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Community Calendar of

Events

Friday

September 5

Hazen Hornets vs Des Arc Eagles

7:00 p.m. Eagle Field

Carlisle Bison @ Palmer, MS

Sunday September 7

Grandparents’ Day

Monday September 8

Hazen Chamber of Commerce meeting

6:00 pm.

Carlisle School Board meeting 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday September 9 Quorum Court meeting Annex Building 6:00 p.m.

Dementia Care Giver meeting 10:00 a.m. Hazen Senior Center

Thursday September 18 DeValls Bluff City Council meeting 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday September 23

Big Trash pickup

Thursday

September 25

Hazen City Council meeting

6:00 p.m.

Community events brought to you by

Please call The Grand Prairie Herald (255-4538) to list events.

Are you ready for some football?...

Des Arc holds public meeting to address city’s water

On August 25th, over 40 people crowded into the Municipal court room at Des Arc City Hall to hear about possible solutions to the city and county water problems. The meeting was called by the city council after some heated discussions at the regular council meeting on August 19th. Mayor Roger Scott, and council members Doug Estes, Keith Knupp, Virgil Moore, Nicole Fisher, Russell Smith, and Joey York were present.

Mayor Scott asked Estes to preside over the meeting. Estes apologized to Mayor Scott for his behavior at the council meeting.

“Something has to be done about our water problem and we need to make a collective decision about how to fix it as soon as possible.”. Estes said.

Knupp stated that there isn’t just one problem, but several. Especially in the last few months, there has been one issue after another. One is that the current contractor should have already been finished with the work he is doing. We are fining him everyday, hoping he will be finished very soon. Another problem is that the computer system was hit by lightning and has not been repaired. A tree fell on a line, just one thing after another. Knupp said, “There are rumors that the mayor and the council just don’t care but that is just not true. We all use the same water and have the same issues as everyone else. We are working hard to find the best solution as fast as we can, but our problems didn’t happen overnight and they can’t be fixed overnight.”

He said that the council is looking into companies, like ClearWater, to take over the day to day management of the water treatment plant. They have walked through the plant and looked at all that is involved and prepared a

proposal for us to consider. They are proposing a five year contract, but we have told them we would not want more than a two year contract.

All council members agreed that there needs to be a decision made as soon as possible to get the water treatment system up and running efficiently and be properly monitored and maintained 24/7.

A citizen asked why hiring someone like ClearWater is better than hiring an individual to manage the system. Knupp answered that the city has been advertising for someone for over two years but finding someone who is licensed and certified is hard. He also said that paying the salary that would be required plus benefits would end up costing more. Mayor Scott said that he strongly feels that hiring someone local would be better and he would like to have someone intern under someone licensed, then pass the tests to get certifications. A citizen stated that it sounds like the best option for now is to hire a company for the two years, and then maybe the city could find the right person.

Moore suggested hiring ClearWater with the shortest contract possible. Knupp agreed that this seems to be the best solution to get through the current problems, then maybe hire someone local.

Johnny Reidhar from East Prairie County Water spoke to the council and audience about ClearWater. He said that he was constantly having issues with their water, when trying to have their own employees maintain the system until they contracted with ClearWater. He said that he couldn’t say anything negative about them and they have fixed the big issues with East Prairie’s water. “I highly recommend them to help you," Reidhar said.

A citizen stated that regardless of whether a

company or individual is hired, customers have to have a better communication from the city. Not everyone has facebook or internet and everyone needs to know quickly when there is

an issue with the water. Estes said that he has been looking into things like a “one call” system and hopes to have something to bring to the September council meeting.

A citizen asked when ClearWater would be hired and start working, if that is what was decided? Knupp said they would hope to be under contract beginning October 1st.

Grand Prairie DAR to observe Constitution Week 2025

Grand Prairie

Daughters of the American Revolution will again observe Constitution Week September 17-23. The Grand Prairie Chapter will sponsor the signing of Constitution Week proclamations by mayors of towns across the Grand Prairie, by school and public library programs and observances, and with the ringing of church bells as part of the Bells Across America project…all to honor and celebrate the 238th anniversary of the enacting of our Constitution.

