This Week's Issue

75¢

DAHS honors students with banquet. (See p. 6.)

Volume 120 Number 17 - USPS 225-680

Community Calendar of Events Pre-K Registration packets for 2021-2022 can be picked up at the Pre-K room.

Friday April 30 Hazen Senior Class picnic 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Des Arc High School Prom Saturday May 1 PC Master Gardener Plant Sale 9 a.m.

City Park East Hazen Tuesday May 4 Quorum Court Meeting 6:00p.m.

Annex Building Des Arc Friday May 7 Hazen’s Senior Prom 6:00 p.m.

Hazen Community Center Wednesday May 12 Prairie County Quilt Club Meeting First Christian Church 10th and Main Street Stuttgart 10:00a.m.

Thursday May 13 DeValls Bluff City Council Meeting City Hall 6:00 p.m.

Sunday May 16 Hazen Graduation 2:00 p.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.

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Carlisle School District makes mask wearing optional in schools

By Debbye Harrison Wearing a mask will be optional for both students and staff for the rest of the school year.

The Carlisle School Board passed this motion at the April 13 Board Meeting after learning that there has not been a case of COVID 19 for more than a month nor has there been a student or staff member quarantined.

The Jacques Parker Memorial Fund will again reward students for success on the ACT Aspire tests which will

be given this week over two days.

The FFA Banquet will be May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. In other FFA news Emma Cook is running for a State FFA office and placed 6th in her class at the swine show at the Crowley’s Ridge Classic livestock show and 5th place at the NEA Livestock Show.

Alyssa Butler has placed 3rd in the Regional Science Fair in Plant Science and won the Soybean Science challenge.

Seniors last day is May

7 with Graduation practice May 14. Senior graduation is May 16.

Sixth grade graduation is May 27 at 9 a.m. in the Elementary Cafeteria. Each student will receive four tickets.

The date for K i n d e r g a r t e n Graduation has not been finalized. It will either be May 24 or 25 at 9 a.m. in the Elementary Cafeteria.

All Seniors will receive the required CPR and Stop the Bleed courses which will be taught by EMTs. The Board voted 6 to 1

to hire the Consulting Group of School Eats for the 2021—22 school year. This group will provide resources for the school cafeterias by purchasing top quality food products at a cheaper rate because of their buying power through a consortium of more than 26 Arkansas schools.

Further, they will train staff members, trouble shoot any problems with food, recipes, labor or budget.

In addition, they will promote healthier eating through a professional ad campaign and pro-

vide menus and recipes that accommodate students’ appetites.

In personnel matters the base salary for certified teachers will be raised to meet the state mandated $36,000 required in 2022-23.

Classified staff will receive an across the board $1,100 raise.

Jody Martin gave her letter of retirement.

Letters of resignation were received from Holly Booth and Kimber Fleming.

All classified personnel were re-hired.

Citizens address Des Arc City Council about multiple problems At the April 20th Des Arc City Council meeting, James Lauderdale addressed the council regarding problems with three dogs across the street from his home (one which is a pit bull).

He said he has called Officer Mayher several times and also talked with Mayor Garth about the problem. He said that he has pictures of Mayher being backed up by the dogs, but he only gave the owners a $50 “Dog at Large” ticket.

Lauderdale said the city ordinance states that it is unlawful to have any dog that has a tendency to bite (he claimed the dog growls and barks). His complaint is that he was told he has to file an affidavit before anything can be done, but that has not been the case when he has been issued tickets for his wife’s service dog.

Lauderdale said that he feels this is discrimination against him because he has been outspoken against the police and dog catcher, and he wants to know why. Attorney Ginger Stuart told Lauderdale that he knows why and has been told by the Police Chief as well as herself. She went on to say that if an officer sees a crime occur he can make an arrest, but if not a complaintant has to file a complete and satisfactory affidavit. Stuart said that the only affidavits she has seen from

Lauderdale or his wife were incomplete, and he has been told many times that a complete affidavit is required by law.

Lauderdale then stated that Officer Mayher has come to his home in his patrol car and told him that he didn’t have his stuff so he couldn’t do anything.

He also claims that it took Officer Andy Childers 28 minutes to come to his house when he called to report the pit bull had come across his yard to try to kill his cat.

He said that Childers told his wife that was the last time he was coming to their house. Lauderdale said he is doing everything he can, but he is not going to file an affidavit, and if the dog kills another one of his animals he is going to kill the dog.

Attorney Stuart asked if an officer saw the dog kill one of his animals, and he said no. She told Lauderdale that he has to file an affidavit, and if he kills a dog without justification he will owe a penalty.

Dixie Lauderdale then addressed the council saying that March 15th was the first call made ,and Officer Mayher came and tried to get someone to the door and no one answered. She said that Sgt. Childers also came but didn’t get out of his vehicle. Mrs. Lauderdale said she called the Sheriff’s office four days later and Sgt.

ADA taking farm stress applications until May 17 LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network State Departments of Agriculture (FRSANSDA) program.

Funding for the FRSAN-SDA program is provided by the U. S. Department of Agriculture for State Departments of Agriculture to expand or sustain stress assistance programs for individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 17 through the following link: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ArkansasAgri culture1/FarmAndRanch StressAssistanceNetwor

kStateDepartmentsOfAg riculture Funding may be used to initiate, expand, or sustain programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral for other forms of assistance through the following: Farm telephone helplines and websites; Training, including training programs and workshops; Support groups; and Outreach services and activities, including the dissemination of information and materials.

More information about eligibility and the FRAN-SDA program is available in the full Request for Applications at https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2021/04/ FY21-FaRS-SDoARFA.pdf.

