SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of January 23, 2023 – January 29, 2023. 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.

January 23, 2023

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to theft of property.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hidden Lane near Mena in reference to a domestic altercation.

January 24, 2023

Michael Thompson, 41 of Hatfield was arrested on four Felony Failure to Appear Warrants, a Body Attachment and to be held for another agency.

While patrolling, deputies located an abandoned vehicle in the ditch on Hwy 88 E leading to a citation being issued to Christopher Chesser for leaving the scene of an accident.

Steve Hedrick, 55 of Wickes was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on a Body Attachment Warrant.

January 25, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a vehicle fire on Hwy 8 E near Mena.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 97 near Acorn in reference to a burglary.

January 26, 2023

Michael Thomas, 36 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Dover Street near Hatfield in reference to an altercation. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

January 27, 2023

No reports.

January 28, 2023

No reports.

January 29, 2023

Leon Jordan, 36 of Hatfield was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 27 Incarcerated Inmates with 20 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

1-30-23 10:30 A.M. KAWX.ORG

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Mena Police Department Reports for the week of January 22^nd through January 28^th, 2023

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

January 22

Dillion Turner, 24, was charged with Public Intoxication and Obstruction of Government Operations at EZ Mart.

Dare Garrison, 28, was served with a warrant at the county jail.

Dawnylle Boutwell, 53, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

January 23

A report of unauthorized use of a vehicle was taken from a walk-in complainant.

Tabitha Ferguson, 37, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

January 24

Martin Rodriguez, 21, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Harassment, Public Intoxication, Possession of Open Container in a Motor Vehicle, and Carrying a Weapon after a disturbance call at Dollar Tree.

January 25

No report.

January 26

No report.

January 27

Landon Ragain, 18, was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Speeding after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

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

January 28

Matresa Stokes, 39, was charged with DWI, Violation of Ignition Interlock Device, and Speeding after a traffic stop on Reine Street.

Rocquel Priser, 43, was charged with Theft of Property at Walmart.

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

1-30-23 9:45 A.M. KAWX.ORG

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On the third week of the 2023 Regular Session, the House passed legislation that could impact everything from car tags to the start of the school year.

HB1150 which would extend the time period Arkansans have to register a vehicle. This bill would give Arkansans 60 days from the purchase date of the car or if they’ve moved to Arkansas from out of state. Currently, Arkansans have 30 days to register.

The House also passed HB1125 which prohibits level 3 and level 4 sex offenders from owning or operating a drone.

In addition, the House passed HB1091. This bill states that for purposes of employment in Arkansas, a GED shall be treated the same as a high school diploma.

Other bills making their way to the Senate now include HB1123. This bill would allow an individual who voluntarily seeks mental health treatment in a mental health institution or facility to petition the court for a license to carry a concealed handgun two years after treatment.

HB1098 would allow volunteer fire departments to operate a newborn safety device under the Safe Haven Act if they are staffed 24 hours a day. The Safe Haven Act allows a parent to anonymously relinquish custody of an infant. HB1098 would also allow a parent to leave a newborn child with a medical provider staff member after delivery of the newborn.

The House passed HB1101 which amends the law concerning the issuance of a special license plate for disabled veterans. It changes the qualifications for a special license plate to a veteran who is at least 10% disabled. Currently, a veteran must be 30% disabled to qualify.

And the House passed HB1122 which amends the law concerning dates for the beginning of the school year. It states the first day of the school year for public elementary and secondary schools shall be on or after the Monday of the week in which August 19 falls,  not earlier than August 14, and not later than August 26.

The House will enter the 4th week of the session on Monday, January 30th.

You can watch all House proceedings at arkansashouse.org.

1-27-23 5:05 PM KAWX.ORG

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Expanding Arkansas’s National Security Role

Protecting the United States and our interests is a fundamental responsibility for the federal government. Our founders made this role clear when they wrote the Constitution with the intent to, in part, “provide for the common defense.”

Today we understand how vital that is in the face of threats from adversaries and competitors around the world.

The Chinese Communist Party is actively seeking to displace the United States from atop the international order. Russia openly threatens global security and wages unprovoked wars to expand its influence and territory. Iran continues to pursue nuclear weapons and underwrite terrorist activity in the Middle East and beyond.

There are numerous other challenges on the horizon, which simply underscores the need to ensure America’s military is always able and ready to defend our homeland and protect our interests.

One thing Natural State residents should feel increasing pride and excitement with is Arkansas’s growing footprint in the national security space.

In addition to the vital ongoing missions at Little Rock Air Force Base, Pine Bluff Arsenal, Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith and the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, we have been fortunate – through a combination of hard work, strategic planning and collaboration – to welcome key defense industries to Camden where a skilled workforce and cutting-edge technology are producing vital weapons and tools that help America and our allies maintain superiority on the battlefield.

I have always believed in the value of this project and advocated public and private commitments to it because it’s truly a win-win – jobs and economic development for the region and enhanced national security capabilities for our country.

Most recently, the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act provided further significant investments in these enterprises, assuring all involved with this partnership of its long-term viability.

Our state is also on the cusp of adding an even higher profile contribution to our national security résumé with Fort Smith’s selection as the preferred location to host the Air Force’s future F-35 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program that trains military personnel from allied nations on the fifth-generation fighter jet. This development represents yet another significant contribution to our national defense while, at the same time, promising to yield tremendous benefits for the region and our state.

The Arkansas Congressional delegation and the Governor’s office have worked hand-in-hand to support this endeavor, including through securing critical funding and facilitating beneficial dialogue between the Department of Defense, state leaders and our allies abroad that plan to participate.

This work continued in January as I traveled to Germany, Poland and Finland to discuss our shared defense initiatives and partnership in F-35 training. The meetings were an opportunity to reassure our allies that Arkansas remains committed to this opportunity and stands ready to support any needs for their success and our own.

This productive trip was just the latest effort to champion Arkansas’s role in U.S. national security. Our state has incredible resources and features that are ready-made to help ensure the federal government can, as the Constitution envisioned, defend our country.

Arkansans should feel confident that your elected officials will continue to advocate fiercely for our state to further expand its ability to contribute to that foundational duty.

1-27-23 5:01 PM KAWX.ORG

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Getting Back To Our Roots
 

This week, for the first time in almost seven years, the House considered legislation under a modified open rule, taking us one huge step closer to restoring a truly representative government. This parliamentary process allows all members, regardless of party, to submit amendments to a bill to be openly debated on the House floor before a vote.

The modified open rule gives members the opportunity to influence legislation and openly advocate for the best interests of their constituents on the House floor. We are returning Congress back towards its foundational principles, open debate and free speech.

On this momentous occasion, we considered an energy bill that would rein in government misuse of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. For this bill alone, there were 143 amendments submitted by members for debate. Of those, 115 were submitted by Democrats, and 28 were submitted by Republicans. This just shows the power of democracy when we tear down the red tape and restrictions and allow it to work. The unlimited opportunity for amendments and open debate ensures that the American people’s voices are heard.

