This Week's Edition

75¢

Basketball season in full swing.

(See pictures on page 6.)

Volume 121 Number 2 - USPS 225-680

Community Calendar of Events Tuesday January 11 Quorum Court Meeting Annex Building 6:00 p.m.

Thursday January 13 DeValls Bluff City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m.

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

Carlisle mayor appears before state audit committee Carlisle Mayor Ray Glover appeared before the Arkansas State Auditing Committee on January 6, 2022, to hear the findings concerning an audit of the city’s finances and to respond to those findings.

Irregularities were found in several areas, including neglecting to obtain a required federal compliance audit, overpaying a trash collection vendor, failing to obtain an audit for the city’s water and sewer system since 2016, not adopting a budget for the Court Automation Fund as required by law, and failure to maintain proper financial records of city funds and payroll

records. The audit has been referred to the State Prosecuting Attorney.

The Carlisle City Clerk/Treasurer, Angelia James was recently arrested by the Arkansas State Police for embezzling money from the city and, according to Glover, will be replaced with a new treasurer to correct all reconciliations that were done incorrectly.

Angelia James’ pre-trial was set for Monday, Jan 10. The $35,000 that was found to be missing from the city’s account will be refunded to the city by the insurance policy that the city has through the Municipal

League.

Trudy Drye, the former city treasurer, has been re-hired to fill the vacposition previously held by James. She will be responsible for making the corrections required by the Legislative Audit Committee. New guidelines have been instituted to help create a checks and balances system for the city books.

The mayor told the committee that he has been added to city accounts and will now be able to verify journal entries.

He plans to be trained by financial institutions on the use of the treasurer management system that is used for this purpose. Going forward, the

Hazen Hornets vs Barton Bears Barton gym 5:00 p.m.

Carlisle Public Library Children’s Program 4:00 p.m.

Friday January 14 Carlisle Public Library Family Fun 4:00 p.m.

Monday January 17 Martin Luther King Day Local and County Offices will be closed Thursday January 20 Hazen City Council Meeting City Hall 6:00 p.m.

Thursday January 27 Food Distribution Hazen Methodist Church

10:00 a.m.-noon Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of Commerce

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

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

HHS names top 2022 graduates...

Congratulations to Hazen High School’s class of 2022 Valedictorian, Hailey Smith, and Salutatorians, Wesley Clayton and Whitney Sayger. We are proud of their accomplishments and we commend them for their strong work ethic.

Snider earns SFO certification for school fiscal credibility The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is pleased to announce that Sarah Snider, SFO, Finance Director/District Treasurer, Hazen School District, Hazen, AR, has earned the Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations® (SFO®).

School business professionals who earn the SFO certification have proven that they have the required knowledge, expertise, and fiscal credibility to lead their

school district and effectively manage the district’s finances. “ASBO International’s SFO certification is an internationally recognized standardized assessment for school business officials.

Increasingly we are seeing that certification is a driver that helps to raise the bar for sound fiscal management across all school districts,” says ASBO International executive director David J. Lewis.

“SFOs are keenly sought after due to their experience and expertise in

TO THE PEOPLE OF PRAIRIE COUNTY Serving as the Prairie County Judge has been one of the most distinguishing honors of my life, and it is with heartfelt consideration, prayer, and discussions with my family that I have reached the decision not to seek re-election due to the medical issues I am currently experiencing.

The twelve years as Judge have been the some of the most rewarding yet challenging years of my life.

I have always strived to do what was best for Prairie County and its citizens whether it was a popular decision or not. In the process, I have made friendships that will last a lifetime.

I sincerely want to thank each of you for the confidence you have shown me by allowing me the honor to serve as your Judge all these years.

Mike Skarda

appropriately allocating resources to meet the current and future needs of their constituents.” The SFO designation is granted to highly qualified school business professionals who fulfill multiple requirements, including demonstrating certification eligibility (through work experience and education); passing a comprehensive two-part exam that tests competency in accounting and school business management topics; and adhering to the ASBO I n t e r n a t i o n a l Certification Code of Conduct. School business officials who have earned the SFO certification commit to ongoing professional development, renewing the certification annually, and undergoing recertification every three years.

mayor will be the overall final verifier for journal entries, Glover said. He assured the committee that an audit company will be utilized to complete the needed audits on federal funds that the city has received as soon as audits can be scheduled.

