January 10, 2024 edition

75¢

Des Arc archery team competes.

(See pictures on p. 6.)

Volume 123 Number 2 - USPS 225-680

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Community Calendar of Events Tuesday January 9 Hornets vs Kipp Hornets’ Nest 5:00 p.m.

Thursday January 11 De Valls Bluff City Council meeting 6:00 p.m.

City Hall Friday January 12 Hornets @ Barton 4:30 p.m.

7G, JB, SB Monday January 15 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Local & county offices will be closed.

Tuesday January 16 Hazen School Board Meeting 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday January 23 Carlisle School Board Meeting 6:00 p.m.

Thursday January 25 Hazen City Council meeting 6:00 p.m.

Hazen City Hall Food Distribution Hazen Methodist Church Drive Through 10:00 a.m.-Noon

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.

Carlisle’s DG Market is now open...

You will find the newly opened Dollar General Market at 1395 North Bankhead, within the north area of Carlisle. This discount store is an added feature to the districts of Lonoke and Hazen. Its hours of operation are 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. They accept manufacturer’s coupons as well as SNAP and EBT.

Prairie County Quorum Court passes 2024 budget After multiple budget committee meetings, the Prairie County Quorum Court passed its 2024 budget at the regular meeting held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Justice Levi Childress was missing, and Justice Zack Payne attended the meeting over the phone.

The balances of the county funds was handed out to the justices by County Treasurer Tamara Dabney, and Budget Committee Chairman Rick Stallings began the budget discussion. The committee met on December 28th and 29th to finalize cuts in

the budget in order to bring the county’s expenditures in line with expected revenues and to build up the county funds that had run deficits or near deficits in 2023.

The committee had removed some items like the American Rescue Plan fund, which ended in 2023, and cut some budgeted expenses like travel. All departments were asked to cut their 2023 budgets by as much as possible. The tribal money must stay in its own account, as must other designated funds. The final budget for County General came

to just over $3 million, which is 90% of the anticipated revenue for the year. “I’m not going to say it’s perfect,” Stallings said. He went on to thank all of the county officials that had given their help to his committee. The maximum appropriated amounts for all of the county accounts can be seen in Ordinance 20241 published in this week’s paper.

The annual budget for the calendar year 2024 was passed with these provisos: No expenditure of appropriated funds can be made from any funds other than the

specified fund without a passed budget amendment, and money cannot be transferred between the various funds without court approval unless those transfers are specified in the passed budget or are allowed through an amendment. No fund can be overspent without court approval.

Ordinance 2024-2 creates a County Depository Board, which will be composed of the County Judge, the County Treasurer, and the Sheriff/County Tax Collector. The board will supervise the depositing of all county funds and

all other public funds held by the county treasurer and the county tax collector. School district funds are excluded. The board will make timely investments of public funds and decide when to withdraw public funds from investments.

This will take place immediately.

At the end of the meeting, a resolution was passed to authorize the County Judge and County Clerk to apply for a Flood Mitigation Assistance grant, and Paul Hooks was appointed to the Budget Committee.

Hazen Council passes budget for the new year The Hazen City Council met on Thursday, January 4, to pass its budget for 2024. Council Members Larry Anthony, Bob Juola, Tim Juola, Dallas Taylor, Steve Chlapecka, and Barbara Rogers were present along with Mayor David Hardke, Recorder/Treasurer David Hoover, Police Chief Bradley Taylor, and Becky Sayger.

Hardke led the council through 25 city accounts that covered the income and expenses of the Hazen Municipal Court System, the Hazen Municipal Airport, and the Hotel/Motel tax.

The Emergency Services Sales Tax funds are expected to be $400,000 plus the checkbook balance of $163,692 with $280,000 earmarked for the police department and $120,000 earmarked for the fire department. The city plans to buy a new police car with these funds and has three CD’s set aside totalling over $500,000 to put toward the future purchase of a fire truck. The dispatch fee paid to the county has increased from $1000 per month to $25,000 for the year.

The city plans to purchase a thermal imager and turnouts out of the Fire Protection Fund.

The city also plans to purchase new software for the car cameras and mikes with funds from the Federal Assets and Forfeitures account that is restricted to the police department. The equipment purchased will be “top of the line Motorolas,” according to Chief Taylor. The city will also receive the full amount for an overtime grant for officers this year. The city will be reimbursed from the STEP grant for the

expected $45,000.

