Community Calendar of Events
It’s fair week in Prairie County, and it began with a parade on Main Street in Des Arc on Saturday, September 16. For more pictures, see page 6 of this edition. Exhibits will be open to the public at the fairgrounds beginning on Wednesday, September 20.
Prairie County still struggling with deficits
September 21
Pre-K Day at the Prairie County Fair, 9:00 a.m. Hazen City Council meeting 6:00 p.m. City Hall
Friday September 22 Hornets @ Hampton 7:00 p.m.
Carlisle Bison vs Bearden Bison Field 7:00 p.m. Des Arc Eagles vs Earle Eagle Field 7:00 p.m.
Saturday September 23
Demolition Derby PC Fair Grounds 7:00 p.m.
Kids Activities 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. PC Fair
Community events are brought to you by the Hazen Chamber of Commerce and the
The Prairie County Quorum Court was informed by Judge Lawrence Holloway that the dispute over the unpaid phone bills was “dead in the water,” at the regular meeting of the court held on Tuesday, September 12. As of the day before, all phone company claims on the county were declared null and void, according to County Attorney Abram Skarda. The state audit of the county has been completed but has not yet been written up, according to Holloway. The county has submitted a plan to the state addressing how the budget will be fixed, but it has to be accepted by the state. If the county does not follow the plan, county officials will be called before the state’s legislative audit committee to explain why not. The county is expecting a response from the state soon.
One way to help curb the deficit in the County General account that the auditors suggested was to limit the amount that elected officials are reimbursed for cell phones to $50 per month. Justice Rick Stallings asked why county employees use inexpensive trac phones for conducting county business rather than their personal phones. A previous 2018 quorum court ordinance allows for reimbursement of cell
phone charges no matter what the amount. It was suggested that internet, data, and other services were being paid for by the county although these are excluded in the ordinance. Stallings presented a new ordinance nullifying the previous ordinance which would cease the payment of personal cell phone bills even if the phones were used for county business. The ordinance was passed unanimously.
County/Circuit Clerk Gaylon Hale told the court that the county should be getting a reimbursement for the money spent to repair the courthouse soon. This will increase the amount of money in the County General account, as will incoming property and personal tax payments which will start coming into the county in October. Assistant Treasurer Brittany Kocourek said that as of the meeting, the county general account was only $460,000 in the red (as opposed to the shortage of over $550,000 at the end of August. She added that five pay periods in the month had added to the deficit in August, and that no county certificates of deposit had been cashed in. She also said that all of the American Rescue Plan money had been transferred out of its account to cover salaries. “We’re
Hazen Council discusses gas prices in meeting
The Hazen City Council met in a special meeting on Thursday, September 14 to discuss a shortfall in the city’s gas company revenues. Hazen is one of only a few cities in Arkansas which operates its own gas companies, and the department has been running deficits for some time and has had to be subsidized by other city funds. The city purchases its gas from Symmetry.
The cost of the first 500 cubic feet of gas for customers has been held to a minimum charge of $10 for many years, with a charge of only four dollars for every 1000 cubic feet of gas after that. A chart comparing what Hazen has charged for gas for each month in the years of 2019 through July of 2023 was handed out, showing that the amounts that the Hazen Gas Department has been collecting has been consistently below what the U. S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has stated what the cost of gas has been in Arkansas. The city has sold an average of 39,194,961 cubic feet of gas in the years of 20192022. This shortfall has
making a lot of cuts at the auditors’ suggestions,” she said. Judge Holloway asked that all county department budgets be turned in by October 31 so that planning for 2024 could begin. He reported that the food bank now has $4000 in its account. When asked about whether or not employees would be hired to fill
vacant positions, he said yes, but that new employees are paid at the base salary rate. Holloway also said, “The 911 budget has got to be dealt with.” As a result, salaries will no longer be taken out of the 911 account, which is also in the red. Sheriff Rick Parsons said that $70,000 in upgrades are needed in the 911 department.