Glover also said that audits have been conducted for the city’s water and sewer system, and the city will schedule audits going forward at the same time each year. He said that all budgets will be approved by the city council through approved resolutions and that the budget for the courts will now be shown in the overall budget. Misstatements and errors in the general fund assets, liabilities, fund balance, revenues, and expenditures in the amounts of $392,172; $176,895; $292,744; $183,904; and $191,040; as well as posting errors and misstatements in the street fund financial record for a total of $218,124 and other funds in the aggregate financial records for a total of $461,393 will be corrected and properly posted in the future, Glover said.

Payroll records were also a problem, including vacation leave and sick leave. Leave records were not properly maintained and did not recon-

cile with the employee’s earning summary provided by the payroll services vendor. Salary expenses recorded in the general ledger did not agree to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms, and pensions paid were more than was reported to the IRS. Glover told the committee that in the future all requests for selling vacation time will be accompanied by paperwork and approved by the mayor. The city handbook will be adjusted to allow the mayor or department head to approve the transfer of sick hours.

Glover also told the committee that the transfer of sales tax and property tax funds from the general fund to the street and firemen’s pension funds will be conducted as needed and settled into the appropriate funds. The overpayments from the water department to the general fund for mosquito control and trash collections totalling $63,33 will also be fixed and reconciled when a new treasurer is put into place, according to Glover.

Mayor Glover said that a summons from the Legislative Audit Committee is a bit scary, but “they were very nice and treated us very kindly.”

Gov. Hutchinson briefs state on COVID cases LITTLE ROCK – At his weekly news briefing on Tuesday, January 4, Governor Asa Hutchinson discussed COVID tests and increasing case numbers.

Arkansas had the highest number of new cases reported in one day, and the highest number of active cases since the beginning of the pandemic. With the addition of several thousand new cases and increasing demand on COVID19 tests, Governor Hutchinson announced the authorization of 50 National Guardsmen to help at testing sites around the state.

Arkansas had an increase of 53 hospitalizations Tuesday, and Governor Hutchinson noted that there are plans to increase hospital capacity as needed with the emergency surge plan. Staffing will be the main challenge according to Governor Hutchinson, but he said the Arkansas Department of Health is working to have the

resources to prepare for an increase in capacity.

Governor Hutchinson noted that nearly 87% of the hospitalizations with COVID-19 are unvaccinated individuals.

"Statistically it's a reminder of the importance of being vaccinated, and the booster shot is a critical part of the vaccination program as we look ahead at Omicron," Governor Hutchinson said.

Dr. Romero with the Arkansas Department of Health encouraged parents to get their children vaccinated.

Editor’s note: On Saturday, January 8, 8,171 new cases of COVID were added to the states toll with 16 new deaths. There have been 613,014 confirmed cases in the state and 9,314 deaths.

Prairie and Lonoke Counties are both in the “red” zone. On Sunday, January 9, Prairie County had 1,442 confirmed cases (up 5.1%) and 32 deaths (up 3.2%).

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Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Thomas Eleazer Daniel Jackson Ted (Thomas Eleazer Daniel) Jackson, 87, passed from this world on December 27, 2021.

He passed peacefully at home in the company of his loving wife and daughter. He was born in Hazen, AR on August 27, 1934 to the late Audrey and Charles Edward (C.E.) Jackson.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sachiko; son Jay Jackson (Janet); daughter Janet Green (Jeff); son Jeff Jackson (Susan); daughter Kim Knoll; and stepdaughter Jennifer Morrow; 12 grandchildren, 8 greatgrandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ted graduated from Hazen High School and Arkansas A&M College where he was a star football player. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He spent most of his career as a professional salesman and spent many years as Executive VicePresident of Sales for Nissan Industrial Equipment Company where he developed a prospering network of forklift equipment dealerships across the country. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. A service of celebration of the life of Ted Jackson will be announced in the near future. In lieu of flowers, expressions of remembrance can be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, one of Ted’s favorites.

Billy Joe Ferguson Billy Joe Ferguson, age 87 of Des Arc, passed away Friday, January 7 at Springhill Baptist

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

Hospital in North Little Rock. Tuesday, July 10, 1934, was a very special day in the lives of Sherman and Ola (Patterson) Fe r g u s o n with the birth of their 3rd son, Billy Joe. Growing up in the rural farming area of Prairie County, Arkansas, Billy developed a love for the outdoors at an early age and became an avid fisherman and hunter .of raccoon, squirrel, ducks, deer; with raccoon hunting being his favorite.

