April 12, 2023 edition

Hazen Senior Center opens daily from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. All Seniors are welcome. Tuesday April 11

Friday April 14 Hazen High School Prom

Monday April 17 Hazen School Board meeting 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday April 18 Hazen Big Trash Pickup Day Carlisle City Council meeting 6:00 p.m. Des Arc City Council meeting 6:00 p.m.

Thursday April 20 Hazen City Council meeting 6:00 p.m. Community events are brought to you by the Hazen Chamber of Commerce and the

Michelle Larson joins Women’s Clinic

STUTTGART, Ark. –Baptist Health Women’s Clinic-Stuttgart recently welcomed OB-GYN Michelle Larson, MD.

“I feel it is such a privilege to be a part of the care of women and their families during this important time in their lives,” said Dr. Larson. Dr. Larson, who has 14 years of experience in medicine, received her medical education from the Washington University School of Medicine. She completed residency training at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Additionally, Dr. Larson is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology. A native of Fargo, North Dakota, Dr. Larson enjoys traveling, hiking, reading a good book and spending time with her husband and three children.

Baptist Health Women’s ClinicStuttgart, at 1703 North Buerkle St., is conveniently located in the Outpatient Department

H a z en Cham b er d isc u sses ser v ice , futu re ac t i v i t ies , mee t in g chan g es

By Patti Rye

The Hazen Chamber of Commerce met for their regular monthly meeting April 2 at the Cadence Bank Community Room. The group discussed this year’s Memorial Day event that will be held on Monday, May 29 at the city gazebo. The Chamber will distribute bottled water and flags for attendees. The speaker will be announced at a later date.

Any businesses that are members of the

Hazen Chamber may post their ads on the Chamber’s Facebook page via Megan Anderson. Any events hosted by the Chamber will be posted and promoted to area Facebook subscribers.

Keep Arkansas Beautiful will be on the Chamber’s list of things to do this year. A citywide day of clean-up will be announced.

A few other things will be added this year for the Chamber to accomplish. They are: Ribbon cutting ceremonies for

new businesses, Business of the Year awards, window stickers for Chamber businesses, and a baby changing station for Hazen’s Community Center. The group decided to change their monthly meetings to 12:00 noon on the first Monday of each month at the Cadence Bank Community Room in hopes to include more membership. Members may bring a sack lunch to eat during the meeting. Annual dues are $100 for each business.

New Hazen School Board member...

inside Baptist Health Medical CenterStuttgart. Baptist Health supports women through every chapter of life. Whether someone is growing their family, battling breast cancer, caring for aging parents, or simply wanting to invest in their wellness, the healing ministry is uniquely equipped to connect women with the trusted care they need most.

For more information about the services that Dr. Larson provides, visit Baptist-Health.com or call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888BAPTIST.

Dave Hare was sworn in as the new Zone 2 Hazen School Board member by Prairie County Clerk Gaylon Hale at a recent special meeting. Hare replaces Vicki Skarda who resigned from the board at the regular March school board meeting.

The Carlisle Civic Center was the scene of “Party with the Easter Bunny” last Saturday, April 8, during the lunchtime hours. The attendees enjoyed games, cookie decorating, story time, crafts, and got a picture with the Easter Bunny. The event was a fundraiser for downtown Carlisle Christmas decorations.

Hannah Michelle Rayburn Haney

Hannah Michelle (Rayburn) Haney of Ulm passed away on Saturday April 1, 2023. She was born on October 23, 2003, in Stuttgart Arkansas, as the youngest child of Tonya Ingle and Rodney Rayburn. Hannah enjoyed spending time with her friends riding around town, listening to music and eating at restaurants. She worked as a cashier, at Walmart and is a member of the Aberdeen Baptist Church. Hannah graduated from Stuttgart High School with the Class of 2022. On January 23, 2023 she married Austin Haney in DeWitt, Arkansas and made their home in Ulm, Arkansas. She is preceded in death by her great grandparents Eddie and Shirley Hughes, grandfather Phillip Rayburn, mother Tonya Ingle Rayburn, great uncle Otis Hughes, and uncle Greg Rayburn. Hannah is survived by her husband, Austin Haney, grandparents, Robert and Carline Ingle, grandmother, Mary Rayburn, father, Rodney Rayburn, brothers, Gavin and Brayden Rayburn, aunt, Cynthia Mack and a special cousin, Elvis Rayburn and his wife Jessica. Hannah's services were held on Wednesday April 5, 2023, in Des

Arkansas Press Association

Arc at Garth Funeral Home with visitation starting at 10:00 AM and the service starting at 11:00 AM. She will be buried at McBee Cemetery in Des Arc.

