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SAU Upward Bound to celebrate 2025 graduates at Senior Recognition and Awards Ceremony

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2025

Staff Reports

MAGNOLIA – The Upward Bound Program at Southern Arkansas University will host its annual Senior Recognition and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Harton Theater on the University campus.

The event will honor 38 graduating seniors representing seven high schools across Southwest Arkansas. Among these students, 27 will participate in the program’s Upward Bound Bridge initiative, enrolling in up to six hours of college coursework at SAU during the first summer session. Additionally, 17 of these graduates plan to attend SAU beginning in the fall semester.

2025 Upward Bound Graduates:

Arkansas High School: Brittney Brewer, Makashia Edens, Kaitlin Meadows, Sidney Watson
Camden Fairview High School: Alyssa Olivarez
El Dorado High School: Rion Jones
Hope High School: Karah Bowden, Kimberly Contreras, Aria Grigsby, Kimorya Grigsby, Sonyia McDonald, Anayah Thornton, Kania Tucker, Arrington Turner
Lafayette High School: McKenzie Conner, Aundrunita Mack, Kenosha Stevens, Nakiya White
Magnolia High School: Jaiden Arnold, Corderious Biddle, Ta’Nessiya Biddle, Brayden Chambliss, Camarie Christopher, Alicia Conner, Wil’Zharia Davis, Jerry Dority III, Ma’Kyree Douglas, Masaria Easter, Aundria Gilbert, Earnesteen Gilbert, Za’Naria Gill-Gilmore, Breaunna Mallory, Uriah McPherson, Braden Purifoy, C’Asia Strahan, Chloe Torrence
Prescott High School: Padrin Davis, Kyla Joseph

Dr. Giles Willis, Jr., DDS, MPH, a distinguished healthcare professional and Arkansas native, will deliver the keynote address. Dr. Willis was born and raised in Lewisville, Arkansas, where he developed a passion for service and community engagement early in life. A salutatorian graduate of Lewisville High School, he earned his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He later completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the prestigious Howard University College of Dentistry.

Dr. Willis completed his dental residency at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in the Bronx, New York. He later earned a Master of Public Health degree from A.T. Still University in Missouri with a dental emphasis.

Dr. Willis has served marginalized communities with limited access to affordable dental care throughout his career. He worked in public health in an area of rural North Carolina reminiscent of his hometown. He has treated Hurricane Katrina victims in Louisiana, families living in remote jungle areas of Honduras, homeless people, and those recently out of drug rehab in North Carolina.

In 2019, when Dr. Willis’ mom mentioned that the same dental office he had visited as a child was available for sale, he offered to buy it. As fate would have it, his offer was accepted the same day. In 2021, he returned home to Arkansas. Full circle, he now has a non-profit dental office in his home county, Lafayette County Dental Clinic, where he provides dental treatment twice a month to a community that has not had a dentist in over 20 years.

He is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Arkansas.

Dr. Willis is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Arkansas State Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Orthodontic Society. He is also a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

When not practicing dentistry, Dr. Willis enjoys reading with his book club, playing softball, and cheering on his favorite teams—the UAPB Golden Lions, Arkansas Razorbacks, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He resides in Arkansas with his wife, Kimberly, and daughter, Eden.

The Upward Bound Program at SAU is proud to recognize the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 and looks forward to celebrating the promising futures of its graduates.

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Calling the Hogs Event Draws Strong Crowd in El Dorado

Published

3 hours ago

June 5, 2026

J.W. Misenheimer

EL DORADO, Ark. — Razorback fans and community supporters packed the First Financial Music Hall at the Murphy Arts District Thursday evening for Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth, an event that brought together Arkansas sports stories, dinner, fellowship and fundraising.

The evening featured Chuck Barrett, the well-known voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks, who shared stories from his years behind the microphone and offered guests an inside look at some of the most memorable moments in Arkansas sports. Longtime Arkansas broadcaster and storyteller Rex Nelson served as Master of Ceremonies, helping guide the evening with humor, insight and plenty of Hog spirit.

The catered event, with dinner provided by Madhouse 101, drew a strong turnout, with venue tables filled throughout the evening. In addition to the program, guests also took part in an auction, where every auction item was sold.

Organizers said the event was a great success, bringing together Razorback fans, local supporters and community members for an evening centered on storytelling, sports nostalgia and South Arkansas hospitality.

Watch a quick highlight from the event!

News

El Dorado Man Faces Charges After SWAT Standoff

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — A 39-year-old El Dorado man is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Union County District Court on Friday after being taken into custody following a lengthy police standoff earlier this week.

According to the El Dorado Police Department, Gary Lee Moore was arrested Tuesday morning after officers responded to a reported aggravated assault and spent more than an hour attempting to negotiate his surrender.

Authorities said officers were first called to South Arkansas Regional Hospital at approximately 6:45 a.m. Tuesday after receiving information about a suspected aggravated assault. Investigators reported that the victim told officers Moore had threatened her life and warned that he would kill any law enforcement officers who attempted to intervene.

