The El Dorado City Council met Thursday night and covered a wide range of topics, including police needs, economic development, senior transportation, food truck regulations, board appointments, city equipment and public safety concerns downtown.

Before the meeting, City Attorney Robert Rushing noted to several council members that some city ordinances have not yet been codified for enforcement by the El Dorado Police Department. Rushing later addressed a similar issue during discussion of possible food truck regulations, saying city code would need to be updated before certain rules could be enforced.

Councilman Willie McGhee suggested moving the Finance Committee meeting to City Hall. Mayor Paul Choate agreed with the suggestion and thanked McGhee for his contribution.

El Dorado Police Chief Ricky Roberts also brought a grant form before the council for signatures from the full council and mayor. The grant, totaling $22,379.00, would be split between the city and county and used for Class A uniforms and updated patches for police uniforms.

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The council then approved an updated contract with the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, authorizing $400,000 for economic development. Councilman Andre Rucks commended the council for investing in the city’s economic arm, saying the move helps make El Dorado a stronger contender for outside investment and future industry.

The contract was approved unanimously.

Choate also spoke about the future impact of the Expo Center, saying the project will help bring money into the El Dorado community and pay dividends for decades to come.

Another major item was the “Miles for Seniors” program. McGhee said helping seniors get out, stay active and remain connected is important for the health of the community. He also said the program shows how neighbors can come together to solve problems facing local residents.

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Tyler Turner with United Way is coordinating the effort. Turner said volunteers will use an app to help organize rides and support for seniors. He also noted that the grant connected to the program was awarded to only 22 out of 174 applicants across the nation.

Turner closed his comments by saying, “We are stronger together.”

Food truck regulations were also discussed at length. Councilwoman Dianne Hammond said the city needs clear rules for food trucks, especially when it comes to whether they should be allowed on city property.

Council members discussed several options, including banning food trucks from city property, allowing certain exceptions for areas such as the Recreation Complex, and raising the rental price for food trucks using city-owned property. Some members said a higher fee could help support local businesses and food truck courts that already operate in El Dorado.

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Rushing said the city code would need to be updated before the city could enforce new food truck rules.

Council members McAdams and David Hurst both agreed there is a need to look at raising the rental price. Judy Ward suggested that Rucks, Hammond and Hurst research the issue and bring a recommendation back to the council.

Rucks said he wants to make sure the city supports local businesses, including DP’s Food Truck Park.

The council also handled several appointments. Janis Vanhook was unanimously reappointed to the Civil Service Commission. Jeff Fort was also unanimously appointed to the Advertising and Promotion Commission.

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Council members also approved a resolution for the disposal of non-salvageable AV equipment at the El Dorado Conference Center. Officials said any equipment that can be recycled will be recycled, while any reusable equipment will continue to be used. The resolution passed unanimously

Near the end of the meeting, council members discussed ongoing public safety concerns downtown, particularly late at night.

McGhee said Police Chief Ricky Roberts should not be the only person held accountable for the issue. He said families also have a responsibility to help keep young people safe and address behavior before it becomes a larger problem.

Roberts said much of the concern involves young adults, mainly in the 18 to 26 age range, staying out well past midnight and creating dangerous situations downtown. He said the activity has become frequent enough that police are having difficulty keeping it under control.

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Roberts said the city needs “more teeth” to address the problem. He also raised concern about the amount of taxpayer money being used for police resources to respond to fights, shootings and other dangerous incidents.

Roberts said he believes more people in the community need to speak up and say, “This is wrong within our community.”

EL DORADO — The El Dorado School District is inviting parents, friends and community members to attend the El Dorado High School Baccalaureate Service this weekend as the Class of 2026 prepares for graduation ceremonies.

The service is scheduled for Sunday at 6 p.m. inside the EHS Arena and is open to the public. School officials said no tickets will be required for admission and encouraged the community to come out in support of graduating seniors.

The annual baccalaureate service serves as a time of reflection and encouragement for graduating students as they prepare to move into the next chapter of life following high school.

District officials also reminded attendees that a clear bag policy will be enforced during the event in an effort to help maintain safety and security inside the arena.

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“We thank everyone for helping us keep the event safe for everyone,” the district said in a statement.

El Dorado High School graduation-related activities continue throughout the week as seniors prepare for commencement ceremonies later this spring.

