DA School Board approves new staff, student transfers
By Lisa Mills Correspondent
After the Annual Report to the Public, the Des Arc School board held their monthly meeting on October 28th. Superintendent Marc Sherrell, District Treasurer Natasha Richards, High School
Principal B.J. Paschal, Elementary Principal Cheryl Holland, and all board members were present.
The board accepted the resignation of Custodian James Walickie, effective December 31st. Eryn Walker was approved as a cafeteria and custodian substitute, effective October 11th. L’Mari Conway was approved as a cafeteria and custodian substitute, effective October 22nd. Bailey Andrews was approved to move from Elementary Cafeteria Manager to District Cafeteria Manager with an additional $4,000 annual stipend.
A motion was passed to approve a board to board transfer for five students from Beebe. The students will be in both the Elementary and High Schools. Changes were approved
in the salary schedule, and the 2024-2025 Annual Equity Compliance Report was approved. An MOU with a certified teacher of students with visual impairments was approved for an elementary student who requires Braille. The board approved a set amount of over $15,000 for commodities that required approval.
Superintendent Sherrell reported that the work on the Home Economics building should be finished and ready for the administration to move into by February. He also reported that another $3,000 safety grant was approved for fencing at the elementary school, and he is still waiting to hear about other safety grants.
Dare and Randa Saul addressed the board with some concerns they have as parents. They began by saying that as parents they want to be involved as much as possible and always keep up with what is going on. They praised the teachers and staff and said that they know their kids are in a great school.
One of their concerns is the security cameras that have been placed in all the classrooms. They said that one of their kids is terrified that the teacher might see some little something on the camera that they could get in trouble for. Sherrell assured them that only the administration can look at the camera footage, not teachers, and the footage is only viewed in the case of an incident. He said that the purpose of the cameras is for safety, and for proof of evidence if there is an incident where the teacher and student had different stories about what happened. He said that teachers, and parents need to assure students that they are there for their safety, nothing else. He said that it needs to be instilled in the teachers that they cannot use the cameras as threats of punishment because they are being watched. He told the Saul’s that the pros and cons of the cameras were discussed at length before they were approved.
Another concern of the Saul’s is rumors that they have heard of pos-
sibly building a middle school due to the growth. Randa said that several parents they have talked to agree with them that a middle school is not the best solution. She said that they feel like sixth graders are not ready to be involved with 7th and 8th grade on a daily basis because they are still children, not teenagers. Sherrell told her that there is no consideration of a middle school at this time. She asked if the elementary school could not be expanded to accommodate the growth. Sherrell explained that any kind of expansion has to meet requirements and adding to current buildings is not allowed so there would have to be new buildings. He said that any kind of expansion is way down the road.
They also said they were somewhat concerned about how much pressure is put on the teachers and students to excel on the standardized tests. Randa asked, “What would it hurt to lose a few points if the students were learning what they need to and were being prepared for
life?” She said they feel like the main focus should be on the teachers teaching as they see best for their students. Sherrell explained that the governor’s LEARNS act requires teachers to follow certain curriculums, and they have no choice now like they used to to use as many different curriculums as they wanted to. He said that even though it might seem like too much emphasis is placed on testing, that is how the state measures how a school is doing, and the lower that scores are, the more the state becomes involved, which leads to all kinds of problems.
The Sauls thanked the board for hearing their concerns and reiterated that they do believe Des Arc is a great school with great staff and are happy that their kids are fortunate to be there. Jamie Eans told them that Des Arc is also fortunate to have a great school board. She said that she knows the number one priority of every board member, as well as the entire staff and administration, is always what is best for the kids.
Janet Arline Peck
Des Arc girls win Lick Skillet Pageant titles
Janet Arline Peck was born on October 28, 1938, to Abraham and Ruth (Askine) Rung. She began her life in Nebraska with one brother Roland. They ended up moving to California and landed in San Diego where she completed her schooling.
Janet met her future husband at church, where she sang in the choir. That is where her future husband took one look at her and said he would one day marry her. They, in turn, were blessed with three children, two sons and a daughter. She stayed home with her children for their early childhood. She worked for a doctor in her later years where she specialized in Medicare-Medicaid filing before her retirement.
Janet was always known for her love of music. In her high school years, she sang on the radio. She was always singing in church choirs. At one time she played the piano for the choir and her husband was the choir director. They also sang in a gospel quartet after they retired to the lake. She loved the old movies, especially musicals. She belonged to Job’s Daughters, an organization that promotes the love of God and country. Her hobbies included crafts, sewing, and reading. She continued to play the piano in her early 80’s until arthritis would no longer let her.
She and her husband volunteered to help with meals on wheels in Springfield and she helped with Crosslines in her younger adult years.
