_  K.E.N.A. IS HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE ITS SUPER BOWL TV PROMO CONTEST, DON’T MISS OUT ON YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A 50 INCH BIG SCREEN TV FROM SEARS AND K.E.NA.   DURING THE SUPER BOWL.ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS REGISTER AT PARTICIPATING  SPONSORS,EACH SPONSOR IS ASSIGNED POSITIONS ON OUR SUPER BOWL SQUARES GAME SHEET.A QUALIFIER WILL BE DRAWN AT THE END OF EACH QUARTER AND THE SCORE  WILL DETERMINE  WHICH SQUARE IS DRAWN- THE WINNER WILL BE DETERMINED IN A RANDOM DRAWING,  SO HURRY AND GET REGISTERED AT  WASHBURNS HOME FURNISHINGS ,PAPAS MEXICAN CAFÉ,GOSS ELECTRONICS,SEARS IN MENA,THE UNION BANK,AND MENA FEED AND SUPPLY,GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATE FROM YOUR OUACHITA BROADCASTING  STATIONS 104.1 KILX,105.3 KQOR AND 102.1 K.E.N.A

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO THE DEDICATION OF THE NEWLY INSTALLED BRONZE SCULPTURE AT THE  POLK COUNTY LIBRARY—THE DEDICATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY AT 11AM AT THE LIBRARY—MR. AND MRS. JIM WILSON AND FAMILY DONATED THE BRONZE SCULPTURE IN LOVING MEMORY OF MARY LA VERNE TAYLOR WILSON, THE SCULPTURE TITLED BEST FRIENDS IS OF A BOY AND A GIRL SEATED ON A BENCH READING A BOOK, A RECEPTION HONNORING THE WILSONS WILL BE HELD IN THE LIBRAY COMMUNITY ROOM IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DEDICATION CEREMONY


 
 

  
 7TH GRADE MAIDS----  HARLY DEARING AND MEGAN ANDREWS,----
8TH GRADE MAIDS----DESTINY THOMAS AND TEAGAN  VANN
9TH  GRADE MAIDS----DEIANEIRA OLIVER,  LEIGHA RANDALL AND MEGAN SCOTT
10TH GRADE MAIDS----KAELY VARNER AND LIZ MARTIN
11TH GRADE MAIDS----KRISITN BEATY  AND KRISTEN TILLEY
12TH GRADE MAIDS----SARA BARRETT,  LEAH CRAFT, SIERA HARRIS,AND KALA HARWOOD
THE HOMECOMING WILL BE  IN THE VAN COVE HIGH SCHOOL GYM  ON FRIDAY AT 4PM,  
FOLLOWED BY THE BASKETBALL GAME  AT 5PM

January 27, 2012 – SPACE
– An asteroid will pass by the Earth on Friday in something of a cosmic near-miss, making its closest approach at about 1600 GMT. The asteroid, estimated to be about 11m (36ft) in diameter, was first detected on Wednesday. At its closest, the space rock – named 2012 BX34 – will pass within about 60,000km of Earth – less than a fifth of the distance to the Moon. Astronomers stress that there is no cause for concern. “It’s one of the closest approaches recorded,” said Gareth Williams, associate director of the US-based Minor Planet Center. “It makes it in to the top 20 closest approaches,
but it’s sufficiently far away… that there’s absolutely no chance of it hitting
us,” he told the BBC. The asteroid’s path makes it the closest space-rock to
pass by the Earth since object 2011 MD in June 2011. Earlier estimates put the
asteroid’s closest distance at as little as 20,000km, near the distance at which geostationary satellites reside, but observations by observatories overnight showed it will pass at a more comfortable distance. Although the asteroid will not be visible to the naked eye, Dr Williams said that keen backyard astronomers could get a look

NASA on Wednesday released "Blue Marble 2012," a view of the home planet that the agency calls the "most amazing high definition image of Earth."Unlike the original Blue Marble -- the iconic 1972 photograph taken by the Apollo 17 crew while they were on their way to the moon -- this composite image is made from data collected by the Suomi NPP satellite.