Brandon Paul Lumpkin

Brandon Paul Lumpkin was born to Graydon Paul and Icy (Cantrell) Lumpkin at Searcy, Arkansas on October 14, 1987.

Brandon attended Cabot and Des Arc High Schools graduating in 2006. After graduation he was employed by his Papa Dale at Loco Construction. July 13th, 2022, Brandon married his soul mate, Tabitha (Deherrera) Lumpkin. They made their home in Searcy, Arkansas. On March 31, 2023, Brandon was involved in an automobile accident in Texas. He passed from his earthly home on the route to the hospital. He leaves behind his wife, Tabitha, two daughters: Sophie Kate Ann and Kaysyn Blair Lumpkin of Kansas, parents: Icy and Donnie Paul Lumpkin and grandparents: Judy and Dale Chism, brothers: Adam (Taylor) Holt of New Mexico and Bart Gales of Des Arc, sisters: Chasity (Michael) Watkins of Sherwood and Leah (Gary) Raper of Hazen.

Arnold Walter Bullock

given the opportunity he also loved a good competitive game of shooting pool.

He currently made his home in Des Arc and was well known in the community as the owner of a successful scrap business. He was blessed in many ways throughout his life, but found his greatest joy in becoming a father and grandfather. As a man of faith

Arnold knew the importance of a relationship with his Saviour Jesus Christ. He currently attended times of fellowship at the Family Worship Center in Des Arc. On March 20, 2023, at the Unity Medical Center in Searcy, Arnolds earthly journey ended at the age of 63. He was preceded in death by his parents, Windle C.J. Bullock Sr. and JoAnn Canard Bullock, and his sister, Julia Bullock.

He is survived by son; Arnold Bullock Jr. of Hickory Plains AR, Grandchildren; Emily Faith & Skylar Paul Bullock, brothers; CJ Bullock Jr. and wife Glenda, Richard Bullock and wife Penney all of Searcy. Services are Saturday March 25, 2023 at the Family Worship Center in Des Arc, with visitation starting at 1:00PM till 2:00PM with services following at 2:00PM. Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery.

Matthew Tyler Akee

P C Maste r G a rd ene r s elect off ice r s

Rhonda Betzner was elected president of Prairie County Master Gardeners at the regular meeting held on Tuesday, April 4, at the Prairie County Fairgrounds. Other officers elected are Amanda Stark, Vice-President; Roxanne Bradow, secretary; Sue Clayton, treasurer; and Chris Weems, reporter. Bradow, the outgoing president, began the meeting. Fifteen members and one visitor, Andrew Sayger, the new Ag Agent in the County, were in attendance.

Sue Clayton gave the financial report. The Plant Sale will be held in both Des Arc and Hazen this year. The sale will begin at 9:00 am and end at noon on Saturday, May 6. In Des Arc the sale will be held at the Pre-K building, and Hazen's sale will be in City Park East across from the street from the Civic Center or in the Civic Center if it rains.

one who brings their canner that morning.

Brooke Weems, a Hazen School senior, and Jackson Kearby, a Des Arc School senior, were selected for the Master Gardener Scholarships this year.

Brooke is the daughter of Shane and Krista Weems, and Jason's parents are Michael and Amanda Kearby.

Amy Tallent received the Master Gardener Extension Agent of the Year Award, and the "Gardening on the Prairie" newsletter, produced by Amanda Stark, won the Master Gardener Newsletter of the Year Award.

at the DeValls Bluff Extension Office.

