Food Distribution Hazen Methodist Church 10:00am - Noon
Tuesday April 1 April Fool’s Day
Saturday April 5
Biscoe Fire Department and Fish Fry and Auction 5:00 p.m.
Monday April 7
Hazen Chamber of Commerce meeting 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday April 8
Dementia Caregivers Group Meeting
10:00 a.m. Hazen Community Center
The Friends of the Kocourek Building Committee held a fundraiser meal at the Grumpy Rabbit in Lonoke on Thursday, March 13. Appoximately 90 residents from in and around Hazen and many former residents of Hazen signed up to attend the event. The Kocourek building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the committee has applied for multiple grants to get it back into its original state. Recently, the front windows were replaced and their trim painted. The floors inside are in the process of being repaired.
The mission of the committee is as follows: As citizens of Arkansas’ grand prairie, we endeavor to restore this 1906 iconic building of Hazen. It’s beginnings as a farm equipment, hardware and furniture store are but a lost memory. Today, the building is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places and is in dire need of restoration before it is lost to no repair. We ask that the good people of our town, community and state join us at this task.
The ultimate purpose for the building will be to house family historical collections and preserve family histories and artifacts to share with our young and future generations. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization will be called the Prairie County Historical Center, Inc. Currently, the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is one-third/two thirds. Total exterior renovation cost estimate is $90,000 with more that will be needed to finish the interior. All donations are tax deductible, and anyone wishing to donate to the project should contact Hazen City Mayor David Hardke.
Hardke spoke to those in attendance about the present project needs and answered questions about recent and future repairs. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program plans to conduct a tour of the building on April 4.
DVB sells bank building, Skarda to run for prosecuting attorney
By Lisa Mills Correspondent
Abram Skarda
current District DA
C arlisle h olds to w n h all m eeting
By Debbye Harrison Correspondent
A large crowd which included Lonoke County Sheriff Staley, Judge Teresa Smith, Mayor Jon Plafcan and Council
Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of Commerce and Please call
The DeValls Bluff City Council met on March 13th. Attorney Mike Stuart presented the council with the appraisal on the city owned bank building from Chudy Appraisals. The building was appraised at $99,000 but it was noted that it was appraised as a commercial building and compared to current established businesses. The council voted four to one (Raymond Watson voted no) to accept the offer from Keith Mooney to purchase the building for $50,000 for use as a part time residence. Shirley Goff suggested that the money from the sale be set aside for specific purposes. It was decided that a portion would go into a CD and a portion into the General Fund. The distribution percentages or amounts will be determined after the sale is complete. A motion was approved to allow the FireDepartment to purchase a turnout. Police Chief Jeremy Murphy reported eight arrests and ten traffic citations in February.
Deputy District Prosecuting Attorney Abram Skarda announced that he will be running for District Prosecuting Attorney for Prairie and White Counties in 2026, as
Rebecca McCoy will be retiring. Skarda gave some information about his background and his service as Deputy District DA, as well as Prairie County’s Attorney. Police Chief Murphy said that Skarda has the full support of the Police Department and that of all prosecutors he has dealt with in his career, Skarda is the best. Scott Troy said that he knows Skarda is honest, trustworthy, hardworking and really good at his job. Attorney Stuart stated that his experience with Skarda has always been positive. Stuart also said that it is unusual to have someone from Prairie County to be elected, so if he does have any opposition he will need everyone in the county to support him and advise anyone they know in White County to vote for him.
Members Anne Anerson, Mary Eddelman and Caleb Swears attended the Town Hall Meeting March 10.
Under discussion was the future of the city jail. Chief Franks explained the purpose of the eight-bed facility which included the drunk tank and the
costs for maintaining the jail. The problem has arisen due to a state law requiring all counties to centralize 911 dispatching. Cabot is the location for Lonoke County and current 911 calls will soon be directed from there. In the past dispatchers have served as jailers and worked 24-hour shifts.
Without the necessity of a dispatcher, it would not be feasible to hire employees as jailers only. Under these cir-
cumstances, the city would incur a deficit of $139,950 for the jail alone.
The police department is not affected by losing the jail. Anyone who is arrested will be taken to the Lonoke County facility. Sheriff Staley assured the community that he and his deputies will be available to assist local officers in the transport of offenders as well as covering the town when police have to be in transit. (Continued on p. 3)
Volume 124 Number 11 - USPS 225-680 Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Des Arc Elementary learns about farms and food. (See page 6.)
Marjorie Ann (Roe) Gipson
Marjorie Ann (Roe) Gipson, 81, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family, who are all grateful for the wonderful care she received at Unity Health Medical Center.