He received his education thru Des Arc Public Schools and continued on to serve 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. His time in the service was overseas, where he was stationed in Germany.

Bill worked most of his adult life as an electrician for Electricians Local Union 295. In his off time, he spent his time fishing and hunting. His second occupation was raising and selling coon and squirrel dogs. He enjoyed attending local and national hunting dog events and found many hours of pleasure hunting with his many friends. His Saturday morning activity was going to the Beebe Flea Market and hanging out on “dog row”.

For the past three years, Bill has made his home at Stonebridge Senior Living center at Cabot. During his time there he made many new friends and the staff said, “he always made everyone’s day better with his good sense of humor and storytelling.”

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Houston and James.

Survivors include his son, Wesley of Fort Smith; Daughter, Laura Sarandal; Grandchildren, River Boydston and Atilla Sarandal of Olathe, KS; Brothers, Donald (Lvonne) Ferguson of West Virginia, Ralph (Susan) Ferguson of El Paso, AR, and Raymond Ferguson of Hazen; sister-in-law, Bess Ferguson of Fayetteville, as well as his nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation of Bill was Tuesday, January 11, from 12PM to 2PM, with funeral service at 2 at Garth Funeral Home at Des Arc. Burial will follow at Johnson Chapel Cemetery.

Martha Ida Bell Michalski Martha Ida Bell Michalski, 89, of Ohatchee, Alabama died Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Gadsden Regional Medical Center in Gadsden, Alabama.

Mrs. Martha was born November 22, 1932 in Des Arc, Arkansas to Noah and Mary (Seevers) Wyatt. Survivors include one brother, Vernon Wyatt and many nieces

Hazen Cemetery Donations In Memory of: Geraldine Rhodes By: Jo Ford Jimmy & Linda Price Marilyn Ligon Susan Yerger Donna Watson Billy & Nona Gail Booth In memory of: Jerry Aycock By: Donna Watson Donations are greatly appreciated and may be mailed to: Hazen Cemetery P.O. Box 92 , Hazen, Ar. 72064

and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Joseph Michalski.

Visitation is Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Church of God of Prophecy in Des Arc with funeral services immediately following at 2:00 pm. Burial will be in McBee Cemetery by Garth Funeral Home.

Bro. Kenneth Ripper officiating. Pallbearers are Terry Wyatt, James Wyatt, Brian Wyatt, Cory Wyatt, and Mitchel Wyatt.

Della Kay (Mason) Hall Della Kay (Mason) Hall, age 80, of Biscoe passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter on January 4, 2022.

She

was surrounded by her son, daughter, and special sister-in-law, Bettie Brannan.

Della was preceded in death by her loving husband of 45 years, Dewey Lee Hall; her mother, Armenta Sperry Mason and father, James Mason; one great granddaughter, Adalynn Maye Hall; and two sisters, Robbie Mason Jordan, and Lou Alice Mason Watson.

Della is survived and lovingly remembered by one son, Christopher (Paula) Hall of Biscoe; one daughter, Beth (Darrell) Prine of Hazen; two aunts, Bernice Sperry of Cabot and Bee (Sperry) Eaton of North Little Rock; brother-inlaw, Ken (JoAnn) Hall of Des Arc; sisters-in-law, Nola Hampton of Des Arc and Bettie (Teddy) Brannan of Biscoe; six grandchildren, Lance

(Sara) Prine of Cave Springs, Jeremy (Kalen) Prine of Stuttgart, Lance Stafford (Cari) Prine of Hazen, Sean (Alexis) Hall of Moncks Corner, SC, Luke Stafford Prine of Clarkesville, TN, and Payton (Courtney) Tarry of Biscoe; eleven greatgrands; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Della graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1963 with her BS in Physical Education. She started her coaching career at 71st High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina coaching girls’ basketball while her husband, Dewey, served in the Army. They moved to Prairie County in 1972 where she coached golf and girls’ basketball in the Des Arc school district a few years before going to the DeValls Bluff school dis-

trict, which is where she retired. She was the first female coach to coach a high school boys’ baseball team and take them to the State Playoffs.

Della was known as DK, Della Kay, Coach Hall, Coach, Mom, and Granny. She made a positive impact on the lives of all she came in contact with and was known to be an encourager and a hugger.

