Des Arc Council approves 2025 budget, employee raises
By Lisa Mills
The Des Arc City Council held their first meeting of 2025 on January 21st. New council members present were Joey York and Russell Smith. Virgil Moore was absent. Also present were Mayor Roger Scott, Recorder/Treasurer Janice Huffstickler, and Council Members Doug Estes, Keith Knupp, and Nicole Fisher. An ordinance was passed approving the 2025 city budget. The balance forward is $2,022,429.47. Expected income is $6,894,850.00. Expected expenses are $6,743,997.00. The council approved a 5% cost of living increase for city employees. They also approved an increase for the Recorder/Treasurer from $300 to $400 per month.
By Judi Jones
Prairie
Grand
Daughters of the American Revolution held the January meeting in Stuttgart at the First Christian Church on Saturday, January 25. The January meeting is the annual recognition of the DAR Good Citizen recipients. This year, five DAR Good Citizens were honored from five area schools. The senior students were selected on the merits of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Each was also required to write an essay on the meaning of service to country.
Pictured are DAR Good Citizens from left,
This was the first R/T increase since 2007.
An ordinance was passed permitting qualified Police Department employees and elected officials to serve on an as-needed basis as paid volunteer ambulance drivers and EMTs. This will only happen when ambulance employees or other qualified volunteers are not available and will be at the Ambulance Director’s discretion.
A resolution was approved for the mayor to enter into an independent contractor agreement with Craig Treadwell for Cemetery Sexton services at Lakeside Cemetery. Treadwell will be paid $650 per week ($20 more than last year). Knupp asked who is responsible for paying extra help that Treadwell hires.
Treadwell answered that he does.
Kade Parnell with the Baseball Association addressed the council concerning the construction of the new concession stand/bathroom complex. He said that the first game of the season is March 5th for the high school softball team, and there are several concerns that need to be addressed before then. He said that the immediate concern is that there is no electricity right now because the contractor cut it off, and he has not been able to reach the contractor to find out when it will be back on.
Mayor Scott called the contractor and asked him about it. The contractor said he will take care of it right away. Scott also asked him when he thought the complex might be
finished. He said he would have to check on everything but he thought about two months or so.
Parnell said the other concerns are for usable bathrooms and a concession stand until the complex is complete.
Keith asked Mayor Scott if water could be re-routed to the old bathrooms, to which Scott replied, “yes”. As for a concession stand, Mayor Scott told Parnell they need to look into a portable building or food truck. They plan to meet to find the best solution.
Treadwell told the council that Mrs. Cox’s EAST class has been cleaning headstones at the cemetery. He asked if the city could pay for the chemicals they are using. Mayor Scott told Cox to turn in her receipts for any expens-
es involved and the city will reimburse her.
Mayor Scott announced that he received a letter from the Arkansas State Aid Street Committee stating that Des Arc’s request for funding for street overlay was not approved. The letter states that 37 requests were approved out of the 147 received. It also states that a new request for next year will not be necessary, as all requests will remain active. Scott made it clear that he was very angry about it, but nothing can be done, so the city will have to pay for any necessary overlay projects. The Ambulance Service provided a report for 2024. There were 474 total runs. The total revenue was $197,094.66.
Emerson Mason, Clarendon-Holly Grove High School; Logan
Releford, Stuttgart High School; Dalia Castillo, Carlisle High School; Charleigh Patterson, Des Arc High School;
Abbie Long, DeWitt High School.
City Council was sworn in by Prairie County Clerk Gaylon Hale at its regular meeting on January 21. The two
members
Joey York and Russell Smith.
H
DAR Good Citizens from left, Dalia Castillo, Carlisle High School, and Charleigh Patterson, Des Arc High School.