The DAR initiated the observance in 1955, when the service organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate September 17–23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and on August 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into Public Law #915. The celebration’s goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787; to remind the public that

the Constitution is the basis of America’s great heritage and the foundation for its way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the U.S. Constitution.

In the photo above, Grand Prairie DAR Regent Cheryl Vickers, on left, Glennda Fread, and Nonnie Carroll are seen with the window display they designed for the Stuttgart Public Library window in observance of Constitution Week, Sept 17-23.

Hazen Schools discuss Pre-K building. ( See page 6.)
The Hazen Hornets lined up against the defending state champion Conway Christian last Friday night at Hornet Field for the opening game of the season. The story about the game can be
(Wendy Perry photo.)

Bison pull away from Lakeside, with 27-6 opening win

The Carlisle Bison opened the 2025 season with a 27-6 win over Lakeside in Lake Village on Friday night.

The Bison finished with 261 yards in total offense. The defense recovered two fumbles and had two interceptions.

Baylor Hauk, making his first start at quarterback, passed for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 65 yards on 12 carries.

Cajuan Pernell caught three passes for 70 yards. Mason Boyle caught two passes for 69

yards and a touchdown. Tyler Thrift caught three passes for 30 yards and two touchdowns.

Carlisle kicker Jimmy Cham made 3 of 4 extra points.

Carlisle coach Gary Wilson said he could tell it was the first game of the season by the way his team played.

“We were sloppy with a lot of the things we did,” he said. “It wasn’t all bad. I thought we played well defensively. We had some guys who caught the ball really well. Baylor, for the most part, did a good job of operating the offense. We’ve got some stuff

we’ve got to clean up so we can get our run game going, but I’m confident that we’ll get that done.”

Carlisle hosts M.S. Palmer of Marks, Miss., in the home opener at Fred C. Hardke Field this Friday. The Dragons are 0-2 after losses to Olive Branch and West Tallahatchie.

“We don’t know a whole lot about them,” Wilson said. “We just got the film on them [Sunday night]. They’ve got a running back who will be a handful. We’ve got to make sure we tackle well. If we do that, I think we’ll be okay.”

E agles to host H ornets in season opener this F riday

While most teams around the state started their season last Friday, the Des Arc Eagles had the week off before playing Hazen this Friday.

Member 2025 The Grand Prairie Herald (USPS) 225-680

“It was difficult for our kids,” Des Arc coach Nick Smith said. “You kind of go through the grind of the summer and go through the grind of fall camp. You get a little taste of it with the scrimmage. Then it’s back to the grind again.”

Smith said his team practiced a shorter amount of time last week.

“We just focused on fundamentals,” Smith said.

“We got back into our tackling circuits and our blocking circuits, just making sure we get back into our foundation before we get rolling into Hazen practice week.”

Smith said his team hit with the weight room quite a big last week.

“We got back into our conditioning,” he said.

“We were focusing on ourselves, our bodies and the basics when it

H ornets go toe-to-toe with defending state c hamps

The Hazen Hornets gave defending state champion Conway Christian all it wanted and then some in a 2420 loss on Friday night at Hazen.

Hazen played the entire second half without starting quarterback JJ Pinkney, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first half. He was kept out of the game for precautionary measures.

Conway Christian took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Hornets cut the deficit to 8-6 in the second quarter.

Conway Christian took a 16-6 lead on a long pass on the final play of

comes to the game of football.”

Smith said with it being Hazen week, the youth associations for both communities are playing youth games on Tuesday. The two teams play in junior high on Thursday before the trophy game Friday night. The communities are also collecting canned food for the food pantry in Prairie County.

“It should be a great environment,” Smith said. “We have the trophy that we play for.”

Smith said he knows it will be a tough game.

“Coach [Joe] Besancon does a great job,” Smith said. “He has for years. The thing that we keep preaching to our kids is that it’s all about us, keeping an inward focus. All that we can control is us, trying to become the best football players that we can be.”

