PC Quorum Court hears Sheriff’s Department update
The Prairie County Quorum Court received a mid-year update from the Sheriff’s Department at its June 11 meeting. All of the justices were present with Justice Jordan Smith attending over the phone. Also present were Judge Lawrence Holloway, County Attorney Abram Skarda, County Clerk Gaylon Hale, Treasurer Tamara Dabney, and Assessor Karan Skarda. The Sheriff’s Department report was presented by Deputy Sheriff Jeffery Bokker and Count Sheriff Rick Parson. Bokker told the court that the department had sold some guns that were no longer needed to a police pawn shop, and that
some grants that he had applied for were approved. One such grant is a $7400 Local Law Enforcement Grant, and another was an E-Crash Grant for $45,599 that will be used to link all of the department’s computers. Another $41,000 grant was used to purchase body cameras. The department also received $46,000 in a post-covid grant that was used to purchase soap, gloves, air purifiers, and other equipment for the jail. The Sheriff’s Department was also reimbursed $16,441 through a STEP Grant, and a renegotiation with the Federal Marshal Service will provide an additional
Carlisle School Board honors retirin g staff
By Debbye HarrisonAt the June 10 meeting of the Carlisle School Board, retiring staff members were honored.
Dorothey Woodall for her years of service as the HIPPY coordinator, Gina Ingle for her work in special services and Supt. William Rountree serving for the last time as head of the Carlisle School District. A special presentation was made to the Debbie Reid family of the plaque that will hang in the Board Room in her honor. Receiving the plaque were her husband were Marvin, a newly appointed member of the Board and her children Ashley, Andrea, and Alex.
Special recognition was also given to Yvette Green and Krisitn McCalman for being selected for merit pay by the State of Arkansas. They are the first merit pay recipients in the Carlisle School District. Merit pay teachers are selected by the state based on their students’ achievement and growth.
Rountree announced that Carlisle would be receiving an ESTEM lab which will come with $76,000 worth of equipment free of charge. Many schools in our area are already using the EAST labs. The purpose for this kind of education is to allow stu-
dents to create and design their own community projects. Coach Golden will be the facilitator, and it is open to students in 9-12 grades. The resignation of Johnathan Buffalo effective immediately was approved. Bonnie Herring was hired to be the Elementary Dean of Students with a $2,000 stipend. She will continue with her current duties but will have extra days on her contract.
Gary Wilson was hired to be the high school Dean of Students with a $5,000 stipend and extra days. The Elementary Handbook was approved. One key issue that was addressed is that parents will be allowed to sign out their students on a field trip. In the past they have had to make prior arrangements through the office. They can now do so on the spot with the supervisory teacher. Also no use of social media at school.
An alternative school calendar was approved. Since the district has gone to calculating the school days by minutes, the year will end on May 16 with Graduation on May 4. The school day will be lengthened eight minutes. Snow days will be built into the calendar. All members were present.
$168,000 a year for the housing of federal prisoners. The department will be paid $75 a day per prisoner with an additional $25 per hour for guard transport and meetings. In new business, the appropriation ordinance 2024-13 was tabled by the court. The ordinance
would increase the amount budgeted for insurance costs. It was decided that the extra money be taken from the federal tribal fund, and Hale asked that she be given the time to rewrite the ordinance to include the funding source. Judge Holloway told the court that a
solar company was interested in purchasing land in the county. The company wants to purchase 6000 acres to put up a solar energy facility. He also reported that a county grater had to be repaired after some damage had been done. (Continued on p. 3.)
Center Point Missionary Baptist to celebrate 150 years
Center Point Missionary Baptist Church in Hazen, Arkansas, is thrilled to announce its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary celebration on Sunday, June 23, 2024. This momentous occasion commemorates a century and a half of spreading the gospel and serving the community.
Founded in 1874, the church initially held services in a humble log cabin schoolhouse until a dedicated church building was construct-
ed in 1878. As the congregation expanded, a larger church was erected in 1916. Despite the devastation of the 1952 tornadoes, which destroyed the building, the resilient congregation rebuilt on the same site, where they continue to worship to this day.
