El Dorado News-Times
What weather apps sometimes miss about dangerous winter storms
Smartphone weather apps that summarize their forecasts with eyepopping numbers and bright icons may be handy during mild weather, but meteorologists say it's better to listen to human expertise during multifaceted, dangerous winter storms like the one...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Gov. Sanders mobilizes 168 Arkansas National Guard members as winter storm approaches
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has mobilized 168 Arkansas National Guardsmen to state active duty, according to a news release Friday morning from Col. Joel Lynch with the Arkansas National Guard. The deployed guard members include 140 who will staff 28...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Keeping pets safe as winter weather approaches
As a wintry mix of rain, snow and ice approaches the area this weekend, local animal advocates at UCAPS are urging all pet owners to keep their furry animals safe. Union County Animal Protection Society (UCAPS) is a non-kill shelter that homes stray...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trump cancels tariff threat over Greenland
DAVOS, Switzerland — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he was canceling his planned tariff on U.S. allies in Europe over US control of Greenland after he and the leader of NATO agreed to a ‘framework of a future deal’ on Arctic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ARDOT prepares for winter storms
Winter storms have been predicted to hit South Arkansas beginning on Friday, with weather bringing the chance of snow, ice and rain to last through Sunday. According to the National Weather Service, Union County has a 70% chance of rain and sleet...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Power Hour Comedy took over the MAD House 101
The Power Hour Comedy Show hit the stage at the MAD House 101 Restaurant and Bar in El Dorado on Friday, giving people the chance to come out for a laugh to remember. The Power Hour Comedy show is an event hosted by Carter Bryant, a comedian of 10...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Conservative group presses Arkansas to stop executions
A conservative anti-death penalty group is calling on Arkansas to forgo executions, citing concerns about a new form of capital punishment that critics describe as cruel. Known as nitrogen hypoxia, the method entails inhaling nitrogen gas. An Alabama...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back U.S. controlling Greenland
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Friday that he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the U.S. controlling Greenland, a message that came as a bipartisan Congressional delegation sought to lower tensions in the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Self Culture Club plans MLK weekend in El Dorado
Today is the 97th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which comes four days ahead of the national holiday that commemorates his life and legacy. Locally, the Self Culture Club, a social and community-service organization, has planned several...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Coyote Pine, El Dorado’s fire fighting country music band
For the past year, four of El Dorado’s fire fighters have been spending their free time following a musical dream with their country rock band Coyote Pine. Before their upcoming performance at MAD House on Jan. 15, the band sat down with the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Habitat for the Holidays program provides benefits for environment
With Christmas now in the rearview mirror, the next step is what to do with the tree. For those that have an actual tree and don’t want to throw it away, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has a solution that can help the local environment. Habitat...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Parkers Chapel 2026 Sweetheart Court
The Parkers Chapel Trojans will host their Sweetheart game against Claiborne Academy at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 22, beginning with the junior girls and followed by both senior teams. The Sweetheart festivities will begin earlier that afternoon at 12:30 p.m....
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Texas man discovers diamond after asking Siri for mining tips
A casual question to a virtual assistant led to an exciting discovery for a Texas family at Crater of Diamonds State Park. James Ward, a 41-year-old high school teacher from Cypress, found a 2.09-carat brown diamond on Tuesday, December 30, while...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Christ Church of El Dorado is ready to praise
Dumas Methodist church has now changed their name to Christ Church of El Dorado, and also completed a $1 million debt-free renovation of their new building in the hope of continuing to expand in their purpose of serving God and the community. The new...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Governor, Clark, Hutchinson and Huckabee praise capture of Maduro
The military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was praised by Arkansas’ governor, a military expert and others on Saturday. Retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark of Little Rock said it was “a brilliant...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
U.S. captures Maduro, wife in a stunning operation and plans to prosecute them
CARACAS, Venezuela — The United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of the country in an extraordinary military operation early Saturday that plucked a sitting leader from office. President Donald Trump insisted the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SARH We CARE recipient
Will Langley was the December South Arkansas Regional Hospital CARE recepient. A Facebook post by SARH states, “Will works in the engineering department but is known by staff across all departments for his willingness to act quickly and solve...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Arkansas awarded $208.8 million from federal rural health fund
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Tuesday that Arkansas has received approximately $208.8 million as its first installment from a $50 billion federal fund established by the tax and spending bill signed by President Donald Trump in July. The...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Where are the wackiest New Year’s Eve drops?
