June 21, 2023 edition

P C B udget Co mm ittee w orks to f ind county budget cuts

The Prairie County Quorum Court Budget Committee met on June 15th to discuss possible budget cuts with county department heads.

Present were Chairman Rick Stallings, Committee Members Judy Hinson and Rick Calhoun, Judge Lawrence Holloway, Attorney Abram Skarda, and County Treasurer Tamara Dabney, Sheriff Rick Parsons, and County Clerk Gaylon Hale. Others attending were Justice Paul Hooks and Chief Deputy Jeffrey Bokker.

Stallings began the meeting with the problem of a $199,000 bill from Brightspeed (originally Centurylink) that has gone unpaid. The previous County Judge Mike Skarda changed the county’s telephone company from Centurylink to Telelogic in August, 2020.

“Everyone in this county deserves an answer,” Stallings said. Hale told the committee that Mike Skarda received the phone bills for the county and said that he would handle it.

“Apparently he didn’t handle it,” Hale said. According to Hale, when the changeover to Telelogic was made, the sheriff’s department no

longer had phone service. Centurylink had to be reinstated at that department in order to get phone service.

Skarda said that the county has not yet been sued and that he has a plan to remedy the situation. Dabney stated that the company (Centurylink) was overbilling the county. “If there are any other bills out there, we need to know,” Stallings said.

The committee then looked at previous budgets and the amounts that had been requested.

In 2020 and 2021, $3.2 million had been requested by the departments in total. In 2022, $3.6 million was requested, and in 2023 $3.8 million was requested. In 2021, the county only received $2.9 million, and in 2022 just over $3 million was received. By

2023, the county was $598,000 in the red. Dabney said that taxes to the county total “close to” $3 million of which the county gets a percentage. Sheriff Parsons said that after looking over his budget he felt that he could remove $137,000 from his budget. He also said that $59,500 could be cut from the jail budget. Together, the cuts would be around $197,000. He added that the money in the jail operation and maintenance fund is specific to that fund and can not be used for anything else. Prisoner, sales tax, jail fees and fines money can only be used by the jail. Parsons said that the jail funds included $40,550 from the state, $1905 from the Des Arc court, $268 from the DeValls Bluff court, and the $42,122

Concern over people walking the streets and nighttime break-ins were the main subjects of discussion at the Hazen City Council’s regular meeting held on Thursday, June 15. All of the council members, Mayor David Hardke, Recorder/Treasurer David Hoover, and Mayoral Assistant Tracie Vail were present at the meeting.

Lions Club celebrates 70 years

By Martha Childers

The Des Arc Lions Club celebrated their 70th anniversary on Tuesday, June 13th, with a noon meal and cake and ice cream.

Several guests were there including Des Arc Mayor, Roger Scott; Des arc Chamber of Commerce President, Brock Zimmerman; Lions Club District N Governor, Bill Johnson; Lions Club MD7 Council Chairman, Don Young; Director of Fundraising and Development for World Services For The Blind, Rick Selig; and President/CEO of World Services For The Blind; Eric Yarberry, who was the special guest speaker. Mr. Yarberry grew up in the Des Arc area and has been blind all of his life. He gave a very interesting talk on WSB, founded in 1947, stating that it is the most comprehensive adult rehabilitation center in the world for the blind or visually

impaired and is located right here in Little Rock. They serve students from around the world. The Life Skills Programs at WSB teaches essential life skills that ensure an individual’s ability to live independently, to technology based career-path programs designed to provide students with knowledge and hands-on experience that will allow them to compete in today’s high-tech jobs market, putting them on the path to sustainable independence.

Lions Club is a civic organization with chapters around the world, with a focus on helping blind or visually impaired individuals. Our local chapter helps people who need glasses but cannot afford them. We also support many youth and community services in our town. Eddie Addison is our president, and John Stephens is the secretary.

from the Hazen court are earmarked and cannot be used for anything else. Any money not spent at the end of the year should be rolled over into the next year, according to Parsons. “The jail has been set up to be self-sufficient,” Parsons said. Hale reported that the elections request could be cut by $2000. One salary will be cut in half when the employee begins to receive Social Security in August, but the county will still be responsible for one half of that salary.

Hooks asked “Why does each department have ‘courthouse maintenance’ in their budgets?”

