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See Page 3 Volume 116 Number 25 - USPS 225-680
Community Events Calendar
Hazen/DeValls Bluff, Prairie County, Arkansas
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
“We Believe” Basketball Camp draws more than 80 participants to learn Basketball and Life Skills
Tuesday June 21
EHC Board Meeting DeValls Bluff Courthouse at 10:00 am
Thursday June 23
Prairie County Health Clinic in Hazen at Community Center from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Commodities at Hazen First United Methodist Church from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bring Photo ID and proof of Prairie County Residence Free in Christ Substance Abuse Problems Meeting at DeValls Bluff Gym at 6:00 p.m.
Friday June 24
DeValls Bluff City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
Saturday June 25
Hazen Fishing Derby at Mammoth Pond from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Bottoms’ Festival at DeValls Bluff at 2:00 p.m. until the music stops. Fish Fry from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday June 27
Arkansas Diamond Plants, Amy Carroll - Ag Agent, discusses the durability and ease of growing these plants in Arkansas at 12:05 p.m. 12:55 p.m. at Prairie County Fairgrounds Hazen School Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in High School Library
Tuesday June 28
Adult Bingo at Hazen Public Library at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Camping Storytime at 10:30 a.m. at DeValls Bluff Public Library fro Ages 9 and Younger
Friday July 1
2016-2017 EHC year begins
Tuesday July 5
Fun Day and Toss Games at 11:00 a.m. at DeValls Bluff Public Library - All Ages
Wednesday July 13
Museum of Discovery at the Hazen Public Library at 10:00 a.m. - All Ages
Wednesday July 20
Let’s Go Fishing Storytime at the Hazen Public Library at 11:00 a.m. - Ages 9 and Younger
Tuesday July 26
Toltec Mounds Presents Indian Weapons and Tools at the Hazen Public Library at 10:30 a.m. - All Ages
Wednesday August 3
Tommy Terrifics Wacky Magic at the Hazen Public Library at 2:00 p.m. - All Ages
Community Events brought to you by
and the
Hazen Chamber of Commerce
Please call F&M Bank, 255-3042 to list events.
The “We Believe” Basketball and Life Skills Camp was held Monday, June 13 to Thursday, June 16 in the DeValls Bluff Gym. More than 80 students participated in the camp. The camp was sponsored by the Arnold Family Foundation, Bill Arnold, and John Paul Arnold and Curtis Arnold. There were several volunteers that helped make the camp possible. The students were able to learn the basics, drills and play one on one with others during the camp. They also had a few speakers visit them throughout the week. The students received jerseys and shoes to participate in the program. They had a great turnout this year. See more pictures on Page 8
Hazen Council Approves Purchase of Hangar at Airport By Lisa Mills The Hazen City Council met June 17th for their monthly meeting. Present were Mayor David Duch, Treasurer/Recorder David Hardke and Aldermen Tim Juola, Steve Chlapecka, Barbara Rogers and Rick Wiggins.. Mayor avid Duch reported that he had contacted Chudy Realty to get an appraisal on the hangar located at the airport that owners Jack Evans and Clifford Turner had approached him about the city purchasing for $95,000. Chudy was not able to give an appraisal because there was nothing to compare it to. Duch asked David Hardke his opinion of the price and Hardke stated that given the square footage and usefulness and already
having 4 airplanes renting space he thought it seemed like a decent price. Mayor Duch stated there was $79,000 available in the airport fund and the remainder could be borrowed from the city sales tax fund. A motion was approved to move forward with the purchase. Fire Chief Ashley Loudermilk reported 9 First Responder calls, 2 grass fires, 2 vehicle assists and 1 assist on I-40. He also reported that the Fire Department had received a GIF grant for $13,500 to purchase new radios. The Fire Department will cover the remaining cost of $400. Police Chief Bradley Taylor reported that he is checking on having the city officers trained to treat initially help stop
bleeding from gunshot wounds, accidents and injuries until paramedics arrive. They would be trained and also have kits to keep in all patrol cars. He said he would get all the information and costs involved and report back to the council. Alderman Rick Wiggins told Taylor he had recently experienced an incident that he wanted to know how similar situations could be handled quicker in the future. He said his daughter woke him up around 3:00am and said someone was sitting in a vehicle was sitting in the church parking lot. He called 911 and after no one came after a while he called again then finally drove around it himself then the man drove off. He said a deputy finally stopped him
at T-Ricks and apparently he was traveling through and looking for somewhere to get a little sleep. Wiggins told Taylor it just seemed like a city officer should have been dispatched a lot sooner. Chief Taylor told him that yes a city officer could have been called and from now on in situations like that he could call him directly. Utility manager Phillip Foot reported that he is working on a grant for fluoride improvement to the water. He also reported that he is working on a new contract with a company who uses the landfill pond to dump Leach H. The current contract requires the company pay .07 cents per gallon but the new contract will require .10 cents a gallon for the first 500,000 gal-
lons, .08 cents per gallon for the next 250,000gallons then .06 cents per gallon after that. He is waiting to get the signed contract back. Resident Jackie Ayala addressed the council concerning her desire to see some playground equipment placed at the old school building. Mayor Duch told her that this idea had been brought up in the past, but the problem is the city does not own the property. Ms. Ayala asked if the property was given to the city could it be a possibility. Mayor Duch told her yes in that in case it could be discussed. The meeting ended with a reminder that the annual fishing derby at Mammoth Pond is Saturday, June 25th.
