July 10, 2024 edition by heraldpublishing

Community Calendar of Events

Tuesday July 9 Prairie County

New softball team finishes successful first season

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

The Carlisle Rampage

8-and-under girls softball team recently completed its inaugural season under the coaching of Nathan Campbell.

The team, which is also coached by Chris Davidson, Logan Lucas, Andrew Silverman and Justin Ball, had a one first-place finish, three second-place finishes and a third-place finish during its 2024 season.

“This has been a good opportunity to take them to a new level,” Campbell said. “League play around here is not what it used to be.”

Campbell said he coached the girls in local league play for the last several years.

“I saw something in them,” he said. “I thought this is the right opportunity to go prove that a little town in Carlisle can compete. And we did.”

Campbell said his team was well over .500 this year in its first year of travel softball. In fact, the team finished 26-14.

“We battled back in the loser’s bracket to win it all,” ‘Campbell said. “We were 5-1 that day.”

Campbell said his program is going to be expanding to a second team as this 8-under-

“We had a rocky start, but after that, we weren’t losing games,” Campbell said. In the most recent tournament, the Rampage lost the first game of the championship series before rallying to win it all.

Hazen Schools hold special meeting

and-under next year.

team moves up to 10-

Team members this year included: Hadley

Campbell, Avery Lucas, Parker Silverman, Ivy Davidson, Julia Lynn Ball, Ava Aukes, Avery

Calvert, Emma Sharp, Greer Hawk, Annalise McFarland and Cecilee Cooney. Volume 123 Number 26 - USPS 225-680

all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Maple Healthcare celebrates Bingo

Seth Ace Anderson

Seth Ace Anderson, 29, of Conway, Arkansas entered eternal rest on July 3, 2024. He was born to Clarence Anderson of Hazen, Arkansas and Cory Hill of McCrory, Arkansas on March 17, 1995.

He is survived by his parents, two brothers, Robert "Creed" and Garrett Anderson of Hazen, one sister, Isabel Webb of McCrory, grandparents, Sylvia Anderson of Hazen, Tommy and Vickie Gaines of McCrory, and a host of extended family and friends.

Seth was preceded in death by, his grandfathers, Jerry Ace Anderson Sr, and Phillip Eugene Hill, great grandparents, Carl and Robbie Hill, Ace and Vernie Anderson, and John McClintock.

Seth attended Hazen School and worked at various jobs in construction. He loved his family and friends and had an infectious smile that would melt your heart. Seth was always happy and laughing when he was with the people he loved, especially when he was "Roasting" them. Memorial services will be conducted on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home of Woodruff County. A private burial will be at Fakes Cemetery in McCrory. Those honored to serve as pallbearers

are, DeAndre "Debo" Minor, Josh Warren, Garrett Harrison, Jesse Davis, Daniel "Bubby" Howell, and Chris Rayner. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Garner and Joe Hicks. In lieu of flowers, donations for final expenses can be made to a cashapp account, set up in Seth's name $sethaace or to Powell Funeral Home of Woodruff County. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Woodruff County.

Suzanne Sims Cooper

2, with visitation at 10:00am and funeral at 11:00am at Rogers Christian Church. Graveside service and burial were held on Wednesday, July 3, at 11:00am at the Hazen Cemetery in Hazen, Arkansas. Donations can be made to your local Humane Society.

Benny Dennis Floyd

health would no longer allow him to do it. Oh, the stories he would tell. He and Marilyn loved to travel. Some of their favorite trips were to: Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska,and Canada. They made friends from all around the world.

Suzanne Sims Cooper, age 70, of Springdale, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, June 30, 2024. Suzanne was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on August 9th, 1953 to Judge Forrest Sims III and Molly Elouise Howerton Sims of Sherrill, Arkansas.

Suzanne was known for her love of children and animals. One of her favorite sayings was, “Always live by True JOY: Jesus, Others, and then Yourself.” For years Suzanne poured her love for Jesus into young lives by teaching Sunday School, leading Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School, and the RCC puppet ministry. Her personal desire was to know Jesus and to share with others how to have a personal relationship with Him.

Suzanne is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Wofford of Sherwood, Arkansas, her sister, Vicki Harraghy of Corpus Christi, Texas, brother, Troy L. Sims (Becky) of Heber Springs, Arkansas, grandchildren, Fernando LaRay Green Jr. and Yasmine Alora Green, two great-grandchildren, and many family members and friends. Also surviving are her loyal companions: Molly, Lovie, Cooper, and Max. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July

Recent donations:

In Memory of: Webb & Hale Families

By: Bill Webb

In Memory of: Carole

Sue Day By: Billy & Nona Gail

Booth In Memory of: Johnny Larkan

By: Sharon Cagle, Kelly & Wilene Rigsby, & Tony & Carol Jo Lambert

Benny Dennis Floyd was born in Hazen on August 29, 1940 to Enos Floyd and Nettie Mae Kee Floyd. He entered Heaven on July 4, 2024 after a long battle with cancer.