After discovering an Ozark Chinquapin tree in the Acorn School Outdoor Classroom, eighth grade students researched the endangered Ozark Chinquapin tree and came up with a project that will make a difference.  The group is constructing a Chinquapin Nature Labyrinth Garden as part of the Outdoor Classroom that will used by students in grades PreK - 12 and the general public.  The labyrinth will be a one mile walking trail leading to a stone bench and solar water fountain.To learn more first hand, the group visited the Hobbs State Park in northern Arkansas where a significant number of trees still live and walked the labyrinth at St. Scholastica Monastery in Ft.  Smith last week.  Aiding students with their project are science teachers Kathy Rusert and Patty Carmack.


 

On Thursday, January 19, the Acorn Elementary Gifted and Talented Students competed in the Polk County Quiz Bowl Tournament which was held at Dallas Avenue Baptist Church.The team, which consisted of Zane Barr, Rachel Williamson, Heather Frady, Makenzie Goss, Haley Castillo, Mekinzie Kyle, Makenna Goss, Brady Lyle, and Haley Sandoval, won first place beating Mena in the final round. The team will compete in the De Queen-Mena Educational Coop Quiz Bowl on Thursday, January 26.


 

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AMBER LANE OF MENA HIGH SCHOOL IS ONE OF ONLY SEVEN STUDENTS TO RECEIVE THE 2012 HORATIO ALGER ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP.  AMBER PLANS TO USE THE $5,000 AWARD TO COMPLETE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN VOCAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE.  THE SCHOLARSHIP WAS AWARDED ON THE BASIS OF INTEGRITY, SELF-RELIANCE, DETERMINATION, PERSONAL POTENTIAL, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND PROMISE OF FUTURE CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY.AMBER IS THE 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OF  TIFFANY LANE AND  ROGER LANE

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Wickes High School seventh and eighth students recently competed in the DeQueen-Mena ESC Reading Fair held January 13, 2012, at DMEC in Gillham. The Reading Fair, which provided students with the opportunity to share a favorite book through a storyboard display, was divided into fiction and non-fiction categories. A preliminary fair was held at the school, with two students from each grade and category advancing to the DMEC Reading Fair. The following students represented Wickes High School at the DMEC Reading Fair: 7th grade – Jonathan Castrejon, Abigail Taylor, Alissa Miles, and Chrystal Ramirez; 8th grade – Eduardo Medina, Savannah Frachiseur, Brittany Jenkins, and Staci Billingsley. Winners were chosen based on knowledge of the book, the storyboard, and an interview. Wickes High School is pleased to announce five winners. They are:
7th grade, 1st Place: Jonathan Castrejon, Non-Fiction
8th grade, 2nd Place: Savannah Frachiseur, Non-Fiction, and Brittany Jenkins, Fiction
8th grade, 3rd Place: Eduardo Medina, Non-Fiction, and Staci Billingsley, Fiction
The winning storyboards are on display in the high school library. Wickes High School language arts instructor is Mrs. Suzanne Kesterson; library media specialist is Mrs. Roberta Youngblood.


Pictured L to R: Staci Billingsley, Brittany Jenkins, Eduardo Medina, Alissa Miles, Abbi Taylor, Jonathan Castrejon, Savannah Frachiseur, Crystal Ramirez, and Mrs. Suzanne Kesterson.

_  LOCAL HISTORIAN SCOTT SCHUBBE  VISITED MRS. RUSERT'S AND MRS. CARMACK'S SCIENCE CLASSES AT ACORN HIGH SCHOOL TO TEACH THE GROUP ABOUT HOW ARROWHEADS ARE MADE AND THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ARROWHEADS AND THEIR USES.  HE EXPLAINED DIGGING TECHNIQUES TO FIND ARROWHEADS AND EARLY POTTERY AND GAVE EACH STUDENT A BAG OF COLLECTABLES TO KEEP FOR THEMSELVES.

A FIELD TRIP IS PLANNED FOR LATER THIS SPRING WHEN HE WILL TEACH THE STUDENTS HOW TO DIG ARTIFACTS FOR THEMSELVES.

Someone stole an old surplus
antenna we had stored behind the radio station on Reine in Mena.... Similar to the one pictured....It was in two peices ... If you have any information or have seen anything like this contact the Mena P.D......
(JUST THE LITTLE ONES ON THE RIGHT OF PICTURE NOT THE TOWER)

 

 

_  Mena, AR Elks Lodge #781 announce the 40th Annual Elks Hoop Shoot Competition

Local competition for the 40th Annual Elks Hoop Shoot, the national free throw shooting contest for children ages 8 thru 13 will be held January 22, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Mena Middle School Gym located at 700 S Morrow in Mena, AR. 

