El Dorado News-Times (VCID - Camden News)
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...
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Sgt. Edens receives Invictus Award
Sgt. Christopher Heath Edens received the Invictus Award from the Arkansas Division of Law Enforcement Standards and Training during the January meeting of the Union County Quorum Court. The Invictus Award is given to law enforcement officers in the...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Trump announces El Dorado’s John Shepherd nomination for federal judgeship
El Dorado native John Thomas Shepherd has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Shepherd currently serves as a judge on the 13th Judicial Circuit, which...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Arkansas agency celebrates 32 adoptions of children in foster care since Nov. 1
When Tiffany Wright, director of the state Department of Human Services’ Division of Children and Family Services, announced in October she would run a mile for each of the 179 children in foster care in Arkansas waiting to be adopted, the director of...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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‘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...
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Firework safety tips for the new year from Dave’s Fireworks
Now that Christmas is oover, locals are gearing up to bring in the new year, and Dave’s Fireworks are proud they can contribute to people’s holiday celebration. Dave’s Firework, located at 4315 N West, Ave, offers a wide variety of fireworks for...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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States faces a choice on whether to embrace Trump’s tax cuts on tips, overtime and more
To tax tips or not? That is a question that will confront lawmakers in states across the U.S. as they convene for work next year. President Donald Trump’s administration is urging states to follow its lead by enacting a slew of new tax breaks for...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Hope Landing slated to present ‘The True Meaning of Christmas’
The spirit of Christmas can be presented and expressed in a multitude of ways. On Thursday, the children of Hope Landing will present “The True Meaning of Christmas” at the South Arkansas Arts Center. The event begins at 7 p.m. Following the...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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MAD Trail of Lights prepares for opening night
The MAD Trail of Lights, sponsored by Murphy USA, opened on Thanksgiving. The holiday attraction will “illuminate the MAD Amphitheater nightly through December 28, with closures on December 24 and 25. Located at 105 East Locust Street in downtown El...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Northern Lights reach South Arkansas
Due to a large geomagnetic storm, the Northern Lights could be seen in South Arkansas on Tuesday evening. The Northern Lights are a northern aurora borealis. The effects caused by geomagnetic storms being released by the sun, colliding with the...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Couple wins $3.7M civil judgment against Mad Butcher mass shooter
Brittney Sullivent survived being shot in the head as she drove near the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce a year ago. The shooting, stemming from a rampage by 46-year-old Travis Posey, cost Sullivent part of her hearing along with a long string of...
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Alzheimer’s walk aims to bring awareness to disease
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease with that number expected to nearly double in the next 25 years. In Arkansas, the organization said the disease ranks seventh as the top cause...
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Airstreams on the Square, a Woodstock-themed event celebrating the spirit of the 1960s
The Airstreams on the Square event, hosted by Main Street El Dorado, kicked off on Thursday. These campers beloved by many are part of a Main Street event whose aim is to celebrate the spirit of the 1960s. This Woodstock-themed event runs from Oct....
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Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, reject government funding bill for 10th time
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats rejected for the 10th time Thursday a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government, insisting they won’t back away from demands that Congress take up health care benefits. The vote failed Thursday morning on a...
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City officials looking to address leaks, ADA accessibility at City Hall
Preparations have begun for the 2025 El Dorado city budget and Mayor Paul Choate said that within his administration budget, he is proposing funds to tend to City Hall. Choate said he is starting with $7,000-$8,000 to power wash the nearly...
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Airstreams on the Square to begin Thursday
Dozens of recreational vehicles from several states are expected to begin rolling into town Thursday for the eighth annual Airstreams on the Square. The theme for Airstreams 2025 is Silver Stock: Three Days of Peace and Music. Organizers have said...
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