EL DORADO, Ark. – Baptist Health formally welcomed South Arkansas Regional Hospital in El Dorado into its system during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Monday, June 15. The event was attended by hospital leaders and community dignitaries.

Baptist Health officially assumed hospital operations on Sunday, June 14.

Now operating as Baptist Health Medical Center-El Dorado, the 151-bed facility is the 13th hospital in the Baptist Health system. The new identity was revealed through updated signage during the celebration. The hospital continues to offer extensive inpatient and outpatient care, specializing in cardiology, orthopedics, obstetrics and emergency services with a dedicated team of approximately 400 staff members.

Troy Wells, Baptist Health’s president and CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing a shared commitment to delivering high-quality health care to the residents of El Dorado and the surrounding region.

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“Today marks a historic day for El Dorado and Baptist Health,” Wells said. “By officially dedicating Baptist Health Medical Center-El Dorado, we are fulfilling our promise to secure the long-term stability of care for this vital community and committing our faith-based, Christian healing ministry to the people of South Arkansas.”

Danna Taylor, president of Baptist Health Medical Center-El Dorado, added that joining forces with Baptist Health will enhance the level of care local patients expect.

“This day is a huge milestone for our hospital,” Taylor said. “The road to today has been one of dedication, hard work and collaboration to create a healthier community for the people of South Arkansas. I have no doubt that we will be stronger than ever before, and Baptist Health will strengthen our position as the hub for health care for Union County and surrounding communities.”

The transition follows an acquisition process first announced in March, designed to ensure operational stability and a seamless experience for patients and caregivers.

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CALION, Ark. — A growing Calion tradition will return this summer as residents rally around a beloved community member undergoing cancer treatment.

The second annual Boat Poker Run in Support of Debbie Hudson will take place Saturday, June 27, at the Calion Spillway. Organizers say all proceeds from the event will go directly to Hudson’s family to help with treatment and other related expenses.

Residents describe Hudson as a maternal figure within the Calion community and someone who has consistently encouraged others to pursue their goals. She is often regarded as one of the community’s biggest cheerleaders — or “hype girls” — because of her enthusiasm for Calion and her desire to see local residents succeed.

Assistant event coordinator Holly Hudson and event coordinator Katie Gibbons are helping organize the fundraiser and bring the community together in Debbie Hudson’s honor.

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Registration will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event at the Calion Spillway. The first boat will depart at 10 a.m., and the final boat must return by 3 p.m.

Stops will be positioned along the river before participants finish back at the spillway.

The entry fee is $20 per hand, with all payments due in cash on the morning of the event. Organizers emphasize that proceeds will be given directly to the family to assist with the financial costs associated with Hudson’s care.

The fundraiser will continue later that evening with a Baggo tournament beginning at 5 p.m. Registration for the tournament will cost $40 per team, with additional details about its location expected to be announced.

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Supporters may also purchase official poker run shirts. Profits from the shirt sales will also go directly to Hudson’s family.

Organizers hope the event will provide meaningful financial support while also showing Hudson how much she means to Calion and the surrounding community.

Additional updates are available through the event’s Facebook page. Questions may be directed to Katie Lyn Gibbons.

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Sandy & Boomer begin a new era of “Off The Back Porch,” by hosting the podcast from their new studios in Downtown El Dorado, Arkansas.

This week, the guys welcome back to the show, Steven Jones, CEO of the El Dorado – Union County Chamber of Commerce.

EL DORADO, AR — Food truck operators doing business inside the El Dorado city limits could soon face a revised permit-fee structure, stricter enforcement and new restrictions on the use of city-owned property.

The El Dorado Food Truck Committee met to formulate procedures food truck owners would be expected to follow while operating within the city. The committee’s recommendations are expected to be presented to the El Dorado City Council on Thursday for consideration.

Under the proposal, food truck operators who live within the El Dorado city limits would pay $60 for the first day of operation without electricity or $80 with electricity.

For a second day of operation, city residents would pay $35 without electricity or $50 with electricity.

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Food truck operators who do not live within the city limits would pay higher rates. Non-resident operators would pay $75 for the first day without electricity or $100 with electricity.

For a second day, non-resident operators would pay $50 without electricity or $75 with electricity.

Food truck owners would be required to pay the applicable fees and secure their permits during regular city business hours. City officials said operators would not be permitted to arrive late on a Friday or during the weekend and begin operating without first paying the required fees.

Failure to follow the proposed permit requirements could result in a $300 fine.

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Committee Vice President Andre Rucks suggested developing an online system that would allow food truck operators to pay their fees and obtain permits electronically. Mayor Paul Choate said creating an online registration and payment system would be too costly, estimating that it could cost the city approximately $10,000 to establish.

Marty Rosson, owner of DP’s Food Truck Park, addressed the committee and said he believes some food trucks are coming into El Dorado, setting up and operating without paying the required fees.

Rosson said the situation concerns him as both a taxpayer and a local food truck operator. He argued that vendors who avoid the fees create an unfair business environment for operators who comply with the city’s rules and pay the required costs.

Rosson also said he had heard that the Boys and Girls Club had been allowing food trucks to operate on its property. During the discussion, the property was described as being owned by the city.

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Rosson said he would consider withdrawing his financial support and involvement with the Boys and Girls Club unless the city consistently enforces the food truck permit and fee system. He said the same rules should apply to every operator conducting business within El Dorado.

Councilman David Hurst suggested that El Dorado consider an enforcement procedure similar to the one used in Magnolia. Under that approach, police officers could ask a food truck operator to present a valid permit. An operator who could not produce one would be instructed to leave.

The committee also discussed whether food trucks should be allowed to operate on city-owned property. One recommendation expected to be brought before the City Council would prohibit food trucks from setting up on city property unless they are participating in an approved event.

Grease disposal was another issue raised during the meeting. Committee members questioned where mobile food vendors are dumping used cooking grease and whether operators have access to approved grease traps.

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Rosson said he would make a grease trap available at his privately owned food truck park, though operators would be required to pay a fee to use it.

The proposed permit rates, enforcement procedures, grease-disposal concerns and restrictions involving city property are all expected to be discussed when the recommendations are presented to the El Dorado City Council on Thursday.

The proposals will not become official city policy unless they are approved by the council.

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Sandy & Boomer sit down with candidate for Union County Sheriff, Michael Fife. In this week’s episode:

• God turns your child into someone you can’t stand after they graduate high school!

• What did Gen X kids eat while they were kids and being shut out of their homes?

• That time Sandy & Boomer tried to put on a bass tournament in the snow!

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• Boomer “air mailed” a large mouth bass

• Do you remember who your first celebrity crush was?

• Sandy recalls the time he said the prayer over dinner as kid… in front of their pastor!

• Cajun word of the week

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• Someone comes along in life who changes your life forever… For Sandy, Boomer is that person!

• What is something you love that no one else in your family likes?

• Is there something you’re good at but you hate it?

All of this and much more in this week’s episode of “Off The Back Porch”

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