April 26, 2023 edition

HHS Pageant

Monday April 1

Hazen Chamber of Commerce meeting 12:00 Noon

Cadence Bank

Friday May 5

Hazen Senior Day

Community events are brought to you by the Hazen Chamber of Commerce and the

H a z en w orks to clean u p p ro p erties around the cit y

Getting the city cleaned up and improved were the main topics at the Hazen City Council meeting on Thursday, April 20. Council members Larry Anthony and Steve Chlapecka were absent from the meeting, but after establishing a quorum, the council began by passing an ordinance that changed the zoning of a property located in west Hazen to allow trailers to be placed on it. Multiple houses have been torn down in the city, one of which, on Hazen Ave. was burned by the fire department this past week. The street overlay project, for which the city was awarded a $300,000

ARDOT grant, will cover 1.94 miles of city streets. The city council members had agreed to the city’s part of a $350,000 grant, but the bid came in at $368,842, so Mayor David Hardke sent an $18,000 check from the city to cover the overage. Part of the project will repair the streets around the Hazen ballpark.

A resolution was passed to apply for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to replace the sidewalks leading to the schools. The grant, which was worked on by Mayoral Assistant Tracie Vail and CAPDD, is an 80% / 20% federal grant. The city is not sure what the 20% amount will be

yet, but engineering feeds will be included. The project has been budgeted $100,000. “If it’s more than that, we'll have to decide what to do,” Hardke said. The city would also like to add parking on Livermore St. and make the sidewalk in front of City Hall handicapped accessible.

Utilities Manager Chad Swaim reported that water and sewer has been turned off to several houses and that leaks in water lines are still a problem. There are plans to replace a line on Crowley St., which still has leaks. The old bridge located just west of the high school has been replaced, and there

are still plans to replace one on Front St. Mowing within the city will begin soon, Swaim said.

Fire Chief Seth Skarda reported one grass fire, one wreck, six first responder calls, and a dump truck fire. He said that his department had burned one house that had been torn down and plans to burn others as weather permits. A planned tour of the city sewer plant was postponed due to stormy weather.

Police Chief Bradley Taylor told the council that his department had seized $90,000 in money from arrests, and expects his department to receive $35,000 of that. Their most recent arrest was a

car chase in which the department assisted in Des Arc. He plans to purchase Dodge Chargers with police packages. Hardke asked the council members about a request made by the American Legion Auxiliary to use the community center for bingo games. The group is not licensed yet, but Hardke said that after asking the opinions of lawyers, he could not find a legal reason to deny the group the venue.

At the end of the meeting, Hardke read a thank you letter from the Margaret Fisher Imagination Library group for the council’s recent $1000 donation.

Carlisle Council discusses lighting Rock Island Park

The Carlisle City Council began its April 18 meeting with a presentation by “The Christmas Ladies,” Deb Madar and Barbara Phillips. The ladies are requesting that the city provide electricity to Rock Island Park so that the area can be lit and decorated for special events throughout the year, especially Christmas. There is an electrical pole and meter owned by Summit Utilities by the weeping willow trees that could be tied into by the city allowing for an underground cable to be run. The city could then put in electrical outlets at various locations throughout the park. Permission from Summit has been requested but not yet received.

The group got three estimates for the job, which ran from $10,240 to just over $20,000. One of the bidders, Garrett Electric, would deduct $4,450 from its $13,000 bid if the city would do the trenching work for the line. David Walters said that the city could do the trenching. The ladies asked that the city either fund the job or apply for a grant to pay for it.

Mayor Ray Glover felt that the project should be scrapped. “I’m not for it,” he said. He argued that the trench would damage the root systems of the trees in the park that had been planted as memorials and possibly kill some of them. “I planted most of those trees,” Glover said. Glover had a Arkansas Forestry Commission come out and assess the site. Alderman Jon Plafcan said that he

would like to see a diagram of where the line would be placed, and Alderman Kevin Kegley agreed. “I’d like to see a plan,” Kegley said. The idea was tabled until more details can be obtained. “We’ve got to have some compromise,” Plafcan said.

An asbestos survey has been done of the vacant building at 218-220 West Main St. Several areas were found to contain asbestos in either the ceiling or the flooring or both. Asbestos removal can be costly and will have to be done if the city, which owns the building, is going to tear down the structure. A bid of $14,000 has been received by the city, but the council wants to wait for another bid before deciding what to do.

The heating unit was vandalized for a second time with $2300.97 worth of damage done. It was suggested that a cage be bought to enclose the unit to prevent further occurrences. The purchase of cameras for the area was also mentioned.