Marjorie was born on September 14, 1943 to Marjorie Emogene and Reuben Conder. She was a lifelong resident of Des Arc, where she never met a stranger. She was a proud member of the Golden Magnolias (humorously referred to as the Frosted Flakes). You could most often find Margie on her front porch swing, drinking a cup of coffee, and visiting with her friends and family. She also spent her time fishing and was a proud gardener. She loved spring time when the flowers in her garden would bloom.
Margie always looked forward to holiday gatherings, Hallmark Christmas movies and most cherished any time spent with her family and friends.
Marjorie and John Hugh were high school
sweethearts, who were happily reunited and married on September 6, 2011. They spent the last, and best, 15 years of their lives together. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, her first husband (and father of her children), Jon Roe, and her son in law, Carlos Gates, along with numerous other family and friends. Left to cherish her memory are: the love of her life, John Hugh Gipson; her precious pup, Millie Ann Gipson; her two children, Joni Gates, and Richard (Amy) Roe; her six grandchildren; Kimberly (Justin) Smith, Jacob (Alexis) McMullan, Benjamin (Kelly) Mirabal, Kimberly (Ryan) Anderson, Megan (Taylor) Gunn, and Paige (Hunter) Roe; 6 great grandchildren, Aden, Alistair, Damian, Addison, Lucy, and Weston; and her siblings, Leslie (Sammie) Conder, Laura North, and, John (Donna) Conder; and several nieces and nephews along with extended family and friends.
Ronnie Loudermilk
Ronnie Loudermilk, age 84, of Hazen passed
away on Thursday, March 13, 2025 after a long battle with illness. Born on November 22, 1940 in Hazen, Arkansas, Ronnie never met a stranger.
Ronnie married Linda Foster on May 18, 1962 and they were blessed with three wonderful children; Mike (Melissa) Loudermilk of Texas, Susan Loudermilk of Hazen, and Ashley (Victoria) Loudermilk of Hazen; five grandchildren, Jacob, Colby, Katie, Mikey, and Daphne; and 2 great grandchildren, Caris and Heston
HIPPY students entertained with Dr. Seuss activities
Ronnie was a long time member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Hazen and he retired from serving on the Fire Department for many years. Ronnie also served in the Arkansas National Guard.
A graveside service for Ronnie was held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 beginning at 10:00AM at the Center Point Cemetery with Bro. Freddie McCann officiating. Arrangements were entrusted with Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.
Prairie County Quorum Court has short meeting
The Prairie County Quorum Court held a short meeting on Tuesday, March 11, with nothing on the agenda but the disposing of a few items of equipment that either are not or cannot be used. Missing from the meeting were Judge Lawrence Holloway and County Attorney Abram Skarda. Justices Rick Stallings and Paul Hooks attended over the phone, and Justice Bill Calhoun served as the acting judge to lead the meeting. There were no committee reports and no old business to discuss. The Justices did ask that the County Road Department Foremen for the northern and southern parts of the county attend the meetings each month. With nothing else to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
Arkansas Press Association
Member 2025 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$25.00/year In Arkansas$30.00/year Out of State$35.00/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 Correspondent
Lisa Mills
Correspondent
Debbye Harrison
Photographer Ruth Corley
Workshop aims to help keep Arkansas
By Ryan McGeeney U of A System Division of Agriculture
SEARCY, Ark. — Keeping the family farm in the family can be more complicated than many realize. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is working to help farm families and other interested Arkansans plan for the inevitable with a second succession planning meeting on April 14.
Sherri Sanders, White County agriculture extension agent for the Division of Agriculture, said reaction to the first session, held Feb. 25, helped shape the upcoming meeting agenda.
“Our first session got the conversation started,” Sanders said. “It’s emotional, it’s hard. You’re coming to terms with your death or retirement from your farm that’s been in the family for generations. Most people just don’t talk about it, and they think they’re OK because they’ve got a will — but a will isn’t a succession plan. It doesn’t lay out who gets what, or how the farm will be run.
“This second session is still for farmers and ranchers, but the information can really apply to anybody who wants to plan for their estate,” she said. “Because estate taxes, power of attorney and living wills affect
everybody.”
Rusty Rumley, senior staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, will be the meeting’s featured speaker.
“People know they need to find an attorney, but they don’t know what to be prepared for at that first meeting,” Sanders said, noting that attorneys typically charge by the hour. “Rusty will help them understand how to prepare to meet with that attorney.”