Eighty thousand dollars has been budgeted for courthouse maintenance contracts, but 73% of that amount is still left for this year.

Dabney said that the

ters who have been living in a condemned house have been told that they must be out by midnight Sunday.

treasurer’s department will cut $1500 for travel and $1000 for machinery.

In 2021, the county ended the year $152,000 in the black, but by January, 2023, the county was $315,000 in the red. “The county is just shy of $600,000 in the red now,” Stallings said.

One thousand dollars will be cut from the Office of Emergency Management. Skarda said that $4000 will be cut from the telephone expense, $500 from postage, and $11,000 from salaries, for a total of $19,950. “We’re spending a huge amount for telephones,” he said.

Stallings asked the portion of salaries for school resource officers. “Could they do their own law enforcement agencies,” he asked. At present, the Des Arc School District is asking for a second officer. Stallings said that there is funding available for resource officers.

At the end of the meeting, public comment was invited. “We’re going to continue to work on it (cutting the budget),” Stallings said.

The committee will recess for two weeks and meet again on June 29th at 3:00 p.m.

A concerned businessperson addressed the council, stating that a car parked downtown one night last week had been broken into, and that an alleged drug deal/fight had been witnessed by multiple people in front of her store last week as well. The person asked why the police department has not taken care of the street wanderers. “They’re right back out on the street,” she said. Hardke said that the city had made some progress. Some squat-

Police Chief Bradley Taylor added that the new county sheriff, Rick Parsons, has opened up some jail cells for misdemeanor offenders. Some people have already been taken to jail, according to Taylor. “We can’t do it as quickly as we would like,” Hardke said. “We have to walk a line between warning and harassment,” he added. The city will review the curfew law for the city.

Councilman Bob Juola asked if the city has a vagrancy law. Utilities Manager Chad Swaim said that he had witnessed the altercation that the business person was addressing, and said that it was a fight. Hardke acknowledged that there has been an opioid epidemic and that fentanyl and cocaine are

also a problem. “Our guys are trying to do the best they can,” he said. Taylor added, “It’s getting a little better.”

A presentation by TextMyGov via Zoom was rescheduled for another time. The program will allow citizens to text into the city, and will cost the city $3000 a year after a $1500 setup fee. “People expect technology,” Hardke said.

Vail told the council that although a discussion of two variances was on the agenda, the council does not have to deal with variances according to the law. The city’s zoning committee met and approved two variance requests, one for 207 East Monroe St. for Billy Hill, and one for 308 West Madison for Lyndi Kerr. Vail said that the variance requests end with the zoning committee.

(Continued on page 3.)

Maple

Paul Hooks, Bill Calhoun, Rick Stallings, Judy Hinson, and Sheriff Rick Parsons look over the Prairie County departmental budgets.

Bill Johnson, District N Governor and Eric Yarberry, President/CEO, World Services For The Blind.

Don Edward Shelman

Don Edward Shelman, otherwise known as Daddy, Pa, Papa Don, the best brother, and one-ofa-kind husband, 81 years old, passed away on June 11th, 2023. He was born June 19, 1941,in Hazen AR., to Evelyn Shelman and Wayne Shelman ( both deceased). He is survived by, his loving wife of 62 1/2 years, Sarah Shelman. He is also survived by 3 children, Alan Shelman ( Patty), Larry Shelman ( Ronda) and Lori Shelman. 5 grandchildren Bradley Shelman ( Chelsea), Corey Shelman ( River), Zack Shelman ( Brianna), Josh Shelman ( Aaliyah)and Ellie Shelman ( Derrick) 9 great grands.. Lexi, Olivia, Jasper, Gracie, Bryn, Cole, Rylie, Emerson and Zeke. He is survived by 2 sisters and 2 brothers Jimmy Shelman (Ginger), Glenda Sutton ( Jay), Nancy Douglas, Gary Shelman. 9 more children that were special in his life were Todd Alan, Kate and Anna McDonald,Maddison Hilgeman, Henry, Samuel, Amelia and Theo Schluterman. He

was predeceased by his very special great grandson Owen Beck Shelman. He was well known for his master mechanic skills, which trickled down to many others, especially his grandson Bradley. He was very creative and could draw or paint any picture imaginable. He was an Awesome Christian man, that loved his family, with all of his heart, especially his wife Sarah Shelman. Their marriage was a hugh example of what a good marriage should be. Their love and connection was amazing. He was all of this and more. One of the things that many people know him for is his jokes and the way he loved to make people laugh. All of us hear his jokes, being repeated daily and I pray that never stops.

