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Bison play in scrimmage game. (See story on p. 6.)
Volume 120 Number 34 - USPS 225-680
Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Community Calendar of Events Thursday August 26 Commodities Distribution Hazen First United Methodist Church 10:00 a.m. - noon Junior High Hornets vs Riverview Hornet Field 7:00 p.m. Friday August 27 Senior Hornets vs McCrory McCrory Field 7:00 p.m. Senior Des Arc Eagles vs Palestine-Wheatley Eagle Field 7:00 p.m. Senior High Carlisle Bison vs Lonoke Jackrabbits Fred Hardke Field 7:00 p.m. Monday September 6 Labor Day Local and County Offices and schools will be closed Thursday September 9 Devalls Bluff City Council Meeting City Hall 6:00 p.m. Tuesday September 14 Quorum Court Meeting 6:00 p.m. Thursday September 16 Hazen City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. City Hall Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of Commerce
and the Please call F&M Bank (255-3042) or The Grand Prairie Herald (255-4538) to list events.
First rice for 2021... Riceland Foods grain dryer reported receiving its first load of rice on August 13, 2021. The variety 7321 rice was harvested at Petter Farms and had a moisture count of 18.2. The rice was classified as Grade 1. (Mike Edge photo.)
Needed repairs to city water system is main subject at August Hazen City Council meeting The Hazen City Council held a lengthy discussion of the repairs that need to be done on the city’s water treatment plant and the water system as a whole at its August 19 meeting held in the Hazen City Hall. Mayor David Hardke went over an evaluation of the Hazen water system and the wastewater treatment plant developed by McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc. in June. Several parts of the water system are in need of repair or replacement, including high service pump Number 4, a rotometer, a master meter, and iron and manganese testing equipment in the water treatment plant. The system also needs to replace the phone alert system which went down and was never fixed. The cost for the repairs range from $40,000 for a high service pump to $10,000 for the manganese and iron testing equipment. The seventeen recommendations for repair of the entire water treatment plant were estimated to cost over two million dollars which includes a
15% contingency of $256,335 and $136,712 for design, but Mayor Hardke said, “add 25 to 30% percent to it.” For the water treatment plant alone, the cost for repairs will be at least $1,318,400. The repairs have been prioritized from the most needed items to the least. Other problems include the need for sludge removal at the wastewater treatment plant and the replacement of ultraviolet lights in the last pond. A resolution to approve the funds to begin updating the water treatment plant, sewer treatment plant and water tank maintenance was approved. The council members will take home the report and study it. There may have to be a work session to discuss it in depth. Utilities Manager Chad Swaim reported that the two city water tanks are in the process of being drained, disinfected, and painted. He also said that thirteen leaks in the main water lines have been fixed, including one beside the new middle school building. The city intends to replace meters within
Phase 2 plans for Des Arc gas system finalized By Gail King On August 13, 2021, Donnie Nichols representing B & G Pipeline was in Des Arc to finalize plans for Phase 2 of the Des Arc Municipal Gas System. The area of Phase 2 will be North of Main Street and will include the Des Arc High School. Doug Granger, Gas Department Supervisor, and Colton White will be the two Des Arc city employees assisting B & G Pipeline. Phase 1 is in its final stage of completion, 34 residences from Erwin street to Barrier, from 1st street to Ambrose will be connected to the new services when line testing is completed.
Michael Lindsey is the City of Des Arc’s new Gas Consultant . Mr. Lindsey, gas consultant and Doug Granger, gas department supervisor has worked endlessly identifying items that needs correction with Des Arc’s Municipal Gas System. Des Arc has a five year plan in place and a goal that the Des Arc’s Municipal Gas System will be replaced and be completed by 2024 or before. The replacement of the Des Arc Municipal Gas System project should save in loss of revenue, excess labor( regular and overtime) unpleasant odor, as well as safety issues for employees and citizens.
the city as needed. He also said that a large tree was removed from in front of the elementary school, and its roots which were blocking a water line were taken out for a cost of $1500. Citizens are asked to notify the city if any standing water is found during dry times as they may be water line leaks. Bids were taken to repair the asphalt at the municipal airport. The
lowest bid was $265,000 from Redstone Construction. The city is required to pay 20% of the cost, which will be $61,692. “We have plenty of money to cover that,” Hardke said. A downed tree on Front Street has been taken down, and the city is dealing with the heirs of a house on that same street that needs to be taken down. “There’s a legal process that has to
be followed, and it’s not easy,” Hardke said. The HVAC unit in the courtroom of city hall was replaced for a cost of $12,987. The circuit must also be replaced in the courtroom. The HVAC in the weight room of the Community Center for $7921. Two treadmills will also be replaced for $2997. (See Hazen Council continued on page 4.)
DA Council holds Zoom meeting to discuss buying gas regulator By Lisa Mills The Des Arc City Council met August 19th via a Zoom meeting. Present for the meeting were Mayor Jim Garth, Recorder/Treasurer Chrisanna Knupp and council members Jodie Mayher, Gail King, Anna Beth Fisher, Gary Burnett and Nicole Fisher. An ordinance was approved to bypass the bidding process to refurbish a gas regulator station at Riceland. Tri State Meter and Regulator was approved to do the job at a cost of $10,614.20. The mayor reported that the city’s bush hog is not working. He said that Greenway estimated repairs would be $13,699 or a new one
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could be purchased for $11,220.84. A motion was approved to purchase a new 12 ft. Batwing from Greenway. Garth told the council that a decision about repairs on the gazebos needed to be made. Fisher Construction had submitted the only bid which was $29,400 for both gazebos. Since there was not enough money right now for both, Garth asked how much it would be for one and was told $14,700. The council approved the bid to repair one gazebo. Mayor Garth asked Gary Burnett and Gail King from the Parks and Recreation Committee to meet with Fisher to decide which gazebo was in worst shape and would be
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repaired. A motion was approved to give M Triple J a 7% increase for all customers. M Triple J reported that the landfill had been sold and the new owners had imposed a 7% increase which is beyond their control. Council member Gail King reported that the Softball Association had asked for approval to apply for a grant for new restrooms. The council gave King permission to apply for whatever grants were available, but she was to make it clear that the city had no obligation for any required matching funds. Mayor Garth reported that the 2020 Census reported a population increase from 1,717 to 1,905 in Des Arc.
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