SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of August 22, 2022 – August 28, 2022. 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.

August 22, 2022

No reports.

August 23, 2022

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to missing property.

August 24, 2022

Ashley Casey, 36 of Mena was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole to be held for another agency.

Heather Franklin, 46 of Clayton, OK was arrested on Felony Warrants for Possession of a Firearm by a Certain Person and 1st Degree Domestic Battery.

August 25, 2022

Windal Loyd, 41 of Cove was arrested on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.

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

August 26, 2022

No reports.

August 27, 2022

No reports.

August 28, 2022

Omar Cruz, 34 of Mena was arrested by an officer with the Arkansas State Police on charges of DWI, Failure to Register Vehicle and No Driver’s License.

An incident on Polk 14 near Cove led to the arrest of Jake Miller, 21 of Cove on charges of Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 21 Incarcerated Inmates, with 10 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

8-29-22 3:43 PM KAWX.ORG

Mena Police Department reports for the week of August 21st through August 27th, 2022

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

August 21

Meagan Fenstermacher, was charged with Disorderly Conduct and refusal to Submit to Arrest after a disturbance call to Executive Inn.

August 22

No reports.

August 23

A report of criminal trespass and theft was taken at Walmart.

August 24

Linda Miller, 72, was charged with Dog Running at Large after a complaint on Smith Avenue.

Daryl Ray, 38, was charged with Criminal Trespass in the Northside Shopping Center.

Christopher James, 38, was served with a warrant at a residence on Gary Drive.

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

August 25

A report of a found firearm was taken from a walk-in complainant. Contact the police department if you are missing a firearm.

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

August 26

Michael Wing, 39, was served with a warrant on 4th Street.

Joshua Hulliberger, 36, was served with a warrant on 4th Street.

A report of battery and disorderly conduct was taken at Atwoods.

August 27

A report of possession of Methamphetamine was taken after a traffic stop on Bethesda Road.

Windal Loyd, 41, was charged with Violation of Protection Order at a residence on 12th Street.

Krysten Crain, 32, was served with a warrant at the police department.

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

8-29-22 12:09 PM KAWX.ORG

Polk County Detention Center Inmates

There is No Such Thing As Student Loan Forgiveness

President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order this week to transfer $500 billion of student loan debt onto the American taxpayers over the next ten years and extended the freeze on student debt repayments until January 2023, costing the taxpayers $5 billion per month.

Each person making less than $125,000, will have up to $10,000 of debt forgiven. Those who used Pell grants will be granted up to $20,000 in debt forgiveness. The colloquial term “forgiveness,” however, is a lie. It is impossible to make debt magically disappear. Every American will now be responsible for those debts, regardless of if he or she went to college, repaid his or her loans,  worked through college to avoid loans altogether, or had a family member scrimp and save to afford the tuition. 

Many folks are understandably incredibly frustrated to be stuck with the bill for the decisions of others. One parent called my office in tears to share her story of sacrificing for years to provide for her daughter’s education. She told my staff how she felt like she has been punished for doing the right thing. Many families feel the same way she does, and for good reason.

In Arkansas, only 13% of the state’s population holds student debt. How is it fair that Arkansans who responsibly paid off their debt, choose a cheaper college, or choose a career path that does not require a college degree are now footing the bill for those around the country who knowingly took on debt? 

Moreover, this Executive Order is a handout to the wealthy and educated while costing all Americans heavily in taxes. According to a recent analysis from the University of Pennsylvania, more than two-thirds of the debt forgiveness would benefit the top 60% of earners, considering the median income in the U.S. is below $70,000. We can all agree that college is outlandishly expensive, but debt “forgiveness” only feeds the problem.

Beyond the questionable merits of this damaging plan, blanket debt cancellation was never supposed to be within the power of the President of the United States. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi emphatically said as much in a July 2021 press conference. She said plainly, the President “does not have the power” to cancel federal student loan debt, and it “has to be an act of Congress.” That is why I joined nearly 100 Republicans in sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi demanding an answer for this hypocrisy and calling on her to hold President Biden accountable for this $500 billion handout. Clearly, she agrees with Republicans that this is extreme government overreach and should be reversed immediately.

Americans will not forget President Biden’s favoritism towards his wealthy, educated base. It is shameful to punish Americans who made fiscally responsible education choices in favor of the minority who willingly took on debt, agreed to the repayment terms, and now have changed their minds. I will continue to fight against this government overreach and the spending that harms every Arkansan. 

8-26-22 6:21 PM KAWX.ORG

September is National Recovery Month. It is a national observance held every to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices.

In 2021, more than 200 Arkansans died from opioid-related causes. And 37% of inmates admitted to the Division of Correction had a drug offense.

Medical researchers now consider dependence on alcohol or drugs to be a chronic disease, characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

However, people can and do recover.

Recovery is a process of change through which people improve their health and strive to reach their full potential. This process may include clinical treatment, medications, faith-based approaches, and peer support. There are 148 treatment centers across Arkansas and several peer support groups.

The General Assembly continues to look at ways to prevent and treat substance abuse. 

In the 2021 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed Act 651 which requires healthcare providers to co-prescribe an opioid antagonist, such as Naloxone, when prescribing opioids under certain conditions.

In 2019, the General Assembly passed Act 964 which prohibits a healthcare insurer, including the Arkansas Medicaid Program, from requiring prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment of opioid addiction. 

The legislature also passed Act 951 which allows individuals with prior drug-related offenses to work with individuals receiving substance abuse treatment as peer support specialists. 

Individuals who have served jail time can often have the most success in reaching individuals struggling with substance abuse addiction. This legislation removed a barrier giving providers a necessary resource to combat drug abuse.

There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse we encourage you to look at the resources available in our state. You can find the information at www.artakeback.org. 

8-26-22 5:05 PM KAWX.ORG

Assisting More Arkansans as Federal Services Pick Up Pace

Many federal agencies continue to fight backlogs as they dig out from pandemic shutdowns and two years of limited staffing.

Having agencies like the Social Security Administration open in person again is welcome and I am pleased to see progress being made on getting caught up, however, I continue to hear the frustration of Arkansans every day who are working through bureaucratic processes that, unfortunately, are taking longer to resolve than in prior years.

This struggle is apparent when we look at the numbers for the two federal agencies that handle requests for military records. The National Archives and Records Administration and the National Personnel Records Center have received more than 350,000 new requests in the last four months. Previously these agencies would have been able to manage the increase, but these new cases come amid their efforts to respond to those it accumulated during the pandemic, leaving them with 499,000 pending requests. For veterans and caregivers waiting for records to obtain benefits or services, that is an overwhelming number they’d rather not be buried deeply within.

Unfortunately, the situation at other federal agencies is very similar. Backlogs at the IRS can have a ripple effect on other processes as taxpayers need data from the agency for everything from small business loans to immigration applications. 

The reality is we expect these challenges to continue, especially as staffing remains a hurdle in the public and private sectors. But across the board, there are things we can all do to help if we need federal services.

The most important thing right now is to plan ahead. This is especially true with international travel. Although the Passport Agency made incredible strides to work through its pandemic backlog, it still takes up to three times longer to get a passport than it did in 2019 – an average of five to seven weeks for an expedited passport and eight to eleven weeks for standard processing. It is possible to get an in-person appointment for emergencies, but the Arkansas Passport Center has limited availability and cannot accept walk-in visitors.

Another key is to get things right on the front end. Whether Arkansans are filing a tax return, a VA claim or applying for a passport, every agency tells my office cases needing changes or additional information are taking much longer. We’re seeing this in tax returns where mailed 2021 returns with no errors or additional verification take at least five months. However, amended returns don’t even have a timeline and the IRS says it won’t be able to provide updates on these until mid-October. 