Richard Forrest Sims
April 26, 1987 to January 18, 2025
Des Arc Eagle Eye Archery team competes in first tournament
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Forrest Sims, age 37. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to Troy L. Sims and Becky Sims. Richard was a good hearted man that would help anyone that needed it. He graduated from Cabot High School and was an All-State tuba player and an Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra member. He was a proud Veteran of the United
States Air Force where he served overseas for 6 years. He loved fishing and target shooting. He will missed by his family and friends. Richard is preceded in death by his Grandparents Richard O. and Marie Easterly and Judge Forrest and Eloise Sims. Richard is survived by his parents Troy and Becky Sims, sister Alex Sims, Aunt Phyllis Burke and Stepson Houston Gaines of Gulfport, MS. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Hazen Cemetery in Hazen Arkansas. Funeral under the direction of Westbrook Funeral Home, Hazen AR.
The Des Arc Eagle Eye Archery Team has been in full swing. They competed in their first tournament in December in the Pangburn Bullseye State Qualifier and won with a team score of 3087.
The team members are: (first row L to R)
Arkansas State Senate Report
By Senator Ron Caldwell
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Senate quickly approved legislation to protect the rights of more than 500 victims of child sex abuse who have already won civil cases and are waiting for their settlements to become official.
Senators unanimously approved Senate Bill 13 on the same day that attorneys for a former pediatrician, and convicted child sex offender, argued before the state Court of Appeals that existing Arkansas law was unconstitutional. The sex offender’s lawsuit challenges a law enacted in 2021 known as the Justice for
Arkansas Press Association
Member 2025
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$25.00/year In Arkansas$30.00/year Out of State$35.00/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 Correspondent
Lisa Mills
Correspondent
Debbye Harrison
Photographer Ruth Corley
Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act. It greatly extended the statute of limitations for child abuse victims, and also extended the time period in which they can file lawsuits against the offenders who abused them.
Legislators became aware that the 2021 act was being challenged in court, so the same Senate and House sponsors of the 2021 act joined forces again to file SB 13.
Passage of SB 13 by the legislature will protect monetary awards that victims in Arkansas have already won, no matter the outcome of the case currently at the Court of Appeals. If the convicted sex offender wins, and SB 13 is not passed, money that already has been allocated to victims in Arkansas would instead be distributed to victims from other states.
Two other Senate bills that were approved early in the legislative session are meant to make veterinary services more available in parts of Arkansas that are under-served.
Senate Bill 68 passed by a vote of 34-to-1. It would allow veterinary technicians, technologists and technician specialists to help animals during an emergency when the supervising veterinarian is not present.
By a vote of 33-to-2 the Senate passed SB 61, which would allow a veterinarian licensed in Arkansas to provide telemedicine services, using audio-visual technology or the telephone.
The bill would also allow a veterinarian to provide emergency services via telemedicine for someone even though they have not yet established a relationship. In those instances, the veterinarian must establish a relationship with the client within seven days if a small animal was treated, and within 21 days if a large animal was treated.
The two bills will next be considered by the House of Representatives.
Also during the second week of the session, the Senate passed SB 15 to repeal a law concerning the negligent shooting of a firearm while deer hunting.
It is the first in a package of bills the legislature will consider this session to clarify the many statutes on firearms. Throughout 2024 a legislative committee studied firearms laws, while getting input from the attorney general, law enforcement and concealed carry safety instructors.
SB 15 repeals language about negligent shooting that is covered in other criminal and civil statutes. The repealed language is discriminatory against deer hunters, the sponsor said, because it doesn’t apply to other hunters.
The Senate approved a handful of budget bills, including the appropriation that authorizes state turnback for cities and counties. HB 1102 appropriates $29.37 million for cities and $21.4 million to counties.
Zachary Payne, Kanaan Widener, Bentley Reitz, Paisley Ethridge, Rylee Moody, Brooklynd Brown, Andi Tallent, Lukas White, Annie Kearby, and Harper Meek (back row L to R) Emersyn Estes, Noah Hudson, Knox Eans, Roper Thornton, Lilly Bethell, Talyn Johnston, Mollee McDonald, Cason Thornton, Emmee McDonald, Sara Brown, Annabelle Hollis, and Lily Edwards. Individual awards were earned by Lilly Bethell, 2nd place girl with a score of 276 , and Talyn Johnston 1st place girl with a score of 280. Francine Dickson is the team’s sponsor.