We would like to thank all of the special people, that helped to take care of him, in varies ways.

To include the CARTI foundation, Baptist home health and Carelink. Because of their special care, he died CANCER-FREE!

Visitation will be

Tuesday, June 20, at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Ark., from 5-7 p.m. The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 21 at Crystal Hill

Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., on Lawson and Crystal Valley Road.

Immediately following the funeral, lunch will be provided at the church. After lunch, the burial will be 2 p.m. at the Hazen Cemetery in Hazen, Arkansas.

Pallbearers are Bradley Shelman, Corey Shelman, Zack Shelman, Josh Shelman, Derrick Griggs, Gary Shelman, William Eldridge and Craig Schluterman. Honorary Pallbearers are Alan Shelman, Larry Shelman, Jimmy Shelman, Jay Sutton and Steve Casey. Any donations that would like to be made in his name can be made to CARTI research Center in Little Rock.

Charles Joseph

VanHouten

Charles “Joe” Joseph VanHouten died on June 13, 2023. He was born September 18, 1965 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was raised in Hazen, Arkansas. A resident of Okeechobee for ten years, he enjoyed flying, military, fitness, and cycling. He proudly served our

Country in the United States Marine Corps for three years as a field radio operator from 1983-1986. He then joined the United States Coast Guard in 1988 and served on a law enforcement boarding team for 14 months before transferring into aviation. He served as an Aviation Survivalman and finished off his Coast Guard tour with three years in recruit training as a Company Commander. Next he joined the National New Jersey in 20000. He worked as a Boom Operator on KC135 and a C-130 loadmaster until his retirement from the service , he was a pilot and crop dusted until 2020. He was preceded in death by his mother Carolyn VanHouten, and grandmother Marie Burke.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Shari VanHouten, daughter Tessa VanHouten, granddaughter Aniya Dunn, father B.R.VanHouten, and brother Scott VanHouten. The family received friends from 10 a.m. until services at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home. Interment will follow at asinger Cemetery.

Miss Madelyn Bokker honored with shower

By Chris Weems Miss Madelyn Bokker,

Member 2023

The Grand Prairie Herald (USPS) 225-680

Dulany, was honored with a bridal shower Saturday morning, June 10, at Calvary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Hazen.

Madelyn was assisted in opening and displaying her gifts by her sister, Maci Bokker and her fiance. The gifts were displayed on round tables with floor-length tablecloths.

Other special guests, besides Logan, were Madelyn's ,mother, Shannon Bokker, Dr.

Jeff and Cherie and Lexie, Logan's parents and sister, Lucille Vail, Maddelyn's great grandmother and her aunt, Angie Cagle, all of Hazen and his grandparents, James and Marilyn Spence, of Cabot, her aunts, Teresa Martin DeWitt, and Sandra Auston, Tichnor. Guests signed in on a table with a white cloth that was attached in the middle with a wide silver and white bow. The center piece on the

Area City Council Members Attend Conference...

serving table was multicolored spring flowers in a tall crystal vase, The table was covered with a white floor-length tablecloth with a white lace overlay. Guests were served mixed fresh fruit with finger foods, assorted cookies and wedding cake, with punch, nuts and mints. Hostesses were Carla Nichols, Nanette Belford, Sandy Felty, Tracie Vail, CIndy Hill, Pat Parker, Wanda Young, Stephanie Van Houten, Sherry Bullock, Monica Lisko, Hazen Swilley, Trilby Shelman, Angie Cagle, Freida Isbell, Carolyn Van Houten, Robin McMullen, Donna Watson, Amy Van Houten, Tanya Underwood, Mari Tezzi, Connie Swaim, Sara Perry, Carly Bokker, Chris Weems, Paige Hawkins and Sharron Stallings.

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Periodicals Postage paid at Hazen, Arkansas 72064

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The Arkansas Municipal League held their 89th annual conference June 14th-16th at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Several city council members from the Grand Prairie enjoyed attending the conference.

