News

SAU Alum Named Minden’s Man Of The Year

Published

1 year ago

June 9, 2025

Staff Reports

MAGNOLIA – For years, Tracy Campbell has collected antique signs and memorabilia. And through that pursuit, he has come to see himself as preserving the history of his community in Minden, La.

Now, he is part of that history.

Campbell, a 1999 graduate of Southern Arkansas University, was named Minden Man of the Year earlier this spring. “It was very humbling. When you think of some of the guys who have made a difference in this town, I don’t feel that I’m worthy of that kind of recognition,” said Campbell. “It was really nice.”

He currently works as a partner and financial advisor with Merriweather Wealth and Planning, a financial planning company in Minden. He is also a business owner in Minden. However, his initial career course was in media.

Campbell received his bachelor’s degree in mass communications-print journalism in May of 1999. Two weeks later, he married his high school sweetheart, Jennifer. Shortly after that, he and his wife moved to Minden, where he became editor of the local newspaper, the Minden Press-Herald.

The couple moved to Hope, Ark., for a brief period, where he led the marketing department at a community college before returning to Minden in 2003. It was around that time that Campbell began to pursue his passion for old memorabilia, particularly vintage advertising signs and logos.

“I was at my uncle’s house in Sarepta, and I noticed a sign lying on his carport under his truck,” Campbell related. The old sign was for Kuhn’s Climatized Paints, and it piqued his interest. “I asked him what he was going to do with it.” It turns out his uncle was only using the sign to catch oil as it leaked from his truck. Campbell, however, had an idea for a better use for it.

“He told me I could have it if I could find something to replace it with. So I brought him another piece of scrap metal.”

However, Campbell’s interest in older items began when he was just 12 years old. It all started when I was a kid,” Campbell explained. “I would ride my bike to garage sales, buy stuff, and put it in my closet. Then, I would sell it to make a profit. ”Campbell’s love for the older advertising signs and merchandise began slowly while living in Minden. “I started with like five pieces, then I had 10. Now, I probably have around 300 different items. “I just find it enjoyable. And it’s therapeutic,” added Campbell.

Campbell has kept many of the items he has found and restored. Other items he has sold. His hobby has also led to other opportunities. Recently, he appeared on the show “Hometown Kickstart,” which visits various towns each week in search of antiques and memorabilia. The program visited Minden for the series finale.

“I was a picker for that episode. I met the designers at a collector friend’s place in Cotton Valley, La., and helped them locate some raw materials for their projects,” explained Campbell. “It is interesting to see first-hand how those renovation reality shows are filmed.”

While Campbell loves preserving local history, he said SAU helped prepare him for wherever his career took him. “SAU has 100 percent prepared me. My time at SAU, especially in the journalism department, taught me how to communicate. One of the foundational things you have in life is to know how to communicate both in speaking and writing.”

While at SAU, Campbell also worked part-time in the Communications Center, which was the marketing office for the University. “My time in the Communications Center was beneficial. I got to hone my graphic design skills and my writing skills. Those skills carried me through every job I’ve ever had.”

Campbell’s wife, Jennifer, is the branch manager of the Minden branch of the Webster Parrish Library. She has learned over the years not to be surprised at anything Campbell might bring home.

“My family thinks it’s kind of funny,” said Campbell of his wife, his son Colin, who is now a junior at Louisiana Tech majoring in computer science, and his daughter Lily, who will be a sophomore in high school in the fall. “They say, ‘You never know what Tracy is going to bring home.’ They know to expect the unexpected,” he said with a laugh.

Recently, he brought home perhaps the most unique item yet – a 17-foot sign for the former Minden Motel.

“They know I like saving and preserving the local history. I’m kind of a caretaker for this stuff. I get to keep it and enjoy it for a little while, and then someone else can have it to enjoy it.”

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News

Downed Power Line Has EFD Fighting Nighttime Fire

Published

3 days ago

August 15, 2026

Sandy Sanford

EL DORADO, AR – El Dorado Fire Department was called out late Saturday night when a limb crashed across an active power line inside the Racquet Club neighborhood on El Dorado’s North side.

At approx 11:00 P.M, residents in the area reported their lights blinking several times and then power going out. Shortly thereafter, neighbors reported smelling smoke and seeing flames coming from a power pole. Soon thereafter, flames were reported in the backyard of a home on Kenwood Street, with a subsequent fire happening on 19th street.

