EL DORADO — The El Dorado School District will host a community meet and greet for new Head Football Coach Brett Shockley on Tuesday, May 5, giving students, parents, and supporters an opportunity to welcome the district’s newest athletic leader.

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at First Financial Bank, located at 300 E. Peach Street in El Dorado.

District officials say the meet and greet will allow community members to meet Coach Shockley, learn more about his vision for the football program, and show support as he begins his tenure leading the El Dorado Wildcats.

Coach Shockley was recently named head football coach for the El Dorado School District, and school leaders say they are excited to introduce him to the community and build momentum for the upcoming football season.

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The event is open to the public, and school officials encourage families, students, alumni, and community members to attend and help welcome Coach Shockley to El Dorado.

EL DORADO — The community is invited to attend a special grave marking ceremony honoring Revolutionary War patriots on Saturday, May 2, at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in El Dorado, according to information shared by the El Dorado–Union County Chamber of Commerce.

The ceremony is being organized by the Sons of the American Revolution Desoto Trace Chapter, in partnership with the Ecorse Fabre Chapter and First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado. The event will recognize local patriots who served the country during the struggle for independence and highlight their lasting legacy.

Organizers say the ceremony also commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, honoring the contributions of early American patriots whose service helped secure the nation’s independence.

The event will take place at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, located on South Washington Avenue in El Dorado, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Activities will include a formal marker dedication and grave marking to recognize the Revolutionary War veterans laid to rest at the cemetery.

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Community members, local historians, and descendants of Revolutionary War patriots are encouraged to attend the ceremony and take part in honoring the history and heritage of the region.

Officials say the ceremony offers a meaningful opportunity for residents to reflect on the sacrifices of those who served in the Revolutionary War while celebrating the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial milestone.

EL DORADO — The National Weather Service in Little Rock is warning residents across South Arkansas and much of the state to prepare for the possibility of scattered severe storms beginning early Friday morning, with additional rounds of severe weather possible through the weekend and into early next week.

According to forecasters, the highest local risk level for Friday is Level 2 out of 5, indicating scattered severe storms are possible across much of Arkansas, including South Arkansas and Union County.

The severe weather threat is expected to begin as early as 4 a.m. Friday and could continue through 11 p.m., with storms moving east-northeast at 40 to 50 mph.

Meteorologist Alex Woods said increasing moisture ahead of a frontal system will play a key role in the developing weather pattern.

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“We’re going to be seeing some increasing southerly flow, so kind of looks like our moisture levels will be increasing ahead of, like what you mentioned, some severe weather potential beginning on Friday,” Woods said. “Yeah, so as of right now we kind of have a slight risk out there for Friday, generally speaking, you know, 15 percent chance of seeing severe weather in your neck of the woods.”

Woods noted that the threat will not necessarily end Friday night, as an active pattern is expected to continue through the weekend.

“We’ll have to see how that’s going to evolve as we move closer, as we’ll be seeing the frontal system moving through on Friday. Then it kind of looks like going into and through the weekend our weather pattern is going to stay active, so we have severe weather potential continuing Saturday, Sunday, and even into Monday,” Woods said.

Primary Threats: Wind and Hail

Forecasters say the primary concerns with Friday’s storms will be damaging winds and large hail, although tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Current projections indicate the potential for strong to damaging wind gusts below 75 mph, along with the possibility of hail up to around quarter-size or larger in some areas.

Woods emphasized that tornadoes remain a possibility, even if they are not expected to be the primary threat.

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“It looks like the primary threats are going to be hail and damaging winds, but at this time we can’t necessarily rule out the potential of a tornado or two, especially on Friday by the looks of it right now,” Woods said.

Weekend Storm Chances Continue

In addition to Friday’s threat, forecasters say the overall weather pattern will remain unsettled into the weekend and early next week, increasing the chances for multiple rounds of storms across Arkansas.

Emergency officials encourage residents across South Arkansas to stay weather-aware, especially during overnight and early morning hours when storms may develop quickly.

Residents are advised to:

• Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings
• Review severe weather safety plans
• Secure outdoor items ahead of storms
• Monitor updated forecasts as conditions evolve

Forecasters stress that storm timing and intensity could change as the system approaches, and additional updates are expected from the National Weather Service in the coming hours.

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EL DORADO — The El Dorado School District community is coming together to support an El Dorado High School senior recently diagnosed with leukemia, with a fundraiser underway to help assist her and her family.

District officials announced that fundraising shirts are now available for purchase to support Samantha Huddleston, a senior at El Dorado High School, following her recent diagnosis. The effort is part of a broader show of support from classmates, teachers, staff, and community members rallying behind Huddleston during her treatment.

School officials encouraged families and community members to participate by purchasing shirts and sharing the opportunity with others as a way to show encouragement and help raise funds for medical and related expenses.

The fundraiser reflects the close-knit nature of the El Dorado School District, where students and staff often unite to support one another during challenging times.

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Those wishing to support Huddleston can order a shirt through the fundraiser organized on behalf of the student. District officials said community support and participation are appreciated as Huddleston begins her fight against leukemia.

Additional updates about fundraising efforts and support opportunities are expected to be shared as the campaign continues.

Orders can be placed for the t-shirts by clicking here.

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EL DORADO — The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed a new addition to the local business community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Country Living Mobile Home & RV Park.

Chamber officials, community members, and business representatives gathered to celebrate the opening and recognize the business’s investment in the El Dorado area. The ceremony marked the official introduction of Country Living Mobile Home & RV Park as part of the growing network of local businesses serving residents and visitors in Union County.

Country Living Mobile Home & RV Park offers accommodations for both mobile homes and recreational vehicles, providing options for long-term residents and travelers seeking convenient and accessible lodging in the region.

Chamber officials said ribbon cuttings serve as an opportunity to highlight new and expanding businesses that contribute to local economic growth and enhance available services within the community.

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For reservations or information about availability at Country Living Mobile Home & RV Park, individuals can call 870-863-6565.