M c Lean appointed to Carlisle Coun c il

The Carlisle City Council went into an executive session twice during its special meeting held on August 26 at 4:00 p.m. The special meeting was held to appoint a new council member and a parks director.

After going into the first executive session and interviewing two candidates, the board came back into session and Farris McLean for the Ward 2, Position 1 position. McLean was not present for the meeting.

After the second execu-

tive session, the board voted to extend the job offer to Austin Hayes. “I was very impressed with him,” Mayor Jon Plafcan said.

The board also voted to extend the mayor’s salary of $2500 a month for the remainder of his term.

The results of the 202223 state audit will be discussed and voted on in another special meeting on Tuesday, September 2, at 4 p.m. The no other business, the meeting was adjourned.

the first half.

Hazen stayed in it, scoring again to make the score 16-14. After Conway Christian scored to lead 24-14, the Hornets cut the deficit to 24-20.

Hazen’s Noah Adkins led his team in rushing with 92 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Jamel Paris scored the Hornet’s other touchdowns.

Paris led Hazen with nine tackles. Christian Hunt had eight.

“I feel like we had some chances,” Hazen coach Joe Besancon said. “We played the whole second half without JJ. That’s a big difference for us at quarterback. Overall, like I told the kids, we

didn’t play bad, but we didn’t play good either. We had some good things, and we had some bad things. There’s a lot of things we’ve got to clean up.”

Hazen travels to Des Arc on Friday night for the Eagles’ season opener.

“Des Arc is huge,” Besancon said. “They are probably, up front, on both sides of the ball, are the biggest team I’ve ever seen since I’ve been at Hazen. They are enormous. It’s already hard to keep someone from getting three yards every play. As big as they are, it makes the challenge even greater.” Kickoff at Des Arc is set for 7 p.m.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Zoning Change Request

The Des Arc Zoning & Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Des Arc City Council chambers at the request of Aaron Stuckey.

Aaron Stuckey is requesting a rezoning request for his property located at the corner of 7th and Anderson streets.

Mr. Stuckey is requesting a zoning change from R-4 Manufactured Home Park to R-3 Multi-Family Zone for Lots 5,6,7, & 8 in block 4 of the Walt's Addition. This change will match the zoning designation of the adjacent residential area. If this change is approved, the plans are to build homes that comply with the requirements of the R-3 zone. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments from the neighbors and citizens of the City of Des Arc. All interested persons are urged to attend.

3 - The

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, wavering.nothingFor he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

(James 1:5-6). I

Calvary Baptist Church

West North Front Street, Hazen, AR

Phone: (870) 255 - 4038

Christian VanHouten, pastor

Sunday School: 9:50 AM

Worship: 10:45 AM

BTC: 6 PM

Evening Worship 6:45 PM

Wednesday Bible Study: 7 PM

First Baptist Church

224 N. Hazen Ave.

Hazen, AR 72064

255 - 4464

Phone: (870)

Sunday Service

Sunday School: 10:00

AM Morning Worship: 11:00 AM

Evening Worship: 6:00

PM Wednesday Service

Adult Bible Study and Prayer 7:00 PM

Children's Program and "HYPE" Youth 7:00 p.m.

Center Point

Missionary Baptist Church

2997, Center Point Road, Hazen, AR

Bro. Brad Crumby

Pastor

Sunday School: 10 AM

Worship: 10:50 AM

BTC: 5 PM

Worship: 5:50 PM

by Dr. James L. Snyder

It was Thursday, and as usual, I was busy working on weekend projects. My biggest project, of course, was my Sunday sermon. Most people don't understand the amount of hard work that goes into preparing a Sunday sermon. And I work hard. I was spending time researching some ideas on Google. I spend a lot of time on Google because it helps with my research. I'm able to find certain subjects very quickly. Until Thursday, I didn't realize how much time I spent on Google. It’s really a blessing in my life. I had some coffee, and I was resting in my chair, thinking about what I was finding on Google. I thought back to when I was a youngster, and back then, we didn't have Google, nor did we have the Internet. What would young people do today if they didn't have Google, the Internet, or cell phones? I'm not sure they would have a life. In my younger days, we didn't have any of that, but there was one thing we did have that made all the difference in the world. We may not have had Google, but we had

Wednesday - Youth Night - 6:30 PM

Hazen First United Methodist Church 211 North Hazen Avenue, Hazen, AR

Phone (870) 255 - 4657

Pastor Chris Todd Sunday School: 9:45

AM Worship Service: 10:55 AM

Hazen Church of Christ 204 Adams Street, Hazen, AR.