Tallent gave the program on "Rain Gardens." First you need to make sure the water can be held in an area and it doesn't have to be deep. Because of mosquitos you don't want the water to stand more than 48 hours. Spacing is of utmost importance in the Rain Garden. You want the plants to have a good root system, she said. "It's easy to over-crowd those tiny plants, she said. If the summer turns out to be hot and dry, you will need to water the area early in the morning.

pendent 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

Arnold Walter Bullock was born in Pawpaw Michigan on October 1, 1959. At the time of his birth, CJ and JoAnn Bullock made their home in Dowagiac, a small farming village located in Southern Michigan where Arnold shared in the memories of childhood along with three siblings. In time the family moved to Searcy, Arkansas, where Arnold attended Center Hill High School.

Like most young men growing up in the Southern Delta, Arnold enjoyed the sports of fishing and hunting. If

By Chris Weems

The GFWC Elsie McCain Club met at 1:00 pm April 6 at Nick's Bar-B-Q and Catfish in Carlisle.

Chris Weems presided with five members present.

The meeting began with current events.

Rosetta VanHouten gave the financial report.

Weems reminded members of the Operation Smile articles will need to be mailed about the end of April. She also said that the State Conference will be the first weekend in May and she'd like for any members who wish to go to come on and go with her. In the absence of the lesson leader, due to illness, members told

Matthew Tyler Akee, 29, passed away March 29, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by Papa, Carl Rogers and Nanny, Sue Rogers and his mother, Donna Kay (Rogers) Carter, of Hazen, Arkansas. He is survived by his father, Wesley Akee; sister, Sha O’Neal; brothers, Michael Tanner Akee, Gabriel Trenton Akee, and Maxwell Taylor Akee, and his son, Issac Akee.

Funeral services were held 2:00 P.M., Monday, April 10, 2023 at the Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Hazen by Wade Wolf. Interment was in the Hazen Cemetery.

something about their department or special committee.

Rita Farris, chairman of the Environment Department, told members that the bees will have a rough year this year because of the hot, dry summer we just had. "Remember to have some flowers, even if they are wild flowers, for the bees, and birds, and butterflies to feed on, she said. They were also told to keep up with donations made to organizations that can be counted for Advocates for Children.

Emilee Moody, Extension Home Economist will be testing pressure cooker gages at the Hazen plant sale. She will check canners for any-

Celebrating the "Heart of the River Valley" is the theme of the Master Gardeners’ State Conference to be held in Russellville, AR, on June 8-10. The events are planned, the speakers scheduled, and garden tours mapped out, and the Pope County MG Club, sponsors of the Conference that will meet at Russellville High School, are ready for the members from all of Arkansas to be a part of this year's meeting. For other information, call Amanda Stark

Asparagus is the vegetable of the month in the newsletter that Amanda Stark distributed. It is referred to as an interesting and unique plant. It has a mild taste and is very easy to prepare, according to the pamphlet and recipes are plentiful in cookbooks.

Sue Clayton brought the dessert for the meeting, and Gail Norman won the door prize. The topic for the next meeting will be green houses.

App licati o ns n ow bein g acce p te d for AR Centu ry F a r m Progr am

LITTLE ROCK

–

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2023 Arkansas Century Farm Program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. Online and printable applications are available at agriculture.arkansas .gov/arkansasdepartment-of-agricultureservices/arkansascentury-farm-program/. There is no cost to apply.

“Arkansas Century Farm families have persevered challenges for at least ten decades and have contributed greatly in making Arkansas agriculture the success story that it is today,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “As our state’s largest industry, agriculture has an economic impact of over $19 billion annually and provides one in seven jobs in the state.”

To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria: The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2023. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and

nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption.

The farm must be at least ten acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

Qualifying Arkansas farms will receive a personalized Arkansas Century Farm certificate and metal sign listing the farm name and year established. Arkansas is home to more than 42,000 farms, of which 96 percent are family owned and operated. Since the program began in 2012, 568 farms have been certified. Find lists of previously inducted Arkansas C entury Farm families at agriculture.arkansas.

gov/arkansas-department-of-agricultureservices/arkansascentury-farm-program/. Contact Beth Moore at 501-539-4027 or beth.moore@agriculture.arkansas.gov with questions. Applications must be received via email or postmarked on or before May 31, 2023, to be eligible for designation as a 2023 inductee.

