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El Dorado City Council discusses airport improvements, parks grant and public comment concerns

Published

1 minute ago

September 10, 2026

Jax Sanford

The El Dorado City Council met Thursday night, Sept. 10, with discussions ranging from airport improvements and outdoor recreation to public comment procedures and the city’s partnership with South Arkansas College.

The meeting began with the council welcoming Dr. Ayo Eluwole, a cardiologist who has opened his own clinic in El Dorado.

Eluwole, who said he prefers to go by Dr. Joy, explained that “Ayo” means “joy” in his native language. He is originally from Southwest Nigeria and has lived and worked in El Dorado for the past two years.

Eluwole said El Dorado has treated him well during his time in the community and described the city as a great place to call home.

Citizen raises concerns over last-minute agenda items

The council also heard from a community member during public comments.

The speaker raised concerns about items being added to City Council meeting agendas at the last minute. He pointed out that citizens who want to address an issue before the council may not have an opportunity to sign up for public comment if the issue was not included on the published agenda.

The council voted to allow him additional time beyond the designated five-minute public comment period so he could continue addressing his concerns.

He also discussed funding for maintenance of the city’s parks. He argued that the Parks and Recreation Board should not have to make individual financial requests for maintenance dollars and that those funds should instead be included as part of the Parks and Recreation Board’s budget.

Council considers approximately $1.1 million for airport improvements

The WINS Board also came before the council to request the reallocation of unused funds associated with improvements at the El Dorado Airport.

Approximately $490,000 remains from work completed on the airport terminal, while roughly $660,000 allocated for runway improvements remains available because the El Dorado Airport received a grant for those improvements.

Together, the unused funds total approximately $1.1 million.

The WINS Board is proposing that the money be redirected toward additional airport improvements, including general upkeep, drainage improvements and construction of another parking lot.

The request comes as airport usage has increased, with the existing parking lot reportedly beginning to overflow. Increased usage has been attributed in part to Contour Jet Services.

South Arkansas College discusses conference center agreement

Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez, president of South Arkansas College, also addressed the council.

Tully-Dartez presented information concerning the mutually beneficial agreement between the city and South Arkansas College for use of the South Arkansas College Conference Center. The current contract is set to expire in 2027.

During her presentation, Tully-Dartez also highlighted enrollment growth at South Arkansas College. She said the college has seen a 4% increase in enrollment for the current semester.

Tully-Dartez also spoke about the connection between the college and the El Dorado community. She noted that many students spent their first Sunday after moving into the dorms attending local churches, which she said demonstrated how students are becoming involved in the community.

Tully-Dartez also gave updates on the construction of Bill Howard Ballpark, noting incredible progress on the project. She says that information on season tickets and general information should be available in October.

Council approves application for outdoor recreation grant

Michael Rogers of MR Design appeared before the council to present a resolution seeking approval to apply for an outdoor recreation matching grant through the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

The proposed grant would support the development and improvement of outdoor bike trails throughout El Dorado, including trails around Maddox Park, Old City Park and Lions Club Municipal Park.

According to the presentation, the grant would reimburse the city for half of the project’s cost. The project is intended to improve outdoor recreation opportunities and quality of life for residents.

Councilman Andre Rucks questioned Rogers about whether the proper channels and procedures were being followed in connection with the proposed projects.

Rogers confirmed that the appropriate procedures were being followed.

The City Council unanimously approved the resolution authorizing the city to apply for the grant.

The next Parks and Recreation Board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22 at noon, where additional information about the proposed outdoor recreation projects is expected to be available.

Hospital Tax Board ordinance

The council also discussed the Hospital Tax Board ordinance.

The second reading of the ordinance occured, and the third reading and final passage are scheduled to take place at the next El Dorado City Council meeting.

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27th Annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo Set for September 12 in El Dorado

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27th Annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo Set for September 12 in El Dorado

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2026

Jax Sanford

EL DORADO, Ark. — Outdoor enthusiasts, families and community members from across South Arkansas are gearing up for the return of one of the region’s most anticipated fall events as the 27th Annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo comes to the El Dorado Conference Center on Saturday, September 12.

Hosted by the South Arkansas College Foundation, this year’s Outdoor Expo will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature a full day of activities celebrating the outdoors, local organizations and the South Arkansas community.

The annual event is designed to offer something for the entire family, with activities and attractions including the Hero 5K Walk/Run, rib cook-off, live music, car show, vendors and exhibitors, food trucks, children’s activities and more.

The Expo also provides an opportunity for local organizations and outdoor-related groups to showcase their work. The 2026 exhibitor lineup includes organizations such as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Delta Rivers Nature Center, Arkansas Road Team, El Dorado Police Department, Union County Public Library, Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Arkansas, Veterans Upward Bound and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 10, among others.