Hardke said that the city received $848,684 in sales tax in 2023, but only listed $800,000 in income for 2024 despite the fact that “sales tax has gone up every year,” he said. He has budgeted $100,000 for any city needs, $100,000 to any transfers to the city general account if needed, and $120,000 to savings.

“We put back (money) anytime we can,” Hardke said. The city has also budgeted $145,000 to go toward the water department.

“We’re going to do a lot of work on water this year,” Hardke said.He also plans to spend some money on improvements to the dog pound, including expanding the fence and putting up security cameras.

In the city general contingency fund, the city expects to receive a $191,000 grant that will be used to repair the sidewalks on Hazen Ave. and Livermore St. leading up to the schools.

The total cost to the city for the project will be $257,386. A one-third, two thirds grant for the depot will cost the city $30,000. Other expenses to be taken out of this account is a transfer to water/sewer to finish work on the filter and bed at the sewer plant.

This will include the remaining $148,137 ARPA funds. Hardke expects the cost to the city after the ARPA funds are used will be $65,000.

Hardke expects the city general income for 2024 to be $1,760,620 with expenses totalling $1,594,645. He also told the council that he is working on a water rate increase of approximately 13%. A rate study will be done first. The expected increase on local

water bills will be somewhere around $6 to $7 per month.

Another major expense will be the cost to replace a sewer line on the south side of down just across from the depot on Prairie St. The amount of pipe to be replaced will be over 400 feet. $100,000 will be transferred from the Utilities Contingency Budget to the water and

sewer accounts to help pay for system upgrades.

The budgets for the street and natural gas accounts will be tight this year, especially since gas revenues are dependent upon the weather and any system leaks that might be found and repaired.

“Trying to estimate is difficult,” Hardke said.

He plans to replace the take-off meter at Carlisle

which has not been operating efficiently and has not been reading properly. “We’re going to get as much done as we can,” Hardke said. “We don’t have a choice.”

Three percent raises were given to employees across the board. When asked if that could be higher, Hardke said that at this time it is not possible. “We've got a thin budget,” he said.

DAR celebrates Arkansas Day...

Grand Prairie Daughters of the American Revolution (GPDAR) member Jan Hodge, below on left, assembled this window display entitled “Arkansas” to commemorate Arkansas Day on January 4 at the Stuttgart Public Library. Shown with Jan are GPDAR Regent Nonnie Carroll, Regent Elect Cheryl Vickers, and member Glennda Fread.

52° 33°

6%

57° 49°

64%

51° 22° 94%

40° 18°

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33° 24° 21%

Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Carol Sue Rogers Carol Sue Rogers Beckham, 69, of Hazen, peacefully passed away o n Saturday, December 30, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Des Arc on September 7, 1954.

Carol graduated from Hazen High School and received a Bachelors of B u s i n e s s Administration from the University of Central Arkansas. She is preceded in death by her parents Carl A. Rogers and Margaret Sue Rogers; sisters Ruby Hryniewicz and Donna Carter; and son Tracy Rogers. She is survived by brothers Gary Rogers, Terry Rogers and Carl (Rusty) Rogers; son Gregory Rogers and daughter Tiffany Howell; grandchildren Micah Rogers, Alex Rogers, Austin Rogers, Jordan Rogers and Margaret Rogers.

Funeral services were held Friday, January 5, 2024 at 2:00PM at Calvary Baptist Church in Hazen, Arkansas.

Visitation was held prior to the funeral service at 1:00PM at Calvary Baptist Church.

Interment was held at Hazen Cemetery.

Jackie B. Gentry Jackie “Jack” B. Gentry, 84, of Hazen, passed away in his home surrounded by family on Monday, January 1, 2024. He was born in Lonoke

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

County on February 22, 1939, to Kenneth and Prudie Gentry.

Jack married Evelyn Adams in 1985 in which 38 years of precious memories were made and will be cherished forever.

Having been the Mayor of Humnoke, Arkansas, Jack proved that he loved serving his community. He also worked at Riceland Foods before leaving to work at Comet Rice Mill. Later, he went to work for Brett Caleb Intertek Rice Lab. Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, canning, and being with his family.

His entertainment and happiness came from the time spent with his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren that he loved dearly. Although we like to think we were all loved equally by Jack, everyone knew Madi could always get her way.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Prudie Gentry; four sisters, Juanita Loftis, Irene Risner, Janie Williamson and Carolyn Gentry; two brothers, C.L. Leker and Sonny “John Paul” Gentry; and three grandsons, Bryce Mashburn, Anthony Mashburn, and Christopher Mashburn.