Call 870-255-4538

Hello, gentle readers! I know I have been on an extended hiatus over the past few months, and I’m sure many of you haven’t noticed. But for the few of you who have, I would like to thank you for reading my extemporaneous musings and not sending too much hate mail along the way. Having said that, I plan on changing the focus of this column for the next few months to be more of a place for personal reflection and philosophical pondering. Those who have read me before are probably thinking, “What’s the change? You are always pompously philosophical.” Okay, you got me. The change comes in the personal realm. For the most part, I like to keep things on the peripheral when it comes to personal things. I allude to, but never directly state. Now, I’m hoping to get out of my at-arm’slength comfort zone and make some definitive statements about my life and the world through my “Blurred Vision.” My intent is not to offend, but I hope some of you will find it in your hearts to forgive me if I do from time to time. The cause of the change is simple. On March 23, 2023 I underwent a Bilateral (Double) Lung Transplant as a result of damage caused to my original lungs from Cystic Fibrosis – a genetic mutation that causes thickening of the mucus membranes in the lungs and other parts of the body. In short, I am no longer breathing with my factory default set of lungs. I am taking in and processing oxygen through the use of someone else’s original set. There are no words I have found to express the emotional gymnastics it takes to deal with accepting that reality. I am in the middle of writing a “Love” (there is no more poignant way to say it) letter to the family of the young man who donated the gift of breath to me. How do you thank people you don’t know who are grieving the loss of a son, brother, husband,

Hazen Elementary School

3rd Nine Weeks Honor Roll

father, etc. and know that you are now benefiting in a palpable way from that loss? How do you say thank you without that sentiment being drastically self serving. I have been in the middle of the letter for a couple of weeks now. I hope to find something approaching acceptable in the deep recesses of my brain soon. I might have to settle for adequate, but that will be as it will. I suppose. Not writing is not possible.

For those of you who didn’t know I was struggling so badly, I apologize. I am an immensely private person when it comes to my health, and it is against my nature to whine about things that could always be worse. However, the main reason my pseudo philosophy has not been gracing the pages of this fine publication is due to those health struggles. It's hard to come up with coherent thoughts when your brain is clouded by CO2.

For those of you who did know and have been sending up positive thoughts and prayers to the Big Guy, thank you for both! I have no doubt you have done no little part in helping with the speed of my recovery so far. I am indebted to you.

For those of you who did not know about my struggles or have just learned about them and are highly offended that the universe could let someone like me skate on while so many others who are more deserving have shuffled off, believe me, I get it. And I am not offended. As I said before, mental gymnastics.

Trying to stay with positive vibes; however, I would like to focus on the support I have gotten over the past few weeks. It has been overwhelming to be honest. I have been inundated with blessings and gifts and acts of kindness of which I am completely undeserving. It has been amazing and humbling and intimidating (but more on that later).

In a way it is fitting that this past week was Holy Week in the JudeoChristian calendar. It was the most holy week of the year, and I got to

experience it from the view of a pseudo Lazarus. To be fair, I was never dead. My heart never stopped. My brain never quit its electrical pulsating. And yet, going into the surgery, both were a real possibility, even though the surgeons assured me they were slight at worst. Now here I sit, on the back side of Easter, bruised and battered, but walking, talking, and breathing again. How crazy is that? My world had been slowly condensing over the past five years to the point that all I could do without the help of canistered oxygen was sit in a chair and tie knots in paracord. Now, hopefully, my world will slowly expand again as I gain strength day by day.