For veterans, it a good idea to get help from an accredited veterans service officer before you file a claim. Having that process accurately completed on the front end can shave valuable months, and sometimes years, off of processing. 

As always, Natural State residents who run into a federal bureaucratic roadblock should feel free to reach out to my office for assistance. In the coming days I’ll be highlighting some of the ways we’ve helped Arkansans recently on my social media pages, which I encourage you to follow. Whether under normal circumstances or coming out of an extraordinary time, my commitment to the people of Arkansas has always been and remains working on your behalf. My staff and I will continue that mission to serve and support you. We are grateful for that privilege.

8-26-22 5:00 PM KAWX.ORG

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Larry Teague

August 26, 2022

LITTLE ROCK – A shooting spree occurred in Little Rock over the weekend of August 13 and 14. Three people were killed and four people were wounded.

In the most recent tally, there were 18 shootings that also damaged buildings and motor vehicles.

The State Police activated a helicopter and brought in 32 troopers to help Little Rock police and the Pulaski County sheriff.

The joint operation was successful and a suspect was arrested and charged with multiple violent offenses, including capital murder. He was a convicted felon who had been out on parole for a year. He is 31 years old, and first got in trouble with the law when he was 16.

It was one example of cooperation between state agencies and local law enforcement.

Another example was a recent “saturation effort” in Pulaski County, when officers made 295 home visits to parolees over four days. They made direct contact with 172 parolees and arrested seven of them. They confiscated five firearms.

In July seven parolees were arrested and 18 weapons were seized. Their sentences will reflect the stronger penalties imposed by Act 946 of 2021, which enhances penalties for repeat offenders who use a firearm to commit felonies.

The act prohibits them from being released on parole.

Also in response to public concerns about crime, the legislature has approved funding for the Department of Community Correction to initiate intensive supervision of parolees in central Arkansas.

At a press conference, the governor provided an example of the effectiveness of intensive supervision in five counties in central Arkansas.

During the first four months of the year, six parole officers made 28 arrests and confiscated four guns. In April, 10 parole officers were added and the number of arrests went up sharply. Since April 109 parolees have been arrested for violations and 48 firearms seized.

Troop A of the State Police covers Pulaski, Lonoke, Faulkner and Saline Counties in central Arkansas. According to the director of the State Police, since the beginning of 2021Troop A has confiscated 310 firearms, of which 30 were fully automatic.

At his press conference the governor noted that the state Board of Correction has approved a $75 million expansion of state prisons, and in early September will consider an additional expansion of $50 million.

The backlog of state inmates in county jails was about 2,600 in January and it has gone down to about 2,000.

The governor has proposed to legislators the addition of a fifth Crisis Stabilization Unit, to be located in south Arkansas. It would cost $3 million.

The four existing units are in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro and Little Rock. Police can take people there who are experiencing a mental health crisis, rather than locking them in jail.

To clear the backlog of court cases created by the pandemic, the governor already has allocated $1 million for prosecutors and public defenders. He has requested that the legislature approve funding of an additional $9 million, divided evenly between prosecutors and public defenders.

8-26-22 9:11 AM KAWX.ORG

On August 23rd, officers with the 18th West Judicial District Drug Task Force, Grannis Police Department, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for numerous traffic violations. During the stop, the driver of the vehicle, whose name is being withheld at this time, allowed officers to conduct a search of the vehicle. The search produced methamphetamine, marijuana, and several tablets of hydrocodone, and the individual was placed into custody.

At that time, officers noticed that the suspect appeared to be in medical distress. He had slumped over and was unresponsive to any attempt to revive him. Officers immediately retrieved a supply of Narcan and administered it to the individual who then regained consciousness and began breathing. Southwest EMS transported him to Mena Medical where his condition continued to improve.

“This is the third time that officers of the 18th West Judicial District have saved a life using Narcan in the last year,” said Jason Barrett, Prosecuting Attorney. “Each time we have used Narcan in Polk or Montgomery County, we have saved a life. Narcan is an essential tool that our officers carry and are trained to use.”

“While charges are still pending against the suspect in this case, the investigation shifted from the focus of crimes being committed to life saving measures when it became obvious that the suspect was in distress,” Barrett continued. “Today, as so many people see the negative actions of a few law enforcement officers, I think it is important for the citizens of Polk County and Montgomery County to know that the officers that serve them are, first and foremost, dedicated to protecting them from harm. We have good men and women who work hard everyday to represent our citizens with honor and integrity.”

8-24-22 3:38 PM KAWX.ORG

Mena, AR.– The Mena School District is partnering with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Office of Community Health & Research to increase access to healthy, nutritious foods for schoolchildren across Arkansas.

School districts serving rural Arkansas communities are engaging with UAMS’s Creating Healthy Environments for Schools (CHEFS) program to implement operational changes to their food service programs to improve nutrition without raising school district costs. In this program, school districts work together with research staff and dieticians from the UAMS Community Health & Research Healthy Food team to increase student access to fresh, healthy produce and to lower sugar, saturated fat, and sodium in school meals.

The Mena Public Schools will share data to UAMS researchers about the nutrition quality of foods served, the numbers of students participating in school meals, and students’ preferences for and consumption of healthy school food items. UAMS will work with school administration, the district child nutrition director, the district food service team, teachers, and students to identify low-cost approaches to managing school food service programs that will provide healthier food to the district’s students. The partnership among Mena Public Schools, UAMS, and five other Arkansas school districts is anticipated to last through at least 2026.

“Without these school partners, this work wouldn’t be possible,” said Dr. Christopher Long, an assistant professor in the Office of Community Health & Research. “Their willingness to participate in this project is invaluable, and with it, we hope to have
lasting effects on the accessibility and availability of healthy school meals across Arkansas and in rural schools across the U.S.”

Arkansas ranks 7th in the United States for childhood obesity, with more than 20% of Arkansas youth ages 10-17 reportedly obese. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), empty calories from added sugars and solid fats contribute to 40% of daily calories for children ages 2-18. Many of these empty calories come from soda, fruit drinks, dairy desserts, grain desserts, pizza and whole milk. School food programs are a vital source of nutritious food for millions of children every day across the United States. Eating a healthier diet can help children perform better in school and can greatly reduce their risk of developing several health issues, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, dental cavities, and more.

To learn more about the UAMS Office of Community Health & Research, visit nwa.uams.edu/chr.

8-23-22 3:03 PM KAWX.ORG

SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of August 15, 2022 – August 21, 2022. 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.

August 15, 2022

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a Violation of a No Contact Order. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on East Dawn Lane near Mena in reference to a break-in and theft of property. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 8 East near Board Camp in reference to vandalism. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies responded to a report of an ATV accident at a residence on Polk 121 near Shady Grove.

August 16, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 S near Potter in reference to a verbal dispute.

Israel Schwartz, 76 of Mena was arrested on a Police Department warrant for Theft of Property.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 99 near Vandervoort in reference to a stolen ATV.

August 17, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a business near Big Fork in reference to someone trespassing. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies received a report of a stolen trailer from a residence on Peaceful Lane near Mena.

Tyler Everett, 30 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Probation Violation Warrant.

Deputies were dispatched to Hwy 246 W near Hatfield in reference to stolen street signs.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 70 near Acorn in reference to property damage.

August 18, 2022

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a violation of an order of protection. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

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

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

August 19, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 14 near Wickes in reference to a possible suicide attempt.

August 20, 2022

John Abbott, 47 of Mena was arrested on a warrant for Endangering the Welfare of a Minor and on a charge of Violating an Order of Protection.

Aramis Candelaria, 20 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Probation Violation Warrant, two Misdemeanor Failure to Appear Warrants and a charge of Obstructing Governmental Operations.

