White river journal, dec 3, 2015

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75¢

1 SE CTI ON - 16 PAG ES V OLUME 109 (17TH WEEK OF 109TH YEAR - 5,652 TOTAL WEEKS SINCE 1907)

“A FREE P RESS

AND A

F REE P EOPLE - A N U NBEATABLE T EAM ”

D ES A RC, A RKANSAS (C OUNTY S EAT ) P RAIRIE C OUNTY

P U B L I S HE D E A C H T H U R S D A Y S I N C E 1 9 0 7 TH UR SDAY, DECE MBE R 3, 2015

60th Annual Alumni Banquet here Saturday, November 28 Eighty-six alumni gathered for the 60th annual reunion of Des Arc High School here Saturday evening despite the inclement weather. The evening’s activities included reminiscing, sharing school stories, enjoying a fish/chicken catered dinner and electing officers. The goodbyes as the evening closed were coupled with expressions of “see you next year.” Rodney Adams photo

Sylvester Holloway elected Alumni Association president

ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

Sylvester Holloway, a 1967 graduate of Des Arc High School, was elected president of the Des Arc Alumni Association at the annual banquet Saturday evening, Nov. 28. Kent Childers, a 1985 graduate was elected vice president. He will also serve as program chairman for the 61st annual reunion in 2016. Thressia Bradley Taylor was the presiding president at this year’s meeting.

DEC. 4, DEC. 8 Eagle Basketball @McCrory Dec. 4 Hosting PW Dec. 8 SAT., DEC. 5, 8-10 AM Breakfast With Santa First United Methodist Church SAT., DEC. 5, 4:00 P.M. Chamber Christmas Parade Business’ Open House Friday & Saturday SAT., DEC. 5, 5:30 P.M. Parade and Prayer Service DeValls Bluff - Sponsor: Arnold Family Foundation

SUN., DEC. 6, 2 PM Sand Hill Cemetery Ass’n Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church SUN-WED, DEC. 6-9 Revival with Brady Weldon First Baptist Church

MON., DEC. 7, 3:30-6:30 PM Red Cross Blood Drive First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall TUESDAY, DEC. 8, 12 NOON Des Arc Lions Club Methodist Church TUES., DEC. 8, 6 PM Quorum Court Courthouse Annex TUES., DEC. 8, 6 PM AgHeritage Customer Appreciation Dinner At Dondies FRI., DEC. 11, 2-4 PM Retirement Reception for Debra Whitson, F&M Bank

FRI., DEC. 11, 6 PM Christmas Parade Cotton Plant - Cash Prizes Line-up 5:30 Old High School

Ground-breaking ceremony for new Prairie County Jail in Des Arc July 31, 2014

Open House for public at new Prairie County Jail Monday, Dec. 7; Lunch with hamburgers and hot dogs Prairie County Judge Mike Skarda and Sheriff Gary Burnett announce an Open House and tour of the new Prairie County Jail in Des Arc this Monday, December 7. Judge Skarda says he “wants the public to have this last opportunity to see the interior and the advanced technology incorporated into this modern facility first hand especially since they are paying for it largely with their tax dollars”. The facility will be open to the public, along with a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs directly in front of the Court House,

at 11:00 am. Judge Skarda advises that State Representative David Hillman and Senator Jonathan Dismang have been invited to attend the event. Also, assisting Judge Skarda and Sheriff Burnett in hosting the event will be members of the Prairie County Quorum Court who approved the construction. Jeff Miller, construction superintendent, advises that the concrete floors are being sealed/painted this week. The new building will be 100% complete next week, soon as Centurylink finishes up their work, which includes installation of 100MB fiber optic cable for internet and telephones.

Ballot positions announced

WED., DEC. 15, 10:30 AM Alzheimers Support meet Lower White River Museum THURS., DEC. 17, 2-4 PM Farmers & Merchants Bank Des Arc-Open House

Obituaries

Control Room at Jail - Darrell Turner views monitors

Pg . 3

Tammy Abrams, 50, Ward Alice Adams, 80, Cabot Clifford Bubbus, 64, Hensley G.M. Ludwig, 71, Stuttgart Bessie McCarty, 79, Stuttgart Eleanor Privett, 66, Brinkley Grace Turner, 78, Lonoke

DE M O C R A T S For President Martin J. O’Malley John Wolfe Roque “Rocky” DeLaFuente Bernie Sanders James Valentine Hillary Clinton

Pictured at right are Kaylee (left) and Mollee McDonald, joyful volunteers delivering hot turkey dinners to people Thanksgiving morning from the First Baptist Church Providing Thanksgiving dinner, for those who would might not have it otherwise, has been a tradition at the church for several years. Some 170 people were served this year. Kaylee and Mollee are daughters of Chris and Danielle McDonald.