The judge also reminded court members that the county burn ban was still in effect, but that farmers were exempt from that ban. He added that any farmer who wanted to burn fields would need to let Sheriff Rick Parson’s office know ahead of time so that 911 calls made by citizens could be addressed.
DVB Council approves sale
By Lisa MillsThe DeValls Bluff City Council met on September 14th. The council approved a motion to sale two vacant city owned buildings: The old clinic building located at 693 Market St., and the old bank building located at 146 W. Walnut St. Council member Pam Del Giorno asked Attorney Mike Stuart if appraisals were needed before advertising the sale. Stuart replied that an appraisal was not necessary until an offer was made, but a legal property description would need to be obtained before advertising. Del Giorno mentioned that there is still electricity on at the bank building and she feels that the city should not continue paying for it. Utilities Clerk Roben Henry stated that the city is not being billed for the electricity.
Council member Jackie Adcock reported that the large tree located west of
the building occupied by Mid-Delta Headstart is rotting and in danger of falling onto the building at any time and if it does fall when Headstart is in session, children and teachers could be injured or killed. He asked the council to approve having the tree cut down as soon as possible. He provided three quotes to have it cut down: Roberts Tree Service for $3,600, Can Tree Service for $4,500, and Rowland Tree Service for $8,500. Mayor Thelma Gray stated that a representative from Mid-Delta is scheduled to meet with her to look at the tree. Adcock made a motion to go ahead and accept the quote from Roberts Tree Service, pending that meeting and Attorney Stuart looking at the lease agreement between the city and Mid-Delta. The motion was unanimously approved.
Police Chief Jeremy Murphy introduced new
Auxiliary Officer Caden Johnson. Johnson is a full-time deputy for St. Francis County. For the month of August, Murphy reported 16 arrests and seven traffic citations. He reported that eight of the arrests were part of a county wide raid on August 11th. He stated that he has been selected as a guest instructor at the Police Academy in Camden and will be teaching for two days in September and two days in October. Two building permits were approved: Robbie Trussell for concrete work at 225 Brinkley St., and Jonathon Blagg for a hunting club at 426 Hazel St. with Mayor Thelma Gray, Recorder/Treasurer Darlene Conner, and Council members Shirley Goff, Carol Griffin, Jackie Adcock, Marie Flanagan, and Pam Del Giorno were present.
required the city to supplement the gas department by approximately $70,000 to $80,000 a year. This year, the city transferred $110,000 to the department. This amount also covered an extra amount for repairs to the system.
Mayor David Hardke and the Utilities Department Manager Chad Swaim have been working for months to improve the efficiency of the city’s gas distribution system, including changing out meters and searching for gas leaks.
The department has focused on limiting miscalculations in gas usage even though, as Hardke said, “You’re always going to have some loss.”
Raising the minimum cost of gas per month to $15 and charging five dollars for each additional 1000 cubic feet of gas used would add approximately $60,000 to the gas department’s account. This would raise gas costs for customers by approximately 18%.
The council will likely act on the information provided by the mayor at its regularly scheduled meeting which will be held on Thursday, September 21, in Hazen City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
Carlisle’s WoodmenLife donates to food bank... WoodmenLife's Chapter 621 of Carlisle completed their third quarter common bond project earlier last week. Fighting Hunger is WoodmenLife's national focus, but more specifically the theme for the third quarter’s common bond project. Carlisle's food pantry, "Mission of Hope" was this quarter's recipient. They volunteered our time of helping box up food items to be distributed as well as making a $400 monetary donation to the food pantry.
Robert Elliott Buffalo
Robert Elliott Buffalo, 81, of Carlisle, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. With the exception of a few years during elementary school, Robert was a lifelong resident of Carlisle, living on his family’s farm five miles south of town.
Robert was a 1959 graduate of Carlisle High School. He served several years in the Arkansas Army National Guard while also working on the family farm with his father, Robert Milton Buffalo.
Robert met his wife Rose Mary on a blind date in early 1964. They were married Dec. 19, 1964 in North Little Rock and were together until Rose Mary left her earthly body on July 28, 2008.
