DeValls Bluff Council approves pay raises

By Lisa Mills Correspondent

Carroll DeWayne Evants

Carroll DeWayne Evants, 77, of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas was born July 7, 1945, and passed away on February

12, 2023.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Evants; children, Darren (Stephanie) Evants, of DeValls Bluff and Paula (Tim) Fraley, of North Little Rock; grandchildren, Dylan, Brianna, Shelby, Sam, Anna, Dawson and Gracyn; great-grandchildren, Luke, Ellis, Aubrie, and Rileigh; sister, Pam (Bill) Hurst and Vanessa Evants.

He was preceded by his father, C.J. Evants; mother, Ruby Pualine Lovel Evants; stepmother, Sallie Evants; and brother, Eddie Evants. A graveside service was held at 1:00PM on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at Oakland Cemetery, DeValls Bluff.

A-S t a t e gra d ua t es

Arkansas State University has announced the list of students who completed degree requirements to graduate at Fall Commencement, held Dec. 17 in First National Bank Arena.

Chancellor Todd Shields presented diplomas at the associate, bachelor, master, specialist and doctoral levels, along with various program certificates, as awarded through the various colleges.

The local graduates are:

Carlisle

Charles M. Lewis, Bachelor of Arts, Criminology Char L. Sullivan, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing Des Arc

Brittani Nicole Ripper, Associate of Science, A.S. En Route Zylar Alaris Taylor, Associate of Science, A.S. En Route DeValls Bluff Brayden Elisabeth Williams, Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science, Radiologic Sciences, Magna Cum Laude Griffithville

Taylor Jane Richards, Bachelor Science in Agriculture, Agricultural Business, Magna Cum Laude Hazen

Morgan L. Henderson, Master of Arts in Teaching, Teaching Lauren McMullen King, Specialist in Education, Educational Leadership.

Bloo d Drive Donors

February 13th Blood

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Paula Hooks

Belinda Griffin

Dewanna Keys

Gary Shelman

Sydne Hamilton

Steve Chlapecka

Roland Eichler

Jamed Gray

Roxanne Bradow

Sharon Stallings

Larry Ellingston

Mary Van Houten

Arkansas Press Association

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Photographer Ruth Corley explaining why that is the only viable property for the project. Council member Shirley Goff asked Stuart if the property tested positive for Manganese if the owner could buy the property back for that amount. Stuart said no because Manganese only affected wells, not the treatment plant and drilling for the wells would be done elsewhere.

The DeValls Bluff City Council met February 9th. After approval of January minutes and approval to pay bills, the council went into Executive Session. After resuming the public meeting, a motion was approved to give all city employees a 3% raise.

City Attorney Mike Stuart updated the council on the water project from engineer David Hilsdon. He said that Hilsdon stated that DeValls Bluff is way ahead of a lot of other cities trying to update their systems since a water rate study has been completed to meet new rules to receive ARPA funds. Stuart said that Hilsdon recommends the council implement new rates as soon as possible so that requirement can be checked off for the remaining funds being applied for. The new rates will go from $21.50 to $22.24 for the first 1,000 gallons and $12.60 per 1,000 gallons after. Sewer rates will not change. The council will implement the new rates later.

Goff asked Stuart if he knew if grants were available to repair ditches. Stuart said he didn’t know. Goff stated that heavy rains are washing under the streets and causing erosion. Mayor Gray stated that the last time the city checked on doing something there were no grants or funds available. Council member Alice Metcalf stated that when they had checked on the cost it was over a million dollars for less than a mile.

Historical Register and has so much history and something for the town to be really proud of.

She said that the building structure is good but it has to have a new roof because if it caves in the building will be ruined beyond repair.

Goff said all grants available for projects like this are usually matching grants so the city would have to pay ½ the cost. Metcalf asked what the Historical Register rules are for repairs. Goff said the only rule is that you can’t do anything to change the exterior. Metcalf told Goff to get estimates for the roof repair and bring to next meeting.