Why let New York City have all the fun with its Times Square ball drop on New Year’s Eve? Dozens of places across the U.S. will ring in 2026 by dropping a quirky assortment of fruits, vegetables, sea creatures and balls of all shapes and sizes. Many...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Record $50 million donation backs Arkansas Children’s 10-year plan
Arkansas Children’s Hospital has received a $50 million gift from philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano. The investment is the largest philanthropic gift in the hospital’s history and will support key strategic priorities for the health system, including...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Arkansas on track for 16-year high in whooping cough cases
Despite a slowdown compared to the beginning of the year, the number of annual whooping cough cases in Arkansas is projected to exceed 500 this year for the first time in at least 16 years, according to the state Department of Health. According to a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘One day at a time’
Having won three state championships, Ronald Rogers’ place as one of the top basketball coaches in Arkansas is secure. But Rogers’ biggest battle is one that is ongoing. On April 5, 2023, Rogers was diagnosed with cancer. In November, Rogers...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Pope Leo XIV urges the faithful on Christmas to shed indifference in the face of suffering
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV during his first Christmas Day message on Thursday urged the faithful to shed indifference in the face of those who have lost everything, such as in Gaza, those who are impoverished, such as in Yemen, and the many migrants...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Arkansas set to see unseasonably warm Christmas Day
Christmas is shaping up to be unseasonably warm — so much so that many parts of Arkansas could set new high-temperature records. According to Colby Pope, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s North Little Rock office, the high across the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Short film with local roots debuts online at midnight
A woman sits alone on a pier overlooking an expansive lake. She seems pensive, her solitude purposeful. A soft piano rift plays. The calm is suddenly interrupted by the woman’s voice as she answers a phone call. Listening to her end of the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Mayor recovering after fall at City Hall
Area residents who have visited City Hall over the past several days may have noticed that the mayor’s office has been empty. Mayor Paul Choate is on the mend after slipping and tumbling down the stairs Dec. 15 at the rear entrance of City...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
South Arkansas groups receive state funding
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, today announced recipients of the Community Assistance Grant Program, which the Governor announced on May 19, 2025, to help fill funding gaps for projects that...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
From the pool to patient care
Many athletes like to stay around sports when their playing days end. Isabella Gati is no exception, but in her case, the sport she competed in also helped determine what career she wanted to pursue. Gati began swimming at El Dorado before heading to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Union County Quorum Court approves resolution to transfer hospital property to city of El Dorado
The Union County Quorum Court met for their regular December meeting on Thursday and voted on a resolution of particular interest to Union County residents and the future of the local hospital. The first major issue before the court was whether to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Voluntary wintertime cover crop adoption up to 5 percent in state
Using satellite imagery and government data, researchers measured a 5 percent increase in voluntary, or non-subsidized, cover crop adoption by Arkansas farmers. The finding came out of research seeking to pinpoint how farmers were using cover crops...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Local schools use proactive behavior support
When it comes to supporting students behavioral needs, the El Dorado School District specialist works behind the scenes to ensure that students overcome emotional barriers so they can continue to shine in their academics. Kelsey Jones, behavior...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Barton Junior High supports UCAPS shelter
Barton Junior High student council donated food and raised $1000 for UCAPS Adoption Center in El Dorado to better support the facility’s purpose in providing a safe haven for stray animals. UCAPS is an adoption center that fosters dogs and cats while...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
City, county officials advancing efforts for hospital tax proposal
El Dorado and Union County municipal officials are advancing efforts to plan a special election for a city sales tax to support operations for South Arkansas Regional Hospital. However, one city official has asked for more consideration and time to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
City to change operating schedule for holidays
With Christmas less than two weeks away, the city of El Dorado has revised a portion of its operating schedule to work around the holiday and better accommodate city employees and local residents. Most city employees will be gifted a four-day weekend...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year. Senators rejected a Democratic bill to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
KEB winding down year, gearing up for 2026
The year is winding down for Keep El Dorado Beautiful and while members of the group are taking time to enjoy the holiday season, they are also lining up projects and their outlook for 2026 to continue promoting KEB’s goals of litter prevention,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Two arrested after minor reports repeated sexual abuse
A Columbia County couple is facing charges of rape and permitting abuse of a minor. Kenneth Ray Davis, 50, of Waldo, was taken into custody on Sept. 29 on charges of rape, and Alvinita Steward, 42, of El Dorado, was taken into custody on Sept. 29 on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Seasonal sickness arise
Wash your hands, wear your hat and make sure to sanitize — seasonal sickness is here, and one local nurse practitioner is offering tips on how to keep healthy this season. Nurse practitioner, Jordan Longnecker spoke to the El Dorado News-Times about...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Holiday events continue downtown