El Dorado Fire Department responded and found a downed power line. Knowing that the power line could present greater problems, the crews worked quickly to identify the line and if it was live. In the meantime, other fire fighters were working to extinguish the flames, which given the dangerously dry conditions, could spread quickly.

As of this posting, the EFD crews were still identifying any hot-spots that could be lingering in the debris of the fallen limb and power line.

News

Mulerider Football Enters Fall Camp With New Faces, High Expectations and Stadium Improvements on the Horizon

Published

6 days ago

August 13, 2026

Jax Sanford

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas University football is back on the practice field as the Muleriders prepare for the 2026 season, and Head Coach Brad Smiley believes his team is building toward something special both on and off the field.

Smiley recently invited South Arkansas Now to take a look at the Muleriders during fall camp and spoke about his expectations for the upcoming season, his players’ commitment to the community, and his goal of making sure every student-athlete has the best possible experience at SAU.

One of the points Smiley takes particular pride in is the Muleriders’ commitment to serving the community. Last season, the program was recognized as the national champion in community service, following back-to-back runner-up finishes the previous two years.

For Smiley, however, success extends well beyond what happens between the lines.

“I want to give every single one of our players the best experience possible at SAU,” Smiley emphasized, while also stressing the importance of helping his players grow academically and developmentally during their time in Magnolia.

On the field, the Muleriders enter the 2026 campaign following a strong 8-3 season in 2025. Southern Arkansas dominantly closed last season, defeating the University of Arkansas at Monticello 49-10 in the annual Battle for the Timberlands.

New Quarterback Leads New Faces

One of the biggest changes heading into this season comes at quarterback, where the Muleriders have added transfer quarterback CJ Montes.

Montes began his collegiate career at New Mexico before transferring to Fordham University. During his time with the Rams, he threw for more than 3,000 yards, 26 touchdowns and just one interception. He recorded five games with more than 300 passing yards, including a 400-yard performance, and led the Patriot League in passing touchdowns. His impressive season earned him recognition as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.

Montes later transferred to Kent State, where he was named the team’s Week 1 starter and appeared in two games, completing 10 of 19 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown before suffering a season-ending injury.

The Muleriders will also look to Arkez Gomez to provide production in the backfield. Gomez served as the team’s starting running back last season while sharing carries with multiple players. He finished 2025 with 103 rushing attempts for 562 yards and three touchdowns.

Gomez was also a factor in the passing game, catching 19 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. He even added a passing touchdown to his stat line.

El Dorado’s JJ Samuel Joins the Muleriders

Among the familiar names on the Muleriders’ roster is El Dorado High School alumnus JJ Samuel.

Samuel comes to Magnolia after an impressive 2025 season with the Wildcats, rushing for more than 1,100 yards on fewer than 200 carries while accounting for more than 20 total touchdowns.

His addition gives SAU another local product with proven production at the high school level.

Wilkins Stadium Set for Major Facelift

While the Muleriders prepare for the season, changes are also coming to their home field.

SAU has announced a three-phase facilities enhancement project for the football program, with the first two phases already funded through private gifts and pledges from alumni and friends of the university.

The first phase will focus on revitalizing Wilkins Stadium’s exterior, including new metal, brick and signage designed to give the facility a more modern appearance.

The second phase will bring a significant change to the playing surface. SAU plans to remove the existing artificial turf and install Pivot Performance Turf, a newer turf technology designed to provide grass-like performance while offering consistent traction and controlled release for athletes. According to the university, Southern Arkansas will be among the first universities in the country to utilize the technology.

The final phase of the project will be announced at a later date as details continue to be finalized.

The renovations will be completed by GeoSurfaces, a Tencate Company that has previously worked on several SAU athletic facilities, including Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field, Dawson Field at the Margaret Downing Softball Complex, the Dawson Athletic Complex and the Mulerider Track and Field Complex.

The project is being funded entirely through private support, with donors set to receive recognition, including select facility naming opportunities, once all phases are completed.

Muleriders Open at Home in September

The Muleriders will open their 2026 home schedule on Saturday, September 12, at 6 p.m., when they welcome Southern Nazarene to Wilkins Stadium.

