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“He’s Lucky To Be Alive! God Has A Plan For Him!”

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Jace Meshell with the "Big One" he killed in November of 2023. The deer measured more than 143"

STRONG, AR – On November 7th of 2023, Jace Meshell cried the happiest tears of his life as he called his mom, Brittney, from the woods to tell her he had dropped the biggest deer he had ever seen. “It’s the big one, I got the big one!” Jace said through tears and heaving for breath as his dad, Justin recorded him. 

Fast forward to April of this year and Jace called his mom and dad again, in tears. However, this time he told them had been in an accident on his four wheeler. While riding on family property Jace’s ATV flipped and rolled on top of him. The accident fractured his skull, broke his nose and his arm. Pinned under the ATV, Jace mustered the strength to push it off of him and somehow dig in his pocket for his cell phone. Injured and knowing he needed help, he tried to call his parents. But, as is often the case in the rural parts of Union County, he had no signal. 

With pure determination, strength, grit and possibly even some divine intervention, Jace somehow walked until he was able to get a signal on his phone and made that call. Jace’s parents made it to his location in minutes and called an ambulance. Paramedics arrived and called for a helicopter. 

Life flighted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Jace immediately underwent surgery. “They did the surgery as soon as we got there, they said everything went great and he should make a 100% recovery. I have never prayed so much before in my life! God has a plan for him and I told him that. Children’s (Hospital) was amazing, I have never met so many incredible people that work so hard to perfect their job!” Justin said. 

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Jace’s dad, Justin Meshell, is a technician for CARSTAR Laneys Collision Center in El Dorado, where he has worked his way up through the ranks for more than 10 years. The employees of Laneys are holding a benefit car wash to help Justin and Brittney with medical expenses that are a result of Jace’s accident. “It was all them, it was the team.” Lane Griffin, co-owner of Laneys Collision said, talking about the employees of Laneys. “They are the ones who came up with the idea.”

The car wash will be Saturday, April 26th from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. and donations will be accepted for the service of washing the car. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the family and donations of any size help.

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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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