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Carlisle and Des Arc Christmas parades. (See pages 4 & 5.)

Volume 120 Number 49 - USPS 225-680

Community Calendar of Events Thursday December 9 DeValls Bluff City Council meeting DVB City Hall 6:00 p.m.

Saturday December 11 Hazen’s Christmas in the Park Parade starts at 4:00 p.m. all over events will follow at the park by the Gazebo until 6:00 p.m.

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Sherrill hired as Des Arc school superintendent

By Lisa Mills At the November 29th school board meeting, t e m p o r a r y Superintendent Dr. Marc Sherrill was hired permanently.

Sherrill signed a two year contract with a salary of $100,000 with an annual step increase of 1.5% plus housing.

Present at the meeting were Superintendent Dr. Marc Sherrell, Board Members Johnny Reidhar, Sylvester Holloway, Stewart Morton, Charlie Brown, Billy Hinson and Drew Widenar. Also present

were Elementary Principal Cheryl Holland and District Treasurer Natasha Richards.

The board was re-organized with Drew Widener elected President, Charlie Brown elected Vice President and Jordan Smith elected Secretary.

Johnny Reidhar was elected as a voting delegate for the 2021 Arkansas School Board Association conference.

Michael Weatherly was hired as a bus driver, and Brooke Kellar was hired as a long-term substitute for 1st grade.

The new roofing on the Home-Ec building has been completed.

The board approved board to board transfers for three students, ages 8, 11, and 13 from the Brinkley School District. Superintendent Sherrill reported the current enrollment is 598. He also reported that there are currently no Covid cases or quarantines.

Thanks to Aaron Stuckey of Top Notch Roofing who donated and installed a new roof on the old “Home-Ec” building. This was the final step of the grant application for the historical remodeling project.

Elevation work completed on WRID Canal 1000

Monday December 13 Biscoe EHC Meeting First Baptist Church Biscoe 10:30 a.m.

Blood Institute Hazen Methodist Church 3:00 p.m.-6:00p.m.

Tuesday December 14 Prairie County Quorum Court meeting Des Arc Courthouse Annex 6:00 p.m.

Santa Claus at the Hazen Library 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Thursday December 16 Hazen City Council meeting City Hall 6:00 p.m.

Santa Claus at the DeValls Bluff Library 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Thursday December 23 Food Distribution Hazen Methodist Church 10:30 a.m.- noon.

Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of Commerce

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

By Leigh VanHouten Elevation work completed on WRID Canal 1000 Contractors completed the sub-grade elevation work for White River Irrigation District’s (WRID) Canal 1000 at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24.

“What we like is topsoil, which we will begin this week,” Tony Stevenson, WRID engineer, explained. “We will begin seeding and mulching this week.”

Unexpected weather interruptions have delayed the Thanksgiving completion date, but crews expect 100 percent completion by Christmas.

“Depending on the weather we are shooting for Christmas.

Three of eight ramps are installed, and we have a little clean-up to do,” Stevenson said.

Installation of ramps and gates will be most of the work that is left to complete.

Construction equipment moved onto the Canal 1000, which is the two-mile section in Prairie County, project

on July 1. This is the first dirt work for the canal construction.

The work is a significant move to see the project gain momentum to its goal, which is supplying affordable much-needed water for crops to farmers in portions of Prairie, Monroe, Lonoke, and Arkansas counties.

Other significant news, according to Dennis Carman, director and chief engineer for WRID, is momentum.

The district has awarded a $393,000 contract for the delivery of 10foot square box culverts for the Downs Road crossing near DeValls Bluff.

“A second bid has been opened for placement of the boxes and roadway.

We are evaluating the bid before approval,” Carman said. “Two more county road crossing designs are being completed by Michael Baker International Engineers.”

Along with the box culvert designs by Michael Baker Engineers, NRCS has also delivered the design for the next

Hazen Council changes firemen’s pension rules The Hazen City Council has passed an ordinance implementing a marriage provision for Fire Department members who are part of the Hazen Local Fire Pension Fund (LOFPI).

The special meeting was called by Mayor David Hardke and was held on Thursday, December 2, at 5:30 p.m. with all council members and Recorder/Treasurer David Hoover present.

The provision will ensure that upon the death of a retired firefighter, the surviving legal spouse, regardless of the date of the marriage, will continue to receive the deceased firefighter’s pension.

The LOPFI policy up

until the passage of this ordinance required that the surviving spouse be be married to the firefighter for at least five years in order to receive pension benefits. The rule affected the spouses of two deceased firefighters. “We’ve always paid spouses,” Hardke said. “We’ve never had this happen before.”

An emergency was declared and the ordinance passed unanimously on three readings. It will be back dated to January 1, 2020, and the first check will go out on December 31, 2021.