As a lady of faith, Janet was a member of Asbury Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri, until recently transferring her membership to Des Arc United Methodist Church. She always enjoyed the fellowship with her church family and sharing her love of Christ.
On October 29, 2024, Janet passed away at her home, with her daughter Rebecca and son-in-law Daniel Hayley present. She was under the care of Hospice Home Health for the last few months, and she also had a private caregiver (Harlea), whom she loved, from Cornerstone of Searcy. They were a great help to the family. She was preceded in death by her husband Delmar, sons Andrew and David, parents Abraham Lincoln Rung and Ruth (Askine) Rung, brother Roland Rung, granddaughter Evelyn Denise Peck. She will be interred to rest at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery next to her husband Delmar in a private ceremony. She is survived by her daughter Rebecca (Daniel) Hayley of Des Arc, nine grandchildren and thirteen greatgrandchildren.
Services for Janet A. Peck will be Friday, November 8, 2024, 3:00 pm at the Des Arc United Methodist Church and November 11, 2024, 10:00 am, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri. She will be interred at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery where she will rejoin her husband of 66 years.
Four Des Arc girls competed in the Lick Skillet Pageant held in Brinkley on October 26th.
Callie Baxter received first alternate and best eyes in the 16-18-yr old division. (Bottom right.)
Lily Hinson won Overall Miss Lick
Hazen Schools gives Report to the Public
The Hazen School District has released its annual Report to the Public, and as of October 11, 2024, the enrollment for the district is 502 students in K-12 with an additional 40 Pre-K students. Of the 50 certified employees, 30 have masters degrees and 20 have bachelors degrees. Both the elementary school and the high school are accredited for the 202425 school year. Both schools have an ESSA grade of “C”.
The district will receive a total of $2,111,600 in state funding and $450,543 in state categorical funds for the
alternative learning environment, enhanced student achievement, and professional development. The district will receive $432,929 in federal funding for Title programs that cover disability funding and funding for professional development, school safety, technology, and special services. The beginning balance for the year was $1,174,346 with $6,603,539 in total revenues. Out of this amount, $2,796,202 will be spent on teacher salaries, $356,580 in total debt service, and $3,509,989 for operating the district.
Skillet, and queen and photogenic in the 13-15 yr old division. (Top left.)
Kali Jo Willeford
received second alternate and best smile in the 13-15yr old division. (Bottom left.)
Brylee Flanagan received queen and most beautiful in the 7-9yr old division. (Top right.)
Eagles drop conference game to East
Poinsett County
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor
The Des Arc Eagles wasted a golden opportunity to win the 2A-2 conference title, falling to East Poinsett County 36-30 on Friday night. With the loss, Des Arc falls to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in league play. EPC is now 6-3 overall and 51 in league play, holding the tiebreaker over the Eagles.
“We let a huge opportunity to win the conference outright and the No. 1 seed slip through our hands,” Des Arc coach Brandon Barbaree said. “We just got outworked in the second
half.”
Jamie Collins led Des Arc with 194 yards rushing on 33 carries. He also scored a twopoint conversion.
Hudson Goodman had 50 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
Daviyon Bell had 39 yards on seven carries. He scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Cane Childers scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion.
Dylan Skarda led Des Arc with 10 tackles. Bell and Chandler Dobbins each had eight tackles. Chris Whiteside had an interception.
Des Arc ends the regular season at McCrory
on Thursday night. The Jaguars are 6-3 overall and 3-3 in league play. They have been eliminated from playoff contention.
“McCrory, for us, is a rivalry game,” Barbaree said. “They are out of the playoffs, but they always play hard, and it will be a tough, physical game. If we win, we at least share the conference title, and with some help, can have it and the number one seed.”
Des Arc Seniors recognized...
On November 1st, DAHS Senior football players, cheerleaders, and band parents were recognized at the last home game of the 2025 season. Seniors were escorted by parents, grandparents, and other loved ones who presented them with a plaque. Football players were also presented with their peewee football jerseys by their coaches.
Football players were Cole Eldridge, Davion Bell, Oakley Davenport, Walker Harris, Jack Manik, Ben Kearby, Brodie Benton, Mikey Tenison, Hayden Nichols, Luke Pasley, and Miles Hogue. Cheerleaders were Charleigh Patterson, Jada Renfro, Kimber Buckner, Makayla Fowler, Kirsten Horton, and Marley Hogue. Band members were Tammy Jo Parker, Zachary Hill, Corbin Smith, and Linda Miller. (Photo by Lisa Mills.)
Hornets beat Hampton to face Carlisle for 2-A title
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor
For the first time all season, the Hazen Hornets have a winning record after beating Hampton 54-14 on Friday night.