Deputies responded to a report of someone being harassed. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 35 near Hatfield in reference to a suicidal person.

August 21, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Race Lane near Mena in reference to endangered children leading to the arrest of Courtney Sullivan, 25 of Mena on four Misdemeanor Warrants for Failure to Appear as well as charges of Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication, 2nd Degree Terroristic Threatening, Criminal Trespass, 1st Degree Criminal Mischief and 1st Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Sweet Water Lane near Cove in reference to an unattended death.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Baker Road near Wickes in reference to an unattended death.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 2 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 19 Incarcerated Inmates, with 12 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

8-22-22 4:05 PM KAWX.ORG

Mena Police Department reports for the week of August 14th through August 20th, 2022:

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

August 14

Robert Craddock, 26, was charged with Disorderly Conduct at Executive Inn.

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

August 15

Brittney Mendel, 32, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication and Resisting Arrest after a disturbance call to Executive Inn.

David Sinyard, 46, was charged with Public Intoxication and served with a warrant at Executive Inn.

August 16

A theft report was taken at a residence on Carder Avenue.

Michael Higgins, 36, was charged with Driving on Suspended License, and Stephanie Nash, 29, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after a traffic stop on Reeves Avenue.

Mitzie Hubbard, 49, was charged with Criminal Trespass at a residence on Crescent Drive.

Michael Curry, 35, was charged with DWI, Careless Driving, and served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Janssen Avenue.

August 17

Joseph Gonzales, 26, was served with a warrant at the police department.

Kaleena Burt, 24, was served with a warrant at the police department.

August 18

A report of Disorderly Conduct was taken from a person at Mena Regional Health System.

August 19

Aaron Renard, 46, was served with a warrant after contact on Highway 8 East.

August 20

Brian Knight, 38, was charged with Domestic Battery, Public Intoxication, and Disorderly Conduct after a disturbance call to a residence on Dallas Avenue.

A report of theft and criminal trespass was taken from Walmart.

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

8-22-22 4:00 PM KAWX.ORG

Governor Hutchinson's Weekly Address: Governors Working Together 

To listen to Governor Hutchinson's weekly radio address, click anywhere on this line, then click on the play button.

LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to talk about a recent partnership with the state of Oklahoma. On Wednesday, I joined Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on the Oklahoma State University-Tulsa campus to sign a Memorandum of Understanding stating that we are working together to make the Arkansas-Oklahoma corridor a center of excellence in advanced mobility. This includes autonomous vehicles, drone deliveries, and electric vehicles.

Arkansas and Oklahoma already lead the nation in advanced mobility, so joining our two sandboxes of innovation together will bolster our competitiveness for the future.

The East and West coasts get a lot of attention as tech centers, but Arkansas and Oklahoma are rich with a history of leading in aviation and transportation. 

From the pioneer aviator Wiley Post in Oklahoma to our own Louise Thaden, who set transcontinental speed records, we have set the pace for innovation and new modes of transportation.

This partnership will accelerate work on advanced mobility and further enhance our region’s reputation as a leader in technological innovation.

Oklahoma has been a vital economic partner to the Natural State for many decades, and this MOU will provide an opportunity for our states to continue the partnership we've experienced over the years to make our region a hub for advanced mobility.

Crossing state lines to join forces with other states' governors is not something unfamiliar. Binding our different perspectives and resources with our like-minded goals allows us to produce bigger and better results.

Earlier this year, I was joined again by Governor Stitt and Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana to establish a regional hub for the development, production, and use of clean hydrogen as fuel and manufacturing feedstock.

This is a bipartisan agreement that combines our three states to compete for funding from the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act of 2021. With the portfolios each of our states offer combined, we are competitive due to our ability to uniquely handle the production, storage and distribution, and consumption of hydrogen.

Another example of the cooperation with neighboring states is the I-49 corridor with Missouri. At the end of last year we completed the final stretch of the I-49 Missouri-Arkansas Connector. Joining forces with Missouri and Governor Mike Parson, the I-49 connecter now consists of more than 1,600 miles of roadway, connecting six states: Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

Another example is when a crack was discovered and shut down the I-40 bridge in Memphis in May 2021. Arkansas joined with Tennessee to fix and reopen the bridge because the closure threatened many lives and put a pause on the much-needed movement of commerce. 

Governor Bill Lee and I understood the importance of the connector bridge, and we both knew we needed to act quickly. Our two teams developed a plan that emphasized a sense of urgency while keeping safety as the number one priority. 

On the front of cybersecurity, Governor John Bel Edwards and I share similar views on the importance of preparing our country for the digital age. Our two states have been on the frontlines of cybersecurity education, in addition to working toward a comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystem. Good stewardship of our resources includes guarding the gates into our systems and protecting information. 

States become stronger when they combine their resources and expertise, and it starts with governors who share similar goals bridging the gap. 

8-19-22 4:40 PM KAWX.ORG

Improving Infrastructure Inspections With Drones

Arkansas businesses are realizing the benefits of using drones and implementing this advanced technology in their operations. It’s improving efficiency and safety for us all and I’m championing efforts to build on this momentum.

The agricultural industry is also expanding its use of this innovative technology. I’ve seen firsthand how students at Arkansas State University are using drones to study water use in fields and weed suppression. The University of Arkansas-Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources is using a drone for forestry studies.

Entergy Arkansas is strengthening the electrical grid with its three-person drone team that works to detect problems with the hundreds of miles of power lines to prevent issues that could cause outages. Drones allow the company to inspect lines at hard-to-reach locations in a fraction of the time and for a much lower cost.

Since May 2021, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has embraced the use of drones to augment human inspectors and spot flaws and structural issues on bridges, railways and other infrastructure projects. After the shutdown of the I-40 bridge connecting Arkansas to Tennessee last year, ARDOT increased its drone capabilities and now it boasts one of the most expansive programs in the country.

Congress is recognizing the unique opportunities available with this technology and supporting this new approach to empower more communities to use this innovative tool to improve safety and save taxpayer dollars.

I recently helped introduce the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant (DIIG) Act. This bipartisan legislation supports community investments in American-made drones and the next generation workforce to operate these tools.

This legislation will help local governments save money. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, it costs $4,600 to conduct a manual inspection on each bridge. In comparison, using a drone drastically cuts down on the cost and saves more than $3,000 per bridge. The implementation of drone inspections for bridges would save roughly $783 million nationwide.

In addition to saving money, we know using a drone also saves time. While it takes about eight hours to conduct a manual bridge inspection, a drone inspection on the same infrastructure takes about one hour.

It’s no surprise this legislation is gaining backing from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, industry leaders and local governments across the country. This is a positive step forward in creating a better inspection process and training drone pilots.

As we continue to work on issues facing our country, I’m committed to giving our state and local governments the resources they need to maintain safe and reliable roads, bridges, dams and other critical infrastructure.

In Arkansas, we’re investing in modernizing our capabilities and developing a workforce to operate these cutting-edge tools. In recent days, the Arkansas and Oklahoma Governors launched a partnership to leverage the region as the national hub for advanced mobility which includes drones and the development of a workforce to pilot them.

Using this advanced technology will help ensure our infrastructure, electrical grid and agricultural industry remain strong.

8-19-22 4:08 PM KAWX.ORG

Boozman Kicks-off Annual Arkansas Agriculture Tour Monday

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, is launching his annual Ag Tour next week, kicking off the week-long highlight of Arkansas agriculture operations on Monday in Fayetteville.  

The Ag Tour, a cornerstone of the senator’s August in-state work period, will continue through Friday with stops at farms and facilities across the state.

