This Week's Issue

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Carlisle Methodist says goodbye to minister. (See p. 6)

Volume 120 Number 4 - USPS 225-680

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

New members and resignations on January Des Arc Council agenda

Community Events Calendar Thursday January 28 USDA Commodities Distribution Hazen First United Methodist Church Drive through Wear your mask.

Hazen Hornets’ vs England Lions Hornets Nest 4:30 p.m.

7G, JG, SG, SB Friday January 29 Hornets vs Marianna Hornets’ Nest 7G, JG, SG, SB

By Lisa Mills Herald correspondent At the January 19th council meeting, new council members Jodie Mayher and Nicole Fisher were welcomed and sworn in.

The council accepted the resignation of Utility Office Clerk Carolyn Degunion and will advertise the vacancy.

The resignation of Police Chief Rick Parson was also accepted.

Mayor Garth thanked Parson for his 26 years of service to the city and praised him for a job well done.

Mayor Garth also presented Welton Robinson with a plaque for his 18 years of service as a councilman. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Garth, Treasurer/Recorder Chrisanna Knupp and council members Ray McVay, Gary Burnett, Jodie Mayher, Nicole Fisher and Anna Beth Fisher.

A motion was approved to give city employees a 5% salary increase. The increase will be retroactive to January 1st. A motion was approved to lease a 2020 Caterpillar Backhoe Loader from

Mayor Garth presents a plaque to Welton Robinson for his 18 years of service as a Des Arc councilman.

Department: Gary Burnett and Ray McVay *Finance: Ray McVay and Jodie Mayher *Street: Anna Beth Fisher and Nicole Fisher *Ambulance: Gary Burnett and Jodie Mayher *Cemetery: Anna Beth Fisher and Jodie Mayher *Fire Department: Anna Beth Fisher and Ray McVay *Animal Control: Gail King and Jodie Mayher *Parks and Recreation: Gail King and Gary Burnett *Senior Citizens: Ray McVay and Nicole Fisher *Sanitation: Nicole

Monday February 1 First Day of Black History Month Tuesday February 2 Ground Hog Day Hornets vs Kipp Kipp Gymn 4:30 p.m.

7B, JG, SG, SB Monday February 8 Blood Drive Arkansas Institute Hazen Methodist Church 2:00p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Sunday February 14 Valentines Day

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.

The Des Arc Council and Mayor are sworn were sworn in before the meeting. They are (l to r): Anna Beth Fisher, Nicole Fisher, Chrisana Knupp, Jodie Mayher, Ray McVay Sr., Gary Burnett, and Mayor Jim Garth.

J.A. Riggs. The cost is $89, 852.18 with a monthly payment of $1,059.42.

The lease agreement is for two years.

The 2021 committee members are as follows: Police Department: Gary Burnett and Anna Beth Fisher *Gas Department: Gail King and Nicole Fisher *Water and Sewer

Fisher and Gail King *Wage and Salary: Anna Beth Fisher, Gary Burnett and Ray McVay. *Grant Writing: Gail King and Anna Beth Fisher * C o m m u n i t y Awareness and Cleanup: Gail King, Nicole Fisher, and Jodie Mayher.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Although the state began Phase 1 B of its vaccination protocol on January 18, the current supply of the vaccine is limited. It is expected that the supply will increase over time. In order to establish an organized method of dispensing the vaccine, the mayors of Prairie County have developed the following plan: The mayors of Prairie County will send letters to utility customers regarding the Covid-19 vaccination program In the near future. If you and/or others in your household wish to be vaccinated, you must return that letter to the city hall with the name, date of birth, and phone numbers of those who want the vaccine. This will provide the necessary information for placement on the vaccination schedule for Prairie County.

Rural residents’ information will be collected in another manner which will be announced in the newspaper once the decision of how to do this is made, which is expected to be soon.

New Des Arc City Council members Jodie Mayher and Nicole Fisher shown with their name plates.

De Valls Bluff City Council begins new year with new council member

The members or the new DeValls Bluff City Council were sworn in at the January meeting.

By Lisa Mills Herald correspondent On January 14th, the city council started the new year by welcoming new member Lalisa Wright who replaces Shirley Goff.

Martin Smith from Studio Drift addressed the council concerning the Howard Carrell Main Street property.

He stated that Carrell is in the process of deeding the property to his agency to restore the property. Studio Drift is a non-profit agency that restores historical property in Arkansas, specifically in the Delta region.