Nearly three million students from across the country entered last year’s completion for boys and girls in age categories 8 to 9; 10 to 11; and 12 to 13.  Each contestant has 25 shots at the hoop.  The boy and girl in each age group with the best scores advance thru four tiers of competition to qualify for the national finals in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Local winners will compete against other contestants in the state event at Hot Springs, AR on February 4, 2012.  Names of the national winners will be inscribed on the Elks National Hoop Shoot plaque, on permanent display in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

For more details or to learn about the Elks, visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot .

_Oden Junior Class is teaming up with Chik-Fil-A to earn money for their Jr./Sr. prom.  This fund-raiser will take place at the Chik-Fil-A in Cornerstone Square at Hot Springs, AR.  The date is on January 19th, 2012.  The students will be there urging your support from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Some of the students will be outside the door while others are assisting with drinks and delivering the customers food.  All students will be encouraging you to tell the staff "You support Oden (School)".  When you say those magic words, Chik-Fil-A will donate 20% of each customer's bill to the group for their prom.    Don't forget those magic words "I support Oden" and be help sponsor this class project.    We hope to see you there!!!   Where:  Chik-Fil-A Cornerstone Square in Hot Springs.When:  January 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Why:  fund-raiser for Oden Jr./Sr. promMagic Words:  any phrase saying "I support Oden".

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JAMES SUPER SAVER FOODS CELEBRATED THEIR OPEN HOUSE  TUESDAY EVENING. SERVING UP BBQ PORK AND MANY OTHER GOODIES TO ALL THE PATRONS . ON WEDNESDAY MORNING THE MAYOR GEORGE MCKEE PRESENTED A PLAQUE OF RECOGNITION TO JAMES WOMBLE THE OWNER OF JAMES SUPER SAVER FOODS DURING THE GRAND OPENING WELCOME BACK CEREMONY.

 

_  A TEENAGER IN THE ARKANSAS OZARKS TURNED HIMSELF IN SUNDAY SAYING HE HAD SHOT HIS 16-YEAR-OLD SISTER, “HE CAME IN ... SAYING HE NEEDED TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE BECAUSE HE HAD KILLED HIS SISTER,” FRANKLIN SHERIFF ANTHONY BOEN SAID OF THE 15-YEAR-OLD. DEPUTIES FOUND THE SISTER SHOT DEAD IN HER BEDROOM, BUT HAVE NOT YET REVEALED A MOTIVE IN THE SHOOTING. “WE CONFISCATED SEVERAL WEAPONS FROM THE HOME AND THE VEHICLE,” BOEN SAID. “HE WAS AN AVID HUNTER, AND HIS FATHER WAS AN AVID HUNTER, SO THEY HAD SEVERAL GUNS IN THE HOME.”

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You might find it quite surprising to learn there are diamond mines in Arkansas, let alone ones where you can keep anything you find. Until 2002, there was a commercial diamond mine on the borders of Colorado and Wyoming. Today there is only one diamond mine in the United States, and that is in Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro. Of all the state attractions, this is the only place where you can combine diamonds with trout fishing. This is the region known as the Diamond Lakes Region, with all the outdoor activities you might expect of lake tourism.

Unique geologic conditions in this region led people to believe there might be diamond mines in Arkansas when the precious stones were found in similar peridotte soil in Kimberly, South Africa in the 1870s. The state geologist made an unsuccessful search in 1889, but the first stone was not found in what is now Crater of Diamonds State Park until 1906 by the owner of the land, John Welsley Huddleston. These were sent to a Little Rock jeweler who declared them genuine fine grade stones. He sold his land for only $36,000 and died a pauper. But his memory is kept alive by a historical marker marking the site of the first find, and by one of the state's events in the annual June Huddleston Day. The Crater of Diamonds State Park has changed hands several times over the years and several unsuccessful attempts have been made at commercial mining. The mine was operated privately, and as a tourist attraction from 1952 to 1972. In 1972, the State of Arkansas purchased the site for development as a state park.

The site of these Arkansas diamond mines is the only one in the world where the public can search for diamonds and keep any that they find. Prospecting visitors pay a small daily fee to search the eroded surface of an ancient gem-bearing volcanic "pipe" that is now a 37-acre field and is periodically plowed. The Arkansas diamond mines staff will provide free identification and certification of stones. Historical structures, old mining equipment, washing pavilions, and sun shelters are located on the field. Diamond mining tools are available for rent or purchase. To locate your Arkansas diamond mines treasure, you can use any tool without a battery, motor, or wheels that can be used to transport your haul. Visitors use everything from garden tools and kitchen utensils to their bare hands.