Phone (870) 255 - 3633

Sunday - Bible Study: 10

AM Worship Service: 11 AM Sunday Night: 6 PM

Wednesday Bible Study: 7 PM

St. Peters Episcopal Church Highway 86, Tollville, AR. Worship Service: 9 AM

Sunday School: 10:30AM

Family Christian Fellowship 603 W WashingtonHazen, AR.

Pastor Scott Skarda 501-516-5971

Sunday: 10 AM, Wed, 6:30 PM

New Bethel MB Church 8525 New Bethel Road P.O. Box 87 Hazen, AR.

Grandma. I spent some time with my Grandma, especially during the summer. If I wanted to know anything, all I had to do was ask her, and she always had the answer. Looking back now, I realize how important my Grandma was to me in that regard. There wasn't a subject that I could bring up that she didn't know something about it. Whether she was making things up or not, I will never know. All I know is, she had an answer for every question I could put in front of her.

Once, I had to do an essay for my science class. I was really stumbling around, and then Grandma stopped by to visit us. When that happened, I had a brilliant idea.

I went to Grandma and asked her about my subject and if she knew anything about it. She said she did, and she began explaining everything to me about that, and I took notes. Looking at those notes afterward, I didn't quite understand everything, but I put them together as best I could and prepared my essay.

Pastor Bro. Freddie McCann Sunday School 10 am

Sunday Service 11 am

Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church

Pastor Dyrek Foshee 7474 Highway 86 North, Hazen, AR

Sunday School: 10 AMService: 11 AM

Sunday Night: 5 PM

Prairie Chapel MB Church Center of North Washington & Woodlawn, Hazen, AR.

Rev. Maurice WilliamsPastor Sunday School: 9:30AM Worship: 11AM

Wednesday 7 PM Bible Study

Carlisle Pentecostal

Church of God

Scott & McDonald Sts., Carlisle, AR.

Phone 501-438-1643

Pastor Daniel Strength Sunday School: 10 AM

Sunday Worship Service: 11 AM

Sunday Evening Service: 6 PM

Wednesday Evening Service: 7 PM

Mt Zion MB Church Rt 2 Carlisle, AR

Rev. Cruthfield, Pastor Sun. School 9:45 A.M.

Worship 11 A.M.

Wed Prayer & Bible

Class 7 P.M.

Fellowship M. B. Church

209 E. Claire St.

Des Arc, AR 72040 (870) – 256-3622

Sunday School – 9:45 am

Worship Service – 11:00 am

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 Streets, Stuttgart, AR

Phone (870) 673 - 2858

Rev. Andrew Toopes, Pastor Worship: 8:00 am10:15 am

Sunday School & Bible

Class: 9:15 AM

Radio - KWAK 10:15 AM

Sundays

www.stuttgartlutheran.com

Carlisle First

Methodist Church

215 East Third St., Carlisle, AR

Pastor - Joe Lowe

Phone (870) 552 - 7789

Sunday School: 9:45 AM

Worship: 10:45 AM

Immanuel Baptist Church

Pastor Bill Ricks

Highway 13 North

That was the first essay I received an A. My teacher took me aside and asked me how I came up with all of these wonderful ideas in my essay. I did not know what to say, I was a little embarrassed. I told him I had done research on that subject. He smiled at me, congratulated me, and said, "Well done. Keep up the good work."

I hope that when he said “keep up the good work,” he was referring to my relationship with my Grandma on these subjects.