Visitation was from 1-2 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2 p.m. at Family Christian Fellowship Church, 603 W. Washington Street, in Hazen on Saturday, January 8, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Family Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 982, Hazen, AR 72064 or Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116.

Biscoe EHC gives Christmas gifts...

Biscoe EHC members indiviually chose children from both school districts of Prairie County to purchase Christmas gifts especially clothes and shoes. Members provided large bags of surprises for 12 students.

Pictured are: Bernadette Mosby, Karen Golden, Ardie Yates, Mitzi Osborne, “Sharing our Blessings” Community Service Project Chair, Connie Smith. Janice Corpier, Rita Farris, Debby Priest, Brenda Prince, Barbara Williams, and taking the picture was Juanita Hutchinson.

In the bottom picture, the Biscoe EHC members donated hams, turkeys, and all the fixins to 4 families for Christmas dinners. Committee Members of this Christmas Project were: Juanita Hutchinson, Ardie Yates, Debby Priest, Brenda Prince and Barbara Williams.

Baptist Health urges to watch for signs of COVID As we continue to learn more about coronavirus and COVID-19, it may be helpful to reacquaint yourself with some basic information.

Coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, is a respiratory illness transmitted through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Getting sick from these droplets requires proximity to an infected person–or touching a surface that might have a droplet– then touching your mouth, nose, and possibly eyes.

Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands, using an alcohol-based rub frequently, and not touching your face.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to get vaccinated.

It is also essential to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes, and how it spreads.

COVID-19 can affect people in different ways.

Those infected with the coronavirus often experience mild to severe symptoms 2-14 days after exposure. To better protect yourself and others, know the symptoms and emergency warning signs of COVID-19.

The symptoms include

fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone This list of symptoms is not all-inclusive. If you are an older adult or have chronic medical conditions–such as heart disease or lung cancer–tell your doctor about any COVID-19 related symptoms as you may have a greater risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID19.

Baptist Health Medical Center in Stuttgart offers COVID testing. It is located at 1703 N. Buerkle St. The hours of operation are MondayFriday, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Drive-through is available.

Scheduling is available via MyChart. You must call (870) 674-6443 prior to your arrival.

Public Notice Biscoe Waterworks is a public water system subject to regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Those regulations require the notification of customers whenever a violation occurs. That is the basis for this notice.

The violation occurred when the water system failed to retain a qualified, licensed operator for the period of October 2021.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets national standards for drinking water and has established a requirement that certain public water systems must be operated by a qualified operator. The Arkansas Department of Health defines a qualified operator as a person holding an appropriate valid Water Operator’s License based on the type of water system and population served.

The system will remain in violation until the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Arkansas Department of Health’s Water Operator Licensing is met.

Failure to meet this requirement does not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe or that alternate sources of water should be used.

The water system currently has employees enrolled in the required training courses and will test for the required Water Treatment License in January 2022.

Should you have any questions concerning this notice, contact the Biscoe Water Department at 870-998-2226 or the Engineering Section of the Department of Health at 501-661-2623.

Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 12, 2022

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Jonathan Dismang LITTLE ROCK – This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Arkansas Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the Lake View school funding case.

In 2002 the court ruled that the state’s system of funding public school was unconstitutional.

The legislature approved massive increases in school funding, and enacted tougher school standards.

One result of the Lake View decision is that the legislature now regularly conducts an assessment of the adequacy of school funding.

The purpose is for students to be academically proficient for their grade level.

The Senate and House Education Committees have begun the current adequacy study. During a two-day meeting, the committee heard a report on academic progress that Arkansas students have made since the state initiated a series of education reforms to comply with the Lake View ruling.

Arkansas students showed academic improvement during the first ten years the Lake View ruling, but those improvements have not been consistent.

An analysis of academic indicators shows that “progress … has stalled or, in some cases, declined since around

2013. When current data is compared with other states, Arkansas often ranks among the lower performing states.”

It was difficult to draw conclusions in several categories because Arkansas has changed its standardized testing multiple times. More than 20 years ago a judge in the Lake View case cited test scores indicating that only 44 percent of fourth graders were proficient in reading, and only 34 percent were proficient in math.

Recent test results are mixed, showing that 40 percent of fourth graders are proficient in reading and 43 percent are proficient in math.

Arkansas fourth graders and eighth graders are still below the national average in math, reading and science.