The council adopted a resolution to utilize State Aid Street Money for the reconstruction and resurfacing city streets. Former Mayor Brian Dodson applied for and was awarded these funds.

Jumpstart have been arrested and are being held in Huntsville, TX. He states that he is continuing to work on other investigations.

Special Meeting

DeValls Bluff City Council held a special meeting on February 13th. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss pay increases for two employees. The council approved a 6.5% increase for Eric Martin and a 9% increase for Edward Rea. Eric is Utilities Department head. Edward is Utilities Worker.

Biscoe

Ce m e t ery

R epor t

Donations

Angie Dixon

Clara Lightsey

Nina Holloway

Janice Minor

John Nail III

Nancy Chlapecka

Ross Skarda

Chris Harrison

Chris Wright

Kenny Alexander

Gary King

Tonya Highfill

Betty Juola

Sue Clayton

Janie Starr

Lance Larkan

Ions

In Memory of: Archie, Velma and Bruce Prine

By: Rita Isbell

In Memory of: The Kerr

Family

By:

Elizabeth Kerr

In Memory of: Maxine Petrus

By: Stan Kelly

In Memory of: Don Templeton

By: Stan Kelly

In memory of: Drew Parker

By: Janie Westbrook

Upkeep: Melba Stine

Donations are greatly appreciated and may be mailed to: Hazen Cemetery P.O. Box 92, Hazen, Ar. 72064

Attorney Stuart reported to the council that he had obtained an appraisal for the property needed for the new water treatment plant and wells. Appraiser Mike Chudy provided an appraisal of $32,000. He said that he will be making a formal offer to the owner for that amount along with a copy of the appraisal and a letter from engineer Don Hilsdon

Council member Pam DelGiorno asked the council to consider purchasing a folding Ushape table for the council to hold meetings so that audience members could see everyone. She thanked Roben Henry for setting up the tables in a straight line for this meeting so everyone is facing audience. Metcalf told DelGiornio to get 3 estimates and find out if there was money available to purchase a table and it could be discussed at to the March meeting.

Goff addressed the council concerning the condition of the Castleberry Hotel building. She stated that the 1925 building is on the

Police Chief Jeremy Murphy provid3ed a written report showing that 3 traffic citations were issued and 2 arrests have been made. Murphy said that all 3 suspects in the December break-in at

Bruce Wagner

Cheryl Blackwell

Steven Broadway

Memorials:

Rita Farris for John

Nail

Garnett & Lana Dodson for W.O. Prince

Steve & Sandra Allsup for W.O. Prince

The Hazen City Council finalized payment for the demolition of the grain bins on So. Chester St. at its regular February meeting held on the 16th. Dallas Taylor was the only absent council member.

The cost for the destruction and removal of the grain bins as well as the concrete on the property amounted to just over $20,000. “It’s been expensive, but we’ve erased a liability,” Mayor David Hardke said.

The council also passed a resolution to purchase the lot just south of the revenue office. The council will pay the Beam Sisters Trust $2,000 for the property from the city’s General Contingency Fund.

The city was notified in December that it will be given a $98,000 grant for the playpark. Hardke said that the city will need to get in contact with a contractor, and when the contracts are completed the work can begin.

Hardke led the council members through the review of the animal control ordinance regarding cruelty to animals and the authority of the Animal Control Officer. The city is planning to change/amend the present animal control ordinance to put more

“teeth” into the law. “The ordinance needs to be made clearer,”

Hardke said. City Attorney Keith Rhodes will be working on writing a new ordinance.

Hardke told the council that the Dr.’s office is ready for occupancy. He also reported that the city had purchased a 2019 golf cart with a side-by-side and dump beds. The city also bought a 2022 Tracker Ox for the department.

The total cost for the two vehicles was $14,000.

“We can utilize them very, very well,” Hardke said. There was some discussion about whether or not the city can donate to the Hazen Booster Club to put a “Home of the 2022 State Class 2-A Football Champions” sign in city park. The mayor will check with the Municipal League attorney.

Hardke told the council that the recycle bins had been removed again because citizens were putting their trash in the bins. A new location for the recycle bins will be found so that they can be more closely monitored.

