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VIDEO: Dates Announced For El Dorado Kindergarten Registration

Published

5 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, Ark. — Parents and guardians of incoming kindergarten students in the El Dorado School District can begin preparing now for the 2026-27 registration process, with sibling registration opening April 17 and open kindergarten registration beginning April 22.

According to district registration materials, open kindergarten registration will begin at 8 a.m. on April 22, 2026.

District officials say children must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1, 2026, in order to enroll in kindergarten for the upcoming school year.

Registration will be completed in an online format through the El Dorado School District website. Families are instructed to visit eldoradopublicschools.org, select “Enroll My Student,” and then follow the kindergarten registration steps provided there.

Before registration can be finalized, parents must first complete a Google Form, which will then provide a link to PowerSchool. Families will be asked to create a username and password to continue the process. District materials note that both the Google Form and the PowerSchool submission must be completed, along with all required documents, for registration to be considered complete.

Documents required for registration include a birth certificate, Social Security card, shot record, and proof of residency within the El Dorado School District. Proof of residency must be a bill or statement showing the parent or guardian’s name and address and must be dated within the last 30 days.

The district is also advising families that school preference will only be prioritized if all required documents are uploaded at the time of registration.

Parents who are unsure whether they live within the district are encouraged to contact the Union County Assessor’s Office at 870-864-1920.

For families who do not have internet access, assistance is available through the district’s Administration Office at 200 West Oak. Questions can also be directed to the district by calling 870-864-5006.

The registration materials feature the district’s elementary campuses, including Hugh Goodwin Elementary, Northwest Elementary and Yocum Elementary.

For more information, parents can visit www.eldoradopublicschools.org.

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South Arkansas Arts Center Announces Cast of Doctor Dolittle, JR.

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South Arkansas Arts Center Announces Cast of Doctor Dolittle, JR.

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Sandy Sanford

The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) announces the cast of its Youth Theatre production of Doctor Dolittle, JR., performing April 30 and May 1 at 7:00 PM, with a matinee on May 2 at 2:00 PM. Directed by Cassie Hickman and Haley Phillips, this musical adventure follows a doctor who discovers he can talk to animals and embarks on a journey filled with humor, heart, and friendship. Set in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, Doctor Dolittle (Bennett Sandifer) is admired by Madeline Muggs (Aubree Matthews) and Tommy Stubbins (Luke Hickman). After a failed visit with General Bellowes (Maddox Wilson), he becomes an animal doctor with help from Polynesia the parrot (Penelope Sawyer), learning to speak with Jip the dog (Addy Miller), Rufus the dog (Julietta Martin), Dab Dab the duck (Andrew Arnold), Chee Chee the chimp (Kadence Flurry), Toggle the horse (Kinley Rushing), Sheila the fox (Della Ligon), Herbert the hedgehog (Sydnei Midyett), and Sophie the seal (Dani Legg).

Pursuing the Great Pink Sea Snail, he meets Emma Fairfax (Emma Odom), Albert Blossom (Ganon Johnson), and Gertie Blossom (Katie Legg). With the Pushmi-Pullyu (Eva Johnson and Rosie Allen), a two-headed llama, he raises funds but lands in court, joined by the Bailiff (Avery Kate Wesson), Berta (Davis Blanchard), Mavis (Makenna Thurlkill), and Vladamir (William “Tripp” Wood). Escaping, he journeys with Emma to Sea Star Island, meeting Straight Arrow (Eve McDowell) and discovering an animal sanctuary. After finding the Great Pink Sea Snail, he ultimately returns home to a joyful welcome, joined by ensemble members Aurora Cline-Stanfill, Kensington Ballard, Kirby Wesson, Lilly Jerry, Lilly Plunkett, and Serena Vaughan.

Filled with catchy songs, imaginative storytelling, and a heartwarming message for all ages, Doctor Dolittle, JR. is a celebration of empathy, adventure, and the magic of communication. Director Cassie Hickman shared her personal connection to the production, “As a child we moved a lot, and one time we were moving across country to a small town after living in Los Angeles. That night when we arrived at the small motel, Dr. Dolittle with Rex Harrison was on the TV. I fell in love with the show; the singing, the story, everything. Over the years, I read the story to my Little’s Theatre class and each group sat entranced and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next in the world of Dr. Dolittle. It has thrilled me to bring the fun to a new generation and, finally, we are bringing it to life on the SAAC stage with our Youth Theatre.”

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. For more information, call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit www.saac-arts.org.

News

Applications Being Accepted To Fill City Council Vacancy

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — The City of El Dorado is accepting resumes to fill a vacancy on the El Dorado City Council following the resignation of Ward 2 Council Member Vance Williamson.