The first grant was from the Wilbur Mills Cooperative Extention Service for about a $200, and the second was a Raspberry Pi grant for $5000. The student helping Technology Teacher Mrs.
Plum Bayou Mounds State Park to host “A Sack in Time” gourd workshop
SCOTT, Ark. – Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park will hold a workshop teaching the technique of twining on Saturday, February 15, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the park’s visitor center, 490 Toltec Mounds Road, Scott. The ‘A Sack in Time’ workshop is $15 per person. You can keep the skills of prehistoric people alive by learning to twine your own bag. Twining is the process of interlacing strings to make textiles. During this workshop, participants will twine a small bag out of natural fibers using only a wooden
frame and their fingertips. Reservations are required by February 12.
The park will also host a gourd workshop on Saturday, February 15, from 1 p.m.–3 p.m. at the park’s visitor center, 490 Toltec Mounds Road, Scott. The workshop is $5 per person. The Plum Bayou people, who built and gathered at this ceremonial center a thousand years ago, grew bottle gourds likely for use as containers. Participants in this workshop can honor this tradition by making a gourd craft of their own. Past participants have
made gourd birdhouses, bowls, dippers and more. All materials provided! Reservations are required by February 12.
Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park is one of four National Historic Landmarks in the Arkansas State Parks system and is the largest and most complex mound site in the state. The park is dedicated to American Indian education, research and preservation.
Hazen High School awarded grants...
The Hazen School District recently received two Circuit Playground technology.
White is Alyssa Tiner.
Carlisle senior Isaiah Powell picked as a member of Team USA
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor
Carlisle Bison senior basketball player Isaiah Powell has been selected as a member of Team
USA at the 2025 Pyrenees Cup, which will be held June 8-16 in Spain and France.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for allowing me to be able to do this,” Powell said.
“This opportunity to represent Team USA at the Pyrenees Cup is truly a blessing. As Isaiah 26:12 says ‘Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accom-
plished, you have done for us.’
“I’m thankful for this cache to not only grow as an athlete but also to represent Carlisle and Arkansas on an international level. None of this would be possible without the support of my family, coaches and community.”
According to a press release from USA Student Athlete World, Powell earned his spot on the team.
“He stood out among hundreds of applicants nationwide, earning his place, not just through
athletic excellence but through his outstanding academic performance, leadership qualities and strengths of character,” the release said.
Powell is raising funds for the trip to Europe.
People can donate through cash, check or Cash APP to Powell or his mother, Monique Singleton, by April 1. Her Cash APP is $mosingleton08.
In addition to his exploits on the basketball court, Powell is a standout football player and track runner.
Bison, Lady Bison play conference games
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor
The Carlisle Bison and Lady Bison played conference games against Des Arc and PalestineWheatley last week.
In the win over the Lady Patriots, Carlisle led 8-4 after one quarter and 25-10 at halftime.
Bliss Parker led Carlisle with 16 points. Ellis had nine. Bunch had eight. Bailey Dawson and Petrus had four points each. Presley Parker had three.
The Bison split their two games last week.
They beat Des Arc 61-31 but lost to PalestineWheatley 68-45.
In the win over Des Arc, the Bison led 13-10 after one quarter then scored 20 points in the
In girls action, Carlisle beat Des Arc 47-23 and Palestine-Wheatley 4326. In the win over Des Arc, Carlisle led 8-6 after one quarter and 18-9 at halftime. The Lady Bison erupted in the third quarter, scoring 16 points while holding the Lady Eagles to only six. Bliss Parker led the Lady Bison with 14 points. Angie Petrus had 11. McKenna Ellis and Tyler Lee had eight points each. D’Shya Bunch had six. Marley Widener and Kymber Buckner led Des Arc with eight points each.
second quarter to lead 33-18 at halftime. Kaiden Clingmon led the Bison with 19 points. Isaiah Powell and 12. Cajuan Pernell had seven. Tyler Thrift had four. Bentley Parker, Lawson Petrus, Zaden Hale, Isaac King and Cam Cress had three points each. Luke Caviness and Juntae Farmer had two points each.