The session will take place at 6 p.m. at the White County Extension Office, located at 2400 Old Searcy Landing Road in Searcy, Arkansas. The cost to attend is $25 per person, which includes dinner.
The deadline to register online is April 7.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
By Christa Nall
The Hazen HIPPY program held its March Group Meeting at the Hazen Public Library on Monday, March 10th, 2025, at 3:30 PM. Linda Strohl and Christa Nall warmly welcomed families as they arrived for an exciting afternoon. The children kicked off the meeting by crafting their very own Horton Hears a Who crowns, followed by a screening of the classic 1970 version of Horton Hears a Who. After the film, the fun continued with games including Pin the
Tie on the Cat and The Cat in the Hat Toss. It was a delightful time for all!
Children who attended the group meeting included: Bryson Penn, Presley Cook, Roland Stallings, Sloane Stallings, Joseph Vail and Kennedy Nall.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hazen Public Library for providing the space for this gathering. A special thank you goes out to all the parents and children involved in the HIPPY program for their participation and enthusiasm.
Mark your calendars
for the next HIPPY group meeting on April 14th, 2025, at 3:30 PM, where we will partner with the Prairie County Extension Service to explore the theme of planting. Additionally, HIPPY is now pre-registering for the 2025-2026 school year! We encourage families with children aged two to four to enroll. For more information, please contact us on Facebook (Hazen HIPPY) or call (501) 516-6224 or (870) 830-9958. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!
DVB museum to host Leah Brewer booksigning event
There will be a book signing event at the Prairie County Historical Museum in the DeValls Bluff Community Center on March 22 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Leah Brewer, a versatile author known for crafting wholesome reads will be there to present her latest novel, “Lottie’s Journey”. Brewer has penned Christian romance novels, historical fiction, and romantic suspense. Her latest book, Lottie’s Journey, marks the fourth installment in her Christian Romance series, Seeds of Faith. Her works have garnered starred reviews from Reedsy, Publishers Weekly, and Reader's Favorite. Reedsy featured her Natural State Murder Mystery, To Find a Killer, in its list of best mystery and crime books shortly after its release.
Leah aims to create engaging stories about imperfect characters discovering their happily ever after. She is currently working on a Natural State Romance and a children’s book, both set to be released later this year.
After 29 years in the telecommunications industry, Leah retired in 2024. She has recently begun a new chapter as the Office Manager at Jacksonport State Park and looks forward to learning more about the stunning natural state! In addition to her writing and day job,
Leah is an active board member of Writers’
of Northeast Arkansas and enjoys part-time lifestyle photography.
Leah lives in Arkansas with her husband,
Mark, and family. For more information about Leah and her books, visit facebook.com/writingleahbrewer or theleahjournal.com.
MID-DELTA COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC., BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL MEET MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2025, AT 12:00 NOON, IN THE MAIN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM LOCATED AT 610 S. BISCOE, HELENA, ARKANSAS
Ink
Leah Brewer
Bison rout Eagles in conference opener
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor
The Carlisle Bison jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first inning en route to an 11-2 win over Des Arc on Wednesday at Rockefeller Park. The Bison are now 5-1 and 1-0 in league play. Des Arc is 1-4 and 0-1 in league play.
The Bison scored eight in the first and single runs in the third, fifth
and sixth innings. Des Arc scored single runs in the second and third innings. Carlisle starting pitcher Ty Tanksley gave up two unearned runs in four innings of work. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out 11. Jonathan Pickard pitched three innings, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out four. At the plate, Tanksley
was 4 for 4 with four RBIs. Gavin Davis was 4 for 5 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Pickard, Michael Spingola and Kolton Bartley each had two hits. Baylor Hawk and Bentley Parker each had one it.
Walker Harris and Ben Kearby each scored runs for the Eagles. Harris, Oakley Davenport and Jacoby Tallent each had a hit for the Eagles.
Lady Eagles edge Lady Bison in conference game
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor
The Des Arc Lady Eagles scored a run in the top of the seventh to beat Carlisle 3-2 on Bobby Glover Field at Rockefeller Park on Wednesday.
Des Arc followed up that victory with three wins on Saturday, beating Izard County 6-1, Bald Knob 4-1 and Tuckerman 2-1.
The Lady Eagles are now 4-2 overall and 1-0 in league play.
Carlisle is now 5-5 overall and 0-1 in league play. The Lady Bison followed up their loss to Des Arc with a 65 loss to Dardanelle, a 13-3 win over Waldron, a 16-2 win over Clarksville and a 5-4
H
loss to Lamar. In Des Arc’s win over Carlisle, the score was tied 2-2 when Des Arc’s Grace Knight singled to lead off the frame. She advanced to second on a single by Kymber Buckner. She went to third when Buckner was retired at second base on a fielder’s choice. Knight scored when Elajah Reaves grounded out for the second out of the inning.