Will Crater of Diamonds State Park make you a fortune? Probably not, but there have been some exciting finds among the 20,000 or so stones thus far recovered. Three stones were particularly noteworthy, weighing in at 17.86 carats (1917), 20.25 carats (1921), and the record-setting Uncle Sam Diamond, a brilliant 40.23 carats (1924). About ten percent of the overall swag yields gem-quality stones. Even the industrial-grade stones usually have an attractive natural luster in the rough. Experts declared the gems at least as brilliant and valuable as those produced in South Africa or South America. Most of the stones found at these diamond mines in Arkansas are too small to be cut, and remain as fascinating souvenirs of your Arkansas vacations.

Crater of Diamonds State Park is open every day throughout the year, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Numerous nearby attractions in the region make this vacation destination. There are nearly 60 camping sites in the park. There is a nearby water park, fishing in the Little Missouri River, and hiking trails that are partially wheelchair accessible.

_  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFICES IN 10 ARKANSAS COUNTIES ARE SCHEDULED TO BE CLOSED UNDER A COST-CUTTING PLAN ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK BY FEDERAL OFFICIALS.USDA SECRETARY TOM VILSACK SAYS PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD IN COUNTIES WHERE FARM SERVICE AGENCY OFFICES ARE TO BE CLOSED. THAT DEPARTMENT HANDLES DISASTER ASSISTANCE, FARM LOANS AND CROP SUBSIDIES, AMONG OTHER PROGRAMS.THE USDA PLANS TO SHUT 131 FARM SERVICE AGENCY OFFICES IN 32 STATES, WITH LARGEST NUMBER OF CLOSURES IN ARKANSAS, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS.IN ARKANSAS, THE AFFECTED OFFICES ARE IN: BENTON, BRADLEY, FAULKNER, FULTON, GARLAND, IZARD, JOHNSON, LAFAYETTE, LOGAN AND PULASKI COUNTIES.

_  AT TUESDAY EVENINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN MENA THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED AND APPROVED A  BID FOR 29,020.16 FOR BLEACHERS  WHICH WILL BE PAID FOR BY A GRANT --–IT WILL ALLOW SEATING FOR THE THE UPCOMING SOCCER GAMES AND ALL FUTURE EVENTS AT THE AUBREY TAPLEY PARK THECOUNCIL AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK/TREASURER TO EXECUTE  A CONTRACT WITH ASHLEY STOECKINGER OF MENA AND  ED ADAMS OF POTEAU OKLAHOMA ,TO PROVIDE INTERNSHIP SERVICES TO THE TALIMENA SCENIC DRIVE ASSOCIATION .---ALSO PASSED WAS  A RESOLUTION TO EXECUTE A CASH MANAGEMENT SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNION BANK OF MENA THAT WILL ENABLE THE CITY CLERK TO DO ELECTRONIC BANKING SAVING THE CITY MONEY ON INDIVIDUAL CHECK WRITING ---THE CITY COUNCIL ALSO PASSED A BUDGET TO THE YEAR ENDING  DECEMBER 31ST 2012---THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF WES MOODY OF CAJUN EATS IN  MENA TO THE  ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION,  FILLING  THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF PEGGY O’NEIL TO EXPIRE IN APRIL 30TH OF 2012, LASTLY THE COUNCIL APPOINTED DUANE CORCORAN OF MENA, FORMERLY OF TEXAS TO THE MENA AIRPORT COMMISSION TO FILL THE TERM OF BILL WOOD THAT EXPIRES IN FEBRUARY 26TH OF 2014LISTEN BELOW TO M.R.H.S. C.E.O. TIM BOWEN AND MENA PARK SUPERINTENDENT LISA MARTIN GIVE THEIR MONTHLY REPORTS