Childers came and sat in their driveway and watched the dogs cross into her yard barking and growling, and she got cameras to put in her yard.

Attorney Stuart asked if she filed an affidavit, and Lauderdale said no because the officer saw them in her yard barking and growling.

Stuart answered that barking and growling does not mean the dogs are vicious. Lauderdale asked if she had to wait for one to bite her, and once again Stuart told her if the officer did not see a crime she had to file an affidavit.

Ray Bell addressed the council concerning his water bill. He said that in February he was snowed in at work, away from home, and had a water leak and received a water bill for $902. He said he spoke with Teresa Conder who told him he would have to pay the full amount.

He said he then spoke to Mayor Garth who told him the city would work with him and he would only have to pay half the bill.

Garth later told him he would have to pay the full amount

so he did. But the water department told him he will have a credit of $451. Bell said his bill typically runs $15 to $25 per month so it will take him 2 years to use the credit.

Bell said that Paul Berry and Jerry James told him that the city can waive his tapping fee on some other work he is having done, then after he spoke to Jerry Greenwood and some others it was decided that the fee could not be waived so now he has to pay $550 for the tapping fee, a $50 deposit and for 500 feet of water lines.

Mayor Garth told Bell that a resolution was passed 10 or 12 years ago that says you have to fix the water leak and pay the full bill, then a 6 month average of your bill is figured, then half of the overage is taken off and comes back to you as a credit.

Garth also stated that he never told Bell he only had to pay half of the bill.

Council Member Fisher said that she had to pay her entire bill up front as well. Mayor Garth said that the council could waive the overage but

then they would have to do so for all water customers.

Council Member King asked about waiving the tapping fee as Paul Berry had suggested.

Garth said yes they could waive the fee but then all customers would expect the same and that neither Paul Berry or Jerry James had authority to tell someone the fee could be waived. Garth also stated that the North Prairie Water tapping fee was more than the city’s, and the amount was set by the USDA. Cecil Taylor addressed the council concerning the enforcement of the city ordinance regarding code enforcement of properties which was passed in 2003. Council Member King asked if he was referring to the structure on Lee Street.

Taylor said yes, but there were also plenty of other properties in violation. Taylor said he just wants to know if the city ordinances are enforceable and who enforces them and he has still has not (Continued as Council on p. 4.)

DA

Des Arc Honor Grads announced...

The Des Arc High School Honor Graduates were honored at the recent academic awards banquet. They are (left to right): Daron Buck, Valedictorian Anna Holloway, Halleigh Burton, Kayla Craig, Luke Morton, Caroline Harris, Salutatorian Meredith Reidhar, Sadie York, Tristan Richards, and Cade Smith.

(Not pictured are Kizen Holland and Brayden Prickell.) See more on page 6.

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Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Billy C. Bartley

Billy C. Bartley of Hazen, died suddenly on April 20, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, four sisters, and a loving wife of 56 years, Lorene. He is survived by his two daughters, Freida Isbell and husband, Jeff and Brenda Hoover and husband, David all of Hazen; grandchildren, Brandy (Clay) Snider of Cooter, Missouri, Ashton (Nicholas) Gray of Roe, Cole (Mikah) Isbell of Hazen, Jason (Karen) Hoover of Clarksville, and Tod (Brandy) Hoover of Maumelle; greatgrandchidren, Cameron and Emma Snider of Cooter, Missouri, Isbelle and Calle Gray of Roe, Khloe Isbell of Hazen, Kierstin, Dawson and Hakey of Clarksville, Morgan of Suluth, Minnesota, Patrick, Angela, Christian, Zach and Vinnie of Maumelle, and Allie and Maxx of Toledo, Ohio; three sisters, Joann, Gaye, and Ivy; one brother, Fred Bartley and a host of family and friends. Bill enjoyed a life of mechanics, fishing, outdoors, and bluegrass music. He could fix anything including a “dead goldfish.” He will always be remembered as “Paw” and cherished by all of his family.

Charles Richard Zimmerman

Charles Richard “Rick” Zimmerman, age 65, of Carlisle, entered the heavenly gates on April 21, 2021.

He was born on July 19, 1955, to Margaret Zimmerman-Bethel and

Arkansas Press Association Member 2020

The

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

the late Charles Richard Zimmerman.

He graduated from Manzano High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and from the University of Arkansas with a B.S. in Business Administration.

Rick retired as the IT Manager for Lennox Industries in Stuttgart.

He was a natural craftsman who could create anything with his hands.

He enjoyed duck hunting, the Razorbacks, his five granddaughters and spending his mornings on his tractor at the farm.

Every afternoon was reserved for golf. His time spent with his buddies was a true joy. This message came from a friend, “They don’t make them like this guy anymore.

He was the nicest, most appreciative, and complimentary guy you would ever meet. He always had your back whether he was on your team or not.

His “high-fives” may have actually hurt at times but what I wouldn’t give to have one more. I’m going to miss you buddy.”

Rick is survived by his wife, Jo Zimmerman; one son, Brock Zimmerman and wife, Jen; one stepdaughter, Melissa Moody and husband, William; one step-son, Nathan Campbell and wife, Priscilla; his mother and stepfather, Margaret and John Bethell; five granddaughters, Madison Moody, JoAnna Moody, Gracie Campbell, Hadley Campbell, and Allie Zimmerman; his brother Phil Zimmerman and wife, Tina; his nephew, Dylan Zimmerman and wife, Emily; his niece, Hannah Zimmerman; his aunt and uncle, Phyllis Hooten and husband Bill, Kay Ostrem and husband, Dan; his brother-in-law, Eddie Raper and wife, Sandy and his in-laws, Arlene and James Burks.

