75¢
Cozy Nook art gallery opens in Lonoke. (See p. 6)
Volume 117 Number 18 - USPS 225-680
Prairie County, Arkansas
Prairie County crash kills 2 and injures 2
Community Events Calendar Wednesday April 18 Friendship Luncheon DVB Methodist Church 11:30am-2:00pm Literracy Meeting 4:30pm-5:30pm Thursday April 19 Hazen City Council Meeting 6:00pm-7:00pm City Hall Saturday April 21 HEC Busy Hands Spaghetti & Pasta Supper Hickory Plains United Methodist Church 5:00pm-7:00pm Monday April 23 Hazen School Board Meeting High School Library 6:00pm Tuesday April 24 County 76 U of A Ext Office Little Rock 9:30am Thursday April 26 Commodities distribution First United Methodist Church 10:30am - 12:30pm Saturday April 28 Gardening on the Grand Prairie Raffle & Door Prizes Tickets $20 9:30am - 2:00pm Hazen Community Center Sunday April 29 Des Arc Music Department Spring Concert High School Gym 3:00pm
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Four members of the DVB youth mentoring program sponsored by the city gave the police report for Chief Atkins this month.
DVB City Council hears from local youth programs by Lisa Mills The DeValls Bluff City Council held their monthly meeting April 11th. In attendance were Mayor Kenny Anderson, Aldermen Alice Metcalf, Marie Flanagan, Raymond Watson, Shirley Goff and Richard Henry, Police Chief Charles Atkins, Fire Chief Doyne Martin and Utilities Manager Gabby Delgornio. There was a large crowd including many teens. After prayer the council approved the February minutes and the March bills. Much of the meeting was centered around local youth. Pastor Adams from First Pentecostal Church of Prairie County in Hazen stated that the church's community center offers free food & fun every Saturday night from 6:00 -10:00pm for all youth. The center has ping-pong tables, air hockey tables, dart boards, etc. as well as video games, board games and other fun stuff. He invited all Prairie County youth to attend. Summer Gaither reported that the after school program has been going great. Attendance is increasing weekly and business and individual donations and support has been amazing. She stated that they are still seeking funding. Alderman Metcalf offered to meet with her about looking into some possible grants and fundraising ideas. The program is open to all kids and teens Pre-K through 12th grade. They meet on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:30 in the courtroom at City Hall. Police Chief Atkins reported that he, the mayor, and others have been mentoring some local youth to help prepare them for responsible adulthood. They are learning about different city departments, the city government and basic community responsibility. Four of the youth gave the monthly Police Department report and a report on the school bus safety plan for the Hazen School District. (For more information about the
mentoring program contact city hall at 870-9982577.) Justin Dryer addressed the council about starting a youth guidance program to teach them life skills such as cooking, gardening, basic sewing, woodworking, etc. He would like to meet with youth monthly and needs volunteers to help with the classes. Summer Gaither stated that this program could overlap with the after school program and Police Chief Atkins stated he would include this program with his mentoring program. Mayor Anderson asked Dryer what he needed from the council. Dryer stated a space to hold the classes, possibly part of the school buildings, and any available resources the city could provide and volunteers. Mayor Anderson said he would check on a space. For more information on Justin Dyer, see his website at www.barefootmountain.net or call 501291-3492. CINTAS Medical Supply representative Cody Barriga addressed the council about the U.S. Community program that allows small towns to purchase supplies through a co-op plan at a lower cost than purchasing them outright. He suggested the city purchase an Automated External Defibalator (AED) to be kept at city hall which would give the city two AED's since one is currently available at the Fire Department. The machine can be leased on a month to month basis for $89/mo. This will include the machine, pads, batteries, software updates, monthly checks of the machine and battery and pad replacement. He also introduced better protective gloves at a lower price for Fire, Police and Utility departments. A motion was approved to lease the AED. Brooke Davis addressed the council concerning her son who has epilepsy and autism. She said that her son has been attending the Lonoke Exceptional School but she wants to start home-
schooling him. Due to his disabilities he cannot actually be schooled at home and needs a space for him to be schooled. She asked if she could use one of the rooms at the Headstart building that is not being used. Mayor Anderson told her that since the building is leased to Mid-Delta they would have to be contacted to see if a utility fee would be required. Alderman Alice Metcalf stated she would contact Mid-Delta and let her know. Alexandria Prince reported to the council that the Easter Egg Hunt was a huge success. She
A Pulaski County resident died in a head-on collision over the weekend according to an Arkansas State Police report. The crash occurred on US 79 in Ulm just after 8:30 p.m. Sunday night, the report stated. According to police, 35year-old Terek Tyler of Jacksonville was traveling north on US 79 when his vehicle crossed over into the southbound lane. The vehicle, a 2008 Pontiac G5, then struck an oncoming Chevrolet Tahoe before colliding head on with a Chevrolet Avalanche.
Tyler sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Other injured victims include Jose Salazar, 28 of Stuttgart and an unidentified minor, who were taken to Stuttgart Hospital for treatment. Police didn't release the name of the driver of the Tahoe or the identification of the other deceased victim. Authorities described the weather as clear and the road as dry at the time of the crash. There have been at least 104 fatalities on Arkansas roads this year, according to preliminary data.
Those who would like to request Absentee ballot may call the Prairie County Clerk's Office in Des Arc at (870) 256-4434 to request application. The deadline to register to vote for the Preferential Primary Election is April 23rd. Should you have any question do not hesitate to call.
(See DVB p. 4)
This beautiful picture of the recent lunar eclipse over the Des Arc bridge was taken by Rodney Adams and sent to the Herald by Harvey Joe Sanner.
Prairie County crop report 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.
This week’s crop report. Days of field work: 4 Top soil moisture: 100% surplus Sub soil moisture: 100% adequate Livestock Condition: 3 Fair Main Activities: Planting pace picked up depending upon last weeks rainfall totals. Frost/freeze damage occurred on newly emerged crops and fruit trees along with recently transplanted vegetables. Corn was greening back up from this event, but fruit and vegetable plants are a near total loss.
Black gnats continue to harass all living animals. Crop Progress: Corn: 75% planted, 35% emerged Rice: 25% planted, 1% emerged Soybean: 3% planted, 3% emerged Crop Condition: Corn: 75% Poor, 25% Fair Rice: 50% Poor, 50% Fair Soybean: 75% Poor, 25% Fair Hay/Pasture: 100% Fair Brent Griffin CEA-Staff Chair Prairie Co. Coop. Extension Service University of ArkansasDivision of Agriculture
75°
68°
66°
71°
61°
48°
45°
49°
56°
50°
10%
40%
80%
10%
0%