The council will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, December 16, in City Hall at 6:00 p.m.

canal segment, and Garver Engineers are working with Arkansas Department of Transportation on completing the bridge designs at the state Highways 70 and 63 crossings.

“We don’t know what the weather will be like for the next few months, but next summer and fall should be a busy time with the bridges, county road crossings, and canal work underway,” Carman added.

Momentum is key and the district is excited about the work and construction it has going currently

“We’ve been focused on getting the canal construction started since the completion of the reservoir that will feed this canal. It has been a long three years, but the next three years will show that the effort was all worth it,” WRID Board President Dan Hooks said. “We have a lot to do, but it will be an exciting time when water is flowing to the farms through this canal and the distribution pipelines.”

Prior work includes a pump station, 7,500 feet of twin 10-foot diameter pipelines and a 70-acre regulating reservoir constructed by the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers near DeValls Bluff.

The prime contractor for Canal 1000 is Garrett Excavating, of Hot Springs, with local contractors John Neukam, of DeWitt, and Dale Shook, of Casscoe/Stuttgart, doing most of the dirt work. The bids for this work ranged from $3.6 million to $5.2 million.

Money was secured through a National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) grant along with loans from the Arkansas A g r i c u l t u r e Department.

DAHS Class of 1961 holds reunion...

The Des Arc High School Class of 1961 held their 60 year reunion at the Des Arc Senior Center. Fifteen classmates and their mates attended. (Harvey Sanner photo.)

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Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Howard Strohl Howard Strohl, life-long farmer and resident of Prairie County, went to be with his heavenly father on Wednesday, December 1, 2 0 2 1 .

Howard was born on June 26, 1937 to Carl and Mary Strohl. He farmed the family farm alongside his father, Carl beginning at the tender age of 16.

After his father retired, Howard continued the family tradition and farmed with sons, Rickey and John, and grandsons, William Hutchens, Matthew Strohl, and Lucas Strohl when they were of age. Howard retired from farming in 2016, allowing grandson, Matthew to follow in his footsteps.

Howard married the love of his life, Joy Scott Strohl, on October 28, 1956. In the sixty-five years they were together, they had 3 children, and worked side by side through good times and bad. In his later years, Howard experienced many health problems and Joy nursed him through each one, never leaving his side.

Howard was always willing to help a friend or neighbor in need from lending a hand with harvesting crops in front of storms, to pulling neighbors out of a ditch when they swerved to miss deer crossing the road.

Howard was an avid hunter, whether it was rabbits, squirrels, deer or ducks, he was ready to head to the woods. His favorite time of the year was when he was able to go quail hunting with his

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

Uncle George Liska in Mountain Grove, Missouri. As a young man, he served as a duck guide on Peckerwood Lake before Mr. Queenie passed away, and he loved sharing good hunting stories with his grandsons.

Howard also served his community by volunteering for 50 years, retiring in 2014 as a Prairie County Auxiliary Deputy sheriff, on the Sheriff patrol. He served as deputy under Sheriff Mike Grady, Dale Madson, Bob Johnson, Randy Raper, riley Seevers, Randy Munnerlyn, Gary Barnett and rick Hickman. The highlight of his career was when the sheriff’s patrol provided protection for then Vice President, Dick Chaney, where Howard had the privilege of meeting Mr. Chaney and having his photo taken with him.

Howard was preceded in death by his father, Carl Strohl; his mother, Mary Skelton Strohl, and his sister, Margaret Strohl McVey. He is survived by his wife, Joy; children, Rickey Strohl and wife, Linda and

Cherie Hutchens and husband, Charles, all of DeValls Bluff, and John Strohl of Hot Springs; grandchildren, William Hutchen of Jonesboro, Matthew Strohl and wife, Meredith, Lucas Strohl and family friend Heather Horn of DeValls Bluff, Tiffany (Brent) Teater of Sheridan and Kristen (Lonel) Ficut of Cabot; great-grandchildren, Layne Strohl, Bradon Harvey, Barrett Harvey, Kate Ficut and Harrison Ficut, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Visitation was Friday, December 3, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in DeValls Bluff. Burial was in the Hazen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, 100 St. Vincent’s Place, Batesville, Arkansas 72501 or Arkansas Sheriff’s Association, 1400 West 4 th St., Little Rock, Ar. 72201

Derek Wayne Hurst Derek Wayne Hurst, age 40 of Cabot died in an accident in his home town of Cabot on December 1, 2021.

Derek was v e r y involved with the Church of Christ in Cabot. He loved movies

and had parts in movies with Billy Bob Thornton, Ashley Judd, and Joaquin Phoenix.

He loved his scooter, going bowling and skating, and spending time with his niece and nephews.

