EL DORADO — A 78-year-old Fort Worth woman who died after being struck by a vehicle in El Dorado this week is being remembered by her church community as a faithful friend, choir member, and devoted mother and grandmother.

The crash occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of East Fifth Street and North Washington Street in El Dorado. According to the Arkansas State Police crash report, Judith Tarvan was attempting to cross the roadway when she was struck by a vehicle.

Tarvan was pronounced dead at the scene. The Arkansas State Police is continuing to investigate the fatal crash.

Additional details regarding the vehicle involved were not included in the initial report.

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Following news of her death, Rev. Ryan Price of Broadway Baptist Church shared a message remembering Tarvan and asking for prayers for her loved ones.

“We received some tough news yesterday that Broadway member Judith Tarvin was tragically killed in a pedestrian/vehicle accident while vacationing with church friends in Arkansas,” Price said. “Judith was a 20+ year member of Broadway, a stalwart part of our Broadway Chancel Choir, and a faithful friend to many. She was also a much-loved mother and grandmother.”

Price asked for prayers for Tarvan’s family and those traveling with her at the time of the accident.

The investigation remains ongoing with the Arkansas State Police.

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EL DORADO, Ark. — Aviation remains alive and accessible in South Arkansas thanks to the work of a local organization dedicated to keeping pilots, aircraft enthusiasts and community members connected to the skies. The South Arkansas Flying Club, a 501(c)(7) nonprofit organization based at South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field, was formed with a clear mission: to help keep aviation available in South Arkansas. In a new South Arkansas Now feature, Jax Sandford joins Chris Jones, president of the South Arkansas Flying Club, for a literal “on-air” interview as the two take flight above El Dorado.

The conversation offers viewers a closer look at the club, its purpose and how residents can become involved. Jones shares more about what goes into maintaining a flying club, the benefits of joining and why local access to aviation matters for the region. The organization provides a way for members to take part in aviation without carrying the full individual cost and responsibility that can come with aircraft ownership.

The South Arkansas Flying Club also serves as a gathering point for those who have a passion for flying, whether they are experienced pilots, aspiring aviators or simply interested in learning more about aviation in the area. Filmed from South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field, the feature highlights both the club and the airport’s continued role as an important aviation hub for the region. Follow them on Facebook for more information: https://www.facebook.com/p/South-Arkansas-Flying-Club-61565430631008/

EL DORADO, Ark. — Residents across South Arkansas can expect cooler and more comfortable weather conditions Thursday following the passage of a cold front that moved through the region earlier this week.

According to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, afternoon high temperatures across South Arkansas are expected to remain in the lower to middle 70s, offering a noticeable break from the warmer temperatures seen in recent days.

Forecast highs include around 73 degrees in El Dorado and Hope, with surrounding areas across the region generally ranging between 71 and 75 degrees.

Forecasters said clouds may briefly clear at times during the day, allowing for periods of filtered sunshine before cloud cover increases again overnight.

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Temperatures are expected to cool significantly Thursday night, with overnight lows falling into the 50s across much of South Arkansas. El Dorado is forecast to drop to around 52 degrees overnight, while nearby communities are expected to see lows ranging from the low to middle 50s.

The cooler and calmer weather pattern is expected to provide a more pleasant end to the week across the region.

EL DORADO, Ark. — Construction activity is beginning to ramp up for the future South Arkansas Expo Center as pre-engineered building materials have officially started arriving on site, according to the City of El Dorado.

City officials described the delivery of materials as a significant milestone for the long-anticipated project and said additional announcements, including a groundbreaking ceremony, are expected in the near future.

The South Arkansas Expo Center is expected to serve as a major event and gathering facility for the region, providing additional space for trade shows, agricultural events, community gatherings, conventions, expos and entertainment activities in South Arkansas.

The project has been discussed for several years as part of broader efforts to continue expanding El Dorado’s event, tourism and economic development infrastructure alongside existing venues such as the El Dorado Conference Center and the Murphy Arts District.

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Community leaders have long emphasized the importance of creating additional flexible indoor event space capable of hosting large-scale regional events and attracting visitors to Union County and the surrounding South Arkansas area.

Officials have not yet released a timeline for completion of the expo center, but the arrival of structural building materials signals visible progress on the development.

The city said more details regarding the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony will be announced soon.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday signed two tax reduction measures into law during a special session of the Arkansas Legislature, continuing a series of income tax cuts approved during her administration.

According to the Governor’s Office, Sanders signed House Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 1 on May 6. Both measures reduce income tax rates for individuals, trusts, estates and corporations.

The legislation lowers Arkansas’ top individual income tax rate from 3.9% to 3.7% beginning retroactively Jan. 1, 2026, while the top corporate income tax rate will decrease from 4.3% to 4.1% beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

The tax package was the centerpiece of a special legislative session called by Sanders shortly after lawmakers concluded the state’s fiscal session. The governor said Arkansas’ strong revenue collections, reserve accounts and conservative budgeting practices allowed the state to further reduce taxes.

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HB1001 originated in the Arkansas House and advanced through the House Revenue and Taxation Committee early in the special session. Lawmakers said the bill was designed to continue lowering Arkansas’ income tax burden in an effort to make the state more competitive economically and return surplus revenue to taxpayers.

SB1 served as the Senate companion bill and ultimately received final legislative approval before being signed into law by the governor.

The new law also maintains Arkansas’ graduated income tax structure while adjusting brackets for certain taxpayers. State fiscal analysts estimated the tax cuts could reduce general revenue collections by nearly $192 million during fiscal year 2027.

Supporters of the legislation argued the cuts will allow Arkansans to keep more of their earnings and continue the state’s push toward lower overall tax rates.

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Opponents, however, expressed concerns during committee hearings and floor debate that additional reductions in state revenue could impact government services and provide limited relief to lower-income residents.

The legislation marks the fourth round of income tax reductions approved during the Sanders administration.