75¢
HHS sophomores hold annual auction. (See page 6.)
Volume 121 Number 10 - USPS 225-680
Community Calendar of Events Tuesday March 8 Quorum Court Meeting Annex Building 6:00 p.m. Wednesday March 9 Carlisle Baseball Tournament Hornets vs Bisons 4:30 p.m.
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Triple homicide in Hazen Hazen was the scene of a triple homicide that occurred on Friday, March 4, 2022, when Carlisle resident Michael Munnerlyn, 50, shot and killed his wife, Mirranda Munnerlyn, 46, of Carlisle, and her parents, Amanda Turner, 62, and James Turner, 64, both of Hazen. The shooting occurred outside of the Turner home, which is located at 604 Highway 63 North. According to the Arkansas State Police, Munnerlyn has been taken into custody and charged with murder. Hazen police officers were dispatched to the
residence at 9:39 PM. While responding to the call, officers were alerted to a suspect reported to be traveling in a pick-up truck along U.S. Highway 63. Local officers spotted the vehicle and arrested Michael Munnerlyn. The Hazen Police Department requested that the Arkansas State Police lead the criminal investigation. Overnight, special agents of the state police Criminal Investigation Division continued to collect evidence from the crime scene and interview individuals familiar with the family and cir-
The James and Amanda Turner home was the site of the triple homicide that occurred last Friday in Hazen. cumstances leading up to the shooting. The bodies of the three victims were examined at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to
confirm the manner and cause of death. A criminal case file prepared by the state police will be turned over to the Prairie County prosecut-
ing attorney. (Information concerning the tragedy is posted on the the Arkansas State Police website: dps.arkansas.gov.)
Hazen says goodby to a part of history
Thursday March 10 Public meeting on shortening the school week Hazen Gym 6:00 p.m. DeValls Bluff City Council Meeting City Hall 6:00 p.m. Friday March 11 Hazen Methodist Men’s Shrimp supper Drive through 4:30p.m.7:00p.m. Sunday March 13 Daylight Savings Time Begins Monday March 14 Biscoe EHC Meeting First Baptist Church 10:00 a.m. 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.
The Grand Prairie said goodbye to a famous (or to some infamous) local landmark on Monday, February 28, when the Hazen Fire Department razed the old 11-70 Club building that was an icon of early rock and roll during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The club was located on Highway 70 at the turnoff to Stuttgart on Highway 11 (now Highway 63), the main highway between
Memphis and Little Rock. Memphis bands often stopped off to play there and make some extra money. Some of the performers that played at The 11-70 Club, according to our readers, were Merlin B and the Stingers from De Witt, Sonny Burgess and the Pacers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Medusa, and Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks (that later changed their name to The Band.)
DA School District re-hires principals By Lisa Mills At the February 28th Des Arc school board meeting, High School Principal Michael Strothers and Elementary Principal Cheryl Holland were rehired for the 2022-2023 school year. The board accepted the resignations of bus driver Kathy Hart and Junior High cheer coach Alarie Needham. Superintendent Sherrell reported that there are zero covid cases and quarantines and the current total enrollment is 601. He stated that the final plans have been submitted for the Home-Ec building restoration and that everything has been submitted for the grant to build safe rooms. Sherrell also told the board that he had spoken to the owners of the Ferrell Gas property and was told that they were asking a purchase price of $70,000 or best offer. The owners would lease
the property for $580/month, which was negotiable depending on how much of the property was wanted for lease. The board decided to temporarily lease one building for storage until renovations are completed on the HomeEc building. A motion was approved to purchase 40 new senior high football uniforms at a cost of $15,285. The board also approved the School Board Rezoning Resolution. A motion was approved to accept changes to the cheerleading policy. Attending the meeting were Superintendent Dr. Marc Sherrell, High School Principal Michael Strother, Elementary Principal Cheryl Holland, District Treasurer Natasha Richards and board members Stewart Morton, Billy Hinson, Jordan Smith, Johnny Reidhar, Charlie Brown, Sylvester Holloway and Drew Widener.
