Local Schools and Business will be closed
Thursday June 1 Hazen Public Library Bingo 11:00 a.m.
Carlisle Public Library The Balloon Man SRP Kick Off Bash 2:30 p.m.
Friday June 2
Carlisle Public Library
Sack lunch pick up 11:00-12:00 Community events are brought to you by the Hazen Chamber of Commerce and the
At the Carlisle City Council meeting held on May 16, the councilmen discussed the Legislative Audit that the city went through this past week. Carlisle Mayor Ray Glover and Assistant Trudy Drye were called to the Legislative Audit meeting in Little Rock to answer questions concerning the city’s bookkeeping procedures. A video of the entire meeting was made available to all Council members.
Council Member Jon Plafcan made a summary transcript available for the council to discuss. He highlighted the items he felt should be implemented immediately. Those included:
1. Management has no process to review and approve journal entries.
2. Bank reconciliations were not approved by someone other than to prepare nor prepared in a timely manner.
3. Cash receipt journals were not properly maintained to include all receipts and were not reconciled to total bank deposits.
4. Cash disbursements journals were not properly maintained to include all disbursements from and are not reconciled to total bank disbursements.
By Lisa MillsAt the May 16th City Council meeting, Mayor Roger Scott vetoed an ordinance passed by the council at the special called meeting on May 8th. The ordinance would have given permission for city employees and council members to work for other city departments on an “as needed” or “emergency basis." The ordinance was passed specifically to allow city employees or council members who have required certifications to drive an ambulance or serve as an EMT on an ambulance.
Mayor Scott said that after talking to the Municipal League, he felt that the ordinance was a bad idea. He said was told by the Municipal League that the ordinance could leave the city open for legal problems, for example, if the council approved a salary increase for ambulance employees and a council member was an employee. “They told me that we didn’t need an ordinance and there had been lawsuits against such ordinances,” Scott
5. Pre-number receipts were not issued for all funds.
6. The annual financial statement was not published by April 1 of the following year.
Drye took exception to each of these requirements. When Jon reminded her that he was only stating what the Legislative Audit Committee required, she took it as a personal attack.
Council members said that they needed to know how much money they had to work with and until that was determined, nothing could get done.
Trudy kept saying that there was no way to determine that until all of these past records were fixed.
Plafcan then said all he wanted was to have the bank statement and a Statement of Revenues sent with the agenda a week before the Council meeting so that council members would have time to read it over before the meeting. This week, two reports were only received two hours and fifty minutes before the meeting.
Drye kept repeating that she couldn’t get all of that done, and that he had those reports before the meeting. Eventually, Drye threatened to walk out
said. Council member Keith Knupp asked Scott if he could and would give permission for an employee or council member to drive an ambulance in case of an emergency, to which Scott replied “yes.”.
Ambulance Director Christy Rogers said that she understood that the Municipal League had said city employees could not work in more than one department unless there was an ordinance that said they could and that was the reason for the ordinance. Council Member Jodie Mayher said to Scott, “I will not be driving the ambulance anymore, so you don’t have to worry about me!” Scott told Mayher “I don’t have a problem with you,” to which Mayher said, “Yes you do.” Council Member Judy Burnett said, “We need to talk to the Municipal League to get a definite ruling about this.” Mayher once again said, “I will not be driving an ambulance anymore!”
Council Member Gail King recommended that a survey be conducted with other like-size
and threatened to quit. She abruptly left the room.
Councilman Plafcan moved that the Bank Statement and Statement of Revenues be sent one week before the Council meeting. It was seconded by Anne Anderson and passed 50.
In other business, the Christmas Ladies requested a withdrawal of their request to light the Rock Island Park at Christmas. Barbara Phillips explained the contents of the letter sent to the mayor and the Council asking for the withdrawal.
The Ladies did not want anyone to be upset with their plans or in any way harm the trees in the park. Their intentions were to provide a safe place for activities to be held both at Christmas and yearround. They will move to the west side of Glover Insurance (the old depot) to focus on children’s activities.
Kevin Kegley encouraged them to continue to seek a way to light that park since it would benefit those who like to use the walking path at night. It was announced that Kari Cook is now the District Court Clerk. Clay Waliski addressed the Council concerning
cities on what kind of salary increases they give and how they determine the amount.
Council Member Doug Estes said “We need to have a consistent plan to use every year. Are we giving performance raises added to the costof-living raises?” Mayor Scott replied, “Yes.” King said she knows that employees are not happy with the way the cost-of-living raises
an increase in the number of people who are roaming the streets at night, living in houses without water or other utilities, vagrants or basically undesirables.
At times these persons have become a nuisance in neighborhoods and their numbers have been increasing.
He asked the city to encourage the police to keep a watchful eye on these persons and stop to inquire about their residences, business or other reasons for keeping late hours in residential areas. He also suggested that houses that have no running water or electricity be condemned and not allow anyone to live there. Finally, he requested a burn ban on anything that is not wood or leaves.
Councilman Kegley assured him that a specific burn ban was being discussed and would be implemented soon. The annual financial statement has not been printed in the press yet this year.
Patricia Easton, Carlisle Librarian, lifted the spirits in the room by reporting a $2,000 grant for the summer feeding program for children that will run JuneAugust. Volunteers will be needed to prep and distribute the food.
have been done by a flat percentage. Burnett said she had always hated percentage raises and didn’t think they were fair. Estes said, “We need to give a costof-living increase now, then figure out later how we want to do performance raises.” King made a motion to give all full-time employees a 5% cost-of-living increase now and have Estes and Knupp
June 15 will be Heroes’ Day, and the Fire Department, Police, and Game and Fish Commission will be on hand with canines to show the kids what they do.
Numbers are up in all areas in the library; attendance, computer use, and story time. Mrs. Eaton received glowing comments from her boss about her enthusiasm and her accomplishments for her time at Carlisle.
Baseball season is underway. Some discussion was held about the concession stand. Due to the problems from last year, a last minute decision had to be made to salvage the concessions.
Johnny Smith, a concessioner, was brought in because he is a professional who could handle a last minute request since there was no interest from a local nonprofit group.
Todd Turner and Larry Flynn were the only council members absent from the meeting.
(Editor’s note: a special meeting was called later concerning some of the same budget questions and questioning the use of city equipment by residents. See page 3 for the story.)
research ways that other cities determine performance raises. The motion passed five to one, with Mayher abstaining.
Animal activist Amy Patterson addressed the council concerning Dog Catcher Karmen Sutton. Patterson said that Sutton’s three-month probation period is up, and the council needs to consider raising her pay.
(Continued on p. 5.)