Benny is survived by his son, Terry (Ellen) Floyd, and daughter, Felicia (Greg) Hogue. One granddaughter, Emily Floyd and a bonus daughter, Felisha Thomas of New York. One brother, Jerry (Judy) Floyd. Brotherin-law, John Summar. Sister-in-law, Betty Parsley and several nieces and nephews. And, very special friend, Carl Bass. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Marilyn Parsley Floyd and his brother, Kenneth (Joyce) Floyd; step-father, Jimmy Dozier

Following in his father’s footsteps, he was a lifelong Mason and Pastmaster of Brinkley Lodge #295. He worked 35 years in the service department at New Holland . After retiring in 2004, his new hobby became woodworking and making duck calls. That is when his hobby business; Big Woods Game Calls was established. He loved entering the competitions and was very successful and a member of Call Maker and Collector Association of America. Most of all he loved the camaraderie that came along with spending time with the special friends he made. Ron Gould being one of those.

Benny also enjoyed deer hunting until his

Benny was living at The Blake in Little Rock and was given the name Papa by a few of his angels there. Many thanks to Pam. Kaylah, Lindsey, Angela , and many others who made him feel super special and provided him care. Services for Benny will be at Centerpoint Baptist Church in Hazen, AR with visitation from 12:00 PM til 1:00 PM and funeral service following beginning at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 10th, interment will be in the Centerpoint Cemetery. Guests are invited to join the family for a reception in the church fellowship hall following the services. Arrangements are entrusted with Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to Center Point Cemetery in Hazen, St. Jude’s in Memphis, or a charity of your choice.

Gina Smith Sage

Gina Smith Sage, born on July 6th, 1970, passed away on June 27th, 2024 due to complications of a stroke.

Gina attended Carlisle Public Schools, during the class of 1988, Gina was a cheerleader and the homecoming queen. After graduation, she then obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. She taught at Carlisle Elementary as a special education paraprofessional for over 20 years, shining the light of Jesus in the classroom. Gina’s faith was the most important aspect of her life, always making it her first priority every morning. She loved people fiercely and put others’ needs above her own. She was

Hazen Cemetery Donations

In Memory of: Marie

Price

By: Barbara Rogers, Charles Schwede, and Lana & Garnett Dodson

In Memory of: Jimmy

Gaye Cunningham

By: Marilyn Ligon

Upkeep: Omega Miller, Deriece McClard, & Charlene Hale

Donations are greatly appreciated and may be mailed to: Hazen

a huge fan of Walt Disney World, ChickFil-A, and spending time with her family. Gina resided in Carlisle where she raised 3 Godfearing children, all of whom obtained a college degree; her sons Ryan Sage and Landon (Dana) Sage: her daughter Jayleigh Sage. She is also survived by her parents Johnny and Barbara Smith; sister Donna (John) Keathley; and brother Jay (Chelsey) Smith. She was also a first-time grandmother to Amelia Sage. She loved being Aunt Gigi to her nieces and nephews; Griffin, Sawyer, Dawson, Abby, and John Avery.

Services for Gina were held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 3:00 PM at The Bridge Church in Lonoke, visitation was prior to the service at 2:00 PM. Interment to follow in Brownsville Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted with Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen.

Margaret

Crystal Snow McCommon

Margaret Crystal Snow McCommon, a beloved member of the Blytheville and Hazen communities, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love and faith, at the age of 64. Born in Blytheville, Arkansas, Crystal lived a life full of love, dedication, and service. Crystal was a passion-

ate member of ESA (Epsilon Sigma Alpha), where she found immense joy in helping the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Her commitment to the cause was unwavering and brought her great fulfillment. In recent years, Crystal channeled her love for children into her role as a substitute teacher in Hazen. She cherished the opportunity to interact with students and families, forging lasting connections and making a positive impact on countless young lives. Crystal was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Annette Snow, whose love and teachings she carried with her throughout her life. She is survived by her daughters Sarah (Cody) Snider and Stacy (Randy) Buckley, her brother Kevin (Melissa) Snow, and her four cherished grandchildren, Luke and Scarlett Snider, and Margaret and Oliver Buckley. Visitation was held on Friday, July 5th, from 5-7 PM at Hazen First United Methodist Church. A graveside ceremony followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Blytheville on Saturday, July 6th, at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, a cause dear to Crystal's heart. Crystal's legacy of kindness, service, and love will continue to inspire everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Cemetery P.O. Box 92, Hazen, Ar. 72064

Page 3 - The Grand Prairie

Seniors celebrate National Bingo Day at Maple Healthcare

Here are some pictures from national bingo day at Maple Healthcare in Hazen. Senior Centers from Hazen, Des Arc, England, Carlisle, and Lonoke as well as seniors from the community came to participate in the event. After Bingo everyone stayed to eat a Mexican lunch of tacos with all the trimmings, rice, and watermelon.