I don't know how my grandmother got so smart. No matter what the subject people were talking about, my grandmother had something to say about it. She was known throughout the community as a very wise lady, and I could understand why.

I've always wanted to ask her how she knew all the things she knew. If I had that answer, maybe I could be as smart as she was. But I never dared to ask her why she was so smart about so many things.

Throughout my teenage years, I received advice from my grandmother. Her advice always turned

Carlisle, AR.

Phone (870) 552 - 3100

Sunday School: 9:45

AM Worship:11 AM

Sunday Evening: 6 PM

Wednesday Evening: 7 PM

Landmark Baptist Church 517 East Third, Carlisle, AR.

Phone (870) 552 - 3568

Pastor Albert Young Sunday School: 9:45 AM

Worship: 10:45 AM

BTC 6 PM - Worship 7

PM Wed. Evening: 7:30 PM

St. Rose Catholic Church Highway 70, Carlisle,AR.

Phone (870) 552 - 3601

Sunday Mass

10:30AM English

12:00PM Spanish

Tuesday Mass 6:00 PM

Wednesday Mass in Spanish 5:30 PM Holy Hour & Confessions 6:05 PM Friday (except First Friday) Mass 8:30AM Saturday Mass in English 5:00 PM

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

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. 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

Sunday School: 10 AM Worship Service: 11 AM & 7 PM

Training 6 PMWed. Service 7 PM First Assembly of God Hwy 33 and U.S. 70 Biscoe, Arkansas Sunday Services: 10:30 A.M., 6 P.M.

out to be the right advice. I learned to trust her advice, and it helped me out. One area of my life that I never ask her for advice on was my "Dating Life." Actually, I did not have such a life, but if I had sat down with Grandma, I'm sure she could have given me advice along that line. I'm not sure I would've taken her advice, but it probably would've been good advice. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't ask her about that. That may have changed my life entirely, and I'm glad my life is the way it is today. Every once in a while, when I'm searching for something on Google, I think of my Grandma. In my mind, she was Google before Google was even invented. Where she acquired all her wisdom is beyond me, but I was glad to draw on it when I needed to. I have learned that asking the right question to the right person will bring you to the right answer. And that sure described my Grandma. Thinking about that lately, I wanted to sit down with my Grandma and go over a

Wednesdays WNYG, Kids Club, Bible Study 7 P.M.

St. John's Baptist Church Biscoe, AR 870-998-2777 Sunday School 10 A.M. Worship 11 A.M. Rev. William Brownpastor

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

list of questions I have today. As I think of it, what would be some of the answers that she would give me?

Over the last few years, I hope I have inherited some of Grandma's wisdom. I'm not sure I have, but I'm going to pretend I did, and pass it on to my grandchildren, just like my Grandma did. A verse of Scripture came to mind. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:5-6). God’s wisdom is better than Grandma’s. I just need to ask Him. Asking opens the door to the flow of wisdom I need in my life.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com , website http://www.jamessnyderministries.com

Pastor Adam Bowman Hwy. 70 West of DeValls Bluff Sunday School-10:00 a.m. Sunday morning11:00 a.m. Sunday Evening-5:00 p.m. Wednesday Night-7:00 p.m Zion Lutheran Church Hwy 79 PO Box 158 Ulm,

WIN $50

ARMCHAIR

Rules of the Game

1. The contest is open to anyone except employees of the Herald Publishing Company and their immediate families. YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OF AGE TO ENTER.

2. Contest entries must be turned in to the Herald office, 111 Highway 70 East in Hazen,The deadline will be Friday at noon. Entries may be mailed to “Armchair Quarterback, P.O. Box 370, Hazen, AR 72064.” Or you may email your answers to heraldpublishing@gmail.com before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.

3. To enter, clip out the entry blank and pick the team you think will win from the games listed in each ad. Write the name of the team in the appropriate blank. If you think the game will end in a tie, write “tie” in the blank. For the 20th game, pick a winner and predict a total number of points scored in the game. Total point predictions will be used as a tie-breaker if two or more entries correctly guess the same number of winners. The entry with the most correct game winner predictions wins the $50 cash prize. If a tie still exists after the total point predictions are judged, the prize money will be divided.