Dru Garner Alberson, 14 of Biscoe, passed away May 14, 2023. Dru was born on September 3, 2008 to Justin Alberson and Samantha Loe at Ouachita Regional Hospital. Dru was fun loving and seeking his whole life. He loved to laugh, play around, and joke a lot. He loved to be outside probably more than sitting in playing video games.
Dru loved everything outdoors, all sports (his favorites, baseball and basketball), any kind of hunting, especially turkey, fishing, his pets, especially his dog, Millie, his motorcycle, 4-wheeler, and truck. He won the biggest turkey killed this year in the county he hunted in Missouri. He loved music from country to rap. Dru is survived by his father, Justin Alberson and wife, Maggie of Biscoe; his mother, Samantha Loe Harris and husband, Joe of Humnoke; his paternal grandparents, James and Lori Alberson of Biscoe; his maternal grandparents, Todd Loe from Bodcaw and Daphne Cross from Fordyce; his paternal great-grandfather, Billy Jack Alberson and wife, Bobbie of Biscoe; halfbrother, Dalton West of Hope, Arkansas; 4 stepbrothers, McCoy Harris, Jackson Harris, Dawson Harris all of Humnoke and Carson Johnson of Carlisle along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins and his girl-
friend, Sidney Bragg.
Funeral services were
2:00 P.M., Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Hazen High School Gymnasium in Hazen, Arkansas with visitation from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., prior to the service. Arrangements by Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.
Emmaline V. Crye, 81, of Des Arc, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023 after battling Alzheimer’s disease for many years. She was surrounded by her loved ones who are now comforted that she is at peace. She was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. Quilting was her hobby. She had a heart for those who were experiencing illness and would often sit with family or friends who had loved ones in the hospital. A loving mother and grandmother.
Emmaline is preceded in death by her parents, R.V. and Genevieve Weatherley; husband, Lewis Crye, and daughter, Kimberly Crye. She is survived by her brother, Bobby (Pat) Weatherley; children, Debora (Terry) Tucker and Tony (Trena) Crye, nephew, Michael Weatherley, nieces, Melanie Palsa and Carrie Weatherley; grandchildren, Ryan Tucker, Nicholas Polk, Clinton Crye, Lauren Faulk, LaBeth Polk and Candace Gibbs, great grandchildren, Kaleb Pierce, Coleman Crye, Evan Faulk, Sullivan Crye, Rep Faulk, Luella Crye, Judge Crye, Ellis Gibbs and Porter Gibbs.
Gunnell
Willa Dean Gunnell, 90, formerly of Hazen, Arkansas, passed away May 2, 2023 in Springdale, Arkansas. She was born in Des Arc, Arkansas on August 7, 1932 to Guy and Ella (Webb) Ward. Dean was a member of theHazen CalvaryBaptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Ella Ward; three children, Evelyn VanHouten and Lynn and Timmy Reid, and all her siblings, Bedford Ward, Guy Ward, Jr., Tommy Ward, Ricky Ward, Lavada Wilson, Virginia Watkins, Frances Edge, and Elouise Ellis. She is survived by her son, Rudy “Darrell” VanHouten and Tammy of Bethel Heights, Arkansas and daughter, Karen Cochran of Maumelle, Arkansas; grandchildren, Tim VanHouten, Christian VanHouten and wife, Stephanie, Joshua VanHouten and wife, Amy all of Hazen, Paige (VanHouten) Hawkins and husband, Heath of Carlisle, Matthew Cochran and wife, Maegan of Bryant, and Kimberly and Miles Chism of Fayetteville; great grandchildren, Brook Chandler of Hazen, Peyton VanHouten and Dustin Darter of Carlisle, Luke VanHouten of Hazen, Zack VanHouten of
Carlisle, MacKinlee VanHouten of Hazen, Holt and Holden Hawkins of Carlisle, and Abby and Jackson Cochran of Bryant, Arkansas; great-great grandchildren, Brynlee Young and Kason Darter and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saint”. Psalms
115:15
When we lose loved ones, it hurts. We are saddened because we miss them and will no longer have the opportunity to hear their voices or enjoy their company.
But in Jesus, we have the great comfort of knowing that our sadness is only temporary, for he has promised victory and eternal life to all who know him, and in His hope we find peace, even in the midst of our sorrow.
Tony Boyd Smith
Tony Boyd Smith was born April 27, 1943, in McCrory, Arkansas to G.R. and Mattie Smith. He was the fourth of seven children born to the couple. Tony received his education through the McCrory Public Schools.
Tony graduated McCrory High School in 1961 as President of his class. Immediately after graduating he joined the Army Reserve and was listed for one year. He then attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, where he met Dorinda Whistle. Tony and Dorinda were married in 1964 and welcomed their daughter, Shawna, in 1967.
Tony moved to Pine Bluff to work for Colonial Baking Company then later to Dallas, Texas to work for Collins Radio. The couple moved to Des Arc in 1967 to farm with Dorinda’s father, Fred Whistle on what is known as the “Raft Creek Farm” in the Northside community. They later owned and operated the Sears Merchant Store on Main Street in Des Arc for many years.
Tony opened the SmithTaylor Agency in Des Arc where he worked as an insurance agent for 32 years, until his retirement. At a later time in Tony's life he remarried and was blessed with three more daughters, Meagan, Sydney, and Kirby. He had four grandchildren Shae, Summer, Cameron, and Alexi. Tony also had two very special young men that he loved like his own sons, Reggie, and Fredrick Williams.
Tony was instrumental in helping to develop the Des Arc Summer Youth Program. He served as President of the Des Arc Baseball Association for many years, as well as coached little league, pony league and American Legion Teams. Tony also enjoyed the manicuring and maintenance of the fields. One of the small fields was named the “Tony B. Smith Memorial Field” after all his dedication as given to the youth of Des Arc.
Tony was the voice of the Eagles at all the home football games for 28 years. He helped for many years in the maintenance and manicuring of the Eagle field. He officiated high school basketball for 30 years and was inducted in the Arkansas Activities Associations Hall of Fame in 2015 for his service to high school basketball.
Tony loved the outdoors including fishing, taking care of the local sports fields and golfing. In his later years, after retirement he enjoyed reading, watching the Razorbacks and St Louis Cardinals, working crossword puzzles, and writing poetry.
On May 17, 2023, Tony passed from this life to be in his heavenly home for eternity. He was proceeded in death by his parents, GR and Mattie Smith, sister Linda Cain, brother John Smith, sister Judy Gettys and granddaughter Shae Smith.
Tony will be forever in the hearts of his family and all the countless lives he touched.
In lieu of flowers, Tony's family has requested donations be made in his memory to the Des Arc High School Sports Program.