A Day of Family Fun

The Outdoor Expo has become a yearly gathering point for families looking to enjoy a variety of activities under one roof.

In addition to the outdoor-themed exhibits and demonstrations, visitors can enjoy the event’s Kids World, food trucks, live entertainment, the auto show and other activities throughout the day.

The event also includes a student art competition centered around the theme of recognizing everyday heroes. The contest is open to K-12 students from Union County schools, with students encouraged to create artwork highlighting someone they consider courageous — including military personnel, first responders, health professionals, family members or friends.

Supporting SouthArk Students

While the Outdoor Expo is designed as a day of entertainment and community engagement, it also serves an important purpose for South Arkansas College.

The event is an annual fundraiser organized by the South Arkansas College Foundation, with proceeds supporting educational opportunities for SouthArk students and the general operations of the SouthArk Foundation.

The Foundation’s 2026 Outdoor Expo sponsors include the City of El Dorado, Clean Harbors, Delek & Delek Fund for Hope, Lanxess, Lawrence Electric, LSB, RightFiber, TCW and The Systems Group, with additional sponsors supporting the event.

By attending and supporting the Expo, community members are helping the Foundation continue its work of providing educational opportunities and resources for students throughout the region.

Mark Your Calendar

The 27th Annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo will take place Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the El Dorado Conference Center.

With live music, food, competitions, exhibits, children’s activities, vehicles, vendors and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, organizers are inviting South Arkansas families to come out and make a day of it.

For more information about the 27th Annual SouthArk Outdoor Expo, visit the South Arkansas College Foundation’s Outdoor Expo website.

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How to Watch El Dorado Wildcat Football Live on South Arkansas Now, 9/4/26

Published

6 days ago

September 4, 2026

Jax Sanford

Football Friday is here, and South Arkansas Now is bringing you live coverage of El Dorado Wildcat Football as the Wildcats host the Camden Fairview Cardinals.

Fans who can’t make it to the stadium can watch the game live in three different ways:

South Arkansas Now: Watch directly at https://southarkansasnow.com/san-live-stream/southarkansasnow.com
Facebook: Follow the South Arkansas Now Facebook page for the live broadcast. https://www.facebook.com/southarkansasnow
YouTube: Watch the game live on the South Arkansas Now YouTube channel. https://youtube.com/@southarkansasnow?si=-aQ3zFuoRpEFGLcc

A Look into the Matchup

El Dorado Wildcats (1-0) are coming off a strong 4th-quarter win last week against the Magnolia Panthers. Wildcats won 23-16 after taking possession of the ball with 4-minutes left, score tied 16-16. The El Dorado team showed an abundance of depth at multiple positions, keeping fresh legs in the game at all times. Wildcat key performers against Magnolia include: Christian Williams, Ryan Polk, Gavin Jacobs, Trayden Cook-King, Jakayden Hamilton, Justin Hammett, Robert Smith, & Gavin Briggs.

Camden Fairview Cardinals (1-0) are coming off a dominant performance over the Arkadelphia Badgers. Cardinals won 40-18 over the Badgers after taking an early lead and never letting up. The Camden Fairview team showed high levels of athleticism at Wide-Receiver and Running Back. Cardinal key performers against the Arkadelphia include: Calvin Morris, Dayton Browning, Demarion Robinson, Brodie Dow, Kingston Miller, and Mareon Juniel.

Your Broadcast Team

Leading the call from the booth will be Jax Sanford, the voice of the Wildcats, handling play-by-play for South Arkansas Now’s live broadcast.

Joining Sanford in the booth will be Blake Cunningham, who will make his debut as the broadcast’s Color Commentator. Cunningham will bring additional insight and analysis throughout the game as the Wildcats battle the Cardinals. Cunningham is a 2017 Wildcat graduate. A dual-sport athlete in high school, Cunningham was a star Wide-Receiver for the Wildcat Football team and middle infielder for the baseball team.

Behind the scenes, South Arkansas Now President and CEO Sandy Sanford will be producing tonight’s livestream.

The production team also includes Angie Parker, Mark Cook, Brittney Haynes, Elizabeth Haynes, and Peyton Tolbert, who will be working the cameras throughout the night to bring fans all the action from the field.

The Jason Hardy State Farm Pregame Show begins at 6:30 p.m., with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

Whether you’re at the stadium or watching from home, South Arkansas Now has you covered for all the action as the El Dorado Wildcats take on the Camden Fairview Cardinals.

Pregame: 6:30 p.m. | Kickoff: 7 p.m.

