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South Arkansas based bank changes hands

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ROGERS, Ark. — Oak Tree Financial Corp., a Rogers-based holding company, has acquired Riverside Bank, which operates branches in Little Rock and Sparkman. The acquisition, first reported by TalkBusiness.net, marks a significant move for the company as it seeks to establish itself as a community banking leader in Arkansas. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Riverside Bank, based in Sparkman, had total assets of $59.94 million as of Sept. 30, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The bank has a long-standing presence in central and southwest Arkansas and plans to reestablish a presence in Northwest Arkansas, where it previously operated a mortgage office in Fayetteville.

Oak Tree Financial was established in 2023 by a group of shareholders focused on community banking in Arkansas. Longtime banker Robert “Rob” Robinson IV has joined as president and chief operating officer of both Oak Tree and Riverside. Robinson, a former chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association and Simmons Bank executive, brings more than 30 years of industry experience.

Conner Eldridge, a Rogers attorney and former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, serves as chairman and CEO of Oak Tree and Riverside. “At Oak Tree Financial, we are thrilled to have closed on the acquisition of Riverside Bank,” Eldridge said. “Stephen [Davis] and his team have done a great job with Riverside, and we are excited to build on that success.”

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Riverside Bank’s leadership team includes Stephen Davis, who will remain as executive vice president and director, alongside Robert Dudley, who will continue as executive vice president, and Spencer Davis, serving as senior vice president with a focus on mortgage lending.

Eldridge highlighted the importance of maintaining strong local leadership, saying, “Together, we are passionate about building Riverside and serving Arkansas communities going forward.”

Robinson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Riverside’s commitment to community banking: “I am excited to join its management and ownership team along with Conner and OTFC. My industry knowledge and banking philosophy align with Riverside’s mission, and I look forward to supporting the bank’s strategic initiatives.”

With a management team boasting decades of experience, Oak Tree Financial and Riverside Bank aim to expand services while maintaining their focus on Arkansas communities. Stephen Davis expressed optimism about the bank’s future, stating, “I look forward to the growth and success of Riverside Bank under Conner’s leadership and the support of the new shareholders and management team.”

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The acquisition reflects Oak Tree Financial’s strategic vision of fostering local economic development through accessible and community-focused banking services across the state.

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Celebration Set To Honor Retiring AD

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EL DORADO – El Dorado School District announced a retirement celebration for Athletic Director Phillip Lansdell. “In honor of Phillip Lansdell, a true leader and mentor. We look forward to celebrating his legacy and wishing him all the best in his retirement.”

Lansdell, a graduate of Southern Arkansas University has received countless awards during his tenure as Athletic Director, including the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the Arkansas High School Athletic Administrators Association. Earlier this year he was named the Class 5A Athletic Director of the Year. Coach Lansdell’s retirement marks the conclusion of a 43-year career in education and athletics. Lansdell has spent 35 years at El Dorado, first joining the district in 1990 as the baseball coach before transitioning into administrative roles. He later became the principal at Hugh Goodwin Elementary before taking over as the Wildcats’ athletic director following the retirement of Mike Bender. Under Lansdell’s leadership, El Dorado’s athletic programs have achieved sustained success, winning 41 conference championships, 17 state titles, and earning 10 state runner-up finishes. His tenure also saw significant facility upgrades, including the installation of turf at Memorial Stadium and the construction of a new high school athletic facility.

Before arriving at El Dorado, Lansdell began his coaching career at Converse High School in Louisiana after graduating from Southern Arkansas University. He guided the Wildcats to a state baseball championship in 1986 before returning to SAU to work on his master’s degree. He then took the El Dorado baseball job, beginning a long tenure that would shape the school’s athletic success. The celebration is set for Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 from 11:30 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. as a drop-in event at the El Dorado School District Administration Building, located at 200 West Oak Street.

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Local Ambulance Service Recognized As Pediatric Ready

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EL DORADO – In a press release ProMed Ambulance celebrated their recent recognition as a Pediatric Ready Ambulance Service.

“ProMed Ambulance is proud to announce its official recognition as a Pediatric Ready Ambulance Service by the Arkansas Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program. This designation places ProMed among the top 5% of ambulance providers in the state and makes it the only service in South Arkansas to receive this distinction. Achieving the Pediatric Ready status reflects ProMed’s steadfast commitment to providing high-quality, age-appropriate emergency care for children in every community we serve. The designation was made possible through the leadership of ProMed Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator John Burdue and the tireless efforts of the entire clinical and administrative team.
What This Recognition Means for the Community:
* **Enhanced Pediatric Training:** – All frontline EMS personnel have completed specialized training in pediatric emergency care, ensuring clinical excellence in high-stress situations involving children.