The family will be eternally grateful to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Springhill Baptist Hospital for their excellent care and compassion during his long battle with Covid. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Carlisle.

Funeral services were 2:00 P.M., Sunday, April 25, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Carlisle with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 prior to the service. Interment was in the Carlisle Cemetery.

Arrangements were by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.

Ray Tilley

Ray Tilley, 83, of Des Arc died Thursday, April 15, 2021 at Des Arc Nursing and Rehab in

Des Arc, Arkansas. Ray was born March 25, 1938, in Pollard, Arkansas to Vern and Mae (Wallace) Tilley.

Ray served in the U. S. Navy and was an over the road truck driver.

Survivors include his friend Mamie Barnett, son, Raymond Tilley along with other children. No services are planned at this time.

Cremation services were entrusted to Garth Funeral Home.

Linda Carol Smith Hellyer

Linda Carol Smith Hellyer was born February 5, 1948 in the Sandhill community near Des A r c , Arkansas to Herbert and G l a d y s ( Wa l t e r s ) Smith. Linda graduated from Des Arc High School in 1966 and went on to ASU where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History.

While in college she met Mike Hellyer and they married in 1974 and moved to Mike’s home in Fredericktown, Missouri.

In 1979, Linda gave birth to her daughter Chandra who died as an infant and in 1984, Linda gave birth to her daughter Deidre who has been at her mother’s side until the time of Linda’s Death.

In 2004 Linda and Deidre moved back to Linda’s home town of Des Arc. For most of Linda’s life, she has been involved with her church.

She has worked with children’s ministries, pastoral care, bible study and Sunday school.

Anyone who attended church with Linda knew her for her extreme knowledge of scriptures and bible history. If you didn’t know Linda for her biblical knowledge, you probably knew her for her baking. At the holidays, she made dozens and dozens of candies and cookies and multiple cakes and pies for all of her family, friends and neighbors to enjoy. She always made wonderful desserts for church pot lucks and gatherings she also made each nephew and niece their own favorite kind of cake for their birthdays.

Ms. Hellyer is survived by her daughter, Deidre Hellyer, nephew Adam Smith, niece Rebecca (Toby) Morris, sister in law, Rita Smith (Rick) Dobson, Great nieces Meagan (Wayne) DeLisle, Savannah Morris, Allie Burke and Jennie Morris and one great-great niece.

Linda is preceded in death by her daughter, Chandra Hellyer, Parents, Herbert and

Gladys (Walters) Smith, Brother Arnold Smith and Nephew Alan Smith.

Visitation was held on Monday, April 19, 2021, from 5pm-7pm at Garth funeral home in Des Arc. Funeral services wereheld on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 2 pm in the Church of God of Prophecy in Des Arc followed by interment at Sandhill cemetery.

William Chester Hambrick

William Chester ( W.C.) “Steve” Hambrick, a Korean war army veteran, mustered out with his company on April 11, 2021 at the age of 90 and went to his heavenly home. W.C. was born in a houseboat on White River near Des Arc on January 20, 1931 to James Chester and Lillian Grace Luton Hambrick. He was saved at the age of 14 during a brush arbor revival service and had to wade mud to be baptized in Des Arc Bayou. W.C. attended Des Arc and Griffithville schools, leaving after the 8th grade to help his family on their farm. He married Gladys Tipton on March 11, 1950. They celebrated their 71st anniversary this year. He served on the front lines in Korea with the US Army during the Korean conflict and was discharged as a corporal.

Steve and Gladys were blessed with five children, son Steven(Sandy) Hambrick, four daughters, Rita Hambrick, Brenda Bryant, Belinda(Roger)Scott, all of Des Arc and Beverly(Richard) Luck of Evening Shade, Arkansas.

In the early years of their marriage, they worked in Little Rock and Conway. They moved back to Des Arc in 1960 and eventually opened their own NAPA auto parts store, Steve’s Auto Parts, which they operated for over 25 years. Mr. Steve, as he was known, worked 6 days a week but was also on call nights and weekends to service area farmers and others who needed parts after hours. After retiring he spent countless hours with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved hunting with his grandsons and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren valuable life lessons with a conservative, common sense point of view.

Steve was also a master gardener who enjoyed growing a couple acres of produce, which he shared with family and friends.

Legal Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PRAIRIE COUNTY, ARKANSAS NORTHERN DISTRICT - PROBATE DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PAULINE H. OWEN, DECEASED NO. PR-21-5 Last Known Address: 10882 Highway 11 North, Des Arc, AR 72040 Date of Death: February 4, 2021 An instrument dated March 17, 2995, was on the 24th day of March, 2021 admitted to probate as the last will of the above-named decedent and the undersigned has been appoint-

ed Executor thereunder.

Contest of the probate of the will can be effected 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.

This notice first published the day of , 2021.

JERRY L. OWEN, EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF PAULINE H. OWEN, DECEASED

JERRY KELLY KELLY LAW FIRM, P.A. Attorney for the Estate of Pauline H. Owen, Deceased P.O. Box 390 Highway 70 East Carlisle, Arkansas 72024-0390 (870) 552-7513 Arkansas Bar No.

He enjoyed many years of gardening before arthritis forced him to quit. He spent sixteen years of retirement helping his daughter and her husband at their restaurant in Des Arc, Lindsay’s Pizza and Grill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Wilburn Carl “Bo” Hambrick, three sisters, Emaline Dart, Lodean Schmall, and Lodean’s twin sister, Clotene, who died days after birth, one son-inlaw, Bobby Bryant, one grandchild, Isaac Daniel Luck, and one great grandchild, Caris Amelia Horton.