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Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, March 9, 2022
State of the City Of Carlisle 2022 report Rose Marie Byrd Hogue Rose Marie Hogue (née Byrd) passed in the presence of loving family on Thursday, Fe b r u a r y 24, 2022, at the age of 96 after a short stay at a hospice in Little Rock, Arkansas. She had been a resident of Bryant, Arkansas for the last 22 years. She was born on July 4, 1925, in Lake Village, Arkansas, greeted by fireworks and celebrations as all mothers should. Her father, C.C. Byrd, was a conductor for Missouri Pacific and a St. Louis Cardinals fan, and her mother, Adele (née Erwin) was a schoolteacher and voracious reader. She had a much-loved younger sister, Clarice, a longtime teacher in Longview, TX, who preceded her in death. The Byrd family eventually settled in McGehee, Arkansas, where she graduated in 1943, sharing Valedictorian honors. She then attended Henderson State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1947. In the meantime, she had met Farris A. Hogue, Jr., also a student at McGehee High School. Like many young men, he left school early and joined the US Navy in World War 2, serving in the Pacific Theater. They were married in McGehee on January 13, 1949. While on the GI Bill, he attended several schools, including Arkansas A&M College
Arkansas Press Association Member 2020
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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 $20.00/year In Arkansas $25.00/year Out of State $30.00/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 Photographer Ruth Corley
where Rose Marie was one of his teachers for a semester. They eventually moved to Dallas, TX, where Rose Marie worked for a short time with the American Cancer Society there. Their first son, Farris Albert Hogue, III, known in his childhood as Bert, was born in 1952, and a second son, David Michael Hogue, was born after they had moved to Houston in 1959. They had both taken jobs at Humble Oil and Refining Company there, where she was an executive secretary. Farris moved everyone to Hazen, Arkansas in January 1960 when offered a position by Farm Bureau as the new Agency Manager for Prairie County. Rose Marie took a new job as the commercial teacher (typing and business studies) at Hazen High School shortly after they arrived. She eventually left her position in 1966 when their last son, Paul Byrd Hogue, was born, although she continued substituting at the school for several years. They had joined the Hazen United Methodist Church not long after moving to Hazen and were members in good standing until moving to Bryant in 2000. In the meantime, Farris III had married Jelyn Carpenter in 1975, and they have one daughter, April Scott, now of Humnoke. Michael married Pam Wood in 1982. After a long life and a loving marriage, Farris Jr. passed in 2018, just months shy of their 70th anniversary. She is survived by all three sons and their spouses, a loving sisterin-law Yvonne Hodnett, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one greatgreat grandchild. Also surviving her are many nieces and nephews and their families in Texas, Arkansas, and several other states, as well as many friends. Visitation was held on Tuesday, March 1, 11:00 a.m. at Dial & Dudley Funeral Home, with graveside services in the Hazen Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.
Kriste Rae Knight Kriste Rae Knight, resident of Hazen, Arkansas departed this life on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from her residence at the age of 53. She was born in Marianna, Arkansas on August 16, 1968 and was the daughter of Max and Faye Dell Nicholson Knight. Kriste attended and graduated from McCrory High School, the Class of 1986. She was a member of the
Whitehall Methodist Church and was a Postal Clerk for over 15 years. She had a passion for shopping. Her family said she was an outstanding cook and loved being outdoors tending to her flower garden and growing tomatoes. Kriste is preceded in death by her father, Max Knight, and one sister, Diana Knight. She is survived by her mother, Faye Dell Knight of Little Rock; one daughter, Anna Huckaba of Mountain Home; two brothers, Mark Knight of Hilleman, Keith Knight of Hunter; two sisters, Marcia Armstrong of Little Rock, Beth Robertson and husband, Larry of White Hall; her life partner for more than 30 years, David Walker of the home and one step-son, Austin Walker of Hazen. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2nd at Oddfellows Cemetery south of McCrory. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to Whitehall Methodist Church c/o Cheryl Sims P.O. Box 551 McCrory, Arkansas 72101. Arrangements by Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home of McCrory.
