News
Governor Allocates $66M for Water Projects, Including Ashley County Sewer Upgrades
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced an additional $66.5 million in funding to support water and wastewater projects across Arkansas. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved the funding on January 15, 2025, which will benefit more than 60,000 residents in eight counties.
“Today’s announcement continues my administration’s commitment to making sure every Arkansas community has access to safe drinking water,” said Sanders. “Thank you to the agency staff and local officials who are working in close partnership to develop sustainable solutions to water infrastructure in all four corners of our state.”
The funding includes a mix of state and federal resources administered under Sanders’ leadership, which has directed over $2.8 billion to water development projects in all 75 counties since her term began.
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward emphasized the importance of reliable water infrastructure, stating, “Reliable water and wastewater infrastructure is vital to both the quality of life for every Arkansan and the strength of our communities. Governor Sanders’ continued leadership on water issues ensures that Arkansas is well-positioned for future success.”
Funding Allocations
The approved projects include:
- Bentonville (Benton County): $55 million loan for water resource recovery facility improvements, benefiting 54,164 residents.
- Eureka Springs (Carroll County): $6.28 million across two loans for wastewater treatment plant improvements, serving 1,945 residents.
- Gravel Ridge Sewer Improvement District 213 (Pulaski County): $2.51 million loan for sewer collection rehabilitation, benefiting 1,489 residents.
- Horsebend Property Owners Association (Washington County): $154,500 loan for wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation, serving 51 residents.
- Mount Ida (Montgomery County): $586,226 loan for sewer plant rehabilitation, benefiting 600 residents.
- North Crossett Utilities (Ashley County): Two loans totaling $1.24 million for meter upgrades and sewer lift station improvements, serving 1,251 residents.
- Ola (Yell County): $343,477 loan for water main replacement and pump station upgrades, benefiting 571 residents.
- Yellville (Marion County): $384,190 loan for wastewater collection and treatment improvements, serving 523 residents.
These projects represent the state’s ongoing commitment to enhancing water infrastructure for Arkansas communities, ensuring sustainable development and improved quality of life.
News
Parkers Chapel Native Named Miss Louisiana Tech
RUSTON, LA – The Miss Louisiana Organization announced that Union County, Arkansas native and Louisiana Tech University Senior Hannah Brotherton has been named Miss Louisiana Tech. Hannah is the 22 year old daughter of Dr. Don and Mrs. Fran Brotherton and is a 2021 graduate of Parkers Chapel High School.
“Working Hard” seems to be a mainstay in Hannah’s vocabulary. At Louisiana Tech, she is majoring in Computer Information Systems, minoring in Management, as well as, concurrently working on her MBA. She is also a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority.
She will now represent her new title at the Miss Louisiana Pageant, June 19th – 21st at the Monroe Civic Center. Congratulations to Hannah and best of luck from South Arkansas Now!
News
Former Congressman Beryl Anthony dies at 86
STUART, FL. – Beryl Anthony Jr., a former U.S. House representative from El Dorado who dedicated his life to serving Arkansas and championing bipartisan cooperation, passed away Saturday morning at the age of 86.
Anthony was a prominent figure in Arkansas politics, remembered for his deep commitment to addressing the needs of his constituents and his ability to bridge divides in Washington.
Born and raised in El Dorado, Anthony graduated from the University of Arkansas and was later admitted to the Arkansas Bar. He returned to his hometown to begin a legal and public service career that included serving as an assistant to then-Attorney General Bruce Bennett and as the Union County prosecuting attorney.
In 1978, Anthony was elected to represent Arkansas’s 4th Congressional District, succeeding outgoing U.S. Rep. Ray Thornton Jr. During his seven terms in Congress, Anthony gained a reputation as a staunch advocate for Arkansas and Southern states. He played a significant role as a founding member of the Sunbelt Coalition, an organization that evaluated the impact of legislation on Southern states.
Anthony also served on the influential House Ways and Means Committee, including its Oversight and Trade subcommittees, and contributed to the work of the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families. His tenure in Congress was marked by his focus on economic development, trade policies, and support for Arkansas’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
Beyond his political achievements, Anthony was known for his personable nature and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His advocacy for Arkansas extended beyond legislation, as he worked tirelessly to bring federal resources and attention to the state’s needs.
The news of his death was confirmed by the Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Stuart, Florida. No funeral services have been planned.
News
Planned power outage to disrupt morning service in downtown
EL DORADO — The City of El Dorado has announced a planned electrical outage scheduled by Entergy for the downtown area on the morning of Monday, January 15. The outage is set to take place between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., as part of maintenance efforts.
Businesses and residents in the affected area are advised to prepare for the temporary loss of power. Entergy encourages anyone whose power is not restored after 7 a.m. to report the issue immediately. Reports can be made through the Entergy app or by contacting their customer service line at 1-800-368-3749.
City officials appreciate the public’s cooperation and patience during this scheduled maintenance, which aims to ensure reliable power service moving forward.
For further updates, residents are encouraged to stay connected with the City of El Dorado’s official channels and Entergy’s customer support services.
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