News

Chick-fil-A? Worst Kept Secret in South Arkansas

Published

1 month ago

April 23, 2025

Sandy Sanford

EL DORADO – The El Dorado City Council met in regular session Wednesday morning inside the Council Chambers of City Hall. Although the agenda was light, there were moments of extended speeches, and a question/answer session.

The Council started with the preliminary actions of prayer, the pledge and approving of minutes. Ward Four Alderman, Buddy McAdams was absent and Ward One Alderman, Jill Weinischke attended by phone. Mayor Paul Choate welcomed everyone, and gave a special welcome to the Government Class of West Side Christian School and their teacher, Cindy Miller. According to the Mayor, the class was on hand to, “observe City Government in action.”

Announcements

Mayor Choate said TCW would have a ground breaking in mid May, as they begin their work of bringing fiber optic internet to the city. Earlier this year, TCW announced they are investing $12 Million in construction in El Dorado, bringing Internet with speeds up to 8GB to the city. The Mayor said TCW plans to begin their construction in the Northwest Quadrant of the City.

The Council also heard reminders about the Prescription Drug Take Back event that is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. at Walmart in El Dorado. The event is designed to properly dispose of Over-The-Counter and Prescription medications that have expired or are no longer needed.

Ward Two Alderman, Judy Ward, reminded the Council about the upcoming National Day of Prayer and the plans to host a parallel event inside City Hall. The National Day of Prayer is scheduled for the 1st Thursday of May every year and happens to fall on May 1st this year. Ward said there would be a very short program with local ministers and the community. She invited all of the Council as well as anyone who wishes to attend.

The Mayor announced there are two meetings remaining for community input about the Master Parks Plan that is being worked on by local architect Michael Rogers and the El Dorado Parks and Playgrounds Commission. There will be a meeting Thursday April 24th at the Murmil Education Center and Tuesday April 29th at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium. Both meetings begin at 5:30 P.M. and the Mayor said, “The meeting I attended lasted about an hour.”

Before the Council went on with other business, Ward Three Alderman Willie McGhee once again voiced his desire for more community input to be accepted should the El Dorado Wins, one-cent sales tax meet with the approval of El Dorado voters. The tax would replace the El Dorado Forward sales tax that is set to expire later this year. Early voting for registered voters in the City begins May 6th, with the Election to be held May 13th. During his speech Alderman McGhee said he was shocked to hear reports of a person impersonating a police officer in El Dorado and asked El Dorado Chief of Police, Ken Hickman, what had been done about it. The Chief acknowledged they did receive one report of someone in a dark colored vehicle that attempted to pull over a motorist in the city. “The allegation came in about a month ago and we investigated it that day, we followed up again that night and went as far as the trail would allow but there was no evidence of it.”

Chick-Fil-A?

The Mayor moved the Council on in the agenda and said, “We, El Dorado, are getting a new national chain chicken restaurant. Their plan is to build it at North West Avenue and 19th Street right behind Larry’s Pizza. However, there is a storm drain on that site that would have to be moved.” The Mayor then pointed the Council to their meeting packets where a number of maps were available for their view. According to the Mayor, the City owns a piece of property right next to Larry’s Pizza and the storm drain could be moved there. “That piece of property is 25 feet wide and 345 feet deep and was originally intended to be a city street should the need ever arise. I spoke with Mr. Edmonds (City Public Works Director Robert Edmonds) and he and I agree that we don’t believe a street will ever be needed there. So moving the drain to that location makes perfect sense.” The Mayor said the storm drain relocation would be done by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Ward Two Alderman, Vance Williamson made the motion to approve and Ward Four Alderman, Dianne Hammond seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

After the meeting adjourned. An unnamed elected official was asked about the restaurant and was asked if it is Chick-Fil-A. That official said, “Well it’s the worst kept secret in South Arkansas but I still can’t say. But I can say this, Cows love this restaurant and encourage people to eat more chicken.” South Arkansas Now reached out to the media department of Chick-Fil-A but we have not received a reply by the time of publishing this article.

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Related Topics:chick fil a El Dorado City Council el dorado wins featured parks master plan tax election el dorado arkansas

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Pleasant Grove Road Reopens Following Bridge Repairs

Published

22 hours ago

June 3, 2025

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Pleasant Grove Road at Loutre Creek is now open to traffic following the successful completion of bridge repairs, County Judge Mike Loftin announced Monday.

The road had been closed since May 29 for scheduled maintenance on the Loutre Creek bridge. Crews completed the work within the estimated five-day window.

“Bridge repairs are complete. Pleasant Grove Road is now open,” Judge Loftin said in a brief statement. “Thank you for your patience.”

The closure, announced in advance by the county on May 28, allowed for necessary structural improvements to ensure safe travel along the well-traveled route.

Drivers are encouraged to resume normal travel patterns.

News

Southern Bancorp Expanding In Missouri

Published

22 hours ago

June 3, 2025

Grant Merrill

LITTLE ROCK — Southern Bancorp, Inc., a Little Rock-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and holding company for Southern Bancorp Bank, has announced plans to acquire Ozarks Heritage Financial Group and its wholly owned subsidiary, Legacy Bank and Trust.