My colleagues and I are here to serve our constituents, and it is so crucial that we are able to advocate for your needs. Under the new House Republican majority, there is no more proxy voting – every member of Congress must be present to vote. Doing away with proxy voting was the first step in getting this body of Congress to truly show up to work for all of you at home. And now, the use of the modified open rule does away with restrictions on the amendment and debate process.

It is a breath of fresh air to see members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, actively participating in the parliamentary process. We are making strides toward a more transparent and representative government, just as our constitution intended. I look forward to continuing to serve the 4^th District of Arkansas, with fewer restrictions. 

Until next time,

Bruce Westerman

1-27-23 4:55 PM KAWX.ORG

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State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

January 27, 2023

LITTLE ROCK – The first three weeks of the 2023 legislative have session have been remarkable for the wide variety of issues the Senate has addressed.

Public schools will get more flexibility in setting their academic calendar, thanks to Senate passage of legislation that widens the window of dates in which the school may begin.

Good Samaritan legislation passed by the Senate will add protections for individuals and organizations that try to prevent suicides.

Like other government employees, school staff will be allowed to take up to 15 days of leave if they’re for emergencies if they’re in the Civil Air Patrol.

Environmental regulations will be loosened slightly, to allow the burning of vegetation as a method of disposal.

People who want to become massage therapists will be able to start at the apprentice level, thanks to legislation that allows licensing of student and apprentice therapists.

Almost every local and state government in Arkansas flies the American flag every day. Legislation approved by the Senate will require those flags to be made in the United States. The requirement applies to Arkansas flags too.

An obscure statute, which most people were not aware of, will be repealed. It required motorists to turn off the ignition of their motor vehicle when they left it unattended. In effect it made outlaws of everyone who started their car in the driveway on winter mornings to warm up while they step back indoors to finish getting ready for work.

Senate Bill 47 is a bill of one paragraph that deletes the section in the Arkansas code that required drivers to always turn off their ignitions when leaving the car.

The Senate approved legislation to classify drag shows as adult entertainment if they appeal to the audience’s prurient interest. The sponsors say it will prevent sexualized performances in front of children.

The Senate Education Committee endorsed legislation that encourages schools to dedicate the final week of January as Holocaust Education week. Beginning in the fall, all public schools must teach courses on the causes and effects of the Holocaust, which refers to the systematic murder of more than six million Jews and other people by the Nazi regime of German during the 1930s and 1940s.

A purpose of the requirement is to teach children about the effects of bullying, stereotyping, bigotry and discrimination. Designating the last week of January as Holocaust Awareness Week will be encouraged, but not mandated.

The Senate will soon vote on legislation to clarify that a GED is the equivalent of a high school diploma when people apply for a job.

The Senate also will consider legislation to prohibit serious sex offenders from owning or operating unmanned aircraft, such as drones.

By late in the week, 131 Senate bills and 262 House bills had been filed. In past regular sessions, it’s usual for more than 2,000 bills to be introduced. Between 200 and 300 of those will be budget bills for state agencies, institutions of higher education and public schools. Typically, regular sessions last for 90 to 100 days.

1-27-23 4:49 PM KAWX.ORG

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SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of January 16, 2023 – January 22, 2023. 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.

January 16, 2023

Deputies responded to a residence near Hatton in reference to juveniles who had run away. They were later located.

January 17, 2023

Courtney Sullivan, 26 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for 2^nd Degree Forgery.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 46 near Mena in reference to dogs being shot.

January 18, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 284 near Hatfield in reference to an unattended death.

Ava Dixon, 28 of Gillham was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on charges of 3^rd Degree Domestic Battery and Abuse of Adults.

January 19, 2023

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 136 near Cove in reference to a cow being shot.

January 20, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 67 near Mena in reference to a trespasser.

January 21, 2023

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to identity fraud.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Stone Lane near Acorn in reference to a disturbance.

January 22, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a business on Hwy 71 N near Mena in reference to commercial burglary.

Deputies responded to a report of a wrecked vehicle on Polk 18 near Vandervoort.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 25 Incarcerated Inmates with 19 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

1-24-23 1:36 P.M. KAWX.ORG

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Mena Police Department reports for the week of January 15^th through January 21^st, 2023

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

January 15

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

January 16

A theft report was taken from Walmart.

A theft of motor fuel report was taken from Murphy USA.

Megan Hubbard, 35, and Curtis Hudson, 53, were both charged with Theft of Property at Walmart.

January 17

A report of criminal trespass was taken from Walmart.

January 18

Abram Abernathy, 26, was served with warrants at a residence on Evans Circle.

January 19

Brandon Falls, 37, was charged with Possession of Marijuana after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

January 20

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

January 21

A report of a dog bite, and dog running at large was taken on 4^th street.

Cyrus Stephenson, 22, was charged with Drinking in Public at Wendy’s.

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

1-23-23 9:56 A.M. KAWX.ORG

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This is the first in a series of articles that will be shared on KAWX.ORG, written and submitted by Kathy Hagler of the local James K. Polk Chpater of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, leading up to the 250th birthday of the USA on July 4, 2026.

The United States Semiquincentennial,  or 250th, birthday,  will be July 4, 2026. There will be festivities scheduled nationwide to mark the events leading up to our nation's birthday. 

There were no major government sponsored observances or celebrations in1826, which was the 50^th anniversary of our country's existence. Former presidents and signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died on July 4,1826. Nationwide celebrations were held in 1876,the 100^th anniversary of our country's existence and were centered around the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.  In 1926, a Sesquicentennial, or 150^{th,  Exposition was held in Philadelphia and in 1976, Bicentennial,  or 200th anniversary, observances were held around the country.} 

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 directs the United States Government to issue commemorative coins and postage stamps and commission appropriately named navel vessels, ahead of the semiquincentennial. Officially organized and independently created activities are also being planned. The legislation specifically directs the organization of events "in locations of historical significance to the United States ". Included on this list are the "leading cities "of Boston, Charleston, New York and Philadelphia. 

Kathy Hagler, 2^nd Vice Regent 

James K. Polk Chapter, NSDAR 

1-22-23 11:01 A.M. KAWX.ORG

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House members will enter the third week of the 2023 Regular Session on Monday.

In the second week, several bills passed the House and are now making their way to the Senate.

On Wednesday, the House passed HB1018. This bill will allow members of municipal fire department bomb squads to carry weapons while responding to bomb threats.

The House also passed HB1086. This bill amends the law concerning parking privileges for a person with a disabled veteran special license plate. It states vehicles with a disabled veteran special license plate can have access to disabled parking spaces if the vehicle also displays a special certificate issued by the Office of Motor Vehicle.

On Thursday, the House passed HB1023. This bill states that all US flags and Arkansas flags purchased by a public entity with public funds shall be made and manufactured in the United States.

