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Fun Day - Pg 10
Kindergarten - Pg 10
Cotton Plant Hypsion - Pg 5
DAHS Retirement - Pg 5
Berry Cousins - Pg 7
Graduation - Pg 16
Dancer - Pg 4
Fun Day - Pg 10
Locals folks in Memphis, 1917 - Pgs 8 & 9
1 SECTION - 16 PAGES V OLUME /Y EAR 109, WEEK 41 (5,676 TOTAL WEEKS)
ACTIVITIES CALENDAR THURS., MAY 19, 6 PM Sixth Grade Graduation Elementary Cafetorium FRI., MAY 20 Schools dismissed for Summer Break Return August 15 SAT., MAY 21, 8AM-1PM Band Car Wash High School Band Room Donations accepted SUN, MAY 22, 6 PM Fellowship Worship Gospel Mission Church MON-FRI., MAY 23-27. 8 AM Summer Basketball Camp High School Gymnasium THURS., MAY 26, 12-2 PM AR Food Bank Drop City Hall Courtroom Recipients must have ID
TUES, MAY 31 Last Day to Assess Personal Property Without Penalty JUNE 2-4 31st Annual Steamboat Days Festival JUNE 6-10, 8:30-11:30 AM Vacation Bible School First Baptist Church
Bobby Price still suffers from Black Widow spider bites
It was about 18 months ago that Bobby Price of Hickory Plains was bitten on his right foot by a black widow spider that had crawled into his house shoe. He said the first bite felt like a splinter, and as he removed his foot he was bitten again on his heel. He said, “Within 15 minutes, I began to lose my breath. However, I just put off going to a doctor.” Within 28 hours, he was hospitalized in critical condition. He has had to retire and has congestive heart failure caused by the neurotoxins injected by the spider. Female widow spiders are easily identified. They are shiny black with a red hourglass shape on its belly. Bobby and wife, the former Paula Briley raise beef cattle. He is the son of Bully and Nell Price of Hickory Plains.
Obituaries Pg . 3
Daniel Cessor, 35, Hazen Sarah Greer, 55, Searcy Iris Grommet, 92, Brinkley Rachel Gunn, 83, Ward Vernon Henderson, 74, Cabot Clova Hill, 85, Cabot Gill Kidd, 46, Higginson Mary Pitts, 81, Searcy Russell Prine, 68, Hazen Paul Ramsey, 69, Beebe Melvin Redman, 74, Searcy Bobby Reed, 78, Searcy Betty Stine, 72, Des Arc
Journal Delivery 15 out-of-county tracked locations received May 12 issue on Friday, May 13. USPS set new record of 5 consecutive weeks for Friday delivery at 10 of these !
See Tracking Chart (Page 15)
“A F REE P RESS AND A FREE P EOPLE - A N U NBEATABLE TEAM ” D ES A RC, A RKANSAS (C OUNTY S EAT ) P RAIRIE C OUNTY
Forty-seven sixth graders graduating Forty-seven sixth graders will graduate in Commencement Excercises tonight, Thursday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m. Jenna Brown is Valedictorian and Zachery Holloway is Salutatorian. Honor graduates are Bryce Baxter, Cheyenne Berryhill, Bailey Brown, Nicholas Cashin, Taniya Chapple, Collin Chastain, Cooper Childers, Halle
Cox, Elijah Evans, Laura Fouse, Matthew Hill, Tristan Ingle, Matt Kearby, Seth Lisko, Aaron Madar, Gage McCombs, Michael McCoy, Kyndal Morton, Lucas Nichols, Caden Pasley, Jake Reidhar, Jaymison Renfro, Jacob Roach, Dalton Sears, Mason Sherman, Takiyah Spencer, Braxton Tallent, Kelly Taylor, Hadley Whittenburg, Kirsten Wiggins and Seth Williams.
