75¢
GP Quilt Society shares projects. (See p. 6.)
Volume 123 Number 7 - USPS 225-680
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Community Calendar of Events Tuesday February 20 Des Arc City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. City Hall Wednesday February 21-24 Backgate Farm Equipment Auction Stuttgart Municipal Airport Hwy 63 Thursday February 22 Food Distribution Hazen Methodist Church 10:00 a.m.-Noon Saturday February 24 Slovak Heritage Day Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church Slovak Monday February 26 Des Arc School Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. Thursday February 29 10th Grade Auction 5:00 p.m. Hazen Community Center Monday March 4 Hazen Chamber of Commerce Meeting 6:00 p.m. Sunday March 10 Daylight Saving Time Begins Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of Commerce and the
Prairie County Conservation District hosts meeting By Cathy Seidenstricker On Thursday, February 15, 2024, the Prairie County Conservation District hosted the annual, locally led meeting at Seidenstricker Farms, south of Hazen. The purpose of locally led meetings is to gain input from the district’s partners regarding what the conservation needs of the county are. Some
of the district partners are NRCS, ANRD, FSA, Prairie County Extension Service, Prairie County Quorum Court, Arkansas Game and Fish, Quail Forever, Ducks Unlimited, plus the sponsors of the district’s annual conservation day. Approximately 65 individuals came and participated in the meeting.
The districts board prepared the delicious meal of smoked pork, baked beans, slaw, potato salad and desserts. Thank you to State Representatives Roger Lynch and Jeremiah Moore, Amanda Mathis, Assistant Arkansas State Conservationist, Chris Colclasure, Executive Director of Arkansas Natural
Resource Department and Megan Perkins also from ANRD, for attending. A special thank you to Farm Bureau for sponsoring the meal. In 2023, the State of Arkansas received $100 million for conservation projects from Washington, DC., $5 million of that came to Prairie County to fund EQIP and CSP projects.
The partnership between the local NRCS office and the county conservation district is an important relationship. Both are committed to serving producers and landowners in their efforts to use conservation practices to preserve our natural resources while maintaining the sustainability of their farming operations.
Hazen Council agrees to water/sewer rate hike The Hazen City Council continued its discussion of water/sewer rates at its regular meeting held on February 15. All of the council members were present with the exception of Dallas Taylor. Mayor David Hardke told the council that the city is still running off the 2019 rate schedule and that the Arkansas Rural Water Association will be doing a rate study this year, which the city expects to receive in June. “Arkansas Rural Water will help us to decide what to do,” Hardke said. The city’s water department had had some major expenses recently, including the purchase of a $250,000 water clarifier and at least $25,000 more in repairs is needed. “These are just things we’re just going to have to face,” Hardke said. “We have to be forward thinking.” To remain financially sound, the city will need to raise the water/sewer rates by 8 percent across the board. This amount will increase the bills of most water users by about $15 per month. The council agreed to the increase and intends to pass an ordinance on this amount at next month’s meeting. Ordinance number 523 was passed unanimously which will allow a change in the zoning classification of 708 South Chester St. from R-2 to R-3 to allow for a
single-wide trailer to be placed on the property. The change was recommended by the Hazen Planning Commission. In the departmental reports, Firechief Seth Skarda said that the Fire Department had two first-responder calls. Police Chief Bradley Taylor told the council that his department had purchased a 2023 Dodge Charger for $38,000 plus $1000 in shipping costs. The vehicle, which is equipped with a police package, replaces one that was damaged recently. The department intends to keep the damaged car. Utilities Manager Chad Swaim said that his department had some bad days last month. A water main out by Maple Healthcare was repaired before the snow arrived. Other minor water leaks were also repaired. A blower has been installed at the wastewater plant, and the department had also been repairing some city streets with asphalt. Swaim also reported that members of his department had attended several licensing classes, including plumbing inspection, HVAC, water treatment, and water distribution. The city now has at least two people licensed in each area, which few other cities have. “We all have what we need to have,” Swaim said. There was some discussion about unlicensed people doing utility
work within the city. Swaim emphasized that contractors who do work in Hazen must be licensed before doing any work. Some unlicensed workers hired by citizens have done shoddy work, causing problems for Swaim’s department. “We’re trying to make sure citizens get what they pay for,” he said. He added, “You come to Hazen, you have to follow the rules.” The city will lose about 52 acres of farmland to the White River Irrigation District’s
canal project once a contract with them is signed. The property is next to the city airport. “I think it’s as good as we’re going to get,” Hardke said. Hardke gave the library report, praising Prairie County Librarian April Highfill for the record number of children attending programs at the Hazen library. He also said that the bathrooms in the library building had been renovated. Council Member Tim Juola expressed concern over the parking situa-
tion at the baseball park’s practice building. Students using the facility have to park on the city street. “I’m just looking at the safety of the kids.” Several ideas to alleviate the problem were discussed, and Hardke will look into options. There was also concern about some of the rental properties that had been marked for cleanup. Landlords who have been contacted about the needed work have yet to follow through. Hardke will contact those in violation of city rules.
Hazen wins state Quizbowl Tournament... Congratulations to the Hazen Jr. High Quiz Bowl team! They were undefeated in the state competition held in Springdale on February 17th. Michael Bowman (right) was awarded the Highest Points Player and MVP for the day. The team members are (l to r): Xachary George, Michael Bowman, Kadence Fegley, Helen Galvan, and Weston Hare. Susan Booth is their sponsor.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Please call F&M Bank (255-3042) or The Grand Prairie Herald (255-4538) to list events.
The Preferential Primary election is on March 5, 2024. The Polls will be open from 7:30 am - 7:30 pm. Early voting will begin on February 20, 2024 at both Southern District and Northern District Courthouses from 8:00 am thru 6:00 pm Monday - Friday and 10:00 am thru 4:00 pm on Saturday through March 2, 2024. On the final Monday, March 4th, the early voting polls will close at 5:00 pm.
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