There has been some complaint from citizens because the concession stand at the ballfield is being run by a Cabot church. The church gets all of the money from the stand, but the city has not been able to find local people or organizations to volunteer to run the concessions at the park. The city cannot run it because it is not up to code.”Nobody wants to volunteer to do anything,” Parks Manager Ronnie Ashmore said, and the local food trucks are too busy. The city is also having trouble finding umpires for local

I-40 lane closures at White River this w eek

and end Thursday, April 27.

Traffic will be controlled with the use of signs, cones, and flashing arrows. Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com or ARDOT.gov.

games. As a result, some games may have to be canceled. Umpires have complained about verbal abuse coming from some parents. A parent recently had to be thrown out of a game for abusive language. Ashmore also said that the slides are broken at the city park. The bids received for the three regular slides to be repaired was $2500 each plus tax, and repairing the spiral slide will cost $7500. No action was taken. He also reported that the carbon monoxide removal system in the Civic Center had to be repaired at a cost of $4667. There is also some question about what to do about mosquito truck drivers. Robert Barnes told the council that last year drivers got overtime, which won’t be allowed this year. City employees are using city equipment to do the job, but they want to be paid more than the $11 per hour to compensate. Last year the drivers worked approximately three hours a night five or six days a week. The city will advertise for more drivers. There are plans to start aerial mosquito applications on June 5. These will run through October if needed with additional applications on holidays and during the Carlisle alumni weekend. The city is setting up traps to get a mosquito

count.

A bid of $5500 for two well motors no longer being used by the city was received by the utilities department. Some trees still need to be cleaned up.

Police Chief E. Frank told the council that $7000 had to be spent to clean and sanitize the jail and to purchase a new camera and light stick after a prisoner went berzerk. The drunk tank cannot be used until repairs can be made to the cell. A door and window will need to be replaced. A car and bathroom were also damaged. Two deputies were injured and had to be tested for HIV due to a possible exchange of saliva and blood. “It’s the worst one I’ve dealt with,” the Chief said. The prisoner is now back in custody.

The department is also losing its dispatcher and

is looking for another. The Chief also said that his department does not need a car right now. The fire truck which was ordered will be delivered in September or October, and the fire department has bought a new chain saw.

Alderman Anne Anderson announced that the first week in May is “Keep Arkansas Beautiful Week” and volunteers are needed to help clean up the city on May 15. The vehicle and property insurance bills need to be paid. Plafcan said that they should be paid before they are due. It was also mentioned that the coverage on the fire trucks is too low. The two bills amount to $40,000. Alderman Mary Eddleman reported that the splash pad needs to be dewinterized prior to being turned on.

Clean u p at D es A rc set

Arkansas Parks and Tourism Make Arkansas

Beautiful Campaign

Clean up Des Arc (River Rats team) will be on Saturday, May 06, 2023.

The River Rats team will meet at 8am at the Riverfront Park, Pavilion and Children’s playground.

Projects include but are not limited to painting, power washing, trimming trees and landscaping.

Our park furnishes hours of play for our children as well as the pavilion being used for a place to eat a meal or just a quiet time overlooking the White River.

Let’s get together and make this area clean, safe, and beautiful for our community.

If you have questions, contact Teresa Conder at 870-256-4316 or Gail King at 501-516-6711.

An abandoned house on Hazen Avenue was recently torn down and then burned by the Hazen Fire Department. Other abandoned structures have or will be torn down in future weeks.

William Wesley Caldwell

William Wesley Caldwell, 93, passed away on April 17th, 2023, at his home in Hazen, Arkansas. William was born in Waldo, Arkansas on November 27th, 1929, to the late Henry Caldwell and Elizabeth Howard Caldwell. In 1955 William married Edna Morgan Caldwell, and they made their home in Clarendon until her death in 2012.

William was an outdoorsman who raised various livestock such as goats, chickens, guinea fowls, and ducks. His many hobbies also included fishing for anything that would take the bait, and hunting the many wild game found across the state, to building huge garden beds to grow all different kinds of fruits and vegetables. William enjoyed watching the game of football, from college to the pros, it did not matter which league nor the teams. If not watching football, he would be found in his chair shouting and fighting along with the wrestlers on television.

In 2012 William moved to Hazen after the passing of Edna to live with his daughter, Brenda.