“Agriculture is our state’s leading industry, so it is important to hear directly from Arkansas farmers and ranchers about how Washington can address their needs, particularly as we begin writing the next farm bill. As the lead Republican on the Senate agriculture committee, I want to ensure the next farm bill has the input of Arkansas’s growers, private forestland owners, nutrition professionals and rural communities. I look forward to visiting with our producers on this tour, finding out what is working and what needs to be fixed, and sharing their experiences when I return to Washington to strengthen and support food and fiber production in the Natural State,” said Boozman.

Boozman’s Ag Tour will include meetings with ranchers, farmers and other agricultural stakeholders as he visits farms, production facilities and research operations. The tour stops in Washington, Franklin, Johnson, Pope, Yell, Faulkner, White, Lonoke, Prairie, Phillips, Arkansas, Lincoln, Chicot, Ashley, Union and Columbia counties. 

Follow the Ag Tour on social media at #ARisAg.

Media is invited to the following:

Monday, August 22

Event:             University of Arkansas Research and Extension Tour

Time:              9:30 a.m.

Location:        Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center

                        1335 W. Knapp Dr.

                        Fayetteville

Boozman will tour the farm and meet with agriculture professors and students to discuss the ongoing research improving farming practices in Arkansas and across the country.

Event:             Wiederkehr Winery

Time:              1:15 p.m.

Location:        3324 Swiss Family Dr.

                        Wiederkehr Village

Boozman will tour the winery.

Event:             Peach Pickin’ Paradise

Time:              3 p.m.

Location:        1901 McGuire Rd.

                        Lamar

Boozman will visit with owners of the orchard and discuss the impact rising input costs and the drought have had on their business.  

Tuesday,  August 23

Event:             West Fraser Sawmill Tour

Time:              8 a.m.

Location:        2401 S. Arkansas Ave

                        Russellville

Boozman will tour the sawmill.

Event:             Stokes Family Farm

Time:              9:30 a.m.

Location:        13328 Harkey Valley Rd.

                        Dardanelle

Boozman will visit the Stokes farm. The Stokes family is the chief caretaker of Tusk, the live Razorback mascot.

Event:             Bell Urban Farm

Time:              11:45 a.m.

Location:        2011 Tyler St.

                        Conway

Boozman will visit the Bell Urban Farm, a certified naturally grown farm producing cut flowers and plants.

Event:             White County Farm Bureau Roundtable

Time:              3:45 p.m.

Location:        501 E. Booth Rd.

                        Searcy

The White County Farm Bureau is hosting a roundtable to share concerns of producers with the rise in input costs, current markets and drought-related issues.

Wednesday, August 24

Event:             Bayou Meto Pump Project

Time:              9:15 a.m.

Location:        Anderson Minnow Farm

4377 Hwy. 70 W.

                        Lonoke

Boozman will get a status update on the progress of the Bayou Meto Pump Project.

Event:             Grand Prairie Pump Project

Time:              12:15 p.m.

Location:        WRID Canal System

                        Downs Rd.

                        Hazen

Boozman will get a status update on the progress of the Grand Prairie Pump Project.

Event:             Haynie Farms

Time:              2:15 p.m.

Location:        CR-145

                        Marvell

Boozman will tour the farm.

Event:             Visit Local Foodbank

Time:              3:45 p.m.

Location:        Michele D. Hunter Pantry

586 Phillips County 241 Rd.

Lexa

Boozman will visit the new food pantry in Phillips County.

Thursday, August 25

Event:             Visit LTD Farms 

Time:              8 a.m.

Location:        LTD Farms

                        4037 US-165

                        Stuttgart

LTD Farms is part of the Discovery Farms Program run by the University of Arkansas Extension Service.

Event:             Tour Miles Goggans Tree Farm

Time:              10:15 a.m.

Location:        40760 State Highway 11 S.

                        Star City

Miles Goggans is the Arkansas Tree Farmer of the year.

Event:             Epstein Gin Co.

Time:              1:45 p.m.

Location:        537 Reynolds St.

                        Lake Village

Boozman will tour the Epstein Gin Co. operated by Sammy Angel, the President of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association.

Event:             Catpro Catfish Farm

Time:              3:15 p.m.

Location:        405 Highway 165 N.

                        Portland

Boozman will visit the catfish farm owned and operated by Brad Graham, President of the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas.

Friday, August 26

Event:             Tour Draggin’ M Ranch 

Time:              8 a.m.

Location:        785 Hinson Rd.

                        El Dorado

Boozman will tour the ranch.

Event:             Tour 777 Farms 

Time:              10 a.m.

Location:        2758 N. Dudney

                        Magnolia

The farm is owned by the Daniels family who raise and butcher farm fresh beef.

8-19-22 10:55 AM KAWX.ORG

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Larry Teague

August 19, 2022

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas has begun the process of expanding Medicaid services so that more pregnant women can qualify for the government health care program.

The expanded services should be available to thousands of women by the beginning of next year, if the federal government approves the proposals submitted by the state Human Services Department.

About 5,000 women with high-risk pregnancies would become eligible for home visits by a nurse. The visits would be available after the baby is born, for up to 60 days.

About 450 visiting nurses now help expectant mothers enrolled in Medicaid. Last year they helped 1,913 Arkansas families.

Home visits reduce the risks of long-term health problems for the newborn baby and they improve the health of the mother. In high-risk pregnancies they lower the need for intensive care for newborns, which saves the state Medicaid program enormous sums of money.

Home visits can help new mothers cope with anxiety and mood disorders. They also offer advice about breast feeding and answer questions about lactation.

The state will also seek federal approval to expand the range of services that pregnant mothers can receive. That will help some mothers who now only qualify for Medicaid services directly related to their pregnancy.

The department is seeking federal approval to offer full Medicaid coverage to all pregnant women in the program. This would make about 2,000 women eligible for a full range of medical care, including care for behavioral health problems.

DHS officials also announced that they would request an increase in the department budget next year so it can increase payments to foster parents. Many foster families now receive $455 a month for food and shelter for children in foster care.

Many children are in provisional foster care with relatives, or a close friend of the family. Those placements are considered provisional for the time it takes to place them with a foster family. That period of time can be a month to six months.

Beginning in September, the department will pay $240 a month during the period in which the child is in provisional care. The governor expressed his hope that in the 2023 regular session the legislature would increase the amount of provisional payments.

There were 4,520 Arkansas children in foster care in June.

State officials are working to provide more resources for pregnant women because they expect an increase in the number of unplanned pregnancies in Arkansas. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe vs. Wade triggered a state law that immediately prohibited almost all abortions in Arkansas.

The state Health Department is implementing a service called the Pregnancy and Parenting Resource Call Line. People can call 1-855-ARK-MOMS to get information about the availability of resources in their area that benefit pregnant women. That’s also 1-855-275-6667.

The call line will provide information about health care services, prenatal and post natal care, adoption and foster care, child care assistance, mental health care, how to apply for a job, how to get treatment for addictions, how to sign up for welfare and food stamps and how to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases.

8-19-22 10:20 AM KAWX.ORG

Auditions for OLT’s “Silas Marner”

Coming off of two successful performances this summer, Ouachita Little Theatre is announcing the next production. It will be based on an original script written by our director, Brad Storey. He states, “Our fall play will be the story of Silas Marner. I’ve adapted the original novel into a stage play for OLT; It’s something I’ve always wanted to write. The play is neither a musical nor a comedy, and it’s certainly not a tragedy. It’s a beautiful story about a man’s life with a bit of mystery and a deeply moving portrayal of how a surprising gift can come to someone, bringing them out of loneliness to the greatest joy. I hope you’ll come see it.”

Auditions will be held at the theatre on Tuesday, August 30, from 6-8 PM and Thursday, September 1, also from 6-8 PM. The third day of auditions will be Saturday September 3 from 9 AM until noon. Performance dates will be the last two weekends of October, including Oct. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30. The director has numerous roles for men of all ages, several roles for young women, and one for a more mature woman.

