Rolled Ice Cream
Hornets vs Marianna
p.m. Hornet Field
Bison vs PalestineWheatley 7:00 p.m. Bison Field Pantry Pile-up Hazen vs Des Arc From from now to September 3 at 3:00 p.m. Des Arc School Board Meeting 6:00 p.m.
Monday September 4
Labor Day
Most businesses, offices, and schools are closed.
Community events are brought to you by the Hazen Chamber of Commerce and the
Hazen City Council rezones downtown area buildings
The Hazen City Council amended Municipal Code 14.04.08 by changing it to make the downtown area businesses only. The original code allowed for family dwellings in the area on each side of Highway 70 downtown between Chester St. and just east of Livermore St. The area will now be zoned for business use (C-1) only. The concern was the placement of trash in the parking areas and on the sidewalks on Front St., Highway 70, and Livermore St. “There’s really no room for that,” Mayor David Hardke said. The council agreed and voted for the change.
The council also addressed a concern that came up in the July meeting about 5G towers being placed in or near the city limits. In response to a presentation given last month by local citizens, Councilman Bob Juola said that he had done some research on 5G and its connection to causing cancer. Juola said he had found nothing conclusive that 5G waves cause cancer in humans. “There’s opinions on both sides,” Hardke said, but after some discussion, no resolution banning 5G towers was passed. The mayor’s office has been working on possible amendments to Ordinance 468, specifically wording that specifically prohibits American pit bulls, American Staffordshire terriers, American bull terriers, and any dogs which have the “appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds or a combination of any of these breeds.” This is in addition to any dogs that are deemed vicious. Animal Control Officer Tony Sayger and City Attorney Keith
Rhodes gave their opinions on changing the wording of the ordinance. Sayger said that changing the ordinance would make for many pit bulls within the city limits. Utilities Manager Chad Swaim gave some background information about why the specific breeds were included in the ordinance. He said that when the ordinance was passed, the city had a problem with citizens holding dog fights with those specific breeds.
Rhodes and Hardke said that they will continue to work on the ordinance before it is presented to the council, so the discussion was tabled.
During the departmental reports, Fire Chief Seth Skarda said that it had been relatively quiet in his department with only first responder call and a U-haul tire fire. He also said that his department had done a walk-through at the schools to check for safety problems and none were found.
Swaim reported that the city had finished the limb removal around the city. An outside company was hired to pick up the limbs that had been placed beside city streets which Swaim said cost the city less than what it would have cost to use city workers. He said that more water leaks have been fixed, and there have been some repairs done at the water plant. Swaim expects work on Highway 70 to repair the collapsed roadway problem to begin in seven to ten days. He hopes that the work will only take one or two days, but one lane of the highway will be closed during the work.
Swaim also said that his department has been helping the school district get ready for the
first football game. His department also repaired the roadway beside the El Amigo restaurant by laying down more asphalt, but more work on the road is needed.
“One of these days that’s going to have to be redone.” Thirteen commercial/industrial meters have been changed out, and ten to fifteen water meters are being changed to digital models each month.
Police Chief Bradley Taylor said that his department had completed drug raids in Hazen that they had been working on for over a year.
Twenty five people in Prairie County have been arrested for the use of methamphetamine. The raids began at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, August 11 with the cooperation of the DeValls Bluff, Des Arc, and State Police Departments. “It was all done by the book,” Taylor
said. The department was aware of the presence of weapons and prepared accordingly.
Officers Dillon Cook, Colton Felts, and drug dog Bosco have confiscated 766 pounds of drugs just from traffic stops. Search warrants were obtained for the sting operations. One of the searches was done on Washington St. in Hazen.
Members of the department had purchased drugs from some of the people under watch. “We know who is selling drugs,” Taylor said, “We just have to do it (arrest them) the right way.” Taylor added, “We’re trying to keep the riff-raff out of here.”
The raids were filmed by On Patrol Live, which has been documenting the work of Taylor’s department. One of the traffic stops which resulted in the confiscation of approximately 180
pounds of marijuana was also filmed by the company. Both filmings have been aired on the Reelz network.
In other business, Councilman Larry Anthony reported that the caboose next to the depot is unlocked and the floor is rotten. Hardke said that he would get the door into the caboose chained closed. Sayger said that the woman that was living in a house that was recently condemned by the city is now living in an RV on the property. Mark Mosby, the owner of the property, has been contacted about the situation. “If we have to take stronger action, we will,” Hardke said.
At the end of the meeting, Hardke said that the recent Arkansas Legislative Audit had shown no areas of concern.
Hazen Police Department conficate drugs...