4. Each entry must be filled out completely and legibly to be eligible.

5. Contestants who win will not be eligible for the following week’s contest.

6. Only the person whose name appears on the winning entry may claim the prize unless other arrangements have been made and agreed to by the Herald Publishing Company.

7. All entries become the property of the Herald Publishing Company and will not be returned.

8. The name of the winner of each week’s contest will be announced in the following week’s edition of The Grand Prairie Herald

9. All decisions of the judges will be final.

10. Only two entries per household will be judged.

11. Occasionally, game schedules are changed after the contest games have been selected. If this week’s line-up does not correspond to the games being played, the game or games in question will be voided and the contest will be judged on the basis of the remaining games.

To Whom It May

Concern: A 2015 Freightliner Cascadia 125 VIN# 3AKJGEDV7FSGA2013 was picked up on July 22, 2025 at the request of Arkansas State Police. This vehicle is in the possession of Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service 1111 Hwy 70 W, Hazen Ar. 72064, (870)255-3305.

normal business hours, MonFri, 8am-5pm, provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

Towing, storage, & administrative costs are accruing as legal liability of the owner. Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority possessory lien on

To Whom It May Concern: A 2014 Jeep Cherokee VIN# C4PJLCB3EW305457 was picked up at the request of the Arkansas State Police on August 3, 2025 , This vehicle is in the possession of Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service 1111 Hwy 70 W, Hazen Ar. 72064, (870)255-3305.

the said vehicle and its content 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 lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle.

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

Towing, storage, & administrative costs are accruing as legal liability of the owner. Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority possessory lien on the said vehicle and its content 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 lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle.

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

Rice Research and Extension Center Field Day brings ag professionals 2025 reality

HOT DAY, HOT SEASON — Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, speaks to attendees at the 2025 Rice Research and Extension Field Day in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

STUTTGART, Ark. —

“As the saying goes: If you don’t have anything nice to say, come stand by me,” said Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, kicking off his 2025 crop report at the annual Rice Research and Extension Center field day. Shaded from the noonday sun, Hardke spelled out what rice growers in Arkansas are dealing with in 2025 as nighttime temperatures remain stubbornly high.

More than 200 producers, consultants and other agriculture industry professionals attended the annual Rice Research and Extension Center field day on Aug. 7. As hayride tours wound their way around the vast research plots, visiting entomologists, plant pathologists and other crop specialists along the way, attendees experienced the season’s full heat throughout the morning, despite the decision to begin field tours at 7:30 a.m.

Hardke said that the morning’s temperatures were a fair snapshot of the conditions shaping the state’s 2025 rice crop.

“While these 95, 96degree temperatures aren‘t very enjoyable for us, it’s not awful for the rice,” he said. “The problem we’re focused on is that the nights have stayed as hot as they have. We can’t be definitive in what that impact is going to be, because it hasn’t always been extremely high, but we know it’s not good.”

Generally speaking, Hardke said, when nighttime temperatures don’t drop below 74 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods, rice grains can adopt a high degree of chalkiness, affecting milling yields.

Low milling yields are not a new frustration for Arkansas rice growers. In 2024, harvests delayed by late summer rains and the remnants of Hurricane Francine pushing into Arkansas in mid-September led to notably low milling yields on an otherwise successful, high-yielding crop. Like many row crops in the region, the 2025

Plantation Agriculture

Arkansas rice crop was essentially broken into two phases — fields planted before the rain and flooding events of early April, and the fields planted (or replanted) after. Even throughout May, however, periodic rains kept many growers from planting. In June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reduced Arkansas’ estimated 2025 rice acreage from more than 1.4 million acres down to 1.26 million acres.

Hardke said that between the “spread out” nature of this year’s planting, and the unevenness of rainfall across the state, the yield and milling potential of any given field is unknowable at this point.

“You’ll never get me to walk into a rice field and tell you what it’s going to yield,” he said. “We’re not going to chase that.”

