This Week's Issue

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

75¢

Local officers honored. For story see p. 6

Volume 120 Number 6 - USPS 225-680

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

Entergy customers to receive one-time credit

Community Events Calendar Thursday February 11 DeValls Bluff City Council Meeting City Hall 6:00 p.m.

Thanks for all you do...

Sunday February 14 Valentine’s Day

Grand Prairie Chapter DAR recently participated in a Community Classrooms service project to honor teachers and staff of nine area schools. The project consisted of DAR members' writing teacher appreciation cards to express gratitude for the hard work teachers, administrators, and all staff do every day for the students and community during this extremely difficult period of Covid-19.

Pictured below are Hazen High School principal Mark Price, receiving cards for his teachers and staff, and DAR member, Judi Jones. Cards of appreciation were also delivered to the Superintendent's office for distribution to Hazen Elementary School teachers and staff.

Monday February 15 Presidents’ Day Local students graduate from ASU tion ceremonies were: Studies; and All City and JONESBORO – Joseph B. Grammer, Arkansas State Stuttgart Bachelor Science, County Offices University announces Megan Jo Bateman, EngineeringofTechnology.

Hazen will be closed the list of students who Master of Science in completed degree Education, Reading; Almetia Lashae Cole, including the requirements to gradu- Anna Kaitlin Black, Bachelor of Science, at Fall Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences and Courthouses. ate Commencement, held B u s i n e s s Certificate of Tuesday February 16 Des Arc Public hearing on ACEDP grant 5:30 p.m.

Des Arc City Hall Wednesday February 17 Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Dec. 20 in Centennial Bank Stadium.

The outdoor ceremony was conducted according to public health guidelines because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chancellor Kelly Damphousse presented diplomas at the associate, bachelor, master, specialist and doctoral levels, along with various program certificates, as awarded through the various colleges: Agriculture, Neil Griffin College of Business, Education and Behavioral Science, Engineering and Computer Science, Liberal Arts and Communication, Nursing and Health Professions, Sciences and Mathematics, and University College.

Local students who participated in the gradua-

Administration; Jared Scott Wilson, Bachelor of Science in A g r i c u l t u r e , Agricultural Business Arkansas; and Erin E. Siems, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Animal Science.

Carlisle Bradley Joseph Greene, Specialist in Education, Educational Leadership; and David M. Landers, Specialist in Education, Educational Leadership Des Arc Laney Michelle Watkins, Master of Science in Education, Reading; Brooke LeAnn Kellar, Bachelor of General Studies, General Studies, Cum Laude; Sterling Bennett Saul, Bachelor of General Studies, General

based on grades earned during each semester of the regular academic year.

Eligibility on the Dean's List requires at least a 3.5 GPA with a minimum course load of 12 credit hours.

Students must achieve a 4.0 GPA with a minimum course load of 12

Bluff - Dean's List, Pedro Valdes of Griffithville - Dean's List, William Aycock of Hazen - Presidential Scholar, William Cox of Biscoe Presidential Scholar, Hallie Kennedy of Des Arc Presidential Scholar.

Proficiency, Spanish for the Professions.

Undergraduates with a 4.0 GPA are designated Summa Cum Laude.

Those with a GPA of 3.8-3.99 are Magna Cum Laude, and those with a GPA of 3.6-3.79 are Cum Laude.

Little Rock, Arkansas – Entergy Arkansas customers will see a onetime credit on February 2021 bills, following an annual adjustment based on the outcome of certain federal tax positions and a decrease in the state tax rate.

“Providing affordable, safe and reliable energy is at the heart of what we aim to do each day,” said Michael Considine, Entergy Arkansas customer service vice president, “and our goal is to pass along additional credits to our customers as quickly as possible.”

The amount varies by customer based on the kilowatt-hours consumed, but the average residential customer will see a $3.85 credit on February bills. The total to be credited back to all customers is estimated at $5.6 million, with a credit for commercial and industrial customers also based on usage.

This credit comes at a time when some customers may have trouble paying their bills, officials said, and Entergy has worked diligently to help ease the burdens the COVID19 pandemic has caused for many customers.

Beginning in March 2020, Entergy utility companies in their fourstate service area worked with their respective retail regula-

tors to suspend all electricity shut-offs for nonpayment of bills or for past-due amounts.

During this time, the company implemented an Enhanced Customer Assistance Plan that provides customers with new flexible options to extend time to pay.

Under this plan, any customer needing additional time to pay amounts owed can take up to 12 months to pay a current bill or unpaid balances. Officials have encouraged customers to continue making payments so balances do not accrue to an unmanageable level.