After the Lake View case Arkansas high school students caught up to the national average on the ACT college entrance exams.

However, their average scores began to drop again in 2017. The decline probably was due to the fact that more students were taking the ACT. With college entrance exams, it’s generally true that when more students take the test, the lower their average scores will be.

Arkansas is 42nd in the nation in high school graduation rates, up from 46th in the year 2000. In rankings that compare the number of adults with a college degree, Arkansas is still 49th. The most recent surveys indicate that 23.3 percent of adults in Arkansas have a bachelor’s degree or higher.Average teacher salaries have gone up by $16,000 since 2000.

Arkansas was ranked as high as 46th in 2019, but went down to 48th in 2020.

Legislators on the Education Committee expressed disappointment with the lack of continued academic progress, considering the size of the state’s investment in public schools.

The Lake View case began 30 years ago, in 1992. The Lake View School District was a small, rural district in Phillips County that sued the state over disparities in how it funded education.

Public schools represent the single largest spending category in state government. Last year the state distributed $2.2 billion through the Public School Fund.

That accounted for 40 percent of all state general revenue spending.

January is known as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. It is a time for us to educate ourselves about human trafficking and learn to spot the signs of trafficking.

Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor

Blurred Vision -

By Nathaniel Bradow

“Discourse Reset? Maybe??”

Every now and again, gentle readers, TV show and movie writers put things in perspective for the rest of us.

This weekend I was watching a movie based on an adventure book series. (I like fantasy adventure novels. Don’t judge me.) One of the protagonists made a statement that caught my ear and made me think of the state of our great union. The character was asked why the impending war was inevitable. Her reply was, “Because you are different. It is easier to kill you than to learn to live with you.”

Over the past 10 years or so the discourse in our politics has been strained at best and absolutely hyperbolic crazy toons at worst.

With the one-year anniversary of the capitol riots barely in our rearview mirror, I am reminded how easy it is for us each to be sucked into the void of nonthinking crowd hysterics. It is a well-known theory in psychology called, “Group Think.”

People in a crowd tend to follow the will of the crowd and do things they ordinarily wouldn’t do on their own. Rile up a crowd to go to battle, and they will grab their knives and pitchforks.

Convince them that their way of life is under attack beforehand, and they will toss torches

onto their neighbor’s roofs with joy and righteousness in their hearts.

Rhetoric is powerful.

Words have power.

Truth and cooler heads do not always prevail.

We have had a long tradition of eliminating the perceived enemy instead of finding more diplomatic means to find a working peace.

It is easier to kill than to create. It is easier to judge than to listen. It is easier to burrow in and double down than it is to find common ground and work for the common good. It is easier to follow those who tell us what we want to hear for their own ends than it is to open our ears to something outside our comfort zones.

The right word in the wrong ear can lead to disaster for everyone.

Tell a teenager that they aren’t 10-foot tall and bulletproof, and usually one of two things will happen.

They will either lock themselves in their room in fear of the world, or find some new and unique way to jump off the roof into a swimming pool full of gasoline while twirling flaming batons.

Tell adults who have felt the social or financial squeeze of a changing culture and economy that you know who to blame and where they live, reinforce those ideas over and over in

an echo chamber full of half truths or outright lies, and eventually those normally levelheaded adults will either barricade themselves behind iron bars or start arming themselves for the impending battle to come. You can’t technology your way out of the good ole’ fight or flight reflex. That one is engrained deep.

So, what do we do?

Well, the simple answer, gentle readers, is to tone down the rhetoric. Stop substituting words like “compromiser” with words like “betrayer” or “traitor.” Learn to question people who say things like “they are attacking our way of life” when “we disagree in principle” would be more accurate.

Diplomacy is not a gateway to betrayal of the tribe. Thin red lines tend to lead to streets running red.

I guess the one problem with that is we might have to admit that what we think or believe might be – if not outright wrong – at least partially flawed. That requires a touch of humility on our parts.

Nevermind. None of us are ready for that yet.

See you at the next pitchfork sharpening and sale extravaganza!

To comment, you can reach me at thatbradowguy@gmail.com

or services or to engage in commercial sex acts.

The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological.

It endangers the lives of millions of people, and it is a crime that knows no borders.

In the 2021 Regular Session, we passed legislation strengthening our laws to combat human trafficking in Arkansas.