The House passed HB1024. This bill removes the requirement to collect a tax on prepared food and hotel purchases for cities seeking to create an entertainment district.

The House also passed HB1028. This bill replaces the term “child pornography” with the term “child sexual abuse material” in Arkansas code. This is the term used by several states and by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

Close to 170 bills have been filed in the House so far. More than 70 bills have been filed in the Senate.

We will continue to update you on developments throughout the session.

You can watch all committee meetings and House floor proceedings at arkansashouse.org.

1-20-23 4:33 P.M. KAWX.ORG

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Recipe for Reaching Children in Need 

Americans have long called on Washington to cut inefficiencies in federal programs and modernize them for the 21^st century. Yet rarely, are those calls heard on Capitol Hill.

Come this summer, we will get a good glimpse at what happens when Congress follows through with rhetoric and puts change into motion, as a lot of hungry children will be helped as a result.

A long overdue modernization of our summer meals program, based on ideas I have championed for years, recently became law.

These reforms update rules that have been in place for over 60 years. Generations of families have struggled with the challenges these restrictive regulations presented while Washington sat idle.

Those difficulties arose from the requirement that children travel to a central location and eat at that site during the summer. This may work well in some communities. However, in rural areas, it can be difficult for children to reach a meal site, if one even exists.

Continuing down this antiquated path left many families scrambling to find access to nutritious meals for their children during the months when classes are not in session.

The solution I have long advocated for, and successfully incorporated in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding package, is to give states more options to reach hungry children during the summer. There are proven ways to achieve this goal, but until now, states have been powerless to employ commonsense approaches like off-site meal options or the issuance of electronic benefits cards. 

These options do not replace congregate feeding sites, which as I previously noted, work well in many communities. But the one-size-fits all approach is outdated, and states have needed additional ways to fill the void in communities where it is not feasible for children to gather in a central location to eat.

Moving forward, states will be allowed to provide non-congregate meal options, such as grab-and-go or home delivery, to eligible children, and issue Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, capped at $40 per child per month, to eligible families on a permanent basis.

These options proved to be quite effective during the pandemic. When social distancing mandates were in place, Congress waived the requirement for children to travel to a central location and eat their meals onsite. In turn, this spurred innovation with public-private partnerships that provided access to nutritious meals for young Arkansans.
 

We already had evidence to show summer EBT works. Pilot programs conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture prior to the pandemic showed summer EBT successfully reduced child hunger by over 30 percent among participants.

A handful of my colleagues and I had been pushing for these changes for many years. The success of these options during the pandemic convinced the rest of Congress it was time to act. While I am pleased to see these much-needed reforms are now law, it really should not be this difficult for Congress to act when a solution is staring us in the face.

While government is almost always behind the curve on innovation, we can show the American people that we are serious about fixing the way Washington works. It just takes a willingness from policymakers to focus on solutions, rather than punditry. Ending food insecurity is a great place to start that commitment. 

1-20-23 4:25 P.M. KAWX.ORG

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Spending, Spending, Spending.

The United States has officially hit our $31.4 trillion debt limit. In response, the Treasury Department is embarking on “extraordinary” measures to ensure the federal government has enough money to stay afloat. Before we dig a little deeper into this, let’s get one thing clear – it was “extraordinary” and wildly irresponsible spending that got us to this point in the first place.

In December 2021, Congress voted to raise the debt limit to pay for the historic influx of spending amid the COVID-19 era. President Biden was a strong supporter of fast-tracking the process to raise the debt limit then, and it sent us even deeper into a never-ending spiral of spending and debt. And now look where we are. Not even 13 months later, we’re right back in this same situation again.

In the meantime, The Treasury Department will continue to enact “extraordinary” measures and will move money around to remain under the cap and keep the government afloat, but this won’t last forever. If the Treasury Department exhausts all extraordinary measures, it will be unable to pay bills and force us to default on our debt – something that would be economically devastating and could result in a global financial crisis. We cannot let this happen.

It's time to look in the mirror and face the facts – our nation has a debt problem, and it’s Congress’ job to fix it. Our national debt has always been a cause of great concern for me and my Republican colleagues in the House. And although hitting the debt limit raises serious economic fears, I believe we have been presented with a unique opportunity to enact positive, proactive change in the federal government’s spending habits. But we cannot make those changes or cut spending without bipartisan conversations. Raising the debt limit ensures that we pay the credit card bill. What we have to do is make sure that in the future, we’re not creating a new, unwieldy bill. The only lasting way to ensure that we control our debt is to work across the aisle to do so, and I am ready to get to work.

It is my hope that the Biden Administration will work proactively with House Republicans as we work diligently to prioritize spending, cut back on unnecessary spending, streamline and lower costs, and strengthen our national security and economy so we can end this cycle of out-of-control debt growth. These are the first steps in getting America back on the right track.

Until next week,

Bruce Westerman

1-20-23 10:27 A.M.

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State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

January 20, 2023

LITTLE ROCK – There are many stages in the process of convicting criminals and sentencing them to prison. Senate Bill 2, the “Truth in Sentencing and Parole Reform Act of 2023,” will change many of them.

Currently SB 2 is a shell bill, which means it consists only of the title. That’s because the co-sponsors are still gathering ideas from people in the many areas of law enforcement that will be affected.

Stakeholders include county sheriffs and police departments, prosecutors, judges, wardens, prison security officers, parole and probation officers, transition programs, victims’ rights advocates, defense attorneys, drug courts, specialty courts, drug treatment programs and alcohol abuse programs.

The reforms will cost money, so SB 2 will have a ripple effect on the other spending categories in state government.

Last year many elected officials listed stronger law enforcement as one of their campaign issues.

In an interview, the Senate sponsor said that a major focus of the bill would be to protect people from repeat violent offenders who are released from prison on parole, sometimes after serving as little as a sixth of their sentence.

Under SB 2 inmates would have to earn their parole eligibility through good behavior; it would not be guaranteed merely by serving a portion of their sentence. The bill would create incentives for inmates to complete rehabilitation programs.

One challenge the sponsors must address is that about 1,700 inmates are being held in county jails in an average month while they wait for available space to open in a state prison unit.

County jails don’t have the funds or resources for the programs that state prisons can offer, such as treatment for drug abuse and job training. Thus, while inmates are serving time in in a county jail they are not preparing for a productive life after their release.

The measure will lengthen sentences and tighten parole provisions because violent offenders are getting out too soon, the sponsor said. Some inmates don’t participate in job training and drug rehab programs. A strong incentive to participate would be to make it a requirement in order to become eligible for parole.

The legislature will consider proposals to add prison space. The question is how many more beds to build, and how many of the new beds will be for violent and dangerous offenders.

At the end of 2022 the Department of Correction had more than 17,000 inmates in its jurisdiction. That is an increase of about 3,000 more inmates since 10 years ago, and an increase of about 5,000 inmates since 20 years ago.

