In my job, I get to see a lot, talk to a lot of people, and it’s an understatement to say that I learn something new every single day. By the end of the news week, it’s not uncommon for my mind to approach being numb, but that could also be from lack of sleep and 5-hour energy drinks. Throughout my learnings, I gain knowledge for news articles, random factoids that I tuck away that I can pull out during conversation, and then sometimes I learn information that I never saw coming.
With my position, I enjoy visiting with people whether it be in interview form or just casual conversation, and I recently had the pleasure of visiting with Brad Holleman as he was retiring from his position of State Parks Interpreter. If you’ve never been at one of Brad’s events or presentations, you’re missing out. His knowledge level combined with his ability to present the material is top notch. I’m convinced that he could read the phone book and it would not only hold your interest, but you’d be anticipating the next name throughout the presentation.
When James’ Supersave Foods was set on fire by an arsonist back in June of 2011, it rocked the community. Seven months later, after rebuilding the store and reopening it better than ever, Tuesday night’s open house event at the new James’ Supersave Foods had the community rocking.
After much anticipating of the store reopening, the community’s wait came to an end Tuesday evening, January 17, when owner James Womble and his team opened the doors to welcome the community in for celebrating and shopping. The first day of business was to be an open house where shoppers would have the chance to get their first look at the new store, start their shopping, and also get signed up for the new Total Rewards card that replaced the former Advantage Card program.
For the full story, pick up the January 19th issue of The Mena Star
Two-day search for man ends in Gillham
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A two-day search for a man lost in south Polk County ended successfully Friday afternoon after multiple organizations teamed up in efforts to locate him. Johnny Brown, of Gillham, was the subject of the search after a 911 call was received on Thursday.
According to James Reeves, Polk County Emergency Management Coordinator, Sevier County received a 911 call at 6:36 p.m. last Thursday evening, January 12. The call was from a man who reported he was lost in the woods and needed help. The call lasted 58 seconds, then connection was lost. After officials made several attempts at calling the man back on his number, he could not be reached.
Sevier County officials then initiated a process to locate where the 911 call had physically originated from, and the results came back that the phone was 9.32 miles northwest of the cell phone tower in Gillham, which would be put the man
For the full story, pick up the January 19th issue of The Mena Star
MHS receives donation for piano from Hensleys
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The gift of music can be considered priceless. Thanks to the generosity of Phillip and Tracy Hensley, the Mena High School Performing Arts Center will be filled with beautiful music for decades to come.
Phillip and Tracy made a donation to Mena High School that allowed them to purchase a Yamaha Clavinova Digital Grand Piano for the Performing Arts Center. Phillip and Tracy were thrilled to be able to make the donation for the benefit of the high school and the community. The donation is also in honor and memory of Phillip’s parents, the late Bert and Ramona Hensley.
“Mother’s passion was the organ,” Phillip said. “She always loved music, and she played the organ and piano for 50 years at First Baptist Church. When I heard that the high school was trying to raise money for a piano, Tracy and I felt like this was a great opportunity. Music made my mother happy, and this is a way to symbolize what mother loved.”
For the full story, pick up the January 19th issue of The Mena Star
Edwards to return to Oden schools next year
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A decision was announced at Monday night’s meeting of the Ouachita River School District that Acorn and Oden schools will see a change in the principal format next school year.
According to Ouachita River School District Superintendent Steve Crumpler, William Edwards will become the principal of grades Kindergarten through 12th grade at Oden next school year, and Sean Couch will become the Acorn High School principal. This will result in a search to hire a principal for Acorn Elementary before the start of the 2012-13 school year.
Edwards is currently the K-12 principal of Acorn schools, and is in his second year at that position.
Couch is currently the K-12 principal for Oden schools.
For the full story, pick up the January 19th issue of The Mena Star
Gathright announces retirement at board meeting for end of school year
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Dr. Diann Gathright, Mena Schools Superintendent, announced at the conclusion of Tuesday night’s regular school board meeting that she would be retiring at the end of this school year. With one year remaining on her contract as superintendent, she announced her resignation that will take place on June 30.
This announcement comes one month after she informed the members of the Mena school board in December that she was not seeking a contract extension, that would be due to come at the January board meeting.
Gathright had originally stated that she would make a decision at some point during the spring about whether she would stay on board through June 2013, or if she would retire at the end of this school year. Not wanting to keep anyone waiting, she went ahead and announced her decision Tuesday night, which will now allow the members of the Mena school board to seek out a new superintendent.
Informing the board members in December that she would not be in her position forever, she said they would need to begin preparing for the future. With this announcement, there is no doubt that action is needed to fill the position when she steps away June 30.
For the full story, pick up the January 19th issue of The Mena Star
Mena Star donates $3462 to MRHS Women’s Center from calendar event
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The Mena Regional Health System will once again have the opportunity for purchasing supplies and equipment without affecting their operating budget through a donation from The Mena Star. For the fourth year in a row, The Mena Star has made a donation to the MRHS Women’s Center through money collected through an annual fundraiser.
With the fundraiser put on by The Mena Star, $3,462.50 was raised in the “Baby of the Year Contest”, which is held to determine which local babies would be featured in the Newspaper’s 2012 Baby of the Year Calendar. The funds raised were then donated to the MRHS Women’s Center to assist in any way the staff would like to use it for the facility.
The funds donated from the 2011 Baby of the Year fundraiser to the Women’s Center were used to purchase stethoscopes, thermometers, and other necessary equipment. According to RN Teresa Wise, Women’s Center Department Manager, the staff will use the funds this year to purchase furniture for a birthing room.
For the full story, pick up the January 19th issue of The Mena Star