Patsy Marie Swain began life’s journey on December 15, 1940, in West Point, Arkansas. The family of Thelmer and Edith Swain made their home on Barbers Lake when they welcomed the birth of their second born. She became simply known as Pat and began her education at West Point where she enjoyed being active on the basketball team. Pat would become a 1957 graduate of Searcy High School and continue her studies in beauty school to become a hairdresser, for over 50 years.
Pat became the wife of Walter “Buddy” Holloway of Des Arc. The newlyweds chose to make their home in Searcy and shared in
the joys of raising a son, Wade. Through the years, they were blessed to see him marry, welcome the birth of one grandchild and two great grandchildren.
Sadly, Pat and family,experienced the passing of Buddy on April 27, 2017. She enjoyed being active as a member of the Garden Club and had many different hobbies that included fishing, quilting, and knitting. Pat was also a very talented painter and writer. As a lady of faith, Pat knew the importance of a relationship with her Saviour, Jesus Christ. She attended the Westview Baptist Church in Searcy and enjoyed the fellowship with her church family.
On May 15, 2023, at the age of 82, Pat passed away at the Unity Medical Center in Searcy. She leaves behind a legacy of memories to be cherished through the years by those who love her. She was preceded, in her journey, by her parents, Thelmer and Edith Swain, and husband Buddy Holloway. Survivors include, her son, Wade and wife, Rexann Holloway of Searcy, one grandson, Christopher Holloway and two great grandsons, Zach and Zeke Holloway, brother Bill Swain and wife Gail, of Searcy, and sisters, Margie Wilson and husband, Homer of Searcy, and JoAnn Gregory of Austin Texas.
Des
In last week’s Quorum Court meeting story, I wrote that a $100,000 certificate of deposit (CD) had been cashed in and added to the county general budget. It was mistakenly assumed that the CD was cashed recently and without permission from the then County Judge Mike Skarda. County Treasurer Tamara Dabney has asked that it is made clear that she does not need permission to cash in county CD’s. She wrote, “I cashed in a CD 5 years
ago, and that is only a part of my many duties as Treasurer. The year that I did my job and cashed in a CD, I had a perfect audit. I have always maintained a good standing audit since taking office in 2017. As Prairie County Treasurer, I have the duties and authority to move money around to keep all funds liquidated. I do not have to get permission from the county judge to take care of county money.” The Herald apologizes for the confusion.
Carlisle City Council
met in a called meeting at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 19. Allmembers present except Larry Flynn.
The agenda had been prepared by Council Members Kevin Kegley and Jon Plafcan and listed five issues: city equipment usage, city employees working on private property, vagrant issues, handling of mosquito money and progress on Legislative Audit.
Complaints have been received about city employees using city equipment to work after hours or on weekends on private property. Mayor
Glover quickly said, “That concerns me.”
Glover’s wife Vickie had Greg come cut some small trees in the yard, and she paid him.
Kegley asked if any of the equipment: truck, trailer or chain saw belonged to the city. The Mayor said the trailer and chain saw did belong to the city, and he would look into it immediately. He knew that pictures were being taken that day.
That led to another concern about city equipment. The question was posed to David Walters about equipment assigned to City Water and Sewer being used on weekends or by employees hired for other departments.
Walters said that at times that had happened. Occasionally, there was good communication and he was aware of another department needing the Gator or mower. However, there had been times
when the equipment had been gotten without his knowledge or permission.
Kegley brought it to the Council’s attention that since the records were in question at this time and the budget was very tight, it was important that gas used for one department needed to be charged to that budget and not used by any other. Equipment assigned to City and Water should only be released by Walters so that he could maintain all records of expense and maintenance.
Kegley thanked Clay Waliski for his meeting with the council on May 16 concerning vagrancy in the city. While there were no new solutions put forward, Councilman Kegley asked for consideration of a burn ban on everything except wood and leaves.
Mike Stuart, City Attorney, is researching all current City Ordinances. If there is not an ordinance, then one can be considered. A long discussion followed concerning how the money designated for mosquito control and collected on the water bill was handled. Trudy Drye explained that there were some 20 accounts, but all of them funneled into the General Account. From there all bills were paid.
From time to time, when one account did not have the amount of money needed for the budgeted amount, money was used from another account.
Eventually, when all revenues came in (and provided the budget was done correctly), then the
city should be in the black.
At the last meeting, mosquito control did not technically have the money budgeted that it needed to make a large purchase. It was disconcerting and caused some discussion. After much discussion at this meeting, it was either understood or dropped.
The final item was the Legislative Audit. Drye was asked where she was on the reconciliation. She said she had all of the accounts for 2022 finished except for the General Account which was the most difficult and time consuming. She was asked if she had started on 2023. She said that she could not start on 2023 until 2022 was finished and that the Legislative Audit Committee was fine with that. At the recent meeting of the Legislative Audit Committee which she and Mayor Glover attended, auditors reported that they still have many issues with the City of Carlisle books, but Drye said that they told her that she was making progress and that was ok with them.
There were several questions from the floor concerning how the books got into this shape and why things were not settled long ago. The first audit with a discrepancy was 2017, and the amount was $35,000. Neither the Mayor or anyone on the Council had an answer.
The Council went into Executive Committee meeting but made no formal proposals before adjournment.
The annual convention of General Federation of Women's Clubs of Arkansas met May 5th and 6th, at Delta HotelMarriott, West Little Rock.
Judy Foot of Hazen, past president of GFWCAR, and a member of the Stuttgart Woman's Club attended the meeting with the 38 members who were registered. Chris Weems, president of the Hazen Elsie McCain Club, attended the Saturday afternoon and the evening sessions and the reception after the banquet.
Jane Jackson of Stuttgart, the State president of GFWC-AR, presided over the twoday meeting and gave the Executive Committee Report.
Katherine Foust of Morrilton, past GFWCAR president, gave the prayer and inspiration.
Jerrie Townsend led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Madge Helm gave the welcome to Little Rock and Mrs. Jackson gave the welcome to the convention.
Becky Wright, the International GFWC Treasurer and special guest from Mississippi, brought greetings from GFWC.
Foot, the chairman of the scholarship committee, presented the winners at the Awards Luncheon on Saturday. Both winners were from Warren High School and were sponsored by Warren Woman's Club. The RN scholarship winner was Crystal Castillo. The Eloise
Levins Teacher Scholarship was won by Raven Harris. She and her mother, Sara Valentine, attended the Awards Luncheon.
Raven expressed her appreciation for the scholarship. Foot read the "Thank You" note from Crystal. Katrina Brown, the keynote speaker and an Entergy Customer Account Manager, spoke to the Convention at the luncheon on Saturday.
