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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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:

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• 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.

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.

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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.