With the win, Hazen (5-4) will play Carlisle for the 2A-4 conference title Thursday night in Carlisle. If Hazen wins, it will be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Hazen could fall to No. 4 depending upon what Poyen and Bearden do this week.
In Hazen’s win over Hampton, quarterback
JJ Pinkney rushed for 103 yard and three touchdowns on nine carries. Phoenix Ervin had 85 yards rushing and two touchdowns on eight carries. Noah Adkins scored two touchdowns while Landen Adkins scored one. For the game, the Hornets rushed for 360 yards.
“This is the third game we’ve been able to go over 300 yards rushing, which is good for us,” Hazen coach Joe Besancon said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to keep it going. It helped us a little bit
getting Hunter Smith back. It was somebody we didn’t think we were going to get back this year. The other night was his third game to play. It’s made a difference for us. It’s given us a little more size, strength and experience up front. Hopefully, it will be something that we can carry into this week and the next week.”
Besancon said the Bison are playing well.
“They do a lot of things that are hard to defend at this level, because it’s hard to have the kids
match up their skill guys,” he said. “Usually, Carlisle doesn’t have those skill guys. They usually have those big guys. They just line up and run over you. It’s been a little different for them the last couple of years. They’ve got a really good scheme going. That young quarterback [Ty Tanksley] does a good job of getting those guys the football in space. If those guys get in open space, they can run and make people miss.” Kickoff at Carlisle is set for 7 p.m.
Bison rout England as QB sets school record
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor
For the second week in a row, Carlisle quarterback Ty Tanksley set a school record.
Tanksley completed 17 of 23 passes for 326 yards and five touchdowns as the Bison beat England 61-8 on Friday night at Fred C. Hardke Field. The 326 yards broke his previous school record he set the prior week.
Tanksley also scored a rushing touchdown in the victory as the Bison improved to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the 2A-4 conference.
Jaden Elliott led the Bison in rushing with 100 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries.
Gavin Davis led
Carlisle with six receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown. Kaiden Clingmon caught six passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Cajuan Pernell and Lawson Petrus both caught touchdown passes.
Carlisle kicker Jimmy Champ kicked seven extra points in the victory.
“I was super proud of our guys,” Carlisle coach Gary Wilson said. “I thought it was the first game, all year, where, for four quarters, we clicked on both offense and defense. We’ve had games where we looked
great offensively and looked good defensively. At times, earlier in the season, we had games where we’d start slow offensively, and the defense would carry us through. But I thought this was the first time all year where people could see what we look like when we’re clicking on all cylinders.”
The Bison host Hazen on Thursday night. The winner will be the 2A-4 conference champion as Hazen is now 5-4 overall and 5-1 in league play.
“The first goal is to win the conference championship,” Wilson said. “We don’t want to share it with anyone. The only way to do that is to beat Hazen. It’s only fitting that it comes down to us and Hazen for the conference championship again. I don’t think we have to say a lot this week to our kids. I think they will be motivated and ready to go.”
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PRAIRIE COUNTY, ARKANSAS NORTHERN DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF TONYA SHANTA ROBINSON, DECEASED 59NPR-24-18
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Last Known Address of Decedent: 801 S 2 nd St., Des Arc, AR 72040
Date of Death: August 4, 2024
The undersigned were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of the above-named Decedent on October 3, 2024.
All persons having claims against the estate must exhibit them, duly verified, to the undersigned within six (6) months from the date of the first publication of this notice, or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit in the estate.
This notice first published this 6th day of November, 2024.
WELTON ROBINSON
803 S 2 ND ST
DES ARC, ARKANSAS 72040
MARY ANN ROBINSON
803 S 2 ND ST
DES ARC, AR 72040
ROBERT M. ABNEY, P.A.
ATTORNEY FOR THE ESTATE
P O BOX 246
DES ARC AR 72040
870.256.4183
WIN $50
ARMCHAIR
Rules of the Game
1. The contest is open to anyone except employees of the Herald Publishing Company and their immediate families. YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OF AGE TO ENTER.
2. Contest entries must be turned in to the Herald office, 111 Highway 70 East in Hazen,The deadline will be Friday at noon. Entries may be mailed to “Armchair Quarterback, P.O. Box 370, Hazen, AR 72064.” Or you may email your answers to heraldpublishing@gmail.com before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.
3. To enter, clip out the entry blank and pick the team you think will win from the games listed in each ad. Write the name of the team in the appropriate blank. If you think the game will end in a tie, write “tie” in the blank. For the 20th game, pick a winner and predict a total number of points scored in the game. Total point predictions will be used as a tie-breaker if two or more entries correctly guess the same number of winners. The entry with the most correct game winner predictions wins the $50 cash prize. If a tie still exists after the total point predictions are judged, the prize money will be divided.