William is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth; wife, Edna Caldwell; step-mother Mildred Caldwell; son, Pearl Wesley; daughter, Joy Faye Caldwell; two sis-

ters, Katherine Murray, Francis Gilbert; and one granddaughter, Candace LeAnn Parr.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are two daughters, Brenda (John) Van De Steeg, and Melba Miller; one son, Michael Caldwell; two sisters, Linda (late Don) Revolt, and Vera (late Henry) Murray; five grandchildren, three great grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

The family will accept visitors at Fowler Funeral Home, Brinkley on Thursday, April 20th from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. His burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery, Clarendon. www.fowlerfh.com

Mary Ellen Jordan

Mary Ellen Jordan was born in Des Arc, Arkansas, October 9, 1934. She passed away peacefully at the age of 88 in Huntsville, TX on April 17, 2023.

Mary Ellen had a short marriage to John Calhoun and together had two children, Deborah Ann and Johnnie Ray. She moved to Fort Smith and there is where her life began with J.C. Jordan. They began a very successful music business. Mary Ellen had great prospects in Real Estate and selling properties, which she loved being out and about with the public. She became the top sales agent in the region for Lester Craft by West Bend Cookware. Her favorite time was spent in a social gathering at Fort Smith Bowling Lanes. She was a member of the Six Hundred Club. Mary Ellen was instrumental in recruiting men and women for the pro Bowling Association. She served as president of the Fort Smith Women's Bowling Association and served as President of the N.W. Arkansas Women's Bowling Association. In 1984, she began a new endeavor which was restaurant promotions.

Mary Ellen worked in promotions for more than 30 years. She retired to Trinity, TX in 2003 and enjoyed gardening and fishing.

Mary Ellen is preceded in death by father and mother, Frank and Vida Terry, brothers and sisters, J.K. Terry, Frank Terry, Juanita Jackson and Allie Felts.

Mary Ellen is survived by her partner for several years, Charles Muller, son Johnnie Ray Calhoun, and wife

Debra, daughter Deborah Calhoun, two grandchildren

Cassandra Marie Elwonger and husband Bob and Armondo Ray Calhoun; three great grandchildren, Alec, Cole, Olivia; sisters Julie Goodnight and Kay Terry.

Mary Ellen will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

George Junior Miller

George Junior Miller (Hoot) passed away on Monday, April 17,

Rock

holding his daughter, Melanie and granddaughter, Caitie’s hand.

Hoot was born February 4, 1933 aboard a houseboat on the White River as the first child to George Washington and Winnie Mae Wilhite Miller. He attended some schooling at Clarendon before enlisting into the United States Army. He was discharged from the Army upon the discovery that he was underage. He then enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corp where he served overseas during the Korean War. After returning home to his beloved White River, Hoot became an avid fisherman, duck hunter, deer hunter and everything in-between. In his later years, his favorite pass time was going to the boat (casino), but his greatest passion was always his family.

Hoot was preceded in death by his wife, Flora Dillingham Miller; his parents, George and Winnie Miller; two sisters, Willa Mae Miller and Hazel Miller Gray; one son, Kevin Miller; a grandson, Jordan Simpson and two son-inlaws, Charles Catlett and Samuel Speaks.

Hoot is survived by his children, Amanda Catlett, Jay Miller, Melanie Speaks, and Aaron Miller; brothers, Sidney Miller and David Miller; grandchildren, Brandi Fletcher, Jake Catlett, Caitie Miller , River Miller, Jordan, Dylan and Peyton; great grandchildren, Levi Fletcher and Ember Fletcher and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his faithful dog, Sam. Visitation was held Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 5-7 PM at the Bob Neal and Sons Funeral Home in Clarendon. Graveside service were held Friday, April 21, 2023 at 3:00 PM at the Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon. We would like to thank Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen for all their help during this trying time.

Jerry Parker

Jerry Parker, age 80, of Mt. Ida passed away unexpectedly at his home on April 15, 2023. Jerry was born March 13, 1943, in Carlisle, Arkansas to Billy and Odean Parker. Jerry grew up in Carlisle and was a proud member of the 1960 Carlisle football team, which was the undefeated state champion. As a young man, Jerry loved sports and was an exceptional dancer. He became a skilled carpenter, who worked for the carpenter’s union in Little

Rock and Hot Springs for many years. He was very talented and loved remodeling. He built the home he lived in with his wife and helped his daughters with various renovations to their homes. He was always there to help when needed. Jerry was an avid hunter who loved the outdoors. You could always find him in the woods hunting for deer and turkey. He would spend a lot of time roaming the woods and setting up stands, preparing for the next hunting season. He loved sitting at his cabin watching the deer that would come by to visit.

