Hazen City Council hears plans for dispensary
The Hazen City Council met on Thursday, June 20, to hear a presentation by Sean Clarkson and Casey Flippo of Dark Horse Medicinals. Council Members Dallas Taylor and Tim Juola were missing from the meeting.
Clarkson and Flippo are the owners of a multi-state medical marijuana processor and retail operator called Dark Horse Medicinals which is based out of Little Rock. The company has two dispensaries in Arkansas, and the owners wish to relocate the dispensary in Pine Bluff to Hazen. They came to the meeting to introduce themselves and to let the council know of their plans to build a medical marijuana dispensary south of Interstate 40, just west of Highway 63 North, and to ask for a letter of support.
The opening of the dispensary will create new jobs for residents, increased tax revenue, and access to medical relief from a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, and PTSD according to Flippo. The men assured the council that they are committed to being active members of the community and plan to engage with local organizations and educational institutions to provide information and resources about the benefits and safe use of
medical marijuana.
The material that was given to the council also assured the council members that the company “operates under stringent state and local regulations, ensuring that all products are tested, safe, and responsibly distributed.” Only those with medical marijuana cards will be allowed into the building area where the products are distributed.
“Our goal is to bring in an upstanding business and bring economic benefit to the community,” Flippo said. The plan is to have the dispensary open for business by the first of 2025.
The presentation and the following “question and answer” session lasted for an hour and ended with the council giving its support to the company. City Attorney Keith Rhodes was asked to review the extensive Arkansas law governing the medical marijuana
business.
The council members were also given a draft copy of a new “nonbreed specific” dog ordinance which the city has been working on for several months. They were asked to read through it and make suggestions for changes at the next meeting.
Mayor David Hardke said that the aerial and truck mosquito applications will be done around 8:00 p.m on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the summer. He also told the council that the Arkansas Legislative Audit had found no problems with the city’s books.
The city of Des Arc’s Utilities Department will be working on the town’s water plant soon, and has asked the Hazen Water Department to provide water for the Des Arc Water Department while the work is being done. A pump will have
to be installed between the two cities, and Hazen will be pumping an additional two thirds more water. A legal agreement will be drawn up for the two cities to sign. Because Hazen is the only municipality that can help Des Arc, the council agreed to the arrangement. “We want to be supportive,” Hardke said. Utilities Manager Chad Swaim agreed that his department should be able to supply Des Arc with water during their water plant renovation. Swaim reported that mowing and fixing water leaks has been keeping his workers busy. They have also been putting in some culverts and fixing potholes. The Hazen water plant understructure has been installed, and he hopes to have both filter beds up and running in two weeks, and a new screen will be
installed within 30 days. He also told the council about problems that city workers have had mowing the overpass at the interstate.
Fire Chief Seth Skarda reported seven first responder runs and a camper on fire at I-40.
Police Chief Bradley Taylor said that his department had raised $1000 for the Hazen Chamber of Commerce when they cooked hot dogs for the Memorial Day celebration. The policemen also cooked hot dogs at the recent Mammoth Pond Fishing Derby. Taylor said that two people who had been breaking into cars in the Grady Addition had been caught and charged. He also said that the money that his department had received from a large drug bust would be used to buy two vehicles to replace two that have mechanical problems. He also said that the On Patrol television show will return to Hazen over the weekend. At the end of the meeting, Council Member Barbara Rogers asked Hardke to look into the possibility of the city giving money toward the cost of the new mural that is planned by the Historical Society. He said that he would check with legislative auditors to see how the city might do that.
Golleher to replace Flynn on Carlisle Council
By Debbye Harrison
Ashley Golleher was sworn in by Judge Teresa Smith at the June 18 City Council meeting. She will be finishing Larry Flynn’s term. Flynn resigned due to health issues.
Brandi Sullivan asked the Council for permission to organize a Farmer’s Market near the Depot at the existing shelter. It will be a non-profit and a way for local farmers to bring their produce to town for sale. The Council gave their permission but cautioned her to make sure all legal issues were cleared with the State.
filled until August. This met with opposition from some citizens in attendance. They expressed a need for fund-raising activities to be held this summer to help pay for the concession stand improvements. No action was taken.
The Council approved an immediate release of $20,000 to begin concession stand improvements. Kevin Kegley is in charge of the renovations and will provide the Council with a list of supplies and prices. Some items will be donated; some items will be purchased used. Volunteers will be doing the work.