In fiscal year 2010 the legislature appropriated $338 million from the state’s general revenue fund to the Correction Department for operating state prisons. Last fiscal year the appropriation was $494 million.

The Senate co-sponsor of SB 2 said that garnering a consensus in support of the bill would depend on its total cost. It probably will be a couple of weeks before the details are finalized. When that happens, the bill will be amended. It will no longer be a shell bill with just a title, but will be “a fairly large piece of legislation.”

1-20-23 9:39 A.M. KAWX.ORG

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The Mena School Board conducted their January meeting on Wednesday, January 18th in the district administration building.

Dr. Lee Smith began the meeting with the Superintendent’s Report. He updated the board on Governor Sander’s education plan Arkansas LEARNS as well as the legislative session.

Smith then stated that the district continues to lag behind their attendance goal. The attendance rate for the 1st semester was 92.3% but Mena Middle School and Mena High School have increased their percentage rate. Attendance continues to be an issue for Louise Durham Elementary and Holly Harshman Elementary. On a positive note the number of discipline incidents in the first semester is down significantly over last year. From 503 incidents last year to 398 this year.

Smith then recognized Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley for an update on the district’s reading fluency. Mena Middle School was led by the 8th grade. Of those who were reading below grade level 66% are now reading at grade level. Mena High School was led by the 9th grade with  63% of those below grade level having made progress in the first semester. . Meanwhile Holly Harshman Elementary had a total of 43 students improve to grade level. Louise Durham is currently underway with NWEA Testing and those results will be available soon.

Buckley added that HHE and MMS are doing exceptionally well in the “Great Reading Games” with Learning Ally. HHE is currently third in the nation having read over 100,000 pages and MMS is twelfth in the nation having read over 23,000 pages. According to Learning Ally there are 17,500 schools nationwide who use this resource for struggling readers.

In new business Dr. Smith acknowledged the boards hard work over the past year and each board member was given a gift package from the Sassafras Bakehouse for School Board Appreciation Month.

Next was the school board member training report. Dr. Smith informed the board whether they had met all the yearly training requirements. This information is reported to the state each year.

The board was informed that their statement of financial interest is due January 31st, 2023.

Approval was given for the renewal of the school board legal liability insurance with a premium of $9,977.00.

Mrs. Buckley then provided an update on 2023 model policy updates. 

1. Covid Leave policies for both Certified and Classified staff have been repealed. 

2. School choice applications will only be accepted between January 1 and May 1 through either electronic timestamp submission or postmark. Schools can decline to accept due to having to hire additional staff for a grade, program or building capacity.

3. Schools will provide age appropriate education regarding breastfeeding as well as providing support and space for employees, students or volunteers who are breastfeeding mothers. Break time will be provided according to the employee, student or volunteer needs.

4. Visitors are directed to not use devices to record audio or video or take photographs when a general expectation of privacy exists. Visitors will not post, create, send, share, capture audio, video, or photographs of students unless permission is granted by the guardian or the student who is 18, is authorized by the district or is required to do so as a part of the job duties. 

Next on the agenda was the proposed budget of expenditures for July 1, 2024 - June 30th, 2025. It was approved with a total budget of 12.6 million dollars.

The board approved the latest financial report. With Dr. Smith saying that expenses did outpace revenue this past month which is normal for December.

The board then approved the renewal of Dr. Lee Smith’s contract as superintendent of schools to extend to the 2025-2026 school year with a raise to $125,000. 

Finally in personnel the board accepted the resignation of:

Samantha Breedlove - 7th grade and Jr. High Cheer Coach - effective 12-21-22

Alexa Brewer - Paraprofessional MHS - effective 12-22-22

Kelly Bowen - Bus Driver - effective 1-9-23

Donna Golden - 3rd Grade Teacher HHE - effective 3-3-23

Alyssa Hostetler - MHS Secretary - effective no later than 6-30-23

Restructure:

Kristine Albin - From MHS ELA to Journalism/Yearbook

Hire:

Shawna Powell - MHS ELA  -  Replacing Kristine Albin - effective 1-9-23

Amber Hendricks - MMS AE Paraprofessional - replacing Tiffany Sims - effective 1/16/23

Misty Mullen - Junior High Cheer Coach - replacing Samantha Breedlove for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year.

Chad Pettigrew - C route bus driver - effective 1-9-23

Alyssa Hostetler - Bookkeeper - replacing Suzanne Bentley - effective no later than 6-30-23

1-19-23 9:35 A.M. KAWX.ORG

Mena Police Department reports for the week of January 8^th through January 14^th, 2023

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

January 8

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

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

January 9

A report of assault and disorderly conduct was taken at a residence on South Reine Street.

January 10

Kyle Scheppman, 32, was charged with Possession of a Schedule 2 Controlled Substance, Possession of a Schedule 4 Controlled Substance, and served with warrants after contact at EZ Mart.

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

Michael White, 57, was charged with Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons, Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor), Driving on Suspended License, and No Vehicle License after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

January 11

Rodney Morrison, 37, was served with a warrant after contact at Kess’ Korner.

Bobby May, 35, was served with warrants after contact on Magnolia Avenue.

Jason Rosson, 41, was charged with Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Breaking or Entering, Residential Burglary, and Theft of property at a residence on Warner Avenue.

January 12

No report.

January 13

No report.

January 14

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

A report of theft was taken from a person at the hospital.

Colton Loyd, 18, was charged with Theft of Property at Walmart.

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

1-17-23 12:36 P.M. KAWX.ORG

SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of January 9, 2023 – January 15, 2023. 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.

January 9, 2023

No reports.

January 10, 2023

Nancy Odle, 38 of Cove was arrested on a charge of Violation of a No Contact Order and Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance.

January 11, 2023

Holly Robinson, 31 of Mena was arrested on charges of Interference with Custody, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

January 12, 2023

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a dog bite victim.

Deputies responded to a residence on Cardinal Lane near Acorn in reference to property damage.

January 13, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 69 near Big Fork in reference to a verbal domestic dispute.

January 14, 2023

Natasha Smith, 45 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Gober Lane near Mena in reference to a physical domestic disturbance leading to the arrest of Tammy Turner, 43 of Mena on a charge of 3^rd Degree Domestic Battery.

A call to a residence on Trailwood Lane near Mena led to the arrest of Jericho Clements, 27 of Mena to be held for another agency for outstanding warrants.

Clayton Kesterson, 29 of Wickes was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on a charge of DWI.

Ashley Laughter, 51 of Mena was arrested on charges of 3^rd Degree Domestic Battery, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and 1^st Degree Terroristic Threatening.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 56 near Nunley in reference to a physical domestic disturbance leading to the arrest of Laura Hanks, 51 of Mena on charges of 3^rd Degree Domestic Battery, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and 2^nd Degree Terroristic Threatening.

January 15, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Pebble Lane near Board Camp in reference to a criminal mischief complaint.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 332 near Cove in reference to stolen property.

Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle fire on Hwy 246 West.