NOTICE FOR ELECTION FILINGS

Filing for Mayor-Council Form of Government will begin at noon on July 31st and ending at noon on August 7th. Must file petition of candidate, affidavit of eligibility, and political practice pledge with the County Clerk.

Filing for the Annual School election will begin at noon on July 31st and end at noon on August 7th. Must file petition of candidate, affidavit of eligibility, and political practice pledge with the County Clerk.

Candidates must live in the School District and School Zone to file for the position.

Annual School Election: Hazen Zone 4 - Freddie Rogers

Those interested in filing for candidate in the Annual School Election or City Council Members may receive a petition by calling the Prairie County Clerk’s office at (870) 256-4434.

By Leigh VanHouten

The White River Irrigation District is applauding the construction contract being awarded by The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (Corp) to complete the pump station at the White River in DeValls Bluff.

“That contract was signed (June 24). That's good news. It's fully funded,” Dennis Carman, White River Irrigation (WRID) director and chief engineer, explained of the partnership between WRID and the Corp.

The contract has a 19month performance time. Carman expects an August or September 2024 start. That will mean an expected water pumping in 2026.

Once completed the pump station will need electricity from a substation.

“We have Entergy completing the substation required to supply power. Entergy is fully funded, and they are on site constructing now,” Carman said.

“Entergy has aggressively moved on the power, and we can see the progress.”

“I'm confident they will meet their Spring 2025 ‘hot’ goal,” he said.

The work is a significant move to see WRID gain momentum to its goal, which is supplying affordable water to farmers in portions of Arkansas, Lonoke, Monroe, and Prairie counties with muchneeded water for crops.

While the Corp and Entergy work on bringing the pump station up to working order, WRID will continue its dirt work and building the main water delivery canal.

“Natural Resources

contract awarded,

Arkansas has the designs completed as far west as Highway 86, but we are waiting on approvals from Washington. We don't know when that will occur. We fully expect to have canal work through the Hazen Airport completed this Fall, and I hope to Highway 86 soon after," Carman said.

“We have the canal fully funded to take us about four miles West, then four miles south of the Hazen airport,” Carman said. “The WRID crew is moving out on moving dirt, installing siphons, and seeding. We won’t complete all this work in the 2024 construction period, but we will make a lot of progress.”

“We have the canal completed from the regulating reservoir to Highway 63 just south of Hazen, about six miles. We are currently

seeding and road crossings are planned to start soon,” says John Neukam, WRID construction manager. “An additional six miles of canal is currently at 40 percent complete which we expect to be wrapped up by this Fall.”

“We have a loan request into ANRC (Arkansas Natural Resource Commission), and if approved we will have road crossings and right-of-way fully funded,” Carman explained. “That’s a lot of work to complete and results in

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED

$15,000,000 BY THE WHITE RIVER REGIONAL IRRIGATION WATER DISTRIBUTION DISTRICT.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public hearing to be held on the 24th day of July, 2024, by The White River Regional Irrigation Water Distribution District (the “District”), at 9:30 a.m. at the District’s South Shop located at 3218 Highway 63 South, Hazen, Arkansas 72064 with respect to the bonds to be issued by the District in one or more denominations and series in an original principal amount not to exceed an aggregate of $15,000,000 (the “Bonds”). The Bonds will be issued pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 14-116-101 et seq., as amended, and for the purposes described below.

The District is a sponsor of the Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project (the “Project”). The Project is designed to protect aquifers, which includes the area’s drinking water supplies, to sustain irrigated agricultural practices, and to provide additional habitat for waterfowl. It will accomplish this by increased water conservation measures, as well as utilizing surface water resources for agricultural purposes. Proceeds from the Bonds will be utilized to fund the non-federal share of the Project costs including, but not limited to, local match for federal funding, costs associated with project design and construction, bridges or culvert construction, land acquisition, utility relocation, surveys, appraisals, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to issuance of the Bonds, and paying costs associated with the issuance of the Bonds.

All interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing to express their views in respect to the issuance of the Bonds. Questions or requests for additional information may be directed to the District at the address set forth below.

Any interested persons unable to attend the hearing may submit their view in writing to Mr. Dennis Carman, Director, at the address of the District set forth below, prior to the date scheduled for the hearing.

The Bonds will be issued pursuant to a Resolution adopted by the District and will be secured by revenues of the District, real property of the District and certain federal funds and grants. This notice is published and the above-described hearing is to be held in satisfaction of the requirements of Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Arkansas Code Annotated §19-9-601 et seq., as amended, with respect to the requirement for a public hearing conducted by the District.