He is survived by his wife, his children, one brother, James T. Hambrick, one sister, Elsie Dohm, eight grandc h i l d r e n , David(Kelley)Horton, Phillip Hambrick, Will ( Pe p p e r ) H a m b r i c k , Benjamin(Courtney)Scott , Lindsay Scott, Arrica(Matt)Hess, Trinity(Meagan)Luck, Caleb Luck and an honorary granddaughter Alice Nsanwi. He is also survived by nineteen

great grandchildren, Beckett and Bauer Horton, Genevieve, Analiese, and Rosalyn Hambrick, Laney and Rylee (Hambrick) Phillips, Gentry Phillips, Owen and Lane Hambrick, Zaylie and Emmett Scott, Isaac, Gavyn, Seanna, and Kadence Hess, Trinity Reese Luck, Trenton Luck, and Tytus Luck.

He also has another great grandchild expected in October.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Honorary pallbearers are Andy Madar, Jerry Fischer, Paul Holloway, Tony Smith, Russell McKay, Ed York, Doc and Melinda Skinner, and Gail King.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, April 13th, from 6-8 pm at Garth Funeral Home in Des Arc, and the funeral service was held April 14th at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church in Des Arc where he was a member. Dr. Matt Hess and Dr. Melvin York officiated. Burial was in Lakeside Cemetery in Des Arc.

Teer new NSCS member Jared Diemer Pennington Teer of Hazen, AR has accepted an invitation of lifetime membership in The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), the nation’s leading certified honor society for high-achieving first- and secondyear college students with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. NSCS is an honors organization that invites less than ten percent of all eligible students nationwide to join the ranks of its diverse membership each year.

A leading interdisciplinary academic honor society, NSCS is made up of scholars from twoyear, four-year and online institutions.

“NSCS is more than just a symbol of academic achievement; it is a distinction of honor,”

said Scott Mobley, NSCS Executive Director. “Our scholars are some of the best of the best who have shown an unwavering commitment to academic excellence early in their collegiate journey.

These dynamic individuals embody the NSCS pillars of scholarship, leadership, and service, and many go on to become active contributors within their respective fields.”

Founded in 1994 by veteran student affairs professional Stephen Loflin, NSCS continues to remain true to its promise of recognizing, elevating, and connecting high-achievers.

“We welcome Jared Diemer Pennington Teer to our community of like-minded, highachieving nationwide scholars,” Mobley said.

Angie King Beauty Shop for Men and Women Open Wednesday - Saturday Please Call for appointment.

870-998-2251 or 870-998-2414 305 West Hazel (by the courthouse) DeValls Bluff, AR

City Wide Clean Up The City of Hazen will be initiating a city wide clean up beginning May 4, 2021 through the next several weeks. We are beginning our clean up with a tire pick up.

Please place any old tires in your yard on the curb for pick up from May 4th – May 6th and we are asking you to call the city at 870-2554521 for pick up.

We will continue our city wide clean up over the next several weeks with additional dates for other items to be picked up.

Failure to clean up your property could result in fines being issued in the future. (Ordinance No. 492, Sec. 1)

INTERESTED in Selling Your Home or Property? Call today for a free market analysis. We advertise locally, also in ZILLOW, CARMLS, and EZ MLS.

207 S. Court

Carlisle, AR 72024

Phone 501.454.2315

Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Hazen Schools to raise salaries The Hazen School Board approved Superintendent Donnie Boothe’s recommendation to raise the salaries of the certified personnel at the April 19 regular meeting. Boothe said that the 2021-22 salary schedule, which was given to the Personnel Policy Committee only has 23 steps, which is two less than last year’s schedule.

The salary schedule was changed to meet a state requirement that beginning teachers with no experience must start at $36,000 a year.

“Everyone gets a raise,” Boothe said, but the raise will be prorated so that some teachers will only receive $1200 rather than the full $2000.

Present at the meeting were Board Members Ritchie Ingle, Vicki Skarda, Darlene Connor, Freddie Rogers, and Sandra Penn. Ingle, who is the board vice-president, led the meeting, taking the place of former president Davy Williams who no longer lives in the school district and had to resign from the board.

The board also approved the certified salary schedule and the supplemental salary schedule for the, which will include money to pay two personnel $40 to clean and disinfect the gym after basketball games. The cleaning salaries will be paid with ESSER funds. “We’ll keep doing that next year,” Boothe said.

The board also approved the stipends for staff members during the second semester of this year. Senior sponsor stipends of $300 were added to the schedule.

The 2020-2021 ACSIP budget was approved with little discussion.

This plan, which explains how the district will spend federal funds across the district and in the high school and elementary school, must be turned in to the Arkansas Department of Education each year.

Boothe recommended

Robyn Cohen of DeValls Bluff is sworn in by Prairie County Clerk Gaylon Hale to take the board position left vacant by Davy Williams.

that Clearly Speaking, LLC be contracted to provide speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy for the 2021-22 school year.

Skarda told Boothe that a parent had told her that her son had not been getting therapy this year. Boothe said that he would check into the problem.

The district approved an alternative learning education (ALE) commitment with the Arch Ford Consortium, which is based in Beebe, for next school year. The ALE will be located in Carlisle at the old library, and the district will pay $75,600 for five kindergarten-6th grade, eight 7th-12th grade, and ten HUB slots. The money will be paid out of the district’s ALE funds.