Williamson’s resignation will take effect April 30, creating an opening for Ward 2, Position 1 on the council.

City officials are encouraging residents of Ward 2 who are interested in serving their community to apply for the position. The selected individual will serve the remainder of the current term, which expires December 31, 2026.

Interested applicants must reside within Ward 2 to be eligible for consideration. Resumes should be submitted to Mayor Paul Choate at City Hall no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2026.

The El Dorado City Council will hold a Special Called Meeting on May 5, 2026, at 5:15 p.m., during which council members will hear from applicants and make an appointment to fill the vacancy.

City officials say the appointment provides an opportunity for residents to take an active role in local government and help shape decisions affecting the future of the city.

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ULEAD Class 15 Explores Tourism’s Impact Across Union County

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Members of ULEAD Class 15 spent time this week learning about the role tourism plays in the local economy during the program’s second session, which focused on attractions and destinations across El Dorado and Union County.

According to the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, the session began with a morning leadership program before participants visited several key tourism sites throughout the community.

Stops included tours of the South Arkansas Regional Airport, Mystic Creek Golf Club, the Arkansas Welcome Center, and the Murphy Arts District, where participants received an up-close look at how each location contributes to drawing visitors to the area.

Chamber officials said the session highlighted the importance of tourism as an economic driver and demonstrated how local attractions work together to support growth and visibility for the region.

ULEAD, a leadership development program organized by the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, is designed to prepare emerging leaders with a deeper understanding of the industries, services, and organizations that shape Union County.

Session 2 focused specifically on tourism and its role in promoting El Dorado and Union County as destinations for travelers, events, and recreation.

Chamber representatives described the day as an opportunity to showcase the impact tourism has on the community while providing class members with firsthand knowledge of the assets that help attract visitors to South Arkansas.

News

EHS Jazz Cats Earn High Honors At Four States Festival

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — The El Dorado High School Jazz Cats delivered an award-winning performance at the Four-States Jazz Festival in Texarkana, Texas, with five students earning prestigious individual honors during the competition.

The festival, held Friday in Texarkana, featured student jazz ensembles from across the region. During the event, five members of the El Dorado High School Jazz Cats were recognized with the Scott Joplin Soloist Award, an honor given to outstanding performers for their individual solos.

Students earning the award included Ianna Hernandez, a 12th-grade alto saxophone player; Addison Baker, a 12th-grade baritone saxophone player; Emma Borosvskis, a 10th-grade trumpet player; Caden Hymes, a 12th-grade trumpet player; and Skylen Caver, an 11th-grade trumpet player.

School officials praised the students for their dedication and musical talent, noting that earning multiple Scott Joplin Soloist Awards in a single performance is a significant accomplishment.

The Four-States Jazz Festival provides student musicians an opportunity to perform before judges, refine their skills, and showcase their musical abilities among peers from multiple states.

El Dorado School District leaders said they are proud of the Jazz Cats’ continued success and the hard work demonstrated by the students and their directors throughout the school year.

News

ACTIVE Coalition highlights upcoming prevention events in Union County

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, Ark. — Members of the ACTIVE Coalition gathered Tuesday morning at Simmons Bank to discuss a slate of upcoming prevention, awareness and volunteer efforts planned across Union County in the weeks and months ahead.

During the April 21 meeting, attendees also heard from Matt Roberts of CADM Architects, who provided an update on progress related to an El Dorado School District campus project.

Much of the meeting focused on community events aimed at substance use prevention, mental health awareness and public education.

One of the next major events on the calendar is the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, set for Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at El Dorado Walmart, 2730 N. West Ave. The drive-thru event will give residents a chance to safely dispose of unneeded medications.

Coalition members also promoted the South Arkansas Prevention Summit 2026: High in Plain Sight, a free regional conference focused on substance use prevention and community response. The summit will be held Tuesday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the El Dorado Conference Center.

The conference will feature keynote speaker Jermaine Galloway of “Tall Cop Says Stop,” and will include continuing education opportunities, with CEUs and CEHs available. A pre-conference reception is also scheduled for May 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Union County Courthouse, 101 N. Washington Ave. in El Dorado.

The coalition’s awareness calendar also points to additional efforts in the coming months, including Mental Health Awareness Month activities in May, a Mayhaw Booth on May 2, Back to School recruitment in August, International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, Suicide Awareness Month activities in September, and Red Ribbon Week in October.

Volunteer opportunities were also discussed during the meeting. According to coalition materials, help is needed throughout the year for event registration, packet assembly, booth staffing, poster distribution, lunch service, awareness displays and community outreach efforts.

The ACTIVE Coalition’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for strategies and partnerships that positively impact Union County while reducing substance use and abuse among youth and adults through awareness, education, partnerships and prevention.