* **Pediatric Equipment Standards:** – Every ProMed ambulance meets or exceeds state requirements for pediatric-specific equipment and medications.

* **Dedicated Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator:** – Oversight and continuous improvement in pediatric care protocols are led by a designated clinical leader focused solely on the unique needs of children.

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**Community Trust and Readiness:** – Families can rest assured that ProMed teams are trained, equipped, and ready to respond to all emergencies — from the smallest infants to growing adolescents.

**Statewide Leadership:** – As a top 5% provider, ProMed is helping set the bar for pediatric EMS excellence across Arkansas.”

“We are deeply honored to receive this designation,” said Ken Kelley, President and CEO of ProMed Ambulance. “This achievement represents our team’s ongoing dedication to excellence and our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities — our children.”

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Governor Names South Arkansans Among Appointees

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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the latest rounds of appointments to various Arkansas Boards and Commissions, including some South Arkansas residents.

Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board

  • Detri Brech, Arkadelphia – Term to expire January 14, 2030. Replaces Rosalea Hyland

Arkansas Forestry Commission

  • John McAlpine, Monticello – Term to expire January 14, 2030. Reappointment.

Arkansas Manufactured Home Commission

  • Ricky Davis, Junction City – Term to expire September 1, 2028. Reappointment.

Old State House Commission

  • Rebecca Gosnell, Magnolia – Term to expire March 19, 2033. Replaces Stacy DeJarnette.

State Board of Health

  • Dr. Keith Davis, Smackover – Term to expire December 31, 2028. Replaces Glen Byrant.
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Longtime El Dorado Educator Earns Doctorate In Instructional Leadership

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EL DORADO – The El Dorado School District is proud to celebrate Dr. Angula Davis, who recently earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Instructional Leadership from National University. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in Dr. Davis’s career and in her family legacy—she is the first of eight siblings to earn a doctoral degree.

Dr. Davis, a 1986 honor graduate of El Dorado High School, has dedicated 28 years to teaching, with 27 of those years proudly served within ESD. She has taught a wide range of music education courses, including elementary and middle school general music, band, orchestra, and music production. She has also served as a mentor to novice teachers, sharing her knowledge, passion, and commitment to excellence in education.

Her educational journey is a testament to her perseverance and love of learning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Lyon College (1990), a Master of Arts in Music Education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio (1993), where she also earned her Ohio teaching license, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University (2012).

Dr. Davis reflects on her doctoral journey with both humility and pride. “If someone had told me 25 years ago that I would be pursuing a Doctorate while teaching full-time amid a pandemic, I probably would have stared blankly and then laughed hysterically,” she said. “I began this journey excited about fulfilling my career goal of obtaining a Doctor of Education degree and establishing a legacy of higher education for my family.”

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Her path was not without challenges. Amid personal health issues, family illnesses and loss, emotional strain, financial hardships, and the global pandemic, Dr. Davis pressed forward—relying on her faith, community, and inner strength. “I learned that I am resilient in ways that I could never have imagined,” she said. “One particular night, I heard an utterance emanating from within, ‘Procrastination is a self-inflicting wound.’ That word from the Lord changed the trajectory of my pursuit.”

Dr. Davis is the daughter of James and Rebecca Davis, one of eight children, and the proud mother of one amazing daughter and three perfect grandchildren. She credits her family, church, WMS colleagues, and friends for their unwavering support throughout her academic journey. “Thank you to the ESD for the opportunity to share my love of music with countless youth,” she said.

Dr. Davis will retire from ESD at the end of the 2024-25 school year, closing a remarkable chapter of service, mentorship, and musical excellence.

Looking ahead, Dr. Davis plans to pursue a leadership role in Educator Preparation Programs, where she can contribute to the development of effective teacher training curricula and mentor new educators as they transition into the profession.

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Union County to Celebrate Opening of New Communications and Training Centers

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EL DORADO — Union County officials and community members will gather on Thursday, June 12, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of two key public safety facilities: the Union County Communications Center and the Union County Training Center.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 460 W. Oak Street in El Dorado. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m., with the official ribbon cutting set for noon.

The new facilities mark a significant milestone in Union County’s ongoing investment in emergency preparedness, public safety, and professional development. Local leaders credit strong cooperation between the county and area municipalities in bringing the project to completion.

“This is a proud moment for our community,” organizers shared. “We’re excited to recognize the teamwork that made this possible and look forward to what these centers will offer our first responders and the citizens they serve.”

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The public is invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate the opening of these vital new resources.

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