Derek is survived by his parents, David and Gay Hurst of Cabot; his sister, Erica Sharp and husband, James Roach; his niece, Madalyn Sharp and his nephews, Logan and Landon

Hurst. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ed and Bonnie Rieke and K.Y. and Mable Hurst.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at the Hazen Church of Christ.

Interment will be in the Pleasant Hills Cemetery near Cabot.

GFWC Elsie McCain holds meeting

By Chris Weems GFWC Elsie McCain Club met at the home of Rita Farris at noon Thursday, November 18.

Chris Weems, president, presided.

The meeting began with a buffet luncheon. During the lunch, members gave the current events.

Members brought food items for World Food Day to be taken to the DHHS Office in DeValls Bluff.

The articles amounted to about $50.00 and will be used for families who apply for Food Stamps.

Rita, secretary, read

the minutes of the last meeting which were approved. The treasurer, Rosetta Van Houten reported that dues have been collected and will be sent to the State Treasurer.

The president distributed the corrected pages for the Club book for the year. The revised constitution will be distributed soon, The Christmas outing date is being changed due to conflict with other meetings.

Some committee reports were given.

Rita, chairman of the E n v i r o n m e n t

Department, gave a lesson on the use of plastic and how its disposal affects the environment.

She suggested that it should not be burned, but disposed of in the landfill, as that is the best suggestion at the time.

Entertainment prizes were won by Meg Miller, Nell Pich and Chris Weems.

Members will be called about the time to leave for Christmas outing.

The next regular meeting will be Thursday, January 6, at 11;30 a.m., at the home of Chris Weems.

Legal Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BAYOU METO REGIONAL IRRIGATION WATER DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public hearing to be held on the 15th day of December, 2021, by Bayou Meto Regional Irrigation Water District (the “District”), at 10:00 a.m. at the Lonoke Community Center, 1355 West Front Street, Lonoke, Arkansas 72086 with respect to the bonds to be issued by the District in one or more denominations and series in an original principal amount not to exceed an aggregate of $28,681,838 (the “Bonds”).

The Bonds will be issued pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 14-116101 et seq., as amended, and for the purposes described below.

The District is working with the Natural Resources Division of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to satisfy the non-federal sponsor responsibilities in the Project Partnership Agreement relating to

the Grand Prairie Region and Bayou Meto Basin, Arkansas Project (the “Project”).

The Project is designed to provide flood damage reduction features, waterfowl management features and agricultural water supply features which include, but are not limited to, channel construction, excavation and enlargement, bottomland hardwood planting, restoration of herbaceous wetland complex, restoration of riparian hardwood buffers along streams, creation of moist soil habitat, construction of one or more pump stations, construction of a network of canals, pipelines and associated channel structures, installation of water supply control equipment, and on-farm features that provide additional on-farm storage, retrofitting of existing irrigation systems, and other conservation features.

Proceeds from the Bonds will be utilized to fund a portion of the non-federal share of the costs of the Project.

The Project costs include, but are not limited to, costs associated

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 September 2021.

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

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

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

The water system currently has employees enrolled in the required training courses and will test for the required Water Treatment License in December 2021.

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

with project design and construction, bridge construction, land acquisition, utility relocation, surveys, appraisals, and reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to closing of the financing.

All interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing to express their views in respect to the issuance of the Bonds. Questions or requests for additional information may be directed to the District at the address set forth below.

Any interested persons unable to attend the hearing may submit their views in writing to Mr. Laudies D. Brantley, Jr., President, or Mr. Edward Swaim, Executive Director, at the address of the District set forth below, prior to the date scheduled for the hearing.

In addition to addressing questions related to the Bonds, representatives of the District and its engineering professionals will be available from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. to answer questions and provide information related to

the District’s Phase 1A Construction plans which will be financed in part with Bond proceeds.

The Bonds will be issued pursuant to a Resolution adopted by the District and will be secured by revenues of the District. This notice is published and the above-described hearing is to be held in satisfaction of the requirements

of Arkansas Code Annotated §19-9-601 et seq., as amended, and other applicable state laws.

BAYOU METO REGIONAL IRRIGATION WATER DISTRICT 1300 North Center Street, Suite 9 Lonoke, Arkansas 72086 By: /s/ Laudies D. Brantley, Jr., President

Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Red Cross asks for support during the holiday season This year marked one of the country’s most active years for severe weather — which battered many communities still reeling from last year’s disasters and was exacerbated by the challenges of an ongoing pandemic. For thousands of people in need, the American Red Cross launched a new major relief effort every 11 days to provide refuge, food and care.

“Our most vulnerable neighbors are facing unique and pressing struggles when crisis strikes on top of COVID19,” Lori Arnold, Greater Arkansas executive director, said.