For decades, Center Point Missionary Baptist Church has hosted a special homecoming service on the fourth Sunday in June, welcoming current and former members along with their families for a day of fellowship. This year, the homecoming service will feature guest speaker Leroy Hamilton, a Prairie County native with many years of preaching experience. The celebration will take place at 2997 Center Point Road in Hazen. Sunday school will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the worship service. Attendees are invited to enjoy lunch, which will be provided after the service.
Carole Laverne (Sue) CunninghamDay
Carole Laverne (Sue) Cunningham-Day of Hot Springs, passed away June 8, 2024 after many years of suffering the complications of Lyme Disease. She was the daughter of the late Vernon and Hilma Cunningham. Carole attended Hazen Public Schools. She graduated from UCA with a Bachelor of Home Economics. After graduation, she taught at DeValls Bluff Public Schools, Holy Rosary Catholic School (Stuttgart) and then in the Stuttgart Public Schools. Her final teaching position was with Pine Bluff Public Schools.
Carole earned an American Society of Interior Designers certification in 1978 and then had a successful career in the furniture industry, beginning with her opening Carole Day‘s Furniture and Accessories in Stuttgart. She spent many years as a factory representative for Flexsteel Industries. In her years with Flexsteel, she traveled Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, making many lifelong friends in the furniture industry.
Carole retired to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. In her retirement, she rediscovered her love of ballroom
Member 2023
The Grand Prairie
The
dancing and spent many happy hours enjoying the beautiful dancing costumes that she designed and made. She also participated in many activities with the Emblem Club as well as the Elks Club in Hot Springs.
Carole is survived by her sons, Roger (Joy) Day of Winona, MS., as well as Ron (Peck Wan) Day of Portland, OR. She has two grandchildren, Derek Day of Milwaukie, Oregon and Justin Day of Eugene, Oregon. She held a special place in her heart for Mike Harvey of Maumelle.
She is survived by her sisters, Sara (James) Weddle, Dorris Williams, Cathy (Ed) Hancock, as well as many nieces and nephews who loved her.
Carole was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Charles Day; her sister, Gaye Rogers; brother-in-law, Paul Williams; father-in-law, George Day and motherin-law, Odell Day.
Visitation was held at the Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel at 115 North Livermore Street in Hazen, Arkansas on Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 10:30 – 11:30 with the memorial service beginning at 11:30 A.M. followed by burial in the Hazen Cemetery.
Ella Charlene Holmes
from a rare brain disorder, which caused her to lose her hair and her hearing. The doctors of Arkansas Children’s Hospital could not find a cure for her and sent her home to die. She regained her hair but not her hearing; she lived another 77 years. Charlene was an overcomer, in more ways than one.
Funeral services were conducted a Center Point Missionary Baptist Church on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 3:00PM, visitation was prior to the service beginning at 2:00PM. Interment to followed the funeral services in the Center Point Cemetery.
Faye W.
(Kirby)Reidhar
Carlisle
Faye W. (Kirby)
Still going strong...
Pictured here are two local ladies who are now 97 years young. Lula Mae
Gilbert McDonald, born May 18th, 1927, and Mary Lancaster Sharp, born June 6, 1927, have known each other all all their lives and have exchanged birthday cards for many of those years.
Lula Mae stopped by to see Mary shortly before her birthday and wanted to get a picture of them together - rollers, yard grime, and all. Mrs. Sharp asked that this picture be printed in the paper so that any remaining acquaintances would see that these two are still here and going strong. D
Ella Charlene Holmes, 79, of Hazen, Arkansas passed away June 10, 2024 at Chambers Nursing home in Carlisle. Charlene was born on March 6, 1945, the first of seven children born to Charles and Velma Holmes. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Glynn Holmes. She is survived by her brother, Edward and wife Bernice; her sister, Nancy and husband Dannie Ray; her brother, Leon and wife Susan; her brother Lynn; brother, Jackie; sister-in-law, Peggy; sister, Krisie; and a great number of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, as well as a number of great-great nieces and great-great nephews.
