News

SAU Instructor Selected For International Art Competition

Published

1 day ago

June 9, 2026

Grant Merrill

MAGNOLIA – SAU Associate Professor of Art Rhaelene Rollins Lowther was selected for the 13th International Art Competition and Exhibition in Salt Lake City, UT. With nearly 600 applicants from around the world submitting their work, Lowther’s entry was one of 150 chosen. Her piece “Weaving Life with Light and Love” was on display at the Church History Museum through January 3, 2026.

“It was very exciting,” Lowther said of the news. “This is the biggest show I’ve ever been in, and it felt great to have my work in with a larger body of pieces that I really respect.”

The journey to creating “Weaving Life with Light and Love” did not start when the competition’s brief “Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down” was announced in 2022; for Lowther, the process began in 2019. In an effort to make art for herself again and return to her passion for painting, Lowther challenged herself to complete one painting per day of something interesting that she had seen. This changed the way she thought about making art, reinforcing for her the importance of consistency and that big ideas can bloom from what she called “small prosaic things.”

In 2020, a colleague Anna Zusman joined Lowther on her walks, and they discovered that, while their art was vastly different, they were drawn to similar subjects. This inspired their series Quotidian Moments: Different Lenses, an ongoing project that has been exhibited at SAU, Texarkana, Pine Bluff, Arkadelphia, and El Dorado.

“My paintings have gotten bigger and more ambitious over the last five years as that consistency has kicked in—the consistency of not only creating work but thinking about art and talking with other artists about the art that we’re making. That is part of what inspired my work in the museum show.”

“Weaving Life with Light and Love” began as a painting of an image, taken from one of Lowther’s morning walks, cut into strips and woven together. Scriptures, quotations, and poems were written on the canvas. The holy words were then woven through with golden thread.

“For a year, I’d been collecting quotes and poems and scripture that were uplifting to me. They were all related to light, love, compassion and care for others,” Lowther said.

Offerings by Rhaelene Lowther, SAU art professor

Another work of Lowther’s entitled “Offerings” was part of a traveling exhibition called Small Works on Paper, a juried show that was shown at SAU and the University of Monticello during October.

Lowther was born in Logan, UT, but made herself at home in California, Minnesota, and Salt Lake City over the years. She earned her BFA in painting and BA in art education from Brigham Young University and began a career as an artist in the video game industry while raising three children.

After working for a decade for companies like Access Software, Microsoft, and Sensory Sweep Studios, Lowther decided to return to school. She earned her MFA from Utah State and moved to Magnolia, AR, to start the game design program at SAU, where she taught 3D modeling, animation, technical art, and digital art and animation for 12 years.

Lowther won the Bobo Shinn Grand Prize Memorial Award at the Magnolia Blossom Festival in 2025, showed pieces in the Norton Gallery in Shreveport, LA, and most recently her work traveled from the Ark-La-Tex to Salt Lake City for the exhibition.

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Heat Index Near 100 Degrees Expected Across El Dorado and South Arkansas

Published

6 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — South Arkansas residents should prepare for another hot and humid day, with heat index values expected to approach triple digits across the region this afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, heat indices are forecast to range from 100 to 104 degrees across much of the Four State Region. In El Dorado, the heat index is expected to reach around 100 degrees, while nearby communities could experience similar conditions through the afternoon hours.

Although no Heat Advisories have been issued at this time, forecasters say the combination of high temperatures and humidity will create a moderate to major heat risk across much of South Arkansas and the surrounding region.

The National Weather Service notes that conditions will be dangerously close to Heat Advisory criteria in some locations. Prolonged exposure to the heat, especially during the afternoon, can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and those without access to air conditioning.

Forecasters are also monitoring conditions for Thursday, when heat index values and overall heat risk could increase even further.

Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, wear lightweight clothing, and check on vulnerable family members, neighbors, and pets.

Communities across South Arkansas, including El Dorado, Smackover, Camden, Magnolia, and surrounding areas, are expected to remain under above-normal temperatures through the remainder of the week as summer-like conditions continue to settle across the region.

While today may fall just short of advisory levels, meteorologists say heat safety precautions remain important as temperatures continue to climb.

News

Lithium Workforce Workshop Planned in El Dorado to Connect Residents with Emerging Industry Opportunities

Published

7 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — As South Arkansas continues to position itself as a growing hub for lithium production and processing, local residents will have an opportunity to learn how they can become part of the industry’s future workforce during an upcoming community workshop in El Dorado.

The LithiumWorks Workforce Workshop will be held Tuesday, June 16, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, located at 111 W. Main Street. The free event is designed to educate community members about the expanding lithium sector and the career opportunities expected to accompany its growth across the region.