HOUSTON — Murphy Oil Corporation reported first quarter 2026 net income of $53 million while exceeding production guidance during the opening months of the year, driven by strong performance in the Eagle Ford Shale and the Gulf of America.

The company announced its quarterly financial and operational results this week, reporting adjusted EBITDA of nearly $383 million and free cash flow of $41.4 million for the quarter ending March 31. Murphy produced approximately 174,236 barrels of oil equivalent per day during the quarter, surpassing the high end of its production forecast.

Murphy Oil, which maintains a major presence in South Arkansas through its longtime operations and headquarters in El Dorado, said several major drilling and exploration projects advanced during the quarter.

Among the highlights, the company brought 15 new wells online in the Eagle Ford Shale, producing a 17 percent improvement in oil output compared to wells drilled in 2025. Murphy also continued work on the Chinook #8 development well in the Gulf of America, which is expected to begin production later this year at an estimated 15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

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Internationally, Murphy continued exploration efforts in Côte d’Ivoire and Vietnam while also moving forward with development plans for the Banjo and Cello offshore fields, targeting first production in late 2027.

Murphy President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Hambly said the company remained focused on disciplined operations despite uncertainty in global energy markets.

“During these uncertain times, our strategy is to stay anchored to what we control—disciplined capital allocation, safe and reliable operations, and our long-cycle projects,” Hambly said.

The company also reported paying $50 million in quarterly dividends during the first quarter while maintaining approximately $2.38 billion in liquidity. Murphy said it reduced debt by $100 million during the quarter and ended March with no borrowings under its senior unsecured credit facility.

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For the second quarter of 2026, Murphy projects total production between 161,000 and 169,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with full-year production guidance ranging from 167,000 to 175,000 BOEPD.

EL DORADO — A special community screening of the documentary “Sentenced” will be held Tuesday, May 19 at the South Arkansas Arts Center, bringing attention to the growing issue of childhood illiteracy in America and its connection to generational poverty.

The event will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the film screening at 6:30 p.m. A panel discussion featuring local literacy advocates and education leaders will take place immediately afterward.

“Sentenced,” co-produced and narrated by NBA superstar Stephen Curry, examines the nationwide literacy crisis through the stories of adults and children impacted by illiteracy. The documentary was directed by Connor Martin and Mark Allen Johnson and was produced in partnership with The Children’s Literacy Project.

Organizers say the film provides an in-depth look at how reading struggles can affect education, employment opportunities and long-term economic stability for families across generations.

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The post-film panel discussion will feature Vincent Dawson, Moriah Hicks, Michael O’Connell and Zephonia Avant, who will share local perspectives on literacy challenges and educational support efforts in South Arkansas.

The event is being presented in partnership with the South Arkansas Arts Center, Literacy SCARK Coalition, AmeriCorps and The Children’s Literacy Project.

Tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and military members. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the South Arkansas Arts Center at (870) 862-5474.

Organizers encourage educators, parents, community leaders and residents to attend the event and take part in the conversation surrounding literacy and educational opportunity.

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EL DORADO — Young artists from across South Arkansas will have the opportunity to showcase and sell their creative work during the upcoming Youth Festival of the Arts hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County and the South Arkansas Arts Center.

The event is scheduled for June 6 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Boys & Girls Club located at 1201 North West Avenue in El Dorado.

Organizers say the event is designed to give young creators a chance to display their talents while also learning about entrepreneurship and community engagement through a one-of-a-kind children’s art marketplace.

Students and young artists who enjoy painting, drawing, jewelry making, fashion design, crafting handmade items or creating original artwork are encouraged to participate.

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The festival will take place inside the club’s Lanxess Gym, where participants will be able to set up personalized booths to display and sell their creations. Tables and chairs will be provided, and organizers say artists are welcome to decorate their booth spaces as much or as little as they would like.

Participants may bring as many original creations as they wish to sell and will be allowed to set their own prices. At the conclusion of the event, 10 percent of all sales will be donated back to support the organizations hosting the festival.

Officials with both organizations said the event is intended to celebrate creativity while encouraging confidence and artistic expression among area youth.

Those interested in registering can contact the South Arkansas Arts Center at (870) 862-5474 or the Boys & Girls Club at (870) 863-8753.

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Organizers said they look forward to highlighting the creativity and talent of young artists from throughout the community.