“This holiday season, we ask everyone to join us by making a financial donation to help us provide ongoing support to our communities when

emergencies happen.”

This year, a family displaced by a disaster in the U.S. spent an average of nearly 30 days in a Red Cross-supported emergency shelter.

These extended stays were largely due to a lack of savings and community housing shortages — signs that disasters are compounding the financial hardships of the pandemic.

During last fiscal year, July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021, the Missouri Arkansas Region assisted over 12,000 individuals following local disasters, primarily home fires as well as other storm and flooding damage. This breaks down to close to 7,500 individuals in Missouri (which does include counties in Kansas and Illinois along the Missouri and

Mississippi rivers) and over 4,700 individuals in Arkansas. Over $2.6 million dollars in financial assistance was provided to these individuals.

“We also ask those who aren’t in a position to help financially, to consider volunteering time to our mission or donating blood,” Arnold said.

Drop in new blood donors seen in 2021; Blood supply at its lowest in more than a decade To meet the increasing needs of hospital patients, the Red Cross distributed 250,000 more blood products in 2021 than last year, until the delta variant began to spread in August. The pandemic also resulted in fewer blood drives at schools and colleges, contributing to a 34% drop in new blood donors from last year — one of the largest year-to-year decreases that could threaten essential medical care for patients.

Locally, the MissouriArkansas Red Cross Region has experienced a 13.4 % decrease in new blood donors this year.

As a result of low blood donor turnout in recent months, the Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year. Blood donations are desperately needed now to meet the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

Red Cross supported families displaced from Afghanistan and other areas Around the world, massive humanitarian needs emerged in 2021 for a growing number of families displaced by the overlapping challenges of conflict.seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We are thankful to our donors who give financially, to those who give time to volunteer and to those who donate blood,” Arnold said. “Each of these actions make a significant difference to someone in need and may also save lives.”

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Jonathan Dismang

LITTLE ROCK – State agencies have experienced the same problems as many companies with difficulty hiring entry-level employees.

Several agencies have contacted the state Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to report a difficulties attracting applicants for available positions.

OPM put together a proposal that allows for higher entry-level salaries for all state agencies and presented it to legislators in June.

A broad approach was proposed, rather than simply raising salaries at a few specific agencies. OPM was aware of the possibility of a ripple effect that would cause employees to leave one agency to work at another.

“This becomes particularly critical at the county levels where everyone tracks the salaries of others,” OPM officials wrote in a letter to the Legislative Council’s Personnel Subcommittee.

“There has been increased media attention regarding salary increases of jobs within the national economy requiring less strenuous qualifications and duties,” OPM officials wrote.

Some private companies offer bonuses and some help new employees pay their college tuition.

The letter specifically mentioned

salary increases announced by Walmart, Tyson, Chipotle, McDonald’s and Amazon.

The Personnel Subcommittee reviewed the request for higher salaries for jobs at the bottom of the scale. Not all state agencies have taken advantage and raised salaries, but some major divisions have.

For example, the state Board of Correction has approved changes to its pay grid that will raise salaries for more than 3,500 prison staff.

According to the Office of Personnel Management letter, other agencies have experienced difficulty hiring new staff, including the Human Services Department and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

Employees could receive raises as high as $5,000 a year, depending on their duties and their job’s slot in the state pay grid.

In their request for authority to raise entrylevel salaries, officials at the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) mentioned the pressures on the Office of Child Support Enforcement.

The office has about 600 employees in 27 offices around Arkansas.

Their work is high volume and demands acute accuracy. They prepare documents for legal cases that are often con-

tested by one of the parties in a divorce or child support case.

Employees must communicate professionally with parents of children in disputed cases, and with businesses that employ those parents, officials within law enforcement, the judicial system and other state agencies.

The work is “often high stress due to the subject matter and the level of conflict that sometimes exists in the families we serve,” DFA officials wrote.

Historically, DFA would get 100 applications when a job became available. Now, the agency receives only seven or eight applications for each job opening.

Often, the agency offers people jobs and they accept. However, before their first day on the job they will call to say that they have found a better paying job somewhere else.

“DFA is simply not able to compete for qualified employees in the current environment,” agency officials said.

The pandemic has worsened the problem because many people are concerned about working with a steady flow of customers, such as a revenue office where people renew licenses.

Small businesses are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods and the lifeblood of our local economy.

In Arkansas, small businesses make up the majority of the business landscape, at 99.3% of all businesses in the state. This equates to 258,552 businesses.

Small businesses can be found in every corner of our state.

Small Business Saturday is the day after Black Friday. It is a day to celebrate and support small businesses and what they do for communities. If you are looking for a way to find unique gifts while also supporting the local economy, Small Business Saturday is the perfect day to do so.