Act 798 provides

heightened conditions for release on bail for persons accused of human trafficking and human-trafficking related offenses. Under the act, the conditions imposed may include an ankle monitor or GPSenabled tracking device, restricted movement limited to the person's residence except in the case of a medical emergency, a restriction on internet access and access to electronic media, and an agreement by the defendant to abide by certain rules.

Act 1106 establishes an affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking accused of certain offenses.

Act 1098 creates the offenses of grooming a minor for future sex

trafficking and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor.

In 2019, the Polaris Project worked on 11,500 situations of human trafficking reported to the Polarisoperated U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline. These situations involved 22,326 individual survivors, nearly 4,384 traffickers, and 1,912 suspicious businesses. Human trafficking is notoriously underreported. Shocking as these numbers are, they are likely only a fraction of the actual problem.

To report suspected human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline tollfree hotline at 1-888373-7888 or text the hotline at 233733.

You can also chat the National Human Trafficking Hotline via www.humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.

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Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Memory screening offered by AFA

New Books and DVDs CHILDREN The Girl with a Mind for Math- Julia Finley Mosca I Love HugsScholastic Bitty Betty the BraveKirby Larson &Sue Cornelison Sleep, Baby, SleepMaryann Cusimano Turtle and Me- Robie H. Harris Patrick Picklebottom and the Penny BookMr. Jay Freddie the Farting Snowman- Jane Bexley Rambee Boo and the Christmas Sock- Reena Pagnoni My Snowman, PaulYossi Lapid Spike- Sarah Cullen JUVENILE The Pug who wanted to be a Reindeer- Bella Swift Super Rabbit Racers!Thomas Flintham Super Rabbit Boy vs.

Super Rabbit Boss!Thomas Flintham Super Rabbit Boy Powers Up!- Thomas Flintham The Pug who wanted to be a Unicorn- Bella Swift YOUNG ADULT Huntress- Julie Hall Dominion- Julie Hall Logan- Julie Hall ADULT Master of Salt & Bones- Keri Lake Claw and OrderLeighann Dobbs

Stanton Adore- T L Swan Stanton UnconditionalT L Swan Stanton Completely- T L Swan Stanton Bliss- T L Swan Midlife CursesChristine Zane Thomas Murder at the Lobstah Shack- Maddie Day Gene, EverywhereTalya Tate Boerner A Shadow in the Ember- Jennifer Armentrout Criminal MischiefStuart Woods Jingle all the WayDebbie Macomber A Man of HonorBarbara Taylor Bradford The Accidental Salvation of Gracie LeeTalya Boerner 19 Yellow Moon RoadFern Michaels If She Knew- Blake Pierce The Locked DoorFreida McFadden Texarkana- William W Johnstone (Western) Savage Valley- Donald Robertson (Western) Logan's Word- Donald Robertson (Western) Mettle of a Mountain Man- Donald Robertson (Western) The Girl in the Ground- Stacy Green Lost Angels- Stacy Green One Perfect GraveStacy Green The Girls in the SnowStacy Green The Sorority Murder-

Allison Brennan Buried Secrets- Irene Hannon Tangled Webs- Irene Hannon Thin Ice- Irene Hannon Dark Ambitions- Irene Hannon Curse of Salem- Kay Hooper Flame- Helen Hardt Watching Over YouLori Foster The Extinction TrialsA G Riddle Ink and ShadowsEllery Adams The Sunshine ClubCarolyn Brown Pints and Potions- T M Cromer NEW DVDs Flash season 7 The Remaining Mosley Escape Room Tournament of Champions The Survivalist South of Heaven Super Girl season 5 The Last Dual Ron's Gone Wrong Dangerous The Card Counter Venom: Let there be Carnage Holler The Girl who believes in Miracles Cry Macho The Mitchells vs the Machines The Good Dinosaur Copshop Castle Falls Last Shoot Out

UAMS offers online guided mindfulness meditation The UAMS Mindfulness Program offers online Mindfulness guided group meditation sessions at noon on weekdays. This is a great way to hit pause, decompress, and ease back into your day. For those that would like support on their mindfulness journey, there is a Mindfulness Community Meeting held the first Thursday of each month

at 5:50 p.m. These meetings are designed to give a deeper understanding of mindfulness while meditating and offering support.

These sessions are free and open to the public.

Please email UAMSMindfulnessProgr am@uams.edu to receive the Zoom link.