Customers may access any of the following selfservice options: Log onto entergy.com/payassistance Use the Entergy mobile app on your phone Call the automated response system at 1800-368-3749, press 3 Speak with an agent at 1-800-368-3749 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays As a reminder, beware of scams. Entergy never demands immediate payment from customers. If a call is suspected to be from a scammer, hang up and call 1-800-ENTERGY (368-3749) to speak to an Entergy Arkansas customer service representative.

Monday February 18 UCA announces local fall City of Hazen 2020 scholars City Council semester The Smart Guys win Stock Market Game...

The University of credit hours to qualify meeting Central Arkansas has for recognition as a The Smart Guys won 1st place in their region for the statewide Fall Stock Market Game. They are (l to r): Weston Hare, Jaxon Craig, and Reece Cash with announced the Dean's Presidential Scholar.

Hazen their sponsor Pam Chandler.

List and Presidential Dean's List and They won medallions and money. The Economics Arkansas sponsored award Presidential Scholars Scholars for the fall Community 2020 semester. luncheon to honor 1st place winners was cancelled for this year. Hazen had 5 from your area are listelementary teams that ranked in the top ten at the close of the competition.

Recognition on the ed below: Center Jocelyn RomeroDean's List or as a 6:00 p.m.

Presidential Scholar is Dawson of De Valls Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of Commerce and the

CORRECTION Please call F&M Bank (255-3042) or The Grand Prairie Herald (255-4538) to list events.

The Des Arc City Council meeting story, published on January 27, 2021, incorrectly stated that Police Chief Rick Parson had resigned from his position at the city.

Instead, Chief Parson has retired from the position after 26 years of service to Des Arc. The Herald regrets the mistake and wishes Parson a long, healthy, and relaxing retirement.

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Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Nina Mae Eans Nina Mae Eans, 82, passed away in Des Arc. A daughter of Roy and D o l a Fowler, she was born in Wa l n u t R i d g e , Arkansas.

The family moved to Moro and even though life was a bit challenging living in the Delta, Nina was blessed to grow up in a large family. To aid the family income, all of the children were required to help in the fields, picking and chopping cotton, as well as doing chores around the home.

She married Ronald Eans on February 7, 1981 and became permanent residents of Des Arc. Nina enjoyed life and loved her family and friends very much.

Being with them and caring for the home and their needs was very important.

As time passed, she extended love and compassion to the grandchildren and later to the great-grandchildren. She was currently a member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in Newport.

She was preceded in death by her dad, Roy James Wesley Fowler; mother, Dola Faye Roberts Fowler, three siblings, Burnis Fowler, Emma Cook, and Linda Henley.

Immediate survivors include her: husband, Ronald Eans; children, Gary Campbell of Warren, James Rowton of Des Arc, and Mershelle Campbell Grant (Tommy) of Glenwood; grandchildren, Gary Campbell,

Arkansas Press Association Member 2020

The

Grand Prairie Herald (USPS) 225-680 The Grand Prairie Herald is an independent publication that has served Prairie County since December, 1901. It is published weekly by

Herald Publishing Company P.O. Box 370 111 Hwy 70 E Hazen, Arkansas 72064 Ph. 870-255-4538 Email: heraldpublishing@gmail.com

Subscription Rates In Prairie County $20.00/year In Arkansas $25.00/year Out of State $30.00/year Periodicals Postage paid at Hazen, Arkansas 72064 POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Grand Prairie Herald P.O.Box 370 Hazen, Arkansas 72064 Managing Editor/Publisher Roxanne Bradow Circulation/Accounts Trudy Johnson Sports Editor Mark Buffalo Photographer Ruth Corley

Jr. (Cassie) of Searcy, Sydney Grant of DeQueen, Ashlyn Gearhart (Joe) of Russellville, Riely Rowton of Conway; great-grandchildren, Drake Campbell, Elijah Gearhart, Emmett Gearhart; five siblings, Roy Fowler of Hot Springs, Jackie Fowler (Deborah) of Blytheville, Bonnie Mize of Colt, Verma Campbell (Bettis) of Des Arc and Nelda Hankins (Billy) of Mayflower.

Services were held on February 5th at First Baptist Church in Des Arc with interment in Welcome Home Cemetery in Griffithville by Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home in Brinkley.

Pauline Owen Pauline Owen, 95, of Des Arc died Thursday, February 4, 2021. She was born June 13, 1925 in Hattieville, Arkansas to Jessie Haynes and Della Stacks Haynes.

Survivors include her son, Jerry Owen and wife, Frances Owen, two grandchildren, Tim Owen and Sherry Lawrence and husband, Tim Lawrence, one great-grandchild, Taylor Lawrence and several nieces and nephews. Ms. Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, L.E. Owen, 2 brothers, Cecil Haynes and Archie Dude Haynes and 2 sisters, Mabel Beggs and Lucille Humble.

Pauline loved her family. She and L.E. Owen were long time farmers in Des Arc. Pauline also enjoyed camping and finding diamonds at the Diamond Mine with her husband. She also enjoyed crocheting, making quilt blocks, jigsaw puzzles, humming birds, and gardening.