Jerry leaves behind his wife Jo Anna Parker, whom he loved dearly; his two daughters, Nanette Belford (Scotty) of Hazen, Candy Straus of Stuttgart, who were the apple of his eye; a son Andy Hill of Hazen, a sister Sandra Shock of Bryant, and a special nephew Todd Parker (Tammy) of Benton. He also leaves eight grandchildren: Parker Aycock (Brittany) of Slovak, Taylor Aycock of Dallas; Dakota Aycock (Ashleigh), Maverick Aycock, and Austin Hill, all of Hazen; Colton Rutherford (Britni), Mary Grace Straus and Kit Straus of Stuttgart, and four great grandchildren: Rhett Aycock, Knox Aycock, Bo Rutherford, and Lincoln Hill. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, a brother William Parker, and a step-daughter Tracey Hill.

There will be a private memorial service at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Thornton Funeral Service in Mt. Ida. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com

Faye Jeanette Pendergrass

Faye Jeanette Pendergrass began life’s journey on November 11, 1933. She was the only daughter of eight children born to Lester and Ruth Ragels. The family made their home in Conde, South Dakota where Faye attended elementary and high school.

Faye was blessed in life to become a wife, mother, and grandmother. On May 21, 1957, she married William Howard Pendergrass. They lived in San Manuel, Arizona for a time then moved to William’s hometown located in Biscoe, Arkansas where they shared in the joys of raising five children. After 48 years of marriage, William passed away on November 28, 2005.

Although no time on earth is long enough to spend with those we love Faye was blessed with a loving 89 years before her passing on April 13, 2023. She was preceded in her journey by her parents, Lester and Ruth Ragles, husband, W.H., daughter Doris Pendergrass and granddaughter Chrisanna Spratt, six brothers: Ardan Ray, Glen J., Charles Darrell, Lavoy F, Norman Dean and Gary Lynn Ragels. She is survived by one brother: Delbert Ragels, two sons: Lester (Darlene) Gross of Franklin, AR, William Pendergrass of Biscoe, two daughters: Linda Faye (Anthony) Fisher of Biscoe, and Julie Ann (Christopher) Spratt of Biscoe, ten grandchildren: Angela Shoemaker, Jeremy Gross, Lance Gross, Jason Fisher, Bethany Trainer, Austin Pendergrass, Ethan Pendergrass, Logan Pendergrass, William and Jolie Spratt and many great and great great grandchildren.

Harold Wayne Raper

Harold Wayne “Pete” Raper, 71, of Hazen, passed away on April 18, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on October 24, 1951 in Hazen. Pete was preceded in death by his dad, Jr. Raper; sisters, Carolyn Collins and Kathi Tackitt, and granddaughter, Isabel Raper.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Diane Raper; his mother, Naoma Raper of Des Arc; his sons, Gary (Leah) Raper and Michael (Melissa) Raper both of Hazen; daughter, Shelia (Benji) Foot of Tollville; granddaughters, Jessika Raper, Elizabeth Foot, Emily Foot, MacKenzie Raper, Kennedy Raper, Piper Raper and London Raper.

From an early age, Pete always knew he wanted to be a carpenter. He started to work with his dad around the age of 15 and they were

known as Junior and Son Construction. He loved his horses, his bird dogs, hunting, fishing and playing with his granddaughters.

Visitation was held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Westbrook Funeral Home. Funeral service were 10:00 A.M., Friday, April 21, 2023 at the Center Point Missionary Baptist Church. Interment was in the Center Point Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Stevie Kee, Charles Stock, Delmar Gillioun, Jeff Dulaney, Rusty Rogers, and Phillip Booth. Honorary pallbearers are Jeff Uhiren and Terry Tipton.

Arrangements by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.

Jordan Zeps

Jordan Zeps, 33, of Heber Springs, Arkansas went to join his Saviour and God in Peace on March 28, 2023. He was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on April 22, 1989.

Jordan was granted many awards during high school for his academics and was a member of several groups including being members of the National Honor Society, Who’s Who Scholar, was an Athlete in America in 2003-2004, got awarded Outstanding Senior in 2006-2007 and graduated second in his class. He then attended ASU Beebe and graduated with an associate in business. Over the last three years he was pursing a career with Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Jordan is preceded in death by his grandparents. He is survived by his parents, Randy and Dinecia Zeps; brother, Jamie Zeps; aunts, uncles, and many other loving family and friends.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 AM on April 22, 2023, at Des Arc First United Methodist Church, 605 Erwin St in Des Arc, Arkansas.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

There are times in life when providence graces us with luck, karma, good fortune, and gifts that we in no way deserve or understand.