Robert farmed with his father for years before retiring about 15 years ago. Robert continued to stay busy, working for the Parker Farms for several years, while also collecting metal to recycle as well as taking out beaver dams.
Robert is preceded in death by his wife Rose Mary, his parents Robert and Dorothy and his daughter-in-law Linda Buffalo. He is survived by sister Janice Gooch and husband Jim of Forrest City and brother Richard and wife Dianne of Carlisle; his three children: daughter Carole Acord and husband Clay of Little Rock, son Mark Buffalo of Cabot and son Jonathan Robert Buffalo and his wife Hopalynn of Carlisle. He was
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
Grandpa/P-Paw to four
grandchildren: Devon Jacob, Heather Rose, Mary Elisabeth and Kaitlyn Mychelle Buffalo.
Visitation is Saturday, Sept. 23, at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen at 1 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. in the Westbrook chapel. Burial will be in Old Carlisle Cemetery.
Jayme Louise
Jackson
Jayme Louise Jackson, aged 53, formerly of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, and most recently residing in Trumann, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House. She came into this world on May 11, 1970, in Little Rock, born to the late James St. John and Vonda Griffin.
Jayme dedicated her career to nursing, and later retired at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she eventually retired. Her interests included reading, basking in the sun at the beach, savoring coffee on her back porch while admiring hummingbirds alongside her beloved dogs, and cherishing moments with her granddaughter, Jenna Grace. Above all, Jayme cherished the precious moments spent with her family. She is survived by her loving daughter, Katie Bray, and her husband, Logan, of Trumann; two sisters, Jeannia DeVore of Searcy and Tammy Whitaker and her husband, Chris, of Heber Springs; a cherished granddaughter, Jenna Grace Bray of Trumann; numerous nieces and nephews; and a lifetime's worth of dear friends. In accordance with her wishes, all services will remain private. To sign a online guestbook please go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com
Jo Anna Parker
Jo Anna Parker, 79, of Mount Ida, Arkansas passed away, Monday, September 11, 2023 in Little Rock. She was born August 23, 1944 in DeQueen to Vernon C. and Margery Eudora (Trotter) Wills. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry Parker; and her daughter, Tracey Lea Hill.
education and began her teaching career. She taught at Parkview High School before moving to Mount Ida with the love of her life, Jerry Parker.
The only thing Jo Anna loved more than education was her family. She and Jerry married on January 11, 1974. Jerry and Jo Anna were inseparable for much of their marriage. They loved spending time together with friends and family, working around their beautiful home Jerry built for them, and dancing.
They were a fun sight at any event with a dance floor, especially the Junior-Senior proms they attended annually.
Many of Jo Anna’s surviving friends are colleagues, former students, and those students’ parents as she was a dedicated teacher that impacted her students’ lives in more than just their education.
Jo Anna loved science and spent many years in her early career teaching general biology, basic biology, and human physiology during her time at Parkview High School i n Little Rock. In August of 1981, Jo Anna and Jerry moved to Mount Ida, and she began teaching junior high English as well as sponsoring the journalism club before transitioning to high school English and literature while sponsoring the Beta Club. She worked tirelessly to teach her students the importance of word knowledge, the value of a well-placed comma, and the beauty of written language, but more so she strived to make every student feel loved, supported, and encouraged during her 20 years at Mount Ida High School.
After Mrs. Parker successfully retired on her third attempt, she enjoyed getting back to her biology roots with the Montgomery County Master Gardeners, putting her green thumb and horticultural knowledge to good use. She also spent countless hours reading, tending to her many houseplants, playing bridge with a local club, and chatting nonstop with her best friends. Jo Anna rarely met a stranger, and she often developed lifelong friendships from chance meetings. Jo Anna smiled with her entire face and possessed an infectious giggle that often accompanied silly shenanigans, but she could also handle her own with the biggest, burliest of high school students despite her extremely petite stature. To know Jo Anna was to know pure love, happiness, and an unstoppable spitfire!
until moving to Carlisle, AR to raise her family after marrying the love of her life in 1969, Randy Schafer.