Robyn Stayton, the state vice president, presented the awards for the annual reports. Hazen is among the towns with populations of less than 5,000. This is the last year the clubs will be designated by population. Chris Weems received the awards for the Club.
The Elsie McCain Club won three second place awards and one first place award. The second place awards were for Arts and Culture, Education and Libraries, and Civic Engagement and Outreach. The first place award was for Health and Wellness.
In other categories, the Club won first place in Leadership, and Junior's Special Project Advocates for Children, and second place for Women's History and Resource.
Three members received certificates for the ESO reading program. Elizabeth Hutson's certificate was for 40 books, Rosetta VanHouten and Chris Weems received certificates for seven books.
Foust gave the Memorial service.
Marianne Maynard,
past state president, talked about the importance of the National Day of service at the International Convention.
Becky Wright talked about some of the things the members can expect at the International Convention this summer. The Day of Service will be special because of what they have planned.
Dr. Diana Glaze, past state president and a member of the GFWC International Signature Project Committee, spoke on Human Trafficking. She gave statistics of ages and characteristics of those who are usually victimized. The average age of victims is 15, and this includes girls and boys who may be three or four years old all the way up to the elderly.
Dr. Glaze said "January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. We can all participate in awareness campaigns in our communities. It will be a start for everyone to know about it."
Qyuen Scott, chairman of GFWC Environment Department, introduced Gail Northcutt of Stuttgart who talked about the Plight of the Monarch Butterflies.
"The future of the Monarch Butterfly is not good unless some changes are made. At the rate of the decline in numbers, they will be extinct in our area in our lifetime,” she said. “We need to decrease the use of some of the insecticides and increase the food supply for the Monarch larva.” She added, "It will be a shame for some of our grandchildren not to be able to see the beautiful butterfly.” The milkweed is the number one food source for the larva and it needs more space to grow. She gave out packets of milkweed seeds to the attendees and encouraged them to plant them along with other flowers that attract butterflies.
'A girls quartet from Van Buren provided the entertainment for the Friday night banquet. The group, known as "Treble in the Village," sing barbershop harmony.
Becky Wright gave her closing remarks and thanked Arkansas GFWC for the hospitality.
The State President made announcements which included the invitation to next spring’s convention for the first Friday and Saturday in May, 2024. The Fall Conference, will be held in Stuttgart on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
The Hazen City Council meeting, held on Thursday, May 18, began with listening to a complaint from a citizen about a neighbor who is harboring several cats in her home. The city has recently passed an ordinance stating that only five cats can be kept by persons living in Hazen. The resident has been notified of the new animal rules, but has not complied. The result of the complaint was the condemnation of the house rented by the woman because it is in disrepair and not safe for habitation. The owner of the house has 30 days to begin to get the house up to code, and it must be vacated until a building inspector validates that the dwelling is habitable. Another house was also condemned by the council for the same reasons. The owners of the house may object to the ruling at the next council meeting if they
so choose. The fine for having more than five pets above the age of six months within the city limits is $150 a day. In other business, Mayor David Hardke told the council that there is a need to replace the media and blocks under a drain at the city’s water treatment plant. The council has budgeted $135,000 for repairs to the plant, which must be bid on, and the mayor hopes that the repairs will be completed by the end of the year. The utilities department still has not received the UV system that was ordered in October of 2021. The department also wants to replace one of the clarifiers. The council members took a tour of the city’s water plant after their meeting. Fire Chief Sith Skarda reported five first responder calls for the month. He also said that three vacant houses
were burned down and the remains of them are being removed. Police chief Bradley had no report to give. Mayor Hardke gave the report for Utilities Manager Chad Swaim, who could not attend the meeting. Swaim’s report listed the replacement of four water meters and a fixed leak by the dog pound. Four gas registers have been replaced, and the department has installed gas service to the new Family Dollar /Dollar Tree store. The department is also in the process of changing out fifteen old commercial meters. Luke King has been hired to work for the department this summer. With no other business, the council adjourned to meet at the Hazen Water Plant for a tour. Only Larry Anthony and Dallas Taylor were missing from the meeting.
By Debbye Harrison
The
CarlisleSchool Board met May 9 with year end activities the main focus of the meeting. High School Graduation will be May 21st at 3 p.m. and Sixth Grade Graduation will be May 24th at 9 a.m. Pre-K Graduation is 9 a.m. May 19 th and Kindergarten and First Grade have field trips. It is also Bison Pride Day. Other year end activities include the Elementary Talent Show at 9 a.m. on May 22nd followed by Academic Awards for third and fourth grades. May 23rd will be Kindergarten Graduation at 9 a.m. and Fifth Grade Park day. Academic Awards for First and Second Grades will be at 1 p.m. and school will dismiss at 2:40 p. m. Semester tests will be given May 23-25. Carlisle Elementary choir concert will be May
25 at 9 a.m. and school will dismiss at 1:55 p.m. The last day of school is May 26 and school will dismiss at 1:30 p.m.
Special recognition was given to the Kindergarten teachers and students for their test scores. In Reading the class average was 62 percentile and Math 76 percentile. This was an increase of 10 to 15 percentile over last year and the highest in remembrance.
Congratulations were given to the Girls and Boys’ Track Teams as well as the Baseball Team for winning All Conference. In personnel matters all Classified personnel were re-hired. Resignations were accepted from Alicengrace Allen High School Band Director; Robin Monroe, High School SPED; Melanie Angell, High School English; Robin Lewis,
Elementary Teacher who is retiring.
Those being hired are Victoria Lantz, elementary; Savanna Stroble, elementary SPED; Murphy Coats, High School SPED; Patrick Matarazzo, High School Band Director; Conswella Coleman, Assistant Bookkeeper.
All Certified Personnel will receive a $2,000 a year raise and Classified employees Step 1 will be paid $13.00 per hour up to Step 15 who will be paid $16.40. This amounts to a $2.00 an hour raise. Those on a negotiated salary will receive a $2,000 raise which Superintendent Rountree declined. The Assistant Secretary at the Elementary School will be employed on a 180 day contract. School choice enrollment has reached a total of 18 students. Two members were absent, Adam Ellis and Mandy Brewer.
The Hazen School Board met in its regular meeting on Monday, May 15. Four board members were in attendance: President Mason Sickel, Rusty Rogers, Bradley Taylor, and Debbie Carlyle. They unanimously hired Laura Saranie to be the new elementary principal. There were twelve applicants for the position, and five were interviewed prior to the meeting. Seventeen students were accepted as School Choice transfers to the Hazen School District, and one student was given a legal transfer to the Stuttgart School District.
The district will enter into a contract with Clearly Speaking LLC for speech-language therapy and occupational therapy services for the 2023-24 school year. The board also approved the Statement of Intent and Budget for IDEA Part B and funds for Special Education and Related Services for next year.