Darrell Sutton Darrell Sutton, 68, passed away Sunday, February 20, 2022. He was born September 15, 1953 in Des Arc, AR to Jimmie and M o d e a n Sutton. He was disabled since an accident in 1982. But he did not live handicapped. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and motorcycles. Darrell was known as a generous and kind person. He was a 1972 graduate of Des Arc High School where he was a tuba player for the Eagle Marching Band. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2
brothers Bennie Sutton, Sammy Sutton, 5 sisters Elsie Crymes, Dora Snider, Darline Lumpkin, Ruth Sutton, Gail Shelby. He is survived by 4 brothers Elmo Sutton, David Sutton, Frank Sutton, Bruce Sutton and 2 sisters Judy Barnett, Larinda Childers all of Des Arc. Also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Services were held in Des Arc, Saturday, February 26, 2022 at the Pentecostal Church of God. Visitation was at 1 pm with funeral service at 2 pm. Burial will was in Lakeside Cemetery. Brother Bobby Griffin officiating. Pallbearers are Vincent Barnett, Zach Barnett, Andy Childers, Justin Evans, Jason Sutton, Bill Duerson. Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service.
Slovak Lutheran Cemetery Donations Donations made to the Slovak Lutheran Cemetery were: In memory of Paul Marek: Jeanie Shimek Angie Simpson Mr. & Mrs. Martin Marek Mr. & Mrs. Conley Taylor Reta Chlapecka In memory of Steve Chlapecka, Jr.: Janie Starr Johnny Larkan Mail donations to: P.O. Box 224, Hazen, AR 72064.
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By Carlisle Mayor Ray Glover The State of our City in 2022 could be thought of as a work in progress. We have had some good things happen in our city and some not so good things happen. On a positive note, we hired three new police officers. John Hunt, Roddy McCaskill and Luka Lenderman joined our force this past year. We welcome them to the family. We are very proud of our police department under the leadership of Eric Frank. Eric is the best! Our water, sewer and street departments continue to be reliable. The city has recently received a letter stating that we have been given a $300,000 grant to repave some streets. Trash pickup is getting better and ambulance service is ok. The fire department does a good job. They work hard to achieve training goals. The fire department has recently purchased a generator and turnouts, which will make their job safer and more efficient. The Carlisle Municipal Airport continues to grow with over 50 airplanes on the ground. They finished building a new hangar in which the mechanic can work on planes. The airport has recently been awarded a one hundred per cent federal grant in the amount of $806,000 to repave the east/west runway. Larry Pasley and the airport commission work diligently to improve every aspect of the airport.
The Senior Citizens have resumed meeting and eating at the Senior Citizens Center. The city has recently purchased a new ice maker and garbage disposal for the building. Judy Smith is the new director of the Center. We have a new restaurant in town, Bob and Clo’s Grill. Crow Builders sold the lumber yard to Curtis Gray and it will now be known as Bison Builders. Curtis also bought Riddle’s Modern Cleaners and has opened a taxidermy at the location. The Parks Department is a bright spot in our city. We have very good participation in our programs. Ronnie will keep upgrading our parks with LED lighting and hopes to increase parking at Rockefeller Park. Greg Renner continues to work hard with beautification of our parks and downtown area. On the not so good side, the virus is still with us and on top of that we had some fraudulent activity going on with one of our employees. The only thing we can do is to work through it and go forward. As they say, one bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch. The City of Carlisle has a very good group of workers that work hard and do the right thing. Trudy Drye is back to work as the City Treasurer and is working hard to get our books straightened out and back in order. We are determined that 2022 will be a more positive and productive year.