Four waivers were approved and will be requested of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for virtual learning students, including an attendance waiver (attendance will be based on coursework completion each week), a six hour instructional day waiver for virtual learners who will not be required to be online for 30 hours each week, a “clock hour waiver” allowing for credit to be awarded on the basis of subject matter competency, and a recess waiver because K-8 remote students will not be required to have 40 minutes of recess or six

hours of instruction per day.

The school board agreed to approve a security proposal submitted by Blue Sky Technologies to provide and install a closed circuit television solution for the entire school district. The system will have a higher visual and audio resolution than the present system. “It’s basically 4K TV,” High School Principal Mark Price said. The elementary portion will be $51,278.48, and the high school portion will cost $53,574.82. The district will also place 12 Halo Smart Sensors for the bathrooms in both schools and the gym. The system will detect vape, cigarette, and marijuana fumes and loud noises as might occur in a fight.

The systems will cost $6,278.78 for each school and will be taken out of ESA Safety and Security funds.

The board approved Boothe’s recommendation to keep the use of masks mandatory for the remainder of the school year. Skarda expressed concern that presently multiple grades of elementary students are not allowed to have the same recess time. Boothe said that he would look into the present plan.

Price said that the recent Parent/Teacher Conference was successful and that the interim test award day at the park “turned out well.”

He reported that the district tournament will begin in Des Arc on Tuesday.

Boothe told the board that his office is working on next year’s budget.

The board then went into executive session, and took no action upon returning. They then voted to accept the resignation of K-12 paraprofessional Destiny Morris and appointed Robyn Cohen to replace Davy Williams in the Position 5 slot left vacant until the next school board election this coming fall.

The board will leave the officer positions as they are.

Pictured are some of the ones who were in on helping with plans and worked for the fundraiser for Timothy VanHouten starting with the virtual sale, the desserts for the barbecue dinner. and the bake sale. They were (l to r): Shawn Edge, Tammy Gaddy, Annette Brasko Sterl, Joey Bednar, Ryan Weems, Chris Weems, Candace McMullen Tomboli, Debbie Lee Kee Perry, Lance Larkin, and Lee Gammill McAhren.

(Photo courtesy of Wendy Perry and Brooke Weems.)

Benefit dinner and auction is success

By Chris Weems When Lee Gammill McAhren, Ryan Weems, Shawn Edge, from the HHS class of 1991, and Donnie Nichols and Deana Kelly Williams from the HHS 1990 class got together to plan a party, the plans turned into a big fundraiser for Timothy VanHouten from the class of ‘91. They enlisted help from Tammy Gaddy, Annette Brasko Sterl, Joey Bednar, Debbie Lee Kee Perry, and Lance Larkin in the planning, and they were off to a good start.

Some, like Wendy Plant Perry, were from Carlisle, at the time, and they got in on the plans for a virtual auction. Others to numerous to name got in on baking the desserts that turned into a bake sale.

The event was held in the Hazen Calvary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on

Friday, April 23, and people came to pick up their barbecue dinners for donations only.

Donnie Nichols and his pastor, Christian Van Houten (class of 1992) and Ryan Weems cranked up four smokers and prepared the meat Thursday and Friday with help from their classmates.

Timothy had a massive stroke about eight weeks ago on the left side. He is making progress and may get to come home in about two weeks.

Lee and Candace said they had served well over three hundred dinners before they started running out of all of the items, except for the barbecue meat.

Lee said, when they

first ran out of buns and chips, the customers said, “That’s okay we have those at home.”

When they were just down to the meat and desserts, Lee reported “The customers said we will take whatever you have,” and we just sold it all.

Wendy and some of the ones working the virtual auction had been somewhere else with their computers, but they finished the project they had started on April 19.

Brother Christian, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, said, “I just want to thank you all who worked or came and bought or made bids. It was a great effort and Timothy’s family is thankful for all the love and support!”

Correction Zoe Ford was left off the Hazen High School honor roll for the 11th grade. We apologize for the omission and congratulate her for the hard work.

Prairie County Master Gardeners plan plant sale

By Chris Weems Leonard Chamblee gave the program on sharpening garden tools at the regular meeting of the Prairie County Master Gardeners at the

Leonard Chamblee First Methodist Church fellowship ha in Hazen.

Chamblee had a new tool set to show that had three degrees of abrasi-

ness. He showed how to clean the tool before harming the leveled area. Then he showed how to oil the area until you use it.

Sue Clayton, president presided with 15 members and one vistor present. Amanda Stark was welcomed as a new member.

Minutes were red by Rhonda Betzner and Linda Price gave the financial report.

The president announced that the applications were received for the scholarship and the group voted to carry the amount over until next year.

The plant sale for Saturday, May 1 was discussed.

Volunteers are needed on Friday to price the items. They are to meet at Pat

Clayton’s shop building on Hwy 249 Friday afternoon.

The door prizes were won by Roxanne Bradow and Debbie Carpenter.

Sue announced the plant sale at Brinkley Saturday, April 24th

beginning at 8:00 a.m. at their usual vacant lot on Main street.

The new Master Gardners shirts were distributed.

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday May 18, at 6:00 p.m.

Earth Day celebrated...

The Des Arc Public Library and Hazen Elementary School celebrated Earth Day by teacing about the environment. Chris Weems entertained the fifth grade at HES (bottom picture by Lyndi Kerr), and Leigh Ann Pearson Pool and Tanya Childers presented the program at the Des Arc Public Library.

Lion’s Club makes donation...

The Des Arc Lion’s Club made a donation to provide tuition to the students from DAHS who will be attending Boys’ and Girls’ State this year. Pictured (l to r) are Brother Eddie Addison, Jenna Brown, Coooper Childers and Kyndall Morton.

Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Central Arkansas NWR seeks comment on additions to hunting and fishing programs Hunting on national wildlife refuges is a tradition that dates back to the early 1900s. Today, more than 370 refuges are open to the public for hunting across the country. Here in the southeast, national wildlife refuges are a huge part of this tradition. We welcome sportswomen and men of all backgrounds and abilities to experience hunting in amazing places.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to add new species for hunting and fishing, add hunts, expand methods of take, and extend certain existing seasons on designated areas of the Bald Knob, Big Lake, Cache River, Holla Bend, and Wapanocca NWRs in accordance with Federal, State and refuge-specific regulations. We are seeking comments on these proposed changes.

The draft Hunting and Fishing Plans, draft C o m p a t i b i l i t y Determinations, and associated Environmental Assessment will be available for public review and comment beginning April 15, 2021 at: • Bald Knob NWR -

https://www.fws.gov/refug e/bald_knob/ • Big Lake NWR https://www.fws.gov/refug e/big_lake/ • Cache River NWR https://www.fws.gov/refug e/cache_river/ • Holla Bend NWR https://www.fws.gov/refug e/holla_bend/ • Wapanocca NWR https://www.fws.gov/refug e/wapanocca/ Comments may be submitted to email address: keith_weaver@fws.gov or mailed to: Central Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge Complex, C/O Keith Weaver, 26320 Highway 33, Augusta, AR 72006. Only written comments will be accepted. The deadline for comments on the Proposed Action is 60 days following the publication of the rule in the Federal Register, which is anticipated to publish in mid to late April 2021. We will update the comment deadline on the above websites following the Federal Register publication. To ensure consideration of your comments in the development of a final decision on this action, please submit your comments prior to this date.

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Prairie County is such a giving community to our fellow friends, neighbors in need, or just to help out for a great cause!

We are members of the Delta Kappa Gamma Organization that supports the Margaret Fisher Literacy Fund for Prairie County. We raise money to support the Dolly Pardon Imagination Library book program. We are retired teachers and current teachers who know the importance of getting books into kids’ hands and homes.

Through the program, children receive a free book every month from birth to five years of age.

This is a total of 60 books.

Vicki Skarda and Monica Lisko will sign up your child anytime for this free program. There are other ladies in Des Arc that are doing this same thing for all of Prairie County.

We, as retired teachers, understand the impor-

tance of a book in a child’s hand and the importance of being read to. Children need this one-on-one time with parents, grandparents, or caregivers before they go to pre-k.

Every February and March we send out letters to people in our community asking them to donate money for this program (and our children). It’s tax deductable. This is our 4th year to do this.

Our future is our children and, with the things that are going on in our world, the children need us. If you want to give money as a memorial, or in honor of a person, please send money to us with the person’s name, and we will contact them.

Prairie County is a wonderful community to live in, and it has supported its citizens. Thank you again for the wonderful donations we have received this year.

Monica Lisko Vicki Skarda Retired Teachers

Blurred Vision -

“Spring Cleaning”

In this country there are lots of traditions based around the idea of renewal or rebirth. In a way that makes sense.

Ours is a relatively young nation with a trend setting state of mind. Not to toot our own horn, but we were the founding ground of Western Democracy. Not a bad starting point. So, our preoccupation with newness and renewal runs in our blood with a youth-like earnestness.

Every now-and-again we forget these things and become harsh and cynical, but now is not the time for such talk.

Spring has sprung, gentle readers.

When I was younger, Spring was always a welcome time of year.

Baseball season was starting. The sun was beginning to peek out from behind the clouds a little more often. The cold and slushie winter was giving way to the warm and bright season of the sun. As I have gotten older a lot of those feelings have adhered themselves to my psyche permanently. I still enjoy the smell of dandelions and bermuda. I have come to appreciate the rejuvenating powers of a good Spring rain, especially when it washes away the yellow scourge which goes by the demon moniker pollen.

Today, however, I want to talk about a tradition that comes with the warmer weather world wide, Spring Cleaning. It is not a tradition marked by any exact date or celebratory rights of passage, unless you call sneezing a right of passage. Spring cleaning is one of those odd little things we do in an attempt to straighten

the optimal way to arrange key rings by size, type, and number of accessories. It is a dark place to be, gentle readers. Luckily, I have a wife who is more than willing to slap me back to reality any time my eyes linger too long in one place. There have been several times I have been awakened from my manic state simply by the sound of her irritated foot steps before the blow had a chance to rain down with the crack and thunder of thousands of years of female oppression behind it. At this point, I think she is getting far too much pleasure out of catching me in this state. I find myself flinching if I take more than 15 seconds to put away the silverware.

This weekend my wife and I put in a good couple of hours cleaning and rearranging the garage, which doubles as my workshop. As usual, I took the opportunity to find things to donate to Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill. Things that I could use again but probably wouldn’t. I also rearranged my shelving to accommodate what my wife calls, “all my hobbies.” My goal is to seclude all of my knick-knacks and paddywhacks in the same place I give my dogs their bones, so my lovely wife can start making our smallest guest room into a library for all our books. This requires no small amount of preparation. I have a lot of small hobbies that keep me from turning to the dark side so to speak.

Finding appropriate room and separation has been a challenge. But, between us we were able

to get half of the job done within an adequate state of variability. Meaning, my OCD side will be busy working for quite some time in the near future.

Maybe I will wear a helmet or something with a facemask.

When we had gotten done what we could, my wife stepped back and said, “Now, doesn’t that look 100% better and make you feel good?”