When you shop locally, you support your neighbors and community.

Local businesses are owned by people who

live in our towns. They go to our churches, donate to our Little League teams, and show up to parent/teacher conferences.

It is estimated that for every $100 spent in a local business, $68 dollars recirculates and remains in the local economy. Small businesses employ 47.1% of Arkansas employees, or 491,383 people total.

Women own 43.1% of small businesses in Arkansas. Veterans own 9.3%, and racial minorities own 12.8%.

When you shop at small businesses, you are doing business with someone who took a chance on their dreams.

The employees are likely personally invested in the products or services they are selling. That often means they can provide more specific product expertise and a personalized shopping

experience.

Your small purchase can make a big difference this year. Our small business owners are emerging from one of the most challenging economic times in our history.

Despite the difficulties posed by the past year, Arkansas was recently ranked no. 2 for states with the most pandemicproof small businesses.

Personal finance website WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia’s small business environment, determining which states’ small businesses were the most pandemic-proof and had the greatest potential to bounce back. Your continued support helped to make this a reality. We encourage you to support small businesses in your community this holiday season and yearround.

COOLER DAYS ARE HERE! AND SO ARE THE RATS AND MICE

KEEP THEM OUT OF YOUR HOME...

Call Bug Masters today at 800-770-4888.

Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Carlisle brings in the season with Christmas Parade

Legal Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BAYOU METO REGIONAL IRRIGATION WATER DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public hearing to be held on the 15th day of December, 2021, by Bayou Meto Regional Irrigation Water District (the “District”), at 2:00 p.m. at the England Fitness Center, 107 Valley View Drive, England, Arkansas 72046 with respect to the bonds to be issued by the District in one or more denominations and series in an original principal amount not to exceed an aggregate of $28,681,838 (the “Bonds”).

The Bonds will be issued

pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 14116-101 et seq., as amended, and for the purposes described below.

The District is working with the Natural Resources Division of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to satisfy the non-federal sponsor responsibilities in the Project Partnership Agreement relating to the Grand Prairie Region and Bayou Meto Basin, Arkansas Project (the “Project”).

The Project is designed to provide flood damage reduction features, waterfowl management features and agricultural water supply features

which include, but are not limited to, channel construction, excavation and enlargement, bottomland hardwood planting, restoration of herbaceous wetland complex, restoration of riparian hardwood buffers along streams, creation of moist soil habitat, construction of one or more pump stations, construction of a network of canals, pipelines and associated channel structures, installation of water supply control equipment, and on-farm features that provide additional on-farm storage, retrofitting of existing irrigation systems, and other conservation features.

Proceeds from

the Bonds will be utilized to fund a portion of the non-federal share of the costs of the Project.

The Project costs include, but are not limited to, costs associated with project design and construction, bridge construction, land acquisition, utility relocation, surveys, appraisals, and reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to closing of the financing.

All interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing to express their views in respect to the issuance of the Bonds. Questions or requests for additional information may be directed to the District at the address set forth

below.

Any interested persons unable to attend the hearing may submit their views in writing to Mr. Laudies D. Brantley, Jr., President, or Mr. Edward Swaim, Executive Director, at the address of the District set forth below, prior to the date scheduled for the hearing.

In addition to addressing questions related to the Bonds, representatives of the District and its engineering professionals will be available from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. to answer questions and provide information related to the District’s Phase 1A Construction plans which will be financed

in part with Bond proceeds.

The Bonds will be issued pursuant to a Resolution adopted by the District and will be secured by revenues of the District. This notice is published and the above-described hearing is to be held in satisfaction of the requirements of Arkansas Code Annotated §19-9-601 et seq., as amended, and other applicable state laws.

BAYOU METO REGIONAL IRRIGATION WATER DISTRICT 1300 North Center Street, Suite 9 Lonoke, Arkansas 72086 By: /s/ Laudies D. Brantley, Jr., President

Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Des Arc holds annual Christmas parade downtown

Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Hey, this my story! . . .

by Dr. James L. Snyder

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”

(Luke 9:23).

Calvary Baptist Church West North Front Street, Hazen, AR Phone: (870) 255 - 4038 Christian VanHouten, pastor Sunday School: 9:50 AM Worship: 10:45 AM BTC: 6 PM Evening Worship 6:45 PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7 PM First Baptist Church 224 N. Hazen Ave. Hazen, AR 72064 Phone: (870) 255 - 4464 Sunday Service Sunday School: 10:00 AM Morning Worship: 11:00 AM

I am just now concluding that narcissism is a virus that has infected everybody in the world that is breathing air. I even apply this to my own life with a great deal of regret.

Nobody wants to admit they have narcissistic leanings in their life.

