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Grand Prairie DAR presents awards. (See page 6.)
Volume 121 Number 8 - USPS 225-680
Community Calendar of Events
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
ABC Commission denies request for liquor license
Wednesday February 23 Senior High Quiz Bowl Practice 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Thursday February 24 Food Distribution Hazen Methodist Church Drive-Through 10:00 a.m. noon 10th Grade Auction & Dinner Dinner/Silent Auction 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Live Auction 7:00 p.m. Monday February 28 Hornet Baseball @ Mayflower 4:30 p.m. V/JV Thursday March 3 Bingo Hazen Public Library 11:00 a.m. Sunday March 6 Sand Hill Cemetery Meeting Association Meeting 2:00 p.m. Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church
Prairie County residents attended the ABC hearing to protest the opening of a liquor store in Prairie County. Pictured with them are State Senator Ronald Caldwell and State Representative David Hillman. (Photo by Debbye Harrison.) By Debbye Harrison Citizens of western Prairie County scored a victory with the Alcohol Beverage Control Board on February 16. The ABC Director originally denied an application for
a license to open a liquor, beer and wine store at the junction of Highway 13 and Kinley Road. The proposed location for the store is just ¾ mile east of the White County line. White
County is a dry county. The ruling was appealed to the ABC Commission by James Smith of Searcy who made the application. Petitions were signed and letters sent objecting to the license due to
the rural location and the proximity to an already existing beer and wine outlet. Although letters of letters of support were sent by the county judge and county sheriff, the Commission denied the
request. The hearing was held in Little Rock and attended by local residents who were joined by State Senator Ronald Caldwell and State Representative David Hillman.
DA council to repair fire department, Legion hut By Lisa Mills At the February 15th City Council meeting, an ordinance was adopted to make needed repairs to the Fire Department building without accepting bids since needed repairs are an emergency. The repairs are estimated to cost $25,000. An ordinance was also adopted to repair the roof at the Legion Hut building without accepting bids because it is an emergency. The estimated cost is $15,000. A grant in the amount of $7,500 has been accepted, leaving $7,500 for the city to pay. Present for the meeting were newly appointed Recorder/Treasurer Janice Huffstickler and council members Gary Burnett, Ray McVay, AnnaBeth Fisher, Gail King, Jodie Mayher and Nicole Fisher. In the absence of Mayor Garth, Janice Huffstickler facilitated the meeting. The council approved reappointing John Stephens to the Zoning Board, and a motion was approved to accept bids for mowing the riverfront park, playground and water/sewer stations. Bids will be opened March 15th at
noon. Council Member Gail King reported for the Grant Committee that there is a March 3rd deadline to apply for a grant to make further repairs on the Legion Hut building. She stated that up to $250,000 can be applied for, and it is a 2/3 and 1/3 matching grant. The council approved applying for a $60,000 grant. King also stated that she has been made aware that numerous grants are available from corporations and foundations for non-profit agencies with 501C3 status. Many cities have this status and are eligible for these grants. The council recommended that King speak to City Attorney Ginger Stuart about moving forward to obtain the status and have her explain the legal procedure for obtaining the status. Cecil Taylor addressed the council concerning his complaint about property near his house. He said that he would be willing to wait until next month’s meeting because most of his questions needed to be addressed to City Attorney Stuart and Mayor Garth.
New LCLS Director Kathleen Ashmore and Carlisle Librarian Autumn Mock.
Carlisle City Council supports new Christmas decorations for city By Debbye Harrison The Carlisle City Council met February met with Council members Mike Walker, Anne Anderson, Kevin Kegley and Jon Plafcan present. Debbie Madar and Barbara Phillips were introduced and proposed adding to the city’s Christmas decorations through community donations and support. Students at Carlisle High School who are studying metal work have volunteered to make large Christmas tree outlines to be fixed to the light poles downtown. Donations have already been given to purchase the materials and Entergy has given
permission for the trees to be hung. Other proposals are to place a large skinny Christmas tree in an intersection of downtown. Also under consideration is the stringing of large bulb lights criss-crossing Court Street. Ideas are being gathered on ways to decorate the old railroad track area. Donations are being accepted in any amount to help fund this expansion for city beautification. In addition to money, the committee is also asking for help in getting the decorations put up and taken down. This is a community project and will not be
funded by the city. The Council voted to support the project. As baseball season gets closer, the management of the concession stand needs to be finalized. Immanuel Baptist Church will not be doing it this year. The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a non-profit organization to take over those responsibilities. New Heart Ministries has shown interest. If any other group is interested, they need to contact Ronnie Ashmore at City Hall. Kathleen Ashmore was introduced as the new Director of the Lonoke County Library System.
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.
Baxter named FCCLA officer... Callie Baxter from Des Arc High School has been chosen to be on the FCCLA state officer’s team. She will be notified of her specific office at the state conference in March.
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