75¢
EAST presentation at DA Schools meeting. (See p. 6.)
Volume 120 Number 9 - USPS 225-680
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Community Calendar of Events Sunday Cars in line waiting for vaccinations at Medsker’s in Carlisle... Vaccinations of the Moderna vaccine continue at Medsker’s Pharmacy. More than 600 people have received their innoculations since March 7 January. The number of people and the day on which the shots are given depends upon the number and date of delivery of the vacSand Hill cine. It can be as few as 10 people a day or as many as 100. First and second shots are the same but are given 24 to 28 days apart. (Debbye Harrison photo.) Cemetery Meeting 2:00 Hazen Council discusses p.m. Several items results of recent cold weather The Hazen City street repair and the Dolly Parton on agenda Council met on repaving, but that grant Imagination Library. Mask required. Thursday, February 25, was not approved. The The group provides Tuesday March 9 Quorum Court meeting 6:00 p.m. Des Arc Courthouse Annex Thursday March 11 DeValls Bluff City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. City Hall Friday March 12 Hazen Methodist Men’s Shrimp Supper Drive through only 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Hazen Methodist Church Sunday March 14 Daylight Savings Time Begins 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.
at the Hazen Community Center to amend the 2020 budget and to pass a resolution to apply for an Arkansas Rural Community Grant (ARC) to benefit the Hazen baseball park, as well as discuss the recent damage left in the wake of the recent snow. Council Members Rick Wiggins, Tim Juola, and Barbara Rogers were present, along with Mayor David H a r d k e , Recorder/Treasurer David Hoover, and Mayoral Assistant, Tracie Vail. Assistant Utilities Manager Chad Swaim told the council that two main water lines had broken during the week of snow, but the repairs were done quickly. He said that the water plant is losing water because there are still some minor leaks. The city is having difficulty finding the leaks due to the present wetness of the ground. Swaim’s department had spent a great deal of time clearing away snow from the streets and businesses during the past week. “We did what we could with what we had,” he said. Vail reported that Aristotle is getting ready to start hooking up the internet to homes in the city within the next two weeks. She also said that she had applied for a grant for
request will stay on file until it is funded, according to Vail. Hardke took some time going over the amended 2020 city budget with the council, which was passed with the vote of the mayor, which was needed because a quorum was not present. He also asked the council to pass a resolution that would allow the city to apply for an ARC grant to create a batting facility next to the Hazen baseball park. The city would like to replace the metal on the sides of a building that the city recently acquired and then insulate and rewire it. The city wants to apply for a $30,000 grant, which would be a 50/50 split with the city. “The city will provide up to $20,500 toward the cost. So far, the city has only gotten one estimate for the work and will acquire others. In kind labor will count toward the city’s match. The city plans to pull down the granaries that are presently on the property. The city received a letter from Vicki Skarda requesting that the city continue to support the Margaret Fisher Literacy Challenge campaign, a non-profit agency which provides free books to pre-school children of the county every month until their 5th birthday. The organization partners with
books to 120 children in the Hazen area, a number that has nearly doubled in recent years. The council unanimously agreed to donate $1000 per year for the next five years. At the end of the meeting, Hardke told the council members that the cost of the natural gas that the city uses to provide to residents will be “significantly more” this month. Hazen is one of a few cities in Arkansas that runs its own gas company. The city will get an estimate on the exact amount the city will owe the first week of March. At that time, the mayor will probably call a special meeting to determine what to do about the increased cost. “We don’t make money on gas,” Hardke said. “We put an adder on to cover running the gas company.” The city purchases gas from Symmetry Energy Solutions, LLC. They pass on their increased cost to the city. Due to the recent cold weather, some of the gas wells froze and the distribution was not there, so Symmetry had to purchase gas on the open market to cover customer needs. The city plans to offer payment plans with no penalties to its customers, who will receive letters from the city explaining the short-term increase.
Alta Snider, aged 99, has been the oldest to receive the vaccine so far. Pictured with Mrs. Snider is Pharmacist Connie Medsker. (Debbye Harrison photo.)
DVB City Council makes decision to condemn Carrell building on Main By Lisa Mills The DeValls Bluff City Council met briefly on February 23rd after being delayed due to weather. A motion was approved to resume the condemnation process of the Howard Carrell building on Main Street. Attending the meeting were Mayor Brooks C a s t l e b e r r y , Treasurer/Recorder
Darlene Connor and council members Marie Flanagan, Carol Griffin, Richard Henry and Raymond Watson. The council entered an executive session to discuss personnel issues. After a 20 minute session, it was reported that the issues had been handled. No reports were given and no other business was discussed.
Des Arc City Council purchases emergency generator By Lisa Mills At the February 16th Des Arc City Council meeting, an ordinance was approved to waive the bidding process to purchase an emergency generator for the ambulance bay. During electric outages, the generator will supply power for heat, lights, operating the bay doors and keep the ambulance plugged in so it will always start during cold weather. A Honeywell 16 Auto Standby Generator and installation will be purchased from Knupp Service Company for $6,648.90. Funds will be deducted from the Ambulance fund. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Garth, Treasurer/Recorder Chrisanna Knupp and council members Ray McVay, Gary Burnett, Jodie Mayher, Nicole
Fisher, Gail King and Anna Beth Fisher. Mayor Garth reported that Court Clerk Melinda Richards has accepted the position of Office Utility clerk to replace Carolyn DeGunion. This will leave Richards position of Court Clerk open. Garth said that there are many applicants and someone should be hired by next week. Mayor Garth stated that Assistant Police Chief Dennis Mayher has been appointed as active Police Chief effective March 1st when Chief Rick Parson will retire. A recommendation for a permanent Chief will be discussed at the March council meeting. The position will be filled from within the department which will leave a vacancy for a patrolman. A Resolution was
approved to authorize Mayor Garth to submit an application to the State of Arkansas for grant funds under the
C o m m u n i t y Development provisions of the Arkansas Community and Economic Development
Program. If the grant is approved, funds will be used for various community development activities.
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