A
RKANSAS COUNTY FAIR QUEEN PAGEANTS SEPT. 6
(USPS156-140) Vol. 132, Number 36 DeWitt, AR 72042 • 16 Pages • 2 Sections • 75 cents
AROUND THE COUNTY
DEWITT SENIOR CENTER ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE
The DeWitt Senior Center at 205 N. Main in DeWitt is having an Annual Rummage Sale on October 4, 2014 from 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
ARKANSAS COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULED
The Arkansas County Fair is scheduled for September 8 - 13, 2014. This year’s Fair theme is “Arkansas County - A Sportsman’s Paradise.” County Fair Tabloids can be picked up at the Extension Office in DeWitt.
ST. CHARLES FIRE DEPARTMENT
The St. Charles Fire Department will be testing the emergency siren every Wednesday at 12:00 noon.
ATTENTION MEDICARE RECIPIENTS
Attention Medicare recipients and new enrollees: you may qualify for Medicare savings and/or extra Medicare help. Please call 870-842-1072. We can come to you.
MISS ARKANSAS COUNTY FAIR PAGEANT
There has been a change in the Miss Arkansas County Fair Pageant. The Petite Miss Arkansas County, Jr. Miss Arkansas County Evening Gown Competition, and Miss Arkansas County Evening Gown Competition will begin at 6:00 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m.
Serving Arkansas County, Arkansas Since 1882
Story and Photos on Page B1
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Lockley & Hearn Announce Candidacy The two are vying for Position 5 on the Dewitt School Board
Johnny Lockley has announced his bid for re-election to the DeWitt School Board. Elected in 1991, Johnny has served various roles as a school board member including President, Vice President, and Region 9 representative on the Arkansas School Boards Association for 8 years. Lockley has achieved MasLOCKLEY ter and Pinnacle Board member status by obtaining 450 hours of continuing education board training. Lockley stated that “Children are our most valuable resource and they depend on us to help shape policy that will enable them to prepare for college and to compete for jobs and careers on a global scale. It is also our responsibility to prepare those who choose to delay college for career readiness upon high school graduation. Every decision we make should be filtered through the lens of what is best for our children. Focusing on what unites us instead of what divides us ensures that we take care of our children. We are blessed in DeWitt with quality teachers and support staff which are vital to achieving our vision and the board has the responsibility of providing the necessary tools that allow them to do their jobs effectively. In addition, we are fortunate to have PCCUA in our community to assist in our education efforts with many students obtaining college credit while attending High School which helps ease the financial burden of college. I would like to thank the patrons of the DeWitt School District for the support given me in the past and with their continued support, would like to use the experience gained over the past 23 years to serve our children in the future.” Lockley is a graduate of DeWitt High School, Phillips Community College, and Arkansas Tech University and holds a Bachelor Degree in Professional Studies with an emphasis on Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Lockley is a member of Sunnyside Missionary Baptist Church, Arkansas School Board Association, Arkansas County Fair Board, Junior Achievement of Arkansas, DeWitt Athletic Booster Club, DeWitt Touchdown Club, and Arkansas Gas Association where he served as President for 2 years. Lockley has been employed at CenterPoint Energy for 35 years and currently serves as Area Manager. He and his wife Alta have two children, Heath and Jena who are both graduates of DeWitt High School and Arkansas State University.
Lee Hearn, of DeWitt, has announced his candidacy for the Board of Directors of the DeWitt School District, Zone 5, Position 5. Hearn will be facing current Board member Johnny Lockley in the September 16 election. DeWitt School District Zone 5 encompasses parts of the eastern portion of the city of DeWitt and includes areas HEARN north of DeWitt lying between McAdams Road and Little LaGrue Bayou, much of the area southeast of DeWitt in the direction of Pt. DeLuce, and a large area east of DeWitt extending to the White River National Wildlife Refuge. Hearn stated that his decision to run for the seat was based on the many changes that have taken place over the past two decades with respect to the use of advanced technologies in education settings. Hearn said, “Mr. Lockley has served the district with distinction for a number of years and his contributions to the betterment of our school district are beyond debate. My decision to seek the position is based on the confidence that my experience and expertise can benefit the district in the important areas of electronic learning and the physical security of our students and faculty.” Following a number of years in the film and video production business, Hearn served as an instructor in the Radio/ Television/Film Department for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, was formerly Telemedical Communications Network Manager with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and founded Computers Plus and Computers Plus Online. In 2005, he sold the computer and internet business and purchased Allegiant Security, Inc. (formerly Harley’s Alarms), specializing in all facets of physical security and electronics, including surveillance systems, access control systems, alarm systems, data networking, fiber optic installation, and the manufacture of network video recorders. Hearn holds a Bachelors Degree in Communications and a Masters Degree in Education, both from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is married to Jennifer Hearn, a fifth-grade teacher at DeWitt Elementary School. His son, Caleb, is a computer engineer for Fort Smith-based ArcBest Corporation and daughter, Kayla Beth, is a freshman at DeWitt High School and a cheerleader for the Junior Dragons (Go Dragons!). Hearn urges everyone to get out and vote. Voters can cast their ballot at their assigned polling place on Election Day, September 16, or by casting an early ballot at the County Courthouse beginning September 9.
4-H POULTRY CHAIN SILENT AUCTION Arkansas County 4-H’ers have the opportunity to learn more about chickens, how to grow them and business management skills through the 4-H Poultry Chain project. This project is designed to teach 4-H club members recommended management practices for the family laying flock. Many Arkansas farm families who keep birds for egg production do not have adequate year round production due to improper management practices. In order to further educate our children, the Extension Service provides 4-H members who participate in this program 25 Bovan Brown one-day old chicks to care for and keep records. 4-H’ers agree to return four of the chicks to the county during the County Fair. Chicks are judged and then auctioned off by Arkansas County 4-H. This funding is then used to implement the next year’s
program. The 2014 Silent Auction will be held in the barn area at the Arkansas County Fairgrounds. The auction will start on Wednesday, September 10, at 9 a.m. and will end on Friday, September 12, at 4 p.m. Bid sheets will be attached near the cages. For more information or to learn how to become a 4-H member or volunteer leader in Arkansas County, contact the Cooperative Extension Service at (870)946-3231 or (870)673-2346. “The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.”
PLEASE join us at the Public Informational Meeting on September 8th at 5:30 p.m. at the Middle School Cafeteria!! The meeting will be open for questions and comments – take this opportunity to get the FACTS!
School tours will also be available for those interested!!