Journal Christmas Edition Greetings & Santa Letters Deadline: Friday, Dec. 11 Ads May Be Placed by Calling 870-256-4254

Ballot positions were drawn in the Prairie County Clerk’s office Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 12:00 noon according to Rita Dobson, Election Commissioner. Listed below are opposed candidates and their ballot positions:

Prairie County Sheriff/Collector James “Jim” Hamric Rick Hickman Treasurer Tamara Dabney Becky Johnson Justice of the Peace Mary Sue Roe Judy Hinson

REPUBLICANS For President Ted Cruz John R. Kaisch Marcio Rubio Rick Santorum Gov. Chris Christie Donald J. Trump Kaylee and Mollee, young Thanksgiving volunteers (see article at left)

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Other officers are Beth Newton Breckenridge, treasurer, and Robbie Crider Weaver, secretary. Ron Baldwin and wife, Betty (Ewing) were the farthest travelers at the gathering that numbered 86. Tracy Crider Cochran was the youngest alumni in attendance. Barbara Eoff Livesay was in attendance and holds an enviable record of never missing a meeting since its beginning in 1955.

School Board accepts two resignations Approves bonus for teachers The first item of business for the Des Arc School Board at the regular monthly meeting Monday evening was to deny the transfer of a student from Des Arc to another school district. The board accepted the resignations of high school teachers, Ramona Holloway and Jennifer Lefevre, effective 12/18/2015. The board voted to employ Kathryn Gracie as secondary English teacher, effective 1/4/2016. Unanimous approval of the resolution for local support of the 2016 Master Plan and the 2017-2019 Funding Cycle Partnership Program Application was

given. After discussion, a unanimous vote approved extra pay provision of $500.00 for space camp sponsors. Board members approved a bonus for current faculty and staff of the Des Arc School District, with the condition that the bonus would be pending approval from the Arkansas Department of Education. Board members present were Johnny Reidhar, Charlie Brown, Billy Hinson, Eric Kennedy, Kent Childers and Sylvester.Holloway. Supt. Nick Hill and Elementary Principal Dena Hooks were also present along with guest Jonathan McMullen.

James Hamric enters race for county sheriff After much consideration and support, James Hamric is announcing his candidacy in the Democratic Primary for Prairie County Sheriff. A Hickory Plains native and a 1991 graduate of Des Arc High School, Hamric said, “Being a reserve deputy with the Prairie County Sheriff’s Patrol since 1998, it would be a privilege and honor to serve the people of Prairie County as your Sheriff.” Hamric was instated and trained under the late Sheriff Randy Raper. He has continued to serve the public and Sheriff Burnett since that time. Raised in Hickory Plains, Hamric is the son of Iva Hamric and the late Harvey (H.N.) Hamric. Hamric stated his faith and values are firmly rooted in God, the Nation and the people of Prairie County. He is a member of Hickory Plains Church of the Nazarene and attended ASU-Beebe. Hamric is owner/operator of Hamric Enterprises a licensed management business. He said, “Being in management roles as well as owning my own business, I can offer leadership and common sense practices to the Sheriff’s De-

James “Jim” Hamric partment and to the people of Prairie County.” “My goals are to make for a great County and to empower and encourage the citizens of Prairie County to be ever watchful in their communities as well as to build a strong reserve deputy program”. Hamric said, “Being an 18year veteran of the Sheriff’s Patrol, we have valuable resources for our County. I would like to see meetings with parents at our schools, public forums and greater use of social media to investigate and publicize activities in the county”. “I will appreciate your vote and I am looking forward to serving you as your next Prairie County Sheriff,” Hamric stated.

The Jour nal w elcom es y our input (c omments , s ugges tions , pers onal new s, photos , etc )

New/Renewed Journal Subscribers . . Wadena Ramsey, N. Little Rock, AR & James Murdock, Hazen, AR Contact Us: Email: wrjnews1@centurytel.net

Mail: PO Box 1051, Des Arc, Ar 72040

Tel: 870-256-4254


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White river journal, dec 3, 2015 by charles walls - Issuu