Ronnie Ashmore submitted his resignation as Parks and Rec Director effective June 30. Mayor Glover reminded the Council and the citizens in attendance that the State Auditors noted that there would not have been any way to have documented the loss of funds in the recent embezzlement if it had not been for Ashmore’s meticulous record keeping of the Parks and Rec funds. Glover also praised Ashmore as the best director he has had during his term as Mayor. Council members also thanked Ashmore for his extra hours of work and willingness to help out in all areas of the city’s needs. Glover then suggested that the position not be
A grant has been applied for. It is a 50/50 grant with restrictions. There is no set time for the grant to be decided, so the work on the concession stand will have to proceed without depending on that money. Any money spent before that cannot be reimbursed. The deadline for having the concession stand ready is the first baseball game in the spring.
Ordinance #339 was passed which approved the Green Environmental Service to begin picking up trash Thursday June 27 and Friday June 28. Information about the schedule and proper procedures will be available to residents in their new trash bins or in the water bill.
Ordinance #340 was
passed which approved putting the 3% “Hamburger Tax” on the November 5 ballot. Carlisle citizens will vote on the issue. This tax can only be used to promote the city and improve parks and recreation. A seven member commission made up of four members from the hotel/motel and restaurant businesses, two city council members and one at-large representative will be in charge of the administration of the money. The city will collect the tax and it will be put in a special fund. All towns and cities in this area are charging this tax.
(Continued on page 4.)
Carthel Allen Eans
Carthel Allen Eans passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. He was born March 1, 1959, in Helena, Arkansas to Carthel and Edith (Hearn) Eans.
His family moved to Des Arc where he developed a passion for football and the outdoors. He proudly represented Des Arc High School and contributed to the team's triumph in winning the State Championship. He loved spending time outdoors, including fishing on White River.
Allen was preceded in death by his father, Carthel Eans.
As Allen grew older, spending time with his mother, Edith, and his children became very important to him. Allen has two sons; Jacob and wife Leah Eans and Benjamin and wife Abbey Eans of Griffithville; four grandchildren, Knox Eans, Whitt Eans, Isabell Eans, Olivia Eans and one sister Tammy Kimbell and husband Bryan of Omaha, Nebraska.
During the last couple of years Allen made a profession of faith and joined Judson Memorial Baptist Church where he enjoyed played the harmonica. Allen will be truly missed by his friends and family.
Lois Frances Ryan Hooks
Lois Frances Ryan Hooks, 83, of Searcy, formerly of Slovak, met her Heavenly Father the morning of June 16, 2024, at Unity Hospital in Searcy.
Mrs. Hooks was born Sept. 25, 1940, in Humphrey to Carlton Ryan Sr. and Mable Gordon Ryan. She grew up on a farm in Humphrey and graduated from Humphrey High School. Following graduation from Draughon School of Business in Little Rock, she worked at Layne Arkansas for several years where she developed lifelong friendships with her coworkers and met her beloved husband Earl at an office business party. They were married for 40 years and lived on their farm in Slovak.
Lois suffered pain from arthritis throughout her life starting in her youth and endured many surgeries with joint replacements as a result, but always had grit and determination to soldier on with life and always maintained her sense of humor while doing so which helped her in times of trouble.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones.”
Proverbs 17:22.
She loved working outdoors in her vegetable and flower gardens and assisted her husband on the farm throughout her life. She loved quilting with family and friends over the years and had a gift from God with singing which started at a young age. She loved to hear and make people laugh and share her testimony of how she gave her life to the Lord in her youth even while at the hospital in her final days.
Shortly before her death she stated, “I’m going to see Jesus soon.” She was a member of Southside Baptist Church.
Besides her parents and husband Earl, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Carlton Ryan Jr., Eugene Ryan, Johnny Allison “JA” Ryan, Thomas Ryan and Herman Ryan. Survivors are her two daughters, Sandra Hooks Shipley of Searcy and Lisa Hooks of Little Rock; one grandson, Ryan Shipley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services, officiated by Bro. Gregg Greenway, are 3 p.m. Wednesday at Turpin Funeral Home chapel with burial following in St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Turpin Funeral Home. Her family requests memorials be made to Southside Baptist Church, P.O. Box 424, Stuttgart, Ark. Please go to www.turpin-co.com to sign the online guestbook.
Johnny Turner Larkan
and brother Larry Larkan, all of Hazen. Johnny is survived by this wife, Debbie Raney Larkan and his children Lance Larkan, Kim Lisko (Roger), and Johnathan Larkan, his grandchildren Lauren Lisko and Ross Lisko, his sister Mary Ann Johnson (Gary), his niece Quinn Jones, his nephew Lee Larkan (Mary), his greatnephews Cole Jones and Jordan Larkan (Shelby), and great-niece Kristen Larkan.
Funeral serviceswere held at the Hazen First United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 22, 2024 with visitation from 9:30-11:00 am and the funeral at 11:00 am followed by a Masonic burial at the Hazen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hazen Cemetery or Walnut Grove Community Church building fund.
Linda Nell Patterson
Happy 100th birthday...