Is it a coincidence that these two events came along in such quick succession? Common sense would say, “Yes, moron. You would’ve taken a new set of lungs had they been offered up during Lent or during the Druid celebration of the Winter Solstice.” And, to be sure gentle readers, that statement is true. However, I cannot shake this feeling in the back of my head that my call coincided with the Celebration, Persecution, Betrayal, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of the Son of God with eerie accuracy and greater intent. Could it be the good Lord is not done with this brash, boisterous, and obnoxious correspondent yet? Could it be that the Great “I Am” wanted to hammer the point of my rebreath home by offering it just shy of the week of remembrance of the sacrifice of His only Son for the salvation of the world? Am I the type who is just hard-headed enough to need such a profound smack to the noggin as a reminder that even I am worthy of grace and forgiveness? Don’t answer that. It seems a bit too spot on. So, be prepared for my re-emergence over the next few months to be a little more direct and raw to the touch. I have been quite literally stripped bare, and am in need of some personal revelation. I hope you will join me for the ride. Maybe my journey can shed some light on yours here and there. Thanks again to all of you who have wished me well and kept my healing in your thoughts. I am honored and humbled by your compassion and empathy.

Below are the names of the students at Hazen Elementary School who have earned a place on the 3rd Nine Weeks Honor Roll.

2nd Grade: Makai Allen, Leila Bokker, Garlyn Cortez, David Duval, Wes King, Benson Leach, Ja'Marlin Penn, Addison Perry, Trapper

Prislovsky, Chase Skinner, Dawson Smith, Noble Travis

3rd Grade: Liam Bowman, Ella Carroll, Kristofer Chidister, Adrienne Douglas, Christopher Essex, Wyatt Flatness, Noah Hare, Harmoni Humbert, Dalton Marks, Kaleb Moore, Aaryn Owens, London Raper*, Asher Rogers,

Archer Skarda*, Scarlett Snider, Jaleah

Sullivan*, Kagan Swift, Cameron Taylor*,

Jordan Tripp, Abbygail

Vick

4th Grade: Beckett

Adams, Storm Antilley, Madox Beatty, Mason

Beatty, Kinlee Boothe, Dierks Calvert*, Layne

Cooper, Jaicee Dolphin, Olivia Edge*, Bentley

Hodges, Vince King, Lily Lisko, Cooper

McElroy*, Jayli Penn, Lane Petty, Bella Raper*, Cameron Seely*, Eden Sims*, Cache Skarda*, Piper

Smith, Jaycee Thomas*

5th Grade: Heaven

Brooks-Neal, Harper

Cook, Braydon Davies, Jacob Geisler*, Payton

Glover*, Twylla

Harsson*, Hailey

Hedrick, Pierce Henderson*, Luna Horton*, Gabriella

Jenkins, Austin Kee, JaCoby King, Addy Leach, Trace Martin, Wyatt McMullen*,

Abigail Owens*, Lillian Sayger*, Jacob Swink*,

Makenzie Taylor*,

Keaton Weems, Lydia

Zeferjohn

6th Grade: Gavin

Boland, Olivia Bumpus*, Trevor Bush, Addie Carroll*, Mathew Essex*, Xachary George*, Calle Gray, Dalton Jones*, Kayleigh Linder*, Peyton Lisko, Nevaeh Metcalf*, Braxton Mills, Kaiden

Mills-Dixon, Elan Moore, Ja'Braylen Penn, Kami Perry*, Landon Spradlin, Levi Turner.* *Denotes all A's

Hazen High School 3rd Nine Weeks Honor Roll students

The following students made the 3rd Nine Weeks Honor Roll at HHS.

7th Grade

Kiera Anderson, Payten Bacon, Zoey Barnhill*, Reece Cash, Jaxon Craig, Makaela Guenther*, Weston Hare*, Chloe Hinshaw, Avion Maxwell-Mertens, Rileigh McIntosh, McKenzi Owens*, Taylor Reynolds, Bella Roberts, Paycen Seely, Kenedy Self, John Simmons, Justis Smith, Tesla Van Houten

8th Grade

Makynlee Anderson, Michael Bowman*, Sidney Bragg, Cayden Calvert, Ryleigh Cook*, Alyssa Douglass-Dodge*, Isabelle Gray*, Stormy Harwood, Rayna Hester, Hannah Linder, Destiny Martin*, Kylee McElroy, Kiersten Shatzer, Jase

Simmons, Bailey Sims*, Luke Snider,Jalynn

Thomas*, Kadence Weems* 9th Grade

Sisemore*, Brance Williams*

11th Grade

When the House reconvenes on Monday, members will likely be entering the last week of the 2023 Regular Session.

