.

District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton then updated the board on his department’s schedule of summer projects. When asked about progress on the Hensley Activity Center Minton stated that the project continues on schedule, and they were anticipating the roof to be complete in mid-July.

The board then approved the addition of two individuals to the student body as a result of school choice.

The board then approved the latest financial report. Smith stated it had been another good month with revenue outpacing expenses. Since the district is on pace for an end-of-year revenue surplus, Smith recommended a $1,200 bonus for all employees and the board approved it.

Finally, in personnel, the board accepted the resignation of:

- Debra Gagnon-Bus Driver

- David Chaney-MMS Band Director

- Sandra Spence- MMS Para

- Samantha Breedlove-MHS Special Ed Teacher

- Linda Willard-MMS Language Arts

- Brad Lyle-MHS Coach

- Tanner Womack-MMS Coach

- Amanda Beck-LDE Teacher

- Holly Welser-MHS Teacher

- Andrea Hughes-MHS Teacher

- Audra Cummings-HHE Para

- Robert Sweere-MMS Coach

- Jessica Bradley- LDE Preschool Teacher

Restructure:

- Rebecca Sprague- From MMS Special Ed/LDE Teacher to MHS Special Ed Literacy Teacher

- Susan Tyler-From MMS Special Ed Literacy to MHS Special Ed Math Teacher

- Tiffany Luttmer-From MMS Science Teacher to MMS Special Education Teacher

- Debbie Hankins- From LDE Special Ed Resource Teacher to LDE Self-Contained Classroom Teacher and Behavior Interventionist

Hires:

- James Graham-Bus Driver Route #14

- Braxton Arceneaux-Bus Driver Route #10

- Amber Labertew-Special Programs Director (PCVA, AE and District Testing Coordinator)

- Rachel Carter-HHE Assistant Principal

- Rachel Holland-MMS English, Language Arts

- Lisa Roberts-LDE Special Ed Teacher

- Soren Hankins-LDE Special Ed Self-Contained Para

- Contract Change:

- Bryon Preston Klutts-Maintenance Specialist II-From 250 day to 245 days- effective July 1, 2024. As the meeting concluded, a conversation began on how the high school could recognize the overall top academic performers at graduation. After a detailed discussion, the board asked Smith and the principals that were present to come up with a formula for the student selection and a plan for them to receive recognition in the future.

Special board meeting

The Mena School Board held a special meeting on Friday, May 31, at the District Administration Building.

Superintendent Lee Smith began the meeting by requesting the approval of the

MMS water sealant proposal from Western Specialty Contractors in the amount of $10,277.60. The board unanimously approved.

Smith then made a request to approve tips taps quote from SOPA Inc. for the soccer netting at the Hensley Activity Center in the amount of $21,600. The board approved.

Smith also requested the approval of the tips taps quote from SOPA Inc. for batting cages at the Hensley Activity Center in the amount of $36,300. The board approved.

Finally in personnel the board approved several recommendations.

Retirement:

- Bryan Maye-MHS Vocation Agriculture Teacher

Resignation:

- Kristi Schuller-LDE Kindergarten Hires:

- Logan McCourtney-Jr. Boys Basketball

- Hunter Huffman-Jr. High Band Director

- Chelsea Shores-Behavior Interventionist

- Dusty Gardner-Sr. Girls Basketball

- Morgan Gardner-MHS Biology/Life Science

- Shawn Erickson-MHS Biology

- Heather Goss-Sr. High Volleyball Smith also asked for and received permission to offer contracts to new hires prior to the next board meeting.

The regular June Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 18 at 7 p.m. in the District Administration Building.