Deputies responded to a residence on Butler Circle near Hatfield in reference to a residential burglary. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 25 Incarcerated Inmates with 18 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

1-17-23 9:25 A.M. KAWX.ORG

OLT Announces Cast for Winter Comedy

Ouachita Little Theatre has reached into the “classic comedy file drawer” and is reviving one of the most popular comedies it has ever produced. “You Can’t Take It With You” by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart is a Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy that celebrates non-conformity. It boasts an ensemble cast that includes OLT veteran actors as well as some very talented newcomers.

Director Amanda Baker announces her cast. It includes Alahna Norton as Penny Sycamore, Sterling Freeman as Essie Carmichael, Silas Baler as Ed Carmichael, Stacey Musgrave as Rheba, Mike Rohland as Grandpa, Jered Biard as Paul Sycamore, Tara Cornelius as Alice Sycamore (Jocelyn Bird as understudy) Blade Slatten as Tony Kirby, Tim Hesse as Mr. Kirby, Evelyn Dedman as Mrs. Kirby, Jason Myers as Donald, Scotty Jenkins as DePinna, Robert Cantebury as Kolenkhov, Ann Glenn as the Grand Duchess, Linda G. Johnson as Gay Wellington, Scott Roberts as Henderson, and Ryan Lewis, Kristi Kenyon, and Lilli Loyd as Government Agents.

Costumer is Sharon Hose and Property Master is Linda G. Johnson. The Technical Crew includes Makayla Ortiz, Mikayla Barber, Jocelyn Biard, Trinity Thomas, and Taz Howard.

Performance dates are scheduled for February 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, and 26th. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 PM and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 PM. Reserved tickets are available online at oltmena.com or at the OLT office located at 610 Mena St. during office hours. Tickets are also available at the door. Season tickets are accepted for this show and may be used to reserve seats through the website or in person at the office.

1-13-23 5:41 P.M. KAWX.ORG

The 2023 Regular Session is now underway.

The session began on Monday, January 9 when members of the 94th General Assembly took the oath of office.

The House then elected Matthew J. Shepherd of El Dorado as the Speaker for the 94th General Assembly. He is the first person in state history to be elected Speaker for a third term.

Speaker Shepherd announced the chairs and vice chairs for committees. You can find the committee rosters at arkansashouse.org.

On the second day of the session, the House and Senate convened for a Joint Session. All constitutional officers took the oath of office and upon swearing-in, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave an address outlining her legislative priorities. The priorities mentioned include tax cuts, improving literacy, and improving public safety.

This week, the full House passed HB1001, an appropriation to pay for the expenses of the 94^th General Assembly. The House also passed HB1051, the General Appropriation Act for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.

The House also adopted the rules for the 94^th General Assembly. Changes in the rules from the previous year include adding language that incorporates bill filing deadlines and fiscal impact statement requirements for legislation related to state sponsored health benefits and scholarships. The deadline to file scope of practice legislation is January 23. The deadline to file retirement legislation and employee health benefits plans legislation is January 27.

The deadline to file constitutional amendments is February 8. And the deadline to file legislation impacting scholarships funded by the lottery or the Higher Education Grants Fund is February 13.

Another change to the rules specifies that once a bill is assigned to a committee it will then be listed on that committee’s agenda. Previous rules for the 93^rd General Assembly directed committee chairs to set the agenda.

The legislature will not convene on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  The House will reconvene on Tuesday, January 17 at 1:30 p.m.

You can watch all committees and House floor proceedings at arkansashouse.org. 

1-13-23 5:37 P.M. KAWX.ORG

Piece of Arkansas History Earns National Designation

More than four years ago I used this space to share the ongoing efforts to preserve the Butterfield Overland Trail, a piece of Arkansas’s history that helped shape westward expansion. Now there is more to celebrate as legislation I championed to designate this landmark pathway as a national historic trail has been signed into law.

During the mid-19th century, U.S. Mail contracted the Butterfield Overland Mail Company to transport mail and passengers between St. Louis and Memphis to San Francisco on the Butterfield Overland Trail, which was more commonly referred to as the “Ox-Bow Route” due to its curved path that ran approximately 3,553 miles. It was the first overland transcontinental route by stagecoach.

The stagecoaches traveled through much of Arkansas, making stops in St. Francis, Prairie, Lonoke, Faulkner, Conway, Pope, Yell, Logan and Franklin counties. The northwestern route included stops in Benton, Washington and Crawford counties. The routes merged in Fort Smith before continuing all the way to the Pacific coast.

From 1858 through 1861, the Butterfield Overland Trail served as the connector between the East and West, providing reliable mail service, transportation of goods and a route for settlers to the western frontier. Its significance is evident today. Four segments of the trail in Arkansas have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in addition to the Potts Inn in Pottsville and the Fitzgerald Station barn in Springdale–two of the original buildings along the trail that are still standing.

Arkansas is blessed to have been the setting for something of such historical significance and now, as a result of the Butterfield Overland Trail’s national designation, many others will learn about its important role in the growth and development of our country.

“We thought it would be a slam dunk,” advocate Marilyn Heifner with Heritage Trail Partners recently told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette about the idea she first brought to my office in 2004 when I was serving as the Third Congressional District’s Congressman.

It took several years due in part to a required analysis by the National Park Service (NPS), but we remained patient and persistent. When the study was completed in 2018 and NPS determined the Butterfield Overland Trail met the requirements to be a national historic trail, we pushed ahead.

With the support of groups such as the Heritage Trail Partners and Potts Inn Museum, I introduced legislation to finalize the long-overdue recognition. Just before Christmas, Congress approved this designation then early this year the president signed it into law.

I'm pleased we finally achieved the goal of formally classifying and preserving the trail since it is such an important symbol that has deep roots in Arkansas. It is a piece of history that connects us to our past and, just as importantly, opportunities for the future. Not only will this serve as a tool for educating the next generation, it will help attract tourists interested in learning more about the settlement and growth of our country and the role our state played in its development.

The Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail will continue to tell this story, only now with the distinction and visibility it deserves.

1-13-23 5:33 P.M. KAWX.ORG

Hitting the Ground Running

As you’ve seen in the news, the past couple of weeks in Washington, D.C. have been a whirlwind of excitement. After a long first week back in the Chamber, we elected Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and now the real work has begun.

The 118th Congress is in full swing, and I am optimistic about what the next two years have in store for us. House Republicans are fired up, and we came into the new year ready to get to work. We hit the ground running. This week alone, my colleagues and I have delivered on three main promises in our Committment to America from last year.

