Stories by Caitlan Butler

PHOTO: Parade prep Parade floats line up behind the mall ahead of the start of the annual El Dorado Christmas Parade, which this year followed a traditional format after last year's was held as a drive-through event. By... December 3, 2021

His and hers giveaway to benefit BGCE The Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado is holding their second annual holiday giveaway this month, with big prizes in store for two winners. Victoria Hollis, BGCE director of marketing, said the giveawa... December 3, 2021

Temporary barrier to facilitate repairs at Thatcher dam The installation of a "poiree needle system" at the Thatcher Lock and Dam has set a temporary barrier to allow the United States Army Corps of Engineers to begin work to fix a leak that has ... December 2, 2021

Newsboys to perform at MAD in February  The Awakening Foundation announced Wednesday a new tour concept called “The Stand Together Tour.”Starting in February and continuing through May, the contemporary Christian artists N... December 1, 2021

Governor encourages vaccination as COVID cases rise COVID-19 cases in Arkansas are rising, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said on Tuesday as he urged more Arkansans to get vaccinated. There were 1,044 new COVID-19 cases identified in Arkansas on Tuesday, "which i... December 1, 2021

Horoscopes Nov. 30, 2021 Celebrities born on this day: Kaley Cuoco, 36; Elisha Cuthbert, 39; Ben Stiller, 56; Billy Idol, 66. Happy Birthday: Weigh the pros and cons before you progress. Turn every negative into a positive, a... November 30, 2021

County accepts property donation from ARDOT; judge planning to use extra space for storage Union County may soon have the opportunity to expand its maintenance shop pending approval of a property donation by the Arkansas Highway Commission. Earlier this month, the Union County Quorum Court ... November 29, 2021

County selects CADM to design new 911 dispatch center The Union County Quorum Court is moving forward with plans to construct a centralized 911 dispatch center for fire, emergency medical and police calls in the county. In October, Justices of the Peace ... November 28, 2021

Businesses report lots of traffic during holiday shopping weekend Local residents have kept downtown shop owners and employees busy this holiday weekend, and several boutiques reported a hefty increase in sales since Thursday. The holiday shopping season kicked off ... November 28, 2021

Rec Complex parking lot a problem despite other improvements, JP says While the expansion of the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex is impressive, said District 1 Justice of the Peace Mike Dumas during a meeting of the county Quorum Court last month, the state of... November 27, 2021

Quorum Court provides holiday bonuses to county workers, officials The Union County Quorum Court last month voted unanimously to provide holiday bonuses to county employees. According to the bonus ordinance, all employees and elected officials employed or in office a... November 26, 2021

Chief Mosby offers holiday fire safety tips The El Dorado Fire Department is urging local families to remember to be aware of fire safety hazards as they gather for Thanksgiving today. "This time of year, it's not uncommon for people to get ove... November 25, 2021

JPs agree to draft contract for lawn care services from county judge's relative A proposal to allow Union County Judge Mike Loftin to enter into service agreements on behalf of the county with a business owned by one of his relatives was tabled after some discussion last week. Du... November 24, 2021

Attorney: Mask suit still viable A lawsuit against the El Dorado School District will continue despite school board members lifting the district's mask mandate last week, an attorney representing several local parents said. Greg Payn... November 22, 2021

JPs vote to increase inmate housing rates A proposal to raise the rate cities in Union County pay to house inmates at the Union County Detention Center passed unanimously during a meeting of the Quorum Court on Thursday. The proposal was subm... November 21, 2021

County to offer employees $635 bonus to get vaccinated The Union County Quorum Court voted Thursday to offer a bonus to county employees who choose to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The idea originated in the body's Public Service Committee. "You cannot... November 19, 2021

Quroum Court to consider end of year business at meeting today The Union County Quorum Court will meet today to discuss several end-of-year business items, among others. First on the agenda is consideration an ordinance setting tax levies on real and personal pro... November 18, 2021

