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Chick-fil-A? Worst Kept Secret in South Arkansas

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EL DORADO – The El Dorado City Council met in regular session Wednesday morning inside the Council Chambers of City Hall. Although the agenda was light, there were moments of extended speeches, and a question/answer session.

The Council started with the preliminary actions of prayer, the pledge and approving of minutes. Ward Four Alderman, Buddy McAdams was absent and Ward One Alderman, Jill Weinischke attended by phone. Mayor Paul Choate welcomed everyone, and gave a special welcome to the Government Class of West Side Christian School and their teacher, Cindy Miller. According to the Mayor, the class was on hand to, “observe City Government in action.”

 

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Mayor Choate said TCW would have a ground breaking in mid May, as they begin their work of bringing fiber optic internet to the city. Earlier this year, TCW announced they are investing $12 Million in construction in El Dorado, bringing Internet with speeds up to 8GB to the city. The Mayor said TCW plans to begin their construction in the Northwest Quadrant of the City. 

 

The Council also heard reminders about the Prescription Drug Take Back event that is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. at Walmart in El Dorado. The event is designed to properly dispose of Over-The-Counter and Prescription medications that have expired or are no longer needed. 

 

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Ward Two Alderman, Judy Ward, reminded the Council about the upcoming National Day of Prayer and the plans to host a parallel event inside City Hall. The National Day of Prayer is scheduled for the 1st Thursday of May every year and happens to fall on May 1st this year. Ward said there would be a very short program with local ministers and the community. She invited all of the Council as well as anyone who wishes to attend. 

 

The Mayor announced there are two meetings remaining for community input about the Master Parks Plan that is being worked on by local architect Michael Rogers and the El Dorado Parks and Playgrounds Commission. There will be a meeting Thursday April 24th at the Murmil Education Center and Tuesday April 29th at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium. Both meetings begin at 5:30 P.M. and the Mayor said, “The meeting I attended lasted about an hour.”

 

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Before the Council went on with other business, Ward Three Alderman Willie McGhee once again voiced his desire for more community input to be accepted should the El Dorado Wins, one-cent sales tax meet with the approval of El Dorado voters. The tax would replace the El Dorado Forward sales tax that is set to expire later this year. Early voting for registered voters in the City begins May 6th, with the Election to be held May 13th. During his speech Alderman McGhee said he was shocked to hear reports of a person impersonating a police officer in El Dorado and asked El Dorado Chief of Police, Ken Hickman, what had been done about it. The Chief acknowledged they did receive one report of someone in a dark colored vehicle that attempted to pull over a motorist in the city. “The allegation came in about a month ago and we investigated it that day, we followed up again that night and went as far as the trail would allow but there was no evidence of it.”

 

Chick-Fil-A?

 

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The Mayor moved the Council on in the agenda and said, “We, El Dorado, are getting a new national chain chicken restaurant. Their plan is to build it at North West Avenue and 19th Street right behind Larry’s Pizza. However, there is a storm drain on that site that would have to be moved.” The Mayor then pointed the Council to their meeting packets where a number of maps were available for their view. According to the Mayor, the City owns a piece of property right next to Larry’s Pizza and the storm drain could be moved there. “That piece of property is 25 feet wide and 345 feet deep and was originally intended to be a city street should the need ever arise. I spoke with Mr. Edmonds (City Public Works Director Robert Edmonds) and he and I agree that we don’t believe a street will ever be needed there. So moving the drain to that location makes perfect sense.” The Mayor said the storm drain relocation would be done by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Ward Two Alderman, Vance Williamson made the motion to approve and Ward Four Alderman, Dianne Hammond seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

After the meeting adjourned. An unnamed elected official was asked about the restaurant and was asked if it is Chick-Fil-A. That official said, “Well it’s the worst kept secret in South Arkansas but I still can’t say. But I can say this, Cows love this restaurant and encourage people to eat more chicken.” South Arkansas Now reached out to the media department of Chick-Fil-A but we have not received a reply by the time of publishing this article. 

 

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Here Comes the BOOM!!!

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El DORADO – Following up on their announcement during the Symphony on the Square, the El Dorado Union County Chamber of Commerce released the details about bringing back the 4th of July Fireworks show. The free fireworks show had long been a staple of 4th of July celebrations in South Arkansas. Burn bans due to drought conditions, budgetary restrictions, and sometimes just lack of volunteers had stopped the spectacular a number of years ago. A press release from the Chamber says:

It’s Showtime in the Sky – We’re Bringing Back the Boom!

Join us Friday, July 4 at the Union County Fairgrounds for El Dorado’s Independence Day celebration, brought to you by the El Dorado Union County Chamber of Commerce and the City of El Dorado. Gates open at 7:30 PM, with a patriotic ceremony at 8 PM and fireworks lighting up the sky around 9 PM. Enjoy music by DJ Bmoe, a community-wide flag wave, and the Patriotic Car Decorating Contest. Tailgate with friends and celebrate fun, and community. Thanks to our generous sponsors: Murphy USA, LSB Industries, Standard Lithium, First Financial Bank, RightFiber, Diversified Services, and Mac’s Tree Service.

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Celebration Set To Honor Retiring AD

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EL DORADO – El Dorado School District announced a retirement celebration for Athletic Director Phillip Lansdell. “In honor of Phillip Lansdell, a true leader and mentor. We look forward to celebrating his legacy and wishing him all the best in his retirement.”