Pauline was an active volunteer in the Prairie County Fair Board until the late 1990’s.

Visitation was Monday, February 8, 2021 at 1:00 P.M., and funeral services followed at 2:00 P.M. at the Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Hazen, Arkansas.

She was laid to rest at the Hazen Cemetery.

Betty Sue Long Betty Sue Long departed from this life for her heavenly home on Fe b r u a r y 6, 2021 surrounded by her family.

She was a life-long homemaker and worked as a beautician in her beauty shop for 55 years. She made memories with everyone she met and loved. She was known by several names to everyone, but her favorite name of all was “crazy granny”.

She lived a very full, selfless, and beautiful life making everyone laugh or smile in some way.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Everett “Sonny” Long; son, Terry Ingle; grandson, Justin Jackson; three brothers, one sister, and her parents.

Those left to carry on her memory are her sons, Rusty Ingle and Randall Ingle, only daughter, Marcia Bramlage, ten grandchildren, ten greatgrandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation was from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Hazen followed by funeral service at 11:00.

Interment was in the Hazen Cemetery.

Arramgements were by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.

By Amy Tallent Prairie County Extension Agent-Ag

When is the best time to move plants...

We are often asked what time of year is best for moving established trees and shrubs to a different location in the landscape.

Deciduous trees and shrubs do best when moved during the winter months while dormant.

A frost does not cause them to enter dormancy.

The temperature has to be 32 degrees or below for several hours or more to prompt them to enter dormancy. Although the plant parts above ground become dormant, the roots continue to grow.

Transplanting at this time reduces stress and increases the chance of survival.

Evergreens may be moved in late October or early March.

The first step is to choose a new site. Keep in mind the needs of the plant.

Do not choose a site in shade for a plant that needs full sun for example. Be sure to account for the mature size of the plant you are moving. It is pretty common to see trees or shrubs overgrowing a sidewalk or driveway because the space chosen became too small as the plant grew.

Once the new site is chosen, dig a hole at least twice the diameter of the root ball. Do not put fertilizer in the hole.

For a tree with a 2 inch diameter trunk, this would mean a hole at least two feet in diameter. Mark on the tree with chalk where the trunk enters the ground so you can replant at the same depth. Carefully cut a trench around the plant you are moving

and then dig beneath the root ball to lift it. Get as much of the root ball as possible.

Sever the roots cleanly and lift the root ball onto a tarp to move it. Place the root ball in the new hole at the same depth it was planted in and carefully fill in around the roots with soil up to your chalk mark. Water the plant. You will have to water during the winter if it is dry. You may put 3 inches of mulch around the plant but do not let it touch the trunk. In the spring you may apply a granular tree and shrub food or a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 13-13-13.

Larger plants are best moved by a company with the proper tools such as a tree spade. Happy gardening.

ASU Agribusiness to hold conference The 27th annual Arkansas State University Agribusiness Conference will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 10, using the WebEx Event platform with technical support from the A-State Department of Marketing & Communications. The 2021 conference will be recorded for later access.

The conference continues to provide timely information and agricultural policy education to farmers, agribusiness professionals, students, and educators across the Mid-South. This year's conference will focus on the outlook for the economy and agribusiness, the impact of the 2020 election on agricultural policy, and the commodity markets.

The live virtual conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at noon.

The morning general session features two speakers: David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech University, will speak on the economic and agribusiness outlook and on management issues for the 2020s.

Sara Wyant, president of A g r i - P u l s e Communications, will discuss the impact of the 2020 election and the

implications for agricultural and international trade policy.

The three concurrent commodity sessions will begin at 11:15am this year.

Grayson Daniels from Riceland Foods, Inc. will discuss rice and soybean issues and markets.

Jeff Johnson from Allenberg Cotton Co. will

discuss cotton industry issues and market outlook.

Arkansas State University professor David Newman will discuss the trends and issues in animal agriculture.

To participate, go to: https://www.astate.edu/college/agriculture-and-technology/outreach-programs/agribusiness/index.d ot.

Angie King Beauty Shop for Men and Women Open Wednesday - Saturday Please Call for appointment.

870-998-2251 or 870-998-2414 305 West Hazel (by the courthouse) DeValls Bluff, AR

Locals on OBU Fall Dean’s List

By Rachel Gaddis Brittney Hubbard of Biscoe, Gracen Hambrick of Des Arc, and Meredith Medford of Stuttgart have been named to the Fall 2020 Dean’s List at Ouachita Baptist University. They were among the 396 students named to its Fall 2020 Dean’s List.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must compile at least a 3.5 grade point average and be classified as a full-time student, with a minimum of 12 academic hours and have no incomplete or failing grade for the semester.