Following the report, officers went to a residence in the 2700 block of Mount Holly Road to locate Moore.

Police secured the area around the residence, including shutting down a portion of Mount Holly Road, while ensuring no other individuals were inside the home. Crisis negotiators then began efforts to persuade Moore to surrender peacefully.

According to police, negotiators used verbal commands and communicated with Moore several times by telephone during the standoff. Despite those efforts, Moore repeatedly refused to leave the residence.

After negotiations proved unsuccessful, the El Dorado Police Department’s SWAT team implemented tactical measures that ultimately prompted Moore to exit the home.

Moore was taken into custody without further incident.

He has been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threatening, resisting arrest and several additional charges.

Moore remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Union County District Court on June 5.

The investigation remains ongoing.

News

Youth Festival Of The Arts Set For This Weekend

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, — Young artists from across South Arkansas will have an opportunity to display their creativity and connect with the community during the upcoming Youth Festival of the Arts on Saturday, June 6.

The event, presented through a partnership between the South Arkansas Arts Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Union County, will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at the Boys & Girls Club, located at 1201 N. West Ave. in El Dorado.

Organizers describe the event as a one-of-a-kind children’s art marketplace designed to celebrate and support young artists while encouraging creativity and artistic expression.

The festival will transform the indoor Lanxess Gym at the Boys & Girls Club into an art fair featuring artwork created by children and youth from throughout the region. Community members will have the opportunity to view the artwork, meet young artists and show their support for the next generation of creative talent.

The event is part of an ongoing effort by both organizations to provide artistic opportunities for local youth and help foster an appreciation for the arts in South Arkansas.

SAAC and the Boys & Girls Club have partnered on numerous programs focused on arts education, and organizers say the Youth Festival of the Arts is designed to give young creators a platform to share their work while building confidence and developing their artistic skills.

Community members are encouraged to attend and help support the area’s emerging artists.

Event Details

What: Youth Festival of the Arts
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Boys & Girls Club of Union County, 1201 N. West Ave., El Dorado
Hosted By: South Arkansas Arts Center and Boys & Girls Club of Union County
Admission: Open to the public

The event offers families a chance to celebrate creativity, encourage young artists and enjoy a morning dedicated to the arts in El Dorado.

News

Juneteenth Celebration Set For June 19th

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Families from across South Arkansas are invited to gather for a day of celebration, education and community as the Justice League hosts its annual Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day on June 19 at the Murphy Arts District Amphitheater.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MAD Amphitheater and will feature food, entertainment, activities for children and community engagement opportunities designed to bring residents together while promoting peace and unity.

Organizers say attendees can enjoy free food, frozen treats, community vendors, a bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, live entertainment and free T-shirts while supplies last.

The event is presented by the Justice League and made possible through support from title sponsor Clean Harbors.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Although Lincoln’s proclamation officially declared enslaved people in Confederate states free on Jan. 1, 1863, enforcement depended on the presence of Union troops. In many parts of the South, slavery continued until federal troops arrived and enforced the order.

The announcement in Texas marked one of the final acts of emancipation in the United States and became a day of celebration among formerly enslaved people and their descendants.

Over the decades, Juneteenth grew from local community gatherings into a nationally recognized observance. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day.

Today, communities across the country celebrate the holiday with festivals, educational programs, cultural events, parades and family gatherings that honor freedom, resilience and African American history.

Bringing the Community Together

Organizers of the El Dorado event say the Family Fun Day is designed not only to celebrate Juneteenth but also to encourage positive community engagement and promote efforts to reduce violence through education, fellowship and outreach.

Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend and take part in the festivities.

Event Information

What: Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day
When: June 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Murphy Arts District Amphitheater, El Dorado
Admission: Free
Activities: Food, frozen treats, vendors, bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, entertainment and more

The event is open to the public and welcomes families throughout the region to celebrate Juneteenth and the spirit of community together.

News

“Calling The Hogs” Event With Chuck Barrett Set For Tonight

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Razorback fans will have a chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories from one of the most recognizable voices in Arkansas sports tonight as “Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth” comes to the Murphy Arts District.

The special event, scheduled for June 4 inside the First Financial Music Hall, will feature legendary Arkansas Razorbacks play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Barrett, whose voice has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments in Razorback athletics.

Barrett will share stories from his years behind the microphone, offering fans a unique look at the people, moments and memories that have shaped Arkansas sports. The evening is expected to include tales from the broadcast booth, locker room stories and insights into some of the biggest games in Razorback history.

Serving as master of ceremonies will be longtime Arkansas broadcaster and storyteller Rex Nelson, who will help guide the conversation and add his own blend of humor and perspective throughout the program.

Guests will also enjoy a catered dinner provided by Madhouse 101. Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m. before the evening’s program gets underway.

Organizers say the event is designed to bring together sports fans, community members and supporters of Arkansas athletics for an entertaining night of storytelling and fellowship.

Tickets are $50 per person, plus applicable fees and taxes. Seating is limited.

The event will be held tonight at the First Financial Music Hall at Murphy Arts District in downtown El Dorado.