Stories by Caitlan Butler

Yocum, Primary students and staff recognized Students, teachers and classified staff members from Yocum Primary and Elementary were recognized last month by the El Dorado School Board. May had two Students of the Month: Whitney Walthall, a first... June 2, 2023

Third-grader's story earns state prize Helping one's friends is usually the right course of action, but, as Hugh Goodwin third-grader Jai Durvasula learned earlier this year, it isn't always. Jai, 8, explored the pitfalls of unquestioning ... June 1, 2023

Waiting to Excel summer camp open house this week The 16th annual Waiting to Excel summer camp will start soon, and an open house is scheduled this week to give parents a sneak peak of what campers will learn. "We're basically just giving an overview... May 31, 2023

Grill safely with fire safety tips Memorial Day marks the start of summer, and the National Fire Protection Agency has a few tips for keeping safe outdoors. Barbecue is a summer staple, and according to the NFPA, causes more than 10,00... May 29, 2023

Loved ones remembered during annual Memorial Wall unveiling Local residents and visitors from around the state gathered Thursday at the Union County Courthouse for a ceremony that highlighted grief, remembrance and community as the 2023 additions to the LifeTo... May 28, 2023

Memorial Day observations planned in El Dorado Memorial Day is Monday, and several local events have been planned to honor service members who have lost their life in the line of duty. This evening, the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will prese... May 27, 2023

Stars shine on the field and in the classroom The South Arkansas College Stars will travel to Enid, Oklahoma this weekend for the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series, an incredible feat for a baseball team still ... May 26, 2023

County cleanup initiatives helping keep litter off roads Local residents across Union County are pitching in to keep the streets and environment clean, part of several recent initiatives started by County Judge Mike Loftin to keep the county litter-free. In... May 25, 2023

Ribbon cuttings scheduled in El Dorado, Strong The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate several businesses in the community in the coming weeks. Ribbon cuttings have been scheduled for five businesses in Union County over the ... May 24, 2023

Words of wisdom and a warning By John L. Micek My best friend was around to my house on a recent Saturday for a long overdue reunion. Adult schedules and the demands of parenthood being what they are, it had taken UN-level negotia... May 24, 2023

Quorum Court approves Coroner's equipment purchases The Union County Quorum Court last week authorized Coroner Stormey Primm to purchase new equipment for his office at a cost of $19,875.51. Justices of the Peace didn't discuss the ordinance before vot... May 23, 2023

County seeking manager for soon-to-come dispatch center Union County will likely be able to centralize 911 dispatch operations in the early months of 2024, Justice of the Peace Mike Dumas said during a meeting of the Quorum Court on Thursday. "Once the boa... May 22, 2023

Lease transfer paves way for new hospital owners The Union County Quorum Court on Thursday agreed unanimously to transfer a lease agreement between the county and Community Health Systems, a corporation which owns Medical Center of South Arkansas, t... May 21, 2023

Sheriff's office getting new SUV The Union County Quorum Court on Thursday approved an appropriation of $9,000 to go toward the purchase of a new vehicle for the Sheriff's Office. The $9,000 was taken from the UCSO's unappropriated e... May 19, 2023

Group formed to take on violence among local teens Several local men and women have formed a coalition that will seek to identify and address the root causes of recent violence the city has seen among teenagers. The group held its first meeting last T... May 18, 2023

Powell inducted into Hall of Fame at SAU El Dorado School District Assistant Superintendent Melissa Powell was recently recognized for her contributions to education in south Arkansas with induction into Southern Arkansas University's Educat... May 17, 2023

El Dorado man killed in single-vehicle accident An El Dorado man was killed last Thurday in a single-vehicle accident in a rural part of Union County. Jimmy Owens, 63, was the driver of a 2022 Toyota Tundra that crashed on May 11, according to a pr... May 17, 2023

New ag equipment will accompany EHS facilities Superintendent Jim Tucker presented a proposal for the purchase of a new livestock trailer for the agriculture program at El Dorado High School during a regular meeting of the district's school board ... May 15, 2023

ESD revises 23/24 salary schedule, adds steps The El Dorado School Board has revised its salary schedule for the 2023/2024 school year, replacing a previously approved version that did not provide step increases for years of service or attainment... May 14, 2023

Yocum and Primary, WMS, Northwest give positive reports Yocum and Yocum Primary leaders have seen positive developments at both schools this year, the El Dorado School Board learned on Monday. Yocum Primary Principal Kristen Thomas and Yocum Elementary Pri... May 13, 2023

More big banks won't help, President Biden Regional banks took another market drubbing on Thursday, as the financial panic rolls on despite regulatory assurances that all is well. The turmoil wasn't helped Thursday when midsize TD Bank and Fir... May 12, 2023

Rain will continue this weekend Flash flooding gripped the city throughout the day Thursday, and local residents should expect even more rainfall this weekend, said Armani Cassel, a meteorologist at the Shreveport National Weather S... May 12, 2023

Oversize load completing journey through Union County today A massive kiln furnace bound for a hazardous waste treatment plant in Gum Springs will make the final leg of its three-day journey through Union County today, after traveling around Strong on Wednesda... May 12, 2023

For the kids: Boys and Girls Club mission highlighted during Youth of the Year banquet The kids are the point.That was the message at Tuesday evening's Youth of the Year banquet, where the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado highlighted long-time member-turned-staffer Summer Smith, pit... May 11, 2023

No injuries in fire at Delek Delek Vice President of Public Affairs Michael Ralsky confirmed Tuesday that no one was injured in a fire that broke out at the El Dorado refinery Monday evening. "Zero injuries, thankfully," he said.... May 10, 2023

