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Closings and Cancellations (January 10th)

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10:30 PM UPDATE

Statewide

All Arkansas state government offices are closed Thursday and Friday.

El Dorado

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The El Dorado School District will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, and will be closed on Friday, January 10th. The district urges everyone to prioritize safety during the anticipated weather conditions.

The Boys and Girls Club of Union County will be closed on Thursday.

Westside Christian School

Westside Christian School will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, and will be closed on Friday, January 10th.

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Bravo Dance Centre

All classes for the remainder of the week have been cancelled. Classes will resume on Monday, January 13th.

Camden Fairview

The Camden Fairview School District has announced that all classes will be canceled on Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10, due to expected severe weather conditions. The decision was made to prioritize safety, with concerns about hazardous road conditions during afternoon dismissals.

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All district events scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday have also been canceled. Updates regarding rescheduled events are already being shared, including the following:

  • Basketball games originally scheduled for January 9 and 10 will now take place at the CFHS Gym on Tuesday, January 21, with start times to be announced.
  • The Ivory Intermediate Spelling Bee will now be held on Wednesday, January 15, with 5th grade at 8:20 AM and 4th grade at 9:30 AM.

Thanks to five built-in inclement weather days in the school calendar, students will not need to make up the missed days. The district will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates.

CFSD employees are advised to check their work emails for updates. The district encourages everyone to stay safe and warm.

Parkers Chapel 

The Parkers Chapel School District will dismiss early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, due to anticipated weather conditions. Schools will remain closed on Friday, January 10.

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Smackover

The Smackover-Norphlet School District will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, due to forecasted inclement weather and potentially hazardous road conditions. Buses will begin lining up at 12:30 p.m., and all after-school preschool classes are canceled.

Classes and all extracurricular activities are also canceled for Friday, January 10. The basketball game against Centerpoint has been rescheduled for Monday, January 13. District officials emphasized that the safety of students, staff, and the community remains their top priority.

Magnolia

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The Magnolia School District will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to anticipated inclement weather. While officials believe it is unlikely schools will be open on Friday, a final decision will be made after assessing actual weather conditions. The district will continue to monitor updates and communicate any changes.

Hampton

Due to the threat of inclement weather Hampton Schools will be closed Thursday, January 9, 2025. The decision was made for the safety and the best educational outcomes for students and staff.

 

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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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Union County to Celebrate Opening of New Communications and Training Centers

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EL DORADO — Union County officials and community members will gather on Thursday, June 12, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of two key public safety facilities: the Union County Communications Center and the Union County Training Center.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 460 W. Oak Street in El Dorado. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m., with the official ribbon cutting set for noon.

The new facilities mark a significant milestone in Union County’s ongoing investment in emergency preparedness, public safety, and professional development. Local leaders credit strong cooperation between the county and area municipalities in bringing the project to completion.

“This is a proud moment for our community,” organizers shared. “We’re excited to recognize the teamwork that made this possible and look forward to what these centers will offer our first responders and the citizens they serve.”

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The public is invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate the opening of these vital new resources.

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