Charlene was a graduate of the Arkansas School for the Deaf, where she was homecoming queen her senior year, she went on to further her education at Draughn’s School of Business. Charlene worked for the Arkansas Revenue Department for more than 40 years. She was of Baptist faith, having been a member of Center Point Missionary Baptist Church in Prairie County, Arkansas, and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, for most of her life, Charlene believed in Jesus.
When Charlene was 18 months old, she suffered
Reidhar Carlisle, age 81, of Des Arc passed away on June 10, 2024, at Unity Health Hospital in Searcy, Arkansas. She is survived by two daughters, Carla Long and Cyndi (Keith) Seevers of Des Arc, two sisters Joan Nicholson and Loraine (Gary) Ivey, six grandchildren Kevin Daniel Hart, Michael Brent Long, Billy Long, Cody Long, Justin Hart and Brittney (Josh) Berry, eleven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Faye was preceded by her parents Judge Tate Kirby and Willie Coreen DeHart Kirby, husband of 23 years, Bill Reidhar, husband of 12 years James Carlisle, four brothers Vernon, Paul, Ray and Eddie Kirby. Faye was born in Rosalee, AL on January 6, 1943, to Judge and Coreen Kirby. After attending school, she met her lifelong companion, Bill Reidhar, and they were married in 1960 at Des Arc. Faye being a housewife and mother of two beautiful little girls, she and Bill spent many hours on their farm, raising beans, rice and wheat. As the girls grew older Faye attended cosmetology classes being licensed as a hairdresser. She worked in this field for 10 years fulltime then on a part-time basis. She also sold Combined Insurance for 5 years and was an employee at the Des Arc Nursing Home for 7 years. Faye was a devoted member of Lakeside Missionary Baptist Church from age 13 till present. She loved singing in the choir, teaching young people and working in any capacity that was needed. Faye enjoyed gardening, sewing, working in her flower beds, horseback riding, making scrapbooks and spoiling her grandchildren. Faye will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
By Lisa Mills CorrespondentThe DeValls Bluff City Council met on June 13th with Mayor Thelma Gray, Recorder/Treasurer Darlene Connor, and all council members present. Fire Chief Glen Gladish presented a proposal to purchase a truck from D3 Auto Sales in Des Arc to replace the broken
Donations
The following people gave blood at the Hazen First United Methodist Church on Monday, June 10: Stacy
Dawanna
James Gray
Gary King
Chris
Nancy Chlapecka
brush fire truck. The new truck is a 2020 Ram 3500 and Gladish said that all the equipment on the current truck is in good shape and will be able to be easily transferred to the new truck. The total purchase price is $45,845. The truck will be purchased from a combination of funds including Act 888 money, Fire Department general funds, and a three year, no interest $15,000 loan from the Forestry Commission. A motion was approved to purchase the truck. Gladish reported that in May there were no fires,
one first responder call, and two meetings. Police Chief Jeremy Murphy reported 14 arrests and seven traffic citations in May, and there are several ongoing investigations. Murphy stated that a $7,400 equipment grant was received from the Department of Finance and Administration. A building permit was approved for Jimmy Drysdale for a 12 x 36 ft. building at 401 Pine St. A building permit was approved for Jon Du Plessis for an 8 x 10 ft. addition to a shed at the southside of his house.
Bison pitcher headed to all-star game Friday
By Mark Buffalo Sports EditorCarlisle Bison pitcher
Dalton Ward will represent the Bison one final time when he is a member of the East squad in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star baseball doubleheader Friday at Bear Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
“In my believes, I always thought God put you in places and positions in life for a reason, and this is a great opportunity to represent my savior,” Ward said. Ward had played baseball for 14 years.
“It’s been a proud moment to be a Bison because my Dad played as a Bison in football, and it’s a real honor to represent,” Ward said of his father Tracey. Ward will continue his
playing career at Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis. Additionally, Carlisle softball player Laken Golden was selected to play in the all-star softball game Friday at Natalie Shock Stadium in Conway. The all-star doubleheader starts at 4 p.m. Lady Bison coach Jason Golden will be an assistant coach for the East squad.
