The El Dorado City Council met Thursday night and covered a wide range of topics, including police needs, economic development, senior transportation, food truck regulations, board appointments, city equipment and public safety concerns downtown.

Before the meeting, City Attorney Robert Rushing noted to several council members that some city ordinances have not yet been codified for enforcement by the El Dorado Police Department. Rushing later addressed a similar issue during discussion of possible food truck regulations, saying city code would need to be updated before certain rules could be enforced.

Councilman Willie McGhee suggested moving the Finance Committee meeting to City Hall. Mayor Paul Choate agreed with the suggestion and thanked McGhee for his contribution.

El Dorado Police Chief Ricky Roberts also brought a grant form before the council for signatures from the full council and mayor. The grant, totaling $22,379.00, would be split between the city and county and used for Class A uniforms and updated patches for police uniforms.

Advertisement

The council then approved an updated contract with the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, authorizing $400,000 for economic development. Councilman Andre Rucks commended the council for investing in the city’s economic arm, saying the move helps make El Dorado a stronger contender for outside investment and future industry.

The contract was approved unanimously.

Choate also spoke about the future impact of the Expo Center, saying the project will help bring money into the El Dorado community and pay dividends for decades to come.

Another major item was the “Miles for Seniors” program. McGhee said helping seniors get out, stay active and remain connected is important for the health of the community. He also said the program shows how neighbors can come together to solve problems facing local residents.

Advertisement

Tyler Turner with United Way is coordinating the effort. Turner said volunteers will use an app to help organize rides and support for seniors. He also noted that the grant connected to the program was awarded to only 22 out of 174 applicants across the nation.

Turner closed his comments by saying, “We are stronger together.”

Food truck regulations were also discussed at length. Councilwoman Dianne Hammond said the city needs clear rules for food trucks, especially when it comes to whether they should be allowed on city property.

Council members discussed several options, including banning food trucks from city property, allowing certain exceptions for areas such as the Recreation Complex, and raising the rental price for food trucks using city-owned property. Some members said a higher fee could help support local businesses and food truck courts that already operate in El Dorado.

Advertisement

Rushing said the city code would need to be updated before the city could enforce new food truck rules.

Council members McAdams and David Hurst both agreed there is a need to look at raising the rental price. Judy Ward suggested that Rucks, Hammond and Hurst research the issue and bring a recommendation back to the council.

Rucks said he wants to make sure the city supports local businesses, including DP’s Food Truck Park.

The council also handled several appointments. Janis Vanhook was unanimously reappointed to the Civil Service Commission. Jeff Fort was also unanimously appointed to the Advertising and Promotion Commission.

Advertisement

Council members also approved a resolution for the disposal of non-salvageable AV equipment at the El Dorado Conference Center. Officials said any equipment that can be recycled will be recycled, while any reusable equipment will continue to be used. The resolution passed unanimously

Near the end of the meeting, council members discussed ongoing public safety concerns downtown, particularly late at night.

McGhee said Police Chief Ricky Roberts should not be the only person held accountable for the issue. He said families also have a responsibility to help keep young people safe and address behavior before it becomes a larger problem.

Roberts said much of the concern involves young adults, mainly in the 18 to 26 age range, staying out well past midnight and creating dangerous situations downtown. He said the activity has become frequent enough that police are having difficulty keeping it under control.

Advertisement

Roberts said the city needs “more teeth” to address the problem. He also raised concern about the amount of taxpayer money being used for police resources to respond to fights, shootings and other dangerous incidents.

Roberts said he believes more people in the community need to speak up and say, “This is wrong within our community.”

Ideal Construction held a groundbreaking ceremony today for the new Expo Center that will be built on AR 335 (Del Tin Highway), between US 82 and AR 15 (Haynesville Highway). According to Gary Sewell, who spoke during the ceremony, the massive project has been more than 15 years in the making.

The Expo Center is expected to host a wide variety of events, including rodeos, equestrian competitions, livestock shows, and other community gatherings. Bringing the project to life required collaboration from a broad group of supporters, including ranchers, city council members, contractors, El Dorado School District and the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce. Ideal Construction was ultimately awarded the bid for the highly anticipated project, which leaders say will serve both El Dorado and the greater South Arkansas community.

Michael Rogers, lead architect with M R Designs, LLC — the firm overseeing the facility’s design and construction — said competitors involved in rodeos, equestrian sports, and livestock showing often travel within a 500-mile radius to attend events. Rogers noted that the new Expo Center has the potential to bring significant tourism revenue into South Arkansas.

