Hybar turns pond over to City of Osceola

By SANDRA BRAND

Times Editor

“You get a line and I’ll get a pole. We’ll go down to the old crawdad hole...”

Arkansas Game and Fish release the catfish into the pond.

The sun was shining this past weekend and the fish were biting down at Osceola’s newly stocked pond.

Hybar CEO Dave Stickler purchased the land southeast of Osceola which includes the old fishing pond. His crew spent the past few months working countless hours to pre-pare the pond for fresh fish from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

On Thursday, they were able to witness the fruits of their labor. In a special ceremony, Stickler turned over the pond to Osceola Mayor Joe Harris, Jr. and the Game and Fish proceeded to stock it with fresh catfish.

Mayor Joe Harris, Jr., Hybar CEO Dave Stickler and city council members Donnie Pugh, Joe Guy, Sandra Brand, Tyler Dunegan and Gary Cooper.

The pond is the second of the new Quality of Life projects to be open to the public. Yes, the pond is ready and the public is invited to pick up their fishing pole and head on down to the pond.

In making the presentation to the city, Stickler said the “renovating” of the pond was a group effort. His employees drained the pond, cleaned it and refilled it with fresh water, etc. They also have built a parking lot.

An oxygen system, dock, cleaning station, and restrooms are still in the works.

“My guys hauled 650 tires out of the pond,” Stickler smiled.

Mayor Harris thanked the Hybar crew for cleaning the pond and giving it to the city. As a part of the city’s recreational activities, Harris said the pond is open for fishing, free of charge.

Stickler noted there will be a fishing tournament in October. “I’m going to teach the mayor how to fish,” he smiled.

Game and Fish has committed to stocking the pond twice a year. This first time, the pond was only stocked with catfish.