Smith stated that he is asking the council to continue to support the project and allow the needed time to secure financing and hire the needed people to begin the project after the initial clean up is completed. Mayor Castleberry said “We have been dealing with this issue for a year with no progress.” Smith replied, “clean up of fallen bricks has started which is the first step before a structural engineer can be brought in.” Mayor Castleberry stated that

his concern is someone getting hurt before anything is done. Smith assured him that the city is not liable and if funding does not come through or if for any reason the property cannot be restored, it will be safely torn down removing the city from any liability.

Council member Alice Metcalf made a motion

New DVB council member Lalisa Wright to allow work to continue as long as Smith provides monthly updates on the progress. The motion was approved by 5 yes votes to 1 no.

Attending the meeting were Mayor Brooks C a s t l e b e r r y ,

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43°

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Treasurer/Recorder Darlene Connor and council members Marie Flanagan, Carol Griffin, Alice Metcalf, Richard Henry, Raymond Watson, and Lalisa Wright.

Ordinances were approved to amend the 2020 budget and approve the 2021 budget.

Sheriff Rick Hickman

5%

reported 120 patrols and 20 calls for December.

The calls included 1 break in, 7 alarms, 3 verbal arguments, 2 fire department runs, 1 ambulance run, 1 complaint and 5 general information calls.

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Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Jeana Kay Blankenship Jeana Kay Blankenship, 51, of Hazen, passed away January 12, 2021.

She was born October 10, 1969 in Jacksonville, Arkansas to Jimmy Blankenship and Norma Bacus.

Jeana was an animal lover and enjoyed fishing and gardening. She especially loved craft time with her grandbabies. Jeana was a very loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She loved her family, especially her children and grandbabies.

Jeana is preceded in death by her grandparents Elmer and May Bell Bacus, and brother Jimmy Dale Blankenship, Jr. Jeana leaves behind her children Ashley Caplinger (Brian), Jacob Ward, and Eric Ward; grandchildren Jaedon, Journey, Jenases, Kameron, Dawn, and Evelyn; parents Jimmy Blankenship and Norma Foster; siblings Kathy Coleman, Rhonda Boggs, Bobby Blankenship (Sondra); significant other James Baxter; father of her children Eddie Ward; and many other family and friends.

Jeana’s Celebration of Life was Monday, January 18, 2021 at 3pm at A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, in Jacksonville. In light of the current health concerns, Jeana’s family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers if you are not able to attend the service.

Please be aware, as per

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

Arkansas directives, attendance will be regulated in accordance to Arkansas guidelines, all guests in attendance will be required to wear masks/facial coverings and social distancing guidelines will be in place.

Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400.

Sara Belle Campbell Hambrick Sara Belle Campbell Hambrick, age 76, of Des Arc, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2021, at U n i t y Hospital in Searcy, AR. She had been suffering from chronic respiratory failure since Christmas.

Sara was born March 31, 1944, to Walter Franklin and Mary Evelyn (Speight) Campbell of the Johnson Chapel community west of Des Arc. She was a 1962 graduate of Des Arc High School. Upon graduating from high school, she got a job in Little Rock working for Wausau Insurance Company. On April 26, 1963, she married her sweetheart, Preston Hambrick, at her sister Reva’s house in Little Rock. In 1969, they moved back home to Des Arc to raise their family. They were married for 44 years when he died on March 10, 2007.

She worked for many years as secretary/bookkeeper at White River Square Company and Patterson Hardwoods in Des Arc. She was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Des Arc. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, Reva Campbell Whitworth and Wilma Campbell Holloway, and one brother, Walter Jackson Campbell.

Survivors include a sister, Bettie Smith, of Hensley, AR; a son, Randy (Garri Lynn) Hambrick and a daughter, Angie Hambrick, all of Des Arc; and three grandchildren, Kylee Elam, Gracen Hambrick, and Jarrett Hambrick, all of Des Arc Visitation was on Saturday, January 23, 2021, at 10:00 am funeral service at 11:00 am at Garth Funeral Home in Des Arc. Internment followed at Lakeside Cemetery in Des Arc. Bro. Wendell Holloway officiating. Pallbearers are Jarrett Hambrick, Danny Hambrick, Teddy Elam, Rollins Elam,

Keith Taylor, Raymond Parker.

and

Frank Bivens Frank Bivens, age 67, resident of Fullerton, CA, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and grandfather, passed away on December 26, 2020.

We will forever cherish the memories of our family times and trips abroad, and the love we shared.

Frank loved fishing, gardening, cooking, traveling, trips to Disneyland with his grandchildren, and he especially loved cruises.

Frank also spent many hours each school year helping his wife Jean decorate her classroom.

Frank was an amazing father and grandfather, and loved spending time with his family. He also loved his dogs Chuck and Lola. He will forever be in our hearts.