Superintendent Donnie Boothe recommended that the district purchase a grand master key system from Locksmith 24/7 in Stuttgart using the School Safety Grant funds in order to implement the recommendations of the School Safety Commission and Governor Sarah Sanders’ Arkansas LEARNS plan. The
project would cost $68,483.60 and provide a safer school environment for students and staff. Taylor asked that the proposal be tabled until the June meeting. He wants to check into the grant and add five security doors to the schools. The cost would be $3500 for each door.
“I want to harden the school,” Taylor said.
High School Principal Amy Marek reported that the high school had been awarded $15,000 from Promoting Educator Effectiveness in Rural Arkansas (PEER) Network. The network is funded by the federal Teacher and School Leader grant from the U. S. Department of Education. Partner schools receive training, coaching, and jobembedded support. When schools meet their goals, the PEER Network provides incentives to participating schools. For the 2023-24 school year, Hazen High will receive leadership coaching for the principal and a selected team, math coaching, and English Language Arts coaching.
Boothe announced that the school audit found no problems, and was reminded about the segregation of duties at the district level. He also has a plan to replace ceiling tiles in the cafeteria.
In personnel matters,
the PPC President Susan Booth said that her group had discussed the new LEARNS salary plan with the superintendent. The board approved the hiring of Braylon Anderson, Kim Anderson, Arianna Paborn, and Hunter Smith for the summer, and hired Donna Felty as the K_12 Literacy Specialist with a 240 day contract effective July 1. Felty had been the K-6 Literacy Specialist. High School ESA and Elementary Title Funds will be used to pay her salary. Sickel said that the athletic and honor banquets went well, and that none of his trap teams would be going to state this year. Athletic Director Joe Besancon told the board that Hazen High School won the state weightlifting championship for 2A and that four individual students at HHS had won state championships. They are Hunter Smith, a sophomore, who won in the 259 pound division; Collin Kee, senior, who won in the 181 pound division; Braylon Anderson, a junior, who won the 148 pound; and Luke King, who was the overall state championship winner in the 220 pound division. The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the high school library.
The Carlisle Bison and Lady Bison track teams swept the 2A-6 conference meet at Harding University.
The Bison finished with 167.5 points. PalestineWheatley was second with 114 points. Des Arc was fourth with 111 points. Carlisle won the girls meet with 257 points. Des Arc was second with 158 points.
Carlisle coach Caleb Shock said the boys winning conference took precedence over his team possibly doing well at the Class 2A state meet.
“I told them that I think you can win the conference, but it’s going to be real hard, or we could focus on the events that you’re best at,” Shock said. “They all said they wanted to try to win the conference. Nearly every one of our guys were maxed out on events just to try to get us some points. They competed real hard.”
The Lady Bison did not have nearly as big a
struggle. “Going into it, I knew it would be between us and Des Arc,” Shock said. “We felt like we had the edge because we got enough depth on the team. We 15 on the team this year. They were all pretty good at what they did.”
Boys 100: 1. Dylan White, Carlisle, 11.48; 4. Jabari Rockins, Des Arc, 11.90;
6. Jaden Elliott, Carlisle, 12.02; 7. Daviyon Bell, Des Arc, 12.06. 200: 2. White, Carlisle, 22.99; 4. Devin Cooney, Carlisle, 24.29; 5. Rockins, Des Arc, 24.43;
7. Bell, Des Arc, 24.74. 400: 1. Kane Childers, Des Arc, 55.57; 2. Cooney, Carlisle, 57.14;
3. Braden English, Des Arc, 57.38; 4. Preston Parker, Carlisle, 58.47. 800: 1. English, Des Arc, 2:24.71; 3. Miles Hogue, Des Arc, 2:28.27;
4. Hayden Brown, Des Arc, 2:29.21; 5. Preston Parker, Carlisle, 2:35.30;
6. Bentley Parker, Des Arc, 2:38.87. 1600: 2. Preston Parker, Carlisle, 5:59.65; 3. Bentley Parker, Carlisle,
6:03.51; 5. Ty Tallent, Des Arc, 6:26.62; 8. Ben Kearby, 6:44.51.
3200: 2. Eli Roberts, Carlisle, 13:07.85; 3. Brayden Baxter, Des Arc, 14:18.14.
110 hurdles: 2. Isaiah Powell, Carlisle, 18.90; 8. Cache Flanagan, Des Arc, 21.74.
300 hurdles: 2 Young, Carlisle, 47.90; 3. Flanagan, Des Arc, 49.97.
400 relay: 1. Carlisle, 46.25.
800 relay: 5. Carlisle, 1:49.79; 6. Des Arc, 1:50.01 1600 relay: 1. Des Arc, 3:55.95; 2. Carlisle, 4:01.91. 3200 relay: 1. Des Arc, 9:49.42. High jump: 2. Cooney, Carlisle, 5-10; 4. Powell, Carlisle, 5-8; Jontae Farmer, Carlisle, 5-8; 7. Flanagan, Des Arc, 5-6. Pole vault: 1. Cooney, Carlisle, 7-0; 2. Preston Parker, Carlisle, 7-0; 3. Bentley Parker, Carlisle, 7-0. Long jump: 6. Childers, Des Arc, 18-0. Triple jump: 3. Kayleb Elliott, Carlisle, 36-9 1/4; 7. Powell, Carlisle, 35-2 1/2; 8. White,
Carlisle, 34-11. Shot: 4. Chandler Dobbins, Des Arc, 34-10 1/2; 6. Ben Smith, Carlisle, 34-5 1/2. Discus: 2. Dobbins, Des Arc, 109-2; 3. Smith, Carlisle, 93-6; Farmer, Carlisle, 92-0 1/2; 7. Tylenn Miller, Des Arc, 80-9 1/4. Girls 100: 1. Charleigh Patterson, Des Arc, 13.44; 2. Laken Golden, Carlisle, 13.71; 3. Anna Stovesand, Carlisle, 13.80; 7. Mariah Phillips, Carlisle, 14.21; Grace Knight, Des Arc, 14.62.
200: 2. Stovesand, Carlisle, 28.73; 3. Kiersten Taylor, Calrisle, 28.89; 4. Patterson, Des Arc, 29.05; 8. Knight, Des Arc, 32.46.
400: 1. Golden, Carlisle, 1:04.28; 2. Patterson, Des Arc, 1:04.90; 3. Stovesand, Carlisle, 1:12.01; 4. Hattie Burton, Des Arc, 1:14.18; 5. Angie Petrus, Carlisle, 1:18.84; 6. Knight, Des Arc, 1:19.85.