Lansdell, a graduate of Southern Arkansas University has received countless awards during his tenure as Athletic Director, including the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the Arkansas High School Athletic Administrators Association. Earlier this year he was named the Class 5A Athletic Director of the Year. Coach Lansdell’s retirement marks the conclusion of a 43-year career in education and athletics. Lansdell has spent 35 years at El Dorado, first joining the district in 1990 as the baseball coach before transitioning into administrative roles. He later became the principal at Hugh Goodwin Elementary before taking over as the Wildcats’ athletic director following the retirement of Mike Bender. Under Lansdell’s leadership, El Dorado’s athletic programs have achieved sustained success, winning 41 conference championships, 17 state titles, and earning 10 state runner-up finishes. His tenure also saw significant facility upgrades, including the installation of turf at Memorial Stadium and the construction of a new high school athletic facility.

Before arriving at El Dorado, Lansdell began his coaching career at Converse High School in Louisiana after graduating from Southern Arkansas University. He guided the Wildcats to a state baseball championship in 1986 before returning to SAU to work on his master’s degree. He then took the El Dorado baseball job, beginning a long tenure that would shape the school’s athletic success. The celebration is set for Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 from 11:30 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. as a drop-in event at the El Dorado School District Administration Building, located at 200 West Oak Street.

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Local Ambulance Service Recognized As Pediatric Ready

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EL DORADO – In a press release ProMed Ambulance celebrated their recent recognition as a Pediatric Ready Ambulance Service.

“ProMed Ambulance is proud to announce its official recognition as a Pediatric Ready Ambulance Service by the Arkansas Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program. This designation places ProMed among the top 5% of ambulance providers in the state and makes it the only service in South Arkansas to receive this distinction. Achieving the Pediatric Ready status reflects ProMed’s steadfast commitment to providing high-quality, age-appropriate emergency care for children in every community we serve. The designation was made possible through the leadership of ProMed Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator John Burdue and the tireless efforts of the entire clinical and administrative team.
What This Recognition Means for the Community:
* **Enhanced Pediatric Training:** – All frontline EMS personnel have completed specialized training in pediatric emergency care, ensuring clinical excellence in high-stress situations involving children.

* **Pediatric Equipment Standards:** – Every ProMed ambulance meets or exceeds state requirements for pediatric-specific equipment and medications.

* **Dedicated Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator:** – Oversight and continuous improvement in pediatric care protocols are led by a designated clinical leader focused solely on the unique needs of children.

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**Community Trust and Readiness:** – Families can rest assured that ProMed teams are trained, equipped, and ready to respond to all emergencies — from the smallest infants to growing adolescents.

**Statewide Leadership:** – As a top 5% provider, ProMed is helping set the bar for pediatric EMS excellence across Arkansas.”

“We are deeply honored to receive this designation,” said Ken Kelley, President and CEO of ProMed Ambulance. “This achievement represents our team’s ongoing dedication to excellence and our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities — our children.”

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Governor Names South Arkansans Among Appointees

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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the latest rounds of appointments to various Arkansas Boards and Commissions, including some South Arkansas residents.

Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board

  • Detri Brech, Arkadelphia – Term to expire January 14, 2030. Replaces Rosalea Hyland

Arkansas Forestry Commission

  • John McAlpine, Monticello – Term to expire January 14, 2030. Reappointment.

Arkansas Manufactured Home Commission

  • Ricky Davis, Junction City – Term to expire September 1, 2028. Reappointment.

Old State House Commission

  • Rebecca Gosnell, Magnolia – Term to expire March 19, 2033. Replaces Stacy DeJarnette.

State Board of Health

  • Dr. Keith Davis, Smackover – Term to expire December 31, 2028. Replaces Glen Byrant.
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Longtime El Dorado Educator Earns Doctorate In Instructional Leadership

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EL DORADO – The El Dorado School District is proud to celebrate Dr. Angula Davis, who recently earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Instructional Leadership from National University. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in Dr. Davis’s career and in her family legacy—she is the first of eight siblings to earn a doctoral degree.

Dr. Davis, a 1986 honor graduate of El Dorado High School, has dedicated 28 years to teaching, with 27 of those years proudly served within ESD. She has taught a wide range of music education courses, including elementary and middle school general music, band, orchestra, and music production. She has also served as a mentor to novice teachers, sharing her knowledge, passion, and commitment to excellence in education.

Her educational journey is a testament to her perseverance and love of learning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Lyon College (1990), a Master of Arts in Music Education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio (1993), where she also earned her Ohio teaching license, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University (2012).

Dr. Davis reflects on her doctoral journey with both humility and pride. “If someone had told me 25 years ago that I would be pursuing a Doctorate while teaching full-time amid a pandemic, I probably would have stared blankly and then laughed hysterically,” she said. “I began this journey excited about fulfilling my career goal of obtaining a Doctor of Education degree and establishing a legacy of higher education for my family.”

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Her path was not without challenges. Amid personal health issues, family illnesses and loss, emotional strain, financial hardships, and the global pandemic, Dr. Davis pressed forward—relying on her faith, community, and inner strength. “I learned that I am resilient in ways that I could never have imagined,” she said. “One particular night, I heard an utterance emanating from within, ‘Procrastination is a self-inflicting wound.’ That word from the Lord changed the trajectory of my pursuit.”

Dr. Davis is the daughter of James and Rebecca Davis, one of eight children, and the proud mother of one amazing daughter and three perfect grandchildren. She credits her family, church, WMS colleagues, and friends for their unwavering support throughout her academic journey. “Thank you to the ESD for the opportunity to share my love of music with countless youth,” she said.

Dr. Davis will retire from ESD at the end of the 2024-25 school year, closing a remarkable chapter of service, mentorship, and musical excellence.

Looking ahead, Dr. Davis plans to pursue a leadership role in Educator Preparation Programs, where she can contribute to the development of effective teacher training curricula and mentor new educators as they transition into the profession.

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