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Rep Your City Bash Coming to Mattocks Park September 5

Published

1 week ago

September 1, 2026

Jax Sanford

EL DORADO, Ark. — El Dorado City Councilman and mayoral candidate Andre Rucks will host a community event, the “Rep Your City Bash,” on Saturday, September 5, at Mattocks Park.

The event is scheduled to run from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will bring together local residents, community organizations, food vendors and musical performers for an afternoon focused on community, fellowship and giving back.

Among those expected to attend is Fred Love, a Democratic candidate for Governor of Arkansas.

Two Houston, Texas-based nonprofits, God Chasers and Angels Serving with a Purpose, will be on hand to distribute a variety of items to members of the community at no cost.

Giveaway items are expected to include furniture, groceries, clothing for men, women, children and infants, accessories, toys, cleaning products and toiletries. The organizations will also provide free food during the event.

Additional refreshments will include cotton candy and snowcones, giving families plenty of options to enjoy throughout the afternoon.

Local food vendors Candley’s Cooking and Mr. D’s Kitchen of El Dorado will also provide food for attendees.

The musical lineup will feature performances from Benito, SOTS, Erica Muse and Church Boys, providing live entertainment throughout the event.

Organizers say the Rep Your City Bash is intended to bring people together while providing tangible resources to members of the El Dorado community.

The event will take place at Mattocks Park on Saturday, September 5, from noon until 8 p.m. Community members are invited to attend and take part in the activities, food, entertainment and giveaways.

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“5th & Goal” Returns Tonight, Bringing Local Coaches and Football Fans Together

Published

1 week ago

September 1, 2026

Jax Sanford

South Arkansas Now will once again bring local high school football coaches and fans together tonight with the return of “5th & Goal,” the weekly coaches show highlighting football across South Arkansas.

The show goes live at 6 p.m. tonight from Mystic Creek Grill and will feature coaches from Parkers Chapel, El Dorado, Junction City, and Smackover as they look back at last week’s games and preview the matchups ahead.

For 13 years, local football fans were without the weekly program that had become a familiar part of the South Arkansas football season. Now, “5th & Goal” has returned, with Jax Sanford picking up the torch from his father, B.A. Sandy Sanford, who created and hosted the original program for more than a dozen years.

The response since the show’s return has been overwhelmingly positive, with feedback from coaches, fans, school administrators and sponsors reinforcing the decision to bring the program back.

Each week, Jax Sanford will sit down with area coaches to discuss the previous Friday night’s action, key moments from their games, what their teams are working on during the week, and what fans can expect when they take the field next.

Tonight’s show will offer an opportunity for fans to hear directly from coaches representing four area programs as they prepare for another week of high school football.

“5th & Goal” will be streamed live every Tuesday at 6 p.m. during the football season, live from Mystic Creek Grill.

Fans can tune in tonight at 6 p.m. through South Arkansas Now’s online platforms for the latest edition of “5th & Goal” and hear from the coaches who are leading local teams through another exciting football season.

Kickoff may be Friday night, but football talk starts Tuesday on “5th & Goal.”

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How to Watch El Dorado Wildcat Football Live on South Arkansas Now

Published

2 weeks ago

August 28, 2026

Jax Sanford

Football Friday is here, and South Arkansas Now is bringing you live coverage of El Dorado Wildcat Football as the Wildcats travel to take on the Magnolia Panthers in Magnolia, AR.

Fans who can’t make it to the stadium can watch the game live in three different ways:

South Arkansas Now: Watch directly at https://southarkansasnow.com/san-live-stream/southarkansasnow.com
Facebook: Follow the South Arkansas Now Facebook page for the live broadcast. https://www.facebook.com/southarkansasnow
YouTube: Watch the game live on the South Arkansas Now YouTube channel. https://youtube.com/@southarkansasnow?si=-aQ3zFuoRpEFGLcc

Your Broadcast Team

Leading the call from the booth will be Jax Sanford, the voice of the Wildcats, handling play-by-play for South Arkansas Now’s live broadcast.

Joining Sanford in the booth will be Blake Cunningham, who will make his debut as the broadcast’s Color Commentator. Cunningham will bring additional insight and analysis throughout the game as the Wildcats battle the Panthers. Cunningham is a 2017 Wildcat graduate. A dual-sport athlete in high school, Cunningham was a star Wide-Receiver for the Wildcat Football team and middle infielder for the baseball team.

Behind the scenes, South Arkansas Now President and CEO Sandy Sanford will be producing tonight’s livestream.

The Jason Hardy State Farm Pregame Show begins at 6:30 p.m., with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

Whether you’re at the stadium or watching from home, South Arkansas Now has you covered for all the action as the El Dorado Wildcats take on the Magnolia Panthers.

Pregame: 6:30 p.m. | Kickoff: 7 p.m.