Left to adorn his memory are his wife, Evelyn Adams Gentry of Hazen; daughter, Donna Hendricks of Tollville; two stepsons, Ricky Mashburn of Jonesboro and Mike Mashburn of Stuttgart. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and sister, Margaret Rainey of Combine, Texas.

Graveside services will be held at Centerpoint Cemetery on January 20th at 11am.

The family sincerely appreciates all the prayers, visits, calls, texts, food, and love that has been shown to the family not only during Jack’s sickness but also during this time of his passing.

Mary Jane Maronay Mary Jane Maronay was born on December

7, 1937.

She became known as Janie and shared in the memories of childhood, along with five siblings.

Her pare n t s , T o m m y and Dorothy Jones made their home in Des Arc where Janie received early education at Johnson Chapel Elementary.

In 1955, she graduated from Des Arc High School.

Janie lived in Jacksonville and took great pride in caring for her home. In her role as a mother her greatest joys came from times spent with her children and the cherished memories made with her grandson and great grandson, through the years. Janie worked as a Section Supervisor with the State Income Tax Department and dedicated thirty-three years to the state of Arkansas before choosing to retire.

Janie lived a life of service both in her professional and personal capacities. She understood the needs of her community and was passionate about helping others. She was active as a volunteer in Parents without Partners and volunteering at local hospitals.

After Janie got to the point of not being able to get out much, she loved the visits from the United Methodist Mission 5000 group that brought her hot daily meals.

On January 2, 2024, Janie passed away at the Unity Health Medical Center in Searcy at the age of 86.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Tommy and Dorothy Jones, brothers: Chuck and J.B. Jones and sisters: Helen Yielding and Louise Stallings.

Survivors include her son: Rick Maronay of Lonoke, daughter: Brenda Benish and husband, Chuck of Newport, grandson: Matt Ward of Cabot and great grandson: Grayson Ward and a host of close friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that love offerings be made to the United Methodist Mission 5000 of Jacksonville.

Kee joins Baptist Family Clinic Baptist Health Family Clinic-Hazen-A Service of Baptist Health Medical CenterStuttgart recently welcomed Alison Kee, APRN. Kee also currently sees patients at Baptist Health Family Clinic-Brinkley.

Kee, a Hazen native, received her medical education from Walden University. She and her husband live in Hazen and have three kids.

They raise cattle and their kids junior rodeo about every weekend.

The family is active in their local church and community.

“I have always wanted to practice in my hometown and be able to give back to my community,” Kee says.

Kee is a board certified family nurse practitioner.

Baptist Health Family Clinic-Hazen, at 102

HHS students give report to board...

Hazen High School students Ryleigh Cook and Maci Sickel recently gave a report on the FCCLA STAR events state competition to the Hazen School Board. The FCCLA sponsor is Summer Greenwalt.

For AR Kids coalition announces ballot measure to improve student learning LITTLE ROCK – A coalition of Arkansas advocacy groups announced a ballot measure to amend the Education clause of the Arkansas Constitution at noon on Thursday, December 21 at the State Capitol.

“We are here to launch a ballot measure campaign that will dramatically improve student learning across ALL of Arkansas,” said Bill Kopsky, Executive Director for the Arkansas Public Policy Panel.

The ballot measure does three fundamental things to help our children succeed in school and life. First, it invests in four of the most effective programs that boost student learning.

It will create: 1. Universal access to free, voluntary pre-k for all 3 and 4 year olds in Arkansas.

2. Universal access to free, voluntary afterschool and summer programs.

3. Universal access to help low income children get the help they need to overcome the obstacles that poverty creates for learning.

Arkansas ranks nearly last in the nation for child poverty, and it is a major obstacle to success for our students and the state as a whole.

But there are proven ways to help students overcome that.

And finally, our ballot measure guarantees access to high quality special education for every child in Arkansas with special needs.

For AR Kids wants to set the bar higher for Arkansans in terms of quality education for all, speakers said Thursday.

“Set the bar high. We’re here to make sure our kids have quality education. That our kids have a better quality of life,”

said Elaine Williams, Chair of the Education Caucus of Citizens First Congress and of Concerned Citizens of Prescott. “We’re not here to go backwards. We’re here to go forward.”

Arkansas is currently #1 in food insecurity for kids and near the bottom in education metrics for the nation, including being woefully behind in terms of special education. Public schools need funding to stay open, and public schools are a crucial cornerstone for communities, said April Reisma, President of the Arkansas Education Association.

