75¢
Grand Prairie sports news. (See p. 6.)
Volume 119 Number 1 - USPS 225-680
Community Events Calendar Wednesday January 15 Friendship Luncheon DeValls Bluff Methodist Church 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thursday January 16 Hazen City Council Meeting City Hall 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Friday January 17 Hornet Basketball vs Poyen Hornets Nest 4:30 p.m. 7B, JG, SG, SB Bison Basketball vs Bigelow Bison Gym 4:30 p.m. 7G, JB, SG, SB
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
David Duch, Hazen mayor for 20 years, dies at 62 David Lynn Duch of Hazen, Arkansas passed away peacefully on January 7th, 2020 at the age of 62. He was born in Carlisle, Arkansas on June 26, 1957, the son of the Richard and Charlene Duch. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his brother Ronnie Duch. He spent his entire life in the Hazen area where he developed his love for agriculture and his community. He was fortunate enough to find a way to serve both all of his life. Duch served the city of Hazen for 25 years, 4 years as a council member and 21 years as mayor. During his tenure, he oversaw many progressive improvements to the city. When Duch first took over the mayor’s office in January, 1999, one of his first priorities was to reorganize and update the city’s day-to-day procedures, using the city’s computer system to keep track of finances. He pledged to get citizens involved with city government, and he vowed to pursue all state and federal grant programs that could benefit the city, both of which he did thoughout his 20 years as mayor. Some examples of grants that his administration received helped to make improvements to Hazen’s utility system, community center, and
streets. His administration also wrote and received grants to build a daycare center which became today’s senior citizens’ center, the walking trail through the city park, and airport runway lights, just to name a few. Duch was also an pilot. His love of flying started at a young age, flying solo for the first time at the age of 16. David became the manager of the Stuttgart airport at the age of 19. He was also a flight instructor, teaching countless members of this community how to fly over his lifetime. In 1978, Jerry Fisher gave Duch his first opportunity towards his dream of becoming a crop duster, and he was forever grateful. Then in 1979, he started flying for Don Whitaker at the Hazen airport. David and his brother-in-law, Randy Booe, bought the business in 1980, and B & D Flying Service was born. Over the next 40 years, David operated a flying service out of the Hazen airport serving Prairie County and the surrounding areas. He was the first ag pilot in the county to have an Air Tractor, which was an airplane that eliminated the need for flaggers, and revolutionized the crop dusting industry. David was a member of the Arkansas Agriculture Aviation Association, serving in every office on the board
of directors, including presiding as president for 2 years. He served on the safety council for FAA. Besides being an ag pilot, David was involved in a charter air service, where he served as chief pilot and director of operations. As a charter pilot, one of his most gratifying experiences was transporting transplant organs for Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency. In his flying career, he
logged over 25,000 hours. David loved the Lord and was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church. He served as head of Parish Council at St. Rose Catholic Church in Carlisle, Arkansas. David married the love of his life, Jeri Ruth Booe, in July of 1978. They were blessed with 2 daughters, Amber Thomas (Jason) and Cara Hollingshead (Davie). They have 5 grandchil-
dren, Jalynn, Jaycee, Jace, Duke and Savannah who were adored by their Granddaddy. David is survived by his brother Dwight Duch (LeaAnn) and his nephew Blake and niece Logan as well as a host of loving family and friends. David was loved by so many, as was evidenced by the number of people who came to visit him while he was in the hospital. David was a generous man; most of time he gave anonymously. He will be missed terribly by his family, his friends and his community. The family would like to thank Dr. Shafizadeh, Cara Petrus, Hazen First Responders, and the Hazen Police Department. Visitation was at the Hazen Community Center at 906 East Front Street in Hazen on Wednesday, January 8th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Rosary followed. The funeral service was Thursday, January 9th at 10:00 am at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak, Arkansas. Burial was at the Hazen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Saint Cyril Methodius Catholic Church 1852 Highway 86 W Stuttgart, AR 72160 or the Hazen Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen.
Monday January 20 Martin Luther King Day City offices and County Courthouses will be closed.
Tuesday January 21 PC Master Gardeners Meeting 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m. BancorpSouth
Thursday January 23 Commodities distribution Hazen Methodist Church 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. GFWC Elsie McCain Club meeting 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Murry’s Restaurant
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.
Eagle Eye Archery members take top spots... Cache Flanagan (left) placed first and Walker Harris (center) placed second in the boys’ category, and Adysen Johnston (right) placed 2nd in the girls’ category at a contest held against Maumelle last Saturday, January 11, at the Des Arc Elementary School gym. Coach Francine Petrus Dickson is pictured with the metal winners. They are also coached by Paul Dickson (not pictured.)
DeValls Bluff City Council holds first meeting of new year By Lisa Mills DeValls Bluff City Council held their first meeting of 2020 on January 9th. Present at the meeting were Mayor Brooks Castleberry, Treasurer/Recorder Pam DelGiorno and Aldermen Raymond Watson, Richard Henry, Carol Griffin, Marie Flanagan, Alice Metcalf and Shirley Goff. Motions were passed to amend the 2019 budget as required and to adopt the 2020 budget as presented. A motion was
also passed to maintain the property lease with MFA and not sell the property. City Attorney Mike Stuart reported that the second owner of the "Thompson" property has signed over his interest and as soon as he receives the paperwork the city will have clear ownership. Fire Chief Doyne Martin reported 4 grass fires, 3 EMS calls, 3 Public Assist calls, 1 auto accident and 2 meetings. Animal Control reported
2 dogs picked up. One was sent to a rescue organization and one was returned to the owner with a citation issued. No Police report was available.
Alderman Shirley Goff mentioned that there are still numerous loose dogs everyday not being picked up, and she feels like the dog catcher needs to patrol more during the
day. Alderman Marie Flanagan asked if the council might need to consider advertising for a new dog catcher. No action was taken on the matter.
Soap making class at the LWR museum Lower White River Museum State Park in Des Arc is offering a soap making workshop on Saturday, February 8 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn the art and science of making lye soap using the cold-process method, and try some new recipes.
Please dress appropriately as some materials are caustic and can burn. Must be at least 16 years old to attend. For more information or to register, contact the museum at: (870) 2563711 or lowerwhiterivermuseum@arkansas.com.
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