8-18-22 7:42 PM KAWX.ORG

The Mena School Board met for the August meeting on Monday, August 15, 2022 at the district administration building. The meeting was moved from its regular date due to a conflict with a school function on Tuesday.

As is the case at most of these meetings the evening began with the superintendent’s report. Dr. Lee Smith quickly yielded the floor to a group of Mena Middle School teachers. Sheli Chaney, Amy Martin, Alicia Farringer and Lynn Ashley spoke to the board about their trip to the New Hampshire Literacy Institute this summer. Mrs. Chaney spoke in detail about how they learned to engage students and have already begun sharing what they learned with their coworkers. Martin concluded by thanking the board for the opportunity to attend.

Dr. Smith then introduced Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley who shared an update on ACT Aspire Scores. Highlights included the district as a whole surpassing pre-pandemic levels in english and math. Buckley credited the recovery to outstanding teacher skill and effort as well as new curriculum in key grades.

The first item of new business was the expulsion of a student. Dr. Smith recommended the action due to terroristic threats. This expulsion will be for one year and education services will continue off site. The board approved the expulsion.

The district held an auction of surplus equipment this past weekend which grossed $26,800.00. Dr. Smith asked the board to earmark that revenue for the purchase of another vehicle for employee use. The board approved.

The board also approved changes to the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) recently voted to recommend a $5,000 bonus for teachers and a $2,500 bonus for classified staff that will be taken out of the American Rescue Plan funds if the bonuses are ordered to be paid at the school level. These dollar amounts were changed in the ARP plan for recruitment and retention of staff to meet the recommendation of the ALC. The recruitment and retention plan had previously been approved by the board in the 21-22 school year. Half of the bonus will be payed in the next pay period and the other half will be paid when the employee signs their letter of intent for 2023/2024. Part-time employees will receive half of the recommended amounts based on their classification.

Project updates were next on the agenda. Smith told the board that the HVAC, Paving, floors and security camera projects have been or will soon be completed. Plus, kitchen updates can be expected in the near future.

The board also approved the end of year balance, year end transfer of funds and the financial report. Expenses for July outpaced revenue by $77,694.00 due to the extended school year and some back-to-school expenses. Overall, for the 21-22 school year, revenue continues to exceed expenditures.

Finally, in personnel the board accepted the resignation of Aaron Grant, Max Hartwig, Ashley Pregon, Paul Rye and Cherish Michael. The contract of Rose Branch was restructured to reflect a change from a “D” bus route to a “B” route. There was one new hire recommended and that was Tiffany Sims as AE Para-Pro. After approval the meeting was adjourned.

8-16-22 1:15 PM KAWX.ORG

SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of August 8, 2022 – August 14, 2022. 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.

August 8, 2022

A traffic stop on Hwy 71 near Mena led to the arrest of Chad Goutierez, 29 of Metairie, LA on charges of Public Intoxication, Driving on a Suspended Driver’s License and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Larry Joseph, 44 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Probation Violation Warrant.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a Violation of an Order of Protection. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

August 9, 2022

No reports.

August 10, 2022

Zachary Smith, 37 was arrested for Contempt of Court.

Donnie Jennings, 44 of Mena was arrested by an officer with the Arkansas State Police to be held for another agency.

August 11, 2022

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

August 12, 2022

Deputies responded to a residence on Davis Street near Hatfield leading to the arrest of Joshua Heifner, 20 of Hatfield on a charge of Public Intoxication.

August 13, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 181 near Acorn in reference to an unwanted person on the property.

August 14, 2022

A traffic stop on Polk 37 near Potter led to the arrest of Richard Cheshire, 60 of Mena on a Felony Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine with Purpose to Deliver. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Pebble Lane near Board Camp in reference to a verbal altercation.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 4 near Grannis in reference to a stolen trailer.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 19 Incarcerated Inmates, with 12 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

8-16-22 10:40 AM KAWX.ORG

Mena Police Department reports for the week of August 7th through August 13th, 2022

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

August 7

Colton Phillips, 22, was charged with DWI, Refuse to Submit to Alcohol Test, Fleeing in a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Driving Left of Center, and Improper Passing after an attempted traffic stop on Pine Avenue.

Elijah Williams, 21, was charged with Theft at Walmart.

August 8

A report of criminal mischief was taken at a residence on Jerry Lee Drive.

Kathleen Suire, 36, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after a traffic stop on Reine Street.

August 9

Arthur Shurley, 71, was charged with Dog Running at Large after a complaint on Reeves Avenue.

Bobby May, 34, was charged with Violation of a Protection Order and served with a warrant after a disturbance call to a residence on Hickory Avenue.

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

August 10

Donavan Hunt was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on 4th Street.

Abri Evangelista, 18, was charged with Theft at Walmart.

Mark Lewis, 45, and Misty Lewis, 45, were both charged with Disorderly Conduct after a disturbance call to a residence on 10th Street.

August 11

A report of a dog bite was taken at a residence on Valley View Drive.

August 12

A report of contributing to the delinquency of a minor was taken after a traffic stop on Dallas Avenue.

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

A report of battery, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct was taken at Chiquita’s.

Robert Heath, 38, was served with a warrant at the police department.

August 13

Joseph Lucas, 18, and Ryan Hill, 22, were both charged with Disorderly Conduct after a disturbance call to Executive Inn.

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

8-15-22 9:34 AM KAWX.ORG

After passing legislation to accelerate tax cuts and provide funding for school safety, the 93^rd General Assembly adjourned from a special session on Thursday.

In December of 2021, the General Assembly passed legislation outlining the largest tax cut in state history. That legislation lowered the state income tax from what was then 5.9% to 4.9% incrementally over a period of 4 years. The first reduction took effect on January 1, 2022 lowering the income tax to 5.5%.

After a record surplus and a period of rising inflation, the Governor called the legislature back for a special session to accelerate the implementation of the tax cut.

As a result, the General Assembly passed Act 1 and Act 2. Those acts are identical pieces of legislation reducing the income tax to 4.9% and making that rate retroactive to January 1, 2022.  The legislation also lowers corporate income taxes from 5.9% to 5.3% on January 1, 2023. In addition, it aligns Arkansas law with the federal depreciation schedule which will provide relief for business owners by accelerating the depreciation of their assets and allow for an easier calculation of their tax bill.

Act 1 and Act 2 also grant a nonrefundable income tax credit of $150 to taxpayers with income up to $87,000 and $300 to couples filing jointly with income up to $174,000.

The Department of Finance and Administration says the agency will issue revised payroll withholding tables to more than 80,000 employers across Arkansas within the next month. The agency anticipates they will be effective October 1. This will give employers adequate time to program the changes and also ensure Arkansans see more money in their paychecks as soon as possible.

In this special session, the General Assembly also passed Act 3. This act sets aside $50 million from the revenue surplus for the purpose of funding a school safety grant program. The grants will help districts fund the recommendations of the School Safety Commission. 

You can watch the recorded committees and House floor proceedings at www.arkansashouse.org.

8-12-22 5:40 PM KAWX.ORG 

Arkansas Youth Serving The Natural State

As teachers dust off desks, parents buy new school supplies and students prepare to head back to the classroom, the signs that a new school year is upon us are unmistakable. Yet I can attest that some young Arkansans were still learning over the summer break, developing new skills and gaining vital experience to help shape their future through congressional internships.

We have a responsibility to provide our youth with the resources for a solid foundation to be the next generation of leaders. That extends beyond the classroom.

As the U.S. Capitol resumes normal operations, we were able to welcome more Arkansas interns back to Washington for our summer congressional internship program. Students from Magnolia to Fayetteville came to Congress and got first-hand experience with serving Arkansans as well as a front row seat to the legislative process.