El Dorado schools now recommending masks instead of requiring The El Dorado School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to lift the district's mask mandate immediately, opting instead to recommend masks for all students. On Aug. 16, the school board voted 4-3 to requ... November 17, 2021

Monthly support group for diabetic seniors to begin today The UAMS South Arkansas Center on Aging is offering a monthly support group to seniors with diabetes starting today. The monthly meetings are scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month from 10 to... November 17, 2021

Parents sue over ESD mask mandate The El Dorado School District is being sued by several parents over its mandate that students wear masks. Superintendent Jim Tucker and all members of the El Dorado School Board are also named in the ... November 14, 2021

NPs recognized during Nurse Practitioner Week Nurse Practitioner Week comes to a close today, and earlier this week, Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer met with several local NPs to recognize their service to the community. "Their work is extremely vital... November 13, 2021

MCSA medical staff elects new physician leaders New medical staff leaders were recently elected by Medical Center of South Arkansas physicians. Cindy Grimmett, executive assistant to interim MCSA CEO Dwayne Blaylock, said the elections are held reg... November 12, 2021

American Legion Commander looks back at military career, forward at future of Post 10 Brian Burdine took over as commander of American Legion Post 10 after a more than 30-year career in the Armed Forces that took him across the country and overseas. Burdine is modest about his service,... November 7, 2021

Veterans Day commemoration event set for Thursday The American Legion's annual Veterans Day program is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, on the Union County Courthouse steps. Speaking in late October, American Legion Post 10 Commander Brian... November 7, 2021

Hugh Goodwin, ESD officials accept Blue Ribbon School award in D.C. The El Dorado School District plans to recognize Hugh Goodwin's achievement in being named a National Blue Ribbon School with two events next week. In September, United States Secretary of Education M... November 7, 2021

Second suspect in Lovett murder arrested in Kentucky A second suspect wanted in the Oct. 24 murder of Chino Lovett, 24, of El Dorado has turned himself in and is awaiting extradition to Union County. William Bernard Golden, 52, of El Dorado surrendered ... November 5, 2021

Vaccine clinic for 5 to 11 year olds set for Saturday The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Tuesday approved the use of child-sized doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Currently, the vaccine is available for c... November 4, 2021

Thatcher leak shouldn't affect industries that utilize Ouachita River water A leak at Thatcher Lock and Dam has drained the Ouachita River to historically low levels, but Robert Reynolds, a volunteer advisor for the Union County Water Conservation Board, as well as the board'... November 3, 2021

Hutchinson says state is ready for children's COVID vaccine approval Gov. Asa Hutchinson held his weekly COVID-19 update press conference Tuesday, and dedicated much of his time to talking about the expected upcoming availability of vaccines for children between the ag... November 3, 2021

Children, families enjoy Halloween on the Square The annual Scare on the Square trick-or-treating event was held Saturday, and the streets of downtown El Dorado were filled throughout the afternoon with costumed children and adults seeking candy and... October 31, 2021

Majors David and Joanna Robinson make El Dorado their home Four and a half months after their move to El Dorado, Majors David and Joanna Robinson are settling in well. "We got here June 21, the day after my wife's birthday," David Robinson said. "We're hoping... October 31, 2021

Students give back with 'Blessing Boxes' Laura Fairris graduated from El Dorado High School in May, but she's found that she left a legacy behind her. Fairris was a student of the EAST program, part of the school's career and technical educa... October 31, 2021

Goodwill Career Center open, offering assistance to workers and employers The Goodwill Career Center has reopened after an extended closure forced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Brittany Fuhrmann, Goodwill's career service manager in south Arkansas, said the nonprofit is glad to... October 28, 2021

Hutchinson encourages flu vaccinations, touts computer science initiative Gov. Asa Hutchinson provided an update on COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday, and also took the opportunity to get his flu shot with Arkansas Department of Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero. "The purp... October 27, 2021