On Monday night, we voted to rescind funding for 87,000 new IRS agents who were authorized by the Biden Administration’s incorrectly named Inflation Reduction Act. Americans, especially our small business owners, deserve a government that works FOR them, not AGAINST them. Sadly, the Biden Administration wants to spend over $80 billion hiring new IRS agents to audit taxpayers, yet it only plans on spending $3 billion on fixing the IRS’s antiquated computer systems, answering citizens’ tax questions, and providing casework services. That’s backward and utterly ridiculous. We should be investing in ways to make the income tax code and the IRS experience easier. For the 2022 filing season, the IRS only answered about 10 percent of its phone calls. That’s a complete failure! An ounce of prevention in the form of better systems and better services can eliminate the need for the pound of cure in the form of additional audits. The government belongs to you, and it should serve you every day. This legislation would start fixing that problem. I’m glad we were able to fulfill this promise to rein in Government overreach and reduce unnecessary spending.

Next, we established a bipartisan Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). House Republicans promised the American people that we would defend our nation’s national security and intellectual property rights, and we delivered on Tuesday. The Select Committee on China will make significant strides in protecting Americans from the CCP and will hold the Chinese government accountable for its malign actions. Make no mistake, China is laser-focused on competing with the United States and overtaking us as the world’s foremost economic and military power. And as we have seen, the CCP doesn’t play by the rules. China uses forced labor, it supports stealing intellectual property, and it regularly cracks down on any government dissent.  China is an adversary, and I’m proud to say that the bill passed with a huge bipartisan vote. Standing up for America’s security is in everyone’s best interest.

Last, but certainly not least, we voted to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Services Act. Every life is precious, no matter the age or circumstance. This key legislation ensures that infants born-alive after an attempted abortion will receive the same level of high-quality health care and protection under the law as any newborn child. The bill will require healthcare professionals who are present at the time of birth to practice the same level of skill and diligence to care for the health and life of the child that they would provide to any other child born prematurely or at the same gestational stage. Additionally, this bill penalizes the intentional murder of a born-alive child through fines or prison time – ensuring that individuals who choose to neglect the life of a newborn child pay for their crimes. Unfortunately, there are still regions in our country where late-term abortions are available, and legal, for some women – increasing the chances of a born-alive child from an attempted abortion. This bill will protect the life of the child and ensure that his or her right to a prosperous life is preserved.

This is only the beginning. As we work through the next few months, you will see House Republicans bring myriad bills to the floor that will unleash America’s economic might and put our nation back on a path to success. I am optimistic about the future of the 118th Congress, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop common-sense, forward-thinking solutions to help every resident of the 4th Congressional District for all of you back home.

1-13-23 11:52 A.M. KAWX.ORG

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

January 13, 2023

LITTLE ROCK – The 2023 legislative session got off to a smooth start. The full Senate confirmed the governor’s secretarial nominations, and Senate committees got their initial organizational meetings out of the way.

The governor had named 14 of a possible 15 cabinet nominees, and the Senate quickly confirmed her selections. The head of the Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Labor and Licensing and the Department of Agriculture will continue in the positions they held under the previous administration.

The other appointees are new. The new secretaries of three large and important agencies, Education, Corrections and Human Services, have many years of experience in their fields but are new to Arkansas government.

Also during the first week of the session, the legislature approved the General Appropriation Bill. Under the state Constitution, it must be approved before any other spending measures are approved.

Appropriations generally don’t garner the same amount of public attention as other bills, but it is the legislature’s constitutional duty to approve budgets for state government. The Joint Budget Committee and its subcommittees will meet more often than any other committees.

Legislators will prioritize spending levels in the state’s $6.3 billion general revenue fund. State agency budgets will reflect the political values of Arkansas as much as bills related to so-called “hot button” issues.

State agency budgets reflect our political priorities because they determine how much state government will spend on public schools, health care, law enforcement, welfare and food stamps, higher education, job training, promoting our tourism industry, equipping our National Guard units and protecting the environment.

Last year the legislature enacted about 220 separate appropriations for state agency budgets.

The general revenue fund is the state’s largest discretionary fund. The major sources of revenue are sales taxes, individual income taxes and corporate income taxes.

Highway construction and maintenance are the responsibility of the state Transportation Department, which gets revenue from gasoline and diesel taxes and registration fees paid by heavy vehicles. Those are called special revenues because they are dedicated to maintaining highways and bridges, and are not considered during legislative debates about how to spend general revenue.

Arkansas operates under a balanced budget law known as the Revenue Stabilization Act. It will be one of the last bills considered toward the end of the session, probably in mid to late March or early April.

It prioritizes the state’s budget in the event of an economic downtown that slows or reduces the collection of state taxes. If tax revenue drops, spending will be reduced accordingly.

Fiscal decisions are different for Congress in Washington, D.C. because the federal government can deficit spend, which means it can borrow money for annual operations. The state legislature must balance its annual operating budget, so it sometimes has to make difficult choices about which programs are funded and which ones are not.

About 42 percent of the state’s general revenue budget goes for public schools and 13 percent goes for higher education. Health and human services account for about 31 percent. Public safety and prisons account for about 10 percent.

1-13-23 9:59 A.M. KAWX.ORG

A motorcyle accident in Mena Thursday night left one Mena resident dead and a second injured.

The Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests will be conducting prescribed burns in Arkansas and Oklahoma over the next several months.

Prescribed burns are conducted when the conditions indicate that natural resource management objectives will be met and there will be minimal impact to the public.

Land managers use prescribed fire to promote natural ecological processes. Also known as controlled fires, these fires are intended to meet several objectives. “The first objective of prescribed burns is to reduce the potential for large, costly catastrophic wildfires,” said Joshua Graham, Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Fire and Aviation Staff Officer.

Fire managers have two seasonal windows to conduct prescribed burns: dormant season (in the winter) and growing season (beginning mid-March). “During the winter, dormant season burns are very effective at reducing threats to forest health, such as wildfires, droughts, insects and disease, Graham said. “Other important objectives include improving habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, endangered Indiana Bats or Red Cockaded Woodpeckers and others, which are all essential in the balance of natural processes.”

Many conditions must be met before a prescribed fire can be ignited. The day chosen must be a combination of the correct humidity, wind speed and direction, temperature, fuel moisture, and atmospheric conditions. Factoring in all these requirements limits the number of days in which a prescribed fire can take place.

The Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests will notify local media outlets and smoke sensitive residents on days when prescribed fires are scheduled in their area. Daily updates on prescribed fires across the Forests can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/osfnf or www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita, or by calling 888-243-1042. People with smoke sensitivities who are not already on the Forest Service’s prescribed burn notification list should contact their nearest Forest Service Ranger District office. Report any unattended wildfires by calling 911 or the Forests’ Fire Dispatch Center at 501-321-5232.

The USDA Forest Service is also reminding the public to keep drones away from fire activity. Flying drones or unmanned aircraft systems near a prescribed fire or wildfire is not only extremely dangerous, but illegal. Firefighters use a variety of tactics from the air and on the ground when conducting prescribed burns and while suppressing wildfires. Unauthorized drone flights hinder those efforts. Helicopters, planes and other aircraft that deliver hundreds of gallons of water and fire retardant to a burn site are already flying low, with minimal visibility and under smoky and windy conditions. When drones and firefighting aircraft share the same airspace, the risk of a midair collision increases. Violation of the federal, state, and local laws may subject the offender to civil penalties, including fines of up to $25,000, and potentially criminal prosecution.