Currently, the General Assembly is expected to adjourn on April 7. Before members adjourn, they will be addressing education funding, tax cuts, and amending the Revenue Stabilization Act which prioritizes spending for the next fiscal year.

On Thursday, the House Education Committee advanced HB1688. This bill amends public school funding. It increases per-pupil funding from the current amount of $7,413 to $7,618 for the 2023-2024 school year.

The bill would increase the amount to $7,771 for the 2024-2025 school year. This bill will now go to the full House for a vote.

Also on Thursday, several legislators and the Governor announced the introduction of a proposed tax cut. SB549 would reduce the state’s top income tax rate from 4.9% to 4.7%. It would

Peyton

Anderson, Alantis Blancett*, Chase

Heinmiller*, Peyton

Kocourek, Ethan Lisko, Allyson Mooney, Maddox

Prine*, Sophie Raper*,

Maci Sickel*, Dylan

Skarda*, Paris Smith 10th Grade

Mattison Alberson, Rileigh Barnhill*,

Emma Cantwell, Sam

Clayton, Faith Duell, Alexis Dulany*, Jaci

Hackelton, Joseph

Hurley III, Carson Kee, Karly Kinard*, Austin

Kocourek, Forest Lawless, Luisa

Leonhardsberger, Makayla McCray, Chloe

Rose*, Laila Schultz*,

Hope Seeber, Ethan

Simmons, Owen

Simmons, Kendall

Kamryn Blackard, Austyn Booth*, Savannah Glover, Gage

Heinmiller, Abby

Hopkins, Yuika Imai*, Arianna Pabon, Mattie Perry, Allison Prine, Adrianna Reynolds, Shanerika Roland, Joshua RomeroDawson*, Diego Rossa*, Kaycie Seely*, Karizma

Sullivan*, Skylar

Sweeten, Brooke Wooten

12th Grade

Lane Harper*, Collin

Kee*, Luke King, Holden Lawless, Dewayne Pledger*, Levi Powers, Ivan Rodriguez, Lacey Rogers*, Rosalie

Shuck*, Griffin Shultz, Halli Sisemore*, Shakeva Washington, Brooke Weems, Haley

Wilson.

*Denotes All A’s

also reduce the corporate income tax rate from 5.3% to 5.1%. The reductions would be retroactive to January 1, 2023. SB549 will be before the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on Monday.

One of the last items of legislation before House members every session is the Revenue Stabilization Act (RSA).

The RSA outlines general revenue spending.

Once a proposal for the budget is released, it will be posted at arkansashouse.org.

Meanwhile, the House passed a number of bills during the 12th week of the session including the following: SB248-This bill creates the Arkansas Challenge Plus Scholarship Program. The bill states that a student is eligible to receive an Arkansas Challenge Plus Scholarship if the student receives the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and demonstrates financial need as determined by FASFA. The Plus Scholarship would be

awarded in $1,000 increments per student per academic year.

HB1503-This bill creates the offense of operating a chop shop and makes the offense a Class C felony.

HB1468-This bill prohibits requiring employees of public schools and state-supported institutions of higher education to use a person’s preferred pronoun, name, or title without parental consent.

HB1610-This bill amends the law relating to public meetings under the Freedom of Information Act. It defines a public meeting as one-third or more of the members of a governing body of all municipalities, counties, townships, school districts, boards, bureaus, or commissions of the State of Arkansas.

SB377-This bill creates a misdemeanor offense concerning initiative petitions if a person knowingly changes a signature on a petition, erases or destroys a signature, pays a person in exchange for not signing a petition, or misrepresents the purpose and effect of the petition.

HB1617-This bill would require an autopsy in the case of a suspected drug overdose.

HB1502-This bill creates the offense of sexual solicitation of a minor and classifies the offense as a Class B felony.

