EL DORADO, AR –  Fourteen El Dorado restaurants have joined together to launch El Dorado EATS, a collaborative initiative designed to raise awareness of the city’s growing culinary scene and encourage residents and visitors to experience one of South Arkansas’ most diverse destinations for great dining. The project launched in August with the debut of a new website and dedicated Facebook and Instagram pages designed to promote El Dorado’s local dining scene. The launch coincides with the distribution of the new 48-page El Dorado Dining Guide, which showcases area restaurants, visitor information and dining opportunities throughout the community. The El Dorado Dining Guide features KTVE News anchor Cindy Langston, who will help bring the guide’s pages to life throughout October on a daily segment on NBC 10 News at 4PM, Langston will introduce viewers to local restaurants through interviews with restaurant owners and features that highlight El Dorado’s diverse dining options.

The new guide is an extension of the El Dorado Insider, a quarterly community guide published by The Diamond Agency of El Dorado. Both publications are designed to promote local businesses, entertainment venues, attractions and upcoming events while encouraging residents and visitors to experience more of what El Dorado has to offer. According to Don Hale, publisher, “El Dorado EATS provides a platform for restaurants to engage in a year-round promotion through digital media, social media, spotlight articles and feature stories in the El Dorado Dining Guide. Together, these efforts highlight El Dorado as a destination where visitors can enjoy a variety of locally owned dining experiences. The new website serves as a central resource where visitors can browse each of the restaurants, view menus, read about the owners and their stories, learn about signature dishes, along with hours, locations, and contact information. Throughout the year, the website and social media channels will feature individual profiles, favorite menu selections, seasonal promotions, and special events like the ELDO FOOD FEST, designed to keep local dining top of mind. “El Dorado has become one of the region’s best places to dine-out,” said Alyssa Avant, spokesperson for El Dorado EATS. “Whether you’re craving Southern comfort food, authentic Mexican cuisine, hickory-smoked barbecue, specialty hamburgers, fresh-baked pastries, or a great evening with friends and family, this city offers a variety of restaurants. El Dorado EATS invites you to discover new favorites while supporting the businesses that help make the El Dorado unique.”
The fourteen participating restaurants include, Antigua’s Bar & Grill, Black Cat Café, E&R Bar & Grill, Fernando’s Mexican Grill, Flying Burger & Seafood, Good Times Grill, JJ’s BBQ, Main Street Pizza, Mystic Grill, MAD House 101, Off the Rail Café, The Refinery, Timberlane Meat Market, and The Well Bar & Grill at The Haywood. By working together, these restaurants are enhancing El Dorado’s reputation as a leading destination for great dining in South Arkansas. Residents and visitors are encouraged to pick up a copy of the El Dorado Dining Guide, follow El Dorado EATS on Facebook and Instagram, and visit www.ElDoradoEATS.com to stay informed about special dining promotions and events.

SMACKOVER, Ark. – Teachers and staff at Smackover High School received a special lunchtime visit Wednesday, Aug. 12, as the Arkansas Army National Guard stopped by to show its appreciation for the educators preparing for another school year.

SGT. Payten R. Tompkins, with the Arkansas Army National Guard Recruiting Office, brought Chick-fil-A sandwiches for the faculty and staff and briefly introduced himself to the group.

Tompkins has served with the National Guard’s recruiting office in Magnolia but recently transitioned into the recruiter role covering the El Dorado-Camden area. As he begins serving the area, Tompkins said he hopes his role will extend beyond simply recruiting young people to join the Guard.

Instead, he emphasized his desire to empower young men and women to serve their communities in whatever capacity they choose.

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Tompkins also wanted to use the visit as an opportunity to recognize the teachers and staff for the work they do each day.

He expressed his appreciation for educators and noted that the work of teaching is often underappreciated despite the tremendous impact teachers have on their students and communities.

The visit came as the Smackover School District prepares to begin another school year. Smackover High School Principal Cody Cranford praised his faculty and staff for the work they have put in to prepare for the upcoming year.

With teachers and staff working behind the scenes to get classrooms, programs and students ready for another year, Wednesday’s lunch served as a small gesture of appreciation for their efforts.

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As the new school year approaches, Smackover School District is looking forward to another successful year, supported by a faculty and staff committed to serving its students and community.

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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