Frank is survived by his wife Jean Love Bivens; children Shannon Bivens-Pierce, Jared Bivens, and Farah Bivens-Boyle; his mother Velma Bivens; grandchildren Caleb, Lily and Abigail Bivens & Micah and Maisy Pierce; brother Larry Bivens and sisters Mary Burton and Judy Birt; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Tony Kelly Tony Kelly, 53 of Hazen, passed away January 19, 2021. He e n j o y e d p l a y i n g games on his computer, fishing, spending time with his family and especially attending the Church of Christ where he was baptized in the summer of 2019.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Givens, his father, Johnny Kelly; brother, Butch Kelly and his wife, Robin Kelly.

He is survived by his children, Heather Como and husband, Robert Como, Josh Kelly, Jessica Heinmiller and husband, Zach Heinmiller and Melinda Fryer (Jason Cole); grandchildren, Jace Kelly, Benton Como, Kylie Heinmiller, Killian Heinmiller, Chase Heinmiller, Gage Heinmiller and Kason Cole; brother, Rick Kloss; niece, Christina Cole and husband, Paul Cole and her children, Peyton and Colton Cole; nephew, Chad Kloss and his children, Alana and Alley Kloss.

Graveside service were at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 23, 2021 at the Hazen Cemetery.

Hazen City Council sworn in...

Members of the Hazen City Council, the Recorder/Treasurer, the Mayor were sworn in for the 2021 year at their January 21 meeting by Prairie County Clerk Gaylon Hale. They are (l to r): Steve Chlapecka, Tim Juola, Dallas Taylor, Barbara Rogers, Larry Anthony, Recorder/Treasurer David Hoover, and Mayor David Hardke. Councilmember Rick Wiggins was missing, and will be sworn in at a separate ceremony.

Carlisle Superintendent and School Board thanked for their service

By Debbye Harrison The Carlisle School Board met January 11 with all members present. Adam Ellis, president, called the meeting to order.

Superintendent William Rountree thanked the Board Members for their generous hours of community service. He recognized that their jobs as members of the School Board were unpaid positions that required many hours of meeting time along with required in-service hours.

During this month of School Board Appreciation, he wanted them and the public to know that their job, while many times a thankless one, is very much appreciated by the administration and the school.

Ms. Aukes reported that the school has received a $70,000 grant for literacy in the elementary school. A large committee of teachers worked in the summer to prepare this grant which includes recommendations for teacher training in RISE, the literacy program recommended by State Department. The money will also be used to improve classroom libraries for 22 teachers.

SAVE LIVES. WEAR A MASK!

Another project will be Book Talks. These will be done by community people, teachers and students. They will be able to film these with the new video camera and green screen. There is a C o m m u n i t y Involvement component.

Businesses will be asked to partner with the school on the Book Talks. In return they will receive a banner to display showing their commitment.

A satellite learning space has been set up in Humnoke thanks to the Humnoke Church of God and Rev. Jim Laudell. The Church is donating the space for students and teachers to meet two days a week for special instruction time. A special ed and a teacher from both ele-

mentary and high school rotate days when they attend. Lunches are brought from school and these teachers help to give both emotional and social support along with academic help to these students.

Schools will once again receive federal money to help with COVID expenses. A priority with the Carlisle School is air filtration for the HVAC units. Discussions are underway with those professionals.

Basketball games will begin this week. The schedule had to be adjusted due to COVID complications.

The Board voted to purchase a new Band trailer to carry instruments.

They also voted to start meetings at 7 p.m.

Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Blurred Vision -

By Nathaniel Bradow

“Reflections on Social Media”

Nowadays, people have to be careful about what they say and do. Well, some people do. Our current political climate has people so polarized that political parties and their members don’t get much leeway between approved talking points conceived and probably focus-group tested by the powers that be. If you step out of line and dare to have a coherent thought of your own or Heaven forbid learn something that makes you change your mind, you will be immediately attacked, shamed, and cast out by the hardcore purests of your party. This happens on both sides. A wonderful term has been coined to describe it. It is called being “Cancelled.”

I have a problem with this newish phenomenon in our culture. Our political leaders are sent to our nation’s capital in order to attempt to represent us - or at least the people who voted for them - to the best of their ability. However, they quickly fall victim to the machine that bureaucracy is and are assimilated into the fold of one camp or the other. If they fall out of line, they are cancelled through a lovely process called “Being Primaried.”

Using nouns as verbs is also a pet peeve of mine, but I’ll save that one for another time. The problems with “Being Primaried” is both political parties end up with most extreme members gaining traction. “So,

you don’t want to completely drink the Red or Blue “KoolAide? Fine, we will find someone to replace you. And, they won’t bother to dilute Red or Blue political powder with water.