Local man killed in shooting; one arrest made, UCSO searching for second suspect An investigation into a shooting that left one man dead Sunday night is underway. According to the Union County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded at about 11 p.m. to reports of gunfire at a home on... October 26, 2021

Sheriff's Office app providing real-time updates on local crime After several months in development, the Union County Sheriff's Office app is now available for iPhone and Android users. The app's features include the county jail roster, the state sex offender regi... October 25, 2021

Attorney: MCSA doctors who complained not offered new contracts The Medical Center of South Arkansas will begin its relationship with a new staffing agency early next month, and a lawyer representing several doctors at the hospital said at least four physicians ha... October 24, 2021

Travelers get comfortable in El Dorado as Airstreams on the Square kicks off The fourth annual Airstreams on the Square kicked off Thursday, and by late afternoon, the Union County Courthouse was surrounded by the aluminum campers and their occupants. Steve Pace travelled from... October 22, 2021

Holiday bonuses, dispatch center design contract on Quorum Court's agenda today The Union County Quorum Court will consider a payroll bonus this morning at their regular monthly meeting, as well as a potential contract with a local business. According to the meeting agenda, two a... October 21, 2021

Sheriff: Officer back on the job, suspect uninjured after shooting in Smackover A man who was shot at by a Union County Sheriff's deputy late last month was not injured and is currently being held at the county jail, Sheriff Ricky Roberts said Tuesday. On Sept. 30, Roberts report... October 20, 2021

‘Blue Lights’ organizer urges residents to show appreciation for local officers The Peacemakers of El Dorado and Union County’s second annual Blue Lights for the Blue Line campaign started earlier this month, and will continue through Oct. 31. Local residents are encouraged to p... October 19, 2021

Dear Abby Oct. 19, 2021 Dear Abby by Abigail Van Buren Rape victim has kept it a secret for decades DEAR ABBY: Thirty-five years ago I was raped by a stranger. He told me he would kill me if I ever told anyone. I never told ... October 19, 2021

Dedication ceremony marks official opening of Safe Haven Baby Box A months-long effort to place a Safe Haven Baby Box in El Dorado was completed this week with the city's new baby box being dedicated and officially opened for use. On Tuesday, local and state officia... October 17, 2021

Police investigating fatal hit-and-run An El Dorado man was killed Friday night in a hit-and-run incident on West Hillsboro. Police were dispatched to 312 W. Hillsboro shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, in reference to a hit-and-ru... October 13, 2021

Workshop for caregivers scheduled this month The UAMS Center on Aging will hold a workshop for those who care for loved ones with dementia later this month. The workshop will address several topics for caregivers, including communication techniq... October 12, 2021

'An icon:' Family, colleagues and friends remember Dr. Pete Carroll Days after his passing, those who knew Dr. Pete Carroll still have him at the front of their minds. Dr. Carroll practiced medicine for nearly 70 years in north Louisiana and south Arkansas and was res... October 10, 2021

PJs celebrates 10 years in El Dorado, looking forward to the next 10 years PJ's Coffee celebrated 10 years in El Dorado last week with a block party that stretched from the storefront at Main and Washington down to Elm Street. Angela Curry, who manages the cafe with her husb... October 4, 2021

Local bands, Kid's World and more mark return of Musicfest Musicfest kicked off Friday night with a raucous performance by country music artist Frank Foster at the Murphy Arts District's First Financial Music Hall and closed in the same place with a performan... October 3, 2021

Community gathering kicks off 40 Days of Prayer The seventh annual 40 Days of Prayer in El Dorado kicked off Friday with a community prayer meeting at City Hall. Faith leaders, city and county officials and local residents gathered in the lobby at ... October 2, 2021

County to seek bids for purchases over $35K following update to state law A change in state law prompted the Union County Quorum Court this month to update the county's requirements for soliciting bids for planned purchases. Earlier this year, the state Legislature voted to... October 1, 2021

Stories by Caitlan Butler

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