With a strong returning core, several new additions to the roster, a new quarterback and major improvements coming to their home facility, Smiley and the Muleriders enter the season looking to build on last year’s 8-3 campaign.

But for Smiley, the measure of the program will continue to be bigger than wins and losses.

The Muleriders will once again look to compete on the field while representing Southern Arkansas University through academics, player development and service to the Magnolia and surrounding communities.

News

Complete List of Candidates for Election This Fall

Published

6 days ago

August 13, 2026

Sandy Sanford

EL DORADO, AR – The field is now set for the November 2026 General Election in Union County, with the certified list of candidates finalized for county offices and municipalities. The election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The certified candidate list includes contests for Union County offices as well as races in several of the county’s cities and towns.

One of the most closely watched countywide races will be the contest for Union County Sheriff. Republican Michael Fife and Democrat Erick Meadows will face one another in November for the position. Both candidates are members of the Union County law enforcement community. Meadows is a captain with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, while Fife is a former Smackover Police Chief and currently serves as an investigator with the Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s race became an open contest following Sheriff Ricky Roberts’ decision to leave the office and return to the El Dorado Police Department as chief.

Other county offices on the 2026 ballot include positions involving county government and the quorum court. The certified list also includes candidates for municipal offices throughout Union County. The November election will provide voters with the opportunity to decide contested races while candidates running unopposed will also appear on the ballot as required by Arkansas election law. Arkansas law allows the County Board of Election Commissioners to certify certain unopposed candidates as elected without requiring them to appear in a contested race.

Contested Union County races include:

COUNTY JUDGE: Incumbent (R) Mike Loftin, Todd Dickson (I)

SHERIFF: Michael Fife (R), Erick L. Meadows (D)

QUORUM COURT DISTRICT 6: Jebb T. Young (R), Solena Sayer (D)

MAYOR – EL DORADO: Andre Rucks (D), Incumbent Paul Choate (R), Byron D. Miller, Jr. (I)

CITY ATTORNEY – EL DORADO: Incumbent Robert Rushing (R), LaQuetta S. Henry (D)

ALDERMAN – EL DORADO WARD 1 POSITION 2: Incumbent Jill Weinschke (R), LaQuita Rainey (D)

ALDERMAN – EL DORADO WARD 2 POSITION 1: Lance Greer Jr. (R), Veronica Smith-Creer (D)

ALDERMAN – EL DORADO WARD 2 POSITION 2: Incumbent Judy Ward (R), Amy S. Smith (D), Nathan L. Rainey (I)

MAYOR – HUTTIG: Emmit “Tony” Anthony Cole Jr. (I), Bennie Ford Jr. (I)

CITY COUNCIL – HUTTIG WARD 3 POSITION 2: Van Page (I), Edward Henson (I)

MAYOR – JUNCTION CITY: Sharon L. Williams (R), Steven Burroughs (I), James H. McClelland (I)

CITY COUNCIL – JUNCTION CITY WARD 2 POSITION 2: Paul Ennis (I), Keisha Noble (I)

CITY COUNCIL – JUNCTION CITY WARD 3 POSITION 2: Ricky Allen Watts (I), Bruce Green (I)

MAYOR – STRONG: Charles Perry (I), Tracie L. Thrower (I)

RECORDER / TREASURER – STRONG: Latosha Gatson (I), Patricia Warren (I)

CITY COUNCIL – STRONG WARD 1 POSITION 1: Arthemus Henry (I), Marcus Barr (I)

CITY COUNCIL – STRONG WARD 3 POSITION 1: Kenneth Harris (D), John L. Hicks (I)

SCHOOL BOARD – SMACKOVER NORPHLET ZONE 4: Derrick D. Goodwin, Cliff Preston,

According to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s 2026 election calendar, the General Election will take place November 3, with certification of election results following the election according to statutory timelines.

Voters can check registration information, polling locations and other election information through the Union County election office. The Union County election office is located at 101 N. Washington, Suite 102, in El Dorado. With the candidate filing period now complete and the certified list established, the next major chapter of the 2026 election season will be the campaigns leading up to Election Day.