Our country has always relied on dedicated citizens to perform essential tasks and help administer services. Instilling a passion for public service in America’s youth is something I’m proud to advocate. This is one of the many reasons I’ve launched initiatives like the Congressional Youth Cabinet and continue to promote interning in the Senate.

Constituent service is one of my most important duties as an elected official. Interns provide vital support in answering phones and processing correspondence. The hands-on approach my office strives for would not be possible without the hard work of diligent interns. Beyond day-to-day operations, they serve as stewards to visiting Arkansans, especially in giving tours of the Capitol –– a special opportunity sightseers and interns alike often report is a highlight of their time in the nation’s capital.

My staff and I aim to provide interns with an experience that will last a lifetime. One of the many ways we achieve this is through our speaker series. Our state often feels like one big community, so it’s only natural to welcome Arkansas natives working in Washington to share their professional experiences with interns during informative question and answer sessions. This opportunity creates connections interns can leverage to achieve personal and career growth while also leaving a lasting, positive impression of public service and the impact The Natural State has on Capitol Hill.

Our hope is the opportunities we provide help interns learn and flourish regardless of their professional goals. These young men and women have a wide range of interests and aspirations from engineering to economics to government and beyond. Regardless of their career paths, congressional interns can find something D.C. has to offer them, all while helping Arkansans.

I encourage any young person interested in public service to consider applying for an internship. Some interns find their passion for policy and civic engagement while they are here. Many now work in government at all levels or take their interest for giving back to other important roles elsewhere. I was fortunate to have had very special and promising students working alongside my staff this summer serving the public. I wish all of our interns the best in school and beyond, knowing their time spent representing our state will help them along the way.

8-12-22 3:53 PM KAWX.ORG 

Higher Taxes and Spending Will Not Lower Inflation

This week, Congressional Democrats used a special procedural tool called “reconciliation” to pass a $745 billion bill through both chambers of Congress on a party line vote. The misleadingly named “Inflation Reduction Act,” (IRA) will raise taxes on every income bracket, hire 87,000 additional IRS agents to enforce those taxes, cut jobs, reduce medical innovation opportunities, and certainly worsen inflation. Moreover, this bill will result in approximately $130 billion in new debt that will be carried by our children and grandchildren.

Democrats claim that the IRA will reduce the deficit by raising taxes, which will lower inflation. In reality, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, this bill will have virtually no effect on inflation this year and could possibly reduce inflation by 0.01% in 2023. The American people cannot wait years with lighter wallets for inflation to begin to go down by a measly and imperceptible amount.

President Joe Biden swore numerous times that taxes would not be raised on those earning less than $400,000 per year. The IRA breaks that promise. In fact, Americans making less than $400,000 will bear as much as two-thirds of the IRA’s additional tax burden by 2031. Raising taxes on businesses and individuals will result in fewer jobs and less economic activity. Is this what Democrats mean when they say we should all pay “our fair share?”

One of the major provisions touted by Democrats is government implemented price controls on prescription drugs. While I agree that health care costs must be reduced, artificially capping the price of drugs will raise the price of new drugs, raise insurance premiums, and discourage the innovation of new cures and therapies. That is why my legislation the “Fair Care Act,” enacts meaningful, wholistic reform to the health care system by expanding insurance options and putting more money directly into the consumer’s pockets. This will bring down costs across the board, including those of prescription drugs without sacrificing innovative cures for diseases that plague Americans.

I am dismayed that Democrats continue to repackage the same poor policies that caused sky-high inflation, stick a buzzword in the name, and expect a gold star while the economy inevitably continues to suffer. When a party cannot admit the fact that we are in a recession, it cannot be trusted to bring us out of one. I wholeheartedly voted no on the misleadingly named “Inflation Reduction Act.” I will never support legislation that will spend us, our children, and our children’s children into the ground.

8-12-22 3:47 PM KAWX.ORG

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Larry Teague

August 12, 2022

LITTLE ROCK – The legislature concluded a quick, three-day special session after approving income tax cuts that will save 1.6 million Arkansas taxpayers about $500 million.

The tax savings will come mainly from moving up the effective date of previously adopted tax reductions. Last December the legislature lowered the top income tax rate over four years, so that it would be 4.9 percent in 2025.

Thanks to legislation enacted during the special session, that reduction becomes effective this year.

In similar fashion, the legislature moved up the effective date of previously approved tax reductions that lowered the top rate for corporations over three years, to 5.3 percent in 2025. The top rate will take effect in 2023. For tax year 2022 the top rate will remain at 5.9 percent.

Moving up the effective date will save businesses in Arkansas about $18.6 million this fiscal year. The savings increase the following year to $27.8 million.

Another provision enacted during the special session will save Arkansas businesses $29.4 million this year. The legislature approved a change in how they can claim deductions for depreciation and expensing of property, making the Arkansas tax code similar to depreciation schedules in section 179 of federal tax codes.

This will allow Arkansas businesses to claim deductions for the purchase of new or used equipment, up to about $1 million, in a single year. Previously, state tax law limited the amount that could be deducted and required deductions to be spread out over the life of the equipment.

Individuals with incomes up to $87,000 will get a $150 nonrefundable tax credit. Married taxpayers who file separately may each claim a $150 credit. Married taxpayers filing jointly with net income up to $174,000 will receive a $300 nonrefundable income tax credit.

Those income tax credits will save Arkansas families more than $156 million in Fiscal Year 2023.

Even after passage of the tax cuts, state government is on course to have a budget surplus of about $400 million at the end of the fiscal year, according to the bill’s sponsors.

Also during the special session, the legislature authorized the state Education Department to use $50 million from reserve funds for grants to school districts that need school safety upgrades. If necessary, the legislature will consider additional funding of school safety measures during the 2023 regular session, which begins in January.

The Arkansas School Safety Commission is finalizing a list of recommendations to protect students and staff in the event of a school shooter.

The commission recommends that an armed school resources officer be present in all buildings at all times when there are students.

Another recommendation is that all school doors be locked, with electronic controls. Teachers should be able to lock classroom doors from the inside, the commission recommended.

Security cameras, accessible to school staff and law enforcement, as well as two-way radios to connect school personnel with local police officers, are recommended.

Some lawmakers wanted to consider pay raises for teachers. However, the governor did not put that issue on the call for the special session so salary increases for teachers will be an issue during the 2023 regular session.

8-12-22 9:21 AM KAWX.ORG

Several municipal elected positions in Polk County will be contested in the November General Election this year. Stephanie Murr and Kacie Rose have both filed for the Mena Clerk/Treasurer position. Incumbent Clerk/Treasurer Linda Rexroad did not file for re-election. Stanley Craig will be running against incumbent Terri Neugent for City Council Ward 1 Position 2. In Cove, incumbent Mayor Joan Headly will face Keven Burkett November 8th.

A complete list of candidates, opposed and un-opposed, is below.

8-10-22 3:25 PM KAWX.ORG

On Monday, August 8, 2022, an inmate in the Polk County Detention Center led the Polk County Sheriff's Office to skeletal remains in a shallow grave west of Hatfield, Arkansas. The remains were found in a heavily wooded area along the Mountain Fork River.

SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of August 1, 2022 – August 7, 2022. 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.

August 1, 2022

Whitney Reynolds, 32 of Mena was arrested on two Felony Failure to Appear Warrants.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a physical altercation. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

August 2, 2022

No reports.

August 3, 2022

Anastasia Jennings, 38 of Waldron was arrested on Felony Warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia as well as a Body Attachment Warrant.

Shealeena Phillips, 37 of Wickes was arrested on a Misdemeanor Failure to Appear Warrant as well as a Drug Court Sanction.

