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Jan Morgan speaks at PC Republican banquet ( p. 6)
Volume 117 Number 16 - USPS 225-680
Community Events Calendar Thursday March 29 GFWC Elsie McCain Club Meeting Murry’s Restaurant Hazen 6:00pm Friday March 30 Courthouse will be closed in observance of Good Friday, the DVB Courthouse will be open for Court only that morning
Prairie County, Arkansas
Jake Mosby honored at signing of his biography Jake Mosby, a lifelong native of Prairie County, was the man of the hour at a book signing ceremony held at the Hazen Community Center on Sunday, March 25. The event began at 2:00 p.m. with a meet and greet followed by the welcome by Ms. Gladys Mosby. The invocation was given by Rev. Jimmy Mosby. Janis F. Kearney, President Bill Clinton’s biographer, was present for the event and told the approximately 50 people gathered there how she heard about Mr. Mosby through a friend who had sat beside him during a flight on a plane. The woman, another Clinton White House employee named Mary Ann Campbell, was also in attendance. Campbell said that when she listened to Mosby’s remembrances she knew that his story had to be documented. And she knew that
Sunday April 1 Easter Sunday
Kearney was the person to do it. Mosby, who is 87 years old, is the grandson of slaves and has spent his entire life in the delta region of Arkansas. He is one of the only African Americans ever selected to be Arkansas’ Farmer of the Year. His book was published this month by Writing Our World Publishing. Throughout the after-
Monday April 2 Chamber of Commerce Meeting BanCorpSouth 6:30pm - 7:30pm Thursday April 5 GFWC Elsie McCain Club goes to Heifer International, Little Rock Monday April 9 Hazen Chapter #5 OES, Meeting Lodge Hall 6:15pm Tuesday April 10 Quorum Court Meeting Annex Building Des Arc 6:00pm Thursday April 12 Hazen Masons Meeting Lodge Hall 7:30pm Tuesday April 17 PC Retired Teachers Unit Meeting El Amigo Restaurant 1:00pm 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.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Janis Kearney speaks as Jake Mosby looks on.
County joins lawsuit against drug companies LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (March 21, 2018) – In a unified and unprecedented approach against the opioid drug industry, the state of Arkansas, Arkansas counties and Arkansas cities announced that together they have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Crittenden County. Included in the list are Biscoe, Hazen, and Prairie County. This unique litigation approach is unlike any others in the country and will represent 90 percent of Arkansas’s population, with 72 counties and 210 cities participating. It is believed that it will cost billions to stop the Arkansas opioid epidemic and that this money should come from the companies that caused the problem instead of taxpayers. “Though other lawsuits have been filed in federal courts across the country, Arkansas is the only state that has united in this fashion,” said Chris Villines, executive director of the Association of Arkansas Counties. “Instead of fighting and competing with each other on critically needed settlement dollars for our cities and counties, all of the cities and counties are working together to do what’s best for Arkansas.” The epidemic is real and has ravaged Arkansas families for years. While the U.S. experiences more than 42,000 fatal overdoses a year, Arkansas experiences over 400, a number that has increased nearly 300 percent since 2000 and coincides with opioid sales quadrupling. Additionally, Arkansas ranks second in the nation for ages 12-17 in misuse of opioids (4.67%) behind Alabama, which is also the only other state with a higher opioid prescribing rate than
Arkansas, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It is hard to find anyone who hasn’t felt the effects of an opioid addiction from family, friends or even in themselves,” said Kirk Lane, Arkansas State Drug Director. “Though great strides have been made recently to curb the epidemic – especially helping cities fund necessary resources like the opiate antagonist Naloxone (Narcan) – much more could be done to fund ongoing programs for education and prevention.” In 2017, there were more opioid prescriptions than people – enough for every man, woman and child to have 80 pills per year. Hospitals and rehabilitation systems cannot keep pace with the influx of victims. The resources of public safety officials are constantly strained to meet the overwhelming needs of opioid-related emergencies. As a result, the state of Arkansas, its counties, cities and taxpayers have funded the enormous societal costs of the opioid epidemic, but have had insufficient revenue to turn the tide of the epidemic. “Arkansas’s one-voice approach to this lawsuit is one that gives us a seat at the table,” said Don Zimmerman, executive director of the Arkansas Municipal League. “Neither the state or any county or city is big enough alone; this litigation approach ensures that recovered damages remain in Arkansas.” For more information about the lawsuit, or to find additional resources on the opioid epidemic in Arkansas, please visit ARCounties.org, ARML.org or APERMA.com.
noon, Mosby heard tributes from friends and family members including Don and Scott Strong, Bernice Kimbrough, Bernard Jones, Frazzier Mosby, and his son, Ronnie Mosby, who introduced him to the crowd. After a few words of thanks to all of those, both living and dead, who helped him along the way during his lifetime, Mosby retired to a table where
he signed copies of his book that were being sold. A reception was held in the community center during and after the book signing. More information about purchasing the book “Jake Mosby Story: A Man for all Seasons”, can be found at getsunset@att.net or calling Writing Our World Publishing at 501-7722930. (More pictures p.4.)
Des Arc City Council accepts bids, amends local dog ordinance The Des Arc City Council met March 20th for their monthly meeting. Those present were Mayor Jim Garth, Recorder/Treasurer Chrisana Knupp and council members Jodie Mayher, Ray McVay, Janice Huffstickler, Anna Beth Fisher, Welton Robinson and Steve Bryan. After prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, motions were passed to approve the February minutes, financial report and payment of bills. Several bids were accepted during the meeting. These included the acceptance of the one sealed bid received from Cindy Kilgore for $350/month for cleaning the restrooms at Riverfront Park. Four sealed bids were opened and read for mowing Riverfront Park, and the lowest bid, received from Edward Dunlap, for $600/month (at least once per week) starting April 1st was accepted. A motion was approved
to accept the one sealed bid received from Jessie Tackett for $450/month for mowing at water towers and pumping stations. Four sealed bids were also opened and read concerning the city’s sale of the 1990 Ford Ranger. The council accepted the highest bid from Jeff Treadwell for $550. In the committee and departmental reports, Animal Control Officer DeWayne Mayher reported that 14 dogs had been picked up, 3 reclaimed, and 5 had been rescued/adopted. Two citations and 2 warnings had also been issued. Ray McVay reported that the Senior Citizen Center is working to get a new van. Police Chief Rick Parson reported 13 traffic tickets were issued, 3 felony charges were filed, and 2 misdemeanor charges had been filed. On the recommendation of the Planning Commission, an ordinance was approved to rezone property owned by
Lynn Calhoun from R-1 Residential to C-2 Commercial. An ordinance was approved to amend the city ordinance pertaining to licensing of dogs, leash laws and dangerous breed dog laws. A motion was also approved to reappoint Ray McVay to the Planning Committee for another 5 year term. Ronald Eans requested the city pay a portion of the water bill at the county fairground arena area.. A motion was approved to pay up to $250. Harvey Joe Sanner addressed the council concerning the housing shortage in town. He said that with new jobs coming to town the situation will get even worse. He suggested the council members look into ideas that might solve the problem. Afterwards. Mayor Garth called the meeting into executive situation to discuss personnel. The meeting was called back to order with no action taken.
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