And yet, if you listen to them, and even listen to yourself, you will see it.

I did not know how aggravating it was, but I was to learn pretty soon.

Recently I had a heart attack and had a stent put in one of my arteries, the widow make her.

It was this experience that showed me the level of narcissism in my own life.

When anybody would call me and ask how I was, I would mention that I recently had a heart attack and had a stent inserted in one of my arteries. Before I can even get to the end of that sentence, the person on the other end of the line will say, "Oh, a couple of years ago, I had a heart attack and had two stents put in." And then they would go on and on and on about their condition and experience.

When I thought we had

come to the end of that conversation, they then mentioned, "And I have a cousin who had a heart attack and had several stents put in him I can't remember how many."

Then, we're all down another rabbit trail. I sure would like to catch that rabbit.

Coming to the end of this conversation, I said, "Well, I hope you're doing well." To which I got the reply, "Thank You, I appreciate that."

Hanging up the phone, I thought a bit that the person on the other end of the phone did not allow me to tell my story.

For me, this heart attack was quite an experience that I never expected to experience. I know my father had several heart attacks, but I never assumed he had willed it two me. It's during these times that you think seriously about dying.

I have been tempted to spread the rumor that I won the million-dollar lottery for the week.

Once that got out, I would get all kinds of calls to hear my million dollars' story. But, of course, I know that they would want to be put on

my Christmas list.

The discouraging point is nobody wanted to know the story of my heart attack. My heart attack was an opportunity for them to brag, or so it seemed, about their heart attack or their uncle's heart attack or somebody else’s.

After going through a heart attack why do I want to hear about someone else's heart attack and how they got through it.

Of course, that is my narcissism coming to the surface. I want everything to be about me and center on my life. I'm not sure what to do or how to deal with this narcissistic virus that seems to be penetrating my life.

I don't think I will bring this up with my doctor the next time I visit him. I suspect he would send me to his psychology friend, and I certainly don't want that kind of examination. I don't think I could pass.

The one thing I have learned about this narcissistic virus is that there comes a point where it explodes. I didn't know that before, but I found out just recently.

Another friend called and asked about me, and

I said I just had a heart attack and had a stent implanted in my artery.

Again, before I could get to the end of that sentence, they began explaining how they also had a heart attack several years ago, and they had four stents put in.

Then they went on and on about their heart attack and how it changed their life, and what they did to keep from having another one.

I don't know what triggered my explosion, but all of a sudden, I heard myself saying, "Hey, stop right there. This is my heart attack, not yours.

This is my story, not yours."

Then without hesitating, I went into my story in every detail I could think of at the time. I only wished I had recorded it so I could know what I actually said.

Just before I hung up, the person on the other end said, "Well, I'll be praying for you, and I hope you get better."

Then there was that infamous "click." And the conversation was over.

I hung up the phone and turned around only to see the Gracious

Mistress of the Parsonage staring at me with one of her "stares," and I heard her say, "What in the world did you just say?"

At that moment, I knew I was in for some trouble, so I said, "I'm not sure; what did I say?"

I knew she would tell me what I said, so I didn't need a recording of it.

But I kind of lost control because of that narcissistic virus that has infected me.

A verse of Scripture came to my mind at this time. “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Probably the hardest thing in this verse is when Jesus says “Let him deny himself.” My narcissistic virus fights against that all the time.

Evening Worship: 6:00 PM Wednesday Service Adult Bible Study and Prayer 7:00 PM Children's Program 7:00 PM "HYPE" Youth 7:00 PM

First United Methodist Church 211 North Hazen Avenue, Hazen, AR Phone (870) 255 - 4657 Pastor Chris Wright Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship Service: 10:55 AM

Phone (870) 673 - 2858 Rev. Andrew Toopes, Pastor Worship: 8:00 am-10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Class: 9:15 AM Radio - KWAK 10:15 AM Sundays www.stuttgartlutheran.com

Wed. Serv. 7 PM

Sunday morning -11:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening-5:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night-7:00 p.m.

Hazen Church of Christ 204 Adams Street, Hazen, AR. Phone (870) 255 - 3633 Sunday - Bible Study: 10 AM Worship Service: 11 AM Sunday Night: 6 PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7 PM

First United Methodist Church 215 East Third St., Carlisle, AR Phone (870) 552 - 7789 Rev. Michael Daniel, Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship: 10:45 AM

St. Peters Episcopal Church Highway 86, Tollville, AR. Worship Service: 9 AM Sunday School: 10:30AM

Immanuel Baptist Church Pastor Bill Ricks Highway 13 North Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3100 Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship:11 AM Sunday Evening: 6 PM Wednesday Evening: 7 PM