4. Each entry must be filled out completely and legibly to be eligible.
5. Contestants who win will not be eligible for the following week’s contest.
6. Only the person whose name appears on the winning entry may claim the prize unless other arrangements have been made and agreed to by the Herald Publishing Company.
7. All entries become the property of the Herald Publishing Company and will not be returned.
8. The name of the winner of each week’s contest will be announced in the following week’s edition of The Grand Prairie Herald
9. All decisions of the judges will be final.
10. Only two entries per household will be judged.
11. Occasionally, game schedules are changed after the contest games have been selected. If this week’s line-up does not correspond to the games being played, the game or games in question will be voided and the contest will be judged on the basis of the remaining games.
Maumelle vs
Russellville @ Lake Hamilton
Sale by Dan & Wanda
Christine Weems Estate –2328 Hwy 249 N- Hazen, Ar
Nov. 7-8-9 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
To Whom it May Concern. A 2007 Ford Escape VIN# 1FMCUO3Z17KB90543
The above mentioned vehicle was towed to our lot on September 9, 2024 per request of Hazen Police Department, and was towed to storage lot of 1111 Highway 70 West in Hazen. The initial fee due is $100.00, and additionally The storage fee due is $50.00 per day and continues to accumulate daily. The administrative fees due are $150.00 for the processing of the lien, the processing of a stolen vehicle report by our Police Department and the processing of certified letters sent to the owner and lien holder (if any) via mail. The above amounts do not reflect the 11% tax that is due upon releasing the vehicle. Tower storage & administrative costs are accuring daily as legal liability of the owner, Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority lien on the said vehicle and its contents for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and the lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle. To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8am5pm, and provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges. Please contact us immediately at 870-255-3305 if you wish to pick up the above-mentioned vehicle.
Full/queen mahogany bed frame, King Headboard and large dresser In Pecan finish, 3 large matching china display cabinets, tall white Metal shelf with glass shelves, book shelves, Rattan sofa & love seat, Rattan end table, sofa table and coffee table, Rattan patio Table w/4 chairs newly upholstered cushions, mahogany demi table, Prints, mirrors, décor items, Razorback collectables, Christmas Figurines and arrangements, 4 sets of dishes, punch bowls, vintage Razorback annuals, vintage Hornet annuals, 3 drawer mahogany chest, White contemporary sofa, floral settee and club chair w/ottoman Pr. Ladies maroon leather chairs, low piano w/bench, Mid Century Modern floor and table lamps, lg. round rug, kitchen items, large Oak bookcase, vinyl records and record stand, trunks, Rainbow vacuum, Lux carpet vacuum, cook books, videos, Duncan Phyfe dining table/chairs and china hutch, sequined dresses, linens, towels, small oak dresser, desks, large selection of costume jewelry, handbags, shoes, ladies clothing, oak dressere and mirror, oak night stand, baskets, large handmade afghan, camera, Kodak Kodaslide projector, slide viewer, tablecloths, button collection, sewing material, lace and craft supplies, Brother sewing machine, Singer Featherweight sewing machine, lead crystal, Alice Inman Indian lady oil On canvass, spoon collection, macramé, large hand pecan roller, florist vases, Games, weed killer, Zampa travel puppy pen, mini wall display case, Coat rack, small electric heater, music system w/speakers, hand tools.
All sales final. Cash or check with proper I. D.
Rick Wiggins, Owner
To Whom it May Concern. A 2017 Freightliner VIN# 1FUJGLBG4HLJC3407
The above mentioned vehicle was towed to our lot on September 23, 2024 per request of Hazen Police Department, and was towed to storage lot of 1111 Highway 70 West in Hazen. The initial fee due is $750.00, and additionally The storage fee due is $60.00 per day and continues to accumulate daily. The administrative fees due are $150.00 for the processing of the lien, the processing of a stolen vehicle report by our Police Department and the processing of certified letters sent to the owner and lien holder (if any) via mail. The above amounts do not reflect the 11% tax that is due upon releasing the vehicle. Tower storage & administrative costs are accuring daily as legal liability of the owner, Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority lien on the said vehicle and its contents for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and the lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle. To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8am5pm, and provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.
Please contact us immediately at 870-255-3305 if you wish to pick up the above-mentioned vehicle. Rick Wiggins, Owner Rick’s Automotive and Wrecker Service.
The Grand Prairie celebrates Halloween
There were lots of strange creatures wandering around last Thursday night. Many of them attended the Hazen Trunk or Treat candy handout, and some took over the offices at the Des Arc Courthouse and Farmers and Merchants Bank. Kindergarteners visited with the courthouse crew, and the streets of our towns echoed with the sound of “Trick or Treat.” Here are a few pictures.