Main Street El Dorado is rolling through its holiday events and to help attract more visitors downtown, the group issued a reminder about its final event of the year. MSE is inviting families to share in the spirit of Christmas and explore downtown...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Student Teacher: Stone illustrates viewpoints with zines
Jill Stone has had a hectic schedule of late. Stone, who graduated from El Dorado in 2024, is a sophomore at Arkansas. But in addition to college, she recently appeared at the South Arkansas Arts Center to host “Mini Masterpieces: A Collage Zine...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Holiday Season Concert set for Dec. 12
While Christmas carols typically take center stage during this time of year, area residents also give a nod to blues and southern soul music with the annual Holiday Season Concert, presented by Mr. Mike’s Productions. The show is set for Dec. 12 in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ARDOT awards over $170M in construction contracts
The Arkansas Department of Transportation has awarded over $170 million in new contracts and completed 57 projects across the state since the last Arkansas Highway Commission meeting on Oct. 14. At Wednesday’s Arkansas Highway Commission meeting,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Northwest Elementary teacher shares passion on Special Education Day
Tuesday marked Special Education Day worldwide for teachers and students to celebrate the efforts poured into the field dedicated to developing better help for students with disabilities. Stephanie Hetrick, a self-contained teacher for kindergarten...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Christmas parade set for Thursday
“Families, friends and visitors” are “welcome” to share in the magic of the holiday season during the 2025 El Dorado Christmas Parade, which is set for 7 p.m. Thursday. The theme of this year’s parade is “Welcome Home for the Holidays.” The El Dorado...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Dorado Wins Board expected to get to work at the first of the year
It has been two months since collections began for the new El Dorado Wins tax and nearly three weeks since the El Dorado City Council formally established a five-member board to administer the tax. The next step, Mayor Paul Choate said, is to swear in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
More than $1 of every $8 allotted for Arkansas’ student accounts last year go unused
A Jonesboro mother set to receive nearly $14,000 total in Educational Freedom Account funds this school year said that more than half of that money is likely to remain unspent and will roll over into next year. She is not alone. Roughly $12.3 million...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Food, coat drive underway at Retta Brown
There is a heightened sense of giving to others during the days and weeks leading up to the holidays. At Retta Brown Elementary School, there is an immediate need for food to restock the food pantry at the school, as well as coats of all sizes at the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Scientists capture the crackling sounds of what they believe is lightning on Mars
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Scientists have detected what they believe to be lightning on Mars by eavesdropping on the whirling wind recorded by NASA’s Perseverance rover. The crackling of electrical discharges was captured by a microphone on the rover, a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Some families are ‘adopting’ turkeys instead of eating them
“Gus” the turkey has been spending Thanksgiving week much differently than millions of other unlucky gobblers across the U.S. As he trots in a sprawling animal sanctuary on the Colorado plains, he is stopped every few steps by staff who pet him, hug...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Dorado native marks 33 years of giving back to support The Salvation Army
For 33 years, El Dorado native Bruce Green has devoted his time to smoking turkeys for The Salvation Army’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. Green maintained sobriety since 1993, and found a new pathway for his life — giving back to his community. Since...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Dorado native returns home to share first chilren’s book
Last Friday, El Dorado native Kasey Dumas returned home to share her first children’s book ‘PJ Finds a Home’ with the youngest members in the community. Dumas’s book is about her childhood life in El Dorado and includes details about the area while...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
City Council plans special election for sales tax that would help SARH
The El Dorado City Council and other groups in the community have thrown their support behind a proposal for a half-cent sales tax to build a sustainable revenue source for South Arkansas Regional Hospital. A panel representing the three entities who...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Barton Junior High honors veterans
Barton Junior High held a Veterans Day Program on Tuesday in their gymnasium to honor veterans. In honor of Veterans Day the school invited family, community and most importantly veterans, for a student presented program of speeches and patriotic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sister artists showcased in dual exhibitions at South Arkansas Center
The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) presents “For the JOY of Living,” an imaginative and interactive exhibition by longtime SAAC member and Creative, Cherie Bright, alongside “Naturally Abstract,” a vibrant new body of work by her sister, Cindy...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Smackover Lithium contributes $25K to South Arkansas College Industrial Laboratory
Smackover Lithium is proud to announce a $25,000 contribution to the South Arkansas (SouthArk) College Industrial Chemistry Laboratory, equipping the local workforce with technical training near our South West Arkansas project. SouthArk College’s...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
City’s first Chick-fil-A set to open Thursday
Chick-fil-A will open its first El Dorado restaurant this week and the company is asking customers to show up dressed like cows to celebrate. Anyone who visits the new location at 2528 N. West Ave. wearing cow-themed clothing or accessories can...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Meet Me at the Court wraps 11th annual community Thanksgiving dinner