Lady Eagles rout Lady Patriots 8-1

By Mark Buffalo

Sports Editor

The Des Arc Lady Eagles won their only game last week, beating Palestine-Wheatley 8-1.

The Lady Eagles scored first, plating a run in the top of the first.

It remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth when Des Arc scored four runs.

The Lady Patriots

scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth.

Des Arc scored three more runs in the top of the seventh then held Palestine-Wheatley scoreless in the bottom of the seventh.

Makenzie Williams, Kymber Buckner and Grace Knight each scored two runs to lead the Lady Eagles.

Harleigh Holloway and Terryana Daniels each scored once.

Williams was 3 for 4 at the plate.

Knight was 3 for 5 with five RBIs. She hit a homer and two doubles.

Kaylee McDonald got the win. She gave up only three hits in seven innings of work. She struck out 11 Lady Patriot batters.

B iso n outs c ore H or n ets to stay p er f e c t i n league p lay

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

The Carlisle Bison shut out the Hazen Hornets 10-0 last Monday at Rockefeller Park. With the win, the Bison improve to 11-6 overall and 6-0 in the 2A-6 conference. The Hornets are 3-5 overall and 0-4 in league play.

Carlisle scored four runs in the bottom of the first, five runs in the bottom of the third and once in the sixth to end the game after 10 innings.

Zach Busick and David Hayes each scored two runs for the Bison. Eli Roberts, Jonathan Pickard, Dalton Ward, Holden Jones and Jason

Sullivan each scored a run.

Roberts was 2 for 4 with two RBIs. He also had a double. Pickard, Busick, Hazens, Jones, Hayden Ingle, Joseph Cook and Gabe Boyle each had a hit. Jones got the win. He struck out seven in four innings of work.

Hazen had four hits.

Nash Arnett was 2 for 2.

Kolton Tosh and Josh Dawson had one hit each.

The Hazen Hornets baseball team bounced back from their loss to Carlisle by beating the Augusta Red Devils 213 last Tuesday. The game went seven innings. The Hornets scored two

runs in the second, one in both the third and fourth innings, three in the fifth, six in the sixth and nine in the seventh.

The Red Devils scored two in the fifth and one in the sixth. Hazen had 28 hits in the victory.

Collin Kee was 4 for 5 with four runs scored and three RBIs. Bubba Barnhill and Sam Clayton each had four hits as well. Kolton Tosh and Brance Williams scored three runs each. Scoring twice were Eli Weems, Dylan Wright, Josh Dawson and Barnhill. Clayton, Hunter Pardin and KJ Morris each scored once.

Lady H or n ets s c ore late to b eat C arlisle Lady B iso n

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

The Hazen Lady Hornets scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to beat Carlisle 6-5 last week. Carlisle scored four runs in the top of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead. After two scoreless innings, Carlisle scored a single run in the top of the third. Hazen responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame. The Lady Hornets then scored two

in the fifth to lead 4-1.

Layton Rogers led Hazen with three runs scored. Also scoring were Austyn Booth and Savannah Glover.

Lexi Dulany got the win. She allowed only two earned runs in seven innings of work. She struck out 10 Lady Bison batters. Laken Golden scored two runs for the Lady Bison. Also scoring were Maddie Castleberry, MaKinnley Cook and Kylie Childers. Castleberry allowed

only one earned run in 6 2/3 innings of work. She struck out three. Hazen then lost to Palestine-Wheatley last week, 5-2. The game was scoreless until the Lady Hornets plated single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. The Lady Patriots won the game by scoring two in the sixth and three in the seventh. Besancon and Allie Mooney each had two hits for the Lady Hornets.

Local FCCLA clubs win awards at state STAR Events

Local FCCLA students competed in STAR Events on April 5-6 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Awards received by the Carlisle chapter included: Platinum Chapter, Gold Star Chapter, Go for the Red Award, and Power of One National Program completion.

Daisy Duke won a Silver in Sports Nutrition, Jenna Reed and Marya Bunch won the Silver in Chapter in Review, Kirstin Moran and Braxton Cooney won the Silver in Chapter Service Project, and Maggie Brown and

Jena Murray won a Bronze in Chapter in Review.