Des Arc pitcher Kaylee McDonald struck out Carlisle’s MaKinnley Cook, Chloe Smith and Madeleine Elder to end the game. Kymber Buckner was 3 for 3 at the plate with an RBI. Emma Bucker, McDonald and Knight each had one hit.
McDonald did not give up an earned run while allowing only one walk and two hits. She struck out 13.
Carlisle took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Lindley Lenderman, courtesy running for Ally Mooney, scored on an error.
Des Arc plated two runs in the top of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead.
Emma Buckner scored on a double by McDonald. Greenleigh Sterling, courtesy running for McDonald, scored on an error.
The Lady Bison tied it at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth. Elder scored on a sacrifice by Angie Petrus.
ornets ha v e rough go in b ase
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor
The Hazen Hornets dropped three games last week to two conference foes. Palestine-Wheatley swept a doubleheader from the Hornets on March 10. The Patriots won the first game 12-0 and the nightcap 13-0. On Friday, the Hornets lost to England 10-0. In the first game
b all last wee k
against PalestineWheatley, the Hornets were no hit and struck out 14 times. In the second game, the Hornets had three hits.
Hunter Pardon was 2 for 2. Sam Clayton was 1 for 1. He also walked.
Jase Arnett also received a base on balls. Arnett and Pardon combined to strike out eight Patriot batters in five innings of work.
In the loss to England, the Hornets had three hits.
Clayton was 2 for 2. He also drew a base on balls. Eli Weems also had a hit. Pardon also received a walk. Pardon and Arnett combined for 10 strikeouts of England batters. In softball action, Hazen beat England 249 on Friday.
King attends Grant Training Day...
Gail King of Des Arc received an invitation to the Grant Professionals Day Training on March 06, 2025 held at the Arkansas Municipal League headquarters in North Little Rock Arkansas. Caran Curry, Senior Grant Counsel, AML was the moderator, assisted by Dylan McLeod, Grants and Legal Assistant. The training offered insight into Government vs. Foundation Grants, Research tools, Grant Writing, Relationship and Networking, Eligibility, a Grant Resource Guide and the opportunity to interact with representatives from cities across the State of Arkansas at a Welcome Round Table. The Round Table was used for the cities to share what they had been working on, what they needed assistance with, as well as their experience with grants.
Caran Curry presented the Federal Funding discussion and was followed by three guest speakers addressing the topics above. The Arkansas Municipal League's goal is to help great cities make a great state.
Carlisle S chool Board meets
By Debbye Harrison
The School Board met March 10 with all members present. ATLAS scoreswere reviewed by both principals, and although the scores were still below state averages in most cases, both schools showed marked improvement.
High School students who improved two points in at least one subject will be rewarded with a trip to a Travelers’ ball game. Students will have to make-up one-half day of time lost to snow days. April 11, which was to be Prom Day and a day when school would be out, will now meet that
morning.
Resignations were received from Principal Wes Rowland and elementary teacher Katryn Manis.
Teachers from the Bradford School District will be visiting the high school math department for an exchange in ideas and curriculum usage.
EAST students will be attending a conference in Hot Springs where they will showcase some of their projects and get a chance to see other ideas from students around the state. Being featured is the Animal Shelter Adoption Website Project which has been helpful in
encouraging animal adoption around Lonoke County. Other projects students are working on include collaborating with Rich ‘n Tone Duck Calls to make cheaper calls with the 3-D printer. These calls will be more affordable for beginning duck hunters. Some students want to create a 14 X 40 ft. mural (Our Town Our Home) to put on a local building which will showcase Carlisle and the community, its products and history. A list of winners for the FFA competitions was also given to the Board Members.
H azen S chool District hires certified employees, recei v es grant
The Hazen School Board met on Monday, March 10, in a regular meeting with all members present. The board was presented with a list of certified elementary and high school teachers to be hired for the 2025-26 school year. Missing from the high school list are Agri teacher Dylan Cass and Science teacher Jennifer Nethery Hall . and Coach/Assistant Principal Breonna Austin. The listed teachers were rehired with no discussion.
Superintendent Andy Barrett also gave the board a list of fixed assets, including old Google Chromebooks that are out of date and no longer in use, that will be retired from service.
Junior High Quiz Bowl sponsor Susan Booth introduced Jacob Swink,
a member of the team, and he told the board about the team’s recent tournament.
