DVB appproves land sale

By Lisa Mills

The DeValls Bluff City Council met on July 13th with Mayor

Thelma Gray and Council Members

Shirley Goff, Jackie Adcock, Carol Griffin, Alice Metcalf, Marie Flanagan, and Pam Del Giorno in attendance.

The council approved a motion to sell .43 acres to MFA Oil for $10,000 with the buyer paying all closing costs.

Shirley Goff voted against the motion stating that she didn’t feel like the city should sell any streets and she thought that an ordinance had been approved stating that the city would not sell any city streets.

Attorney Mike Stuart said that this property did not include any streets.

Police Chief Jeremy Murphy reported that there were three arrests, three criminal citations, and seven traffic citations in June. He said that one of the arrests was for former DVB Fire Chief Kelly Hutchinson for felony theft.

Fire Chief Glenn Gladish reported that there were no fires, three medical assists, two public assists, and two drills in June.

Gladish also presented the council with information on “Lexipol Grant Services”, a grant writing service. He asked the council to look at the information and consider hiring them to find and apply for grants. He said that there are grants available that Central Arkansas Planning and Development can’t help with.

Jackie Adcock told the council that something needed to be done about the old “Hope Chest”. He said that the items inside and outside need to be removed, the property cleaned up, and a new lock put on the door. He asked who is responsible for the contents. Leah Woodall stated that the “Hope Chest” organization had disbanded, and people are just dumping items illegally. No action was taken for a solution.

Adcock also mentioned that there is a tree at the West side of the old elementary school building that needs to be trimmed because limbs are hanging over the building that could cause major damage if they fell, and there is also a cedar tree growing through and over the fence that needs to be removed.

Alice Metcalf stated that the mayor has the authority to direct city employees to take care of it. Goff volunteered to take care of it.

Adcock said the city workers are paid to take care of things like that.

Goff said, “I am volunteering to do something for my community like more people should do.”

Pam DelGiorno said, “But you could get hurt.” Adcock said, “It’s between you and the mayor if you do it. It just needs to be done.”

DelGiorno reminded the council that there had still not been anything done about more lighting outside the city hall building. Mayor Gray said she had put in a work order. DelGiorno asked, “Don’t we need an electrician?” Metcalf said that she knew someone who could install the lights at no cost to the city, and she would contact him. DelGiorno also stated, “We really need to update our dog ordinance and hire a dog catcher. Police Chief Murphy said that there was no need to hire a dog catcher without having a shelter.

Metcalf said that new grants would start being available in the fall so they should look for grants to help fund a shelter.

The council approved three building permits: Roger Orman III for a mobile home at 402B Prairie Street, Gerald Castleberry for a mobile home at 111 No. Cedar Street, and Jonathan Nagg for a mobile home at 953 E. Cypress Street.

Pacen Seely of Hazen wins national softball championship

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

Paycen Seely of Hazen won a national championship in softball with the Elite Sluggers, based out of Cabot.

Seely’s team won the FASA 12-and-under Swamp Tour National Championship in Youngsville, La.

The Sluggers went undefeated in bracket play and won the championship game 3-2 in extra innings.

Seely batted higher than .500 during the national tournament and had a .583 on base percentage during the tournament.

The Elite Sluggers is one of about handful of open teams in the state, forcing them to play up in the 14-and-under age group most of the season. The Sluggers were 2612 in 12 open and 18-10 when playing in 14-and under.

“This accomplishment by my team is something I will never forget,

PC Library System gives away free books and supplies

The DeValls Bluff Public Library hosted a free book fair on Friday, July 14, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for children of all ages.

Those who attended could choose books to take home, and they also got to take home free school supplies as well, including crayons, coloring books, pencils, comic books, markers, and folders. Candy was also available for the taking.

Librarians April Highfill, Janie Starr, Janae Thompson, and Karen Tipton welcomed those who attended. (Janae Thompson photos.)

Brown hired as new DA coach

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor

Des Arc High School has a new girls basketball coach.

Chris Brown, the girls basketball coach the previous four years at Lonoke HIgh School, was hired to replace Ryan Smith last week. Smith resigned to become assistant coach at Vilonia High School.

“The opportunity is great,” Brown said.

“When we [Lady Jackrabbits] went over there and played, the atmosphere was great. They had a lot of community support. It looked like the kids really enjoyed basketball.

“When the Des Arc position came open, I got a call from Marc Sherrell [Des Arc superintendent] just to see if I was even interested.

Then, a few days after talking, it came around that this might be a spot where I want to be. It’s a small school and a small community that really supports their people. It just felt like a good opportunity at the time.”

Sherrell said the school is excited to have Brown as its new girls basketball coach.

“He has met with the players and parents to discuss expectations,” Sherrell said of Brown.

“We are very impressed with his plans for the future of the team, and feel that the Lady Eagles will continue to compete at a high level.” Brown said things have gone well for him so far at Des Arc.