The truth is, it did make me feel better. It is nowhere near where it needs to be. There will always be another spacesaving idea on which to work. Nothing has any right to be perfect. But, it is that striving for perfection and renewal that makes Spring cleaning such a therapeutic exercise. The months of cold, rainy weather that makes us cower in concession are on their way out, and new life and rebirth are on their way into our humble land.

If you find yourself struggling to get over your winter funk this year, do yourself a favor.

Pop an allergy pill, strap on a dust mask and some gloves, and do a little Spring cleaning. The movement will revitalize your muscles (keep ice ready in the freezer), and the new found organization will make the world a little less hectic and drab. Spruce up your psyche and surroundings. I’m not saying you will feel reborn, but maybe, you can feel a little renewed.

If you want to comment on this column or any of my other musings, you can reach me at thatbradowguy@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

From Senator Jonathan Dismang LITTLE ROCK – The legislature has enacted numerous reforms to Arkansas election laws.

The Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs reviews all proposed legislation that address elections. So far this session, the committee has received 49 bills specifically affecting polling places, absentee ballots, voter fraud and the handling of elections.

A significant example is Senate Bill 644, which has already been approved by the Senate

(continued from p.1) hour wait time fee. She said that this increase was still cheaper than “North Star” rates. A motion was approved to bring a resolution to the May meeting to address the rate changes.

A resolution was approved to designate Central Arkansas Planning District as Project Administrator of the anticipated Arkansas Community and Economic Development grant to purchase turnout suits for the Fire Department. A motion

and tidy the corners of our lives that have been mucked up over a long, cold, and (this year) lonely winter. Gentle readers, it seems like years since it’s been here. Here comes the Sun, and with it comes the bright light that illuminates the dusky edges that have floundered in darkness for so long. Our reaction is one of self preservation in the tone of, “That’s gross. How long has that been there? When was the last time we had… What is that?

Meatloaf??

Something has to be done!”

So, we gather up our cleaning supplies and scrub brushes and hang our heads as we shuffle off to face the fomenting filth. For the most part, Spring cleaning is a cumbersome chore that reminds us just how easy it is to overlook baseboards and dust bunnies.

But, it also comes with a sense of renewal and a fresh start. We scrub and scrape and put away and rearrange and detangle and replace and repair and do whatever else needs to be done in order to make our lives a little more sanitary. For me, Spring cleaning can take on a life of its own. I have been known to have a slight case of OCD. I’m not on medication or counting floor tiles in the DMV or anything like that. However, when I start really cleaning, I can go all “A Beautiful Mind” on things.

I have a highly tuned spatial sense, and whenever I let it take control, it can consume my world quickly. The next thing I know, I have been staring at the same shelf for 12 hours trying to find

State Capitol Week in Review

DA Council______________________ received an answer.

Mayor Garth said the council is responsible.

Council member McVay invited Taylor to attend the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to discuss the matter with John Stephens.

Mayor Garth told Taylor they are still working on the issues with the structure on Lee Street. Mr. Taylor said he was speaking more about the ordinance in general, not just the Lee Street issue. He thanked the council for their time.

Ambulance Director Christy Rogers addressed the council concerning a rate increase. She stated that currently the fee is a $400 base rate and $10 per mile. She said that Medicare allows a base rate of $419.34 and $11.55 for the first 17 miles and $7.70 per mile after that. Rogers recommended a $650 base rate and $15 per mile.

She said the last increase was in either 2006 or 2008. She also discussed charging a fee for wait time giving an example of a recent time being stuck in Searcy for 3 hours causing the city to be without an ambulance for nearly 5 hours. She recommended a $50 per

By Nathaniel Bradow

was approved to add Melinda Richards and Lisa Higgs to the bank signature cards for the North Prairie Water and Gas Department accounts and to add Lisa Higgs to the signature card for the Municipal Court account.

Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Garth, Treasurer/Recorder Chrisanna Knupp and Council Members Gary Burnett, Jodie Mayher, Nicole Fisher, Gail King, Ray McVay and Anna Beth Fisher.

and is being considered by the House.

It creates a toll-free hotline to the state Attorney General’s office to receive complaints of any violations of election law. To knowingly file a false claim would be a Class A misdemeanor.

Within 45 days of an election, the Attorney General shall report all complaints to the legislature’s Joint Performance Review Committee (JPR). SB 644 would empower JPR to investigate allegations of election fraud.

JPR could schedule hearings to investigate allegations of election law. SB 644 empowers the committee to swear in witnesses and subpoena them to require their appearance. It could also subpoena records and documents.

The JPR committee may then refer the allegations to the state Board of Election Commissioners.

The referral shall include testimony from the legislative hearings and a recommendation of possible penalties.

If legislators on JPR believe that violations are so severe that they threaten a county’s ability to conduct a free, fair and impartial election, then the committee could recommend that the state Board take over the election process in that county.

The state Board of Election Commissioners could be reimbursed for running the local election. The state could withhold enough money from the county’s turnback funds to pay for election costs.

SB 644 authorizes similar steps to address voter registration violations. If the state Board finds a violation of voter registration laws, it may issue a letter of reprimand or impose a fine of up to $1,000 against the local election official and have the official decertified.

In related news, the Senate approved HB 1715 to require county

clerks to provide the county board of election commissioners with a daily count of absentee ballot applications.

HB 1715 directs county clerks to compare signatures on applications for absentee ballots with signatures on the applicant’s voter registration document. If the signatures don’t match, the clerk will not send an absentee ballot to the applicant.

Both the Senate and House have passed HB 1803 to authorize the state Board of Election Commissioners to take corrective action when it uncovers violations of election laws.