Tune in for a moment of calm in your busy day to learn stress-reduction skills that foster peace

of mind, supported by our caring wellness community at UAMS. Our instructors are trained in evidence-based approaches to teaching Mindfulness, including Koru Mindfulness and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

Visit the website for more information and to stay connected mindfulness.uams.edu

2022 Blue & You Fitness Challenge registration underway Challenge accepted!

Over the last 18 years, more than 100-thousand people in Arkansas and around the country have joined Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Human Services in becoming more active, improving their health and taking part in a little free,

friendly competition.

Plan to make 2022 your year.

Group registration is under way now for the 2022 Blue and You Fitness Challenge.

Whether you are a business, a school, group of neighbors, a family or community organization, visit https://blueandyoufitnesschallengeark.com/ and sign up your team now. The

team registration deadline is January 24. Then February 1-28, friends and co-workers can sign up to join a registered team.

"It's a great way to build comradery and create a healthier, happier workforce and community," said Kristen Lippencott, Arkansas Blue Cross wellness program manager.

Legal Notice NOTICE OF SALE OF $6,775,000 DES ARC SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 5 OF PRAIRIE COUNTY, ARKANSAS REFUNDING BONDS Dated February 1, 2022 Sealed bids will be received until 11:00 o’clock a.m., local time

on January 18, 2022 for the above Bonds, which mature serially on February 1 of each year of the years of 2024 to 2048, inclusive. All bids must be on the Official Bid Form or submitted electronically, via PARITY. Copies of the Preliminary Official Statement, Official Notice of Sale and Official Bid Form may

be obtained from the undersigned.

Danny P. Lovelady First Security Beardsley First Security Center 521 President Clinton Avenue, Suite 800 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Telephone (501) 9786392 Danny P. Lovelady Fiscal Agent

As we approach year’s end and get ready for 2022, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is encouraging individuals to make a New Year’s resolution to get a memory screening.

AFA offers free, confidential memory screenings through a secure virtual format every Monday, Wednesday and Friday—appointments can be scheduled by calling AFA at 866-2328484 or through AFA’s website here. The service is available to everyone—there are no minimum age or insurance prerequisites.

“Annual screenings are important, including for our brains, which is why everyone should make getting a memory screening a New Year’s resolution for 2022,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “Just as we regularly check other facets of our health, we should all get a checkup from the neck up, regardless of

whether or not we are having memory problems.”

Memory screenings are simple, quick (approximately 10-15 minutes) and noninvasive, and consist of a series of questions, administered by a qualified professional, to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and other intellectual functions. They are similar to other routine health screenings, such as those for blood pressure, cholesterol and skin checks. Results are not a diagnosis, but a memory screening can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation.

Early detection of memory impairments is extremely important.

Many different conditions can cause memory issues, including treatable or curable conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid conditions, urinary tract infections, stress, anxiety and depression.

Even in the case of a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer’s, early detection can provide greater opportunity to begin treatments that can help slow the symptoms of the disease, as well as taking part in a clinical trial. In addition, it affords the person the chance to take advantage of community services, such as support groups and therapeutic programming, as well as have a greater say in making legal, financial and health care decisions.

Memory screening appointments can be scheduled by calling AFA at 866-232-8484 or through AFA’s website here. Screenings are conducted through secure videoconference technology (i.e., Facetime, Zoom, Skype)—all that’s needed is a device with a webcam and Internet capability, such as a smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Piano Lessons Want to play keyboard like a pro? Now you can!

“Piano Lessons by Samuel” offers lessons from beginner to collegiate levels. We’re located in Hazen with in-home lesson options. Call 501-680-6489.

Chambers Nursing & Rehab Center Carlisle, AR

Housekeeper Phone # 870-552-7150 Email: cnhc@chambers.care

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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

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

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The Grand

Prairie Herald is striving to cover all of the Grand Prairie news in our newspaper each week.

We have been covering news about the Grand Prairie for over 119 years, which includes Hazen, Des Arc, Carlisle, DeValls Bluff, Stuttgart, and the surrounding areas. So, if you have news to tell, a picture that you would like to share, or some information that needs to get out, call us at 870-255-4538 Monday, Tuesday, or Friday mornings, or email us at heraldpublishing@gmail.com.

Call 255We want to 4538 hear from you!

Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 12, 2022

2022 Basketball season at Hazen High School has begun (Wendy Perry photos) Hazen vs. McCrory