South Arkansas — South Arkansas is heading into a busy stretch of community events, with parades, rodeos, family activities, concerts, fundraisers and summer celebrations planned across the region. From El Dorado’s upcoming America 250 celebration to events in Norphlet, Crossett, Calion and beyond, residents will have several opportunities to gather, support local causes and enjoy the summer season. Below is a look at several major events coming up across South Arkansas.

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Parade registration is now open for one of El Dorado’s biggest upcoming summer celebrations: the America 250 Stars & Stripes Parade, set for Thursday, July 2, at 7:30 p.m. in downtown El Dorado.

The parade will take place ahead of the Murphy USA Drone Show, giving residents and visitors a full evening of patriotic celebration in the heart of downtown. More information about the event is available at GoElDorado.com.

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The America 250 celebration is among several community events scheduled in El Dorado and nearby South Arkansas communities in the coming weeks.

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HealthWorks Fitness Center will host National Senior Health & Fitness Day on Thursday, May 28, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The free community event will include a guest speaker from the South Arkansas Center on Aging, a mini health fair, health screenings, water and land class demonstrations, door prizes, breakfast provided by First Financial Bank and lunch provided by South Arkansas Regional Hospital.

HealthWorks will also offer Longfellow’s Whale Tales, a two-day water safety course for children ages 5 to 12, on May 28 and May 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. The American Red Cross program is free and limited to the first 40 children to register. Families may sign up at the HealthWorks front desk or by calling 870-862-5442.

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In Norphlet, the Norphlet Public Library will host a Summer Reading Kickoff Party on June 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 101 E. Padgett Street. The event will feature dinosaur digging, an “adopt a dino” activity, goodie bags, snacks and water. Sponsors include 4R Oil and Norphlet community members.

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Juneteenth events are also planned in El Dorado. The Justice League will present a Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day on Friday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MAD Amp. The event will include free food, frozen treats, community vendors, a bounce house, water slide, poster contest, free T-shirts while supplies last, speakers, entertainment and more. Clean Harbors is listed as the title sponsor.

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Later that evening, Guud Vibez will host Juneteenth at Guud Vibez, also presented by The Justice League. Doors open at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 19, with no cover charge. The event will feature music, drinks, signature cocktails and a celebration of freedom, culture and community.

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In Crossett, the 78th Annual Crossett Riding Club PRCA Rodeo will begin with a parade on May 27. Parade lineup is scheduled for 3 p.m., with departure at 4 p.m. from Cap Gates Arena. Rodeo events will follow May 27-29, beginning at 7:30 p.m. nightly at Cap Gates Arena. Family Night is scheduled for May 28 with free admission, and the Battle of the Bulls is planned for May 30. The rodeo has been a Crossett tradition since 1948 and is part of the PRCA’s All American Pro Rodeo Series. The Crossett Riding Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports local community activities and provides college scholarships.

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Two El Dorado students, Isaiah Robinson and Herman Gill, will be among the participants in the 2026 Red River FCA Senior Showdown Basketball, Baseball, Football, & Softball event. The duo will have the honor of representing the great game of basketball as prodigy players. Red River FCA recently held a media day for the senior showdown participants and thanked Heritage Church for allowing the organization to use its facility. The event brings together standout senior basketball, baseball and softball players from the region for a Texas-versus-Arkansas showcase.

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A river poker run benefiting Debbie Hudson is planned for June 27 in Calion. The event will raise money to help Hudson’s family with expenses. Registration and payment will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. the day of the event at the spillway in Calion. The first boat will leave at 10 a.m., and the final boat is expected back by 3 p.m. Stops will be located up and down the river, with participants finishing back at the spillway. The cost is $20 per person.

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The #TeamLance Fun Run is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, in downtown El Dorado. The event honors the life and legacy of Lance E. Yarbrough and supports efforts connected to scholarships and medical assistance for young cancer patients. According to the TeamLance page, T-shirt orders, vendor registration and sponsor sign-up deadlines are June 1. Questions may be directed to [email protected].

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Also Friday around lunch, employees at Melvin’s Pharmacy will recognize Melvin Skeeles for 50 years in the business. Skeeles has served and helped many people throughout the years at his pharmacy, and the recognition will honor his longtime commitment to the community.

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Murphy Arts District has also announced that local band, Coyote Pine, will open for Scotty McCreery on June 25 at the First Financial Music Hall. Tickets are currently available through Murphy Arts District.