Meet Me at the Court reportedly distributed a record 450 plates last week during the 2025 Sharion Bailey Whitlock Sharion Bailey Whitlock Community Soul Food Dinner: Good Food for the Body and Soul. The 11th annual community Thanksgiving dinner was...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SAAC’s Drama Club production underway
The South Arkansas Arts Center’s Drama Club production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical JR.” will be presented on the SAAC stage Nov. 6–8. Based on the children’s novel by Roald Dahl, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, Matilda JR. is a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Hill, Womack, Westerman oppose paychecks during government shutdown
WASHINGTON — Three members of the Arkansas congressional delegation are having their pay withheld during the federal government shutdown, which reached its 35th day on Tuesday. Republican Reps. French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman asked not...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SAAC presents ‘Waterland, Paintings from Felsenthal’
South Arkansas native Kevin Seymore will debut his first solo exhibition, “Waterland, Paintings from Felesenthal” from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Dec. 12, with a public artist’s reception at the South Arkansas Arts Center Seymore was born in El...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
State’s potential as lithium production hub raises hopes
Lithium producers eyeing sites in south Arkansas carries a familiar ring to Rachel Jenkins. “A lot of people were concerned at first,” the executive director of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce said. Big companies making big promises hearkens to the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Mental health advocate announces run for Congress
Mental health advocate James “Rus” Russell III, who previously announced a run for U.S. Senate, will instead make a run for Arkansas 4th Congressional District challenging U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark. Russell, a Democrat from Little Rock,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Newton House weaves spooky tales woven over decades
The South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society recently held its annual “Night of the Living Newtons” with all of the fervor that Halloween brings. But Newton House itself is no stranger to having unusual activity on its grounds. “There’s always...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Installation begins for city’s new holiday lights
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in El Dorado and this year, the city will take on a more festive flair. As trick-or-treaters work their way through their Halloween hauls, crews are busy installing new Christmas lights and decorations as a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
A cause for change
El Dorado Police Department held an open house Tuesday at the station for families, friends and possible recruits to join the team to help keep the area safe. Police officers and department leaders welcomed locals in the station in hopes to build a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Community organization unite for the Boys and Girls Club Trunk or Treat
The Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado hosted its annual Trunk or Treat for children on Tuesday in the area. This was a free event for families to bring their kids in their best costume to celebrate the Halloween week, while receiving sweet treats and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Hurricane Melissa brings flooding and catastrophic winds to Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Heavy floodwaters swept across southwestern Jamaica, winds tore roofs off buildings and boulders tumbled into roads Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa came ashore as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Playing it safe this Halloween
With Halloween on Friday, it is important to remember safety for yourself, your loved ones and your pets this spooky season. Halloween should be a night of costumes, trick-or-treating and all around fun, but in the rush of getting candy, carving...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
State’s food assistance programs face an uncertain future during shutdown
WASHINGTON — Arkansas food banks have been experiencing an increase in demand during the ongoing federal government shutdown, as furloughed government employees have used these services to meet their needs. In the wake of the Arkansas Department of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Smashing Success
Barton Junior High School was able to officially compete in esports for the first time in 2024-25. It was a debut for the ages. The El Dorado School District recently recognized the team for finishing No. 1 in the country after going undefeated and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ideal Construction marks progress with beam ceremony at new school site
At 12 p.m. on Thursday people from the El Dorado School District came together with others from across the community to celebrate the beam ceremony at 501 N. Timberlane where the new intermediate school will be located. Ideal Construction Company has...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Senate rejects bills to pay federal workers during government shutdown
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday rejected dueling partisan bills to pay federal workers during the government shutdown, with both Republicans and Democrats deflecting blame as many employees are set to miss their first full paycheck at the end of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Smackover Homecoming
Smackover High School recently celebrated its Homecoming. The court included Queen Breanna Washington, who was escorted by Aiden Bennett and Joseph Brown; Maid of Honor: Lillian King, escorted by Mitchell Polk; Senior Maids: Emmie Belt, escorted by...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Fall Auction is slated for Oct. 23
Going once, going twice, sold. Westside Christian School is having their annual Fall Auction Oct. 23 starting at 5 p.m. with a meal followed by a silent auction and ending with a live auction at 6 p.m. The yearly auction is meant to raise funds for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
El Dorado Haunt ready to scare Union County
The El Dorado Haunt is back for its tenth year of bringing haunting chills and thrills to Union County during the Halloween season. This year the Haunt will be open starting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24, 25 and 26 as well as Halloween night and Nov. 1. At a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)