Center Point Missionary Baptist Church 2997, Center Point Road, Hazen, AR Bro. Billy Booth Pastor Sunday School: 10 AM Worship: 10:50 AM BTC: 5 PM Worship: 5:50 PM Wednesday - Youth Night 6:30 PM

Family Christian Fellowship 603 W Washington Hazen, AR. Pastor Scott Skarda 501-516-5971 Sunday: 10 AM, Wed, 7 PM New Bethel MB Church 8525 New Bethel Road P.O. Box 87 Hazen, AR. Pastor Bro. Freddie McCann Sunday School 10 am Sunday Service 11 am Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Pastor Joe Mills 7474 Highway 86 North, Hazen, AR Sunday School:10 AMService:11 AM BTC: 5 PM Sunday Night: 6 PM Wed. A.C.E. at 6:30 PM & Bible Study: 7:00 PM Prairie Chapel MB Church Center of North Washington & Woodlawn, Hazen, AR. Rev. Maurice Williams Pastor Sunday School: 9:30AM Worship: 11AM Wednesday 7 PM Bible Study Carlisle Pentecostal Church of God Scott & McDonald Sts., Carlisle, AR. Phone 501-438-1643 Pastor Daniel Strength Sunday School: 10 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11 AM Sunday Evening Service: 6 PM Wednesday Evening Service: 7 PM Mt Zion MB Church Rt 2 Carlisle, AR Rev. Rev. Cruthfield, Pastor Sun. School 9:45 A.M. Worship 11 A.M. Wed Prayer & Bible Class 7 P.M. Fellowship Baptist Church Des Arc, AR Elder Lee Russel Penn, Pastor First Pentecostal Church of Prairie County 3201 Hwy. 70 E., Hazen, AR (870) 255-9177 Pastor J N Holmes Sunday 10 A.M. Wednesday 7 P.M. First Baptist Church 319 Court St., P. O. Box 25, Carlisle, AR Phone (870) 552 - 7732 David Lee - Pastor Sun School: 9:45 AM Worship: 11 AM Awana: 5 PM Worship: 7 PM Holy Temple COGIC Elder McFadden, Pastor

“Catholic Action” with the Third Order of St. Francis

St. John's Lutheran Church Fifth and College Streets, Stuttgart, AR

Landmark Baptist Church 517 East Third, Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3568 Pastor Albert Young Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship: 10:45 AM BTC 6 PM - Worship 7 PM Wed. Evening: 7:30 PM St. Rose Catholic Church Highway 70, Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3601 Father Shaun Wesley Sunday Mass 10:30AM English 12:00PM Spanish Tuesday Mass 6:00 PM Wednesday Mass in Spanish 5:30 PM Holy Hour & Confessions 6:05PM Friday (except First Friday) Mass 8:30AM Saturday Mass in Spanish 7:00 PM United Methodist Church of DeValls Bluff Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff AR. Pastor Chris Wright Sunday Morning Worship: 9 AM Friendship Lunch: 3rd Wed. of Month, 11:30 AM First Baptist Church of DeValls Bluff Pastor Bobby Powers P. O. Box 358 Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff, AR. Phone (870) 998 - 7118 Sunday School: 9:45 AM Morning Worship: 11 AM Evening Worship: 5 PM Wednesday Evening: 7 PM

First Assembly of God Hwy 33 and U.S. 70 Biscoe, Arkansas Sunday Services: 10:30 A.M., 6 P.M. Wednesdays WNYG, Kids Club, Bible Study 7 P.M. St. John's Baptist Church Biscoe, AR 870-998-2777 Sunday School 10 A.M. Worship 11 A.M. Rev. William Brown - pastor Holy Temple Church of God in Christ Elder James Clark, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11 AM Jehovah Community Temple Church 710 Sycamore St, DeValls Bluff, AR Elder Ronnie Mosby Sunday 10:30 AM Monday Bible School 7 PM Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Alan Minton Hwy. 70 West of DeValls Bluff Sunday School-10:00 a.m.

Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, Ocala, FL 34483, where he lives with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.co m.

Website is www.jamessnyderministries.com.