Sometimes we are aware of them. We get the job or promotion we were hoping for. We look up from the car radio in time to see the car in front of us has stopped short and skid to a stop before disaster and bumpers strike.

Sometimes we aren’t aware of the universe’s nod in our direction. A kind hearted neighbor straightens our knocked over trash can after a storm. The guy fiddling with his radio in the car behind us looks up just in time to keep from mangling our rear bumper and our day as we scroll through Facebook at the stoplight. (Please don’t scroll through your phone while you drive.)

Currently, I find myself stuck between the two. I am by no means ignorant of the fortuitous situation that I am in. I literally have scars and sharp pains as a reminder. However, I don’t know to whom I owe my new lease on life. All I know is that the person was a 32 year old man. What I don’t know is his hopes, his dreams, his aspirations, or his previous location. I know that some of these things might sound incidental and trivial. But I can’t shake these questions. I cannot bring myself to disregard them simply because I don’t know the answers. This week, my transplant team let me know the answer to only two of these questions; age and sex. That’s it. And that is not enough.

Let me explain. If any of you have ever read the horror novel Frankenstein, you might get where I’m coming from. For the rest of you, here is the gist of it. A young scientist named Victor Frankenstein comes up with a theory for a way to reanimate dead human tissue. He then pieces a human body together out of many different people and attempts to test his theory. Victor’s experiment is successful and his “monster” draws in the breath of new life. Upon seeing his creation for the first time, Victor recoils and flees in

Des Arc Council hears

By Lisa Mills

get some ordered.

repulsion and horror. The monster stumbles out to take on the world on his own without knowing who or what he is or anything about the world he has been thrust into against his will. Of course, nothing good happens to “the monster” after that. He is quite literally a big, ugly, intimidating, scarred, and scared sheep released into a fragile and cruel world of wolves and normallooking sheep. The author, Mary Shelley, uses this situation to criticize and explore the ethical dilemmas that come along with advancements in science and technology.

There is a 1994 movie adaptation that was made by famous British director Kenneth Branagh, who stars as Frankenstein and boasts the great Robert DeNiro as the Monster. I didn’t much care for the movie, but there is a scene between DeNiro and Branagh in which the Monster confronts Victor about the paradoxes of self-identity Victor created when he pieced the Monster together out of the discarded pieces of those gone from the world.

The Monster sits on a stone in the snow playing a flute with melancholy beauty before looking up at Victor and admitting that he has no idea why he can play the instrument at all, much less as well as he does. He goes on to tell Victor about other things that come as second nature to him that seem to be echoes from the lives of the men of which he was made.

Victor, for all his scientific brilliance, cannot understand why these things should vex the Monster so much. Victor sees them as incidental, trivial, and of little consequence when it comes to the abomination the Monster represents in Victor’s world.

I know this is a long way around explaining why the questions I posed above are so important to me. The lungs I now bear are a gift much like the Monster’s reanimation. Like the Monster’s combination of parts, my lungs had a life of their own long before they were gifted to me by the person who was magnanimous enough to

choose to help others if something tragic were to happen to them. Now, I find myself wondering about the Good Samaritan and savior I will never meet. Was my donor a runner, a singer? Did he have kids he read to at night and took to the park on weekends? What part of the country did these lungs breathe in, absorb and thrive in? What good works did their previous owner do before, and what good would he have done if not for their misfortune? Is it my responsibility to take up those charges even though I will never know what they are? Is accepting this gift of breath and new life a call to action to be even better for the sake of the one no longer here? I honestly don’t know the answer to these questions. Has the universe given me a reprieve for some greater purpose, or am I just luckier than I deserve to be? What can I do from this new starting point that both honors the loss and life of the one who is gone, but also stays true to the person I am and the people I love and who love me? Am I, or could I become, a “Monster;” an abomination of scars and tissues? One day, will I feel the universe’s munificent smile shift into the malicious taunt of an underwhelmed and disappointed taskmaster and crumble under the weight and responsibility of it all?

Stay tuned, gentle readers, for answers to some of these questions; hopefully. For now, I suppose all I can do is take my new start for what it is, a gift, and accept it with a full heart and humble solemnity as I move forward in this weird, cruel, kind, limitless world. I will attempt to run and sing, hope and dream, breathe and thrive in honor of the memory of the one whose name I may never know and in good faith that I still have something good left to give to this world.