They will snort that granulated goodness sans sugar right into their sinus cavities no matter what we lace it with, and we will hail them as “Patriots.”

Hence our current state of “no compromising,” “get nothing done” politics.

However, this phenomenon isn’t relegated only to the political arena. It has seeped into the public lexicon to the point that anyone can be quickly “Cancelled” if they are perceived as creeping out onto a bridge too far. We see this most commonly with celebrities. You can have one of the most beloved series of novels from the past 20 years full of magic, wizards, and fantastical creatures. But voice your opinion about gender, and your fan base will dress and carve you up like so many venison steaks.

Comedians who pushed the envelope 10 or 20 years ago are now being trolled by a generation of people who find anything even slightly offensive to be “detrimental to the emotional well being of (enter your own outlying group here).” And, we are ready to skewer anyone on the pointy end of our self-righteous purity. I could swear we used to be made of stronger

stuff.

I guess that is what really bothers me about this “Cancel Culture,” gentle readers.

Cancelling comes down to a Purity Test. “Are you pure enough in your ideology that I (a person who has done no wrong ever) can examine you and personally dub what you say as acceptable for human consumption?”

Purity Tests like “Cancel Culture” leaves no room for learning or doubt or new outlooks or facts or truth. You end up left with only the zealots and extremists.

Purity Tests aren’t used to identify good, honest, thoughtful people. They are used to find people to blame and people to persecute. Purity Tests stifle discourse and conversation. They keep people from having the uncomfortable conversations that so badly need to be had.

Life is complicated, it is nuanced, and it can be offensive and emotionally prickly more often than not. People can’t have honest dialogues if they are forever worried that they will be “Cancelled.” We have real problems. Messy problems going on right now in our country and the world. And we can’t solve them if we can’t dig into the bedrock of our society and fix the cracks that exist. If we are not open to being a little uncomfortable now in the hopes of making life better later, then we will never advance as a society and the cracks will grow wider and deeper. We will never

learn t o think for ourselves because it is more comfortable and safer to allow others to think for us. That cannot be what was intended when our species was graced with these wonderfully big brains.

I know I say this at the risk of offending someone out there (and as a result being “Cancelled” by many of you), but you will have to forgive me, gentle readers. The world is far from perfect. I am far from perfect. You are far from perfect. We all have the capacity and need to grow and expand our understanding of the world and each other.

We have all become either too mentally lazy or emotionally fragile to do the work we so desperately need to do. All that work comes down to is a willingness to listen to each other, empathize with each other, understand that there is no one right way to fix things, and appreciate that our experiences are not the same as our neighbor’s.

We will screw up at times. We can’t be so afraid of screwing up that we would rather do nothing at all, or, worse yet, let other people tell us what to do.

I know those are some high bars and tough marching orders. I don’t expect we will be able to do all of these all of the time. It is hard. But, to quote one of my favorite movies, “It is the hard that makes it great.”

Second Nine Weeks Elementary Honor Roll announced for Hazen Elementary School Hazen Elementary School has announced the students on the second nine-weeks honor roll. They are: 2nd Grade: Beckett Adams, Madox Beatty, Mason Beatty, Kinlee Boothe, Dierks Calvert*, Colton Cole, Joshua Cooper*, Gabriel Cortez, Jaicee Dolphin*, Olivia Edge*, Bentley Hodges, Vince King*, Lily Lisko*, Cooper McElroy, McKinley Owens, Jayli Penn, Lane Petty, Leven Raney*, Bella Raper*, Kennedy Raper, Cameron Seely*, Eden Sims*, Cache Skarda*, Alex Thacker, Jaycee Thomas*, Jacob Thompson, Wyatt Tiner 3rd Grade: Harper Cook*, Braydon Davies, Jacob Geisler, Payton Glover, Twylla Harsson*, Pierce Henderson, Luna Horton*, Austin Kee*, Wyatt McMullen*, Abigail Owens*, Lillian Sayger*, Jacob Swink*, Makenzie Taylor*, Lylliana Threlkeld 4th Grade: Addie Carroll, Xachary George, Calle Gray, Peyton Lisko, Kami Perry*

