JUNE 19, 2019
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THE POLK COUNTY 1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600
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Council Reviews Grants for Possible City Improvements
(MENA) Members of Mena City Council met Tuesday to discuss the approval of two grant application opportunities and also talked about the purchase of two much needed dump trucks for the city. The city has the opportunity of being granted an Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Outdoor Recreation Grant, that will further enhance the city’s parks, specifically Janssen and McMillan Parks. The city held a public hearing last month to give the residents an opportunity to let the city know of what needs that they would like to see in the city. The other grant application is for $149,400 for the rehabilitation project of the runway at Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport. Council members also approved the
American Legion held a flag retirement ceremony on Friday, June 14. Pictured from left to right: James Scott, Kenneth Grenz, Post Commander Bob Lancaster, Eddie Cross and David Spurgin. Submitted photo.
Flag Retirement Ceremony Held in Acorn Friday, June 14 was Flag Day and a flag retirement ceremony was conducted at the American Legion Frank Fried Post #18 in Acorn. The ceremony has been an integral part of American Legion ritual since 1937 and is held yearly. Members of the Legion conducted the ritual with respect and honor as members of the community looked on. Worn flags were honorably retired with a ceremony including presenting of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and taps. Nathan Roth and Robin Lang provided a unique presentation of echo taps. At the end of the ceremony the pyre of flags was lit and allowed to burn until no trace of the
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flags remained. In speaking of the flag retirement ceremony the National Flag Foundation states: "This flag has served its nation well and long. It has worn to a condition in which it should no longer be used to represent the nation. This flag represents all of the flags collected and being retired from service today. The honor we show here this evening for this one flag, we are showing for all of the flags, even those not physically here." The Boys Scouts of America use these words in their flag ceremonies and they
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purchase of two diesel dump trucks, those trucks are a 2012 and 2013 Internationals that would potentially replace two older gasoline operated trucks, that are in the current fleet of vehicles, that are nearly 20 years old. Mayor Seth Smith briefly shared with members about the cost-sharing project with Polk County on resurfacing Fairgrounds Road in the South end of the city. That project will not cost more than $45,000. Smith also told members of council that expenditures from the Special County Sales Tax Fund may be needed to assist Mena Water Utilities for costs associated with manhole repairs. Approximately 100 manholes will be repaired around the city, at a cost of $100,000.
UA-Rich Mountain Prepares for Future Expansion (MENA) The University of Arkansas - Rich Mountain broke ground on what Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson describes as “the most transformative building project in the history of the college,” last Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. The estimated $7.5 million project will boast 144 beds and will also expand the current student union and bookstore to accommodate a larger dining hall. The entire project will be adding over 45,000 square feet to the campus. All of the construction will lay behind the main campus and has allowed for future growth. The architect for the project is MAHG and the construction management firm is Turn-Key, both are based out of Ft.
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Smith. In his opening remarks, Chancellor Wilson acknowledged the contributions of Mr. Bill Abernathy and Mr. Ode Maddox, who both have buildings on campus named in their honor. Maddox served as District 22 State Representative and was always a strong advocate for the college and Mr. Bill Abernathy served on the original steering committee that worked diligently to establish the college and would later serve as the college president for 13 years. “Both of these men were extraordinary leaders and visionaries and we couldn’t be where
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