If you would like to comment or talk to me about anything, please email me at thatbradowguy@gmail.com. Also, if you are not an organ donor, please consider checking that box the next time you have to renew your driver’s license. It’s simple. It’s easy. It might be the last gift you can give to the world.

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LEGAL NOTICE

Any person, contractor or excavator engaging in any blasting, boring, or digging should notify Arkansas One Call at 1-800-482-8998 at least 48 hours in advance so the City of Hazen can mark any pipelines in the vicinity. Before any backfilling is done an inspection needs to be conducted by the City of Hazen. It will be the City’s responsibility to determine how frequently inspections should be made to verify integrity of any pipeline in the area. DOT Pipeline Safety Code section 192.614 on Damage Prevention Program and Ark Act 762 of 1991 mandates these measures.

The Des Arc City Council met on April 19th with Mayor Roger Scott,Recorder/Treasurer Janice Huffstickler and Council Members Jodie Mayher, Nicole Fisher, Gail King, Judy Burnett, and Keith Knupp attending. Doug Estes was absent. There was also a large crowd of citizens present.

Gail King reported for the Gas Committee that Rocky Hickman from Pipeline Safety made an unscheduled visit to town on April 14th. Hickman met with King, Mayor Roger Scott, Chris Smith, and Wayne Brewer to look at the original plan for a gas system to be installed, which was signed in 2019. King said that a new agreement needs to be signed with Pipeline Safety, and Mayor Scott and the council members. King also reported that city employees have been working on 24 reported gas leaks, with approximately half of the leaks being repaired.

Mayor Scott stated that it had come to his attention that the fence the city had installed at the baseball field had been paid for from insurance money, which was a mistake because the fence had not been damaged. Scott said the payment needs to be transferred from “Insurance funds” to another account. A motion was passed to transfer the payment to the “General Sales Tax” account. A motion was also passed to open an account for grant-matching funds for the baseball field project.

Mayor Scott told the council that the city needs to enter a written agreement with the school for the city to continue paying the water bill at the football field for the peewee football program. The city has been paying the bill, but there has not been a written agreement.

Keith Knupp said, “We need to do anything we can to keep our kids involved in programs like this.” A motion was passed to have City Attorney Ginger Stuart draw up a legal agreement.

Kourtney McIntosh reported that there are 270 kids registered in the summer baseball/softball program. McIntosh said that the new parking lot has been a big help. She asked if it was possible to get some temporary speed bumps in the area. Mayor told her he would

Mayor Scott reported for the water and sewer committee that the water plant building is being painted and the roof is being put on.

Scott also reported that he has been made aware that the security cameras at the park have been vandalized and need to be replaced.

Ambulance Director

Christy Rogers told the council that she has received a resignation from a full-time EMT/Driver and will need to hire a new one. She would also like to hire a part-time person for backup. A motion was passed to begin advertising for the two positions.

King reported for the Animal Control Committee that she, Animal Control Officer Karman Sutton, and Adoption Specialist Amy Patterson are continuing to work on an updated ordinance addressing animal control regulations, due to new state, federal, and local laws. King said that Patterson reported 8 dogs have

been adopted this month. Two dogs were returned to owners after current regulations were met.

King also said that the purchase of city dog tags has increased since the word was put out reminding everyone that the tags are required.

For the Parks and Recreation Committee, King reported that Des Arc will be participating in the “Keep Arkansas Beautiful” cleanup on May 6th. King asks that churches, civic groups, neighbors, businesses, etc. get involved. To sign up for a team, visit keeparkansasbeautiful.co m or call 501-682-3507. T-shirts, trash bags, and gloves will be provided. Jodie Mayher provided a report from the Senior Citizen’s Center. The seniors have been busy at the center. On May 19th, they will be going to the Lonoke Community Center for a 2 county health fair. The center thanked the city for their large new dumpster and said they are looking into getting a crate for recycling cardboard boxes.

DAR promotes literacy..

At the March 25 meeting, Grand Prairie Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, voted to disperse funds to promote literacy in Clarendon. Below, Clarendon Elementary principal Cheryl Smith (left) receives a check from Grand Prairie DAR Regent Nonnie Carroll. The gift of $50 was a part of the chapter’s Community Classroom project. In second photo, Regent Carroll presents a check for $100 from Grand Prairie Chapter's Literacy Program to Tricia Rogers, coordinator of the Summer Reading Program in Clarendon. The presentations were made on Wednesday, March 29 in Clarendon.