5th Grade: Kiera Anderson, Zoey Barnhill*, Reece Cash*, Jaxon Craig*, Adlynn Denton, Madison Graham*, Makaela Guenther*, Weston Hare*, Chloe Hinshaw*, Emma Hollis, Khloe Isbell, Kaden Loudermilk, Avion MaxwellMertens, MaKenzi May, Rileigh McIntosh, McKenzi Owens, Jeremy Paris*, Natalie Polite, Leigha Raney, Taylor Reynolds, Bella Roberts*, Paycen Seely*, Kennedy Self*, John Simmons*, Chloe Smith*, Cierra Smith, Justis Smith, Tesla Van Houten 6th Grade: Jase Arnett, Jaelynne Barnhill, Michael Bowman*, Cayden Calvert, Ryleigh Cook*, Kadence Fegley*, Landyn George, Isabelle Gray*, Rayna Hester, Christian Hune, Destiny Martin*, Kylee McElroy*, Elijah Powers, Cael Robnett, Kiersten Shatzer, Jase Simmons, Bailey Sims, Shelby Smith, Luke Snider*, Jalynn Thomas*, Alyssa Tiner*, Kadence Weems*, Cheyenne Yarbrough. *Denotes all A’s

Prairie County Plea Day results for the northern and southern districts The Prairie County Courts have released he Plea Day results for this month. They are: 59NCR-20-27 Terri Lynn Wilson Wyatt – Permitting child abuse – reset for Feb. 17, 2021 59NCR-19-15 Ethan Jamal Holmes – Aggravated assaultfamily or household member, fleeing-vehicle or conveyance-substantial danger of death – reset for March 16, 2021 59NCR-19-46 Jeffery Authur Jordan – Kidnapping, domestic battering, aggravated assault-family or household member – reset for Feb. 17,2021 5 9 N C R - 1 9 - 5 Christopher Lee Travis – Possession controlled substance, possession drug paraphernalia – sentenced to 36 month probation, 30 day drug treatment program plus fines & costs, report in 90 days 59NCR-20-12 Jessie O. McFarlin – Possession controlled substance, possession drug paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms – 60 month probation, fines & costs 59NCR-20-14 Johnnie

Ray Whaley – Possession controlled substance x2 – reset for April 20, 2021 at 1:00pm 59NCR-20-16 Whitney Scruggs – Theft of property, criminal mischief – reset for Feb. 17, 2021 59NCR-20-8 Eddie Varnell – Possession with purpose delivery controlled substance – reset for Feb. 17, 2021 59NCR-15-24 Jeremiah L. McMillen – Aggravated cruelty to animal, possession firearms by certain persons – reset for Feb. 17, 2021 59NCR-19-47 Veronica Holloway – Robbery, theft of property, breaking and entering – reset for Feb. 17, 2021 59NCR-19-48 Debra A. Hood – Possession with purpose delivery controlled substance – reset for March 16, 2021 at 1:00pm 59NCR-19-49 Daniel T. Hood – Theft by receiving, maintaining drug premises, possession with purpose delivery controlled substance, delivery of controlled substance, possession drug paraphernalia x2, possession firearms by certain person, simultaneous possession of

drugs and firearms – reset for March 16, 2021 at 1:00pm 59NCR-19-22 Winter L Holloway – Aggravated assault, possession controlled substance – reset for March 16, 2021 59NCR-19-37 Donnie Lee Forrester – Sexual indecency with a child, sexual assault – sentenced to 72 months supervised probation, plus court costs and fines $2,000.00.

Register as sex offender 59NCR-19-44 James Andrew Norman – Possession controlled substance, possession drug paraphernalia – reset for March 16, 2021 59NCR-20-11 Michael Jamel Childers – misdemeanor appeal – Order Entered 59NCR-20-19 James Andrew Norman – Maintaining drug premises, possession controlled substance, possession drug paraphernalia – reset for March 16, 2021 59NCR-20-20 Earl Eugene Parks – Escape from DCC DOC Law enforcement – reset for March 16, 2021 59NCR-20-22 Traci L. Wagner – misdemeanor

appeal – Reset February 17, 2021 59NCR-20-24 William Dakota Galvan – Rape, sexual assault – reset for March 16, 2021 59NCR-20-27 Earl Eugene Parks – Capital murder, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of corpse, possession firearms by certain persons – reset for March 16, 2021 59NCR-17-24 James Andrew Norman – Possession drug paraphernalia – reset for March 16, 2021 59NCR-18-34 Ronnie Dale Dayberry – Possession controlled substance, possession drug paraphernalia – reset for April 20, 2021 59NCR-18-76 Rani Lanell Heinmiller – Possession drug paraphernalia manufacture controlled substance – Reset for March 15, 2021 59NCR-20-29 Brittani Kay Paris – Possession controlled substance x2, possession drug paraphernalia – reset for Feb. 17, 2021 59NCR-15-3 Marcus Allen Trouten – Theft of property, criminal mischief, commercial burglary – failure to appear, warrant issued

59NCR-15-4 Marcus Allen Trouten – Theft of property, commercial burglary – failure to appear, warrant issued 59NCR-15-5 Marcus Allen Trouten – Theft of property, criminal mischief, commercial burglary – failure to appear, warrant issued.

