News

Contour Airlines Launches Jet Service At South Arkansas Regional Airport

Published

24 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, Ark. — Contour Airlines officially launched jet service Monday at South Arkansas Regional Airport, marking a significant expansion of air travel options for residents and businesses across South Arkansas.

The new service connects El Dorado directly with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest aviation hubs, providing passengers with access to hundreds of domestic and international destinations through connecting flights.

Local and state leaders gathered early Monday at South Arkansas Regional Airport to celebrate the inaugural flight and the beginning of the new partnership with Contour Airlines. The launch represents a major milestone for the region’s transportation infrastructure and economic development efforts.

State Representative Matthew Shepherd highlighted the importance of the new service during the event.

“A big day for South Arkansas as Contour Airlines began jet service between South Arkansas Regional and DFW,” Shepherd said. “Thank you to the El Dorado Airport Commission, El Dorado City Council, Mayor Paul Choate, the El Dorado Chamber, John Boozman, Senator Tom Cotton, Congressman Bruce Westerman, Sarah Huckabee Sanders and all who wrote letters of support to the U.S. Department of Transportation to support this new service.”

Officials say the new connection to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport will significantly improve travel accessibility for the region by reducing travel time and providing a streamlined path to destinations across the country and around the world.

The air service is supported through the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program. Created by Congress following the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, the program is designed to ensure that smaller and rural communities maintain access to the national air transportation system. Through EAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation provides subsidies to airlines that offer scheduled commercial service to communities that might otherwise struggle to sustain regular flights due to lower passenger demand.

South Arkansas Regional Airport has participated in the program for several years, allowing the region to maintain commercial air connectivity while supporting economic growth, business travel, and tourism.

Community leaders say the addition of jet service through Contour Airlines represents a major step forward in strengthening South Arkansas’ transportation network and improving the region’s ability to compete for business and development opportunities.

Airport and city officials encouraged residents and businesses to utilize the new flights, noting that strong passenger support will be key to maintaining and expanding air service in the future.

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El Dorado Police Seek Missing Local Resident

Published

2 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, Ark. — Authorities in El Dorado are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing man who was last seen in late February.

Thomas Beaver, 37, was reported missing on March 15, 2026, according to information released by the El Dorado Police Department. He was last seen on February 27 at The Dels apartments in El Dorado.

Beaver is described as approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 155 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

Officials said Beaver suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and concerns are growing for his well-being as the search continues.

Anyone with information about Beaver’s whereabouts is urged to contact the El Dorado Police Department at 870-863-4141.

Authorities encourage residents to remain alert and report any possible sightings as efforts continue to locate him.

News

Temperatures Dip To Record Low Early Tuesday

Published

2 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, Ark. — A sharp cold snap across South Arkansas and the Four State Region led to record-setting temperatures early Tuesday morning, with El Dorado among the communities experiencing unusually low readings, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport.

In El Dorado, the temperature dropped to 23 degrees, well below the previous record low of 27 degrees for the date, setting a new record.

The National Weather Service reported that several other cities across the region also tied or broke record lows. Texarkana recorded 28 degrees, tying its previous record, while Monroe, Louisiana fell to 26 degrees, just shy of its record of 28 degrees. Shreveport reached 25 degrees, breaking its previous record of 27 degrees.

In East Texas, Tyler recorded 28 degrees, surpassing its record low of 27 degrees. Longview dropped to 27 degrees, just below its record of 28 degrees, while Lufkin tied its record low at 28 degrees.

Meteorologists noted that the widespread cold was the result of a strong cold front that moved through the region, bringing clear skies and calm winds overnight — ideal conditions for temperatures to fall rapidly.

While temperatures are expected to rebound in the coming days, the early morning readings served as a reminder of the region’s potential for late-season cold snaps.

News

Writer Byron Winn Shares Journey Behind Two Books at Signing Event

Published

2 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Local author Byron Winn met with readers over the weekend during a book signing in El Dorado, where he shared two books that grew from ideas he had carried for years before finally bringing them to life.

Winn authored “The Director’s Rose,” a suspense novel centered on a fourth-generation funeral director whose world began to unravel after the loss of his father and grandfather in what he believed was a tragic accident. As he struggled through grief, he was approached about selling his funeral home, crematory, and cemetery, while also being pulled into a darker situation involving secret cremations tied to a criminal operation. The story developed into a tale of betrayal, treachery, and a sting operation carried out with help from local police and the FBI, eventually leading the main character into federal witness protection.