800: 1. Grace Reed, Carlisle, 2:42.04; 2. Golden, Carlisle,
2:47.65; 3. Gabi Berry, Des Arc, 2:55.67; 4. Marley Widener, Des Arc, 3:01.57; 5. Belle White, Carlisle, 3:01.95; 6. Burton, Des Arc, 3:04.26.
1600: 1. Reed, Carlisle, 7:09.48; 3. White, Carlisle, 7:10.16; 3. Frederika Wille, Des Arc, 7:41.76; 4. Heather Buffalo, Carlisle, 7:44.71; 5. Jylian Smith, Des Arc, 7:49.77; 6. Rachel Reidhar, Des Arc, 9:05.04. 3200: 1. Reed, Carlisle, 16:30.42; 2. White, Carlisle, 16:34.40; 3. Buffalo, Calrisle, 18:51.92. 100 hurdles: 1. Kyrstin Horton, Des Arc, 18.12; 2. Jessa Wiles, Carlisle, 19.69; 4. Ella Johnston, Carlisle, 21.47; 6. Hailee Cooney, Carlisle, 23.01.
300 hurdles: 1. Horton, Des Arc, 54.59; 2. Wiles, Carlisle, 55.22; 6. Johnston, Carlisle, 1:03.85; 7. Cooney, Carlisle, 1:06.06.
400 relay: 1. Carlisle, 53.84; 5. Des Arc, 1:06.72.
5:07.66; 2. Carlisle, 5:17.85. 3200 relay: 1. Des Arc, 12:31.37; 2. Carlisle, 13:01.99. High jump: 1. Taylor, Carlisle, 4-4; 3. Bailey Jo Dawson, Carlisle, 3-8; 4. Wiles, Carlisle, 3-8; 5. Johnston, Carlisle, 3-8. Pole vault: 1. Golden, Carlisle, 5-6; 3. Johnston, Carlisle, 4-6. Long jump: 1. Horton, Des Arc, 15-3; 3.
H orne t s loo k in g f or ne w Q u a r t er ba c k, Cen t er
“It’s going pretty good,” he said. “We’ve prac-
She is currently a parttime employee, paid $600 per month with no benefits. Knupp asked, “About how many hours per day does she work?” Patterson said that it varies, according to how many calls she gets, how many dogs she picks up, and how many dogs are at the shelter. She said Sutton’s daily duties include going to the shelter to feed, water, and exercise the dogs, and cleaning the pens, as well as always being on call. Knupp asked if she works an average of 40 hours per week, to which Patterson replied “Yes, and a lot of times over 40 hours.” Patterson provided a written report showing the salaries of some other area dog catchers. Hazen’s part-time catcher is paid $711.54 every two weeks ($18,500 annually) with no benefits, other than a city provided body camera, and he uses his own truck and provides the gas. Augusta pays $17.00 per hour, with no benefits, other than providing gas and servicing catcher’s personal vehicle that is used. Ward pays $28,344 with benefits and city vehicle. Patterson said that
ticed three or four times. We’ve been averaging right around 30 kids.”
The Hornets are the defending state champions, finishing the 2022 season at 13-0, beating Carlisle in the statechampionship game in
Sutton does a fantastic job and is enforcing city ordinances and codes and state laws. She also said that Sutton has said that she really likes her job but does need more pay. Karmen spoke briefly to the council reiterating everything Patterson had said.
Knupp asked where the committee was on getting the city ordinances updated, to which King said that she, Patterson, and Sutton had been working tirelessly on it and are currently finishing the last paragraph. They hope to have it ready to present at the June meeting. Knupp suggested the council have a work meeting right away to discuss Sutton’s pay and get a proposal ready. Sutton asked if she would have to wait until the June meeting. Knupp said they could call a special meeting, if necessary, but it would be best to wait for the regular meeting in June.
Mayor Scott reported that the final revisions to the City Employee handbook were finished and the rules in the handbooks would be enforced. Estes said that he wanted the
December.
“Our numbers are up a little bit, which is good,” Besancon said. “It’s a lot of the ninth graders moving up. It was a big class of ninth graders, which is really going to help with our numbers.”
council and the mayor to be accountable for holding all employees to all the rules in the handbook. Mayher said, “Some departments have to follow state laws.” Police Chief DeWayne Mayher said that the city’s handbook would be added to their state handbook, as all departments that have state law handbooks should do.
Knupp reported for the Fire Department committee that he had been made aware that in order for a Fire Department to continue to receive funds for turnouts, it was mandatory to have a heavyduty washing machine to wash them. He said that the turnout funds can be used to buy a machine, and there is currently enough in that fund for the purchase. “I have been looking into the machines and have found average prices range from $5,000 to $8,000.”, Knupp said. No action was taken on the purchase.
In other committee reports, Mayher provided a written report from Senior Citizen Center Director Leona Travis which stated all the
The Hornets lost seven seniors off last year’s team, including quarterback Luke King and center Collin Kee.
“We’re losing one of the best quarterbacks in the state,” Besancon said. “We’ve got to replace him and our center
various activities, events and trips the seniors have been participating in, and she also praised the staff and Council Member Mayher for all they do to keep the center going. Travis also stated that there has been a big problem with ants at the center. She said that she has bought spray and traps and Bug Master has sprayed twice.
King reported for the Gas Committee that Gas Consultant Michael Lindsey had recently visited Des Arc and he agreed that the current five-year plan to upgrade the gas system is not working since there are no grants or government funds available to apply for and the city does not have funds available. One thing that Lindsey did suggest was to consider placing a meter at the point of purchase because currently the city only receives a total bill but has no record of how much gas is being purchased and used. Lindsey said he would meet with the council to provide information on the meter that would be needed.
King reported for the Parks and Recreation Committee that the recent tire recycling pickup had been a big success and Des Arc
Collin Kee. I can count on one hand how many bad snaps he had in three years. Those two are going to be really hard to replace.
“We’ve got to find a quarterback. We’ve got three guys working at it and throwing when we
now has a whole lot fewer tires. She said that the Keep Arkansas Beautiful project held on May 6th was also a big success She said that thanks to everyone who participated playground equipment had been cleaned and repainted, the riverfront park had been cleaned and landscaped and a lot of other cleanup had been done around the city. King said that some areas of the park need mulch and main need is volunteers to help keep the parks and the city clean and propose ideas and projects.
As for the construction planned to begin in August at the baseball complex, King said that it is time to get serious about getting donations to meet the city’s required funds to match the grant funds received.
Mayor Scott asked Police Chief Mayher if he had anything to report. Mayher said he had hired Joshua Stringer as an officer and he would start on May 29th and that Officer Jack Minton would be moved to “School Resource Officer” when school starts back.