Carlisle Bison 2-A Conference Champs

By Mark Buffalo

Sports Editor

The Carlisle Bison baseball team is the 2A6 conference champions after beating PalestineWheatley last week in conference play. The Bison are now 17-6 overall and 10-0 in conference play. They have won 10 consecutive games. In a 4-1 win over Palestine-Wheatley, Bison trailed 1-0 after two innings. They tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the third. Jason Sullivan scored on a sin-

gle by Jonthan Pickard. The Bison scored three runs in the top of the sixth to break the tie.

Scoring were Eli Roberts, Pickard and Zach Busick.

Busick got the win, striking out eight in five innings of work. Holden Jones got the save, allowing only one hit in two innings pitched.

Carlisle finished with four hits. Pickard had 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

Roberts and Busick had had one hit.

Carlisle also beat Bauxite 3-2 last week.

The Miners led 2-0 after the top of the third inning. The Bison tied it at 2-2 with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. They took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Gabe Boyle, Jones and Sullivan each scored runs for the Bison.

Carlisle finished with five hits. Sullivan was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Pickard, Jones and Joseph Cook each had a hit.

Busick, Jones and David Hayes combined to strike out 11 Bauxite hitters.

L a dy Bison 10 - 8 for season

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

The Carlisle Lady Bison won four games last week to improve to 10-8 on the season.

Carlisle beat Poyen 110. Carlisle scored five runs in the first and six in the third.

Jessa Wiles scored two runs to lead Carlisle. Also scoring were Laken Golden, Kiersten Taylor, MaKinnley Cook, Kylie Childers, Morgan Jones and Angie Petrus. Cook hit a home run in the victory. Jones, Childers and Taylor each hit a double.

Maddie Castleberry allowed only three hits in five innings of work.

Carlisle also beat Forrest City 16-1.

The Lady Bison scored 10 runs in the first, two in the third and four in the fourth.

Wiles scored three runs to lead the Lady Bison. Bailey Dawson and Madison Goodman each scored twice. Also scoring were Childers, Bella White, Petrus and Jones.

Castleberry struck out nine in four innings.

Carlisle scored a run in the top of the seventh to beat Palestine-Wheatley

6-5.

Carlisle trailed 5-0 after two innings. The Lady Bison scored three in the third, one in the fourth and one in the fifth to tie the game. Wiles, Taylor, Goodman and Jones each scored.

Carlisle also beat West Memphis 11-1 last week.

Carlisle put the game away with six runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Wiles led Carlisle with three runs. Goodman and Petrus had two runs each. Golden and Taylor each scored a run.

Petrus hit a home run in the victory.

L a dy Hornets rout Barton for 1 2th win

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

The Hazen Lady Hornets routed Barton 18-0 for their 12th win of the season.

Hazen pitchers Lexi Dulaney and Yukai Imai combined for three-hit shutout of the Lady Bears. Dulany struck out nine in four innings of work. Imai struck out two in her lone inning.

Hazen took a 1-0 lead

in the top of the first inning. Faith Johnson scored on a ground out by Allie Mooney.

Hazen scored 10 runs in the third inning to lead 11-0. Austyn Booth scored on a double by Mooney. Also scoring in the frame were Mooney, Jordyn Besancon, Taylor Griffin, London Smith, Kendall Sisemore, Johnson and Booth.

Hazen scored seven more runs in the fifth.

Brown Grove volunteers pass exams...

Wylan Shadle attended Camden Academy for 6 weeks recently and passed his EMT test and is now employed with Southern Paramedics.

J.J. Sanner attended the Academy for first responder class and past his test, They are members of the Brown Grove Fire Department. Pictured with the men is Mr. Sanner’s daughter.

Ha z en S chools hires superinten d en t

Scoring were Mooney, Bescancon, Jaci Hackelton, Griffin, Smith, Sisemore and Savannah Glover.

Hazen finished with 15 hits. Mooney was 2 for 4 with four RBIs. Griffin was 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Besancon, Hackleton and Smith also had two hits. Glover, Dulany, Booth and Sisemore had one hit apiece.

Hornets sweep a d ou b lehea d er

By Mark Buffalo

Sports Editor

The Hazen Hornets swept a doubleheader from Barton last week to improve to 7-5 on the season. Hazen won the first game 22-0 and the nightcap 15-0. In the first game, Hazen scored 17 runs in the bottom of the first

inning. The Hornets added five runs in the second inning.