Officer Joe Mills (left) and Dillion Cook with K-9 Bosco made a traffic stop on a Toyota Camry for following too close on Interstate 40 East bound recently. During the stop Bosco was used and alerted on the vehicle, and when Officer Cook opened the trunk, approximately 148 pounds of marijuana was found. Here they are with their haul.
Karen Hankins Booe
Karen Hankins Booe, 79, of Fayetteville, Arkansas formerly of Hazen, Arkansas departed this life on Thursday, August 17, 2023.
She was born on November 27, 1943, to John and Leviathan Hankins in Little Rock, Arkansas. Karen grew up in England, Arkansas and graduated from England High School in 1961. Survivors include son, Lee Larkan, and his wife, Mary, of Greenland, Arkansas; grandson, Jordan Larkan, and his wife, Shelby, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; granddaughter, Kristen Larkan, of Omaha, Nebraska; and sister, Priscilla Bean, and husband, Gary, of Harrison, Arkansas.
Karen retired from the City of Hazen as Dispatcher. Karen fiercely loved her family, friends and every dog that she met. She also loved Elvis, the Razorbacks and every team that her son and grandson coached. Funeral service were at 1:00pm at Calvary Baptist Church in Hazen on Saturday, August 19th. Visitation was prior to the service 12:00 – 1:00PM at Calvary Baptist Church. Interment to follow services at the Hazen Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Greenland Pirate Baseball at Greenland High School, 30 N Sandy
Arkansas Press Association
Member 2023
The Grand Prairie Herald (USPS) 225-680
The Grand Prairie Herald is an independent publication that has served Prairie County since December, 1901. It is published weekly by Herald Publishing Company P.O. Box 370 111 Hwy 70 E Hazen, Arkansas 72064 Ph. 870-255-4538
Email: heraldpublishing@gmail.com
Subscription Rates
In Prairie County$20.00/year
In Arkansas$25.00/year
Out of State$30.00/year
Periodicals Postage paid at Hazen, Arkansas 72064
POSTMASTER: Send
Address Changes to: Grand Prairie Herald
P.O.Box 370 Hazen, Arkansas 72064
Managing Editor/Publisher
Roxanne Bradow
Circulation/Accounts
Trudy Johnson
Sports Editor
Mark Buffalo
Correspondent
Lisa Mills
Correspondent
Debbye Harrison
Photographer
Ruth Corley
Ave, Greenland, AR 72737.
Billy B. Herndon
Billy B. Herndon, 77, of Stuttgart passed away Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, at Baptist HealthStuttgart.
Billy was born May 11, 1946, in Stuttgart to James Eugene and Flora
G. Prine Herndon. He was a graduate of Stuttgart High School where he was a member of the Ricebird football team and an avid Ricebird fan. He was owner/operator of Herndon’s Repair Shop and attended Harmony Baptist Church.
In his earlier years, Billy traveled all over the United States attending drag races and also played softball for Mack’s Old Timers team. But he most enjoyed his Monday night socials at Donald White’s Garage. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Betty Jean. Survivors are his brother, Larry Herndon and wife Kay of Conway; his sister, Bonnie Hill of Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews including Buddy Hill and wife Mary Ann of Hazen.
Funeral services were 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at Turpin Funeral Home chapel with burial following in Lone Tree Cemetery.
Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Turpin Funeral Home. Please go to www.turpin-co.com to sign the online guestbook.
Bonita Ruth Porter
Bonita Ruth Porter, 80, passed away August 18, 2023, with her devoted and most treasured caregiver & husband of 61 years, Windle
Earl Porter, by her side. She was born in Jasmine, AR to Albert Jennington and; Fern Holloway Huddleston on August 7, 1943. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: James Albert Huddleston, Jackie Huddleston, Ed Huddleston, and; sisters: Linda Moore & infant sister Ida Mae Huddleston and great grandson Montana Williams. She was broken when she lost herbeloved brothers and sisters. She is survived by her children, Johnny Porter of Griffithville, AR, Debbie (Homer) Peters of Jonesboro, AR. Brenda (James) Hambrick of Searcy, AR. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bethany (Chris) Williams of Geismar, LA, Andrew (Courtney) Peters of Helena, AL, Meagan Porter of Searcy, AR, Emily Peters of Montgomery, AL, Patrick Hambrick of Griffithville, AR, Kelsey (Michael) Hryszko of Springdale, AR, and; Madelyn Hambrick of Searcy, AR; great grandchildren, Keegan Mitchell, Brianna Williams and Nolan Williams of Geismar, LA, & Charlie Jo Peters of Helena, AL; and step grandchildren,
Joshua and; Jacob (Kiersten) Lott, and her great-grandchildren: Kaiser, Austin, Peyten, &; Stetson Lott. She is also survived by her brother and; sister (in laws): Mary Huddleston, Teresa Huddleston, Randolph and; Sue Porter, Jimmy and; Donna Porter and WilmaMcConnaughhay, along with a host of nieces and nephews. She worked at ITT in Searcy for 31 years and always loved to work. She could bake and cook back in her day and she was also a pro at water skiing. She was also an avid Razorback Basketball and Elvis fan. She’s been waiting to go home for several years now, and she finally found her ride. May she rest in peace. Special thanks to Arkansas Hospice staff and Michelle Lindsey.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 410 North Apple Street, Searcy, AR 72143 or Griffithville Community Development Org. INC., PO Box 53, Griffithville, AR 72060.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Sullivan Funeral Care in Kensett. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
Arrangements by Sullivan Funeral Care (501) 742-3621. Please sign the online guestbook at www.sullivanfuneralcare.com.