In the loss to PalestineWheatley, Carlisle trailed 16-14 after one quarter and 34-22 at halftime.
Pernell led the Bison with 13 points. Powell had 11. Hale scored eight. Parker had five. Clingmon and Petrus had four points each.
Local youth softball player earns MVP with Team USA
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor
Avery Lucas, a fourthgrade student at Carlisle Elementary School, is also an outstanding softball player. She currently plays for the Rampage, based in Carlisle.
Lucas was selected to play in the 10-andunder softball youth AllAmerican games in Panama City Beach, Fla. Lucas was the only player from Arkansas that was picked to participate.
Her team, the Eagles,
won the national championships, and she was earned the most valuable player award.
“This girl absolutely lives for softball, and I’m so excited to see what her future brings because her hard work and dedication is unstoppable,” Lucas’ mom Janey said.
When she was playing 8-and-under, Lucas hit over. 600.
Lucas’ father Logan and uncle Zach Craddock both played college baseball and her uncle Jake Ferguson was a star defensive
player for the Cabot Panthers football team. Janey Lucas also played softball and went to four World Series. Last year, Lucas won the MVP award at a travel ball tournament in Hot Springs with the Rampage. Lucas plays all over the diamond with her main positions being first base, catcher, pitcher and second.
“We always say she’s a utility player because anywhere they put her, she pick up so easily and plays it well,” Laney Lucas said.
Conservation District Election Notice
Notice of Availability
To all landowners within the boundaries of the Prairie County Conservation District, notice is hereby given that petitions for securing a ballot position for the election of conservation district directors are available at the Prairie County Conservation District office located at: 1600 Industrial Street Hazen, AR 72064
Address Phone: 870 255-3573
donna.felty@ar.nacdnet.net
Carlisle senior Isaiah Powell has been picked as a member of Team USA at the 2025 Pyrenees Cup in Spain and France in June. (Submitted)
Avery Lucas, a fourth-grader at Carlisle Elementary School, won MVP honors at a national tournament last summer. (Submitted)
Hazen Elementary GT students compete...
Hazen
on December 17th, 2024. Left to right: Abby Vick, Wyatt Flatness, Jaleah Sullivan, Aaryn Owens and Cameron Taylor.
What a jump...
The Arkansas House has wrapped up the second week of the 2025 Regular Session, during which several bills were passed.
HB1133, allows the Northwest Technical Institute to appoint a president with an industry background instead of requiring an educational background.
Another measure, HB1006, redesignates the 14th Judicial District as a Division A Judicial District. The House also approved legislation to separate the offices of sheriff and
tax collector in both Searcy County and Poinsett County. Additionally, HB1075 prohibits local governments from restricting the use or sale of lawn care devices based on their energy source and prevents local governments from imposing excise taxes or fees for the same reason.
As the session progresses, members face upcoming deadlines. Any legislation affecting the licensure of healthcare providers must be filed by January 27, while legislation concerning
publicly supported retirement or pension plans or state/public school health insurance must be filed by January 31.
To date, more than 200 bills have been filed in the House, and over 90 bills have been introduced in the Senate.
The House will reconvene on Monday, January 27, at 1:30 p.m.
All committee meetings and House floor proceedings are live-streamed and recorded at arkansashouse.org
Notice
A donor has generously provided funds to assist in establishing a low-cost spay and neuter program for the residents of Hazen who are unable to afford the full cost of the service. The average cost of obtaining a pet spay or neuter is approximately $110.00, but the cost can vary depending on the age of the pet and the number of litters the animal has had. This program is distinct from the funds that are utilized for the homeless shelter pets.