The Senate also passed SB 620 to restrict electioneering at polling places and SB 498, which changes the course of action when someone files an election law complaint to a county board of election commissioners. Instead of forwarding the complaint to the county clerk and prosecuting attorney, the county board shall send it to the state Board of Election Commissioners.

The Committee on State Agencies endorsed HB 1517 to set up online voter registration.

However, it failed on the first vote in the Senate.

It received 18 votes but needed 24 for approval.

Fiscal issues took center stage during the final week of the legislative session.

Legislation to expand the sales tax exemption for purchases of used motor vehicles was first introduced in January, but it took until the closing days of the session for everyone to agree on the details.

House Bill 1912 lowers the sales tax to 3.5 percent on purchases of used motor vehicles costing between $4,000 and $10,000. The first year it is completely in effect, it will save Arkansas consumers an estimated $13.1 million.

The lower tax rate will apply to used trailers and semi-trailers too.

T a x officials e s t i m a t e that buyers of more than 36,000 used vehicles will benefit from the lower tax rate.

Senate Bill 181 expands the number of items that will be exempted from the sales tax during the annual sales tax holiday in late August.

It is often referred to as a “Back to School” tax holiday because it is meant to help families buying back to school supplies like clothes and school supplies.

SB 181 makes electronics exempt from the sales tax during the tax holiday. The exempted electronics include cell phones, calculators, computers of all sizes and varieties, printers and keyboards. The list does not include televisions, video games and music systems. The exemption will save Arkansas families almost $2 million a year.

The legislature has enacted other tax reductions for timber companies, steel mills, schools that buy electronic instructional material, people who restore historic structures, custom printers and farmers who build impoundment and irrigation systems to preserve groundwater.

Spending priorities in the Fiscal 2022 budget are in the Revenue Stabilization Act, the balanced budget law for Arkansas. SB 702, this year’s version, authorizes spending $5.9 billion in state taxes. The largest spending categories are the Public School Fund, which is about $2.25 billion, and the Medicaid program, which will spend about $1.37 billion in state general revenue. The Arkansas Medicaid program receives matching federal funds at a ratio of more than three to one.

Last year the federal government provided $5.9 billion to the Arkansas Medicaid program.

Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Come see Charlie Gerren at

Hazen School District accepting applications for a K-12 Pa r a p r o fe s s i o n a l .

Gwatney GMC Buick

in Sherwood by Sam’s.

Contact 501-681-9121 or the office at 501-945-4444.

We sell New and Used vehicles.

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 knuppinc@hotmail.com

Free Ads for Free Stuff If you’re giving it away, we’ll give you an ad for

free Call 2554538

Applications are available on the school website and District office.

(4-28-2tc)

Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Des Arc High School holds Academic Banquet DAHS held its annual Academic Banquet on Tuesday, April 20th. A large crowd was present to honor students who have excelled in 7th through 12th grade during the 2020-2021 school year. Everyone enjoyed a delicious fish meal catered by King Kat.

Seniors (Sitting): Charlotte Miller, Justin Canell, Daron Buck, Luke Morton, James Whaley, Cade Smith, and Tristan Richards. (Standing): Madalyn Davis, Faith Harrell, Kelby Huddleston, Shelby Cain, Anna Holloway, Halleigh Burton, Kayla Craig, Caroline Harris, Meredith Reidhar, and Sadie York.

10th grade: Logan Dawson , Connor McMillen, Landon Dobbins, Ross Holloway, Harleigh Holloway, Gabi Berry, Shyanne Bell, and Emily Whaley.

8th Graders (Sitting): Hayden Nichols, Ben Kearby, and Oakley Davenport.

(Standing): Brooklyn Smith, Grace Knight, Jurnee Washington, Jayda Renfro, and Kyra Hughes.

9th Grade (sitting l-r): Rylan Wyatt, Hayden Brown Dylan Elliott, and Justus Whaley (Standing: Adysen Johnston, Callie Baxter, Emilee Huggins, and Jada Jones.

11th Grade: (Sitting): Bryce Baxter, Aaron Madar, Cade Holloway, Cooper Childers, Gauge McCombs, Matt Kearby, Ty Lewis, Bennie-Scott Tallie, and Mason Sherman.

(Standing): Maggie Lantrip, Cheyenne Berryhill, Matthew Hill, Wesley Rogers, Andrew Madar, Dawson Crook, Bailey Devore, Jenna Brown, Kyndall Morton, and Zackery Holloway.

7th Grade (Sitting): Cane Childers, Gabe Berry, Lucas Price, Kaden Thomas, Maddox Ward, Caden Buckner, Bradley Sanner, and Jacques Reidhar. (Standing) Jett Hutchins, Kaylee McDonald, Maya Hamilton, Jolie Spratt, Alyssa Ladner, Karlee Woodall, Ella Fields, and Marlee Widener.

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The Grand Prairie Herald THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR DONATIONS TO THE MARGARET FISHER LITERACY ORGANIZATION! We provide books to children from birth to age 5.

2018 - $2210.00 2019 - $2320.00 2020 - $1550.00 2021 - $3315.00 Our future goal is $4000.00!

Vicki Skarda and Monica Lisko Chambers Nursing and Rehab Center * Private Rooms with Baths * 24 Hour Nursing Service * Rehab-Therapy

* On-Site Beauty Salon * Daily Activity Program * Church Service Regularly

Medicaid - Medicare - VA - Private Pay

(870) 552-7150 “Since 1945”

Hwy 70 - Carlisle, Arkansas “We offer extremely reasonable and affordable private pay rates”

Bobby Glover, President & CEO