Allison Cox named “Teacher of the Year” The 2016 Academic Banquet honoring Des Arc High School students for academic excellence was held on Monday, May 9, at the Des Arc Elementary Cafetorium. Seventh through Twelfth grade students were recognized by their teachers for excellence in a particular subject. Allison Cox, Math teacher at Des Arc High School, was honored as “Teacher of the Year’ She and husband, Tyler, are expecting their first child, a boy, in June. Maggie Wilson presented Mrs. Cox with an inscribed plaque. Michelle Blasingame, representing the University of Arkansas-Stuttgart Campus, was a guest presenter. Ms. Blasingame named Quenton Walters as the recipient of a scholarship for full tuition. She also advised that a scholarship is available to every Des Arc
Allison Cox High School Senior upon attendance. Bailey Greenwood, Des Arc High School Student Council president introduced award presenters and welcomed everyone. Student Council Vice Persident, Brooke Kellar, gave the invocation.
Other graduates are Trey Anderson, Tristan Bush, Dawson Crook, Anthony Crowder, Chance Eldridge, Luke Hagar, Maggie Lantrip, Carly Lopez, Andrew Madar, Amber Norman, Robert Phillips, Wesley Rogers, Alanna Shelton, and Morgan Walls. Their teachers are Mrs. Courtney Skarda, Mrs. Pam Brock and Mrs. Hannah Belew. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Dalton Sears. Aaron Madar will lead the National Anthem. Taniya Chapple will lead the Benediction. Flag Bearers are Luke Hagar and Jake Reidhar. Mrs. Dena Rooks, Des Arc Elementary Principal, will conduct the presentation of diplomas. This class will be entering Des Arc High School as seventh graders when they return to school in August. They will be the Des Arc High School graduating Class of 2022.
P U B LI S H E D E A C H T H U R S D A Y S I N C E 1 9 0 7 THU RSDAY, MAY 19, 2016
City signs no-bid contract for sanitation service The Des Arc City Council, meeting Tuesday night, passed Ordinance 2016-05, waiving requirement for competitive bidding for the city’s sanitation service. According to the ordinance, “M-Triple-J Sanitation has done a satisfactory job for the city for years and was awarded a “no bid” contract. The required bidding was waived in order to have a contract signed by the renewal date of May 18. Mayor Jim Garth opening the only bid received on the old fire department rescue truck. A bid of $1800 from Don Harvey was accepted unanimously by the council. The mayor advised that security cameras for the utility office will be ordered soon. Street work consists of repairing potholes and replacing culvert right now, preparing for the chip sealing this summer, Mayor Garth reported. Police Chief Rick Parson’s report included 5 traf-
Museum planning activities for “Kids to Parks Day” on Saturday All “kids” in the area are invited to join Lower White River Museum State Park at Des Arc, in partnership with the National Park Trust, in observing the 6th annual “Kids to Parks Day” on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. “Come and celebrate the nationwide day of play with historic games and
quality time outdoors,” says Monica Smith, assistant director at the local museum Phone (870) 256-3711, E-mail For more information about Kids to Parks Day and the National Park Trust, visit your local museum call Monica Smith, assistant director.
