Community Calendar of Events
Monday May 5 Hazen
Des Arc Police Department has busy April
The Des Arc Police Department has had a busy few weeks.
On 4/21/25 the Des Arc Police Department conducted a round up after a lengthy investigation into drug activity in the city. This operation concluded this morning with the execution of 5 residential search warrants and 8 probation/parole searches. Multiple firearms and methamphetamine were seized. The following suspects were taken into custody.
Devante Young – 3 counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine; 1 count of Maintaining a Drug Premises
Ronnie Roland – 1 count of Delivery of Methamphetamine
Nicholas Cashin – 1 count of Delivery of Methamphetamine
Doug Caruthers – 1 count of Delivery of Methamphetamine
Daymeun Johnson –Domestic Battery warrant
Jordan Halloway – 1 count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Felony Fraud warrantj
Brittany Eslick – 1 count of Possession of Methamphetamine
James Heffington – 1 count of Theft of Property (felony)
Royce Bell – FTA warrant on felony Possession of a Controlled Substance
Chelsea Novak – 1 count Theft by Receiving (felony)
Natasha Jackson –Probation revocation warrant Matthew McFarlin –Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (felony)
Catlyn Jensen – FTA warrant
Shelly Evans – Battery 3rd warrant The Des Arc Police Department is actively seeking Winter Holloway who is wanted for 3 counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine and 1 count of Maintaining a Drug Premises. If anyone has
Hazen hires new mosquito control company
The Hazen City Council met in a called meeting on Thursday, April 24, to hire a mosquito control company for the town. Mayor David Hardke, Recorder/Treasurer David Hoover, and Councilmembers Larry Anthony, Barbara Rogers, Bob and Tim Juola, and Dallas Taylor were present. In a work session held earlier in the month, the council interviewed Tim Green, the Regional Director for Vector Disease Control Int’l, LLC, about hiring his company to be in charge of the mosquito control in Hazen. A&M Flying Service, Inc. had asked to terminate their contract with the city, and the council agreed, thus creating a need for a new mosquito abatement company. After looking over the contract, the council unanimously passed Resolution 596, hiring Vector Disease Control for an annual cost of $57,500. The contract will include mosquito surveillance and disease testing conducted from late April/May until October (24 weeks). Mosquitoes collected
from surveillance traps will be counted, identified by species, and tested for disease. The company will provide weekly, monthly, and annual reports to the city regarding the test results.
Ultra-low volume truck mounted adulticiding chemical application will also be done throughout the 24 week season with up to three city-wide applications per week. Two different insecticides will be used to prevent mosquito resistance. The company will also provide backpack sprayer application of granule insecticides, rotating two different larvicidal products to prevent mosquito resistance. The company will also maintain a toll-free mosquito hotline that will accept resident phone calls regarding mosquito annoyance complaints.
The company provides services for the cities of Carlisle and England, and both are pleased with the results according to Hardke. The contract will run from April of 2025, until November of 2027.
information on Holloway’s whereabouts please call the Des Arc Police Department. All suspects are presumed innocent.
The Des Arc Police Department takes seriously the safety and security of it’s citizens when it comes to drug sales and will not tolerate it. The Des Arc Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this operation.
Central Arkansas Drug Task Force Prairie County Sheriff’s Office
White County Sheriff’s Office
Searcy Police Department
Cabot Police Department 20th Judicial Drug Task Force
Arkansas Community Corrections Judsonia Police Department
Arkansas State Police Des Arc Ambulance Service
MEMS Ambulance Service
Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney Abram Skarda.
On Thursday, April 24th at approximately
9:49 pm Des Arc Police department was dispatched to
This is still an ongoing investigation. Thanks to Prairie County Sheriff’s office for their assistance.