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A nearby benefit event is also planned in Calion. A river poker run benefiting Debbie Hudson is set for June 27, with registration and payment from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the spillway in Calion. The first boat leaves at 10 a.m., and the last boat is expected back by 3 p.m. The cost is $20 per person, with proceeds going to Hudson’s family to help with expenses.

With patriotic celebrations, family activities, health programs, live music and community fundraisers on the calendar, South Arkansas residents will have several opportunities to get involved throughout the summer.

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EL DORADO, Ark. — The El Dorado Finance Committee selected new leadership during its latest meeting, naming Dianne Hammond as chair and Councilman Andre Rucks as co-chair.

Councilman Willie McGhee nominated Rucks for the chair position, and Rucks accepted the nomination. Following discussion, the committee agreed to establish both a chair and co-chair position because more than one city official expressed interest in helping lead the committee.

Hammond was selected as chair after receiving five votes. Rucks received three votes and will serve as co-chair.

Following the leadership selection, Hammond reviewed the city’s latest sales tax report, which compared 2026 collections with figures from 2025 and 2024.

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According to the report, the city’s one-cent sales tax collections are down year-to-date compared to both previous years listed. The report shows $1,420,999.46 collected in 2026, compared to $1,499,388.69 in 2025. That is a decrease of $78,389.23, or 5.23 percent. Compared to 2024, when the total was $1,611,394.01, the one-cent sales tax is down $190,394.55, or 11.82 percent.

The quarter-cent sales tax showed stronger results compared to 2025, but still trailed 2024 figures. The report lists 2026 year-to-date collections at $560,883.71, compared to $524,413.28 in 2025. That is an increase of $36,470.43, or 6.95 percent. Compared to 2024, however, collections are down $55,186.16, or 8.96 percent.

The El Dorado WINS tax followed the same trend. Year-to-date collections for 2026 totaled $2,243,534.85, compared to $2,097,653.16 in 2025. That marks an increase of $145,881.69, or 6.95 percent. Compared to 2024, when collections totaled $2,464,240.61, the WINS tax is down $220,705.76, or 8.96 percent.

The solid waste tax was down compared to both 2025 and 2024. The report shows 2026 year-to-date collections at $1,619,925.16, compared to $1,707,456.69 in 2025. That is a decrease of $87,531.53, or 5.13 percent. Compared to 2024, collections are down $215,598.19, or 11.75 percent.

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Month-to-month, the report showed some improvement in April across several categories. The one-cent sales tax was up 1.98 percent compared to April 2025, while the quarter-cent sales tax and WINS tax were both up 11.29 percent compared to April 2025. The solid waste tax was also up 2.27 percent compared to the same month last year.

Logan Adams with Emrich & Scroggins, LLP, CPAs also spoke during the meeting. Adams discussed plans to help the city have monthly financial reports prepared in time for upcoming city council meetings.

Hammond said she would like the Finance Committee to meet once a month moving forward.

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The El Dorado City Council met Thursday night and covered a wide range of topics, including police needs, economic development, senior transportation, food truck regulations, board appointments, city equipment and public safety concerns downtown.

Before the meeting, City Attorney Robert Rushing noted to several council members that some city ordinances have not yet been codified for enforcement by the El Dorado Police Department. Rushing later addressed a similar issue during discussion of possible food truck regulations, saying city code would need to be updated before certain rules could be enforced.

Councilman Willie McGhee suggested moving the Finance Committee meeting to City Hall. Mayor Paul Choate agreed with the suggestion and thanked McGhee for his contribution.

El Dorado Police Chief Ricky Roberts also brought a grant form before the council for signatures from the full council and mayor. The grant, totaling $22,379.00, would be split between the city and county and used for Class A uniforms and updated patches for police uniforms.

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The council then approved an updated contract with the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, authorizing $400,000 for economic development. Councilman Andre Rucks commended the council for investing in the city’s economic arm, saying the move helps make El Dorado a stronger contender for outside investment and future industry.

The contract was approved unanimously.

Choate also spoke about the future impact of the Expo Center, saying the project will help bring money into the El Dorado community and pay dividends for decades to come.

Another major item was the “Miles for Seniors” program. McGhee said helping seniors get out, stay active and remain connected is important for the health of the community. He also said the program shows how neighbors can come together to solve problems facing local residents.