“This is the time for Arkansas to make a difference,” she said.

“Stand and support our children."

The second part of the ballot measure establishes minimum education standards so every student in Arkansas has an opportunity to learn.

Barry Jefferson, president of the Arkansas NAACP, said they’ve been on the “front lines of fighting for quality education for minority students,” and that this ballot measure evens the playing field, including for both urban and rural kids.

Finally, the proposed ballot measure states that public money should come with public standards, public transparency and public accountability.

“The third and final part of our ballot measure creates an equal playing field for all public, tax-payer supported schools,” Kopsky said.

“It requires ANY school that receives tax-payer support to follow the same academic standards and standards of accreditation. Taxpayers have a right to know that their tax dollars are spent effectively.”

Jefferson said, “If you get public money, you must account for it.

That’s fair.”

All sides – both Republicans and Democrats – were represented in overwhelmingly supporting the concepts in this ballot measure. These are high quality polls with a low margin of error, said Steve Grappe, Executive Director of CAPES. “Stand up and carry a ballot. I saw a vision of hope. This is what it was,” Grappe said.

In polling the group released on December 21: • 77.1% of Arkansans support equal standards • 78.7% of Arkansans support basic minimum standards • 78.5% support for universal, voluntary access to Pre-K • 81.3% support for universal, voluntary access to After-School / Summer programs • 83% support for universal access to supports for kids in poverty • 86.6% for access to high quality Special Education For AR Kids members encouraged everyone to visit their website, ForARKids.org, to find more information – including the full ballot measure – to sign up to volunteer, and to donate.

Most of all, they encouraged everyone to educate themselves and others about the issues and to vote.

“We need more people to get out and vote”, Reisma said. “We can make Arkansas better by voting!”

“This is going to be a volunteer, grassroots effort,” Kopsky said about the ballot measure signature collection process, which will start in the new year for the For AR Kids coalition.

City of Hazen Public Hearing

West North Front St., connects patients with the quality care they need, for whatever stage of life they’re in. The clinic provides highquality care to the families of Hazen and surrounding communities.

For more information about Kee and the services she provides at Baptist Health Family Clinic-Hazen, visit Baptist-Health.com or call 1-888-BAPTIST.

There will be a public hearing on January 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m at Hazen City Hall. The Hazen Planning Commission will meet to consider changing a parcel of land located at 708 S. Chester Street belonging to Russell and Sherry Seeber from R-2 to R-3 Classification. R-3 zones allow for single and double wide manufactured homes. The property is legally described as follows: Beginning at a point 22.93 (7) chains East of the Corner of Section Nineteen (19) and Thirty (30), where the centerline of the Central Arkansas and Eastern Railroad intersected the Section line between Sections Nineteen (19) and Thirty (30), Township Two (2) North, Range Five (5) West, thence West Between Sections Nineteen (19) and Thirty (30), a distance of 200 feeet (3.03 chains), thence South 640 feet (9.69 (6) chains) to an Iron rail stake (existing), thence Sections Nineteen (19) and Thirty (30) the point of beginning. This plot of land is in Section Thirty (30) Township Two (2) North, Range Five (5) West.

Interested parties are encouraged to attend this meeting. After the public hearing, The Hazen city Council will meet and hear the recommendation of the Planning commission and make a determination.

Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Biscoe EHC holds annual Christmas party

By Mitzi Osbourne Eleven members of the Biscoe EHC along with four guests gathered at the home of Barbara Williams for their annual Christmas party.

Those attending were Debby Priest, Connie Smith, Janis Toll, Rita Farris, Mitzi Osborne, Janice Corpier, Karen Golden, Bernadette Mosby, Ardie Yates, Barbara Williams, and Juanita Hutchinson.

The guests were three of the Prairie County Extension staff and a prospective member.

After a brief business session, everyone enjoyed a potluck finger food luncheon. Then the tables were cleared for the games to begin.

Loads of fun and laughter ensued! Gifts were exchanged with a RightLeft game.

Two club projects were included in the celebration. The club donated thirty-six blanket throws to the AEHC annual UAMS project to provide cancer patients with a new throw during Christmas. For the club’s Christmas project, members chose to pur-

chase items for the activity rooms of the two Prairie County Nursing homes Hazen and Des Arc. Items donated included games such as dominoes, checkers, Scrabble, and slide bingo cards. Also given were arts and craft supplies, coloring books, and Seek and Find books. Barbara Williams delivered the donations. She said the residents of each were excited and appreciative.