Ouachita Baptist University is ranked the No. 2 “Regional College in the South” by U.S. News & World Report.

In fall 2020, Ouachita recorded its highest enrollment in 20 years.

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Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Blurred Vision -

By Nathaniel Bradow

“At the Altar of the NFL Gods”

This week, gentle readers, I plan on talking a little bit about the National Football League (NFL). If you aren’t a sports fan or don’t like football, or just have no desire to hear another exathlete extemporize on the state of play in comparison to the “good old days,” then by all means put this page down and move on with your day. I will not take offense.

As for the rest of you, I want to assure you that I will not be shaking my fist in the air and complaining about how the game has changed over the past twenty years and compare it to my days on the gridiron.

No, gentle readers, I would like to talk about NFL quarterbacks. First, because the oldest quarterback to ever make it to a Superbowl, Tom Brady, just won his seventh title out of ten appearances. And second, because I don’t like what I am seeing happening to the youngman he just beat in the Superbowl, Patrick Mahomes, and several other quarterbacks in the league.

Tom Brady is now by far

the best quarterback to play the position in the modern era. Love him or hate him, you cannot deny that he alone was the difference between a mediocre Tampa Bay Bucs team of the 19-20 season and the Championship team of 2021. He left the Patriots, where they believed they could win without him, went to a team that was in shambles, and made them into champions.

Now that I have gotten that out of the way, I want to tell you what worries me. Patrick Mahomes is probably the most talented overall quarterback in the game today. That I have no doubt about. So why didn’t Mahomes win over Brady.

Well, the simple answer is two fold. One, his offensive line was severely diminished by Covid 19 protocol at the worst time. Two, Mahomes was injured in the previous round of the playoffs and was still visibly feeling the effects of that injury Sunday night.

The difference is simple.

Brady is a pocket passer who rarely is asked to do anything with his legs or feet other than set and

throw. Mahomes on the other hand fits nicely into the “new” breed of quarterback known as the “dualthreat” or “play-extending” quarterback. That means he is expected to do things with his legs that other quarterbacks such as Brady are never asked to do. I watched every snap of the game Sunday night, and Brady never scrambled or made one play with his legs outside of the pocket.

He stood behind the protection of his line and lit up the Chiefs secondary by taking what they would give him and doing it efficiently. If his protection began to break down, there was always an outlet pass he could make to a running back, or he threw the ball away.

On the other hand Mahomes was running like a wounded rabbit all night.

Not just because his front line was struggling, but because that is what he is expected to do. By the end of the game you could see him visibly limping from the prior injury and slowing down from physical exhaustion. The poor guy must have sprinted over five miles in just over three hours.

That is the problem with the quarterbacks of today.

And I hate to say this, but that is primarily true of the black starting quarterbacks.

Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Phillip Rivers, and many other starting quarterbacks are not expected to make plays with their legs. They are expected to manage the game, read the defenses, and make completions.

However, quarterbacks like Mahomes, Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Dak Prescott, and virtually every other black quarterback is expected to make plays with his legs.

Now, you might say, “Well, if they are capable of doing it, what is wrong with expecting them to?” That is a fair question.

This is my answer. Added expectations (and danger-

o u s ones) lead to t h e shortening of career longevity. Tom Brady would not be playing -much less winning the Superbowl-- if he had been expected to pick up yardage with his legs. Sure, he scrambles now and then.

He puts in a QB slide from time to time. However, he is not expected to. It isn’t in his QB-DNA so to speak.

He can do it, but instead he opts for doing the main part of his job, passing efficiently.

So, what is my point? Just this, we shouldn’t expect our most talented players to do more than their jobs.

Quarterbacks can be very successful for a long time if they stick to the pocket and keep away from injury.

Brady has made a career out of it as have many other quarterbacks.

It didn’t use to be like this for black quarterbacks.

Warren Moon, Randle Cunningham, and Donovan McNabb, could scramble and run just as well as anyone, but they didn’t have to and weren’t expected to. Moon and Cunningham are two of the best to ever play the game.

I want to watch Mahomes grow to be one of the best ever, but I’m afraid he (like Micheal Vick, Jameis Winston, and many other talented quarterbacks) will be hit so much and injured so much that not only will his career be short, it won’t be as exciting as it could have been. I hope I’m wrong. But, after watching that brave young man run like a gazelle trying to avoid a cheetah Sunday night, the odds aren’t good for him being around very long.

I know this was a long one, gentle readers, and I truly thank you for sticking with me if you did. If you want to comment on this column or any of my other musings, you can reach me a t thatbradowguy@gmail.com.