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Tyler Turner with United Way is coordinating the effort. Turner said volunteers will use an app to help organize rides and support for seniors. He also noted that the grant connected to the program was awarded to only 22 out of 174 applicants across the nation.

Turner closed his comments by saying, “We are stronger together.”

Food truck regulations were also discussed at length. Councilwoman Dianne Hammond said the city needs clear rules for food trucks, especially when it comes to whether they should be allowed on city property.

Council members discussed several options, including banning food trucks from city property, allowing certain exceptions for areas such as the Recreation Complex, and raising the rental price for food trucks using city-owned property. Some members said a higher fee could help support local businesses and food truck courts that already operate in El Dorado.

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Rushing said the city code would need to be updated before the city could enforce new food truck rules.

Council members McAdams and David Hurst both agreed there is a need to look at raising the rental price. Judy Ward suggested that Rucks, Hammond and Hurst research the issue and bring a recommendation back to the council.

Rucks said he wants to make sure the city supports local businesses, including DP’s Food Truck Park.

The council also handled several appointments. Janis Vanhook was unanimously reappointed to the Civil Service Commission. Jeff Fort was also unanimously appointed to the Advertising and Promotion Commission.

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Council members also approved a resolution for the disposal of non-salvageable AV equipment at the El Dorado Conference Center. Officials said any equipment that can be recycled will be recycled, while any reusable equipment will continue to be used. The resolution passed unanimously

Near the end of the meeting, council members discussed ongoing public safety concerns downtown, particularly late at night.

McGhee said Police Chief Ricky Roberts should not be the only person held accountable for the issue. He said families also have a responsibility to help keep young people safe and address behavior before it becomes a larger problem.

Roberts said much of the concern involves young adults, mainly in the 18 to 26 age range, staying out well past midnight and creating dangerous situations downtown. He said the activity has become frequent enough that police are having difficulty keeping it under control.

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Roberts said the city needs “more teeth” to address the problem. He also raised concern about the amount of taxpayer money being used for police resources to respond to fights, shootings and other dangerous incidents.

Roberts said he believes more people in the community need to speak up and say, “This is wrong within our community.”

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training concluded two days of scheduled hearing sessions this week at Arkansas State Police Administrative Headquarters in Little Rock, resulting in the decertification of two former West Memphis law enforcement officers.

According to a press release from Arkansas State Police, the hearings were held May 4-5 and included the review of four cases involving former West Memphis officers at the request of the 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney.

During the meetings, commissioners unanimously voted to decertify Treasure Gaither and Stacey Allen.

The commission also voted to continue the case involving Mose Walker until Aug. 11, 2026.

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A request for the decertification of Blake Forthman was denied by unanimous vote.

In additional business, the commission nominated and unanimously selected Arkansas State Police Major Stacie Rhoads to serve as vice chairman.

The Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training oversees certification standards and professional requirements for law enforcement officers across the state.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas State Police are investigating three separate fatal crashes that claimed the lives of individuals in Little River, Lawrence and Baxter counties earlier this week.

A 40-year-old Ashdown man was killed early Wednesday morning after being struck by a vehicle on State Highway 32 in Little River County.

According to Arkansas State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 2:45 a.m. on May 1 in Ashdown. Investigators said Dustin Roach was in the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle.

Additional details about the vehicle involved were not immediately released. The crash remains under investigation.

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In Lawrence County, a Pocahontas woman died Tuesday evening following a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 63 and State Highway 91 in Walnut Ridge.

Arkansas State Police identified the victim as 58-year-old Sheila Quarterman of Pocahontas. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred at approximately 5:41 p.m.

According to the preliminary crash report, one vehicle crossed the center line and collided head-on with a second vehicle, which then left the roadway. Investigators said the first vehicle was then forced back across the center line, where it was struck by a third vehicle.

Three vehicles were involved in the crash. Additional details about the other drivers were not included in the initial report.

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In Baxter County, a 67-year-old Gamaliel woman died Monday afternoon after her vehicle left the roadway on State Highway 101 North and struck a tree.

The crash happened at approximately 4:10 p.m. Arkansas State Police identified the victim as Cynthia D. Boland.

According to investigators, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree on the driver’s side. No additional information regarding the cause of the crash was immediately available.

All three crashes remain under investigation by Arkansas State Police.

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