HAZEN METHODIST MEN’S ANNUAL
SHRIMP SUPPER FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 HAZEN FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 4:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. - DRIVE THROUGH ONLY -
CAJUN BOILED SHRIMP DINNER $20.00 CHICKEN STRIP DINNER $10.OO TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE METHODIST MEN. TICKETS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DRIVE-THRU, BUT IT IS HELPFUL IF TICKETS ARE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE.
FOR INFORMATION CALL
870-830-2404
Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Carlisle High School FFA participates in competition
The Carlisle FFA attended the Cleburne County Classic recently. The placings are as follows: Agronomy - 2nd place, Gage Parker 5th place individual; Horse13th place, Belle White 13th place individual; Milk Products - 10th overall, Nina Catherine Brown high point individual; Wildlife - 24th place, Bradley Bokker high point individual. (Lisa Mills photo.)
Baseball/Softball seasons underway in Hazen Baseball and softball season is going strong in Hazen despite all of the recent rain and ice. These pictures, provided by Wendy Perry, were taken at the Hornets vs. Bauxite and the Lady Hornets vs. Magnet Cove games last week.
NOTICE Woodmen Life donates ten flags to City of Carlisle
In the pictures left to right are Hubert Speck, Vernon Mitchell, Mayor Ray Glover, Mary Foster, Diane Beedle, and Barbara Phillips. WoodmenLife, formerly Woodmen of the World, donated ten flags to the City of Carlisle. Attached is a picture of
the group in attendance as well as the letter that Ray presented to them, thanking them for their donation.
School Choice Announcement for County Schools The following Public School Districts in Prairie County and Lonoke County (Des Arc, Hazen and Carlisle) would like to inform parents that public school choice is available to your children in accordance with applicable Arkansas law and the rules and regulations approved by the Arkansas State Board of Education. Applicants must submit school choice applications to the non-resident district and the student’s resident district’s superintendent’s office. The application must be delivered or postmarked no later than May 1 of the calendar year in which the student seeks to begin the fall semester at the non-resident district. For questions regarding school choice, please contact the superintendent’s office at the school of your choice.
On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, the Prairie County Election Commission will meet at 12:00 noon in the Des Arc Courthouse to hold a drawing for the candidates whose names will appear on the May 24, 2022, Preferential Primary and Non-Partisan Ballots. Candidates or their representatives are welcome to attend this meeting.
Prairie County Election Commission Chairman Rita Dobson 501-516-7264 Harvey Joe Sanner 501-516-7000 Stan Ferguson 501-516-6156
Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Cookies for sale... Girl Scout Troop 6565 from Ulm were set up in Hazen City Park on Saturday, March 5, to sell their large selection of delicious Girl Scout cookies to passersby. Scouts who participated in the sale were Elaina Scherm, Blakelynn Webb, Whitley Webb, Halleigh Doepel, and Adalynn Crappel. The troop leaders are Maribeth Floyd and Anna Scherm.
HHS band members in Cabot contest
The Hazen Bands participated in Region IV Solo & Ensemble Contest at Cabot Junior High South on March 3rd. Each student prepared and performed a solo in front of a judge who gave them a rating of 1-4. 1=Superior
2=Excellent 4=Fair
3=Good
Pictured are: Top Row L-R Lonnie Grable Cheyenne Yarbrough 1, Natalie Graham Brittany McLernon Sakura Onozaki -
2, 2, 1, 1,
Destiny Martin Rayna Hester -1
-
1,
Bottom Row L-R Shelby Smith - 1, Allisyn Threlkeld - 1, Shyla Smith - 1, Alyssa Tiner - 1, Ryan Martin 1
Legal Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PRAIRIE COUNTY, ARKANSAS PROBATE DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID LYNN DUCH, deceased Case No. 59SPR-20-5
NOTICE Last known address of Decedent: 1009 E. Washington Street Hazen, Arkansas Date of Death: January 7, 2020 An instrument dated January 21, 2016 was admitted to probate on February 9, 2022 in the Circuit Court of Prairie County, Arkansas, Probate Division, as the Last Will and Testament of the abovenamed Decedent, and the undersigned has been appointed personal representative thereunder. A contest of the probate of the Will can be affected only by filing a petition within the time provided by law. All persons having claims against the estate must exhibit them, duly verified, to the undersigned within six (6) months from the date of the first publication of this Notice or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit in the estate. Claims for injury or death caused by the negligence of the Decedent shall also be filed within six (6) months from the date of the first publication of the Notice, or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit in such estate. This Notice first published the 9th day of March, 2022.