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension.

M useu m

host Anti q ue T ractor and Engine Sho w (SCOTT, Ark.) –Plantation Agriculture Museum is hosting the 33rd Annual Antique Tractor and Engine Show on Saturday, September 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. During the event, owners and operators of antique tractors and small engines will be on-site to share the story of these machines and their role in Arkansas’ rich agricultural history. The event will also feature lawn

games, food trucks, and other family-friendly activities. The antique tractors will parade in the park at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors can view the park’s collection of antique tractors, a 1919 Munger cotton gin and press, a restored seed warehouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and artifacts related to the history of agriculture in Arkansas.

Additionally, this will be the opening of the museum’s fall exhibit,

Hazen School Board discusses Pre-K building plans, budget

The Hazen School Board met in a special meeting on Monday, August 25, to hear a report from Taggart Architect representatives on the plans for the new pre-k building. The representatives presented the first plan for the building, and also a revised, cheaper version.

Board President Mason Sickel reminded the Taggart representatives that the board had set a

budget of $1.8 million for the construction.

Taggart will work with the school administration and the Pre-K director to look for ways to reduce the cost to stay within the budget.

The board was assured that the new gym weight room will be within budget.

The board also approved a resolution for Local Support and Partnership Project

applications for the high school lower hall addition. November is the pre-application date for a review of the building plans. September, 2026, is the approval date for the 40% state matching funds, then the district will find out if they will receive the funds. The board went into executive session and returned with no action taken. Then the meeting was adjourned.

Des Arc schools report great beginning to 2025-2026

The Des Arc School Board met on August 25th. Superintendent Marc Sherrell, High School Principal B.J. Paschal, Elementary Principal Stacy Childers, Treasurer Natasha Richards, and board members Johnny Reidhar, Drew Widener, Billy Hinson, Charlie Brown, T.J. English, Brent Calhoun, and Jordan Smith were present. Superintendent Sherrell reported that current enrollment for PreK-12th grade is 681. He also stated that the new concession stand at the football field is complete and remodeling will gradually start on the restrooms.

Arkansoul: A Glimpse into Arkansas’s Food Heritage. Through stories and artifacts, this exhibit will allow visitors to explore the history and tradition of Arkansas foodways. Visitors to the museum will be able to view Arkansoul from Sept. 13 until Jan. 4, 2026. From Sept. 6-14, Plantation Agriculture Museum will also be collecting glass recycling at the museum as part of the Great Arkansas Cleanup.

Paschal reported that the new year is off to a good start in High School. He said that, so far, the no cell phone policy is working great and there have been no issues. Some key actions this year include creating a partnership with Phillips Community College so more students can take

college courses, working to push the “Work Keys” exam for seniors to have a career credential as defined by the state, making sure 9th graders are on a path to be a “completer” in the agriculture, business, computer science, or education pathway, and focusing on intervention time.

Childers reported that the new year was going well in the Elementary School. She said they have started a two period lunch schedule which is working really well. There are still some issues with drop-off and pick-up, but she said it is improving. 79 students are needing literacy intervention and 50 are needing math intervention in 3rd through 6th grade. Intervention screening for lower grades will start in September.

JoAnne Taylor was hired as a long term sub for 2nd grade. Jimmy White and Jimmy Stice were hired as Custodial and Cafeteria subs. A resignation was accepted from bus driver Margaret Farrish.

The board approved the purchase of a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban from D-3 for $49,602 with a 6 year/150,000 mile warranty. The suburban will be used for clubs and groups traveling with small groups and for teachers attending meetings, training, and conferences. This will save on having to pay CDL drivers and use buses for smaller groups and paying mileage for teachers. Richards provided year end financials to the board, saying, “I’m happy to say that the actual numbers were even better than the proposed numbers.” She said that no action needed to be taken until next month but wanted to go ahead and go over some information and give the board time to look over everything. A motion was approved to purchase property insurance for the 20252026 school year, The cost is $91,413.31. The Annual Report to the Public was set for October 27th at 6:00pm in the High School Library.

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