_  ORIENTATION TO TEACHING AT MENA HIGH SCHOOL IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE ITS OUTSTANDING TEACHER/STAFF MEMBER FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER. THIS MONTH OT STUDENTS VOTED AND CHOSE MRS EMILY MCCOY. MRS MCCOY IS A SPANISH TEACHER AT THE MENA HIGH SCHOOL AND IN HER NOMINATION ESSAY IT WAS STATED THAT…SHE TEACHES A DIFFICULT SUBJECT FOR MOST STUDENTS BUT SHE MAKES IT FUN WHILE LEARNING. OT STUDENT NIKKI  SHEWMAKE NOMINATED MRS MCCOY AND PRESENTED HER WITH A PLAQUE AND A FLORAL DISPLAY DONATED BY SHELTON BOHLMAN OF JAMES FLORIST AND  A DINNER MEAL FROM PAPA PABLANOS, CATHY MARSHAL ,INSTRUCTOR FOR THE COURSE STATED,..MY STUDENTS ARE DEVELOPING A MUCH DEEPER APPRECIATION FOR THEIR TEACHERS AS THE YEAR PROGRESSES

_ ACORN PRESCHOOL CLASSES SHOWED IT IS BETTER TO GIVE  THAN RECEIVE BY MAKING PLACE MATS FOR CHILDREN IN THE PEDIATRIC UNIT AT ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE THEIR MEALS ON.  NOT ONLY DID IT BRING SMILES TO THE PATIENTS AT  A.C.H. BUT TO THE PRESCHOOLERS AS WELL ,  THE STUDENTS  DIDN’T STOP THERE,  THEN THEY PAINTED THEIR HANDS AND MADE PRINTS ON A WREATH SAYING THANK YOU TO THE VETERANS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO OUR COUNTRY. AND  PRESENTED THEIR ART TO THE AMERICAN LEGION .  WHERE IT  WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR ALL TO SEE.

_   TODAY IS FRIDAY THE 13TH,THIS YEAR FRIDAY FALLS ON THE 13TH  3 TIMES  THE NEXT ONE WILL BE IN APRIL THEN IN JULY.  THERE HAS ONLY BEEN  3YRS THAT HAD 3 DAYS OF FRIDAY THE 13TH  THEY ARE 1984—1998 AND 2012 ACCORDING TO THE STRESS MANAGEMENT CENTER AND PHOBIA INSTITUTE AN ESTIMATED 17 TO 21 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES  ARE AFFECTED BY A FEAR OF THIS DAY. SOME PEOPLE ARE SO PARALYZED BY FEAR THAT THEY AVOID THEIR NORMAL ROUTINES IN DOING BUSINESS, TAKING FLIGHTS OR EVEN GETTING OUT OF BED. "IT'S BEEN ESTIMATED THAT  $800 OR $900 MILLION IS LOST IN BUSINESS ON THIS SUPERSTITIOUS DAY"  

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Bradley Williams has finished 5 semesters at Arkansas Tech majoring in  Electrical Engineering.  Bradley has maintained  4.0 gpa each semester.  Bradley is a 2009 graduate from Acorn High School and is the son of Chris and Janice Williams of the Acorn community.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS MARINE CORPS LEAGUE WINTER CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN MENA THIS YEAR,THE MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY AT THE MENA MOUNTAIN RESORT FROM 9AM TO 4PM,THE CONFERENCE IS HOSTED BY THE HERBERT A  LITTLETON DETACHMENT 1261 OF MENA ALL MARINES ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND,ALSO DURING THE  CONFERENCE THE RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION WILL HAVE ON DISPLAY A SCALE MO0DEL OF THE  VETERANS  MONUMENT  THAT WILL BE PLACED IN THE FORT SMITH  NATIONAL CEMETERY HONORING  THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED!!

THE RICH MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS NOW TAKING APPLICANTS FOR
THE SPRING COLLEGE COURSES—BRING YOUR 2010 TAX RETURN AND MEET
WITH ADMISSIONS AND THE FINANCIAL AID STAFF MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO APPLY, THE SPRING CLASSES BEGIN ON JANUARY 9TH – REGULAR REGISTRATION IS JANUARY 5TH AND 6TH TO SEE THE 2012 COURSE SCHEDULES GO  TO WWW.RMCC.EDU

_  THERE IS A NEW GIRLS NIGHT OUT BOWLING LEAGUE  STARTING IN MENA ON JAN. 3RD---BOWLERS ARE NEEDED TO FILL THE LADIES ONLY LEAGUE  -- SORRY GUYS--- THE GIRLS NIGHT OUT LEAGUE WILL MEET ON TUESDAY NIGHTS AT 6PM –STOP BY THE BOWLING ALLEY OR CALL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS…