News

Union County Quorum Court Moves Forward With Jail Expansion

Published

16 hours ago

August 20, 2026

Sandy Sanford

EL DORADO, AR – The Union County Quorum Court voted unanimously to move forward with plans for a proposed expansion of the Union County Jail that would add dedicated medical and behavioral health housing for inmates. During its regular monthly meeting, Union County Sheriff Charlie Phillips provided the court with an update on the proposed project, which has been under discussion with the county’s jail committee. “You all had asked me to get you more information together, and so I have brought Matt Roberts and Mitch Tatum from CADM Architecture today to help update you on the possible expansion of a behavioral health and medical unit being added to the department’s detention facility,” Phillips told the court.

Roberts presented preliminary plans for the proposed addition, which would include 16 individual cells, with eight designated for behavioral health inmates and eight for medical needs. The plans also call for fully secured corridors for transporting inmates, a nursing office and station, secured medical supply storage and an examination room. A portion of the facility would also be dedicated to Newhaven Counseling & Health Services, including an office, counseling room, supply closet and file room.

Roberts explained that the specialized nature of the facility makes construction considerably more expensive than a typical commercial building. “The nature of the beast makes it more expensive than a commercial office building,” Roberts said. “Everything has to be more secure. Windows, doors, toilets, sinks and even light fixtures have to be tamper-proof.” He said load-bearing walls would be constructed of solid concrete, as would the interior walls. The facility would also require specialized ceilings and additional security measures throughout the building.

Mitch Tatum told the Quorum Court that a typical commercial office building currently averages approximately $400 to $450 per square foot to construct. Because of the additional security requirements, he estimated the proposed jail expansion at approximately $650 per square foot. Tatum said a high-side estimate for the entire project would be approximately $4.4 million to $4.7 million. Sheriff Phillips told the court that the Governor’s Office has already committed $3 million toward the project and described the proposed facility as the first of its kind in Arkansas. Greg Harrison asked whether there was a deadline for the county to use the state funding. “Do we have a time limit to claim this money from the Governor? Does it go away if we don’t use it by the end of the year?” Harrison asked. “Absolutely not,” Phillips responded, although he said he believed the county is expected to make its best effort to begin moving forward with the project.

The court also discussed how medical and behavioral health services would be handled once the new unit is completed. Harrison asked whether the project would affect the county’s existing agreement with Turn Key Health Clinics, which currently provides medical care at the jail. Phillips said it would not. “Turn Key will still be in charge of our medical care,” Phillips said. “Newhaven has agreed to handle mental health, and they will not charge the county for that. They have an agreement with the state to provide behavioral health care and will be paid by the state.”

Sheriff Requests Two Additional Deputies

Phillips also asked the Quorum Court to consider adding two deputy positions. He explained that earlier in the week, he had been asked by Judge Jack Barker to provide additional security for the courtroom. As a result, Phillips assigned a jail employee to operate the metal detector and handle security duties in the courtroom, leaving the jail short one employee. “I am asking for two more deputies, one to provide the extra security for the court and then a second to help in this addition to the jail, if you approve it,” Phillips said.

With the sheriff’s election scheduled for later this year and a new sheriff expected to take office in January, one JP questioned whether the decision should be made before the transition. Phillips said he had invited both candidates for sheriff to attend the meeting and speak with the Quorum Court. “I believe you will find they are both 100% on board with this addition,” Phillips said.

JP Carolyn Jones also addressed the court, noting that Phillips had kept the jail committee informed throughout the planning process. “I want you all to know,” Jones told the other JPs, “Sheriff Phillips has been keeping the jail committee informed of this the whole time. He has taken our recommendations and has been very clear about what they need.” Jones also pointed out that housing inmates with significant behavioral or mental health needs in the existing jail can reduce the number of beds available for other inmates. Phillips agreed. “If I am housing a mental inmate and I have to put them in a pod by themselves, then I lose six beds for one person,” Phillips said.

Potential for Regional Housing

The Quorum Court also discussed the possibility of housing behavioral health inmates from other jurisdictions if space is available. Harrison asked Phillips whether the county would be expected to accept behavioral or mental health inmates from other jails in the area. “Yes, we would, but only if we have beds available,” Phillips said. Phillips said the jail has at times had as many as 20 inmates classified as behavioral or mental health inmates, this expansion would only give them eight beds available for that purpose. “If we don’t have the room, then we just don’t have the room,” Phillips said. Members of the Quorum Court continued to question the financial commitment involved in the project. With the estimated cost reaching as high as $4.7 million and the Governor’s Office committing $3 million, one JP asked whether the county would potentially be responsible for approximately $1.7 million. Phillips confirmed that was correct.

County Judge Mike Loftin reminded the court that the state’s $3 million commitment was secured with assistance from State Representative Matthew Shepherd, who is scheduled to leave office at the end of the year. Loftin explained that the immediate request before the Quorum Court was not final approval of the construction project, but authorization to proceed with more detailed planning. “What we are asking for today is a commitment to go more in depth and bring a plan back to you for approval,” Loftin said. “But for CADM to do that, they need your approval to move forward.” Following the discussion, the Union County Quorum Court voted unanimously to move forward with the project, allowing CADM Architecture to continue developing the plans and bring a more detailed proposal back to the court for consideration.

Sheriff Phillips, after the meeting, said his plans are to immediately recruit and hire one of the deputies approved today by the Quorum Court and save the second hire after the facility has been constructed.

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State Officials Launch Wildfire Tracking Website

Published

5 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansans now have a new way to track wildfires across the state as drought conditions and widespread burn bans continue to increase concerns about fire danger.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has launched an online wildfire dashboard providing information about active fires, including their locations and the number of acres affected.

The dashboard also provides statewide year-to-date statistics. As of Thursday, Arkansas had recorded 1,097 wildfires that burned more than 27,000 acres this year.

The new resource comes as much of Arkansas continues to deal with drought conditions that have increased the risk of wildfires. Nearly the entire state is under county-issued burn bans.

The Department of Agriculture said wildfire danger could increase further in the coming weeks.

“This new resource is designed to provide timely, reliable information to Arkansans and support public awareness during periods of elevated fire risk,” the department said in announcing the dashboard.

The department is responsible for wildfire protection on approximately 15 million acres of non-federal forestland across Arkansas. Its resources include 175 wildland firefighters along with equipment used to respond to fires throughout the state.

Officials cautioned that the dashboard is intended to provide information and should not be used as a reason to approach an active wildfire.

The department urged residents never to attempt to investigate a wildfire on their own, noting that fire behavior and conditions can change rapidly.

The heightened concern comes as drought continues across much of Arkansas. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about 71% of the state is experiencing at least moderate drought, with approximately 40% in severe or extreme drought.

Conditions have improved from earlier this year. At the beginning of April, more than 90% of Arkansas was experiencing at least severe drought.

Significant relief, however, may not be immediately ahead. The National Weather Service in Little Rock expects better chances for relief from extreme heat next week but said widespread beneficial rainfall does not appear likely despite increased rain chances.

The wildfire dashboard is available online and will provide updated information about active fires as conditions change.

View the Arkansas wildfire dashboard

News

Chamber’s Kaitlyn Rigdon Selected For 2026 Leadership Arkansas Class

Published

6 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Kaitlyn Rigdon, vice president of economic development for the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, has been selected for Leadership Arkansas Class XXI.

Rigdon is among 52 leaders from across the state selected for the 2026-27 class of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce program.

Leadership Arkansas is a nine-month program that brings together leaders from business, government, education, health care, nonprofits and other sectors to learn more about the issues affecting communities and industries across the state.

Rigdon joined the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce in 2019 and moved into economic development in 2022. In her current role, she oversees business recruitment, existing industry support, workforce development and other economic development efforts in El Dorado and Union County.

She is a certified Professional Community and Economic Developer and a Talent Pipeline Management Certified Professional.

Rigdon also serves as director of ULEAD, Union County’s community leadership program, and is president of the El Dorado Service League. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass media with a minor in communications from Henderson State University.

Leadership Arkansas was established in 2005 and has graduated more than 1,000 participants. Class members travel to different parts of Arkansas during the program for sessions examining economic development, workforce needs, agriculture, government, health care, manufacturing, tourism and other issues.

Class XXI will begin in September with an orientation in Fairfield Bay.

The group will travel to Fort Smith in October for a session on the military and economic development, followed by a November session in Stuttgart focusing on agriculture, conservation and outdoor recreation. A December session in Little Rock will focus on state government and health care.

In January, the class will visit Magnolia and Camden for a South Arkansas session focused on natural resources, defense and industrial development.

Other sessions are scheduled in Blytheville and Jonesboro, Hot Springs and Northwest Arkansas.

The program will conclude with a final session and graduation in Little Rock in May 2027.

For Rigdon, the program will provide an opportunity to work with economic development officials, business leaders and other professionals from around Arkansas while also representing El Dorado and Union County in the statewide program.

Leadership Arkansas participants are selected through an application process. The State Chamber said members of Class XXI represent communities and industries from across Arkansas.

News

SAAC Arts Academy offering pencil drawing class for area students

Published

6 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Young artists in South Arkansas will have an opportunity to sharpen their drawing skills this fall through a pencil drawing class offered by the South Arkansas Arts Center’s Arts Academy.

The class, taught by Mike Means, begins Thursday, Aug. 27, and will meet from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 10.

The course is open to students in seventh through 12th grades and will focus on developing pencil drawing skills and techniques.

The class is part of SAAC’s Arts Academy, which provides arts instruction for young people in El Dorado and the surrounding area.

Scholarships are available for students interested in participating. SAAC says families seeking financial assistance can submit a scholarship application through the Arts Academy. Approved applicants receive a code allowing their student to register for a class.

Registration is available online through SAAC’s Arts Academy website. Parents and students can also contact the South Arkansas Arts Center at 870-862-5474 for additional information or assistance with registration.

The South Arkansas Arts Center is located at 110 E. Fifth St. in El Dorado.

News

Shelters Open As Wildfires Rage Near Lawson Community

Published

6 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, Ark. — Several locations are providing shelter for residents displaced by a large wildfire burning in the Lawson and Old Union areas of Union County.

As of 4:30 a.m. Friday, officials reported progress in slowing the wildfire’s growth, although the fire remained uncontained. Crews planned to continue using bulldozers to establish firebreaks, with aerial firefighting operations expected to begin after daylight. The gravel portion of Nick Springs Road and Pine Tree Road remain closed to all traffic, and residents are being urged to avoid those roads and surrounding areas while firefighting operations continue.

Immanuel Baptist Church is offering temporary accommodations to individuals and families affected by the fire. Those needing a place to stay can contact Mark Smith at 870-310-4004 to arrange access to the church.

The El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, located at 100 W. 8th Street, has also been opened for anyone displaced by the fire or needing a safe place to shelter.

The shelters were opened as firefighters from multiple departments, along with the Arkansas Forestry Division, continued battling the large woods fire in the Lawson and Old Union area.

The Old Union Volunteer Fire Department described the fire as moving quickly and urged residents in surrounding areas to monitor their property when it is safe to do so. Officials are also asking people to stay away from the fire area and not drive into the area to watch firefighting operations.

All available resources were reported to be responding to the fire.

Changing winds could carry smoke into El Dorado and surrounding communities, and residents may notice smoke even some distance from the fire.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office has closed Pine Tree Road to through traffic until further notice because of the fire. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area and use alternate routes. No estimate has been given for when the road will reopen.

Residents near the affected area should remain alert for additional instructions from emergency officials as conditions can change quickly.

Officials have not yet released information on the total acreage burned, the number of structures threatened or damaged, or when the fire may be contained.

SouthArkansasNow.com’s Sandy Sanford and Jax Sanford will continue providing updates on the wildfire through South Arkansas Now’s social media channels as additional information becomes available.

News

Boys and Girls Club Parent Night Connects Families To Community Resources

Published

6 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO— El Dorado-area parents will have an opportunity to learn more about services available to their families during a free Parent Night Community Resources event next month.

The event will be held Thursday, Sept. 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado, 1201 N. West Ave.

The evening will bring together vendors and organizations offering resources for children and families throughout the community. Organizers said children’s activities will be available during the event, allowing parents to spend time visiting with participating organizations and learning about available services.

A meal will also be served, and there is no cost to attend.

The event is being presented by the ACTIVE Coalition and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Boys & Girls Club has previously hosted family education programs designed to connect parents with information and services. UAMS held a similar event at the club in 2025 that provided parents with information about youth vaping and tobacco use.

Community resource programs in Union County cover a wide range of needs, including youth programs, mental health and substance use services, recovery assistance and family support. A Union County resource directory includes organizations ranging from youth and recreation programs to treatment and recovery services.

Arkansas also provides state-supported mental health and substance use services for qualifying residents, including counseling, treatment and assistance locating providers.