1-13-23 8:12 AM KAWX.ORG

Mena Police Department reports for the week of January 1^st through January 7^th, 2023

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

January 1

Robert Doty, 48, was charged with Dog Running at Large on Ransom Road.

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

Howard Blume, 27, was charged with Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and resisting arrest after a disturbance call to a residence on Church Avenue.

January 2

A report of theft of property was taken from Walmart.

A report of harassment and assault was taken from a person at Wendy’s.

January 3

A report of theft of property was taken from Walmart.

Roger Rose, 19, was served with warrants at Municipal Court.

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

A report of terroristic threatening and assault was taken at a residence on Walnut Avenue.

January 4

Richard Martinez, 52, was charged with theft of property and possession of drug paraphernalia after a stop at Bunch’s Laundromat.

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

Codie Shifflett, 29, was served with a warrant at the police department.

Audrey Simmons, 36, was served with warrants at the police department.

Kathy Harper, 43, was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest after a disturbance call to a residence on Mountain View Avenue.

January 5

A report of criminal mischief, harassment, endangering the welfare of a minor, and violation of a protection order was taken at a residence on Rogers Avenue.

A report of theft of property was taken from Walmart.

January 6

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

A report of criminal trespass was taken from Walmart.

January 7

A report of theft of property was taken from Walmart.

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

1-10-23 8:03 AM KAWX.ORG

SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of January 2, 2023 – January 8, 2023. 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.

January 2, 2023

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

January 3, 2023

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to Identity Fraud.

January 4, 2023

John Starr, 31 of Mena was arrested on charges of 3rd Degree Battery and Criminal Trespass after a report of a physical domestic disturbance at a residence on Polk 703 near Mena.

Kenneth Siler, 45 of Mena was arrested on Felony Warrants for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 375 W near Potter in reference to a break-in leading to the arrest of Zackery Summit, 30 of Mena on a charge of Breaking or Entering and Justin Ashley, 29 of Mena on a charge of Breaking or Entering.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 290 near Cove in reference to a trespasser. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

January 5, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Galaxy Lane near Big Fork in reference to a grass fire.

January 6, 2023

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a break-in on Hwy 375 W near Potter.

January 7, 2023

No reports.

January 8, 2023

Asa Dixon, 24 of Cove was arrested on charges of Careless and Prohibited Driving and DWI.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 16 near Vandervoort in reference to an unattended death.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 24 Incarcerated Inmates with 18 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

1-9-23 3:10 PM KAWX.ORG

The 94th General Assembly will convene at noon on Monday, January 9.

The House will have 26 new members taking the oath of office and 74 returning members. The longest-serving members will be serving their 7th term in the House.

This body will range in age from 27 to 81. There will be 26 women serving in the House.

Occupations of members vary widely. There will be 9 farmers, 9 attorneys, and 10 members who are either currently teaching or are former educators.

The House will have 11 members who work in either real estate or property management. In addition, there will be 4 medical professionals, 6 business owners, and 2 pastors. Other professions of members include engineering, contracting, communications, and information technology.

The partisan composition of the House will be 82 Republicans and 18 Democrats.

The one thing every member has in common is the number of Arkansans they represent. Each House member represents approximately 30,000 Arkansans. Due to redistricting, every district has a new number this year. Changes in boundaries could also mean you have a different representative this year. You can find your representative and his or her contact information by using the “Find My Rep” tool at arkansashouse.org.

On Tuesday at 10:30 am, the House and Senate will convene for a Joint Session. On this day, all constitutional officers will be sworn into office and the newly elected Governor will make an address.

On Wednesday, committees will begin meeting. More than 80 bills have been pre-filed in the House so far.

As the session progresses, we will continue to update you on the legislation moving forward. The House streams all committee meetings and House floor proceedings at arkansashouse.org.

1-6-23 5:31 PM KAWX.ORG

Priorities for the 118^th Congress

A new year gives us an opportunity for a fresh start and to make positive changes to the way we live. No matter what our resolutions are, we can agree on hoping 2023 will be better than the past. It’s also the beginning of a new Congress which is another reason to be optimistic because we will have expanded options to hold the Biden administration accountable and advance policies important to Arkansas.

One of the priorities I’m focusing on this year is writing the farm bill. Arkansas is a leader in agricultural production and as ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I’m proud to be a voice for the industry and support the needs of our state’s producers in this legislation. The farm bill is critical to providing our farmers, ranchers and producers with certainty and predictability so they can continue as leaders in feeding and clothing the world.

The farm bill isn’t just a safety net for agriculture, it’s also a safety net for rural America. Nutrition programs, conservation initiatives and rural development measures are also shaped by the farm bill. The committee will be working to examine these programs and ensure the necessary resources are available to meet their unique needs.

As we craft policies to strengthen rural America, we’re in a better position this Congress to provide oversight of the Biden administration’s harmful actions toward families who call these communities home.

Just days ago, the Biden administration demonstrated how out-of-touch it is with rural America with the release of a new Waters of the U.S. rule. This rolls back a commonsense approach by the Trump administration to balance protecting our nation’s waters and the rights of landowners. We can all agree we need clean water, but this rule is more about expanding the authority of unelected federal bureaucrats than safeguarding our water. We’ve successfully fought the overreach of a similar policy by the Obama administration and I will be just as relentless in pursuing a reversal of this regulation.

Fortunately, with a Republican majority in the House of Representatives, we will have increased oversight and accountability of the Biden administration. We’ll be working together to fight bad policies like this so Arkansas’s agriculture producers can use their land and grow their crops without unwarranted interference from Washington. 

More oversight will also be needed when it comes to the chaos at the southern border. President Biden announced he will make his first ever visit there and he should expect to see the consequences of the ongoing national security and humanitarian crisis he created by dismantling our nation’s immigration enforcement policies since day one of his presidency.  

In the last two years there have been more than 4.3 million illegal border crossings and record-high seizures of fentanyl at the border. This is a problem the Biden administration has largely ignored while Senate Republicans have offered numerous legislative initiatives to secure the border.

We’ll be working to encourage the administration to abandon its open border policies, uphold immigration laws, end incentives encouraging illegal immigration and finish building the wall.

As we begin a new Congress, I appreciate the support of Arkansans who have entrusted me to be their voice in the U.S. Senate for another term. I look forward to serving Natural State residents by advancing policies to better our communities, state and nation.

1-6-23 4:33 PM KAWX.ORG

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice

January 6, 2023

LITTLE ROCK –School choice, prison expansion and tax cuts are expected to be the highlights of the 2023 regular legislative session that convenes on Monday, January 9.

Also on the agenda will be legislation to improve the reading skills of elementary school students. Legislators will consider plans to better prepare workers with the job skills most in demand by Arkansas manufacturers. Industry spokesmen have said that companies would like to locate in Arkansas if they can hire enough skilled workers.