In other business, a motion was unanimously passed to rezone the property at the Living Waters Church to R3 to
go out. That may just be one of those situations where we go into Friday nights where we have two or three guys with their own little package.”
Hazen opens the season at Des Arc on Sept. 1.
allow them to add a building. Mayher made a motion to start having the city’s full financial report read at the monthly meetings, which was unanimously passed. The reports had always been read until Mayor Scott and several council members were informed that it was not required to be read and most cities don’t read it.
Mayor Scott contacted the Municipal League and was told that it is not required to be read. The only requirement is that the council members are given a written report which can be discussed and then approved at the meetings. The public can go to City Hall and request to see the reports.
There was a large crowd at the meeting which caused an issue of the newspaper reporter, attorney, recorder and even the audience being able to hear the council at times, due to some audience members talking among themselves while the council members were talking.
Those attending council meetings are reminded that they are not to talk during the meeting or address the council unless they are on the agenda or a council member or the mayor asks someone a question.
When it comes to words, everybody has their own definition. Someone says one word and another person thinks it's altogether something else.
For example, when someone says vegetable, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage thinks broccoli. On the other side of the dinner table, I think carrot cake. We have never been able to come together on this word.
I often get in trouble when at a restaurant.
The waitress comes to take our order, then looks at me and asks what vegetable I wanted. I reply, "I'll have carrot cake for my vegetable today."
I then smile, knowing I was in deep trouble.
The waitress smiled back at me and said, "Okay, sir." Then went back to process our order. When the order came, there on my plate was the vegetable of the day, a slice of carrot cake. I tipped that waitress rather generously. I love it when a plan comes together. Our most significant contention with words is the word, "mess."
As far as I know, The Gracious Mistress of the
Parsonage is an expert in defining a mess. I'm an expert when it comes to creating a mess. She has everything well organized and in its proper place. All you have to do is walk into her craft room and you will discover what a well-organized room looks like. She has everything in its place and knows exactly where to go when she needs something.
Every time I walk into her craft room, I get dizzy. In that room everything has a place and is in its proper place. I could never work in that environment. If you walk into my office, you will find the epitome of what a mess looks like. If I can't create a mess, it doesn't exist.
My wife is anti-mess and hates mess with a passion, and often I find her sneaking into my office trying to organize my mess.
Last week I was working on a project, and I needed something, so I went where I saw it last. Unfortunately, it was not there, and I could not find it. I was in a panic mode because I needed that for what I was working on.
As I was searching through my office, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage stepped in and said, "What are you looking for?"
I said, "It's nothing you would know anything about." I continued searching. She persisted in knowing what I was looking for; finally, I gave in and told her what I was looking for. "Oh, that," she said, "it's right over here." She walked over to one of the bookcases, pulled it out and handed it to me. I just looked at her, not knowing how to respond. What she needs to understand is that my mess is an organized mess to my standards. Just because it isn't organized as she would like doesn't mean it's not organized in some fashion.
My definition of mess is "Making Everything Self-Sufficient." I had a crazy thought, which is nothing new for me, to show her how important it is for people not to interfere with their space and leave their mess alone. I found out about a project she was working on, and some ideas began dancing in my
Carlisle First United Methodist Church 215 East Third St., Carlisle, AR Phone (870) 552 - 7789 Rev. Michael Daniel, Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship: 10:45 AM
Immanuel Baptist Church Pastor Bill Ricks Highway 13 North Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3100
Wednesday Evening: 7 PM
Landmark Baptist Church 517 East Third, Carlisle, AR.
Phone (870) 552 - 3568
Pastor Albert Young Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship: 10:45 AM BTC 6 PM - Worship 7 PM
Wed. Evening: 7:30 PM
St. Rose Catholic Church Highway 70, Carlisle, AR.
Phone (870) 552 - 3601
Father Shaun Wesley Sunday Mass 10:30AM English 12:00PM Spanish Tuesday Mass 6:00 PM
Wednesday Mass in Spanish 5:30 PM
Holy Hour & Confessions 6:05PM
Friday (except First Friday) Mass 8:30AM
Saturday Mass in Spanish 7:00 PM
United Methodist Church of DeValls Bluff Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff AR.
Pastor Chris Wright
Sunday Morning Worship: 9 AM
Friendship Lunch: 3rd Wed. of Month, 11:30 AM
First Baptist Church of DeValls Bluff
Pastor Bobby Powers
P. O. Box 358 Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff, AR.
Phone (870) 998 - 7118
Sunday School: 9:45 AM
Morning Worship: 11 AM
Evening Worship: 5 PM
Wednesday Evening: 7 PM
Mount Olive MB Church Highway 70, DeValls Bluff, AR.
Rev. Tony Haskins
Sunday School: 9:30AM
Worship Service: 11 AM
Peppers Lake Church of Christ Hwy 302, SE of DeValls Bluff, AR.
Sunday - Bible Study: 10 AM
Worship: 11 AM Evening Service: 6 PM
Wednesday - Bible Study: 7 PM
head. (Thank you Chubby Checker.) One question took the bow: What if? I thought about that for a long time and tried to figure out how to implement it. She had to go away for the day with one of our daughters and do some shopping, so this was the right time to exercise my plan. I went into her craft room and stood quietly for a few minutes to get the dizziness out of my head. Then, once that left, I began looking around to see how to set up my plan. I saw a project on her desk that she was working on at the time. Then I began picking up a few things from the table and put them in places she would not think of looking. It took me a while to work it all out, but I was diligent in my plan. The next day after breakfast, we went to our rooms to work on our projects. I was so eager to hear what would happen in The Craft Room. I heard some rustling around and heard someone in that room taking some profound sighs. Then I heard her say, "Where did I put that?" I was so excited to hear
St. John's Baptist Church Biscoe, AR 870-998-2777
Sunday School 10 A.M.
Worship 11 A.M.
Rev. William Brown - pastor
Holy Temple Church of God in Christ
Elder James Clark, Pastor
Sunday School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11 AM
Jehovah Community Temple Church 710 Sycamore St, DeValls Bluff, AR
Elder Ronnie Mosby
Sunday 10:30 AM
Monday Bible School 7 PM
Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Alan Minton Hwy.
70 West of DeValls Bluff
Sunday School-10:00 a.m.
Sunday morning -11:00 a.m.
Sunday Evening-5:00 p.m.