Des Arc Council discusses current, upcoming projects
By Lisa Mills
Linda Nell Patterson of Des Arc passed away Monday, June 17, 2024 at the age of 79. She was born in Des Arc to Rep and Mary Nell Bunch
Tucker on August 31, 1944. Linda was a 1962 graduate of Des Arc High School. Linda was saved and baptized at First Baptist Church, Des Arc on April 3, 1955. In 1963, she married her high school sweetheart, Rodger Patterson, and together they spent 61 years. During their years of marriage, they enjoyed their time together raising their 3 children, dancing, traveling, bird watching, supporting and loving their grandchildren, and taking care of their many cats throughout the years. One of her favorite activities was her many portrayals of “Brenda Lee” in Des Arc’s Steamboat Days. Linda devoted 20 plus years working alongside her husband at Patterson Hardwoods, but first she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, and caretaker. Her best characteristics were her caring heart and devotion to her family. She was adored by all.
At the June 18th Des Arc city council meeting several projects and grants were discussed for the city’s revitalization. Council Member Gail King provided written reports on grants that have been received and grant applications waiting for approval. One grant that King was very excited about was a gas grant to improve the gas system. Until now there have not been any gas grants available because there are only five cities in Arkansas that have their own gas systems.
King reported that paperwork has been submitted to the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District to activate the gas grant, and the paperwork has been sent to Bond Engineering to write a preliminary report. Other contacts have been made for information in the application process.
Council Member Doug Estes reported that the Fire Department has received three bids for the plumbing work needed to install the required station washer and dryer. The bids will be brought to the council for a decision.
The Ambulance Department reported 26 total runs out of 38 calls in May. Bids were opened on June 18th at 2:00 p.m. for work on the Clean Water grant the city received. Bond Engineering opened the bids. They will award the winning bid soon so that the project can begin.
Mayor Roger Scott reported that 19 letters have been sent to property owners to clean up their property. He said that the first non-compliant case had gone to court and the property owner was issued a $375
fine by the judge. Mayor Scott said he hopes this will show property owners how serious the city is about keeping properties clean and in compliance with the city ordinance regarding property code regulations.
Council Member Keith Knupp mentioned that since a citizen had complained about paying the sewer charge when he used extra water to fill his swimming pool, a decision should be made about this issue. Knupp said the city used to give citizens a one time per year credit on the sewer charge when filling a pool, and he thinks the city needs to go back to this policy. King said she agrees but since most people had already filled pools this year it should wait to be applied beginning in 2025.
Johnny Turner Larkan, age 78, passed away on June 19, 2024 at his home in Hot Springs Village surrounded by his family. Johnny was born on August 6, 1945 to Leroy and Evelyn Larkan. He graduated from Hazen High School in 1963. He lived and farmed in Prairie County for a number of years prior to retiring to Hot Springs Village. In addition, he served as a volunteer for the Prairie County Sheriff’s department, ambulance service, and as a member of various boards. Johnny is preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Evelyn Larkan
She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Rep Archie Greenwood. She is survived by her husband, Rodger Patterson of Des Arc; son Tucker (Laura) Patterson of Sheridan; daughters, Fara (Keith) Newkirk of Sheridan, and Amy (Jerry) Greenwood of Des Arc; grandchildren, Moriah Patterson of North Little Rock, Alexander (Shelby) Newkirk of Heber Springs, and Bailey Greenwood of Russellville; and two great-grandsons, Benjamin and Samuel Newkirk of Heber Springs. Visitation was held at Garth Funeral Home in Des Arc on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Funeral services, officiated by Tucker Patterson, followed at 4:30 p.m. in the Garth Funeral Home chapel. Interment followed the service at Lakeside Cemetery in Des Arc. Pallbearers include Alexander Newkirk, Keith Newkirk, Jerry Greenwood; nephews, Terry Tucker, Rodney Burnett, and Gary Burnett; honorary pallbearer and longtime friend, Steve Bryan. Memorials may be made to the Dementia Society of America.
King reported that the grant received for handicap ramps on downtown sidewalks is awaiting approval from the Arkansas Department of Transportation, which owns the sidewalks, after an engineer completes the plans. Once ARDOT approves the engineer’s plans the project will begin.
A $10,000 grant was received to have the city and North Prairie Water meters to be put on digital mapping. This will improve the time to respond to problems and reduce employee hours. The project deadline to be completed is September, 2024.
A grant has been received to have a drainage study done in the city. The study will provide information on drainage problem areas so corrections can be made.
In other business,
NOTICE FROM CITY OF HAZEN
Aerial spraying for mosquito abatement will begin June 25, 2024, and continue through September 2024. The applications are scheduled for each Tuesday and Thursday evening at approximately 8:00 p.m. The days may possibly be altered due to adverse weather or aircraft scheduling conflicts.
(The $63 payment for this ad will be paid from the regular sales tax fund.)