D V B Council appro v es purchase of fire truc k
By Lisa Mills CorrespondentThe DeValls Bluff City Council met on June 13th with Mayor Thelma Gray, Recorder/Treasurer
Darlene Connor, and all council members present. Fire Chief Glen Gladish presented a proposal to purchase a truck from D3 Auto Sales in Des Arc to replace the broken brush fire truck. The new truck is a 2020 Ram 3500 and Gladish said that all the equipment on the current
truck is in good shape and will be able to be easily transferred to the new truck. The total purchase price is $45,845. The truck will be purchased from a combination of funds including Act 888 money, Fire Department general funds, and a three year, no interest $15,000 loan from the Forestry Commission. A motion was approved to purchase the truck. Gladish reported that in May there were no fires, one first responder call, and two meetings.
Police Chief Jeremy Murphy reported 14 arrests and seven traffic citations in May, and there are several ongoing investigations. Murphy stated that a $7,400 equipment grant was received from the Department of Finance and Administration.
A building permit was approved for Jimmy Drysdale for a 12 x 36 ft. building at 401 Pine St. A building permit was approved for Jon Du Plessis for an 8 x 10 ft. addition to a shed at the southside of his house.
Bison DB honored to play in all-star football game
By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor Carlisle Bison footballplayer Gavin Richter
will be a member of the East squad Saturday night during the Arkansas High School Coaches Association AllStar Game on Saturday at Estes Stadium in Conway. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Richter, who played three years for the Bison at defensive back, amassed 150 tackles and 15 interceptions in his career. He was a key player in the Bison making it to the Class 2A state title game in 2022 and a conference title and semifinal appearance in 2023.
“It’s a very big honor to be selected to play in the all-star game.”
Richter said. “I put in a lot of work to get where I’m at today. Growing up, I was never the biggest or the fastest, but I had a lot of heart, and it got me a long ways. I’m incredibly honored to represent Carlisle High School as an all star.
Richter said he’s played football since he was “old enough to carry a football,” starting out in flag football until he was in third grade when he moved to Carlisle and he was able to play tackle youth football.
“To play football for the Bison meant a lot to me,” he said. “I’ve been
put into so many situations with my family where I was asked to move schools, but I just didn’t have the heart to leave this football team.
The coaches and players were family to me.”
Richter said the playoff runs were so much fun.
“Going far in the state playoffs was very rewarding,” he said. “My 10th grade year didn’t feel very good, losing almost every game, but I feel like that year, we flipped the switch on everyone, and made me push harder to be able to make a run in the playoffs the next two years, We all had heart and wanted it all. We didn’t get exactly what
we wanted, but it was very rewarding now that I look back on it, seeing how far we got.” Richter did not play any other sports, sticking with football.
“After high school I plan on going to college and sticking to playing football and wee where I can go with that,” he said. “I also plan to get a degree in business, and, in the long run, even starting my own business.
“Everything I do is for my mom and dad.”
Additionally, Bison coach Gary Wilson is an East assistant coach while Kayleb Elliott was chosen to play in the game.
State Capitol Week in Review
From Senator Ronald Caldwell
The deadline to register to vote in the November 5 general election falls on Monday, October 7.
Keep in mind that county clerks may not accept voter registration forms signed digitally, unless they are submitted by certain state agencies.
The state Board of Election Commissioners has approved an emergency rule concerning digital signatures and it has been approved by the Executive Subcommittee of the Legislative Council.
Previously, some county clerks were accepting electronic signatures and some clerks were not. The emergency rule is meant to clarify that all 75 county clerks in Arkansas should only accept a “wet signature” on voter registration applications. That means it was signed with an ink pen.
In response to the emergency rule, advocacy groups have sued the Secretary of State and the Board of Election Commissioners in federal court. They contend that the rule amounts to voter suppression, and they argue that people can use electronic signatures to finalize financial statements, loan applications, mortgages, legal papers and various docu-
ments required by banks and corporations.
The attorney general issued an opinion in April that said “while an electronic signature or mark is generally valid under Arkansas law, the registration form must be created and distributed by the Secretary of State. A third-party organization cannot create and use a different form of its own to register voters.”