Happy birthday...
Mr. Melvin White recently celebrated his birthday at Des Arc Senior Center. He is their oldest resident at 94. He has been attending the Des Arc Senior Center for 23 years.
S lo v a k L u t h e r a n
C e m ete ry D o n atio ns
In memory of loved ones:
Allagean Shimek
Upkeep:
Mildred Mendel Richard & Susan Hein
Mail donations to: P.O. Box 224, Hazen, AR 72064
H a z e n B loo d D o n o rs
The following people donated at the blood drive at the Hazen First United Methodist Church.
Gary Shelman
Gary King
Sydne Hamilton
Jason Thomas
David Hardke
Chris Wright
Lance Larken
Julius Blalock
Cori Tennison
Gary Hart
Janie Starr
5 were unable to give
Legal Notice
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PRAIRIE COUNTY, ARKANSAS PROBATE DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ELLA JEAN LOTT, DECEASED 59NPR-23-25
Last Known address of Decedent: 5434 Tipton Rd., Hazen, AR 72064
Date of Death: June 23, 2023
On August 8, 2023, an Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee was filed with respect to the estate of Ella Jean Lott, deceased, with the clerk of the probate division of the Circuit Court of
Prairie County, Arkansas, under Ark. Code Ann. § 28-41-101.
All persons having claims against the estate must exhibit them, properly verified, to the distributee or his or her attorney within three (3) months from the date of the first publication of this notice or they shall be forever barred and precluded
from any benefit of the estate.
The name, mailing address and telephone number of the distributee’s attorney is J. Michael Stuart Stuart Law Firm, P.A. P.O. Box 206 Lonoke, AR 72086 (501) 676-5500
This notice first published on the 23rd day of August, 2023.
870-256-3741.
The Prairie County Food Bank is seeking donations. To donate call the County Judge’s Office at
The Hazen School Board met on Monday, August 14, in its regular monthly meeting with all members present. Cody Snider, president of the Hazen Booster Club, spoke to the board about a possible millage increase to fund improvements to the school district. Snider addressed the board in March to give updates on repairs needed at the football field. A community survey was sent out to see if there was community support for a millage increase, and what areas need to be addressed. Respondents were more likely to vote in favor of a millage if the funds were used to increase certified and classified salaries, modernize and renovate outdated facilities, improve athletic facilities, construct a stage/auditorium area, improve safety and security, and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The largest number of citizens by far want to see a new Career and Technical Education facility built
(75%). The last millage increase was intended to include the building of an Agricultural Education facility, but that never happened. Overall, 47% of those who answered the survey would support a millage increase of 5 to 6 mills.
In other business, Donna Felty informed the board of the new state standards for literature and math. The teachers spent three days this summer getting familiar with the new essential standards and learning targets. “We should have a good start in writing and math,” Felty said.
A proposed school budget for the 2024-25 and school tax levy at the annual school board election was passed. A proposed increase in stipends was passed, which will increase costs to the district by about $10,000.
Early release days were approved. The days are tied to those of the Carlisle and Lonoke districts. The board also voted to participate with the Wilbur D. Mills Educational School
Carlisle School Board livestreams
By Debbye Harrisonthe student gave the rating of 100 out of 10.
Cooperative to provide special education supervisory services.
The board went into executive session to discuss personnel for about 30 minutes and took no action when they returned. The resignation of Elementary Special Education Teacher, Melissa Teer was accepted, and Lucy Raper was hired as a Special Education teacher for this school year. Kim Anderson was hired as the school district’s nurse for the 2023-24 school year, and Ronald White was hired as a school bus driver.
High School Principal
Amy Marek told the board that her school will be offering classes is Lonoke that are tied to Greenway and the medical professions.
Elementary Principal Laura Saranie said that the hallways and office area in her building have been painted, A large Hornet has also been painted on the wall. Saranie was asked about a no snacks policy just passed. Saranie said that snacks would be allowed in the cafeteria but not in the classrooms. She added that the 5th and 6th grades have been departmentalized, and that the teachers in those grades will teach in blocks.