News

El Dorado EATS Launches to Showcase Local Dining

Published

6 days ago

August 13, 2026

Sandy Sanford

EL DORADO, AR – Fourteen El Dorado restaurants have joined together to launch El Dorado EATS, a collaborative initiative designed to raise awareness of the city’s growing culinary scene and encourage residents and visitors to experience one of South Arkansas’ most diverse destinations for great dining. The project launched in August with the debut of a new website and dedicated Facebook and Instagram pages designed to promote El Dorado’s local dining scene. The launch coincides with the distribution of the new 48-page El Dorado Dining Guide, which showcases area restaurants, visitor information and dining opportunities throughout the community. The El Dorado Dining Guide features KTVE News anchor Cindy Langston, who will help bring the guide’s pages to life throughout October on a daily segment on NBC 10 News at 4PM, Langston will introduce viewers to local restaurants through interviews with restaurant owners and features that highlight El Dorado’s diverse dining options.

The new guide is an extension of the El Dorado Insider, a quarterly community guide published by The Diamond Agency of El Dorado. Both publications are designed to promote local businesses, entertainment venues, attractions and upcoming events while encouraging residents and visitors to experience more of what El Dorado has to offer. According to Don Hale, publisher, “El Dorado EATS provides a platform for restaurants to engage in a year-round promotion through digital media, social media, spotlight articles and feature stories in the El Dorado Dining Guide. Together, these efforts highlight El Dorado as a destination where visitors can enjoy a variety of locally owned dining experiences. The new website serves as a central resource where visitors can browse each of the restaurants, view menus, read about the owners and their stories, learn about signature dishes, along with hours, locations, and contact information. Throughout the year, the website and social media channels will feature individual profiles, favorite menu selections, seasonal promotions, and special events like the ELDO FOOD FEST, designed to keep local dining top of mind. “El Dorado has become one of the region’s best places to dine-out,” said Alyssa Avant, spokesperson for El Dorado EATS. “Whether you’re craving Southern comfort food, authentic Mexican cuisine, hickory-smoked barbecue, specialty hamburgers, fresh-baked pastries, or a great evening with friends and family, this city offers a variety of restaurants. El Dorado EATS invites you to discover new favorites while supporting the businesses that help make the El Dorado unique.”
The fourteen participating restaurants include, Antigua’s Bar & Grill, Black Cat Café, E&R Bar & Grill, Fernando’s Mexican Grill, Flying Burger & Seafood, Good Times Grill, JJ’s BBQ, Main Street Pizza, Mystic Grill, MAD House 101, Off the Rail Café, The Refinery, Timberlane Meat Market, and The Well Bar & Grill at The Haywood. By working together, these restaurants are enhancing El Dorado’s reputation as a leading destination for great dining in South Arkansas. Residents and visitors are encouraged to pick up a copy of the El Dorado Dining Guide, follow El Dorado EATS on Facebook and Instagram, and visit www.ElDoradoEATS.com to stay informed about special dining promotions and events.

Featured

Arkansas National Guard Recognizes Smackover Educators with Lunch Ahead of New School Year

Published

6 days ago

August 13, 2026

Jax Sanford

SMACKOVER, Ark. – Teachers and staff at Smackover High School received a special lunchtime visit Wednesday, Aug. 12, as the Arkansas Army National Guard stopped by to show its appreciation for the educators preparing for another school year.

SGT. Payten R. Tompkins, with the Arkansas Army National Guard Recruiting Office, brought Chick-fil-A sandwiches for the faculty and staff and briefly introduced himself to the group.

Tompkins has served with the National Guard’s recruiting office in Magnolia but recently transitioned into the recruiter role covering the El Dorado-Camden area. As he begins serving the area, Tompkins said he hopes his role will extend beyond simply recruiting young people to join the Guard.

Instead, he emphasized his desire to empower young men and women to serve their communities in whatever capacity they choose.

Tompkins also wanted to use the visit as an opportunity to recognize the teachers and staff for the work they do each day.

He expressed his appreciation for educators and noted that the work of teaching is often underappreciated despite the tremendous impact teachers have on their students and communities.

The visit came as the Smackover School District prepares to begin another school year. Smackover High School Principal Cody Cranford praised his faculty and staff for the work they have put in to prepare for the upcoming year.

With teachers and staff working behind the scenes to get classrooms, programs and students ready for another year, Wednesday’s lunch served as a small gesture of appreciation for their efforts.

As the new school year approaches, Smackover School District is looking forward to another successful year, supported by a faculty and staff committed to serving its students and community.