THE WHITE RIVER REGIONAL IRRIGATION WATER DISTRIBUTION DISTRICT

1703 Industrial Street Post Office Box 348 Hazen, AR 72064 By: /s/ Dan Hooks, President

the infrastructure that covers 50,000 acres of irrigated cropland.”

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDoT) crossings at Highway 70 and Highway 63 are 100 percent designed. The real estate has been cleared and utility relocations for natural gas, fiber, phones and power are in progress.

“ARDoT on 70 and 63 are lining up to contract this year and both crossings will be done in one contract,” Carman explained. “Box delivery

start soon. We may not do county road crossings this year. It saves us money to wait and it's not pressing.”

In addition to the canal work the district is completely funded for 40 miles of irrigation pipelines. When fully installed this will serve about 50,000 acres of irrigated cropland, which is most of the area North and East of LaGrue Bayou. “This is a big project and will eventually serve 250,000 acres of heavily irrigated cropland. This project will provide water for our

region that has experienced groundwater decline as significant as any of the western state declines you read about,” Lynn Sickel, WRID board member, said.

“This project has been a long time coming with a lot of hard work by a lot of people and agencies,” Dan Hooks, WRID board president, explained.

The Corps of Engineers helped fund the pump station, large pipelines, and regulating reservoir to lift the water out of the White River. NRCS is providing cost-share for the canal, pipelines to the farms, and a lot of prior on-farm work.

The Corps and ANRC tax credits funded, and NRCS constructed, many of the reservoirs and tail water systems built across the region between 2001 and 2005. Lastly, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Division has provided the district with the loan authority to match the federal funding.

“It’s good to see NRCS, the Corps, ANRC, and WRID pulling on the same rope, at the same time. Some of our costs have gone up, but we are still good with our costs as we move toward meeting our stated goal of delivering affordable irrigation water to Grand Prairie farmers,”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED

$15,000,000 BY THE WHITE RIVER REGIONAL IRRIGATION WATER DISTRIBUTION DISTRICT.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public hearing to be held on the 23rd day of July, 2024, by The White River Regional Irrigation Water Distribution District (the “District”), at 9:30 a.m. at the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, 507 South Main Street, Stuttgart, Arkansas 72160 with respect to the bonds to be issued by the District in one or more denominations and series in an original principal amount not to exceed an aggregate of $15,000,000 (the “Bonds”). The Bonds will be issued pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 14-116-101 et seq., as amended, and for the purposes described below.

The District is a sponsor of the Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project (the “Project”). The Project is designed to protect aquifers, which includes the area’s drinking water supplies, to sustain irrigated agricultural practices, and to provide additional habitat for waterfowl. It will accomplish this by increased water conservation measures, as well as utilizing surface water resources for agricultural purposes. Proceeds from the Bonds will be utilized to fund the non- federal share of the Project costs including, but not limited to, local match for federal funding, costs associated with project design and construction, bridges or culvert construction, land acquisition, utility relocation, surveys, appraisals, reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to issuance of the Bonds, and paying costs associated with the issuance of the Bonds.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

DES ARC BALLFIELD COMPLEX CONCESSIONS/ RESTROOMS BUILDING

DES ARC, ARKANSAS

Sealed bids for the Des Arc Ballfield

Concessions/Restroom Building, Des Arc, AR will be

received by Mayor Roger Scott, at Des Arc City Hall, 107 S. 3rd St., Des Arc, AR 72040 until 2:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 and then publicly opened and read aloud. Any bids not submitted on time will be unopened and returned.

Design Professional: Schelle Architect, PLLC, 72 S. Pine Street; Cabot, AR (501) 843-7931.

The official version of the complete set of the Contract documents should be examined and are available for purchase from Southern Reprographics, 901 W. 7th Street, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 372-4011. Purchased documents are non-refundable and non-reimbursable. Digital copies may be obtained by contacting the office of the above listed design professional.

Each bid proposal in excess of $50,000 shall include with it a bid security in the amount of 5% of the total bid offered.

Bidders must comply with requirements of Contractor’s Licensing Law of the State of Arkansas, ACA 17-25-101 et seq. All bonds on this project shall comply with Arkansas Statutory Performance and Payment Bond Law, ACA 18-44501 et seq.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any irregularities.

Proposals that fail to comply fully with any provisions of the specifications and other Contract Documents will be considered invalid and may not receive consideration.

Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. 22-9-203, The City of Des Arc encourages all small, minority, and women business enterprises to submit bids for capital improvements. Encouragement is also made to all general contractors that in the event they subcontract portions of their work, consideration is given to identified groups.

There will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the baseball/softball complex at 2nd and West Claire Streets in Des Arc on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. for all interested General Contractors. Subcontractors are strongly encouraged to attend.