“We had a parent meeting and probably had 30 people show up,” he said. “It was a really good turnout. The community seems really excited. When they announced that I got the job, I can’t tell you how many community mem-

PC Q uorum Court

(Continued from p. 1) coming home from open nationals a champion is a great feeling,” Seely said.

Seely wants to thank all the local people that have supported her along the way.

Seely will be moving up to 14-and-under this fall while staring her seventh year of travel softball. She will also be starting her fourth and final year for the Hazen Stingers 14-and-under team before moving up to play for the Hazen Lady Hornets high school softball team. includes public comment, although this is never on the court’s agenda. “This bickering and fighting is helping no one,” one person said. “It’s not going to work unless you work together.”

Other attendants also addressed the court concerning the county budget and the stress that questions over it is causing, especially for those justices on the budget committee.

The meeting ended with Hooks asking why the courthouse maintenance account was overspent by $77,000. Hale explained that the county has to bers reached out, sent me Facebook messages. The community support has been great. The people are really energized. People are excited. They are ready to see where the program go on from where Ryan left it.

“Ryan left it in a really good spot. He did a great job.” pay the bills first, but then the county will be reimbursed. Several side conversations continued after the meeting was adjourned both inside and outside the annex, with local people asking questions and giving advice.

Brown is a native of Charles. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, earning his degree in 2013. He coached one year at Brinkley then three years at Fayetteville before getting the job at Lonoke.

Proverbs 17:22.

Have giggle will laugh ...

by Dr. James L. Snyder

I have many problems in my life. I have yet to recognize all of my problems, but I'm sure I will soon.

That's why it's so great to be married to someone like The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. There is no problem she cannot fix, and I have many examples to prove it. There is one problem she hasn't been able to fix. That is, I laugh too much. At least, according to her.

If something happens or someone says something, I will start to giggle, and I know that in a short time, I will be laughing. I know how to laugh better than anybody I know.

Just ask The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Through the years, I have tried to moderate it.

I don't want to laugh at everything even though there is a giggle inside of me. Most people don't think everything is funny, while I, on the other side, can’t think of anything that isn’t funny.

Someone may tell me something or say something unwittingly, and I begin to giggle. I know when that starts I have no control over my gig- gle-itis. The only cure I have found for giggle-itis is laughter. Someone may be telling a very serious story about their life, and I hear it wrong and think they are saying something altogether different, and it kicks in my giggle-itis.

It wouldn't be so bad if I could control it when it happens, but as history has proven, I cannot.

I do try to keep some things serious. I must confess, however, that changes from day to day. What is serious today may not be serious tomorrow, and I am the last one to know how to control that.

I've often discussed this with The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, and she has tried to counsel me in this area on how to control my laughter.

I try to explain to her that it is not so much the laughter as it is the giggle. If I could control my giggles, I wouldn't have any problem with laughter. She doesn't get it and laughs at me. You must agree, there are many things in this world that are funny. And I do not believe we should overlook or ignore those situations.

Last week I was standing in line at the post office, and at the counter was a very nice older lady. She was paying for some postage and gave the cashier a $50 bill. Then the cashier, preparing to give her money back, said something strange. He said, "Mam, what denomination would you like?"

I hadn't heard that in a long time and was anxious to hear how the lady would respond. She looked at the cashier with a very serious look and said, "Sir, I’m a Baptist, so give it to me in Baptist denomination."

Little did I know she was not joking, but I laughed at her, trying to conceal it. The cashier stared at her, not knowing what to do. I'm not sure what money he gave her because I was laughing too much on the inside. It's so hard for me to laugh on the inside and keep it from getting on the outside. What is inside eventually comes outside. I was laughing about that for the rest of the day. And still, when I think of it, I chuckle on the inside. Just the other day, The Gracious Mistress of the

Parsonage came and informed me that she would be gone for the day, thrift store shopping with her daughters. Looking at me, she seriously said, "Can you get your own lunch today while I'm gone?" That tripped the giggle button inside for some reason, and my giggleitis had kicked in. Looking at her while giggling, I said, "Don't worry. I'll clean the refrigerator out by the time you get home."

Then I started laughing almost uncontrollably. She, on the other hand, looked at me with her infamous scowl and said, without laughing, "I don’t think so." I could not stop laughing as she walked out the front door. Several hours later, I was still laughing, and went and looked in the refrigerator to see how much work I had on hand. When I opened the refrigerator door, I immediately stopped laughing. There at the front was a bowl of broccoli. I know she did that on purpose, and it cured my giggle-itis for a moment. I had to devise a plan for that broccoli to make me laugh and her scowl. Now the giggle-

St. John's Baptist Church Biscoe, AR 870-998-2777

Sunday School 10 A.M.

Worship 11 A.M. Rev. William Brown - pastor

Holy Temple Church of God in Christ

Elder James Clark, Pastor

Sunday School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11 AM

Jehovah Community Temple Church 710 Sycamore St, DeValls Bluff, AR

Elder Ronnie Mosby

Sunday 10:30 AM

Monday Bible School 7 PM

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church

Pastor Alan Minton Hwy.

