EL DORADO – The El Dorado City Council will convene for its regular business meeting on Thursday, April 10, with a brief but potentially impactful agenda that includes two resolutions related to Delta Regional Authority (DRA) funding.

The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at City Hall, following the customary prayer and Pledge of Allegiance at 4:55 p.m.

Among the new business on the agenda is a resolution that would authorize the city’s chief elected official to sign an application for DRA funds. The Delta Regional Authority provides federal funding and technical assistance for economic development and infrastructure projects in economically distressed areas of the Mississippi River Delta region, including southern Arkansas.

A second resolution will propose designating a local non-profit agency to serve as the administrator for any DRA grant funds the city may receive. While the specific agency has not been named in the draft agenda, such appointments are typically made to streamline grant compliance and project oversight.

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No items of unfinished business are currently scheduled, and the council is expected to approve minutes from the previous meeting before moving on to the new business items.

City officials have not yet released details about the specific project or initiative tied to the potential DRA grant application, but more information may be provided during the meeting or in subsequent updates from city staff.

The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

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EL DORADO – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders will deliver the keynote address at the 19th annual Academic Signing Day (ASD) in El Dorado on Tuesday, April 8. The event, set for 1:30 p.m. at the El Dorado High School Wildcat Arena, will honor nearly 300 graduating seniors who are recipients of the El Dorado Promise scholarship.

Governor Sanders is expected to issue a statewide proclamation recognizing the impact of the El Dorado Promise, highlighting its role in expanding educational opportunities and fostering academic success throughout Arkansas.

The event will also feature remarks from Murphy Oil Corporation Board Member Claiborne Deming, State Representatives Matthew Shepherd and Sonia Barker, and El Dorado Mayor Paul Choate.

The El Dorado Promise, funded by Murphy Oil Corporation, was established 18 years ago and has since supported thousands of students in pursuing higher education. The scholarship covers full tuition and mandatory fees at any regionally accredited two- or four-year college or university in the U.S. In 2024, the program was expanded to include vocational and technical education at South Arkansas College.

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As of January 2025, 3,896 students have benefited from the Promise, attending 185 colleges and universities across 35 states. This year’s senior class includes 331 potential graduates, with 296 students—89 percent—eligible for the scholarship.

“This remarkable opportunity ensures our students can pursue higher education with significantly reduced financial barriers,” said Tiffany Hurley, Director of the El Dorado Promise.

The program is unique in its accessibility. Any El Dorado High School graduate who has been enrolled since at least the ninth grade qualifies for the scholarship, regardless of GPA, income, or application requirements. Students who enlist in the military receive their Promise benefits after completing their service.

EHS Principal John Jameson reflected on the program’s influence: “As a student in a neighboring district when the Promise was announced, I remember being envious. Now, I see the promise isn’t just about possibilities—it’s about life-changing opportunities.”

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Promise Scholars from the Class of 2025 have been accepted to a wide range of institutions, including the University of Arkansas system, Arkansas State campuses, and prestigious out-of-state universities such as MIT, Vanderbilt, and Rice University.

Academic Signing Day is a partnership among the El Dorado Education Foundation, El Dorado School District, Murphy Oil Corporation, and the El Dorado Promise. The event is supported by Title Sponsor First Financial Bank and Media Sponsor El Dorado News-Times.

CAMDEN – The Ouachita County Sheriff’s Department has announced that Highway 7 North is now closed from Highway 79B all the way to the Dallas County line, following heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the area.

The closure was reported by the Arkansas Highway Department, which cited hazardous conditions along the stretch of roadway. Local authorities are urging residents and travelers to avoid the area entirely and seek alternate routes until further notice.

“We’ll continue to share updates as we receive more information,” the sheriff’s department stated in a release Saturday. “Please stay safe and alert while traveling.”

No timeline has been given for when the road may reopen, as crews assess the situation and wait for floodwaters to recede. Motorists are encouraged to monitor official channels for the latest updates and to exercise caution on all roadways during ongoing storm conditions.

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CAMDEN — Multiple streets across Camden experienced flooding Saturday following heavy rainfall, causing travel delays and prompting safety warnings from city officials.

According to a statement from the City of Camden, the northbound lane of California Avenue developed flooded spots between Walmart and Police Drive. Additionally, partial flooding was reported at the Trace crossing near the Jefferson Street intersection.

Fairview Road near the Camden Sportsplex was also affected by partial flooding, while Washington Street saw extensive issues. Only one lane was passable between Cleveland Avenue and Gaughan, and both sides of Washington Street were under water from the Westgate Shopping Center to the Garden Oaks Shopping Center.

Flooding also occurred along Harrison Avenue between Jefferson and Washington, and on Mt. Holly Road in the area surrounding Steel Deals.

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South Adams Street faced partial to full flooding in the southbound lane, stretching from Downtown to Greater St. Paul Church. Elm Street, particularly in the area near Greater Love Church, was also under water and marked as an area to avoid.

Cheyenne Road, located off Old Wire Road, experienced creek overflow across the roadway, and Lakeview was underwater, though it remained passable at the time.

As of the latest update, all previously flooded areas have drained off. However, some slight pooling remains on Washington Street in front of the Westgate Shopping Center and near Generations Bank.

City officials continue to monitor road conditions and urge drivers to use caution when traveling through low-lying areas.

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EL DORADO — Students across the El Dorado School District took part in observances and educational activities Tuesday in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, an annual event dedicated to increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism.

From classroom lessons to themed dress-up days and awareness walks, schools throughout the district engaged students in meaningful dialogue about what it means to be inclusive, compassionate, and informed. Teachers also used the opportunity to educate students on the diversity of the autism spectrum and the importance of creating a supportive community for individuals with autism and their families.

World Autism Awareness Day was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 and has been observed every April 2 since 2008. The initiative was introduced by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar and adopted without a vote, signaling overwhelming global support for a day dedicated to raising awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The resolution, officially titled Resolution 62/139, called for increased global attention to autism and recognized the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, as well as the need to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism. The day also aims to foster inclusion and highlight the talents and unique contributions of people on the autism spectrum.

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Each year, the observance is supported by various global campaigns. One of the most recognizable is “Light It Up Blue,” a movement launched by the advocacy organization Autism Speaks. Landmarks and buildings around the world are lit in blue on April 2 to show solidarity and support.

In 2012, the United Nations broadened its focus with the theme “Launch of the Autism Speaks Global Autism Public Health Initiative,” highlighting the growing international concern over autism and calling for a collaborative response in health care, education, and community support systems.