EL DORADO, Ark. — The El Dorado School Board will meet Monday evening for its regular monthly meeting, with updates on the district’s new intermediate school, school supplies and school-based health services among the items on the agenda.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10.

Board members are scheduled to receive a construction update on the new intermediate school, one of several reports planned during the meeting.

The board will also recognize Jai Durvasula as the State Civics Bee Champion. Jennifer Lee is scheduled to present a report on school supplies for kindergarten through fourth grade, while Debbie McAdams will provide a report from the district’s school-based health center.

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Other business includes consideration of the minutes from the board’s July 13 meeting, monthly bills and fund transfers for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Board members are also scheduled to discuss 30-60-90 day plans and hear information on surrogate parents from Shawn Beard.

The meeting agenda concludes with an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

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EL DORADO, Ark. — The El Dorado City Council will meet Thursday, Aug. 13, with several items on the agenda, including discussions involving the hospital board, food trucks and an interlocal agreement concerning district court.

The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m., following a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance at 5:10 p.m.

Under unfinished business, council members are scheduled to continue discussions concerning the hospital board and food trucks.

Several items are listed under new business, including consideration of an interlocal agreement related to district court.

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The council will also receive a report from the Chamber of Commerce and a finance report from Dianne Hammond.

David Lee and Greg Williams are scheduled to address the council regarding Future Business Leaders of South Arkansas.

Planning and zoning appointments are also on the agenda. Council members will consider the reappointment of Greg Williams and the appointment of Kyle Young.

The meeting will include an opportunity for public comments, reports from city department heads and consideration of other city business.

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The El Dorado City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 5:15 p.m.

CAMDEN, Ark. — A massive new federal defense contract awarded to Lockheed Martin is expected to significantly expand missile production in Camden and bring hundreds of additional jobs to South Arkansas.

The U.S. government has awarded Lockheed Martin a seven-year contract modification worth up to $53.86 billion for production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors.

Combined with a $4.7 billion award announced in April for the first year of the program, the multiyear contract has a total potential value of approximately $58.62 billion.

The agreement is expected to have a major impact on Lockheed Martin’s Camden operations, where final production of PAC-3 MSE interceptors takes place.

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Lockheed Martin says employment associated with the program in Camden is expected to increase by about 50%, growing from approximately 1,200 jobs to around 1,850. That represents roughly 650 additional jobs in Camden.

The company also plans to dramatically increase production, with a goal of tripling PAC-3 MSE manufacturing capacity by the end of 2030.

The PAC-3 MSE is an air and missile defense interceptor designed to defend against threats including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft.

Camden is one of numerous locations across the country that will perform work under the contract. Other locations include Huntsville, Alabama; Wichita, Kansas; Grand Prairie and Lufkin, Texas; and several facilities in Florida, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other states.

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The estimated completion date for work under the contract is March 31, 2035.

The Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama is overseeing the contract. No funds were obligated at the time the latest modification was awarded July 29.

Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet described the expansion as a “once-in-a-generation moment,” saying the company is increasing investment, hiring and facility upgrades to meet the government’s demand for greater missile production.

The planned expansion further strengthens Camden’s role as a major defense manufacturing center and could provide a substantial economic boost to Ouachita County and the surrounding South Arkansas region.

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EL DORADO — A Strong woman was killed and an 84-year-old man was injured in a single-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon near El Dorado, according to the Arkansas State Police.

The crash happened at approximately 2:38 p.m. Aug. 6 on U.S. Highway 82 Business near Junction City Road in Union County.

Arkansas State Police reported that 84-year-old George L. Robinson of Strong was driving a 2013 GMC Sierra westbound when the pickup left the roadway.

The vehicle struck a concrete culvert, became airborne and then struck a utility pole.

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Robinson’s passenger, 74-year-old Ruby Payne Johnson of Strong, was killed in the crash. Her body was taken to the Union County Coroner.

Robinson was injured and transported to Baptist Health for treatment. The extent of his injuries was not provided in the preliminary crash report.

State Police reported that the weather was clear and the roadway was dry at the time of the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by Arkansas State Police.

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EL DORADO — El Dorado Wildcat fans will have an opportunity to get their first look at this year’s football teams, cheerleaders and band during the annual Meet the Cats event later this month.

Meet the Cats is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20, at Memorial Stadium in El Dorado.

The event will feature introductions of El Dorado’s seventh through 12th-grade football players, along with members of the cheerleading squads and band.

Participants will begin lining up at 7 p.m., with introductions scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m.

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Rather than a traditional admission charge, those attending are asked to bring an eight-pack of Gatorade, two boxes of granola bars or make a cash donation.

Meet the Cats serves as a community kickoff to the upcoming football season and gives Wildcat supporters a chance to recognize student-athletes and other students who will represent El Dorado throughout the fall.

The event will be held at Memorial Stadium, located at 1205 N. West Avenue in El Dorado.

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