Superintendent Andy Biggs thanked local businesses and churches for providing meals for the teachers. He said that a contractor is coming in to address school safety issues and that three of the four air conditioners in the new gym are now working. Parts have been ordered for the fourth. The insurance company did not agree with the estimate for the old gym roof. There are plans to update the urinals and toilets in the fieldhouse and improve lighting on the football field. The lock system for the district is not fully installed, but the district plans to issue key fobs with picture ID’s to all staff.
Chief Financial Officer Sarah Snider reported on a grant for security upgrades and that funding for the LEARNS Act will be coming to the district.
The next Hazen School Board meeting wil be held on Monday, September 11, in the high school library at 6:00 p.m.
The Carlisle School Board initiated livestreaming the Board meeting on Facebook August 14, 2023. The first broadcast had some issues, but patrons will be able to see these meetings each second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. Superintendent Rountree reported that this was his 33rd first day, and he believed it was his best. Both Principals Greene and Rowlan also reported exceptionally good first days of school. When asked, one high school student rated it 8.5 out of 10; a 6th grader rated it a 9.0, and a kindergartener wanted to know what it meant to “rate it.” Following the explanation,
Mrs. Aukes reported all curriculum materials have been ordered and received. For the first time, there is a literacy curriculum for 9-12 as well as a science curriculum in high school.
Computers will be available as classroom sets. No laptop computers or Ipads will be issued to students this year. If a student is behind in classroom work and the teacher feels there is a need for overnight use, then a computer will be checked out and must be returned by first period the next day. There are no AMI days this year. There will be four active sports on campus beginning the first week of school: golf, tennis, cheerleading, and football.
The Junior Class is sponsoring a fund-raising fish fry before the first home football game on August 25.
Bison Bash is Friday, August 13 and the scrimmage game is against Conway Christian.
Brianna Staley was hired as the special education para-professional and Brandy Ball was hired as the elementary para-professional.
The Board approved the purchase of a new air conditioner compressor for the gym at a cost of $9,300. Two student transfers were approved. One was to Lonoke and one to Beebe.
Harley Whitehurst will be transferring as a 6th grader to Carlisle from Lonoke.
D A Cit y Co u n cil a pp roves n e w w e b site
By Lisa MillsA new website and app will soon be available for the City of Des Arc and citizens. At the monthly city council meeting on August 15th, the council heard a presentation from APPTEGY representative Anna-Lee McSpadden about a new website and app to keep the city informed and updated. McSpadden had previously been in contact with City Comptroller Carlee Fisher to explain what APPTEGY offers. McSpadden said that the Des Arc School District has had the website and app for a while and is satisfied with the service. After McSpadden’s presentation, the council approved a motion to hire APPTEGY to set up and maintain the service. The initial development cost is $5,400 and the annual fee is $5,900.
The council approved hiring the Boyd and Buie Law Firm from DeWitt as city attorneys. They will replace former Attorney Ginger Stuart, who resigned in July. A motion was approved to appoint Tonya Robinson to the Housing Authority Board. Mayor Roger Scott informed the council a new Court Clerk needs to be hired. “We have received a few applications and continue to advertise.” Scott said.
Ambulance Director Christy Rogers written report showed 40 transports in July. Bobby Skinner from the Water Department reported that water leaks continue to be located and repaired. He said that there is currently a big leak on Highway 323 that will be patched this week. Mayor Scott
Notice
asked, “Hasn’t that spot been patched several times?” Skinner said this would be the sixth time. Scott said that they needed to look into a more permanent repair.
Kade Parnell with the Baseball Association reported that Fall Baseball will begin September 9th and will run through October 7th. The games will be played on Saturday evenings. Keith Knupp asked if the lights had been fixed. Parnell replied, “No. I spoke to the electrician last week and told him that he needed to get on it. I plan to stay on him until they are fixed.”
Mayor Scott said that he thinks there is a good board in place and thinks they will stay on top of things.
Gail King and Doug Estes were absent.
Tillman Infrastructure, LLC is proposing to build a 250-foot Self Support Tower (265-ft w/appurtenances) located at 1702 Highway 63 N, Hazen, AR 72064. Structure coordinates are: ( N 34-47-49.93/ W 91-34-10.38). The tower is anticipated to have FAA Style E (dual medium intensity) lighting. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Antenna Structure Registration (ASR Form 854) file number is A1245299 . Interested persons may review the application at www.fcc.gov/asr/applications by entering the file number. The FCC requires interested parties to file requests for Environmental Review online. Environmental concerns may be raised by filing a Request for Environmental Review at www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest within 30 days of the date that notice of the project is published on the FCC’s website.
is $189.00.