Kenneth Chaney, 28 of Mena was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Felony Warrant for Theft of Property.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to Interference with Child Custody. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

August 4, 2022

Chad Shaffer, 49 of Fort Smith was arrested on a Felony Warrant for 2nd Degree Forgery.

August 5, 2022

No reports.

August 6, 2022

No reports.

August 7, 2022

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

A traffic stop near Hatfield led to the arrest of Roscoe Cline on charges of Expired Tags, Driving on a Suspended License, No Proof of Insurance and a Warrant for Harassment.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 19 Incarcerated Inmates, with 10 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

8-9-22 8:40 AM KAWX.ORG

Mena Police Department reports for the week of July 31st through August 6th, 2022

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

July 31

A report of criminal mischief was taken from The Look Salon.

Michael Harvey, 48, was served with a warrant at the county jail.

A report of disorderly conduct was taken at a residence on Evans Circle.

Jeremiah Kahn, 37, was charged with Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, Disorderly Conduct, and Public Intoxication after a traffic accident on Highway 71.

A report of breaking or entering and criminal mischief was taken at a residence on Hamilton Avenue.

August 1

A report of theft was taken at a residence on Rogers Street.

Alexander Cernoga, 34, was charged with Disorderly Conduct at Sonic.

August 2

Jamie May, 40, was served with a warrant at Phillips 66.

Michael Williams, 40, was served with a warrant at the county jail.

Brandon Abernathy, 31, was served with a warrant at the court house.

Joy Reed, 34, was served with eleven warrants at the court house.

A report of criminal trespass was taken at a residence on 10th Street.

August 3

A report of theft was taken at a residence on Gildin Avenue.

A report of battery was taken on Dallas Avenue.

Jason Rosson, 40, was served with a warrant at the county jail.

August 4

A report of theft was taken at a residence on Ouachita Circle.

A report of a missing person was taken at a residence on Carder Avenue.

Donavan Craddock, 22, was charged with Possession of Marijuana, No Liability Insurance, and No Vehicle Insurance, and Jimmy Craddock, 18, was charged with Possession of Marijuana at Janssen Park.

August 5

A report of disorderly conduct was taken at a residence on Bonner Circle.

August 6

Chad Thornton, 31, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

8-8-22 11:04 AM KAWX.ORG

The Governor is calling the General Assembly into an Extraordinary Session next week to address the use of surplus funds to provide tax relief and funding for school safety measures.

The Arkansas School Safety Commission was reinstated in the wake of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Members of the original commission created in March 2018 submitted 30 recommendations in their original 124-page report. Many of their recommendations were introduced by the legislature and subsequently became law.

In recent weeks, the commission has been identifying new recommendations on best practices regarding school safety that have developed since the commission's 2018 report. The commission’s report was delivered the Governor this week.

The new recommendations include ensuring that all students have access to mental health services and establishing a behavioral threat assessment team.

Another recommendation states that all schools should ideally have at least one School Resource Officer for each campus and no campus should be without an armed presence at any time.

Since many of these recommendation will require funding, the Governor has stated he will ask the legislature to use $50 million from the state surplus to create a grant program for school districts.

The other item on the Governor’s call concerns use of surplus funds to provide tax relief. Proposals include accelerating future reductions of income and corporate tax cuts and creating a $150 tax credit for Arkansans making below a designated income threshold.

In an Extraordinary Session (often referred to as a special session), the Governor is required to specify the purpose for convening. No other business can be transacted by the General Assembly until every item on the call has been disposed of.

It requires a 2/3 majority vote in both chambers to remain in session after disposing items on the call. That extension cannot exceed 15 days.

You can review recently filed legislation and links to live streams of all committee meetings and House floor proceedings at www.arkansashouse.org.

8-5-22 5:48 PM KAWX.ORG

The Biden Administration Continues its Reckless Tax-and-Spending Spree

High prices at the pump, increasing costs at the grocery store and excessive monthly energy bills are all devastating for the hardworking Arkansans trying to make ends meet. For at least one northeast Arkansas resident, rising expenses made it too difficult to continue running his contracting business, so he closed the doors. We need policies that support small businesses, decrease the cost of fuel and food, and help grow paychecks. Instead, President Biden and congressional Democrats are on a reckless tax-and-spending spree. More spending and tax hikes are not the answer.

While we’re experiencing a 41-year high inflation rate, the president and his allies are pursuing a plan out of touch with the priorities of the American people. In June, Arkansans spent an additional $577 as a result of inflation. This legislation fails deliver the relief Americans are demanding.

Far-fetched claims about the Biden plan reducing inflation were almost immediately debunked by the Penn Wharton Budget Model. Instead, it found the tax-and-spending bill will actually increase inflation over the next two years and then have no measurable positive long-term impact.

Not only does the Biden plan fail to tackle the current economic crisis, but it would also raise taxes on low- and middle-income earners. A tax increase is not just what I think would happen, but it is what an analysis by the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation determined.

The president is proposing job-killing tax hikes, enhanced IRS enforcement and Green New Deal policies that could worsen energy security and food security concerns while pushing us further into a recession.

After we’ve just been reminded of the importance of domestic production, the National Association of Manufacturers worries this bill could reduce our national output by $68.5 billion and result in more than 218,000 fewer workers in the economy.

Its tax on American manufacturers is a backdoor attempt by the president and his party to impose a rate increase on companies and penalize workers, ultimately making them less competitive globally and encouraging job offshoring.

If that’s not bad enough, this reckless plan would funnel an additional $80 billion to the IRS to hire another 87,000 agents for enforcement of noncompliance by all taxpayers regardless of income.

This is extremely troublesome given the IRS’s history of targeting faith-based organizations. The Biden administration wants to arm the IRS with more authority and manpower to pay for its far-left wish list, including imposing extreme environmental policies. Further attacking American-made energy will continue to drive up the costs to heat and cool our homes and operate our vehicles.

When it comes to agriculture policy, this bill sets a particularly bad precedent for farm bill programs.

As the lead Republican on the Senate agriculture committee, I’m alarmed this backroom, partisan approach eliminates input from farmers, ranchers and producers. It’s their farm bill too and they must have a say on it.

By extending conservation programs until 2031, well beyond the life of the next two farm bills, the tax-and-spending bill deliberately takes away our ability to change and adjust these farm programs to meet the future needs of our nation.

Arkansans are already suffering the consequences of the Biden administration’s spending spree. My bottom line is I won’t support this Biden plan and risk raising our taxes.

8-5-22 4:16 PM KAWX.ORG

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Larry Teague

August 5, 2022

LITTLE ROCK – When it meets in special session the legislature will consider a $50 million grant program for school safety measures.

The governor proposed making grants available for schools that need financial help to implement recommendations made recently by the Arkansas School Safety Commission. Although its final report isn’t due until October 1, the commission has already released a preliminary report with a long list of recommendations.

The governor reinstated the commission after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. It was originally formed in 2018 after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

The recommendations this year include providing more access to mental health treatment for students, more training in mental health treatment for staff and the creation of behavioral threat assessment teams. The teams would be composed of staff who are trained to recognize potentially violent responses when students get bullied or stressed.

A school resources officer who is armed should be on campus at all times. The commission specified that if financially practicable there should be an armed presence in each building.

In a 2019 survey, 79 percent of Arkansas school districts reported having an armed officer. However, only 20 percent had an officer on every campus within the district.

The commission suggested that schools have an agreement with local law enforcement agencies to clarify the roles that school officers would have in the event of a shooting. School officers should receive specialized training, since their duties would bring them into constant contact with young people.