Advertisement

Rogers and Chris Willis, a representative of Ideal Construction, estimated the project could be completed within the next year.

MAGNOLIA — One of South Arkansas’ longest-running and most beloved traditions will return this week as the Magnolia Blossom Festival celebrates another year of community events, entertainment, food, arts and the internationally recognized World Championship Steak Cook-off™.

The Magnolia Blossom Festival traces its roots back to 1950, when local leaders organized the event to celebrate the blooming of Magnolia’s famous southern magnolia trees while also promoting tourism and community pride. Over the decades, the festival has grown into one of Arkansas’ premier annual celebrations, drawing visitors from across the region for live entertainment, family activities, arts events and championship cooking competitions.

Today, the festival is best known nationwide for the World Championship Steak Cook-off™, which attracts competitive cooking teams from across the country and has become a signature event for Magnolia and Columbia County. Organizers say the festival continues to blend Magnolia’s small-town charm with a weekend packed full of activities for all ages.

Festivities begin Thursday, May 14 with the TCW Art Crawl and downtown activities. The Food Court will open from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., while downtown merchants will remain open late from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The evening will also feature the CCAPS Canine Fun Show at 6 p.m. in The Square Park.

Advertisement

Events continue Friday, May 15 with the Blossom Market and Food Court opening at noon. Visitors can also experience the Crystal Bridges Mobile Art Lab, Bare Metals Forge demonstrations and the Rockwall attraction throughout the day. The Magnolia Arts 76th Annual Art Show Artist Reception is scheduled from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., followed by roaming entertainment from Matt Tardy Juggling & Mayhem. Free live music from Dek of Hearts will begin at 7 p.m. on the Albemarle Stage in The Square Park.

Saturday’s schedule features a full day of activities beginning early in the morning with the Tom Dehoney Fishing Tournament at Lake Columbia and the annual 5K race and fun run. The Blossom Market, food vendors, arts demonstrations and family attractions will continue throughout downtown Magnolia during the day.

Highlights on Saturday include the Parade of Cookers at 10 a.m. on East Main Street, the Rods & Ribeyes Car Show, multiple performances by Tommy Terrific Magic Show, Arkansas Circus Arts Stiltwalkers and Matt Tardy’s juggling performances. Live music performances by Chris Loggins and Monsterboy LIVES will also take place on the courthouse lawn throughout the afternoon and evening.

The festival’s signature event, the World Championship Steak Cook-off™, will culminate Saturday evening with serving lines opening at 6 p.m. and the awards ceremony beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the Albemarle Stage.

Advertisement

Festival organizers encourage visitors to come prepared for a full weekend of entertainment, food, shopping and family-friendly activities celebrating one of Magnolia’s most treasured annual traditions.

EL DORADO — Union County residents will have another opportunity this weekend to dispose of large unwanted items as part of an ongoing cleanup effort coordinated by the Union County Solid Waste Department.

According to Union County Judge Mike Loftin, the department will be open this Saturday — the third Saturday of the month — from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. to accept oversized items for disposal at the Union County Solid Waste facility located at 2450 Champagnolle Road in El Dorado.

The initiative is designed to help residents clean up properties and properly dispose of bulky items that may not be picked up through regular trash service.

Items accepted include tires without rims, washers, dryers, mattresses and other large household items.

Advertisement

Officials noted that certain materials cannot be accepted during the cleanup event, including household garbage, perishable items, hazardous materials and electronics.

Loftin said the monthly opening is part of a broader effort to help keep Union County clean while also providing added convenience for residents needing to dispose of large items responsibly.

The Union County Solid Waste Department hosts the special collection opportunity on the third Saturday of each month.

Advertisement

EL DORADO — South Arkansas residents can expect another cool and comfortable night before temperatures rebound quickly on Wednesday under mostly sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport.

Forecasters say overnight low temperatures across the region will fall into the lower to mid-50s under clear skies. El Dorado is expected to drop to around 53 degrees overnight, while nearby communities including Magnolia and Camden are also expected to see cool early morning temperatures.

By Wednesday afternoon, sunshine and warmer conditions will return across South Arkansas with highs climbing into the upper 80s. El Dorado is forecast to reach approximately 88 degrees, with many locations across the region expected to see temperatures between 86 and 89 degrees.

The National Weather Service said the warming trend will develop quickly through the day Wednesday as mostly sunny conditions dominate the forecast.

Advertisement

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the cooler overnight conditions before summer-like warmth returns during the afternoon hours.