From DeValls Bluff were Pam Del Giorno, Marie Flanagan, and Shirley Goff. From Des Arc were Gail King and Judy Burnett. From Carlisle was Sissy Ingle-Drye.

bride-elect of Logan

Prairie County Quorum Court passes budget cuts for county departments

Multiple ordinances were passed to amend previous county ordinances passed by the Prairie County Quorum Court in an attempt to rectify monetary problems within the county’s budget at the regular quorum court’s June 13 meeting. The budget committee, composed of Justices Judy Hinson, Bill Calhoun and Committee Chairman Rick Stalllings, has been working to make budgetary cuts in order to get the County General account back into the black. (The ordinances passed are in this edition of the Herald.)

The general ledger balance for the county’s County General account for the month of May, 2023, as presented by County Treasurer Tamara Dabney, shows a negative balance of $598,215.14, and the budget committee has been trying to find ways to get that balance under control. The 911 Emergency account is also in the red by $176,637.18, according to a print out supplied

by the treasurer. The 911 budget consists of state turn back money and sales tax that is earmarked for that account. The amount of sales tax received by the county through the month of May is $757.60 more than that received by the same time in 2022. One of the ordinances addresses a Deputy Assessor position that was budgeted but has been vacant since 2021. The ordinance unappropriates the position, along with a Road Labor position that has been vacant for an undetermined amount of time. If those positions are needed in the future, the department head must request that the position or positions be reinstated. This will only be done, according to Stallings, if the funds are available. The savings to the budget will be over $57,000. The total anticipated revenue for the county in 2023 is $3,837,150, and only 90% of that amount can be appropriated. That amount is $3,453,435 for the year.

The budget was adjusted with the help of Dabney. According to Stallings, there has been no maximum on the number of turn back hours, although the personnel policy limits those hours to 120. Former Sheriff Rick Hickman was paid $9,573.66 for hours that he claimed when he left office.

“With general funds in the red, we can’t afford this,” Stallings said.

The new ordinance reverts back to the original 120 hours if someone leaves their position. It was stated at the meeting that salaried positions get no holidays.

Sheriff Rick Parsons stated that he thinks that significant cuts can be found in his department’s budget, but he will keep the two new vehicles purchased by his department. Dabney said that she will be moving money out of her department into the county general account to help with the deficit. The budget committee will meet on Thursday to find further cuts.

Bl ood D onations for J une

Those who donated blood on June 12 at the Hazen United Methodist Church were:

Mary Van Houten

Dewanna Keys

Steve Chlapecka

Roxanne Bradow

Leah Miller

Allyson Chlapecka

Sydne Hamilton

James Gray

Gary Shelman

Keith Henthorne

Kenny Alexander

Chris Wright

David Gannon

Lance Prine

Martha Starr

Nancy Chlapecka

Lance Larkan

Ross Skarda

(That story is in this week’s paper.) The county has also been presented with a bill for approximately $8000 from the Brightspeed telephone company for unpaid back payments that have been accruing since August, 2020. The amount, including late fees, is now $38,000. The company offered to decrease the amount by 10% ($3800), according to Attorney Abram Skarda, who was given the power to negotiate with Brightspeed in order to reduce what the county owes further. Dabney said that Centurylink (the company purchased by Brightspeed) was reported to the Better Business Bureau twice.

“Mike (Skarda) handled that (the bill),” County Clerk Gaylon Hale said. This amount is not covered under general liability and will have to be paid if some agreement cannot be reached with Brightspeed.

Justice Gary King asked why the Quorum Court had not told about this problem. Skarda said, “This should never have happened.” He added, “ I’m not going to sugar coat, mistakes were made.”

Justice Paul Hooks brought up a FaceBook discussion that mentioned a county mafia and dynasty. “I didn’t appreciate it,” he said. “I make my own decisions.” Stallings said, “I have learned a lot from that person. Does he

control me - He does not.” Justice Gary King added, “I’m going to do what’s right. It really bothered me.” Justice Bill Calhoun said, “ We’re trying to do what is best for the county.” When the audience was asked for questions, one meeting attendee asked, “Is it a conflict of interest for that family to be on the election commission?” Skarda replied that the election commission had been sent the tape in question. According to Skarda, two commissioners are granted to the county’s majority party (which is Republican) and one to the minority party (Democrats). Only Justice Jordan Smith was absent from the meeting.

L oca l students named to D ean ’ s L ists

Several local students have been named to their college or university Dean’s Lists.