Legislators say that Arkansas would be more competitive with neighboring states if individual and corporate income tax rates were lowered further. In the past eight years the legislature has approved reductions in state income taxes that now save Arkansas taxpayers about $750 million a year.

The top rate for individual income taxes has gone down from seven percent to 4.9 percent and the top rate for corporate income taxes has gone down from 6.5 percent to 5.3 percent.

The state’s strong fiscal position has prompted debate about tax cuts, prison expansion and higher teacher salaries.

Even with the recent tax reductions, the state will end the current fiscal year with an estimated surplus of almost $600 million, and the governor’s proposed balanced budget for next fiscal year projects another surplus of $255 million. Also, the state has about $2.7 billion in various reserve funds.

The Senate and House Committees on Education have recommended raising teacher pay by $4,000 a year. The two bodies differ on how quickly to implement the higher salaries.

Proposals to expand prisons have not been finalized. Some call for building space for 1,000 inmates and other legislators prefer a more aggressive building plan.

More prison space for violent offenders would relieve pressure on county jails, which at times can house up to 2,000 state inmates because there are no available beds in state prison units. County sheriffs have told the legislature that violent offenders in county jails are a danger to staff and to people in jail on minor offenses.

Truth in sentencing is another public safety issue that will likely come before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees.

Now, when a jury sentences a convicted offender, that person can accumulate good time and be released on parole before the end of his sentence. Inmates out on parole have committed serious offenses, including murder. That has generated public support for longer sentences and stricter parole policies.

School choice can take several forms, such as more charter schools or more flexible policies that provide parents more options to home school their children. Legislation is expected that would create tax saving accounts for parents to help pay to send their children to a private or parochial school.

The pandemic affected students across the nation, and in Arkansas the impact has shown up in standardized test scores. However, legislators were beefing up literacy programs in elementary schools even before the pandemic. Expect a renewed effort to improve young children’s reading skills.

Lawmakers will be in session for at least 60 days, as mandated by the state Constitution, but more than likely it will last for about 90 days.

1-6-23 4:24 PM KAWX.ORG

Little Rock, Ark. — On Thursday Americans United for Life announced that Arkansas is the most pro-life state in America for the third year in a row. The pro-life organization ranks all fifty states based on state laws protecting the unborn, the elderly, the disabled, and the terminally ill.

Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement saying, “This is incredible news. Arkansas has the best laws in the nation when it comes to protecting innocent human life from conception until natural death. Arkansans should be proud of their state legislators for enacting such good laws. That’s something to celebrate.”

Cox said that keeping Arkansas the most pro-life state in America has taken a lot of work by many different people. “By working together, Arkansans have helped Arkansas remain the most pro-life state in the country. Arkansas Right to Life has been fighting abortion for over forty years, and Family Council has been at it for more than thirty years. Arkansas’ General Assembly has passed at least forty-seven good, pro-life laws since 2011. Ministers, churches, elected officials, pregnancy resource centers, and everyday Arkansans all have worked tirelessly to make Arkansas the pro-life state that it is today.”

Cox pointed out that Arkansas law generally prohibits abortion, and most Arkansans do not support abortion on demand. “It’s great to be the nation’s most pro-life state, but it’s even better that Arkansas has stopped aborting unborn children. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has reversed Roe v. Wade, abortion is prohibited in Arkansas except to save the life of the mother. Even before that law went into effect, abortion in Arkansas had plummeted to historic lows. Public opinion polling has shown for years that Arkansans do not support abortion on demand, and more than forty pregnancy resource centers around the state help women and girls with unplanned pregnancies. Arkansas is a pro-life state, because Arkansans themselves are incredibly pro-life.”

Cox said even though Arkansas is the most pro-life state in the country, pro-life efforts are far from over. “Being pro-life is about much more than opposing abortion. It’s about protecting innocent human life at all stages from conception until natural death. We look forward to continuing to defend the sanctity of human life in Arkansas.”

1-5-23 1:56 PM KAWX.ORG

Mena Police Department reports for the week of December 25th through December 31st, 2022

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

December 25

No reports.

December 26

A report of battery was taken at a residence on Mena Street.

December 27

Laura Flores, 19, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Intoxication Liquor by Minor, Public Intoxication, and Disorderly Conduct after a disturbance call on 3rd Street.

December 28

No reports.

December 29

Curtis Smith, 30, was charged with Driving on Suspended License, No Liability Insurance, and No Registration after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

December 30

A report of sexual indecency with a child was taken from a walk-in complainant.

A report of forgery was taken at James’ Food.

Matthew Simmons, 38, was served with a warrant at the police department.

December 31

Paul Davis, 32, was charged with Arson, Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Arrest after a disturbance call on 7th Street.

A report of dog running at large was taken at a residence on Hamilton Avenue.

Rachel Crow, 42, was served with a warrant at a residence on Evans Circle.

Jeremiah Wells, 25, was charged with Domestic Battery, Public Intoxication, and Disorderly Conduct after a disturbance call at a residence on Oak Grove Avenue.

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

1-4-23 10:13 AM KAWX.ORG

SHERIFF’S LOG

The following information was received from Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer for the week of December 26, 2022 – January 1, 2023. 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.

December 26, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 S near Wickes in response to an unattended death.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 278 E near Wickes in reference to a verbal domestic dispute. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies responded to a report of Theft by Deception. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

December 27, 2022

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 44 near Mena in reference to the theft of property.

December 28, 2022

No reports.

December 29, 2022

No reports.

December 30, 2022

Alexander Cernoga, 34 of Cove was arrested on a Felony Warrant for 2nd Degree Battery.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Cajun Lane near Mena in reference to a trespasser.

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

December 31, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 270 near Acorn in reference to a trespasser leading to the arrest of Christie Richmond, 46 of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery and Charles Hellam, 36 of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Thunder Lane near Mena in reference to a missing firearm.

Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence near Cherry Hill. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

January 1, 2023

James Thornton, 52 of Cove was arrested on five Misdemeanor Failure to Appear Warrants.

Phillip Riley, 53 of Cove was arrested on six Misdemeanor Failure to Appear Warrants, a Misdemeanor 3rd Degree Domestic Battery Warrant and a charge of 3rd Degree Battery.

Scott Emry, 42 of Hatfield was arrested on charges of DWI, Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons and Refusal to Submit to Arrest.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Grove Lane near Cove in reference to a structure fire.

A traffic stop on Hwy 71 S near Potter led to the arrest of Braxton Kyle, 18 of Mena on charges of DWI, Refual to Submit, Driving Left of Center and Purchase/Possession of Intoxicating Liquor by a Minor.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 18 near Vandervoort in reference to a trespasser leading to the arrest of Charles Alexander, 18 of Vandervoort on a charge of Criminal Trespass.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 3 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 23 Incarcerated Inmates with 17 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

1-3-23 8:58 AM KAWX.ORG