fic tickets, 1 felony charge, and 2 misdemeanors the past month. He also advised that the retired police cars haven’t sold yet and he will be advertising them in the state newspaper and on-line. Steve Bryan, gas alderman, said, “Gas prices are steady but transportation costs are outrageous.” Ambulance: Alderman Bryan said things were slow and Mayor Garth added that Christy Bell, director, really needed help and islooking to hire an EMT. Other items reported and discussed included a problem with the garbage container at the ball park; the backhoe has gone for repairs; all dogs picked up were either reclaimed or adopted (always good news). Mayor Garth told council members, “We will need to have a work meeting soon due to three employees on light duty and another scheduled for shoulder surgery. We may need to hire another employee or give current employees overtime.” Ronald Eans, a guest at Tuesday night’s meeting, addressed the council and invited them to participate in the Prairie County Fair. He said, “The fair meetings are on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm.” He also spoke on concerns he had about there not being more Des Arc owned businesses in town. Chrisana Knupp, Recorder
Plea Day Hearings for May in Northern and Southern Districts The following cases were heard by Judge Tom Hughes in Plea Day Hearings held at the Des Arc Courthouse on Tuesday, May 17 and DeValls Bluff Courthouse on Monday, May 16 for the Northern and Southern Districts: Northern District David Mark Enzor charged with Furnishing Prohibited Articles. Attorney Eric Kennedy appointed. Plea and Arraignment set for June 21, 2016. Justin E. Jones, charged with Possession of Schedule I, II Meth Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lee Boland Crittenden charged with Obstructing Governmental Operations, Fleeing, Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule I, II Meth Cocaine. Reset for June 21, 2016. Laura Anne Chance charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Plead Not Guilty. Pre-trial set for June 21, 2016. Taylor Pate charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule I, II Excluding Meth Cocaine and Possession of Drug
Paraphernalia with Purpose to Manufacture Controlled Substance. Plead Not Guilty. Pre-trial set for July 19, 2016. Robert S. Price charged with Aggravated Assault. Continued to July 19, 2016. Paul A. Hood charged with Rape and Sexual Assault-Second Degree. Pretrial set for July 19, 2016. Gary H. Williams charged with Possession with Purpose to Deliver Controlled Substance Schedule I, II Excluding Meth Cocaine, Possession with Purpose to Deliver Controlled Substance Schedule IV, V, Possession with Purpose to Deliver Controlled Substance Schedule VI, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with Purpose to Manufacture Controlled Substance, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms. PreTrial July 19, 2016. Hubert Alexander, Attorney. Clifford L. Earl charged with Battery-First Degree. Continue to June 21, 2016. Jelecia Jackson charged with Revocation x2 and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Meth Cocaine
x2. Attorney Eric Kennedy appointed. Pre-trial set for June 21, 2016. Jimmy Joe Sanner charged with Possession and Paraphernalia. Attorney Eric Kennedy appointed. Plea and Arraignment set for June 21, 2016. George Stephens charged with DWI and Careless Driving. Appeal from District. Tyler Paulman, $100,000.00 Bond. Attorney Eric Kennedy appointed. Plea and Arraignment set for June 21, 2016. Frank Feroia, plead Not Guilty. Plea and Arraignment set for June 20, 2016. James Albziu, $100,000.00 Bond. Attorney Eric Kennedy appointed. Plea and Arraignment set for June 20, 2016. Bobby Joe Jones, Attorney Eric Kennedy appointed. Plea and Arraignment set for June 20, 2016. Jason Howell, charged with Revocation. Plea and Arraignment set for June 20, 2016. Anthony Saxton, Negotiated Plea of Guilty. Sentenced to $1,000.00 Fine and extension of Probation
for two years. Southern District Anthony K. Saxton charged with Probation Revocation and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender or Report Address Change. Reset for June 20, 2016. Samantha Jo Harrison charged with Theft of Property x2 and Breaking or Entering. Reset for June 20, 2016. Earl Lee Washington charged with Criminal Mischief First Degree. Antionio Lamont Jones charged with Theft of Property. Reset for June 20, 2016. Aaron Branch charged with Possession of Controlled Substance x2 and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Reset for June 20, 2016. John Edward Rhodes Jr. charged with Kidnapping, Attempted Capital Murder and Terroristic Threatening. Reset for June 20, 2016. Marcus Leo Gardner charged with Possession of Controlled Substance. Reset for June 20, 2016. Michael Spencer Davis charged with False Impris-
onmewnt-First Degree and Assault-Second Degree. Pre-trial set for August 15, 2106. Emily Fetters charged with First Degree Battery. Hearing set for October 17, 2016. Roberto Sanchez II charged with Sexual Assault-First Degree. Reset for July 18, 2016. Roger Dale Wallace charged with Probation Revocation. Petitiion to Reinstate plus Court Costs and Fines. Lawrence Ingle charged with Probation Revocation. Reset for June 20, 2016. Jason Howell charged with Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons. Reset for June 20, 2016. Nicoe Metcalf charged with Probation Revocation. Reset for June 20, 2016. Trial set for November 30 and December 1, 2016. Samuel Harris charged with Possession of Controlled Substance. Reset for June 20, 2016.
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