News

South Arkansas based bank changes hands

Published

4 months ago

January 14, 2025

Grant Merrill

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.”

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.”

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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SAU to Host Free Virtual ACT Summer Institute for Arkansas High School Students

Published

21 hours ago

May 6, 2025

Grant Merrill

MAGNOLIA — Southern Arkansas University’s Education Renewal Zone (ERZ) will host its 18th Annual ACT Virtual Summer Institute from June 16 through June 19, 2025, offering free, expert-led test preparation for rising 10th through 12th grade students across Arkansas.

The four-day virtual program will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, with sessions focused on strengthening math, science, reading, and English skills. Each student will receive a free ACT resource workbook and participate in interactive sessions led by experienced instructors.

The daily schedule includes three instructional sessions:

1st Session: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
2nd Session: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch break: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (on your own)
3rd Session: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Participation is limited to 100 students statewide. Organizers encourage early registration to secure a spot. Students will be grouped into teams—Achievers, Challengers, and Aces—as part of the program’s interactive and motivational format.

To register, students must fill out the online form at Registration Link and be logged into a Google account.

For questions or assistance with registration, contact Dr. Guevara, ERZ Director, at rcguevara@saumag.edu or call (870) 904-4900.

This free opportunity aims to equip Arkansas high school students with the skills and confidence needed to succeed on the ACT and pursue college readiness.

News

Severe Storm Threat Added As Flood Potential Continues

Published

21 hours ago

May 6, 2025

Grant Merrill

SHREVEPORT – The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Level 3 out of 5 enhanced risk for severe weather today, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, with the greatest threat expected during the afternoon and evening hours.

The highest risk area is concentrated near and south of Interstate 20 in Deep East Texas and near and west of Interstate 49 in Central Louisiana. However, the entire region remains under some level of severe weather risk.

Forecasters warn that the storm system could bring a combination of hazardous conditions, including damaging wind gusts of 60 mph or higher, large hail of at least quarter size, and the possibility of a few tornadoes.

In addition to the severe storm threat, previously saturated soils may exacerbate flooding concerns throughout the region as more heavy rain moves in.

Residents are urged to remain weather aware and have multiple ways to receive warnings, including NOAA weather radios, mobile alerts, and local news sources.

You can follow SouthArkansasNow.Com for the latest severe weather information.

News

SouthArk to Host Free JAG Bridge Program for High School Juniors and Seniors

Published

21 hours ago

May 6, 2025

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — South Arkansas College will offer a free summer opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to prepare for college and career success through its annual JAG Bridge Program, scheduled for Tuesday, June 3 through Thursday, June 5, 2025.

The program will run daily from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the SouthArk campus and is designed to help students develop essential academic and career-readiness skills while exploring whether SouthArk is the right fit for their educational goals.

Aimed specifically at juniors and seniors in high school, the JAG (Jobs for Arkansas Graduates) Bridge Program provides students with a hands-on introduction to college life, professional development, and career exploration. The program is entirely free, but participants must apply by May 22 to be considered.

Interested students can complete the application online at https://www.southark.edu/jagform. For questions or help applying, students and families can contact Dana Lawrence at ddlawrence@southark.edu or call (870) 864-8432.

SouthArk officials encourage local students to take advantage of this engaging opportunity to prepare for a successful transition from high school to higher education and the workforce.

News

NARCAN Training Class Scheduled In El Dorado

Published

22 hours ago

May 6, 2025

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — In a continued effort to combat the opioid epidemic, Extreme Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will host a free Narcan training event on Monday, May 12, 2025, at El Dorado City Hall.

The event will offer two sessions, one at noon and another at 5:30 p.m., at City Hall located at 204 North West Avenue in El Dorado. The training is open to the public and aims to equip community members with life-saving knowledge and resources.

The sessions will focus on three core learning objectives: understanding what opioids are and how addictive they can be, learning how to properly administer Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray in the event of an overdose, and understanding how Arkansas’ Good Samaritan law provides legal protection to those who assist in an emergency overdose situation.

Each participant will receive a free Narcan kit at the conclusion of the training.

The SHARE Foundation’s Jill Weinischke will lead the training sessions and can be contacted for more information at (870) 881-9015 Ext. 6 or jweinischke@sharefoundation.com.

The event highlights the deadly potency of fentanyl, emphasizing that a dose as small as a few grains can be fatal. The training encourages community action and education to save lives in the face of rising overdose rates across the country.

For those looking to make a difference, this training provides a crucial opportunity to be prepared in the event of an overdose emergency.

News

Flooding Likely This Week As Heavy Rainfall Expected

Published

2 days ago

May 5, 2025

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO – The National Weather Service is warning residents across the region to prepare for another round of heavy rainfall and flash flooding beginning Tuesday and continuing into Tuesday night, as a major storm system moves through already waterlogged areas.

Forecasters say the risk is significant due to saturated soil conditions left behind by recent storms. With the ground unable to absorb much more rainfall, any additional precipitation could lead to rapid runoff, increasing the potential for flash flooding across low-lying and poor drainage areas.

“Flooding concerns will only worsen,” the NWS warned, adding that rises on area lakes and rivers are also anticipated later this week and into the weekend.

Emergency officials urge residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert, avoid driving through high water, and monitor local forecasts closely. Flash floods can occur suddenly and with little warning, especially during nighttime hours when visibility is reduced.

Residents are encouraged to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including NOAA Weather Radios, smartphone apps, and social media updates from trusted weather sources.

For the latest weather updates and warnings, visit weather.gov or follow the National Weather Service Shreveport office on social media.