News

Huckabee Nominated As US Ambassador To Israel

Published

6 months ago

November 13, 2024

Staff Reports

WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that he has chosen former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the new U.S. ambassador to Israel. Known for his strong support of Israel, Huckabee once controversially claimed that “there’s no such thing as a Palestinian.”

In a statement, Trump praised Huckabee’s record, saying, “Mike has been a dedicated public servant, a Governor, and a respected leader of faith. His love for Israel is mutual, and I am confident he will work tirelessly to advance peace in the Middle East.”

Huckabee’s daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as Trump’s press secretary during his first administration, is currently the governor of Arkansas.

Throughout his political career, Huckabee has been unwavering in his support for Israel, notably backing its claims to the West Bank. When asked about potential U.S. support for an Israeli move to annex the Israeli-occupied territory, Huckabee responded affirmatively.

During an interview with Israeli Army Radio, Huckabee stated, “Of course, the policy decisions rest with the president, but he has already shown unparalleled support for Israel’s sovereignty during his first term. This includes the U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem, the recognition of the Golan Heights, and acknowledging Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. I expect this support to continue.”

Israel has controlled the West Bank since taking it from Jordan during the 1967 Six-Day War. Although peace agreements with the Palestinians were signed in the 1990s, the expansion of Jewish settlements—deemed illegal by international law—has persisted. Currently, around 500,000 Israelis live in these settlements.

Huckabee’s appointment is expected to strengthen ties between Israel and American evangelicals, a key component of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy.

Huckabee has extensive experience in Israel, having visited multiple times and led tours, most recently with Senior Adult Travel Inc. in May, as noted on the company’s website.

In a video from Huckabee’s 2015 presidential campaign, released by CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski, Huckabee suggested that if a Palestinian state were to be established, it should be outside Israel’s borders, possibly in neighboring countries like Egypt, Syria, or Jordan. “Fundamentally, there’s really no such thing as a Palestinian,” Huckabee said during a 2008 campaign stop in Massachusetts. “I need to be cautious saying this because people get upset, but it’s true.”

Huckabee’s support for Israeli settlements has been consistent, including when he helped lay a cornerstone for a new neighborhood in a large settlement near Jerusalem in 2017. At that time, he told CNN’s Oren Lieberman that he avoided the term “settlements,” preferring to call them “neighborhoods” or “communities.” He added, “Israel holds rightful ownership of Judea and Samaria. I don’t recognize terms like ‘West Bank’ or ‘settlement.’ They don’t exist in my vocabulary.”

News

Severe storms drop large hail in South Arkansas Tuesday

Published

12 hours ago

May 7, 2025

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO – A strong line of storms swept across South Arkansas on Tuesday afternoon, bringing large hail and intense wind to parts of Union County, though the area was spared from any tornadic activity.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Union County at approximately 3:15 p.m., as the leading edge of a storm system that had already impacted East Texas and Louisiana moved into the region. In El Dorado, the storm delivered a burst of severe weather, prompting numerous reports of hail to the South Arkansas Now newsroom.

Among the most notable reports, South Arkansas Now’s Sandy Sanford captured video of ping-pong ball-sized hail falling near the El Dorado Racquet Club. Meanwhile, Storm Chaser Jax Sanford observed and reported quarter-sized hail as he tracked the storm through the city.

While Union County remained outside of the tornado warnings issued for the day, the storm system did trigger warnings just to the south in Monroe and Sterlington, Louisiana, as much of northern Louisiana was placed under a tornado watch for the afternoon.

Following Tuesday’s round of severe weather, the forecast calls for a return to calm conditions. Meteorologists expect sunny skies and pleasant temperatures in the mid-80s as South Arkansas heads into the weekend, with no additional severe weather anticipated.

News

El Dorado Orchestras Present Spring Concert Thursday

Published

13 hours ago

May 7, 2025

Staff Reports

EL DORADO – The El Dorado School District (ESD) Orchestras will present their annual Spring Orchestra Concert on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the El Dorado High School Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

The evening will showcase a wide range of talent from across the district, with performances by:

Washington Middle School Beginner Orchestra
Washington Middle School Advanced Orchestra
Barton Junior High Orchestra
El Dorado High School String Orchestra
The inaugural El Dorado High School Full Symphony Orchestra

An awards banquet will follow the concert, recognizing outstanding student musicians and celebrating the year’s accomplishments.

Families, friends, and community members are encouraged to attend and support these young performers in what promises to be a memorable night of music and recognition.

News

Business Finance Workshop Set For May 13th

Published

13 hours ago

May 7, 2025

Staff Reports

CAMDEN – Small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to get a better handle on their finances are invited to attend a free workshop titled Business Money Management Made Easy on Tuesday, May 13, at noon.

The session will take place in person at 570 Ben Lane in Camden and will also be available online for remote participants. Hosted by business development experts, the event is designed to simplify financial concepts and provide actionable tools for managing money effectively.

The workshop will cover essential financial topics including:

Recordkeeping and bookkeeping fundamentals
Choosing the right bookkeeping software
Understanding financial statements like balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports
Quick tools to assess the financial health of your business

The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Participants can sign up at https://asbtdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/70372298.

Whether attending in person or online, this workshop offers a valuable opportunity for business owners to gain clarity and confidence in managing their business finances.

News

Parkers Chapel STEM Camp Returns In July

Published

13 hours ago

May 7, 2025

Staff Reports

EL DORADO – Students entering grades 3 through 6 will have the chance to explore the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and math at the upcoming Parkers Chapel STEM Camp, set for July 22–24, 2025.

Held at Parkers Chapel School, the camp runs daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is open to students currently in 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th grade. The cost is $90 per student, which includes a camp t-shirt and daily snacks. Participants must bring their own lunch.

Space is limited to just 40 students, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment is required at the time of registration to secure a spot.

Camp activities include a dynamic mix of hands-on STEM projects and interactive learning sessions. Highlights include:

ESports
Robotics
Drones
T-Shirt Creation

Organizers emphasize the importance of early registration due to high interest in past years. The camp is designed to give students a fun, engaging introduction to emerging technologies and real-world applications of STEM education.

Parents can register their children online using the official sign-up form at https://5il.co/3ffed.

News

Early voting underway on El Dorado Wins initiative

Published

13 hours ago

May 7, 2025

Staff Reports

EL DORADO – Early voting is now underway for a special election that will determine the future of a new funding initiative known as El Dorado WINS, a proposal aimed at boosting public services, infrastructure, and community development within the city limits.

The special election is set for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, and only registered voters residing within El Dorado city limits are eligible to vote. The initiative proposes a new revenue stream that would be distributed across six key areas:

25% to Parks & Recreation, aimed at expanding existing parks and creating more spaces for public events and community gatherings.
20% to Public Works, with a focus on improving streets, water systems, and sewer infrastructure.
20% to Public Safety, designated for enhancing police and fire services.
20% for Future Development to support long-term planning and city growth.
10% for Economic Development to attract new businesses and strengthen the local economy.
5% to South Arkansas College for the maintenance and operation of its Conference Center.

In the weeks leading up to early voting, city officials and stakeholders have hosted a series of community meetings to gather input from residents. These meetings have included discussions not only on the El Dorado WINS proposal but also on the broader vision for the city’s park system and recreational offerings.

City leaders have framed the initiative as a strategic investment in El Dorado’s future, emphasizing the importance of diversified funding to meet the evolving needs of the community.

Voters can cast their ballots early at the Union County Courthouse during regular business hours through the end of the early voting period.

The outcome of the May 13 election will determine whether the proposed allocations become part of El Dorado’s next phase of public investment.