A spokesman for the third-party organization said that her group was using forms created by the Secretary of State, and that volunteers had simply been helping people fill out applications digitally.
Amendment 51 to the state Constitution outlines the rules for registering to vote. It allows a person to register in person at the county clerk’s office.
The amendment also allows people to register to vote at state Revenue Offices, when they renew car tags and drivers’ licenses. Also, they can register at DHS county offices when people apply for food stamps, Medicaid and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and long term care.
Amendment 51 specifically authorizes those state agencies to use computers.
The repair, which came to $25,000, will only cost the county the $2000 deductible, with the insurance company paying the remainder. Abram Skarda told the court that his office will
The Health Department administers a food program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly called WIC. Offices that administer WIC are also specifically authorized in Amendment 51 to register people to vote, and to use a computer to do so. Under ordinary circumstances, when a person registers to vote it is permanent. However, if you move you should notify the county clerk, so your registration moves to your new location. If a county clerk is notified by the post office that you have moved, they may send you a letter to confirm your address. If you don’t respond and don’t vote for two election cycles, your registration may be cancelled. If so, you will have to register again from your new residence. People who are convicted of a felony will have their registration cancelled and cannot vote. They can regain the right to vote after serving all of their sentence, including probation and parole, and after paying all court costs, fines and restitution.
be getting a new printer which will cost the county $10 less per month.
Parson said that the 911 system is being upgraded and that the work is expected to be completed within two weeks. The system will be cloud based, according to Parson. There were no committee reports or old business to attend to, and the meeting was adjourned.
Hazen School Board hears plans for millage increase
The Hazen School Board met in a regular meeting on June 10, 2024 with only Board Member Bradley Taylor absent.
The main action item for the evening was a presentation made by Taggert Architects and C. R. Crawford companies concerning the proposed district master plan for using funds received should a millage increase pass in November. The three point plan that was presented covered existing conditions; goals, needs, and challenges; and possible next steps. The goals, ranked by choices determined by a community survey, were:
1. A Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility
2. High School facility improvements
3. A new Cafetorium
4. A new Pre-K facility.
The submitted CTE plan would build a new two-story building to the east of the high school lower hallway to house the Agriculture Department, the Business Department, the Family and Consumer Science (FACS) Department, and the Technology Department. Other
plans would improve six classrooms , the art room, the two science rooms, and the science lab in the high school building. Athletic facilities improvements would add a girls locker and weight room area.
The old elementary cafetorium located on the east side of the elementary school would be renovated to become a theater style auditorium that would house 530 occupants, and a new Pre-K facility that would have three classrooms, a multipurpose area, and support spaces. The total square footage (sf) of new space improvements would be 22,900 for the high school, 1,500 sf for the additional athletic facilities, 3750 sf for the new cafetorium, and 5,400 sf for the new Pre-K facility.
The plan also included improvements at the Athletic Field House (three locker rooms, two offices and storage) for a total of 5,000 sf.
The board members questioned the building of a two-story building and suggested renovating the FACS classroom, leaving the other classes where they are, and using the new construction for only the Agri
classes. The construction experts were asked to prepare a report on the different options available.
If the district millage is raised by six mils, the amount of money the district would receive would be around $8 mil-
lion. An eight mil increase would net approximately $10,800,000. The board also asked for a plan to use a third building that is not being used by the elementary school.
The board also passed changes to the classified and licensed policies for the next school year.
The changes were agreed to by the teachers, and most of the changes came from Arkansas School Board Association recommendations according to Superintendent Andy Barrett. The policy changes included the appointment of a certified licensed personnel committee, a change in the donation of sick days from up to 90 days to just five days, and the transfer of no more than 20 sick or personal days to any specific person.
In other business, the board agreed to purchase a scoreboard for the football field from Rainey Electronics, Inc. for $53,257.80. The expense will be covered by donations from local companies and will include delivery, complete installation of the board, and the additional installation of timers at each end of the field.