New Books The Prairie County libraries have announced the new books and DVD’s that are now available to check out. They are: Books Just Buried- Addison Moore A Frightening Fangsgiving- Addison Moore A Christmas to Dismember- Addison Moore The Enigma CubeDouglas E Richards Butchered after BarkAddison Moore Don't Lie to MeWillow Rose Not Dead Yet- Willow Rose Year One- Nora Roberts The Scorpion's TailPreston and Child The Garden of Promises and LiesPaula Brackston Wrong Alibi- Christina Dodd Oathbringer- Brandon Sanderson The Girl and the Black Christmas- A J Rivers Unending DevotionJody Hedlund (Christian) The Meaning in Mistletoe- Rachael Bloome My Big, Fat, Fake Honeymoon- Lauren Landish Cat Scratch CleaverAddison Moore Triumph- Janet Dailey Say You Love MeWillow Rose Never Ever- Willow Rose Twenty- James Grippando Frozen Crown- Greta Kelly The Lost Boys- Faye

New DVDs Kellerman The Wrong FamilyTarryn Fisher The Deserter- Nelson DeMille The Russian- James Patterson All the Colors of Night- Jayne Ann Krentz The Institute- Stephen King Death on the NileAgatha Christie The Devoted- Suzanne Woods Fisher (Christian) Before She Disappeared- Lisa Gardner DVDs Intruders Babylon A.D. Blackwood Scorpion King 4 Quest of Power The War with Grandpa Chick Fight Lethal Weapon season 3 Wander The Howling Reborn Saw 1, 2, 3 Weaponized Burlesque The Barber 21 & Over Role Models Queen of the South season 4 Buddy Games Love and Monsters Mechanic The Day Empire State Bill and Ted Face the Music: Bogus Journey; Excellent Adventure The Day the Earth Stood Still Dead X 7 Nancy Drew season 1 Bring It On: In It to Win It The Tourist

-We are pleased to announce The COVID 19 vaccination was made available to all staff and elders, with nearly 100% participation.

This is a testament to our outstanding team members and their dedication toward providing quality care for the elders we serve.

As always, we encourage everyone to continue to exercise good judgement and caution by social distancing and wearing a mask.

So proud of our HEALTHCARE HEROS!!

Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 10, 2021

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Jonathan Dismang

Several bills are now making their way to the Governor’s desk including one that could expand broadband services across the state.

SB74 had unanimous support in both the House and the Senate.

This bill allows cities, counties, and improvement districts to partner with established providers to expand broadband services for those who currently do not have service or those who are underserved.

SB74 has an emergency clause which means it will become effective after the Governor signs it.

Other bills passed by the House in recent days include: HB1151-This bill suspends the public school rating system for the 2020-2021 school year due to the disruption to education caused by the pandemic.

HB1009This bill allows a public school or an open-enrollment public charter school to distribute excess food to students for consumption on the school campus or at home.

HB1113-This bill amends the Commission of State Lands Urban Homestead Act. Currently, the Commissioner of State Lands can donate land to community organizations to develop lowincome housing. This bill states that if the donated land has not been used for that purpose after three years, the commissioner can allow the land to be used for the development of a public school or open-enrollment charter school in an area with a high poverty rate.

HB1032-This bill allows taxpayers with military retirement benefit under $6,000 to claim a total retirement exemption up to that amount if the taxpayer has additional retirement income.

The Department of Finance and Administration estimates this bill affects 700 Arkansans.

HB1202-This bill

requires counties to post sample ballots on the Secretary of State website at least 20 days before each preferential primary and general election and at least ten days before each general primary, general runoff, school, or special election.

HB1211-This bill states the Governor shall not prohibit or limit a religious organization from continuing to operate religious services during a declared emergency.

HB1003-This bill ensures respectful language is used in Arkansas code regarding individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and removes from the Arkansas code the term "hearing impaired".

SB76-This bill creates a permitting process for excursion trains to serve and sell alcoholic beverages.

HB1056-This bill amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act by allowing public meetings to be held via phone or video conference during a declared emergency.

HB1009This bill authorizes the Veterinary Medical Examining Board to promulgate rules for the use of telemedicine.

HB1013-amends Arkansas Music Appreciation Day to add James "Jim Dandy" Mangrum, Buddy Jewell, and Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm.

September 1 was established as Arkansas Music Appreciation Day by the 92nd General Assembly.

In addition, House also passed bills addressing elections, transportation, and law enforcement, just to name a few.

Concerning elections, the House passed HB1112. This bill eliminates the option for individuals to complete a sworn statement to cast a provisional ballot if they did not have the required photo identification.

The House also passed HB1338, which raises the number of signatures required for an

UALR names students to Fall Chancellor’s List Nicole Fegley of Hazen, Cory Gibson of Griffithville, and Nicole Reid of Des Arc have been named to .the University of Arkansas Little Rock Fall 2020 Chancellor's List.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announces its Fall 2020 Chancellor's List, recognizing students with

superior academic performance in a semester.