Zion Lutheran Church Hwy 79 PO Box 158 Ulm, AR 72170 Phone: 870-241-3778 email: zionlutheran@hotmail.com Sunday School at 10 am Worship at 11am Bible study: Wed at 5:30 The Apostolic Church of Des Arc 712 Calhoun Street Services Sunday at 10:30 and Wednesday at 7:30 Pastor Russell Penn St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Biscoe Pastor Jerry Saxton Sunday School 10:00-11:00 Service 11:00-12:00 Hickory Plains United Methodist Church Rev. Debbye Harrison Intersection of Highways 13 and 38

Herald Publishing Co, Inc. The Grand Prairie Herald Prairie County’s Newspaper Publisher/Editor - Roxanne Bradow Accounts - Trudy Johnson Phone: 870-2554538 P.O. Box 370 Hazen, AR 72064 E-mail us at heraldpublishing@gmail.com Visit us at www.herald-publishing.com

102 West Front Street 870-255-3954

Mount Olive MB Church Highway 70, DeValls Bluff, AR. Rev. Joe L. Pumphrey Sunday School: 9:30AM Worship Service: 11 AM Peppers Lake Church of Christ Hwy 302, SE of DeValls Bluff, AR. Sunday - Bible Study: 10 AM Worship: 11 AM Evening Service: 6 PM Wednesday - Bible Study: 7 PM Union Chapel FreeWill Baptist Church Metcalf Road, Rt.1, DeValls Bluff, AR Elder Sylvester Swanigan Sunday School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11 AM Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church Highway 86, Slovak, AR. Fr. Shaun Wesley, School: 9:45 AM Mass: 8:30 AM Thursday Holy Hours 5:00 pm and Mass at 6:00pm Biscoe Baptist Church Biscoe, AR. Pastor David Rogers Sunday School: 10 AM Worship Service: 11 AM & 7 PM Training 6 PM -

Joshua D. Jacobs & Yvonne J. Petrus Partners

Tax & Accounting Services 101 Highway 70 East, Hazen, AR 72064 Phone: (870) 255-4175 Fax:(870) 255-4176

Page 7 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

The Des Arc Police Department is accepting applications for a full-time certified police officer. An application can be picked up at Des Arc City Hall, 107 South 3rd St. or send resume to P. O. Box 389 Des Arc, AR 72040. For any questions, please call Chief Dewayne Mayher at 870256-3011.

- FreeWooden dining table and four chairs. The table is 42” square. Call 255-4047.

Come see Charlie Gerren at

Gwatney GMC Buick

in Sherwood by Sam’s.

Contact 501-681-9121 or the office at 501-945-4444.

We sell New and Used vehicles.

Bowman Plumbing Serving the Entire Grand Prairie Adam Bowman, MP 6142 Repair - Remodel New Construction Dependable Service Free Estimates Family Owned and Operated Call: (870) 256-5230

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

Free Ads for Free Stuff If you’re giving it away, we’ll give you an ad for

free Call 2554538

Page 8 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, December 8, 2021

DAHS students participate in Star Events

Warren leading SAU team...

Southern Arkansas University junior basketball player Kylie Warren reaches for a rebound during the Muleriders’ loss to the Harding Lady Bisons on Dec. 2 in Searcy. Warren is a 2018 graduate of Carlisle High School. She is averaging 10.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as SAU is 5-2 on the season. Warren, the daughter of Bill and Kym Warren, is leading the team in minutes per game at 26.1 minutes. (Mark Buffalo photo.)

Des Arc High School FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) members participated in the District IV STAR Events (Students Taking Action with

Recognition) on November 18th in Cabot, AR. The students competed in their events against other schools in the district and the 2 highest placing groups in each

event are going on to state STAR Events which will be held in

Benton, AR semester.

next

Addison Glaze sings for the Lady Hogs

Addison Glaze recently auditioned and was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the Lady Arkansas Razorback basketball game in Fayetteville at Bud Walton Arena on Sunday, November 28.

She is the 14 year old daughter of Brian and Kim Glaze of Benton, the granddaughter of Trudy Johnson, and the great granddaughter of Rosetta VanHouten all of Hazen. Addison was very honored to perform and enjoyed sitting court side and cheering the hogs on to victory!

Entergy ideas for Christmas For those who want to celebrate and decorate while conserving energy, there are several ways to do that. In recent years, outside inflatables have become more popular, because they’re cute day or night, don’t require scaling the roof or using a hammer and nails, and are relatively easy to set up or take down. And, decorating with inflatables requires less energy than you might expect.

Traditional string lights use about 10 watts per bulb, and most strings have a minimum of 25 bulbs per string. One 25bulb string light used 12 hours per day would consume 90 kilowatts over the course of one month and cost just over $10 – slightly less than one large inflatable decoration used 24 hours per day as compared to one small string of lights used half as much. Multiply that by the number of strings of lights both inside and outside the house, and it starts to quickly add up to more energy and more costs.

Chambers Nursing and Rehab Center * Private Rooms with Baths * 24 Hour Nursing Service * Rehab-Therapy

* On-Site Beauty Salon * Daily Activity Program * Church Service Regularly

Medicaid - Medicare - VA - Private Pay

(870) 552-7150 “Since 1945”

Hwy 70 - Carlisle, Arkansas “We offer extremely reasonable and affordable private pay rates”

Bobby Glover, President & CEO