Organizers say the workshop will provide valuable information for individuals interested in exploring careers in the industry, whether they are entering the workforce, considering a career change, or simply wanting to learn more about the economic developments taking place in South Arkansas.

Participants will receive an overview of the emerging lithium industry and its potential impact on local communities. The session will also highlight the types of careers available within the sector, current and future employment opportunities, workforce training programs, and resources designed to help residents prepare for industry jobs.

Workshop attendees will learn about the skills and qualifications employers are seeking, as well as pathways into the industry for individuals with a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Organizers emphasize that no degree or previous industry experience is required to attend the workshop.

The event comes as lithium development projects continue to advance throughout South Arkansas, drawing national attention to the region’s vast lithium resources. Industry leaders and economic development officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of workforce readiness as companies move closer to large-scale operations.

By providing information about training opportunities and career pathways, organizers hope to ensure local residents are prepared to benefit from the jobs and economic growth expected to accompany the industry’s expansion.

The workshop is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce at 870-863-6113.

News

South Arkansas Residents Appointed To State Boards And Commissions

Published

7 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Several South Arkansas residents have been appointed to state boards and commissions by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, including five new members of the Board of Trustees for South Arkansas College and an El Dorado resident selected to serve on the Governor’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

Among the appointments announced by the governor are Blake Williamson and Sean Williams of El Dorado, Jennifer Davis and Amy Wilson of Smackover, and Kelli Gathright of Strong, who will serve on the Board of Trustees of South Arkansas College.

Williamson and Williams will each serve terms expiring Dec. 31, 2029, replacing Wayne Gibson and Gary Griffins, respectively. Davis and Wilson will serve terms expiring Dec. 31, 2031, replacing Jose Covas and Crystal Yeager. Gathright will serve through Dec. 31, 2029, replacing Melissa Jerry.

The appointments come as South Arkansas College continues to expand workforce development and career training programs aimed at meeting regional industry needs, including growth in manufacturing, healthcare and emerging energy sectors.

In addition to the SouthArk appointments, Devin Ball of El Dorado was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. His term will run through Dec. 31, 2026.

Other South Arkansas residents receiving appointments include Mike Knoedl of Fordyce, who was named to the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board, and Angela Rich of Magnolia, who was reappointed to the State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. Rich’s new term expires Sept. 14, 2027.

The governor’s latest round of appointments also included members selected for the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Board, Oil and Gas Commission, Division of Aeronautics, Governor’s Mansion Commission, and several other state boards and commissions.

The appointments are subject to applicable state confirmation and service requirements, with terms varying by board and commission.

Governor Sanders’ announcement included appointments from communities across Arkansas, with South Arkansas receiving significant representation through the South Arkansas College board appointments and other statewide leadership positions.

News

Chick-Fil-A To Host Boys And Girls Club Fundraiser

Published

7 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Community members will have an opportunity to support local youth programs while enjoying a meal later this month as Chick-fil-A El Dorado partners with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County-Arkansas for a special fundraising event.

The Community Cares Event is scheduled for Monday, June 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Chick-fil-A El Dorado. During the event, a portion of qualifying sales placed through the Chick-fil-A mobile app will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County-Arkansas.

To participate, customers are encouraged to use the Chick-fil-A mobile app and opt into the Community Cares event when placing their orders. Eligible purchases include dine-in, drive-thru and carryout orders made during the designated event hours.

The fundraiser is designed to help support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County-Arkansas, which provides after-school programs, educational support, mentoring opportunities and recreational activities for local youth.

Organizers say community participation can make a meaningful impact, with every qualifying purchase helping generate funding for programs and services that benefit children and families throughout Union County.

The event offers residents a simple way to give back to the community while supporting a local organization dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential.

For additional information about the fundraiser or how to participate through the Chick-fil-A mobile app, contact the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County-Arkansas or Chick-fil-A El Dorado.

News

El Dorado Schools Announce Transition To New Cafeteria App

Published

7 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — The El Dorado School District Food Service Department is preparing to launch a new online platform for cafeteria account access and payments ahead of the upcoming school year.

District officials announced that student and staff cafeteria account information will be transferred to the new system over the summer as part of the transition. The change is intended to provide families and employees with a new way to manage meal accounts and make payments online.

While the new platform is not yet available, school officials emphasized that all existing account information will move to the new system, and no action is currently required from families regarding account transfers.

Additional details about the new app, including how to access accounts and make online payments, will be released closer to the start of the school year.

In the meantime, anyone needing to make cafeteria account payments may do so in person at the El Dorado School District Food Service office, located at 2525 Parnell Road. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Food Service officials thanked families and staff members for their patience during the transition process and said they are working to ensure a smooth changeover before students return to class this fall.

More information about the new cafeteria account system is expected in the coming weeks.