Sonia Marie (Smith)
Weatherley
Sonia Marie (Smith) Weatherley passed away at the young age of 53, on April 21, 2025 at Unity Medical Center in Searcy. She was born on January 10, 1972, in Stuttgart and was the only child of Dove and Lynn Smith. Her life was characterized by love, dedication, and her deep connection
to family. She leaves behind her devoted husband of 19 years, Robert Weatherly, two sons, Mason and Dalton, and her loving father, Dove Smith. Sonia and Robert shared a bond that was unbreakable. Having made the choice of a lifetime commitment they married on December 10, 2005. Sonia cherished the outdoors and enjoyed activities that ranged anywhere from embracing the peacefulness of working in her yard to the thrill of nature, while deer hunting.
In her professional life, Sonia worked as a cook at several different local restaurants. She also spent countless hours caring for McBee Cemetery.
One of her most profound accomplishments was her unwavering faith, which led her to becoming a member of the Assembly of God Church, of Des Arc, in 2014. Sonia's commitment to her beliefs was a testament to her kind and compassionate nature.
She will truly be missed by all that knew her.
Hazen School District makes rules for
safe room use and makes personnel changes
The Hazen School Board met in a regular meeting on Monday, April 14, in the high school library.
Superintendent Andy Barrett presented a list of rules for the use of the district’s safe room during storms. He said that about 100 people used the safe room during the last storm and that some brought their pets.
Barrett was worried that this might be a problem for small children, so the district will post the new safe room rules for the public before the next major storm in the area.
Barrett also said that he had gotten three proposals for furniture in the cafeteria. The cost will be $74,454.60, and the money for the new tables and chairs will be taken from the millage funds. The Palmer
Arkansas Press Association
Member 2025
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
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Prairie County
HHS Boys and Girls State attendees...
Managing Editor/Publisher
Roxanne Bradow
Circulation/Accounts
Trudy Johnson
Sports Editor
Mark Buffalo
Correspondent
Lisa Mills
Correspondent
Debbye Harrison
Photographer
Ruth Corley
Hamilton company will work on the design with the cafeteria team. All of the furniture will be folding and moveable for cleaning and will also be height adjustable. The district will try to sell the existing furniture. The board made changes to the salary schedule, first separating the maintenance supervisor position from that of the transportation director. Kim Anderson will be the transportation director. The second change was to add steps to the salary schedule this year, but the Personal Policies Committee will have to review this.
Jessica Mulherin Howard presented the k12 district calendar for 2025-26. The Pre-K will make a separate calendar since they are not state regulated like the district is.
Superintendent Andy Barrett will be serving on the Wilbur Mills Educational Cooperative Superintendents’ Board.
The district has negotiated a contract for copiers and printers. The cost will be reduced due to fewer copies made since the last contract was signed.
The board voted to use the Monday after Easter to make up one of the district’s snow days. The principals reported
that there was growth on the NWEA assessments from January to April in 7th and 8th grade literacy and math. The Honor’s Banquet was also announced as were the seven juniors who will attend Boys and Girls State. The prom went well. The district will meet with architects to examine the drawings for the Agri building and the Pre-K building. Plans have also begun for the girls’ athletic facility, and the contract has been finalized with the construction manager. In personnel, Donnie Boothe was hired to fill the vacant Assistant Principal position for the rest of the year. Breanna Honnoll was hired to be a paraprofessional in the elementary school. Heath Prine’s resignation as of June 6 was accepted. The board went into executive session, but no action was taken when they returned.
Kristie D’Angelo told the board about the 4th graders’ field trip to the Environmental Science Outdoor Camp at Five Oaks. The students learned about banding, wildlife and wetlands, and went on a wilderness scavenger hunt. She emphasized the hands-on learning that the students experienced.
D A’ s B ar b aree resigns
Des Arc head football coach Brandon Barbaree has resigned after three seasons as head coach of the Eagles. Barbaree’s
three Des Arc teams were a combined 25-11. His teams shared conference titles in 2022 and 2024.
Des Arc Boys and Girls State...