More than 725 UA Little Rock students were named to the Chancellor's List for the fall 2020 semester. To be eligible for the Chancellor's List, students must earn at least nine credit hours and at least a 3.9 grade point average.

individual to be placed on the Arkansas ballot as a candidate for President of the United States. Currently, 1,000 signatures are required.

This bill raises it to 5,000.

When it comes to transportation, the House passed the following bills this week: HB1269-This bill allows counties to pass an ordinance to allow individuals to drive golf carts on county roads.

HB1244-This bill authorizes DFA to issue a driver’s license or identification card without a photograph if the licensee has a religious objection to having their photo taken. This bill does not change requirements for voter identification.

HB1022-This bill states drivers must have their vehicle’s headlights on from sunset to sunrise.

The current law states lights must be on from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise.

HB1115-This bill amends the law concerning the weight threshold for commercial vehicles.

This changes the definition of a commercial motor vehicle from one with a gross weight of at least 10,000 pounds to one that weighs at least 26,001 pounds.

They also passed a bill this week, which was recommended as a result of the Governor’s Task Force to Advance the State of Law Enforcement in Arkansas.

HB1197 limits a lawenforcement agency to two part-time officers for every full-time officer. The task force report noted that the higher ratio of full-time officers would strengthen in-house training and enhance stability.

Another bill passed by the House that addresses law enforcement is HB1236. This bill states in the event of a civil

disturbance or a crime in progress that requires additional law enforcement resources, the Governor may establish a system of unified command of law enforcement efforts.

The Governor may designate which law enforcement agency or law enforcement agencies have primary jurisdiction on the State Capitol grounds and in the State Capitol building.

A few other bills passed in the House chamber recently include: HB1315-This bill creates a state meat inspection program. The bill states that a lack of a state meat inspection program causes a significant revenue loss generated from meat processing for this state and stifles opportunities for farmers to expand their meat processing capacity. It also states that it is currently prohibitively expensive for food banks to receive and distribute meat without a state meat inspection program.

HB1212-This bill gives the Director of the Division of Workforce Services the discretion to modify employer contributions for certain unemployment insurance claims during an emergency.

HB1195-This bill requires that any woman seeking an abortion be notified of the availability of medical, welfare, and private assistance programs. It instructs the Department of Health to establish a hotline for pregnant women seeking an abortion in Arkansas to call in order to receive a resource access assistance offer. If enacted, this legislation would take effect January 1, 2023.

You can find all agendas and links to livestreams of meetings at www.arkansashouse.org.

The Senate has voted to exempt last year’s unemployment benefits from state income taxes, to help people who lost their jobs because of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Senate Bill 236 would apply to benefits paid in 2020 and 2021. The unemployment rate in Arkansas had been around four percent until the coronavirus pandemic caused widespread business closures, especially in hospitality, tourism and travel. The jobless rate spiked to around 10 percent before it began to improve.

Before the pandemic, about 44,000 people in Arkansas claimed unemployment in 2018 and 2019, a state revenue official told senators during a committee hearing on SB 236. Last year more than 281,000 people filed for unemployment, according to the Department of Workforce Services.

SB 236 will save those people more than $51 million in state income taxes when they file this year, the revenue official said.

The next step is for the bill to be considered by a House committee, and if advanced out of committee, to be voted on by the entire House.

On a voice vote, the House Judiciary Committee failed to advance a Senate bill known as the Stand Your Ground bill. It would repeal a provision in current laws that obligates you to retreat from a confrontation if you can safely do so. The bill is SB 24.

Senate and House sponsors are confident that the entire House will approve SB 24 if they can get it out of committee.

The bill has already passed in the Senate, by a vote of 27-to-7.

The Senate approved HB 1195 to require pregnant

women who are seeking an abortion to first call a hotline and get counseling on the availability of resources to help if she decides to keep her child.

The hotline would be a toll-free number.

Sponsors say that fewer women will choose an abortion if they are fully informed about their options.

The Senate passed HB 1151 to postpone for a year the giving of letter grades to schools when the state issues school report cards. The pandemic has disrupted the ability of students to take standardized tests, which are a key factor in assigning letter grades to schools. The postponement is for the 2020-2021 school year.

The bill has passed the House and now goes to the governor.

The Senate has passed and sent to the House a bill to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities who need an organ transplant.

It is SB 155, also known as “Lila’s Law,” after a girl with Down syndrome who needed a heart transplant and was denied because of her disability.

Revenue Report State tax revenue in January was collected at record rates. Tax rates have not gone up, therefore the increase is an indication that the Arkansas economy is rebounding from the negative impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The state now has a surplus of about $400 million after the first seven months of the fiscal year.