Wednesday Night-7:00 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church Hwy 79 PO Box 158 Ulm, AR 72170
Phone: 870-241-3778 email: zionlutheran@hotmail.com
my plan coming together. I went to her craft room, and looking in I said, "My dear, what are you looking for?" She said something to the effect that I would not know anything about that. I persisted, and finally, she told me what she was looking for, and with a big smile, I said, "Oh, that's right over here." So I picked it up, brought it back, and laid it on her desk. I smiled at her, but my smile was not reciprocated in any degree. It's nice when a mess comes together. Thinking about this, I was reminded of what David said in Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Words are important and the most important word is the word of God. Hiding God’s word in my heart will always lead me in the right direction and bring me to that place of blessing.
Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1-352-2163025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.com.
Sunday School at 10 am Worship at 11am Bible study: Wed at 5:30
The Apostolic Church of Des Arc 712 Calhoun Street Services Sunday at 10:30 and Wednesday at 7:30
Pastor Russell Penn St. Paul Missionary
Baptist Church of Biscoe
Pastor Jerry Saxton
Sunday School 10:00-11:00 Service 11:00-12:00
Oasis Church of Hazen
113 North Hazen Ave.
Sunday Service 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday Night Service 7:00 p.m.
Pastor Teddy Walker 870-255-5640
Family Worship Center
9th & Main St. Des Arc, AR 72040
Sunday School 10 am
Sunday Service 11 am & 6 pm
Wednesday Bible Study 7 pm
Pastors Mike Edwards and Patrick “Woody” Lantrip
AR
Elder Lee Russel Penn, Pastor
First Pentecostal Church of Prairie County
3201 Hwy. 70 E., Hazen, AR (870) 255-9177
Pastor J N Holmes
Sunday 10 A.M. Wednesday 7 P.M.
First Baptist Church 319 Court St., P. O. Box 25, Carlisle, AR
Phone (870) 552 - 7732
David Lee - Pastor Sun School: 9:45 AM Worship: 11 AM Awana: 5 PMWorship: 7 PM
Holy Temple COGIC
Elder McFadden, Pastor
St. John's Lutheran Church
and College
Union Chapel FreeWill Baptist Church Metcalf Road, Rt.1, DeValls Bluff, AR
Pastor Darrell Foster
Sunday School: 9:30 AM
Worship Service: 11 AM
Sts. Cyril & Methodius
Catholic Church Highway 86, Slovak, AR. Fr. Shaun Wesley, School: 9:45 AM Mass: 8:30 AM
Thursday Holy Hours 5:00 pm and Mass at 6:00pm
Biscoe Baptist Church Biscoe, AR.
Pastor David Rogers Sunday School: 10 AM Worship Service: 11 AM & 7 PM Training 6 PMWed. Serv. 7 PM
First Assembly of God Hwy 33 and U.S. 70 Biscoe, Arkansas
Wednesdays
Sunday Services: 10:30 A.M., 6 P.M.
Joshua D. Jacobs & Yvonne J. Petrus
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Psalm 119:11
The Hazen Chamber Commerce will hold its annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m. in downtown Hazen at the gazebo. The event honors veterans who have passed away, and names are added yearly.
Cody Snider will be the emcee for event, and Lawana Lambert Shuck of Hazen will be this year’s speaker. Shuck’s hometown is Hot Springs, but her family moved to Hazen in 1964. She is a 1973 graduate of Hazen High School and graduated with a BSE in Secondary Education and English from UALR. She then earned an MSE in Instuctional
Technology from UALR plus 30 additional hours from various Arkansas institutions. She was awarded the ASU -Beebe Divisonal Award for Academic Excellence in 1979, the UALR - Outstanding Graduate College of Education in 1981, and the Stuttgart Public School Teacher of the Year Award for the 1989-90 school year. Shuck was one of Arkansas’ first 500 women to join the Arkansas National Guard. In the Guard, she received the NCO scholarship and the Officer’s Scholarship. She was named the Outstanding Soldier for the 39th Support
Battalion in 1979, and was a member of the Hazen National Guard unit for six years. She retired with 34 years experience in education in the Carlisle and Stuttgart School systems teaching English, journalism, and serving as a library/media specialist.
Shuck currently lives in Hazen with her husband, Chuck, and their cat, Brighty. She enjoys all types of fiber arts, reading, and quilting. Presently, she is president of the Prairie Piecemakers Quilt Guild.
Everyone is invited to attend the Memorial Day Service. Bottles of water will be provided, but attendants should be a lawn chair to sit in. Small flags will be handed out to those who would like to put them on the graves of veteran relatives.
Shopping in a small town is not what it used to be. Today customers at Amore Rose Boutique in Carlisle may make a purchase in store or from Colorado. Amore Rose Boutique goes Facebook Live on Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. to showcase new items, feature outfits in a variety of combinations and see things that are on sale. Teri Sutton, the new owner, says it is fate that she is here She shopped here with her grandmother Dollie
Sutton (owner of Sutton’s Restaurants in DeValls Bluff and Brinkley) when she was a girl. Then it was the Shirlyn Shop. Later Faye Lynn ran it, then Wendy Lynn and now Teri Lynn. This early 1900s building has seen much trading and business and now offers up its charms in a new way. During the remodel and restoration, the original doors were uncovered and are now part of the historic charm. The original brick shines in the front of the store, but it peeps out from the broken plaster in the back room.
The store offers men’s and women’s clothes and accessories in the front with home décor in the back. Women’s clothes are sizes S to 3X and some to 5X and men’s jeans and shirts. Jeans are sizes 30 to 44. There are accessories for both men and women and even a little play spot for the kids with a comfortable couch for the dads.
Ms. Sutton has moved to Carlisle and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. She is very excited about the growth of her adopted home and is dedicated to seeing those goals met.
The Des Arc Eagles completed seven full-pad football practices this spring in preparation for the 2023 season.
Unlike last year, second-year coach Brandon Barbaree directed the offseason program. He was hired as school was getting out for summer a year ago.
The Eagles finished 7-4 a year ago, winning the conference title. They beat Magazine in the
first round of the Class 2A state playoffs then lost to Mount Ida in the second round 30-28.
“We got everything installed that we need to,” Barbaree said of his team using seven of the 10 allowed full-contact practices. Barbaree said he had 27 players out during spring practice.
“It’s an increase from last year,” he said. “They are really committed kids. I think it’s going to be a really good season.”
The Eagles lost only three starters who were seniors from a year ago.
“Talking to the coaches, it’s great to see how far along we are this year,” Barbaree said of being with the team for spring practice. “Last year, we were really young going into the season. We started six or seven sophomores and two freshmen. Them knowing what we’re talking about makes practice go so much smoother. They’ve had a great spring.”
Cache Flanagan returns at quarterback. He will also play defensive back this fall.
Others returning include Walker Harris, Dayvion Bell, Chandler Dobbins, Cole Hunt and Ben Kearby.
Des Arc opens the season at home Sept. 1 against defending state champion Hazen.
