Pulse THE POLK COUNTY
FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy. 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600
August 16, 2023
Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 FM & MyPulseNews.com INSIDE: By Ethan Nahté
Kicks For Kids
Page 9
The 70th Annual Polk County Rodeo reined in a big crowd both nights, despite the heat index hovering around 100 F at the start of Friday and Saturday nights. Polk County Rodeo Chairman Wendy Strother said, “We had a good one. Lots of contestants and a good crowd each night.” The action in the Andy Risenhoover Arena was hotter, beginning
with the grand entry. Friday night began with an injury at the end of the grand entry as royalty contestant Ashlyn Houser’s horse got spooked, bucking her off. Southwest EMS quickly got Houser to the hospital. Several feared she had broken her hip. Fortunately, her hip was only bruised and she had a slight concussion. Houser did not ride in the rodeo Saturday evening, but she did make the pizza party and announcement of the royalty, where she was
Volunteers pack 16,000 meals By Ethan Nahté
Polk County Arkansas 4-H and Mena FFA partnered with the Mena
2023 Realtor Of The Year
Page 14 Volunteers of all ages help prepare a red beans and rice meal to feed five to six people at The Pack Shack party. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)
Flashing Red, Kids Ahead
Pages 4 & 7
to by Pho Nahté n Etha
See RODEO continued on pages 11-13
Lioness Lions Club and Rotary Club of Polk County/Mena for a “Feed the Funnel” Pack Shack event on Thursday, Aug. 10. Their goal was to pack over 17,575 meals in a 4-hour
See PACKSHACK continued on page 8