During the 2021 session legislators will decide how best to use the surplus. For example, the $51 million in income tax exemptions for unemployment benefits, written into SB 236, can be absorbed by the state because of the large surplus.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at Des Arc City Hall, 107 S. 3rd St., Des Arc, AR 72040 for the purpose of identifying and prioritizing the community needs of City of Des Arc, determining whether an application for Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program (ACEDP) funds should be developed and if so, for what community need. Also, comments on proposed project activities will be discussed, especially those with possible impacts on the community, should the project receive funding.

ACEDP funds are federal assistance received by the State of Arkansas and administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

These funds will be made available to cities and counties according to need and can be used for community facilities, public infrastructure, or economic development, but must address one of the following objectives: 1. Provide benefit to low and moderate income families, 2. Aid in the prevention of slum and blight, or 3. Meet other community needs, which pose a serious, immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where no other funding is avail able to meet such needs.

All residents of City of Des Arc are encouraged to attend the hearing and participate in the community development process. The City of Des Arc will provide technical assistance in developing proposals by groups representing low- and moderateincome persons.

Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations including interpreter service, Braille, large print, or recorded materials, please contact Jim Garth at Des Arc City Hall, 107 S. 3rd St., Des Arc, AR 72040; (870) 256-4316 no later than February 11th. Accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking individuals provided that (number) day notice is received by the City of Des Arc. Jim Garth Mayor

Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Tim VanHouten Kitchen and Bath

870-255-5126

Cultured marble, flooring, custom showers, and countertops

Free Estimates 20 Years Experience

THE CITY OF DES ARC IS HIRING FOR A COURT CLERK POSITION. THIS POSITION OFFERS HOURLY PAY WITH BENEFITS. IT REQUIRES CLERICAL WORK, DATA ENTRY, AND COLLECTING PAYMENTS. MUST HAVE A HIGH

SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR E Q U I VA L E N T , KNOWLEDGE OF COMPUTERS AND BE ABLE TO MEET AND DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC. APPLICATIONS MAY BE PICKED UP AT CITY HALL AT 107 S 3RD STREET. (870) 256-4316. (2-10 21 2tc)

Chambers Nursing & Rehab Center Carlisle, AR

Dietary Department PositionContact: Available Heather Mealler Phone # 870-552-7150 Email: cnhc@chambers.com Competitive Pay & Insurance available

Bowman Plumbing Serving the Entire Grand Prairie Adam Bowman, MP 6142 Repair - Remodel New Construction Dependable Service Free Estimates Family Owned and Operated Call: (870) 256-5230

Come see Charlie Gerren at

Gwatney GMC Buick

Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical Keith Knupp 501.516.8285 knuppinc@hotmail.com

in Sherwood by Sam’s.

Contact 501-681-9121 or the office at 501-945-4444.

We sell New and Used vehicles.

Free Ads for Free Stuff If you’re giving it away, we’ll give you an ad for

free Call 2554538

To Whom It May Concern: A 2019 Chevy T a h o e V i n # IGNSCBC6KR177757was picked up on 1-22-2021 on Front Street Hazen, AR at the request of the Prairie County Sheriff’s Dept. This vehicle is in the possession of Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service 1111 Hwy 70 W, Hazen Ar. 72064, (870)255-3305.

Towing, storage, & administrative costs are accruing as legal liability of the owner.

Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority possessory

lien on the said vehicle and its content for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle. To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, MonFri, 8am-5pm, provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

(2-3-21 2tc)

Services Will clean Houses and do Home Care in Hazen, Carlisle, and DeValls Bluff area. I have plenty of references including

Lynda Snider) Please call Faye Evans at 501-8588841. I charge $10.00 per hour.

Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 10, 2021

2021 AR Century Farm applications due May 31

Martin and Murphy “Officers of the Year”...

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today awarded the Prairie County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Special Agent Jason Martin and Sergeant Randall Murphy with Arkansas State Police. Rutledge presented the county winners at the annual awards and recognition luncheon during the 2020 Officer of the Year luncheon at the Benton Event Center.

“It’s my honor to recognize our law enforcement officers from around the state for their dedication to protecting Arkansans,” said Attorney General Rutledge.

“Every day, these brave men and women leave their families without knowing if they will safely return home. Today’s recipients have gone above and beyond for all of us and we are grateful for their dedication and sacrifice.”

In addition to the statewide and regional Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards, Rutledge recognized an Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer winner from counties around the State. Recipients were selected based on recommendations for their dedicated service to Arkansans and can hold law enforcement positions at a college or university, municipal, county, federal or State level.

Nominations were provided to Attorney General Rutledge from police chiefs, county sheriffs, county judges, mayors, prosecutors and other State law enforcement leaders from across Arkansas.

HHS announces fall 2020 honor rolls Hazen High School has announced the 9-weeks and semester honor rolls for the 2020/2021 fall semester. The students on the fall semester lists are: 2nd Nine Weeks Honor Roll 7th Grade Alantis Blancett, Matthew Bokker, Wesley Clifton, Remington Fegley, Bailey Fite, Eli Kitchens, Peyton Kocourek, Graci Lockridge, Allyson Mooney, Sophie Raper*, Taevionne Reed, Maci Sickel*, Dylan Skarda*, and Brody Swaim.

