75¢
Family Dollar/ Dollar Tree opens. (See pictures on p. 6.)
Volume 120 Number 24 - USPS 225-680
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Community Calendar of Events Thursday June 17 UnBirthday Party DeValls Bluff Public Libary Making ice cream, eating cake, & playing toss games 11:00 a.m. Thursday June 17 Carlisle Library Creation Station Beaded Lizard Keychains All Day Friday June 18 Last day for high school students to sign up for UAExtension agricultural classes. __________ Carlisle Library Family Film Friday Rango Sunday June 20 FATHERS’ DAY! __________ DeValls Bluff Fire Department fireworks stand opens Monday June 21 Kids’ Cooking Club at the Carlisle Library Under the Sea Crackers All day Saturday June 26 18th Annual Mammoth Pond Fishing Derby 15 years and under Refreshments are provided. 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Tuesday June 29 Dinosaur hunt at the Des Arc Library Scavenger hunt and snacks. 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.
Recent rain events have wreaked havoc on Prairie County’s row crops. Early assessments are estimated at 25,000 to 30,000 acres of crop land was flooded, primarily in southern part of the county. Further estimates of damage will be made as the water recedes. These aerial photos were taken by Mason Sickel last Thursday after the Grand Prairie received a record amount of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sickel was asked by Prairie County Judge Mike Skarda to take the pictures so that the damage done to recently planted crops could be assessed. Some planted soybeans were still underwater on Sunday. According to a local farmer, there will be still time to replant crops if there is seed available to do so, but according to County Agent Amy Tallent, the usual deadline for planting soybeans is around June 15th. “There will be a decrease in the yields this year,” she said adding, “The next problem will be the heat.” Reports of rain amounts ran anywhere from 5” to 14” with southern Prairie County getting the worst of it. There were 11” of rain in Tollville. Almost all rice and corn fields suffered some wind and flood damage, but the worst economic impact is probably the soybeans. Sickel estimates that around 10,000 acres of soybeans were flooded in Prairie County below Interstate 40. “Soybeans will not recover from flooding,” Sickel said. His own farm has around 40% of the acres planted in soybeans that must be planted again. Paul Hooks of Slovak reported that over 13 to 15 inches of rain fell in that area. Judge Skarda has declared the county a disaster area.
Newly appointed DVB mayor presides over first council meeting By Lisa Mills At the DVB Council meeting June 10th, newly appointed Mayor Brian Dodson assumed his first mayoral duties. Attending the meeting were Mayor Brian Dodson,Treasurer/Recor der Darlene Connor and Council Members Marie Flanagan, Raymond Watson, Richard Henry, Alice Metcalf, Carol Griffin and Lalisa Wright. Mayor Dodson reported that he had spoken to Martin Smith concerning work on the Robinson building. Smith stated that he was having a hard time finding the workers needed to start the work but hopes to meet with the council soon. He asked the Mayor to ask the council for patience and understanding. Dodson stated that he, Robin Henry, and Leah
Woodall have been discussing the need for a security system at City Hall since they are often there alone. The council approved looking into the matter and reporting back. The Mayor also reported that the purchase of a new tractor is being looked into and until one is purchased employees are doing the best they can with what they have. Leah Woodall presented the council with documents explaining the “American Rescue Plans Act” which will give cities money to help recover from Covid19 issues. The documents explain what the money can be used for and the city will have 3 years to spend it. Robin Henry presented the council with a resolution to apply for a “Fun Park” grant from the Arkansas
Department of Heritage. The plan is to build a park behind the Dollar General store. The council approved the resolution. Mayor Dodson asked the council members to get input from citizens about having a city Police Department instead of having the County Sheriff’s Department covering the city. He stated that the Sheriff’s Department is doing a great job, but since their contract will be coming up for renewal soon, it needs to be discussed and citizen input on the matter is vital. Sheriff Rick Hickman reported 134 patrols and 29 calls. He apologized for not having a more detailed report but his time has been limited due to extra work with flood issues. Fire Chief Kelly
Hutchinson reported 4 controlled burns, 2 meetings, work painting the fire station, and help putting out cones and barriers in flood areas. The council approved a motion to transfer $2000 from savings to the Fire Department general fund. Mayor Dodson reported that the Fire Department raised $436 at their recent fundraiser. Mayor Dodson also announced that Robin Henry will be in charge of city cleanup day set
for June 26th. He asked everyone to get the word out asking people to show up with whatever equipment they have. Dodson thanked the city employees and council members for their help and support with his new position as interim mayor. He stated, “We will do things right and do the best with what we have.” Council member Richard Henry thanked Darlene Connor for stepping up to fill in as Mayor until Dodson was appointed.
DVB Fire Department to hold fireworks fundraiser DeValls Bluff Fire Chief Kelly Hutchinson announced that the Fire Department will be selling fireworks and concessions for a fundraiser.
The stand will be open daily June 20th through July 5th. Proceeds will go into the Fire Department fund to help with equipment, etc.
County Extension offices to offer free Ag classes By Amy Tallent Prairie County Extension Agent Prairie and White County Ag Agents are hosting a FREE, AG EXPLORE Ag Career Bootcamp this summer for youth in the 10th12th grades. The AgExtension offices wanted to offer a way for youth interested in ag to understand all the careers available in the various agricultural areas. “We need to be preparing our next generation,” Prairie County Extension Agent Amy Tallent said. The counties have
teamed up to provide farm tours in row crops, livestock, and horticulture, focusing on career opportunities that involve technology. Any youth that is interested in the program needs to get signed up by Friday. The schedule follows: *June 23rd-Row Crops, *June 24th-Horticulture *June 25th-Livestock. The classes will run from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day. To register or get more information call (870) 998-2614 or email Amy Greenwalt Tallent at agtallent@uada.edu.
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