It was a celebration of friendship, sharing, and blessings.

EACC presents Diamond Rio East Arkansas Community College will present GRAMMY® award winning country group Diamond Rio on Saturday, March 2nd at 7:30 p.m. at the EACC Fine Arts Center. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, January 16th at 10:00 a.m.

The first country music group in history to reach No. 1 with a debut single with their release of “Meet in the Middle,” award winning Diamond Rio has sold more than 6.8 million albums, surpassed over 1.05 billion global streams, and charted 20 Top 10 singles, 15 Top 5 singles, and seven No. 1 singles.

Known for hits such as “One More Day,” “Beautiful Mess,” “Unbelievable,” “I Believe,” and many more, Diamond Rio has amassed numerous accolades throughout the years. The band is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, won six Vocal Group of the Year awards, received fourteen GRAMMY® nominations, and won a GRAMMY® award for their album, The Reason.

January 2, 2024

Lawrence Holloway

Gaylon Hale This publication was paid for by the Prairie County Quorum Court. The amount paid this publication was $273.00.

Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Grand Prairie Quilt Society has December meeting

All set to play our Left/Right Game

By Marsha Heien The Grand Prairie Quilt Society met December 14, 2023 at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall with 9 members present. Shelley opened the meeting with the Thought for the Day, "It's OK if you don't like quilting, it's kind of a smart people's hobby, anyway."

The November minutes and treasurer's report were given.

December Happy Birthday greetings were extended to Shelley, Lou Anna, Charlotte, Toni, and Terry.

Old Business: The Batesville trip to Marshall's was a success.

Everyone who went found many treasures and had a great

day out.

Maeola made a motion to re-instate annual dues of $10.00, Glenda 2nd and motion carried.

New Business: Glenda made the suggestion that we work on a group project in the new year.

We should all bring ideas to the next meeting, such as making items for: Hope of the Delta, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Restoration of Hope, or Crestpark.

Show and Share: Maeola had a Minnie Mouse quilt top she is making for Hope of the Delta.

Glenda is making a memory quilt Lou Anna and Maeola brought fabric for the treasure table which was perused by the

members looking for that special something.

Marsha had a yarn hat ornament she made at the Plantation Museum's Xmas Open House.

After the business meeting, the members gathered to play the Left/Right game....much laughter ensued as we all tried to remember our left from our right.

Shelley won the game and shared her stash with everyone. A good time was had by all.

Then it was time to settle down to a delicious potluck lunch with a lot of visiting and swapping of recipes.

The next meeting will be January 10, 2024 with a Sit n' Sew at the church....come join us.

Arkansas State Senate Report

By Senator Ron Caldwell LITTLE ROCK – Thanks to legislation passed last year, Arkansas businesses will save about $31 million in taxes paid for unemployment insurance in 2024.

Legislative approval of Act 196 was a priority for the state’s business community, and it passed in the Senate by a vote of 29-to-3.

The act grants tax relief to businesses in a variety of ways. It lowers the unemployment insurance tax rate for new employers from 2.9 percent to 1.9 percent.

The new law also repeals the rates of 14 percent and 10 percent that used to be levied on deficit rated employers.

When the unemployment trust fund is above $600 million the taxable wage base is set at $7,000. The act limits increases to the taxable wage base to $2,000 a year.

At the end of 2023 the balance in the fund was about $918 million.

Act 196 reduces the maximum length of time for collecting benefits from 16 weeks to 12 weeks.

The act also allows revenue from assessments on businesses to be used for upgrades in technology and hardware, and

for training.

The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services administers unemployment benefits. It also offers education and job training to unemployed people and helps them find work.

Another new state law that went into effect on January 1 is Act 587, which provides that people getting unemployment shall become ineligible for benefits for any week during which they do not make at least five contacts seeking new jobs.

Similarly, Act 106 disqualifies claimaints for unemployment benefits if they fail to respond to an offer of a job, or if they don’t show up for a previously scheduled job interview on at least two occasions. Act 106 took effect on January 1.

Act 854 is another new law that went into effect last October penalizes claimants who fraudulently receives more than $1,000 in unemployment insurance.

They shall be ineligible for unemployment benefits for 10 years.

Election Laws Arkansas voters go to the polls this year and numerous new election laws will be in effect.