Courtney Guerrero of Ulm, AR, has been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2023 semester at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. To be on the Dean's

List, UA Little Rock students must earn at least nine credit hours and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA.

William Cox of Biscoe, Kyndal Morton of Des Arc, Mayank Patel of Hazen, Jocelyn RomeroDawson of DeValls Bluff, and Chandler Saul of De Valls Bluff

were named to the University of Central Arkansas spring 2023 Dean's List.

Halleigh Burton of Carlisle and Tristan Richards of Griffithville were named to the Williams Baptist University Dean’s Lists for the 2023 spring semester.

Hazen City Counci l meeting_______

(Continued from page 1)

Mark Mosby addressed the council to ask for time to repair a house that the council had recently condemned. By law, a house that is not fit for habitation must be either destroyed or repaired to habitation standards. Mosby will have 30 days to begin the repair work, and that work must continue without stopping until the work is done. After the repairs are made, inspectors will have to approve of the work before anyone can move into the home. Resolution 581 was unanimously passed declaring Mosby’s property to be a nuisance and requiring that it be removed or rehabilitated. Mosby apologized to the council for the poor condition of the property and promised to rehabilitate it. Hardke reminded Mosby that all codes must be met. Mosby asked for information from the city’s inspection of the property to see

what repairs are needed.

In departmental reports, Chad Swaim said that his department had hired two young men for the summerGavin Rogers for two weeks, and Luke King for the summer. The workers have cleaned up the parks in town and have been mowing city properties. Eight water line leaks have been repaired. “One main broke,” Swaim said. The city’s water system has been flushed, and should be good for the rest of the year Swaim said. A 1000 ft. gas line has been installed at the Love’s station. A gas line on Hazen St. was also repaired. Two sewers were found to be stopped up, and have been worked on. “That new sewer machine came in really handy,” Swaim said. Fire Chief Seth Skarda reported one pickup fire and three first responder calls. His department also burned a house on

West City Limit Road. Police Chief Taylor said that Hazen will be featured on the “On Patrol” show. The film crew was in Hazen last Tuesday and told Taylor that they would like to film his department in the future. Filming will go on for eight weeks for five days a week. Taylor will send a waiver/agreement before the show filming can begin. He said that his department is dealing with people wandering the streets, but asked that citizens call 911 if they see anything. The 911 number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, he said. Hardke reported that the city had received an unexpected grant for the baseball field. The city has already paid $15,000 toward work at the field, but it will have to match the grant received for repairing a leaking roof for the baseball facility. This will put the city $4714.18 over on the $17,500 budget for the project, but money can be taken from the hotel/motel sales tax account, Hardke said. Leveling, dirt work, drainage, and laying sod is still planned for Field 1 to prevent canceling games when it rains. Several light bulbs will need to be replaced, possibly with LED fixtures, next year. The only other assistance from the city this year was $1,321.54 for a load of red rock for the fields. The Hazen Baseball Association has also requested that the city pay $8,168.92 to complete the payment to Raney Electronics on two scoreboards and their installation.

Hardke also reported that a $6,898.48 airport grant for a new fuel hose, hose reel, and a grounding wheel had been spent, and the installation of them has been done.

Councilman Tim Juola asked when the parking lot at the baseball field will have the concrete removed and the lot leveled. Hardke said he would look into it. With no other business, the meeting was adjourned.

F ormer H a z en assistant coming bac k to coach H ornets

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

Coach Anthony Elliott is coming home.

Carlisle beats Des Arc Eagles in tournament championship game

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

The Carlisle Freshman Bison swept a tournament at Lonoke on June

9-11.

Carlisle beat the Dirt Hogs 4-2 in its first game then beat Bryant 20-3 before sweating Lonoke 8-0 and Des Arc

6-2 on June 11.

In the championship

game win over Des Arc, Carlisle trailed 2-1 after one inning. The Bison then scored five runs in the bottom of the second to take control of the game.

Michael Spingola scored two runs for the Bison. Also scoring were Tyler Thrift, Gavin Davis and Daniel Ford.

Cole Averitt and Spingola combined to

strike out four Des Arc batters.

In the win over Lonoke, the Bison scored six runs in the first inning then two in the second. Thrift and Spingola combined to throw a nohitter.

Remington Gisclair and Davis each scored two runs. Also scoring were Spingola, Averitt and Ford.

