News

Contour Airlines, City Of El Dorado Aiming For December Start

Published

8 months ago

October 2, 2025

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO – Members of the El Dorado Airport Commission confirmed what some suspected on Thursday – it is going to be a while before we see the jet service to South Arkansas Regional Airport that had been originally announced to start on Wednesday.

Commissioners met in a special meeting in the Murfree Terminal, Thursday, to discuss a number of issues related to the launch of the anticipated jet service between South Arkansas Regional and Dallas-Fort Worth announced last month by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Contour Airlines agreed to begin service after winning a bid for an Essential Air Service contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts are U.S. Department of Transportation agreements that pay regional airlines to provide scheduled flights to small, rural communities that would likely lose air service after airline deregulation. Through a competitive bidding process—usually for two-year terms—the DOT selects a carrier and defines minimum service levels (e.g., number of weekly round trips, aircraft type, and the larger hub(s) to be served). The subsidy simply covers the gap between the airline’s reasonable operating costs and its expected ticket revenue. When choosing a proposal, DOT weighs reliability, connectivity to the national network (interline/baggage agreements), community preferences, and overall cost to taxpayers.

Flights were originally announced to be available to the public beginning on October 1st. However, as of Thursday, commissioners and the City of El Dorado still have not finalized a contract with the airline. Also at hand, the airport terminal still has to be updated to meet TSA specifications.

According to members of the commission who spoke to South Arkansas Now following the meeting, the city’s contract with Southern Express Airways was set to expire in February of this year. Because of delays on the part of the Department of Transportation, the bid process was finally settled in August, leaving Contour Airlines and the City with a DOT-mandated contract start date of Wednesday.

When the flights do start, commissioners were told that while the government shutdown is still intact, the City of El Dorado might have to pay the costs normally paid by the EAS contract, with expenses running between $500,000 and $600,000 a month. Those costs are expected to be reimbursed to the city within 10–14 days.

Joining the meeting by phone, Mayor Paul Choate indicated that the city has around $1,200,000 in the airport fund, which operates both South Arkansas Regional Airport and the smaller Stevens Field El Dorado Downtown Airport, noting that those funds could be used to float the costs for the service before the federal government would provide reimbursements.

Despite not having a firm date for Contour’s service to start, commissioners voted to terminate the current EAS contract with Southern Express Airways, which currently operates flights to both Dallas-Fort Worth and Memphis with eight-passenger Cessna 208 Caravan airplanes. That contract is set to expire on November 30th.

Commissioners noted that if logistical arrangements and airport renovations are not finalized by that date per the TSA specifications, the airport could be without commercial air service for an unspecified amount of time, potentially over the holidays. As of Thursday, those renovations had not been started, as commissioners voted on the selection of a construction firm during their meeting.

The head of Contour Airlines tells South Arkansas Now that they are still fully planning to take over on December 1st, provided that the work has been completed. Contour Airlines CEO Matt Chaifetz said, “The grant for Contour service begins December 1st, although the exact start date will depend on how soon TSA can be in place at the airport. With the shutdown, it’s unclear when exactly the facility will have everything in place for us to begin service.”

In filings with the Federal Aviation Administration, members of the El Dorado Airport Commission expressed disdain for the service that Southern Airways Express has provided since 2017.

“Based on Southern’s precipitous decline in performance under the current EAS contract and the concurrent decrease in passenger traffic during the last two years, the Airport has no confidence that Southern can or will improve its operations or that it can reverse the damage that it has inflicted on the ELD market,” the filing stated.

“Although Southern has provided the least expensive proposals, there is no subsidy level that could possibly justify the community’s recommendation or DOT’s selection of Southern given their track record of performance in ELD, as well as other markets. Therefore, the Airport cannot endorse Southern’s proposal.”

In choosing the Contour contract, the commission had specified a number of things that were attractive to the city.

“Contour’s service with regional jet equipment configured to bring 30 passengers per flight to the main passenger terminal at DFW justifies the federalization of ELD and the return of TSA. The Airport has already updated and submitted its Airport Security Plan and met with TSA officials to begin preparing for the provisioning of equipment and personnel,” the Commission stated.