The board also voted to pay $69,507.34 to the ASBA for property insurance renewal and $5083 for vehicle insurance and mobile equipment renewal for next year. Pre-K Director Jennifer gave a presentation to the board on the score results of her students. Ninety percent of the her pre-k students scored at a 90% average or higher on the end-ofschool testing. At the end of the meeting, High School Principal Amy Marek announced that High School Math Teacher Angie Cagle qualified for state merit pay due to the high scores that her students received on the state tests. Cagle was the only teacher in the district who received the state bonus.
Cagle also told the board about some of the rewards given to students for high testing scores, including one detention hall pass, a pajama day pass, and going to the front of the line at lunch. She also told the board about a self-evaluation program that has proved to be very helpful. With no further business, the board meeting was adjourned.
G rand P rairie Qu ilt Society holds Day Camp
By Marsha HeienThe Grand Prairie Quilt Society met Wednesday, June 12,
to: Marsha, Michele, and Cindy, Happy Birthday!!
announced that French Seam will be having a $1.00 a yard sale on June 20th.
2024 at the First Christian Church in Stuttgart, for their meeting and annual Quilt Day Camp, held June 12 - 14 with 8 members present.
Shelley opened the meeting with the Thought for the Day, "I hate having a messy house....not enough to actually clean it, but enough to give it a really disgusted stare from my seat at the sewing machine."
The May minutes and treasurer's report were given. Members brought dry beans for the ICCM Food Bank.
June Happy Birthday greetings were extended
Old Business: Glenda has assembled the red, blue and yellow Children's Comfort quilt top. It will be finished later.
New Business: It was
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PRAIRIE COUNTY, ARKANSAS CIVIL DIVISION
Glenda brought a box of quilt blocks for the treasure table for the members to pick from and make that special project.
Hazen Cemetery Donations
Recently received Hazen Cemetery donations are listed below.
In Memory of: Dr. & Mrs. Arthur Camp
By: Lamar Coyle
In Memory of: Elizabeth Kerr By: Billy & Nona Gail
Booth & Angie Greenwalt
In Memory of: Marie Murdaugh By: Vicki Stephens In Memory of: Nancy Sue Odom By: Howard & Gail
Wallace
In Memory of: Loved
Ones By: Howard & Gail
Wallace
In Memory of: John
Mark Gerety By: Billy & Nona Gail
Booth
Upkeep: Jerry Davis and Jerry & Beth
Sparks
Donations are greatly appreciated and may be mailed to: Hazen Cemetery P.O. Box 92, Hazen, Ar. 72064
SCHNEIDER NATIONAL CARRIERS, INC. PLAINTIFF v. CASE NO. 59SCV-24-8
LAQUINCY LOUDERMILK DEFENDANT
WARNING ORDER
TO: Laquincy Loudermilk, Defendant
You are hereby notified that the plaintiff, Schneider National Carriers, Inc., whose attorney is Branch, Thompson Warmath Dale and Butler, P.A., 414 West Court Street, Paragould, Arkansas 72450, has filed a Complaint herein against you, a copy of which Complaint and summons shall be delivered to you or to your attorney upon request. The Complaint includes allegations of negligence against the defendant, related to a motor vehicle accident that occurred on February 19, 2021. The relief sought by the plaintiff includes a prayer for money damages.
You, and any other interested person, are also notified that you must appear and defend by filing your Answer or other responsive pleading within thirty (30) days of the date of the first publication of this Warning Order; and in the event of your failure to do so, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint as circumscribed by the laws of this State, and you will be otherwise barred from asserting your interest in this lawsuit.
IN WITNESS WHERE, I have hereunto set my hand and seal as Clerk of this Court on this, the 7th day of June, 2024.
GAYLON HALE, CIRCUIT COURT
CLERK By:/s/
Gaylon HalePREPARED BY:
Robert F.
John
Hazen Chamber holds first “Friends and Farmers” market
The Hazen Chamber of Commerce held its first “Friends and Farmers” market on Saturday, June 15, from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 in the city park downtown. The booths featured fresh vegetables, eggs, and crafts for sale. Bison Burger served up breakfast and fresh lemonade was also for sale. The next market day will be held on Saturday, June 29, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The markets will occur every other Saturday through the month of July.