Elliott, who was the head coach of the Marshall Bobcats the past few seasons, was recently hired to be an assistant football coach and basketball coach at Hazen High School.

Elliott previously coached for four season at Hazen.

“The community, the people and the school, the support that we had

gotten there was outstanding,” Elliott said, referring to his first stint at Hazen. They’ve got a great program under coach [Joe]

Besancon. I enjoyed working for him. When that position came up, we felt like we were ready to see something, not different, but a little different.”

Besancon said he’s happy to have Elliott back on his staff.

“I’m looking forward to having him back,” Besancon said. “He did a

really good job for us when he was here. He brings some experience and some knowledge. It will definitely help us a lot. Hopefully, he’ll get us geared up for another good football season.” Elliott is a 2006 graduate of Marshall High School. He earned his teaching degree from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. He has coached at Marianna, Hazen, Harrison, and Marshall.

4 th N ine w ee k s H onor R oll at HHS

The following students were on the 4th Nine Weeks Honor Roll at HHS.

7th Grade

Kiera Anderson, Payten Bacon, Reece Cash, Jaxon Craig, Madison Graham*, Makaela Guenther*, Weston Hare*, McKenzi Owens, Taylor Reynolds, Bella Roberts*, Paycen Seely, Kenedy Self, John Simmons*, and Tesla Van Houten.

8th Grade

Jaelynne Barnhill*, Michael Bowman*, Sidney Bragg, Cayden Calvert, Cortlin Chase, Ryleigh Cook*, Alyssa Douglass-Dodge*, Isabelle Gray*, Rayna Hester, Christian Hune, Hannah Linder, Destiny Martin*, Kylee

K ing to pla y one more game this S atur d a y

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

Hazen

All-State

Quarterback Luke King has one more football game in him.

King, who led the Hornets to their firstever state championship last December, is a member of the East squad, which plays the West in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game on Saturday at Estes Stadium in Conway. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

“It is a huge honor to be selected to the Arkansas all-star game,” King said. “It has been a goal of mine to lay this game ever since I started playing high school football.”

King said he will not be playing college football. “As of right now, this is

my final football game,” he said. “I am looking forward to stepping on the field getting to play one last time.”

King played quarterback for the Hornets for four seasons.

“It was a huge honor to play quarterback the last four years at Hazen, making memories that will last a lifetime,” he said. King did not play any other sports.

“I love weightlifting and other sports go tin the way of that,” he said. King was the best lifter in the Arkansas High School Weightlifting Championships earlier this spring.

Hazen coach Joe Besancon said King is a “one-of-a-kind.”

“A lot of people just knew him as a football player,” Besancon said.

“He’s just a great person, period. He’s a very humble young man. He’s very appreciative of everything he’s done. I get to see him other than as a player. He’s one of those players that you might not get another like the rest of your coaching life.”

King said he plans to attend college and eventually dental school.

Several local students have been named to their college or university Dean’s Lists.

To be on the Dean's List, students must earn at least nine credit hours and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA.

Courtney Guerrero of Ulm, AR, has been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2023 semester at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

William Cox of Biscoe, Kyndal Morton of Des Arc, Mayank Patel of Hazen, Jocelyn RomeroDawson of DeValls Bluff, and Chandler Saul of DeValls Bluff

McElroy, Kiersten Shatzer, Jase Simmons, Bailey Sims*, Luke Snider, Riley Sooter, Brayden Swanigan, Jalynn Thomas*, and Kadence Weems*.

9th Grade

Peyton Anderson, Alantis Blancett*, Wesley Clifton, Remington Fegley, Chase Heinmiller, Tyreke Kendrick, Peyton Kocourek, Ethan Lisko, Allyson Mooney, Maddox Prine*, Sophie

Raper*, Maci Sickel, and Dylan Skarda*. 10th Grade

Mattison Alberson*, Rileigh Barnhill*, Chloe

Caldwell, Emma

Cantwell, Sam Clayton, Faith Duell, Alexis Dulany*, Jaci Hackelton*, Joseph

Hurley III, Carson Kee*, Karly Kinard*, Austin Kocourek, Ryan Martin, Makayla McCray, Chloe Rose, Hope Seeber, Ethan Simmons, Owen Simmons, Kendall Sisemore*, and Brance

Williams*.