Claire was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Randy in 2015, her parents J.R. and Ada, her sister/best friend –Carolyn Beam, and brother Chuck Haygood. She is survived by her 3 children; Christy (Larry) Duncan, Monica (Richard) Yager, Matt Schafer; and her 8 grandchildren and 1 grandson-in law; Lauren Yager (Garrett) Lamb, Taylor Duncan, Abby Yager, Scout Duncan, Ella Schafer, Lilly Yager, Kate Schafer, and Caroline Schafer. Claire is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins that she loved dearly. Visitation for Claire will was at Westbrook Funeral in Hazen, AR on Friday, September 15th, 2023 from 5-7:00 pm. Funeral service were held on Saturday, September 16th, 2023 at 11:00 am at Calvary Baptist Church in Hazen, AR with Interment at the Carlisle Cemetery.
Claire’s children were so humbled and blessed by the amazing care their mother received from Hospice Home Care that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Tribute of Life Foundation, a non-profit charity partner of Hospice Home Care. Online donations can be made at tributeoflife.org.
Luchen Anderson Walls Sr.
Luchen Anderson Walls Sr., 88, of Hazen, Arkansas passed away peacefully Saturday, September 16th, 2023 with his wife, Laverne
Kelly Walls, of 17 years by his side.
DeeDee, as he loved to be called by his family, was born to Claude Anderson Walls and Opal Leah McCall Walls on December 9, 1934 on the McCall Farm in South Lonoke County.
Luchen graduated from Morris High School in England, Ar in 1953.
Luchen loved playing football and baseball. He was an All-District Center for the England Lions Football team.
Luchen was a faithful servant to his Baptist faith. He was ordained as a deacon in 1969 at East Side Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and continued to serve as a deacon at England First Baptist Church for 33 years. Luchen was a current member of the Carlisle First Baptist Church.
Luchen farmed for over 70 years in the south Lonoke county area.
Starting at the age of 6, he worked the family farm with his parents plowing mules. The strong work ethic that was instilled in him at this young age continued through his farming career and was passed onto his son who farmed by his side for 40 years.
Luchen was dedicated to working the land and helping his fellow farmers. He served as chairman of the Plum Bayou Irrigation District, making several trips to Washington D.C. working with President Bill Clinton and Senator Dale Bumpers bringing much needed water to several thousands of acres of farmland.
It was not all work and no play for our DeeDee. He enjoyed riding horses and participating in horse shows. He was one of the founding members of the England Riding Club in the early 1960’s. He showed cutting horses and was honored to be a
National Cutting Horse judge. Luchen loved spending time with his family; traveling to horse shows, boating on Greers Ferry Lake and Lake Hamilton, attending Razorback games, watching the New York Yankees and cooking for family gatherings.
DeeDee was a master in the kitchen and garden. His banana nut bread, chicken and dressing, pear preserves and home grown tomatoes will be missed by all.
Luchen was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 50 years and mother of his children, Mary Lou Hovis Walls, brother Carroll Walls, sister Helen Quick and daughter Michelle Walls Derden.
He is survived by his son Luchen Anderson Walls Jr. (Lana), daughter, Melissa Hatfield (Mike), Laveren’s children, Stan, Byrum and Jennifer Kelly. Grandchildren Kylie Walls Minton (Bart), Kagan Walls Ness, Luchen Anderson Walls III, Chad Hatfield, Elise Staggs (Dickey), Jeff Derden Jr. and Jansen Derden. GreatGrandchildren Olivia, Madison and Kate Henri Minton, Leah Rose Ness, Tripp Derden, and Lilly Grace Hatfield. Brother in law Shannon Hovis Jr., Sister in law Sue Walls and his longtime faithful employee Jimmy Jones. A graveside service will be held at 2:00PM on Tuesday, September 19th 2023 at Mulberry Cemetery in England, Arkansas with visitation one hour before at 1:00PM
The family would like to thank the staff of Maple Health Care of Hazen for their compassionate care of our father and grandfather over the past six months. Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church of England, Arkansas. 201 East Haywood Street England, Ar 72046.