6 recognized as schools' best in April The El Dorado School Board recognized six individuals as among the district's best students and staff members during their regular meeting last month.One student, teacher and classified staff memb... May 9, 2023

EPD: Amarion Robinson, 13, considered missing A 13-year-old El Dorado boy was still considered missing Monday, according to the Arkansas Crime Information Center. Colleen Nick, executive director of the Morgan Nick Foundation, a nonprofit that pr... May 9, 2023

Lightning strike sparks fire at Delek refinery A fire that broke out at the Delek: El Dorado Refinery Monday evening was caused by a lightning strike, Fire Chief Chad Mosby said. The fire broke out around 6 p.m. and was extinguished by about 8 p.m... May 9, 2023

Homemakers Month declared Union County Judge Mike Loftin last week declared the month of May to be Arkansas Extension Homemakers Month, recognizing three local Homemakers Clubs and their contributions to the community. Lauren ... May 8, 2023

Sheriff confirms deputy fired shot during homicide response A Union County Sheriff's deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred Tuesday night, Sheriff Ricky Roberts said in a text mes... May 5, 2023

Elizabeth Fairris named Administrative Professional of the Year Delek's Elizabeth Fairris was named Administrative Professional of the Year during a luncheon on April 26, El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce membership coordinator Karen Hicks said. Fairris w... May 4, 2023

Smackover man killed in Dallas County accident A Smackover man was killed Tuesday in an accident on State Highway 8 in rural Dallas County, according to an Arkansas State Police report. Kevin S. Dore, 67, of Smackover was killed and Patricia E. Ma... May 4, 2023

County sells off old vehicles The Union County Quorum Court last week agreed to sell four 2008 Ford F-150 trucks to Calhoun County. During their regular meeting on April 20, Justices of the Peace considered an ordinance calling fo... May 1, 2023

In reversal, Quorum Court approves raise for coroner Reversing a decision made in March, the Union County Quorum Court this month approved a raise for county Coroner Stormey Primm, ending a months-long effort on the coroner's part to increase his salary... April 30, 2023

Treasurer gets green light to use office funds for upcoming expenses Union County Treasurer Jody Cunningham was granted approval last month to use funds earned in her office for upcoming expenses. During their regular meeting on April 20, the Union County Quorum Court ... April 29, 2023

Washington students 'shake' it up in national competition Several students from Washington Middle School last month travelled to Atlanta, Ga. to compete in the Ron Clark Academy's annual Amazing Shake competition, where they and about 260 other 5th-8th g... April 28, 2023

EHS Drama students to present 'Bye, Bye Birdie' starting Thursday The El Dorado High School Drama Department will present "Bye, Bye Birdie: Young Performers Edition" April 27-29, and Hannah Davis, who heads the high school's theater program, is urging the community ... April 27, 2023

Quorum Court approves $1.7 million in upgrades for jail The Union County Quorum Court last week agreed to let the Sheriff Ricky Roberts spend $1.7 million on upgrades and improvements at the county jail. Roberts first broached the topic of improving some o... April 26, 2023

Re-entry simulation to give first-hand look at struggles of recently released A re-entry simulation will give local residents a first-hand look at the struggles faced by those who have recently been released from prison, and is one of several events planned this week as part of... April 26, 2023

ESD approves step-less salary schedule for 23/24 school year The El Dorado School Board this month approved a new salary schedule for the 2023/2024 school year, putting it in compliance with new statewide teacher pay requirements. The LEARNS Act, signed into la... April 24, 2023

BGCE names Youth of the Year ahead of banquet keynoted by Sam Pittman The Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado will hold their annual Youth of the Year banquet on May 9, and VIP tickets, which come with the opportunity to meet Arkansas Razorbacks Coach Sam Pittman, have sol... April 23, 2023

Deadly toll of abuse highlighted at Children's Coalition event The South Arkansas Children's Coalition on Friday highlighted the Arkansas children killed by abuse in 2022. The organization's annual balloon release marking April as National Child Abuse Prevention ... April 22, 2023

Turning Point receives much-needed donations for domestic violence shelter Turning Point of South Arkansas, a domestic violence education, prevention and intervention organization based in El Dorado, was the recipient Thursday of a hefty donation of supplies for its shelter,... April 21, 2023

Children's Coalition to honor children lost to abuse The South Arkansas Children's Coalition has been busy this month, between travelling to proclamation readings marking April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and planting pinwheel gardens throu... April 20, 2023

Committee aiming to reduce recidivism in county A newly-formed Citizen's Jail Committee is working to find ways to reduce recidivism in Union County, Sheriff Ricky Roberts said this week. The CJC held its first meeting last month, when Roberts gave... April 17, 2023

Lawyer: Integration progress threatened by state's suit A recent court filing from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin against the El Dorado School District could have a "segregative impact" on the district if it's successful, an attorney for the school ... April 16, 2023

School board election plans finalized; only candidates, superintendents will vote The Union County Election Commission met this week to finalize plans for upcoming school elections. Four candidates who all currently serve on their respective school boards are running unopposed for ... April 14, 2023

UA's focus on Arkansas, Chancellor tells local business leaders University of Arkansas Chancellor Dr. Charles Robinson gave the keynote address at the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting WednesdaRobinson, who was named chancellor last N... April 13, 2023

Nominations due Friday for Admin Professional of the Year The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for Administrative Professional of the Year. The nomination period closes at 2 p.m. this Friday, April 14, and Chamber... April 12, 2023

County libraries cut hours The Union County Public Library System Board voted in February to cut the operating hours at most of the system's five branches.The Barton Library's hours were not cut.The move is aimed at cut... April 11, 2023

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