11th Grade

Nash Arnett, Kamryn Blackard, Austyn Booth*, Savannah Glover, Gage Heinmiller*, Yuika Imai*, Faith Johnson, Mattie Perry, Allison Prine, Adrianna Reynolds*, Joshua Romero-Dawson*, Diego Rossa*, Kaycie Seely*, Karizma Sullivan, Brandon Vaughn,Katelin Wallace, and Brooke Wooten.

Denotes All A’s *

were named to the University of Central Arkansas spring 2023 Dean's List.

Halleigh Burton of Carlisle and Tristan Richards of Griffithville

were named to the Williams Baptist University Dean’s Lists for the 2023 spring semester.

Hazen quarterback Luke King (5) takes a snap during the Class 2A state championship game against Carlisle in December. King will be playing in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game this Saturday in Conway.

L ocal stu d ents name d to state college / uni v ersit y Dean ’ s L ists

To Whom It May

Concern: A 2011 Hyundai Sonata Vin# 5NPEC4AC2BH139310 was picked up on 5-31-23 at the I-40 202 WB at the request of the Arkansas State Police. This vehicle is in the possession of Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service 1111 Hwy 70 W, Hazen Ar. 72064, (870)255-3305. Towing, storage, & administrative costs are accruing as legal liability of the owner. Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority possessory lien on the

holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle. To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, MonFri, 8am-5pm, provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

said vehicle and its content for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle. To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, MonFri, 8am-5pm, provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

To Whom It May

Concern: A 2013 Hyundai Sonta Vin# 5NPEB4AC0DH598650 was picked up on 5-21-23 at Water Street and Chestnut Street in Hazen at the request of the Hazen Police Department. This vehicle is in the possession of Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service 1111 Hwy 70 W, Hazen Ar. 72064, (870)255-3305. Towing, storage, & administrative costs are accruing as legal liability of the owner.

Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims

first priority possessory lien on the said vehicle and its content for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle. To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm, provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

STORAGE UNIT AUCTION

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 10:00 A.M. 1607 and 1412 Main Street, Des Arc, AR. Up to 14 units. Hinshaw Auction Co. AALB 1667 501-516-5630

Maple Healthcare celebrates CNA week with Aloha Luau

Maple Healthcare hosted a luau for their residents and local citizens in honor of Certified Nursing Assistant Week on Friday, June 16. Activity Director Dan Martin served as the Master of Ceremonies, and Almost Guilty, a band comprised of Bryant, Benton, and Eastend High School students provided the music. Games, a water slide, hot dogs, and home made slushies were all parts of the entertainment for the afternoon. Proceeds from the day will go to the Maple Healthcare residents’ Christmas fund.

By Marsha Heien

The Grand Prairie Quilt Society met June 14, 2023 at First Christian Church's fellowship hall, Stuttgart, with six members present. Shelley opened the meeting with the Thought for the Day, "I turn thread and fabric into quilts, what's your super power?" The May minutes and treasurer's report were given. Happy Birthday greetings for June were extended to Marsha and Michele, Happy

Birthday—Marsha and Michele!!

Six members (three from the quilt club and three from Disciples Women of First

Christian Church) attended the Arkansas Children's Hospital Donor Appreciation Luncheon in May. They reported that they had a lovely time. There were presentations by the Volunteer personnel on what they do to assist the patients at the hospital. Everyone was thanked for the contributions they make for the children who are patients.

Old Business: Everyone was reminded of the Summer Quilt Day Camp to be held at the church on June 22, 23, 24. Bring 10 bags of 1 lb. dry beans for the ICCM Food Bank for each day you plan to attend. Also, bring at least 2 extension cords for your sewing machines. You will need to bring a sack lunch and snacks. Tea will be provided.

New Business: The members expressed an interest in planning a trip to visit the Pine Bluff quilt club who meet at the Nature Center on the First Friday of the month.

Show and Share:

Glenda brought many items to show the group. She has really been busy! She had for the Christmas Shoe boxes: little boys' shorts, book bags, ditty bags for boys and girls and tote bags in several sizes....also baby blankets and burp pads for Hope of the Delta....and breast cancer pillows for UAMS.

Upcoming events: June 22, 23, 24 .... Summer Quilt Day Camp July meeting will be a Sit 'n Sew on July 12th.

G ra nd P rairie Q uilt S ociet y m eets