59NCR-16-14 Taylor Pate – Possession controlled substance, pos-

session drug paraphernalia – reset for Feb. 17, 2021 59NCR-18-22 Delilah Ann Johnson – Residential burglary, contributing to delinquency of a minor – Order Entered 59NCR-19-72 Eddie Allen Varnell – possession drug paraphernalia x2 – Reset February 17, 2021.

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 November 2020.

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 Operator License in March 2021.

Should you have any questions concerning this notice, contact the Biscoe Water Department at 870-9982226 or the Engineering Section of the Department of Health at 501-661-2623.

Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 27, 2021

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Jonathan Dismang

LITTLE ROCK – The 93rd General Assembly convened with a traditional day of swearing in ceremonies for new members, followed by the governor’s speech in a joint session of the legislature. Then lawmakers immediately got down to business.

More than 400 bills were filed in the first three days, and the public was able to participate as usual when they were heard in committee.

The governor proposed raising teacher salaries by $2,000 a year. It would take two years to phase in the increase, and would cost about $25 million annually. A spokesman for the Department of Education said that the average teacher salary last year was $49,822.

Also, the governor proposed an additional $50 million a year in tax cuts for middle class and low income families. One specific proposal was to lower the state sales tax on the purchase of used cars valued between $4,000 and $10,000, from 6.5 to 3.5 percent. Now, used car purchases of less than $4,000 are completely exempt from the sales tax.

Legislators have questioned another of the governor’s tax cut proposals, to lower income

tax rates for new Arkansas residents in the top bracket, from 5.9 to 4.9 percent for the first five years they live in the state. The goal is to attract people to Arkansas who will invest and create jobs here.

Lawmakers expressed support for the governor’s proposal to spend $30 million to continue expanding broadband access across Arkansas.

Senate Bill 107 would require high school students to pass a computer science course in order to graduate, beginning with students who will be in the 9th grade in the 2022-2023 school year.

SB 107 was referred to the Senate Education Committee, which in the past has always been crowded with spectators and people wanting to comment, such as parents, patrons, superintendents and school board members.

This year Senate Education will meet in the Old Supreme Court Room rather than its traditional location in Room 207, because the Old Supreme Court Room is larger and people can more easily maintain safe social distancing.

The public and people waiting to speak on bills will wait in Room 272, which is just across

the hall from the O l d Supreme Court Room.

The Senate Judiciary Committee also tends to draw a crowd, due to the nature of legislation it considers. When the committee considered and gave a favorable recommendation to SB 24, commonly known as the “Stand Your Ground” bill, the public was allowed to voice opinions as always.

The Judiciary Committee met in Room 171, as always, while the public watched on live television monitors from Room 207.

The public can sign up to speak on legislation, as always, but this year they can also sign up online.

When a member of the public signs up to speak, they wait in a nearby room. When it is their turn to testify, a legislative staffer will escort them from Room 207 to the Judiciary Committee meeting in Room 171, or from the waiting area in Room 272 to the Education Committee in the Old Supreme Court Room.

All waiting rooms for the public are very close to the committee rooms, and they are clearly marked. Employees at the Capitol will help anyone with questions about where to go.

Food bank workers...

First Christian Church, Stuttgart, worked the ICCM Food Bank in Stuttgart during January, 2021.

In the second week of the 2021 Regular Session, the House voted on bills addressing everything from car tags to jury duty pay.

The bills now advancing to the Senate include: HB1028-This bill changes the length of time a consumer has to tag their vehicle.

Current law gives car buyers 30 days to pay the sales tax and register a vehicle after purchase. HB 1028 would extend it to 60 days.

HB1059-This bill allows participants in a specialty court program, such as drug court, to transfer to a similar program if they move to another court district.

P-EBT benefits expanded for low-income and children WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced several efforts to expand nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. In support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger and with authorities provided by Congress, USDA is increasing the Pandemic-EBT benefit by approximately 15%, providing more money for lowincome families and millions of children missing meals due to school closures. Separately, in response to this national emergency, USDA is looking at ways to increase Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to all participants, especially lowest-income households and those struggling to afford a healthy diet for their families.

As a part of the end of year COVID relief package, Congress bolstered food assistance programs, including boosting monthly SNAP benefits by 15% and provided new funding for food banks and school and childcare meals.