**Program Offerings:**
* Spay and neuter voucher - $50.00 per pet. Owners pay what they can afford to pay, the program covers the remaining cost.
* Rabies vaccine available for an additional $10.00 (owners’ cost).
**Contact Information:**
For assistance in securing the voucher and scheduling an appointment, please contact Ruth Corley at 501-830-9946 or the Friends of The Hazen Shelter. We are committed to working with you to effectively manage the unwanted pet population.
**Contributions:**
Individuals wishing to support this program can make a direct donation to the Grand Prairie Veterinarian Clinic or by mail to the Friends of the Hazen Shelter Fund, 319 W. Madison St. Hazen, AR 72064. Any donation, regardless of its size, will be greatly appreciated. Together, we can effectively address the issue of unexpected litters.
Kylee McElroy, Bailey Sims, Luke Snider*, Jalynn Thomas*, Alyssa Tiner
11th Grade
Peyton Anderson, Abygail Davis, Remington Fegley, Peyton Kocourek, Ethan Lisko, Cecilea Orman, Maddox Prine, Sophie Raper, Maci Sickel, Paris Smith
12th Grade Matti Alberson*, Rileigh Barnhill, Hunter Blagg, Chloe Caldwell*, Emma Cantwell, Samuel Clayton, Faith Duell, Lonnie Grable, Jaci Hackelton*, Carson Kee*, Austin Kocourek, Ryan Martin*, MaKayla McCray, Dakota Randleas, Chloe Rose, Rosalie Shuck*, Owen Simmons*, Kendall Sisemore*, Jameion Stigall*, Shelby Trevino, Eli Weems, Brance Williams
Denotes All A’s *
5th grade GT students worked together with GT students from surrounding districts to complete problem solving and critical thinking challenges. The event took place at the Wilbur Mills Co-op
Hazen girls basketball player Jalynn Thomas makes a mighty leap in a recent game. She is the daughter of Amber and Jason Thomas. (Ruth Corley photo.)
To
East Arkansas Community College to present Kool & the Gang
University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community College will present the GRAMMY® award-winning group Kool & the Gang on Saturday, March 15th at 7:30 p.m. at the EACC Fine Arts Center. Tickets go on sale Monday, January 27th at 10:00 a.m. and will be available online at EACC.edu or by calling 870-633-4480, ext. 352.
Kool & the Gang has influenced the music of three generations. Thanks to songs like "Celebration," "Cherish," "Jungle Boogie," "Get Down On It," “Ladies Night,” and "Open Sesame," they have earned two GRAMMY® Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten
Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums. From Nairobi to Newark, Kool & the Gang has performed continuously longer than any R&B group in history and their bulletproof funk and jazzy arrangements have also made them the most sampled R&B band of all time. The group enjoys global fame, recognition, and a following that spans generations due in part to the group’s widely sampled catalogue.
Kool & the Gang's drum beats, bass, guitar and signature horn lines lace the tracks of numerous artists including the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Cypress Hill. They are the most sampled band in hip-hop by far, and their music
has been featured on the soundtracks for Rocky, Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction, Wreck-It Ralph and countless others.
They were honored with a BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement award, received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and were most recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their hit song “Celebration” was inducted into the GRAMMY® Hall of Fame and included the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.
Kool & the Gang has toured the world appearing most recently alongside artists such as Kid Rock, Dave Matthews Band, Elton John, The
Roots and a 50-city tour with Van Halen. The group continues to delight fans around the globe with their timeless hits and amazing live performances.
Tickets for Kool & the Gang’s performance are $49 and will be available online at EACC.edu, by calling 870-633-4480, ext. 352, or in person at the Fine
New director in Delta brings Extension Service decades of experience
By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — As the new director of the Delta District for the Cooperative Extension Service, JJ Jones brings decades of experience in agriculture, natural resources and economics to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Jones began as director of the Delta District for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture on Jan. 6. Jones brings decades of experience in agriculture, natural resources and economics to the role.