They include Act 194 of

2 0 2 3 , w h i c h authorizes the state Attorney General to review ballot titles and popular names of proposed amendments and initiatives. For years the Attorney General reviewed ballot titles, but in 2019 the legislature transferred that authority to the Board of Election Commissioners. Act 194 transfers it back to the way it was before 2019.

Act 766 makes it a crime to destroy signatures gathered on petitions to place an issue on the ballot.

Act 300 schedules all special elections on the same day as ordinary elections.

In other words, special elections will be held on the May primary or the November general election date. In years when voters elect a president, as they will in 2024, the Arkansas primary election is in March.

Act 620 requires the state Board of Election Commissioners to conduct more frequent reviews of election-related documents and results. It also creates and Election Integrity Unit within the Attorney General’s office.

Entergy winter energy hints

Lovely Christmas lunch

Maeola's Minnie Mouse quilt top

Big Squirrel Challenge returns to AR Jan. 12-13 LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s statewide squirrel-hunting celebration is back for its third year. Get a buddy and get to the woods next Friday and Saturday to take your chance winning prizes and notoriety as the best bushytail hunter in your neck of the woods.

“AGFC Education Division staff started the Big Squirrel Challenge in May of 2021 at J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozarks Highland Nature Center,” Eric Maynard, interim chief of education for the AGFC, said. “It was so popular that we expanded it to a statewide event with 12 locations for people to weigh-in their squirrels and win a prize.”

The official rules are available at https://www.agfc.com/ed ucation/2024-big-squirrel-challenge, but here are the main details in a nutshell (or acorn, if you prefer). Teams hunt

from noon, Jan. 12-noon, Jan. 13 during legal shooting hours to harvest the three largest squirrels they can find.

Hunters are welcome to use squirrel dogs or still hunt for their bushytails.

“They’re welcome to go ahead and harvest their legal limit of 12 per person, but we only weigh the top three at the end of the event, and each squirrel can only be weighed once," Maynard said. "After the weighin, all squirrels will be returned to the hunters to enjoy for supper.”

Squirrels are weighed (skin on and fielddressed) and winning teams are announced at 1:30 p.m. for each region. Each regional first- and second-place team will receive medals and bragging rights for their effort.

The top teams in the state will be announced in a press release Jan. 15 and will receive additional prizes, including an Umarex air rifle.

“We have different cate-

gories for youth teams and adults,” Maynard said. “A youth team can consist of two youths or one youth and an adult mentor. We also have a category for fox squirrels (which typically weigh a little more) and a category for mixed bag and/or gray squirrels.”

If you can’t find a partner or a youth to take along, you can hunt as a single-person team, but everyone is encouraged to get out and hunt with a partner.

“We want everyone to get outdoors, and that’s always best enjoyed with friends and family,” Maynard said.

No registration or entry fees are required to participate in the contest. Participants just need to show up at one of the weigh-in locations from noon-1 p.m., Jan. 13 to compete. The local weigh-in location is: Hazen - Wattensaw WMA Shop 1693 Hwy 11 North, Hazen AR 72064.

Winter has arrived here in the Natural State, kicking heaters and energy consumption into high gear. Entergy Arkansas wants customers to stay warm while managing their energy usage and costs, offering these helpful hints to make your home more energy efficient.

Heating costs can account for more than 50 percent of a customer’s monthly energy usage. Instead of cranking up the thermostat when the temperatures drop, take these free or low-cost steps to remain comfortable and save energy and money on your utility bills.

Prepare for winter weather Keep heating costs low all season long by taking these tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency: ·Seal air leaks: Use

caulk or weatherstripping around doors, windows and any location where there may be a path between the inside and outside. ·Adjust the thermostat: Set the thermostat to 68 degrees during winter months, and dress in layers to stay warm.

Each degree above 68 can increase your energy bill by about 3 percent. ·Conserve hot water: Set your hot water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees, or the medium setting.

Wrap electric water heaters with water heater blankets, which can be found at home improvement stores. ·Keep doors and windows closed: Constant traffic will let out warm air, forcing your heater to work harder to keep the room at a set temperature.

January 2, 2024

·Ensure fans are turning the right way: Fans should be run at a low speed clockwise during the winter to prevent the cold air from blowing down on you. ·Replace air filters: Dirty filters make your heating system work harder. Replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. ·Use sunlight to your advantage: During the day, open your curtains and blinds to let in the warm sunlight. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.