Another recommendation is that schools should keep their doors locked all day. Doors that are frequently used should be equipped with electronic access controls. Schools should have a master key to provide law enforcement in the event of a critical incident. Teachers and staff should be able to lock classroom doors from the inside, with access only for authorized personnel.

Visitors to the school should come and go from only one entrance, and schools should have a procedure for escorting visitors.

Schools should have security cameras that can be monitored by designated personnel and local law enforcement.

During emergencies, staff and teachers should have access to reliable communications such as intercoms, cell phones and two-way radios. Radio systems should connect with local law enforcement.

The commission also plans to recommend setting up a statewide hotline for receiving confidential tips about potential threats.

State government has a budget surplus of about $1.6 billion. The main issue during the special session will be a plan to accelerate the reduction of income taxes previously approved. When the tax cuts take full effect, they will save Arkansas families and businesses about $700 million a year.

A grant program can provide quick help with school safety measures that require money, such as electronic access controls on doors.

The commission’s list of recommendations must be approved by the legislature to take effect. Also, the legislature will determine the rules for applying for grants.

Since 1997 Arkansas has had six students and one teacher killed in school shootings. Also, 13 students, staff and teachers have been wounded.

8-5-22 10:24 AM KAWX.ORG 

Finish the Wall

President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas quietly approved a plan to complete a section of the border wall near Yuma, Arizona, filling four major gaps in the wall. Those four gaps have resulted in the Yuma area becoming one of the busiest hubs of illegal immigration.

Secretary Mayorkas claims the project is an effort to “deploy modern, effective border measures” to improve “safety and security along the Southwest Border.” Has this not been the solution Republicans have pushed from the beginning? As glad as I am to see President Biden renege on his campaign promise of “not another foot,” of the border wall, I am skeptical President Biden will do what it takes to fully regain control of our southern border. Clearly, he no longer believes the border wall is “xenophobic” and “racist,” as he previously repeatedly claimed, but controlling the border would mean bucking the radical left that continually pushes for open border policies.

Some Democrats seem to see the writing on the wall. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined Republicans in our call to secure the border. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is asking the National Guard to mobilize to help deal with the migrants who have been bused from the border to her city. When faced with the chaos border states have experienced since Biden’s first days in office, Democrat Mayor Bowser is quick to call the situation a “humanitarian crisis” and decry the emergency as a “federal issue that demands a federal response.”

The crisis at our southern border is an issue that affects all of us. Since President Biden took office, over 3.1 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our border. Over 1 million of whom have been allowed to settle in the U.S. So far in FY2022, 8,400 pounds of fentanyl have been seized by Border Patrol, double the total for all of FY2020. Further, there have been over 500,000 known “got-aways” at our southern border since October 2021. With opioid overdose deaths continually on the rise, it begs the question: how much fentanyl has successfully been smuggled past our overwhelmed border agents?

President Biden must stop playing politics. The people of Yuma and across our country deserve to be protected by their President, as he promised. President Biden clearly sees the benefit of the wall, as demonstrated by his recent actions. Instead of slowly piecemealing the wall together as quietly as possible, I urge President Biden to boldly stanch the flood of migrants and secure our border.

8-5-22 10:18 AM KAWX.ORG

The catfish industry is the largest component of aquaculture in the United States and a significant industry in Arkansas.  In fact, Arkansas catfish farmers contributed $19.5 million to Arkansas’s agricultural economy in 2021. That’s up 17% from the previous year.

The month of August has been proclaimed as Arkansas Catfish Month.  This designation recognizes the impact of catfish producers across the state.

Arkansas is the birthplace of the commercial catfish industry, with at least two farms selling catfish in the late 1950s.  By 1966, Arkansas had 4,500 acres in catfish production and three processing plants.

Today, Arkansas has 3,800 water surface acres used for catfish production. That’s a 6% increase from 2020. Arkansas now ranks 4^th in the nation in catfish production. Ninety-four percent of all U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is raised in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Our state is also home to programs providing research and support to the aquaculture industry, including the Aquaculture/Fisheries Center for Excellence and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and the Harry K. Dupree National Aquaculture Research Center in Stuttgart.

In 2015, the General Assembly passed Act 1191 which created a catfish labeling requirement to ensure consumers can accurately identify the country of origin of catfish purchased in Arkansas retail establishments. This legislation helps to provide quality control for consumers and protects domestic catfish farmers from substitutes that are imported and sold often under the label of being catfish.

U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is a lean fish and an excellent source of protein. It is low in saturated fat and is a moderate source of polyunsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids. It’s just one more reason to celebrate Arkansas Catfish Month.

You can find links to catfish recipes and more information about Arkansas’s aquaculture industry at www.arkansashouse.org.

8-3-22 6:07 AM KAWX.ORG 

SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of July 25, 2022 – July 31, 2022. 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.

July 25, 2022

Deputies responded to a runaway juvenile being located.

July 26, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 29 near Hatfield in reference to a verbal domestic dispute.

July 27, 2022

Alexander Cernoga, 34 of Cove was arrested on a charge of Disorderly Conduct after officers were dispatched to a residence on Hatton Lane near Wickes in reference to a disturbance.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a property dispute.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 37 near Potter in reference to a physical domestic disturbance leading to the arrest of Brandon Falls, 36 of Mena on charges of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery and Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance.

July 28, 2022

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a violation of a no contact order.

Deputies were dispatched to a location on Hwy 246 near Hatfield in reference to someone walking down the middle of the road leading to the arrest of Codie Shifflett, 29 of Cove on charges of Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct.

July 29, 2022

Sara Hirshfield, 28 of Little Rock was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant for Theft of Property.

Deputies were dispatched to a business near Cove leading to the arrest of Windal Loyd, 41 of Mena on charges of Criminal Trespass and Refusal to Submit to Arrest as well as six Misdemeanor Warrants for Failure to Appear.

A traffic stop for expired tags led to the arrest of James Miller, 51 of Cove on charges of DWI and Failure to Register Vehicle.

Marcos Parra, 29 of Grannis was arrested by an officer with the Arkansas Highway Patrol on charges of DWI, Driving on a Suspended DL and Speeding and a Misdemeanor Warrant for Failure to Pay Fines.

Deputies were dispatched to an area on Polk 618 near Board Camp in reference to an ATV fire.

Deputies responded to a residence on Race Lane near Mena in reference to an altercation. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

July 30, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Weeping Willow Lane near Board Camp in reference

to a structure fire.

Deputies responded to a report of two runaway juveniles being located.

July 31, 2022

Larry Garrett, 42 of Mena was arrested on a charge of Commercial Burglary.

Timothy Gormady, 57 of Mena was arrested on a Misdemeanor Warrant for 3rd Degree Battery.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Bald Eagle Lane near Cherry Hill in reference to a stolen motorcycle.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Morgan Lane near Acorn in reference to property being vandalized.

Deputies responded to a report of an ATV accident on Polk 61 near Board Camp.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 4 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 19 Incarcerated Inmates, with 11 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

8-1-22  4:05 PM  KAWX.ORG

Mena Police Department reports for the week of July 24th through July 30th, 2022:

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

July 24

Donna Cheshire, 55, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

A report of discharging a firearm in the city limits was taken on 1st Street.

July 25

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

July 26

No reports.

July 27

A report of arson was taken at a residence on Ridge Avenue.

July 28

A report of theft was taken at a residence on Evans Circle.

Nathan Hoover, 21, was served with three warrants at Executive Inn.

July 29

A report of a vehicle accident was taken at Mena Ford.

July 30

A missing person’s report was taken at the Mena Police Department. Later that evening the individual was found.

Bobby May, 34 was issued a citation for Violation of a Protection order and Criminal Trespass after a call from 1325 Hwy South.

All subjects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

8-1-22  10:30 AM  KAWX.ORG

Polk County Detention Center Inmates