USDA is committed to implementing these changes, but the measures alone will not solve the food hardship so many Americans are experiencing. Today, some 29 million adults and as many as 12 million children live in households struggling to afford food. More than 1 in 5 Black and Latino adults and many more children report food insecurity. These numbers continue to worsen each month. USDA is committed to working with states and supporting governors, school districts, food banks and other key partners to

deploy food assistance to struggling families, children, seniors and people with disabilities in the months ahead. The efforts announced today are detailed below.

P-EBT Benefit Increase Upon taking office, the Biden administration took immediate action to deploy the emergency resources and new flexibilities Congress has provided. Established under Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed by Congress in March, the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) connects low-income families with kids with food dollars equivalent to the value of the meals missed due to COVID-related school and childcare closures. To date, the program has capped PEBT benefit amounts at $5.86 per child per school day and many households have had trouble claiming benefits.

USDA will increase the current daily benefit amount by approximately 15% to tackle the serious problem of child food insecurity during this school year when need is greatest.

“As soon as the President took office, he called for immediate action on the hunger crisis gripping vulnerable families and children. The announcement today provides more food

dollars directly to food insecure kids living in low-income households who are missing critical meals due to school closures,” said Stacy Dean, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.

SNAP Emergency Allotments to States Separately, USDA will begin working with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review its authority to allow states to provide extra SNAP benefits through Emergency Allotments to the lowest-income households.

Last spring, Congress passed emergency increases to SNAP benefits to help address food insecurity during the pandemic. But those benefit increases have not been made available to the lowest-income households who make up 37% of SNAP households.

Increasing SNAP benefits will not only help families most in need, but it is also a critical and effective form of economic stimulus.

A recent USDA study found that in a slow economy, “$1 billion in new SNAP benefits would lead to an increase of $1.54 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—54% above and beyond the new benefits.”

Moreover, SNAP benefits reduced the poverty rate by nearly 8% in 2009 and had a sig-

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Revising the Thrifty Food Plan Per 2018 Farm Bill Finally, some 43 million Americans count on SNAP to help put food on the table. Currently, however, USDA's Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for determining SNAP benefits, is out of date with the economic realities most struggling households face when trying to buy and prepare healthy food. As a result, the benefits may fall short of what a healthy, adequate diet costs for many households today, especially in high cost of living areas.

Therefore, as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill, USDA will begin the process of revising the Thrifty Food Plan to better reflect the cost of a healthy basic diet today. USDA believes federal nutrition programs and benefits should support a basic healthy diet.

This bill also includes guidelines for courts to establish a veterans treatment specialty court program and a DWI specialty court program.

In addition, HB1059 sets to develop a domestic violence specialty court program.

Specialty courts are designed to lower the prison population by directing individuals to needed treatment programs.

HB1185-This bill allows the Department of Correction to make an administrative transfer of an inmate to the Division of Community Correction.

This would not impact the length of a sentence but rather allow the department to transfer an inmate if they need behavioral or substance abuse treatment.

HB1058-This bill allows a juror to donate their per diem compensation and mileage

reimbursement to an eligible nonprofit entity.

The administrative office of the courts will be tasked with compiling a list of eligible nonprofits.

An eligible nonprofit should offer services in multiple counties and have as one of its primary goals the providing of: Crime victim assistance or counseling Services for abused or neglected children Shelter for victims of domestic violence Services for veterans Legal education for students seeking a Juris Doctor degree HB1107-This bill amends the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to allow the Arkansas Department of Health to request physical or electronic copies of prescriptions from prescribers or dispensers when checking for accuracy.

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Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 27, 2021

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Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Grand Prairie DAR 2021 Good Citizen Award winners

Hazen teacher receives grant..

Tammie Lee received a grant for $1000.00 to purchase equipment for the Hazen AP Biology class.

The funds are from the Arkansas Department of Education. The grant will be used to purchase an incubator for microbiological studies.

City of Hazen receives grant for Hazen Municipal Airport The Arkansas Aeronautics Commission Division of Aeronautics announced on January 20 that the City of Hazen would receive a $205,687 grant to rehabilitate the existing apron area at the Hazen Municipal Airport. The grant, which is an 80%/20% grant, will go toward the removal and replacement of the existing airport apron pavement with a new concrete pavement section.

The grant request was submitted by Pat Clayton, the airport’s manager in a letter dated December 14,

2020. The city will be responsible for $51,422 toward the project.

The construction is estimated to cost $214,409, with an additional $42,700 in engineering costs. The work will include removal and disposal of the present asphalt and concrete pavement, six inches of Class 7 aggregate base, triaxial grid geotextile fabrice, non-reinforced Portland cement concrete pavement, and pavement markings on the new pad, along with other miscellaneous costs. Work will begin after planting season.

Members of the Carlisle Methodist church lined up to thank Rev. and Mrs. Roland and wish them well at their new church.