8th Grade Mattison Alberson, Chloe Caldwell, Faith Duell, Alexis Dulany, Pheonix Ervin, Jaci Hackelton*, Madison Humbert, Carson Kee, Karly Kinard*, Austin Kocourek, Ryan Martin, Makayla McCray, Chloe Rose, Ethan Simmons*, Owen Simmons, Kendall Sisemore, Jameion Stigall*, and Brance Williams.

9th Grade Jordyn Besancon, Austyn Booth*, Savannah Glover*, Abby Hopkins, Faith Johnson, Mattie Perry, and Kaycie Seely.

10th Grade Kelcie Dorathy, Lane Harper*, Collin Kee, Luke King*,Gabriel Mayo, Miguel Pabon, Natalie Robinson, Lacey Rogers, and Brooke Weems.

11th Grade Maci Bokker, Wesley Clayton*, Faithe Hussey, Emma Hyatt, Kelsey Kinard, Beyonc’e Pargo, Mary Katherine Perry, Whitney Sayger*, Laney Shultz, Hailey Smith*, Cayden Stallings, Sidnee Steeland*, Braiden Tosh, and Delaney Wilkerson.

12th Grade Cayli Crosby*, Emily Foot*, Jamie Guenther, Jaida Hollingshead, Nicole Holmes, Trevor Jones*, Alexis McCarley, and Rebecca Munnerlyn.

1st Semester Honor Roll 7th Grade Matthew Bokker, Wesley Clifton, Remington Fegley, Ethan Lisko, Emily Mills, Allyson Mooney, Gabrielle Morgan, Sophie Raper*, Maci Sickel, Dylan Skarda*, and Brody Swaim.

8th Grade Mattison Alberson, Emma Cantwell, Samuel Clayton, Faith Duell, Alexis Dulany*, Pheonix Ervin, Jaci Hackelton, Carson Kee*, Karly Kinard*, Austin Kocourek, Ryan Martin, Makayla McCray*, Chloe Rose*, Ethan Simmons*, Owen Simmons, Kendall S i s e m o r e * , Jameion Stigall, and Brance Williams*.

9th Grade Nash Arnett, Jordyn Besancon, Austyn Booth*, Savannah Glover*, Abby Hopkins, Faith Johnson, and Kaycie Seely.

10th Grade Kelcie Dorathy, Lane

Harper*, Collin Kee, Luke King*, Miguel Pabon, Natalie Robinson*, Ivan Rodriguez, Lacey Rogers, Griffin Shultz,Shakeva Washington, and Brooke Weems.

11th Grade Maci Bokker*, Wesley Clayton*, Halley Cossey, Larry Craig, Austin Duck, Zoe Ford, Emma Hyatt*, Gabriel Johnson, Mckynzie Jones, Kelsey Kinard, Lyndsey Lawman, Beyonc’e Pargo, Mary Katherine Perry, Gabe Pfleger, Whitney Sayger*, Laney Shultz, Hailey Smith*, Cayden Stallings, Sidnee Steeland*, Braiden Tosh, and Delaney Wilkerson.

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of A g r i c u l t u r e (Department) is now accepting applications for the 2021 Arkansas Century Farm program.

This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. Online and printable applications are available at: agriculture.arkansas.go v/arkansas-departmentof-agricultureservices/arkansas-century-farm-program/. There is no cost to apply.

“Arkansas Century Farm families have persevered challenges for at least ten decades and have contributed greatly in making Arkansas agriculture the success story that it is today,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “As Arkansas’s largest industry, agriculture has an economic impact of over $21 billion annually and provides one of every six jobs in the state.”

To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria: The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2021. The line of owner-

ship from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption.

The farm must be at least ten acres of the original land acquisition

and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

Qualifying Arkansas farms will receive a personalized Arkansas Century Farm certificate and metal sign listing the farm name and year established.

PEOPLE

DO READ SMALL ADS...

YOU DID!

12th Grade Cayli Crosby, Emily Foot*, Jamie Guenther, Jaida Hollingshead, Nicole Holmes, Trevor Jones*, Alexis McCarley, and Rebecca Munnerlyn.

Denotes All A’s *

Chambers Nursing and Rehab Center * Private Rooms with Baths * 24 Hour Nursing Service * Rehab-Therapy

* On-Site Beauty Salon * Daily Activity Program * Church Service Regularly

Medicaid - Medicare - VA - Private Pay

(870) 552-7150 “Since 1945”

Hwy 70 - Carlisle, Arkansas “We offer extremely reasonable and affordable private pay rates”

Bobby Glover, President & CEO