Periodicals Postage paid at Hazen, Arkansas 72064
POSTMASTER: Send
Address Changes to: Grand Prairie Herald
Roxanne Bradow
Circulation/Accounts
Trudy Johnson
Sports Editor Mark Buffalo
Correspondent Lisa Mills
Correspondent
Debbye Harrison
Photographer Ruth Corley
Jo Anna is survived by her son, Andy Hill; daughters, Nanette (Scotty) Belford and Candy Straus; grandchildren, Austin Andrew Hill, Parker (Brittany) Aycock, Taylor (Jordan) Taulton, Dakota (Ashleigh) Aycock, Maverick Aycock, Colton (Britni) Rutherford, Mary Grace Straus, Kathryn Elizabeth “Kit” Straus, and Hayley Smothers Long; great grandchildren, Rhett Aycock, Bo Rutherford, Lincoln Hill, and Knox Aycock; sisters Nancy Brown Dighton and Patricia Wills; along with a host of other family andfriends.
Jo Anna loved to learn from an early age, and following her graduation from Hazen High School, she continued her education at the University of Arkansas where she was a member of the Razorback marching band. Jo Anna obtained her Bachelor of Science in
A visitation with the family was held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, 1:00- 2:00 pm at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel with a celebration of Jo Anna’s life immediately following at 2:00 pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home in Mt. Ida. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com.
Claire Haygood Schafer
We are saddened to announce the death of our mother Claire Haygood Schafer, 71, of Little Rock, AR who passed away on September 12, 2023 surrounded by her 3 children. Claire was born to J.R. and Ada Haygood on February 14th, 1952 and grew up in Hazen, AR as members of Calvary Baptist Church
28thAugust
Gaylon Hale
B i s o n kn o ck o ff #2 E agl e s a t ho m e
By Mark Buffalo Sports EditorThe Carlisle Bison and the Des Arc Eagles delivered an instant classic Friday night at Fred C. Hardke Field.
Carlisle jumped out to a 21-8 lead then held off a Des Arc rally to win 27-20 in front of a capacity crowd of more than 1,300.
“It was big time for our kids,” Carlisle coach Gary Wilson said. “I don’t think there was ever a doubt in their mind that they weren’t going to win the football game. I think they were confident all week. I don’t think they ever flinched at all. There wasn’t a doubt in their mind that they weren’t coming out on top.”
Carlisle scored the
game’s first touchdown. Holden Jones scored on a one-yard run at the end of a 10-minute drive to start the game. Caleb Croucher kicked the extra point.
Des Arc took an 8-7 lead in the second quarter when Walker Harris scored on a 15-yard run. Cache Flanagan then added the two-point conversion. The Bison scored two second-quarter touchdowns to lead 21-7 at halftime. Kayleb Elliott scored on an 11-yard run. Gabe Boyle then returned a fumble for a touchdown. After a scoreless third quarter, Des Arc cut the deficit to 21-14 on a two-yard run by Flanagan in the fourth quarter.
Carlisle pushed its lead to 27-14 on an 11-yard run by Elliott. Dayvion Bell scored Des Arc’s last touchdown on a 9yard run to make the score 27-20.
“They physically wore us out,” Des Arc coach Brandon Barbaree said.
“I felt like they came out with a good plan.”
Flanagan led the Eagles with 124 yards rushing on 22 carries.
Bell had 42 yards on four carries. Harris had 38 yards on five carries. Jones completed 6 of 7 passes for 53 yards. He also rushed for 25 yards on 11 carries. Elliott had 149 yards rushing on 24 carries. Des Arc hosts Earle this Friday while the Bison host Bearden.
It’s pumpkin time...
The Prairie County Master Gardeners held their annual pumpkin sale across from the Hazen Community Center on Saturday, September 16. All shapes and sizes of pumpkins and gourds were for there for the picking. The Hazen High School Future Farmers of America club came to lend a hand hauling the pumpkins.
Alice Hoag