Jones began his new role on Jan. 6, and he said he looks forward to connecting with agents and constituents in the district’s 25 counties.
“I’ve got to get to know the district,” Jones said.
“I’m scheduling a visit in every county, and I want to meet everybody in that county. That’s my goal, and I’m hoping to get that done in the first three months.”
Prior to joining the Division of Agriculture, Jones worked as an agriculture and natural resources program leader and ag economics specialist for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service for 20 years. He began his career as an area specialist in farm management at the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service in 1994, where he worked for 10 years.
“JJ Jones comes to us after many years of service to Cooperative Extension in both Oklahoma and Tennessee,” said John Anderson, director of the Cooperative Extension Service for the Division of Agriculture. “Working from county and area positions in extension, JJ has built a strong national reputation for quality work. He is a nationally recognized authority on the economics of small ruminant production.
“He is also well respected among his peers, as clearly demonstrated by his leadership in the National Association of
H a z en P ee W ee
County Agricultural Agents,” Anderson said. “JJ has great experience in working across programmatic lines and in linking the resources of the land-grant system to county-level programming. I think he is ideally equipped to step into district administration, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together as he takes on this role.”
Jones received a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in agricultural economics, both from Oklahoma State University. In his new role as director of the Delta District, Jones will oversee extension staff and programs in the eastern swath of Arkansas.
“My job is to make sure that my agents have the proper tools, equipment and training,” Jones said. “It’s my job to recognize a need that they have and remove any barriers to them meeting that need. I’ll be the liaison between them and upper administration, to be an advocate for them.”
As director, Jones will help his district’s agriculture, 4-H and family and consumer sciences agents and extension staff serve their communities and connect constituents with best practices. In a world where people can easily access incorrect — and potentially harmful — information online, Jones said the role of extension is more important than ever.
“The internet has been the best and worst thing
to happen to the extension service,” Jones said.
“On the one hand, there are no boundaries to who can access the information we have, but on the other hand, some random person from four states over can tell you how to grow your crops, and it might not even be right. But as the extension service, our information is research-based and unbiased. I’m not trying to sell you anything, I’m just trying to tell you what works best.”
Jones grew up in Oklahoma, where his family had a small cow and calf operation. He also helped on his grandparents’ farm, where they raised cattle. After working in Tennessee, he and his wife moved back to Oklahoma, and they have raised sheep and goats on their property since 2007.
In addition to his extension work, Jones has been a member of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents since 1996, for which he is currently president-elect. He is
also a member of Class XXI of the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program, and in February, he will travel with his cohort to Kenya for a two-week agriculture tour.
“It’s always interesting to see how people do things differently, to see different mindsets,” Jones said. “I’ve been doing this a long time, and you can get stuck doing things the same way, without knowing why you’re doing them. By going to see other places, you can get a new perspective.”
As he and his wife look for a new home — with enough acreage for a horse or a few sheep — in the Central Arkansas area, Jones said he is excited to get started with his work in the Delta District.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of this team and working to make Arkansas extension the best in the country,” Jones said. To reach Jones, contact him at jjjones@uada.edu or 501-671-2019.
2025 basketball season is well underway
The Hazen PeeWee basketball season began in November of 2024, and the kids are still are going strong. The teams aremade of 1st and 2nd grades, 3rd and 4th grades, and 5th and 6th grades students, and both boys and girls play. The coaches are all volunteers, and the teams play in the old gymnasium. The basketball season is almost over, so go out and support the teams. (Ruth Corley pictures.)
Photo: Robert “Kool” Bell, one of the founding members of Kool & the Gang.
New Delta Region Cooperative Extension Service Director JJ Jones. (Division of Agriculture photo.)