Arkansas State Senate Report
By Senator Ron Caldwell
LITTLE ROCK – The legislature agreed on three proposed amendments to the state Constitution. One measure would expand the economic development authority of local governments. Another proposal would protect the right to keep firearms, ammunition, firearm accessories and components. The third proposed amendment would prohibit people who are not citizens of the United States from voting.
Senate Joint Resolution 15 is the proposed economic development amendment. If voters approve it, the General Assembly would pass enabling legislation that sets the parameters for cities and counties to create economic development districts. Neighboring states have similar economic development laws.
The 2025 Regular Session wrapped up its final week of official business, marking several major legislative achievements.
The House adopted two proposed constitutional amendments: SJR15, allowing the General Assembly to establish economic development districts, and SJR11, affirming the fundamental right to keep and bear arms, including the use of ammunition and firearm accessories for lawful purposes. These will appear on the November 2026 ballot alongside HJR1018, the Citizens Only Voting Amendment.
Lawmakers also passed HB2003, the Revenue Stabilization Law, which sets the Fiscal Year 2026 budget with a 2.9% increase in state
spending. Key allocations include $1 million for foster care, $4.3 million for juvenile facilities, $13 million for maternal health, and $90 million for Educational Freedom Accounts.
SB636 allocates surplus funds with $136 million for state property insurance, $100 million for Medicaid sustainability, $90 million for the Education Funding Act, and $45 million for discretionary needs.
SB290 introduces a process for future watershed moratoriums while protecting current ones for the Buffalo River and Lake Maumelle.
SB612 allows parents to sue social media companies if the platform design harms their child’s mental health. Throughout the session,
the 95th General Assembly prioritized maternal health, education, and child safety.
Lawmakers passed measures to safeguard children from social media harms, banned cell phones in schools to reduce distractions, and reformed higher education. A landmark step was taken by funding free school breakfasts for every Arkansas student.
Finally, families will see relief at the checkout line with the elimination of the state grocery tax.
The House will formally adjourn the 2025 Regular Session on May 5, ending a session focused on health, safety, and opportunity for all Arkansans.
Supporters of SJR 15 say that Arkansas is at a disadvantage in recruiting retail outlets, new homes and office parks.
Local governments could create districts of varying sizes, to suit their goals. They could be geographically large in order to promote housing and development in a certain part of town. They could be relatively small to stimulate investment to restore a few deteriorating buildings.
A local development district could freeze property taxes at existing rates for a set period of time, for example, for 10 years. Revenue for local schools would remain stable. New businesses would have an incentive to move into the district to get a break on property taxes for 10 years.
The amendment, if approved by voters, would also allow districts to freeze local sales taxes to encourage economic development.
Also, districts could issue bonds for public improvements, to be paid off with district revenues.
Arkansas voters have approved a similar economic development plan when they voted in favor of Amendment 78 in 2000 by a vote of 427,000 to 356,000. However, a legal challenge that went to the Supreme Court resulted in the repeal of several provisions, diminishing its effectiveness as an economic development tool.
In every regular session the legislature can refer up to the three proposed amendments. The Secretary of State will assign numbers to the proposals adopted by the legislature. They will be labeled Issue One, Issue Two and Issue Three, and they will be on ballots statewide in the November general election next year.
A second proposed amendment is SJR 11 to protect the right of citizens to keep and bear arms, for their defense, for hunting, for recreational use and for any other lawful purpose. The right includes the possession and use of ammunition, firearm components and firearm accessories. If approved by voters it would take effect January 1, 2027. The third proposed amendment is House Joint Resolution 1018, known as the Citizens Only Voting Amendment. It states that only United States citizens are allowed to vote in state and local elections. When the legislature refers a proposed amendment to the ballot, it is in the form of a Joint Resolution that originates in either the House or the Senate. This year representatives introduced 20 proposed amendments, and they were narrowed down to HJR 1018. Senators introduced 24 proposals and they were narrowed down to SJR 15 and SJR 11.
Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, April 30, 2025
