Pulse THE POLK COUNTY
FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600
March 29, 2023
Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 FM & MyPulseNews.com INSIDE:
Best day ever By Ethan Nahté
Golden Easter Egg Winner
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April is Autism Awareness Month. The word “autism” has seemingly become used more frequently nowadays. Perhaps because the medical community has a better understanding of it than they did even a couple of decades back. One study reported 1 in 68 children are affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the United States — more common than childhood cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. Matthew Stout, 15, attends Acorn High
School. He’s a polite, well-mannered teen with an active mind, lots of hobbies, and a great sense of humor. Typically, he’s all A’s and one B, but he’s scored straight A’s the previous two nine-weeks-grading periods. He’s also a percussionist in the school band. He prefers playing a trap set over individual percussion instruments. His parents are Steven Stout, an officer with Mena Police Department, and Angela Stout, a customer service representative for Union Bank. They do not shy away from discussing either Matthew or ASD. ASD is frequently misunderstood, in
Railroad Merger Approved
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Kenyon Arrested For Murder
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Matthew Stout taking a station identification break before the mic and mixing console in the KQOR studio. Read more about STOUT beginning on page 9. (Ethan Nahté/ Pulse)
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Mayor Smith gives State of the City (March 14, 2023) — Administration and Economic Development To the honorable members of the Mena City Council, city employees, ladies and gentlemen of the audience, and my fellow citizens, I am pleased to report to you on the “State of the City” of Mena, Arkansas for the year of 2022. The City Council approved an operating budget of $6,908,627.00 for 2022. As has been the practice for the last few years, a very conservative approach was taken with budget projections; however, with increased sales tax revenues several much needed projects were completed during the year. I am proud to say the City ended the year with a strong bottom line. The 2022 twelve-month financial statement, which reflects revenues and expenditures for all City departments, is incorporated as a part of this report and details the financial “State of the City”. Building and Construction Commercial construction permits issued last year in Mena included the completion of the Walmart renovation, a significant remodel to convert the old Lime Tree Motel to Creekside Apartments and new construction of the Access Medical Clinic. In addition, permits were issued for the construction of several new homes, numerous residential solar panel installations, and 13 Condition-
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