“The service would continue to connect to the American Airlines network at its large DFW hub, offering one-stop connections to more than 100 cities across the country. The service would be available for single-ticket booking on the American Airlines website and through other online services; Contour has a well-documented history of reviving damaged markets; and Contour has demonstrated its commitment to the community in its pledge of a $25,000 annual advertising budget, and low ongoing fares that reflect an understanding of the community’s demographics.”

Another provider, Boutique Airlines, was in the running for the contract, but their bid was frowned upon by commissioners due to a perceived reputation of problems in other markets. That airline has served other EAS markets in the region, including Greenville, Mississippi. Boutique disagreed, saying the City of El Dorado did not contact airports that were satisfied with their service.

Currently, reservations are available through November for existing service on Southern Airways Express.

Up Next

EL DORADO MAN & HIS COMPANY NAMED AS MINORITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Don't Miss

Murphy Oil Declares Quarterly Dividend, Schedules Nov. 6 Earnings Call

News

El Dorado Man Faces Charges After SWAT Standoff

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — A 39-year-old El Dorado man is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Union County District Court on Friday after being taken into custody following a lengthy police standoff earlier this week.

According to the El Dorado Police Department, Gary Lee Moore was arrested Tuesday morning after officers responded to a reported aggravated assault and spent more than an hour attempting to negotiate his surrender.

Authorities said officers were first called to South Arkansas Regional Hospital at approximately 6:45 a.m. Tuesday after receiving information about a suspected aggravated assault. Investigators reported that the victim told officers Moore had threatened her life and warned that he would kill any law enforcement officers who attempted to intervene.

Following the report, officers went to a residence in the 2700 block of Mount Holly Road to locate Moore.

Police secured the area around the residence, including shutting down a portion of Mount Holly Road, while ensuring no other individuals were inside the home. Crisis negotiators then began efforts to persuade Moore to surrender peacefully.

According to police, negotiators used verbal commands and communicated with Moore several times by telephone during the standoff. Despite those efforts, Moore repeatedly refused to leave the residence.

After negotiations proved unsuccessful, the El Dorado Police Department’s SWAT team implemented tactical measures that ultimately prompted Moore to exit the home.

Moore was taken into custody without further incident.

He has been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threatening, resisting arrest and several additional charges.

Moore remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Union County District Court on June 5.

The investigation remains ongoing.

News

Youth Festival Of The Arts Set For This Weekend

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, — Young artists from across South Arkansas will have an opportunity to display their creativity and connect with the community during the upcoming Youth Festival of the Arts on Saturday, June 6.

The event, presented through a partnership between the South Arkansas Arts Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Union County, will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at the Boys & Girls Club, located at 1201 N. West Ave. in El Dorado.

Organizers describe the event as a one-of-a-kind children’s art marketplace designed to celebrate and support young artists while encouraging creativity and artistic expression.

The festival will transform the indoor Lanxess Gym at the Boys & Girls Club into an art fair featuring artwork created by children and youth from throughout the region. Community members will have the opportunity to view the artwork, meet young artists and show their support for the next generation of creative talent.

The event is part of an ongoing effort by both organizations to provide artistic opportunities for local youth and help foster an appreciation for the arts in South Arkansas.

SAAC and the Boys & Girls Club have partnered on numerous programs focused on arts education, and organizers say the Youth Festival of the Arts is designed to give young creators a platform to share their work while building confidence and developing their artistic skills.

Community members are encouraged to attend and help support the area’s emerging artists.

Event Details

What: Youth Festival of the Arts
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Boys & Girls Club of Union County, 1201 N. West Ave., El Dorado
Hosted By: South Arkansas Arts Center and Boys & Girls Club of Union County
Admission: Open to the public

The event offers families a chance to celebrate creativity, encourage young artists and enjoy a morning dedicated to the arts in El Dorado.