Carlisle Methodist Pastor moves to Arkadelphia

By Debbye Harrison Carlisle United Methodist Church volunteers helped Rev. Randy Roland and wife Laura pack their UHaul to move to Arkadelphia. Since most Methodist pastors are moved in the summer, this was a most unexpected re-assignment.

Rev. Michael Daniel from Murfreesboro will be arriving Friday.

This group tried to put on a happy face by surprising Randy and Laura with some cheerful going away signs as they pulled out of town.

(I would really like to talk about how bad the church is hurting and how awful they feel.

They are really, really upset as you can imagine being a Methodist.

This all got started when the preacher at Marion (I think) got activated. He is in the National Guard and is a chaplain. Hmmmm why are we activating more National Guard troops????

Auryanna Chambers

Anna Holloway

Allison Vent

Emma Cook

These four young ladies are the 2021 Grand Prairie Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award winners.

They were presented to members at the Grand Prairie DAR meeting on Saturday,

January 23, via Zoom.

At the meeting, each senior girl read the essay that she had written as part of the application for the award.

Each winner will receive a DAR Good Citizen certificate, a

scholarship check to be used at the college of her choice, and the DAR Good Citizen pin.

Pictured, left to right, are Auryanna Chambers, Stuttgart High School; Anna Holloway, Des Arc High

School; Allison Vent, Clarendon High School; and Emma Cook, Carlisle High School.

Congratulations to these fine young women!

(Pictures and story courtesy of Judi Jones.)

Hazen City Council meeting held on January 21 The members of the Hazen City Council were sworn in at the beginning of the January 21 meeting for the new year.

Councilmembers Larry Anthony, Barbara Rogers, Dallas Taylor, Time Juola, and Steve Chlapecka were present, along with Mayor David Hardke, Recorder/Treasurer David Hoover, Assistant Utilities Manager Chad Swaim, Fire Department Chief Ashley Loudermilk, Police Chief Bradley Taylor, and Mayoral Assistant Tracie Vail.

Councilman Rick Wiggins was missing and will be sworn in at a later date.

The main order of business was to approve the city’s budget for 2021.

Hardke asked the council to take the budget home and look over it and call the mayor’s office if they had any questions. The only changes made in the budget, which was discussed at the December meeting, were the ending year balances which were not available in December. “I don’t see any problems with it,” Hardke said. The budget was unanimously passed.

Hardke told the council that work had begun on the Hazen Depot. The windows had been taken out, and it will take about 30 days to get them replaced. The city received a $19,716 two-thirds grant for the work on the windows as well as a $15,563 twothirds grant for repairing the brick work on the north, south and west sides of the building as well as the chimney. An architect is

overseeing the work to make sure that it meets Arkansas Historical Society requirements.

Hardke said that letters will be sent out to all of the 750 utilities customers informing them of the Covid19 vaccinations in the city.

The letters ask those who wish to be vaccinated for their names and phone number so that they can be put on a list for the shot which will be compiled at the Prescription Shop in Hazen and at the Prairie County Health Department.

Hardke also said that the January 8, 2021 Arkansas Legislative Audit found nothing wrong with the city management.

He announced that the city had received a grant from the Arkansas A e r o n a u t i c s Commission for repairs to the apron at the municipal airport for $205,687. He also said in his Hazen Public Library report that the library had begun the year with $23,973 and

ended the year with $31,379.21 in the account.

Vail gave an update on the Aristotle broadband work. She said that the company told her that Hazen residents could ask to have internet fiber connected directly to their homes or businesses for a fee. The regular cost for residents would range from $19.99 for 6mbps download speed and 1 mbps upload speed to $94.99 for 50 mbps download speed and 5mbps upload speed. Higher speeds are also available with pricing on request. The usual $100 set-up fee would be waived if the customer signs a yearlong contract. Anyone interested in signing up for the broadband internet service is encouraged to visit the Aristotle website, www.aristotle.net/contact and fill out the interest form or call 501-374-4638 during business hours.

In departmental reports, Swaim said that he will be taking

over the Utilities Department as manager when the present manager, Philip Foot retires. Swaim has 20 years of experience in the department and is looking forward to taking over the manager position. He said that the department had been limiting human interaction as much as possible due to the Covid virus, and had instead been working on equipment and inventory. He also said that they were spending some time filling potholes in the city. He also said that he is expecting the two new trucks to be delivered soon.

Loudermilk reported one first responder run, one house fire, and two 18-wheeler fires. Chief Taylor said that everyone in his department has had the Covid vaccine and that one police car had been damaged in the pursuit of a possible kidnapper, but there were no physical injuries to anyone in his department.

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