70 West of DeValls Bluff

Sunday School-10:00 a.m.

Sunday morning -11:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening-5:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night-7:00 p.m.

Zion Lutheran Church Hwy 79 PO Box 158 Ulm, AR 72170

Phone: 870-241-3778 email: zionlutheran@hotmail.com itis is beginning to turn on.

I think a bowl of Apple Fritters would be an excellent replacement. This is one of the few items that will make the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage scowl. To see that scowl will be worth all I can offer at this time.

Just the thought of that began a giggle inside of me. Thinking more of this it developed into laughter. I just can’t wait to get even.

While I was laughing, I thought of one my favorite Bible verses. “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15.

When I think of broccoli I have evil feelings, but the Apple Fritter thought brings a lot of merriment to me.

Then I remembered Proverbs 17:22. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.co m, website www.jamessnyderministries.com.

Sunday School at 10 am Worship at 11am Bible study: Wed at 5:30

The Apostolic Church of Des Arc

712 Calhoun Street Services Sunday at 10:30 and Wednesday at 7:30

Pastor Russell Penn St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Biscoe

Pastor Jerry Saxton

Sunday School 10:00-11:00 Service 11:00-12:00

Oasis Church of Hazen

113 North Hazen Ave.

Sunday Service 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Service 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Teddy Walker 870-255-5640

Family Worship Center

9th & Main St. Des Arc, AR 72040

Sunday School 10 am

Sunday Service 11 am & 6 pm

Wednesday Bible Study 7 pm

Pastors Mike Edwards and Patrick “Woody” Lantrip

PM

Wednesday Mass in Spanish 5:30 PM

Holy Hour & Confessions 6:05PM

Friday (except First Friday) Mass 8:30AM

Saturday Mass in Spanish 7:00 PM

United Methodist Church of DeValls Bluff Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff AR.

Pastor Chris Wright

Sunday Morning Worship: 9 AM

Friendship Lunch: 3rd Wed. of Month, 11:30 AM

First Baptist Church of DeValls Bluff

Pastor Bobby Powers P. O. Box 358 Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff, AR.

Phone (870) 998 - 7118

Sunday School: 9:45 AM

Morning Worship: 11 AM

Evening Worship: 5 PM

Wednesday Evening: 7 PM

Mount Olive MB Church Highway 70, DeValls Bluff, AR.

Rev. Tony Haskins

Sunday School: 9:30AM

Worship Service: 11 AM

Peppers Lake Church of Christ Hwy 302, SE of DeValls Bluff, AR.

Sunday - Bible Study: 10 AM

Worship: 11 AM Evening Service: 6 PM

AR

Elder Lee Russel Penn, Pastor

First Pentecostal Church of Prairie County 3201 Hwy. 70 E., Hazen, AR (870) 255-9177

Pastor J N Holmes

Sunday 10 A.M. Wednesday 7 P.M.

First Baptist Church 319 Court St., P. O. Box 25, Carlisle, AR

Phone (870) 552 - 7732

David Lee - Pastor Sun School: 9:45 AM Worship: 11 AM Awana: 5 PMWorship: 7 PM

Holy Temple COGIC

Elder McFadden, Pastor

St. John's Lutheran Church

Fifth and College

Wednesday - Bible Study: 7 PM

Union Chapel FreeWill Baptist Church Metcalf Road, Rt.1, DeValls Bluff, AR

Pastor Darrell Foster

Sunday School: 9:30 AM

Worship Service: 11 AM

Sts. Cyril & Methodius

Catholic Church Highway 86, Slovak, AR.

Fr. Shaun Wesley, School: 9:45 AM Mass: 8:30 AM

Thursday Holy Hours 5:00 pm and Mass at 6:00pm

Biscoe Baptist Church Biscoe, AR.

Pastor David Rogers

Joshua D. Jacobs & Yvonne J. Petrus

Prairie County is now accepting applications for Prairie County Assessor. Applications and resumes can be turned in at the Des Arc County Courthouse Annex in Des Arc for the next two weeks. For more information about the position and its requirements, call 870-256-3741 .

Anderson Striping, Inc is hiring! 2 full time positions! We are a small and family-owned company. Starting ASAP!

You can call, email or apply in person at 2888 Hwy 70 East, Lonoke, Arkansas 72086 or call 501-676-0148, or email la@andersonstripingimc.com

Starting at $17.00 per hour. Sign on bonus, if you stay to the end of the year. Paid Holidays. Limited sick leave. Some Bonuses and over time. Must pass a drug test and be able to lift 60 pounds. Work hours are Monday thru Friday, some weekends, and over night. Must be able to travel. Must have a valid drivers license not a CDL and be able to operate a truck, pulling a loaded 16 ft trailer. Must be able to insure. Must have a good attitude, follow directions and be willing to learn.