Jeri Ruth Duch Personal Representative 1009 E. Washington Street Hazen, Arkansas 72064 Adrienne M. Griffis
Dover Dixon Horne PLLC Attorneys for the Estate 425 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 3700 Little Rock, AR 72201
-PUBLIC MEETINGInformation about a possible four-day school week at the Hazen School District beginning with the 2022-23 school year will be presented at a Community Meeting for stakeholders of the Hazen School District on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in the high school gym from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Public Notice Biscoe Waterworks is a public water system subject to regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Those regulations require the notification of customers whenever a violation occurs. That is the basis for this notice. The violation occurred when the water system failed to retain a qualified, licensed operator for the period of December 2021. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets national standards for drinking water and has established a requirement that certain public water systems must be operated by a qualified operator. The Arkansas Department of Health defines a qualified operator as a person holding an appropriate valid Water Operator’s License based on the type of water system and population served. The system will remain in violation until the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Arkansas Department of Health’s Water Operator Licensing is met. Failure to meet this requirement does not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe or that alternate sources of water should be used. The water system currently has employees that will test for the required Water Treatment License in March 2022. Should you have any questions concerning this notice, contact the Biscoe Water Department at 870-998-2226 or the Engineering Section of the Department of Health at 501-661-2623.
The elementary quiz bowl team competed in a regional tournament on Feb. 11th at The Wilbur Mills Coop in Beebe. They won 4th place. Pictured are: (first row) Xachary George, Jacob Swink, Olivia Edge, Cache Skarda; and (back row) Makaela Guenther, Jaxon Craig, Reece Cash, Abigail Owens, and their sponsor, Pam Chandler.
Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, March 9, 2022
INVITATION TO BID Des Arc Housing Authority is accepting sealed bids for Yard Maintenance until noon, March 18, 2022. Specifications are on file at Des Arc Housing Authority Office, 505 S 2nd St., Des Arc AR 72040. Bids will be opened at 5:00 PM, March 18, 2022. The Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
SERVICES Bowman Plumbing Serving the Entire Grand Prairie Adam Bowman, MP 6142 Repair - Remodel New Construction Dependable Service Free Estimates Family Owned and Operated Call: (870) 256-5230
Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical Keith Knupp 501.516.8285
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Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, March 9, 2022
HHS Sophomore auction is big success The Hazen High School 10th grade auction was a great success, according to those who attended the event on Thursday, March 3, in the Hazen Community Center. It is estimated that the class raised approximately $17,000 that evening by selling barbeque dinners, raffle tickets, and holding both a silent and live auction. Cody Snider served as the emcee and the auctioneer for the evening. Employees of Farmers and Merchants Bank, Sandy Felty, Andrea Rounsavall, Cathay Jones, Lisa King, Carla Nichols, and Miranda Guenther kept track of the auction winners and their bids. Class sponsors Ashton Gray,
Lauren King, Heath Prine, and Dylan Cass were in charge of the sophomores, who served the food, functioned as waiters and waitresses, and displayed the live auction items. Matt Perry, Stanley and Becky Young, Nina Holloway, Craigs Barbeque, Josh and Ashley Seelt, Cari Swink, PFG Gas Station, Dollar General, Nicholas and Ashton Gray, Kirk and Lauren King, Ryan and Susan Booth, and the members of the Class of 2024 provided food, drinks, paper goods, and other donation for the auction. The Grumpy Rabbit in Lonoke and Greenwalt Transportation provided gift cards for the raffles.