We also offer free comprehensive residential energy audits and rebates to help reduce the upfront cost of installing energy-efficient equipment. Visit entergy.com/energyefficiency for more information.

Lawrence Holloway

Gaylon Hale This publication was paid for by the Prairie County Quorum Court. The amount paid this publication was $147.00.

Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical Keith Knupp 501.516.8285 knuppinc@hotmail.com

To Whom it May C o n c e r n .

A 2003 Ford Explorer Maroon VIN# IFMSK7D83D6C89747 The above mentioned vehicle was towed to our lot on December 21, 2023 per request of the Hazen Police Department, and was towed to storage lot of 801 Highway 70 West in Hazen. The initial fee due is $250.00. The storage fee due is $50.00 per day and continues to accumulate daily. The administrative fees due are $150.00 for the processing of the lien, the processing of a stolen vehicle report by our Police Department and the processing of certified letters sent to the owner and lien holder (if any) via mail. The above mounts do not reflect the 11% tax that is due upon releasing the vehicle. Tower storage & administrative costs are accuring daily

as legal liability of the owner, Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority lien on the said vehicle and its contents for all such charges.

The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and the lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle.

To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8am5pm, and provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

Please contact us immediately at 870-2553305 if you wish to pick up the above-mentioned vehicle.

Rick Wiggins, Owner Rick’s Automotive and Wrecker Service.

FREE Free fill dirt from ARDOT. Please contact Justin Jones @ 870-255-5268 if interested.

Free Ads for Free Stuff If you’re giving it away, we’ll give you an ad for

free Call 2554538

To Whom it May C o n c e r n .

A 2017 Mercedes Benz E300 VIN# WDDZF4JB4HAO28747 The above mentioned vehicle was towed to our lot on December 24, 2023 per request of the Arkansas State Police and was towed to storage lot of 801 Highway 70 West in Hazen. The initial fee due is $250.00.

The storage fee due is $50.00 per day and continues to accumulate daily. The administrative fees due are $150.00 for the processing of the lien, the processing of a stolen vehicle report by our Police Department and the processing of certified letters sent to the owner and lien holder (if any) via mail. The above mounts do not reflect the 11% tax that is due upon releasing the vehicle.

Tower storage & administrative costs are accuring

daily as legal liability of the owner, Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority lien on the said vehicle and its contents for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and the lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle.

To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, and provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

Please contact us immediately at 870-255-3305 if you wish to pick up the above-mentioned vehicle.

Rick Wiggins, Owner Rick’s Automotive and Wrecker Service.

To Whom it May C o n c e r n .

A White 2014 Ford E s c a p e V I N # IFMCU0GX4EU1327558 The above mentioned vehicle was towed to our lot on July 15, 2023 per request of the Hazen Police Department, and was towed to storage lot of 801 Highway 70 West in Hazen. The initial fee due is $250.00. The storage fee due is $50.00 per day and continues to accumulate daily. The administrative fees due are $150.00 for the processing of the lien, the processing of a stolen vehicle report by our Police Department and the processing of certified letters sent to the owner and lien holder (if any) via mail. The above mounts do not reflect the 11% tax that is due upon releasing the vehicle.

Tower storage & administrative costs are accuring

daily as legal liability of the owner, Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority lien on the said vehicle and its contents for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and the lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle.

To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, and provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

Please contact us immediately at 870-255-3305 if you wish to pick up the above-mentioned vehicle.

Rick Wiggins, Owner Rick’s Automotive and Wrecker Service.

I am looking for a woman to help take care of a disabled elderly man. Light house cleaning and cooking is required. Some driving is required if a valid D.L. is legal.

Only serious inquiries only.: Call 501-288-5006

Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Des Arc Eagle Eyes take first place in tournament

The Des Arc Eagle Eye Archery Team traveled to Brookland on Saturday, December 16th for their second tournament of the year. They, yet again, improved their team score and walked away as the first place winners in the middle school division. The team members were (Back Row, standing L to R): Max Severns, Rossie Buckner, Lilly Bethell, Mollee McDonald, Case Bell, Talyn Johnston, Chloe Nichols, Noah Hudson, Knox Eans, Sara Brown, and Jett Walicki.

Front Row L to R: Lily Edwards, Olivia Bogy, Andi Tallent, Harper Meek,Ruby Kearby,Phoebe Branham, Zachary Payne, Canon Bell, Ashlynn Collins, Coach Francine Dickson. (Not pictured: Emersyn Estes, Annaston Pate, and Brayden Sanderson.)