Nash Arnett and Kolton Tosh led Hazen with three runs scored. Scoring twice were Eli Weems, Brance Williams, Josh Dawson, Collin Kee, and Hunter Pardin. Scoring one run each were Dylan Wright, Bubba Barnhill,

Jagur Morgan and Ethan Lisko. Pardin allowed only one hit in three innings. He struck out seven.

In the second game, Hazen scored 15 runs in the first inning.

Weems, Dawson, Williams, Kee, Barnhill, Pardin and Lisko scored twice. Also scoring was Arnett.

Bloo d d onors for month of April

After a 10 minute executive session, the Hazen School Board voted to hire Andrew David Barrett from the Harrisburg School District to replace Donnie Boothe as the school superintendent for the 2023-24 school year. Barrett was chosen after three applicants were interviewed. Only Freddie Rogers was absent from the meeting. The board also chose Mason Sickel, who had been the vice-president, as their new president after the resignation of former president Vicki Skarda resigned from the board. Rusty Rogers was voted in as the new vice-president. Superintendent Donnie Boothe’s recommendation to purchase shatter resistant film or other reinforcements for the glass windows in the high school and elementary schools to prevent access into classrooms and the main entrances. RC Contracting, Inc. will do the work, and School Safety Grant funds will be used to aid in implementing the recommendation of the School Safety Commission and Governor Sarah Sanders’ Arkansas LEARNS plan to provide a safe school environment for students and staff. The cost of the project is expected to be $10,025. School CFO Sarah Snider applied for

a $113,000 grant, which will cover the expense of the project.

Boothe also recommended that the district purchase a grand master key system for the district from Locksmith 24/77 of Stuttgart using funds from the School Safety Grant to aid in implementing the recommendations of the School Safety Commission. The cost of the project would be $68,483.60. Board Member Bradley Taylor asked that the vote be tabled until he can talk to Boothe about district safety needs. He would like to make the doors key carded to know who is coming into the buildings and when. Booth said that the district may have to get permission to change the present plan.

Stipends for staff members for the second semester of this school year were approved. Board Member Debbie Carlyle suggested that the district increase the tutoring fee, which has remained the same over several years. Boothe said that his office will look into that. Presently, ESA funds cover tutorial costs.

The board voted to approve the purchase of 100 Lenovo 300e Gen2 Chromebooks and 100 Google EDU Perpetual licenses from CNB Computers USA. These computers will replace 100 others that will be

retired this year. The purchase price of $23,175 will be paid with ARP ESSER and Title I funds. These are the same computers that were approved at the March meeting, but they will have more gigabytes and will cost a few dollars more per Chromebook.

In personnel matters, PPC President Susan Booth said that her group will be more involved in the school board process and will give the board minutes of their meeting each month. None of the principals were present to give reports.

Booth said that testing will begin this week in the elementary and high school. He also reported that the district is still looking for a tractor to buy. The roof on one of the teacherages has been repaired, and a fence which is laying down will be fixed.

Classified staff for the 2023-24 school year were hired, and Casondra Simes was hired for a K-3 Literacy Coach and Marissa Murphy was hired as a cafeteria worker. The resignation of high school paraprofessional Karen Tipton was accepted effective immediately.

The next regular school board meeting will be held on Monday, May 15, in the high school library at 6:00 p.m.

The following people donated blood at the Hazen First United Methodist Church in

April. They are: Chris Wright Doviano Fox Nancy Chapecka

Pete Tosh Kenneth Alexander Martha Starr Lance Larkan

THE DES ARC AMBULANCE SERVICE IS CURRENTLY LOOKING TO HIRE FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS. MUST LIVE IN OR NEAR DES ARC. FULL-TIME POSITIONS OFFER RETIREMENT AND BENEFITS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL CITY HALL AT 870-256-4316. APPLICATIONS CAN BE PICKED UP AT 107 S 3RD STREET IN DES ARC, ARKANSAS. (4/26 2tc)

Hazen High School holds Junior/Senior Prom April 14th

Hazen High School held its 2023 Junior/Senior Prom on Friday, April 14, in the school cafeteria. Here are pictures of the servers (top right) and some scenes from the evening. (Wendy Perry photos.)

Des Arc High’s 2023 Junior/Senior prom is huge success

Des Arc High School celebrated at the 2023 Junior/Senior Prom held on Friday, April 21, in the elementary cafeteria. Pictured on the right (top to bottom are the seniors, juniors, and servers. The theme for the evening was “Hollywood”.” (Lisa Mills photos.)