Kristin Moran, Braxton Cooney, Maggie Brown and Jena Murray advanced to Nationals.

Awards received by the Des Arc chapter:

Zachary Hill won a Silver in Repurpose and Redesign; Brooklyn Smith and Jurnee Washington won a Gold in Public Policy Advocacy

Brooklyn Smith and Jurnee Washington advanced to Nationals.

Awards received by the Hazen chapter: Shanerika Roland won a

Silver in Promote and Publicize FCCLA, Faith Duell and Khanlyah Pernell won a Bronze in Event Management; Kadence Fegley won a Silver in Chapter Service Project; Kaycie Seely, Adrianna Reynolds, and Allison Prine won a Bronze in Focus on Children. Des Arc’s advisor is retiring this year and received a certificate for her service. Brandi Long will take her place and accompany the students to Nationals.

The FCCLA nationals will be held in Denver, Colorado, in July.

School Choice Notice for 2023-2024

The following Public School Districts in Prairie County (Des Arc and Hazen) and Lonoke County (Carlisle) would like to inform parents that public school choice is available to their 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 nonresident district and the student’s resident district. 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 nonresident district. In accordance with Act 490 of 2021 (codified at Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-227(b)(1)(B)(i), the window period for applicant filing and school districts accepting school choice applications for the 2023-2024 school year begins on January 1, 2023, and runs through May 1, 2023. For questions regarding school choice, please contact the superintendent’s office at the school of your choice.

Farm Bureau softball players of the month...

Prairie County Farm Bureau awards Lexi Dulany and Jordyn Besancon as the Hazen Lady Hornet Players of the Month. Lexi Dulany has a .513 batting average and is Hazen's top pitcher. Lexi struck out 16 batters in the game against Des Arc. Jordyn Besancon has a .437 batting average with 14 RBIs so far this season.

Layton Rogers connects with the ball, getting on base and setting up one of her three runs in the game. (Ruth Corley photo.)

Hazen FCCLA: Lonnie Jones (bottom); (second row) Jameion Stigall, Khanylah Pernell, Shanerika Roland; (back row) Sponsor Summer Greenwalt, Allison Prine, Kaycie Seely, Adrianna Reynolds, Chloe Rose, and Rileigh Barnhill.

Carlisle FCCLA: Braxton Cooney, Maggie Brown, Jena Murray, Daisy Duke, Kirstin Moran, Jenna Reed, and Marya Bunch.

Des Arc FCCLA: Advisor May Lynn Guidry, Brooklyn Smith, Alyssa Ladner, Zachary Hill, and Jurnee Washington.

Callie Baxter of the Des Arc chapter ended her term as the Arkansas FCCLA Vice-President of Public Relations.

CLOSING THE HOUSE SALE. Saturday, April 15, at 7:30 a.m. Small furniture pieces, manual lawn mower, household items (kitchen, linens, etc.) serving cart, whatnots, clothes, large assortment. 406 0ld Hwy 11 S. Judy Boothe Foot.

Hazen and Carlisle FFA provide storm aid to Wynne

Club members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) from Hazen High School and Carlisle High School traveled to Wynne on Tuesday, April 4, to assist with clean up efforts after a F3 tornado destroyed the town of Wynne and its schools.

The students, sponsored by Carly Bokker (Carlisle) and Dylan Cass (Hazen) also delivered needed supplies and furniture to the school.

The HHS item collection effort was spearheaded by Jenny Simmons, an FFA mom. Jenny also participated in the effort, and she and Carly provided the pictures.

All-Star band participants...

Congratulations to Des Arc Eagle Band students Callie Baxter and Mallory Baxter (not pictured) who participated in the Arkansas All-Star Honor Band at Harding University on April 1. Callie plays the oboe and Mallory plays the bass clarinet. The girls auditioned against band members from 50 other Class A - 4A Arkansas schools from across the state to earn their spots in the band. They spent ten hours in two days rehearsing for the concert, which was a wonderful afternoon of music.