Five team members also won individual awards for their outstanding scores in the tournament. Pictured (L to R): Lilly Bethell won 1st place, Talyn Johnston placed 2nd, and Chole Nichols placed 4th in all middle school girls at the tournament. Knox Eans won 1st place and Zachary Payne placed 3rd in all middle school boys.

Two Eagle Eye Archers shot a perfect 50/50 from the 10 meter distance and received gift certificates from local restaurants in Des Arc. They are 7th grader Lilly Bethell and 8th grader Case Bell.

Lady Bison drop two games Hornets fall to McCrory 42-41

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor The Carlisle Lady Bison fell to 5-12 overall and 3-2 in the 2A-6 with a 59-26 loss to Barton on Friday night. The Lady Bison also lost to England 57-19 last week.

In the loss to Barton, Carlisle trailed 23-2 after one quarter. Angie Petrus scored the only basket.

The Lady Bears pushed

the lead to 36-10 by halftime.

Carlisle scored two points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth quarter.

Bailey Dawson led the Lady Bison with 10 points.

Petrus and Heather Buffalo had six points each. Morgan Jones and Paige Chadwick had two points each.

In the loss to England, Carlisle trailed 24-6

after one quarter and 40-12 at halftime.

Chadwick led Carlisle with nine points. Petrus had four. Jones scored three. Atlantis Blancett had two. Paige Lee had one.

Carlisle will host two conference games this week. The Lady Bison have Palestine-Wheatley on Tuesday night and Marianna on Friday night, both at Bison Arena.

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor McCrory led 9-8 after one quarter but rallied to lead 20-16 at halftime.

The difference in the game was the third quarter when the Jaguars outscored the Hornets 17-10 to lead 33-30 heading into the fourth quarter.

Hazen outscored

Bison come up short against Barton

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor The Carlisle Bison gave first-place Barton fits in a 63-56 loss to the Bears on Friday night.

With the loss, the Bison fall to 5-6 overall on the season and 4-2 in the 2A-6 conference.

They are in third place behind Barton and Marianna.

The Bison trailed 16-8

after one quarter and 31-22 at halftime.

The two teams played even in the third quarter, scoring 14 apiece.

The Bison then made a big run in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bears 20-18.

Isaiah Powell led Carlisle with 19 points.

Kaidon Clingmon had 17. Devin Cooney added 11. Cajuan Pernell had

six.

Lawson Petrus added three.

The Bison also played England last week, falling 65-32 to the Lions.

Carlisle played England tough in the first quarter, trailing only 15-11 after eight minutes.

Clingmon scored four points.

Petrus added a threepointer while Powell hit

2 of 3 free throws.

The Lions took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Bison 124 to lead 27-15 at halftime.

Powell led the Bison with 11 points.

Clingmon had six.

Pernell scored four.

Petrus had three.

Scoring two apiece were Cooney, Parker, Trace Hyde and Evan Webb.

Lady Eagles keep pace in 2A-6

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor The Des Arc Lady Eagles improved to 4-1 in the 2A-6 conference with a 55-34 win over Palestine-Wheatley on Friday night.

With the win, Des Arc remains a game behind first place Barton, which is 5-0 league

play. The Lady Eagles are 8-7 after the win over the Lady Patriots.

Makenzie Williams led the Lady Eagles with 20 points, six steals, six assists, five rebounds and a blocked shot.

Kymber Buckner had nine points, seven boards, three steals and an assist.

Kaylee

McDonald had eight points, three rebounds and a block. Grace Knight had six points and four rebounds.

Des Arc plays two games on the road this week. Tuesday, they play at McCrory and Friday they play at KIPP Delta in HelenaWest Helena.

The Des Arc boys basketball team is off to a slow start with a 1-9 record. The Eagles’ lone win came Dec. 8 against Hazen, 59-29. Their last game was a 57-36 loss to Palestine-Wheatley.

Des Arc will play Hazen again at Hazen on Jan. 19.

McCrory 11-9 in the final eight minutes but made only 2 of 10 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter. For the game, the Hornets made only 12 or 26 attempts.

McCrory hit a last-second shot to win the game.

JJ Pickney and Branch Williams led Hazen with nine points each.

Brodey Swaim had eight. Matthew Bokker had seven. Josh Dawson scored four.

Justin Schlenker had three.

Dylan Skarda had one.

Hazen is on the road for two games this week.

They play at KIPP Delta on Tuesday night then at first-place Barton on Friday.