Winn said the idea for The Director’s Rose first came to him while he was a student in mortuary college in Nashville, Tennessee. He returned to the story repeatedly through the years, though writer’s block often kept him from finishing it. Following open-heart surgery last summer, Winn said he finally resolved to complete the book and devoted himself to writing until it was finished.

In addition to his thriller, Winn also wrote the children’s book “Friendly the Fire Dog.” The story followed a puppy found abandoned after a house fire who was adopted by a local fire department and eventually became the mascot of the Friendship Fire Company in Winchester, Virginia.

Winn said the Friendly stories began years ago when his children were young and he told them bedtime stories about the character. He kept those stories close to his heart for nearly 18 years before deciding to write them down for others to enjoy.

With one book offering suspense and criminal intrigue and the other presenting a heartfelt children’s story, Winn’s writing showcased two very different sides of his imagination. His book signing over the weekend gave local readers the chance to meet the author and learn more about the inspiration behind both works.

News

TOUCH Coalition, 100 Families to Host Nonprofit Dropoff in El Dorado March 20-21

Published

2 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Community members will have the chance to support a wide range of local nonprofit organizations later this month during the upcoming Nonprofit Dropoff, hosted by Tremendous Opportunities for Union County Health (TOUCH) Coalition and 100 Families.

The two-day donation event will be held at El Dorado First Assembly of God Church, 2225 W. Hillsboro St. in El Dorado, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 20, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21.

Organizers are encouraging residents to come out and give items that will directly benefit area nonprofits serving families, children, patients, and individuals in need across South Arkansas. The event is designed to make giving simple by allowing people to drop off requested supplies in one central location while helping numerous agencies at once.

Nonprofits benefiting from the drive include Hannah Pregnancy Center, Liberty Ministry Center, 100 Families, South Arkansas Fights AIDS, LifeTouch Health, Chemo Angels, Gray’s Army Foundation, Extreme Youth Programs, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Women Moving Forward, Lupus Flare Fighters, Father Bob’s Charitable Clinic, and Grace Bridge.

Requested items include baby hygiene products and diaper bags, one-pound bags of rice, small jars of peanut butter, bus cards, twin-size bed sheets, gas and grocery gift cards, blankets, chocolate candy, cranberry juice, socks, hand towels, soap, shampoo, bottled water, and monetary donations for children’s Bibles, heart screenings, AEDs, and housing assistance.

In addition to the dropoff, attendees on Saturday only can enjoy free tea and lemonade provided by Raising Cane’s, while Chicken Salad Chick will be on site selling chicken salad.

News

Magnolia Public Schools Hire New Athletic Director

Published

2 hours ago

March 17, 2026

Grant Merrill

MAGNOLIA, Ark. — The Magnolia School District has announced the appointment of veteran coach Chris Pennington as the new Athletic Director for Magnolia Public Schools, bringing decades of experience and a track record of success to the district’s athletic programs.

Pennington, a graduate of Southern Arkansas University, brings more than 30 years of coaching and leadership experience, having built a reputation for developing competitive teams while emphasizing character, discipline, and academic success among student-athletes.

Over the course of his career, Pennington has recorded 653 wins as a head basketball coach and led his teams to 14 district championships. He has been named District Coach of the Year 14 times and has earned recognition at the state level, including serving as a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches board member and being selected twice as a SETCA All-Star Coach.

His coaching experience spans a wide range of sports, including roles as head coach in boys and girls basketball, volleyball, baseball, cross country, golf, and tennis. He has also served as an assistant coach in football and softball, giving him a broad understanding of managing and supporting a full athletic department.

Pennington’s career includes time in both Arkansas and Texas, with four years coaching in Arkansas followed by 11 years at Barbers Hill, 10 years at Hooks, and five years at Texas High School. Throughout his tenure, he has guided numerous teams and student-athletes to success while building programs centered on teamwork and strong values.

In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Pennington was a standout student-athlete. He was a state champion in track, winning the 800-meter run and contributing to a championship 1600-meter relay team. He also earned All-District honors in basketball for three years, was named All-Region in basketball, and received All-State recognition in track.

Pennington and his wife, Stacy, an account executive with Bluum Technology, have one son, Bryce, a recent Southern Arkansas University graduate who is pursuing a career in law enforcement.

As he steps into his new role, Pennington said he is committed to strengthening Magnolia’s athletic tradition by supporting coaches, developing student-athletes, and building programs that reflect pride, integrity, and competitive excellence.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Pennington to Magnolia,” Superintendent Skipper Ward said. “His experience, leadership, and passion for student-athlete development make him an excellent fit for our district and our Panther athletic programs.”

District officials said they look forward to continued growth and success across Magnolia’s athletic programs under Pennington’s leadership.