Quorum discusses concealed weapons ordinance for employees, hear flooding problems on County Line By Lisa Mills The Prairie County Quorum Court met for their regular monthly meeting June 14th. Present for the meeting were Judge Mike Skarda, Attorney Tim Isaac, County Clerk Rebecca Hayley and Justices Buddy Sims, Eddie Ciganek, Dennis Tipton, Matt Sterling, Doyle Sullins,
Lawrence Holloway, Mary Sue Roe and Ronnie Eans. Judge Mike Skarda reported that the road department has been busy putting in pipes and working on roads. He also reported that some residents on Slippery Lane north of Biscoe have requested the county repair a bridge on the road. He said the road is
a county road, but the bridge is not county property and it would costs over $166,000 plus getting a crane. He said the residents were very adamant about the county being responsible but there is just nothing they can do. Sheriff Gary Burnett reported that the Sheriff's Patrol had received a $2,500 grant from Monsanto. An appropria-
DeValls Bluff CAPDD Council Calls Meetings Emergency Meeting By Lisa Mills The DeValls Bluff City Council held an emergency meeting at 5:00pm on Friday, June 17h. Present were Treasurer/Recorder Thelma Gray and Aldermen Jackie Adcock, Alice Metcalf and Arbie Nesbitt.
The meeting was called to order by Thelma Gray. After prayer by Alice Metcalf, Gray said the meeting had been called to discuss a personnel matter, but there were not enough aldermen present to form a quorum. The meeting adjourned at 5:08pm.
15th Annual Mammoth Pond Fishing Derby The City of Hazen will be hosting its 15th annual Mammoth Pond Fishing Derby Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Mammoth Pond Park. The derby is held for children 15 years of age and under and a fishing license is not required. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be stocking the pond and refreshments will be provided at the site. Prizes will be awarded throughout the day through a drawing and special prizes will be awarded for those catching tagged fish. The City of Hazen
merchants, as well as, other merchants in the community donate money every year to help make this event very successful with lots of wonderful prizes. Please bring your children out for a great time and don't forget to bring your own fishing pole and bait! Mammoth Pond Park is located south of I-40 and east of Hwy. 63. Turn east off of Hwy. 63 onto Mammoth Road. Parking for the derby is located behind the Travel Inn. For questions concerning the derby please contact Tracie Vail at the City of Hazen 870-255-4521.
CENTRAL ARKANSASREGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIALS CENTRAL ARKANSAS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Central Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management District will meet Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 9:00 AM. The Chief Elected Officials will meet at 9:45 AM. The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District Board of Directors will meet at 10:30 AM. The meetings will be held at the offices of Central Arkansas Planning and Development District located at 902 North Center in Lonoke. The Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, Inc. is an "Equal Opportunity Employer/Program" and "auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities."
tion of funds was approved for the $2,500. Attorney Tim Issac provided the justices with a draft for the concealed weapons ordinance based on what had been discussed at the May meeting. Justice Dennis Tipton asked if all county employees, like a truck driver, were covered the way it was written. Issac replied yes. Justice Buddy Sims said he thought the wording all county employees was too broad a statement. Justice Ronnie Eans said he thought it should cover elected officials only. Sheriff Burnett said he agreed it should be elected officials only. It was agreed that the ordinance be re-written to include elected and appointed officials only be allowed to carry concealed weapons on county property except areas excluded. Attorney Issac said he would rewrite the ordinance with
the changes and present it at the July meeting. Roger Mulherin, a Griffithville resident, spoke to the court concerning a flooding problem at the Prairie/White County line on Hwy 11. He said there is a very repairable solution but he has not been able to get the State to do anything. He is trying to get all the support he can get from both counties because the area that floods over Hwy 11 affects people driving from DesArc to Searcy as well as locals. He said he would appreciate all the help he can get from Prairie County. Judge Skarda suggested he contact the new State Highway Engineer in Batesville and told him he would get the contact information to him. Rose Knupp from the Health Department sent information to all the justices on the Zeka Virus and Measles.
Firework Stand Catches Fire The Firework Stand on South Livermore Street caught fire on Sunday, June 19 about 1:00 p.m. The small building is located between Skinny VanHouten’s House and Adam Bowman’s Plumbing Business. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The building had fireworks to be sold for the upcoming 4th of July. The Hazen Fire Department fought the fire for couple hours.