Legacy Bank and Trust, a Springfield, Missouri-based CDFI with approximately $1.9 billion in assets, operates nine locations across Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas and employs nearly 200 people. Upon completion of the acquisition, Southern Bancorp’s total asset size will approach $5 billion, significantly expanding its regional footprint.

“We are excited to welcome the Legacy team, its customers, and its communities to Southern Bancorp,” said Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc. “With the addition of the phenomenal team at Legacy, we look forward to expanding our collective resources – and impact – to even more people and places who can benefit from them.”

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Chris Harlin, chairman of Ozarks Heritage Financial Group, reflected on Legacy’s growth since its founding in 2002 in Plato, Missouri. “Joining a nationally recognized, mission-driven institution like Southern Bancorp represents an exciting new chapter in our journey,” Harlin said.

Legacy President and CEO John Everett added, “With the expanded resources and shared mission of Southern Bancorp, I’m confident we’ll achieve even greater impact in the communities we serve.”

Founded in 1986, Southern Bancorp is one of the nation’s oldest and largest CDFIs, known for its focus on financial inclusion and community development.

JPMorgan Chase and Nelson Mullins served as financial and legal advisors, respectively, to Southern Bancorp. Stephens Inc. and Stinson LLP advised Ozarks Heritage Financial Group in the transaction.

News

The Nail Bar Opens Its Doors with Chamber Ribbon Cutting

Published

22 hours ago

June 3, 2025

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed The Nail Bar to the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking the grand opening of the new salon.

Chamber staff, local officials, and community members gathered to celebrate the occasion, offering their support as The Nail Bar begins its journey in El Dorado. The modern, stylish space offers a full range of nail services and is now open for business.

The Chamber encouraged residents to stop by, explore the salon’s offerings, and support the locally owned business.

The Nail Bar adds to the growing lineup of small businesses investing in El Dorado, and Chamber leaders expressed excitement for what the new addition will bring to the area.

News

South Arkansas Native Named President Of Central Baptist College

Published

2 days ago

June 2, 2025

Staff Reports

CBC President Dr. Jeremy Langley

CONWAY — Dr. Jeremy Langley has been appointed as the next president of Central Baptist College, the institution’s Board of Trustees announced last week. Langley assumed the role on May 27, becoming the tenth president in the college’s 73-year history.

Langley brings more than two decades of combined experience in higher education, ministry, and leadership to the position. He has served as CBC’s executive vice president since August 2024. Before arriving in Conway, he spent more than a decade as the associate pastor of Brister Baptist Church in Emerson and seven years in various roles at Southern Arkansas University, including assistant to the president, associate director of athletics, and assistant director of development.

“Speaking for the entire CBC board, we are thrilled to name Dr. Jeremy Langley as the new President of Central Baptist College,” said Kirk Shelton, Board Chairman. “Our search began over a year ago with the announcement of President Kimbrow’s planned retirement this year. We believe that God brought Dr. Langley to us, and as one board member said, ‘he checked all the boxes and exceeded our expectations.’ Dr. Langley hit the ground running working alongside President Kimbrow last fall and has developed a great relationship with administration, faculty, and staff. I believe he is the right man in the right place at the right time.”

Langley holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Ministry Leadership from Liberty University, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, a Master of Public Administration from Southern Arkansas University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Mass Communications from Ouachita Baptist University. He formerly served as a Justice of the Peace on the Columbia County Quorum Court, where he chaired the Court’s finance committee.

“I am honored to accept the call to serve as president of Central Baptist College,” Langley said. “This institution has a rich legacy of preparing students for lives of service grounded in biblical truth. I look forward to building on that legacy and leading the college into a season of growth and impact. My chief goal is to ensure CBC continues to be a place where Christ is exalted and God is glorified.”

Langley succeeds Terry Kimbrow, who retired May 26 after more than 20 years as president.

Founded in 1952 and affiliated with the Baptist Missionary Association of Arkansas, Central Baptist College is committed to transforming lives through education that integrates Christian faith and academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment.

For more information, visit www.cbc.edu.

News

Victim Identified in Lake Erling Drowning

Published

2 days ago

June 2, 2025

Staff Reports

LEWISVILLE — Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal boating accident Saturday on Lake Erling as Curtis James Hildreth, 62, of Columbia County Road 12 southwest of Magnolia, according to a report from HopePrescott.Com.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, when a 12-foot john boat carrying two individuals and a dog capsized while attempting to reach the shore due to increasing winds. The boat overturned in about six feet of water, resulting in Hildreth’s drowning. The second individual and the dog survived after making it safely to the bank. Authorities have not released the name of the survivor.

Emergency crews from the Walker Creek and Lake Erling Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene, along with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. The Springhill, Louisiana Fire Department Dive Team was called in and recovered Hildreth’s body at approximately 5:15 p.m. that evening. The incident occurred near Lafayette County Road 69 on the east side of the lake.

Hildreth’s body was released to Henderson’s Mortuary of Magnolia.

Local officials remind boaters to take extra precautions in high winds and to always wear life jackets while on the water.