Police Chief Bradley Taylor said that his department was involved in a car chase in which two of the city’s police cars were involved in crashes. The police stopped the car that they were chasing near Lonoke. Taylor said that the driver was from Pennsylvania. No one was hurt, but only one of the cars is now operable.

Taylor praised the city’s first responders for helping his policemen. He also announced the seizure of 111 pounds of marijuana in three recent arrests.

Fire Chief Seth Skarda reported six first-responder runs, and Utilities Department Manager Chad Swaim said that the UV equipment that the city has been waiting to receive was damaged in transit and has to be returned. The city had to wait for 13 months for the broken UV equipment to arrive in Little Rock from Canada. The utility workers have been working on the baseball and softball fields to get them ready for the season. Swaim said that his department was still on the hunt for gas and water leaks. Six gas leaks have been fixed in the past six months, according to Swaim. Swaim said that there was little damage done to pipes during the last freeze. “We were lucky,” he said.

Football upgrade plan presented to Hazen School Board members

Cody Snider, president of the Hazen Booster Club, presented a proposal to upgrade the Hornet Field football facilities to the Hazen School Board at its regular meeting held on February 13. The cost of the upgrades, which would include building a new field house, upgrading the field lighting, replacing the deteriorating bleachers and press box, updating the asphalt track and the bathrooms and concession stand would require the district to raise the millage rate by at least two mils. Snider also said that the field is not American Disabilities Association compliant. Other things that the booster club would like to see done is paving the road between North Water and North Prairie Streets, updating the press box sound system, and repairing the fence. In addition, the Booster Club proposed renovating the old gymnasium to be used for softball, cheerleading, and golf team practice. The district asked for a millage increase last year to build an agri facility which was denied by the voters.

Snider said that the Booster Club would spearhead the effort to pass the additional millage that would be needed for the project. He pointed out that presently there is momentum and pride in the football program due to the recent state championship. “Now is the best time for it if we’re going to do it,” he said.

Board Member Bradley Taylor suggested that the Booster Club get together with representatives from the district to work out a game plan for the project. Some board members felt that a millage increase designated only for the football field would not pass. “If you just do this for football, it’s going to fail,” Board Member Rusty Rogers said. There was a suggestion that perhaps football field repairs could be paired with the building of an agri building and other school upgrades in a future millage campaign.

Snider also told the board that over $17,000 had been raised to pay for championship rings for the Senior High Hornet football team members.

Elementary Principal Tiffany Glover announced that Hazen Elementary School will receive approximately $7000 from the state as a reward for the student growth. Student growth is measured by the scoring results on state tests. There were 141 students who showed growth on the last test.

Superintendent Donnie Boothe announced that the high school football team would be honored at the state capitol on Wednesday, February 15. He complimented the basketball teams which did well in the recent tournaments, as well. When addressing Governor Sarah Sander’s new education plan, Boothe said that despite the new requirements for districts, “We’re gonna make it.” In other business, the board approved Boothe’s recommendation to retire certain inventory and fixed asset items and to pay ASBA Workers’ Compensation Coverage $21,158 for the period of January 1 through December 31, 2023, which will be paid with operating funds.

Lady Bison finish as state runners-up in indoor track

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

For the first time in school history, the Carlisle Lady Bison fielded an indoor track team. And they did at just the right time.

Carlisle finished as the Class 1A/2A state runners-up on Saturday at the Randal Tyson Track Center at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

The Lady Bison finished with 83 points. Mansfield won the state championship with 137.5 points.

Mount Ida was third with 73 points. Des Arc was fourth with 55 points. Mansfield was fifth with 54.5 points.

“That was awesome,”

Carlisle coach Caleb Shock said. “It was a really cool event. I had never been before. And none of our girls had obviously been before. There were just over 1,500 athletes. There were 244 heats of races. We were up from 9 in the morning until 10:30 that night. It was a long day, but it was fun watching them compete. It was fun watching the parents with kids being their first time in track.