Elementary Principal Laura Saranie told the board that her staff will be undergoing training for the April ATLAS tests. The Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on March 20, with students being let out of school early on that day. Saranie also told the board that the 4th Graders have been invited to go to the Five Oaks Agricultural Research and Education Center located south of Stuttgart.
Barrett announced that the district has received a School Safety Grant from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for $59,576 which will be used to upgrade school cameras
to a different system and license and to upgrade the district’s networking equipment to handle the new camera system. Barrett also told the board members that he would be meeting with C. R. Crawford Construction on Thursday, March 13 to finalize the building contract. He would also be meeting with Taggart Architects on Friday, March 14, to review the Ag and PreK building drawings. “We’re still shooting for the end of May,” to begin construction. The goal is to get into the two buildings by the next school year. At the end of the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Kayla Melton, a an elementary Special Education Parapro.
Carlisle town hall meeting_____
(continued from page 1)
However, community members were concerned that there would be times when Deputies might not always be available to cover the town which would leave this city unguarded. This would create a new problem for an already short-handed police department.Judge Smith made an adamant petition to keep the jail. “There is no deterrent to a misdemeanor if there is not a jail. Sometimes an offender will sit in a cell for 24 hours, eat three meals, leave and laugh” (if there isn’t a jail for overnight lock-ups.)
There are an estimated 2,500 misdemeanor warrants in Lonoke County alone and only Carlisle and Lonoke County have overnight lock-up facilities.
“Without a jail to hold over their heads, there is no threat to a repeat offender,” Judge Smith said. Chief Franks added that cost is not the only problem. Staffing is an issue. It is hard to find people who will work for these wages without competing benefits. The 911 system in Cabot is paying higher wages with better benefits. It was asked if there
might be some cooperative effort between the county and city since the County Jail is overcrowded much of the time. Sheriff Staley said he would talk to the city and perhaps the state. However, at the time the state is planning to build a new prison in order to add beds and alleviate the overcrowding. At the present time the jail’s cost has been budgeted until April which is the projected date for local dispatchers to be released. A decision will have to be made soon.
Arkansas Farm to You visits Des Arc Elementary
By Emilee Moody Prairie County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent
Students at Des Arc Elementary School have been spending the last few months learning about healthy foods and how our body uses them for fuel to be active. The Prairie County Extension Service pro-
vided the Serving Up My Plate Curriculum, a part of their nutrition education program for youth that spans pre-K through 12th grade.
On Friday, January 28th, students in grades K-6 had a chance to explore the Arkansas Farm to You exhibit, an interactive walkthrough display from the farm and through
the body. Students had the opportunity to learn about Arkansas foods and recall what they learned from Serving Up My Plate.
The Farm to You exhibit consisted of 10 agricultural and health adventure stations, including Welcome to the Farm, Market, Healthy Cafe, Mouth, Stomach, Small Intestine, Muscle, Bone, and Skin. Students spent time at each station participating in activities and learning about the relationships between agriculture, food, and health.
The Farm to You adventure begins at the Farm, where they raise dairy and beef cattle and chickens, grow rice and beans in the fields, and fruits and vegetables in the garden.
Children learn that without the farmer, we wouldn’t have the food needed for a tasty Arkansas Plate. Students learn to look closely at the Nutrition Facts labels on food packages and how to use the information to make good food choices. In the Healthy Café, they practice building balanced meals by selecting a variety of foods from each of the food groups. The adventure continues into the mouth, where they discuss the importance of brushing and flossing daily to keep teeth clean. Then, the students move to the stomach, learning how healthy foods are digested into nutrients. They also learn to listen to their stomachs and eat just the right food to be healthy. The students travel through the body, learning about how food and physical activity
help make them healthy and strong. The journey wraps up in the skin, where they learn that frequent handwashing and using sunscreen helps protect the skin on the outside.
Three hundred sixtythree students participated in Farm to You. This would not be possible without our 16 volunteers and excellent school staff. Thank You to Des Arc High School students Jamie Collins, Brayden Knupp, Chad McCary, Emma Buckner, Reagan Kittler, Braylin Hudson, Baylee Partain, Riley Singleton, Layla Gardner, and Addison Gehring. Our 4-H Teen Leaders Cutter Thorton and Haylea VanGorden and members of Biscoe Extension Homemakers Club Mitzi Osborne, Barbara Williams, Brenda Prince and Ardie Yates. For more information about Farm to You, contact Prairie County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Emilee Moody at emoody@uada.edu or 870-998-2614.