News

Juneteenth Celebration Set For June 19th

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Families from across South Arkansas are invited to gather for a day of celebration, education and community as the Justice League hosts its annual Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day on June 19 at the Murphy Arts District Amphitheater.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MAD Amphitheater and will feature food, entertainment, activities for children and community engagement opportunities designed to bring residents together while promoting peace and unity.

Organizers say attendees can enjoy free food, frozen treats, community vendors, a bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, live entertainment and free T-shirts while supplies last.

The event is presented by the Justice League and made possible through support from title sponsor Clean Harbors.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Although Lincoln’s proclamation officially declared enslaved people in Confederate states free on Jan. 1, 1863, enforcement depended on the presence of Union troops. In many parts of the South, slavery continued until federal troops arrived and enforced the order.

The announcement in Texas marked one of the final acts of emancipation in the United States and became a day of celebration among formerly enslaved people and their descendants.

Over the decades, Juneteenth grew from local community gatherings into a nationally recognized observance. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day.

Today, communities across the country celebrate the holiday with festivals, educational programs, cultural events, parades and family gatherings that honor freedom, resilience and African American history.

Bringing the Community Together

Organizers of the El Dorado event say the Family Fun Day is designed not only to celebrate Juneteenth but also to encourage positive community engagement and promote efforts to reduce violence through education, fellowship and outreach.

Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend and take part in the festivities.

Event Information

What: Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day
When: June 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Murphy Arts District Amphitheater, El Dorado
Admission: Free
Activities: Food, frozen treats, vendors, bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, entertainment and more

The event is open to the public and welcomes families throughout the region to celebrate Juneteenth and the spirit of community together.

News

“Calling The Hogs” Event With Chuck Barrett Set For Tonight

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Razorback fans will have a chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories from one of the most recognizable voices in Arkansas sports tonight as “Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth” comes to the Murphy Arts District.

The special event, scheduled for June 4 inside the First Financial Music Hall, will feature legendary Arkansas Razorbacks play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Barrett, whose voice has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments in Razorback athletics.

Barrett will share stories from his years behind the microphone, offering fans a unique look at the people, moments and memories that have shaped Arkansas sports. The evening is expected to include tales from the broadcast booth, locker room stories and insights into some of the biggest games in Razorback history.

Serving as master of ceremonies will be longtime Arkansas broadcaster and storyteller Rex Nelson, who will help guide the conversation and add his own blend of humor and perspective throughout the program.

Guests will also enjoy a catered dinner provided by Madhouse 101. Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m. before the evening’s program gets underway.

Organizers say the event is designed to bring together sports fans, community members and supporters of Arkansas athletics for an entertaining night of storytelling and fellowship.

Tickets are $50 per person, plus applicable fees and taxes. Seating is limited.

The event will be held tonight at the First Financial Music Hall at Murphy Arts District in downtown El Dorado.

Event Details

What: Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth
When: Tonight, June 4
Where: First Financial Music Hall at Murphy Arts District, El Dorado
Dinner Service: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $50 per person plus fees and taxes
Seating: Limited availability

News

Farmers Market On The Square Celebrates Growers Month

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Main Street El Dorado is inviting families to kick off June with fresh produce, local vendors and a creative activity for children during this week’s Farmers Market on the Square.

As part of Growers Month, the market will welcome local artist Pam Vernon for a free watercolor class designed especially for children. The class will take place Saturday, June 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., offering young artists an opportunity to explore their creativity while learning the basics of watercolor painting.

The activity is free and open to children attending the market with their families.

The Farmers Market on the Square is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon on Jefferson Avenue near the Union County Courthouse in downtown El Dorado. The market features a variety of local growers, farmers, artisans and vendors offering fresh produce, homemade goods, plants and other locally sourced products.

Main Street El Dorado officials say Growers Month is a celebration of the farmers and producers who help supply fresh, locally grown products to the community throughout the season.

Families are encouraged to come early, shop the market and participate in the watercolor class while enjoying a morning in downtown El Dorado.

The event provides a fun and educational opportunity for children while supporting local growers and small businesses that make the Farmers Market a community favorite each summer.