Moving To Wickes--- Help!!!! (Mena, Fisher: loan, relocation, insurance)

[HDDYNAWIDE1]

I am planing on moving to Wickes from a small town in Illinois. I am volunteer firefighter and wanted to know more about the area and the seeing if there is a volunteer fire dept in town. Also love fishing would like to get some tips from some anglers... So here are my questions;
1. Is there a fire dept I can join?
2. Closest lake or river to handle a 20' boat?
3. How do I get Plates for my vehicles and bikes?
4. How are the people in Wickes?
5. Is it a dry county?

I know too many questions...... Please help

[Sam I Am]

I guess I gotta ask why.....but be that as it may. Wickes is in Polk Co., which is dry. You're just a jump away from the OK border, and I guess Broken Bow is the closest lake? Call the Polk County Courthouse in Mena
479-394-8133

They may be able to help you on the fire dept. thing.

Plates for vehicles and motorcycles - contact the Dept. of Finance and Administration closest to you...but here's a link to help get you started. You might just look at the FAQs and see if that answers your question. Most places you have to go to the courthouse and assess your vehicle, then they walk you right on through the licensing procedure - but take your loan papers or your title if it's paid for, your driver's license....ummmm....they will give you your assessment papers at the county courthouse...I think that's all you need....oh, proof of insurance - dear lord, don't forget that, sometimes it's not in the state system, and yours most assuredly won't be. Next year you can assess and pay your license fee online.

DFA | Vehicles Overview

People in Wickes......wow, there can't be a lot of them.

[HDDYNAWIDE1]

Thank you very much for all your info...As for why......just want to get away from it all and relax and fish and firefight...

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

I guess I gotta ask why.....but be that as it may. Wickes is in Polk Co., which is dry. You're just a jump away from the OK border, and I guess Broken Bow is the closest lake? Call the Polk County Courthouse in Mena
479-394-8133

They may be able to help you on the fire dept. thing.

Plates for vehicles and motorcycles - contact the Dept. of Finance and Administration closest to you...but here's a link to help get you started. You might just look at the FAQs and see if that answers your question. Most places you have to go to the courthouse and assess your vehicle, then they walk you right on through the licensing procedure - but take your loan papers or your title if it's paid for, your driver's license....ummmm....they will give you your assessment papers at the county courthouse...I think that's all you need....oh, proof of insurance - dear lord, don't forget that, sometimes it's not in the state system, and yours most assuredly won't be. Next year you can assess and pay your license fee online.

DFA | Vehicles Overview

People in Wickes......wow, there can't be a lot of them.

[Capt. Dan]

re: fishing near Wickes:absolutely fantastic! What do you want? smallmouth,largemouth,trout? No problem!! Lakes,rivers,creeks. Fishermans paradise! Take a drive up US Hwy71 and pay attention to all the state signs telling you that you are nearing a recreation area in the Quachita Mtns. Turn down any one of those roads and make sure you have a stringer!! Good luck!!

[It'sme,It'sme,It'sjustDB]

My family just moved from Wickes for another job and we just hated leaving. (4) You will find that the people there are kind, helpful, and pretty laid back. There are several churches of differing denominations; my family attended 1st Baptist Church on Second Street and loved every minute of it. The population of 677 is predominately white and hispanic. (2)Because of the scenery, it is popular with motorcyclist, with a Christian Motorcycle Club & Park about 15 miles from Wickes. I would like to caution you to drive very safely because it seemed to me that there were more than the average number of accidents. The area is gorgeous and just next door to several state conservation areas with lots of forrests, streams, lakes, & rivers. The land itself will support gardening but it is a rocky area since it is in the foothills of the Boston Mountains and 20 miles from Queen Wilhelmina Mountain State Park. The center of town is less than 10 miles to an Arkansas Visitors Center. The altitude in Wickes is higher than what is normal for the state so that the summer is cooler than the usual 107+ degrees & 90%+ humidity. 2006 was the only time that I have ever seen snow on Christmas in my life; we were very excited about it though it will seem pretty mudane to a Yankee. Since I'm not big on fishing myself, I can't give you any leads there but they do have a great "all you can eat" catfish special on Friday & Saturday at the White House which is a local restaurant and a very good catfish plate at the local drive-in, the LightHouse. (1)The volunteer fire department (870-385-7222 or 7272) is located on 2nd Street, just off of Hwy 273 (not positive, it may be 278) and only one or two blocks down from the EZ Mart Convenience & Gas store. (Most everyone around uses the EZ Mart as a landmark when giving directions.) The City Hall (870-385-2575) is on the corner of the highway (also considered Main St.) and 2nd Street so you could get more info there about signing up to be a volunteer. (3)You will need to get your licences in Mena, the county seat. The Arkansas Revenue Department (479-394-2333) is in the shopping center across the road (Hwy 71N) from Wal-Mart. You'll need to do your tax assessment at the Polk County Court House on 507 Church Street (479-394-8121). (5) Yes, the county is dry but my kids alway went to Heavener, OK for alcohol. It's about a 45 minute round-trip with very little traffic. You might want to keep in mind that trains run through the area when looking for a new home if the noise would bother you.
Though I am very happy in our relocation, I must say all of my family loved living in the Wickes area. Good luck on your move and if you would like for me to wax on more about the town or people just shoot me some more questions.

[RogMar]

Originally Posted by HDDYNAWIDE1

I am planing on moving to Wickes from a small town in Illinois.

What part of Illinois?

I was born and raised downstate.