EL DORADO – Clair Antoon-Newton, an educator at El Dorado High School, has been named the Arkansas Rural Education Association Teacher of the Year for the South Region, a prestigious honor recognizing excellence in rural education.

Antoon-Newton will be formally recognized at a statewide ceremony in July, where she will receive the Crystal Apple Award and a $1,000 check, sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.

The award comes during Teacher Appreciation Month, adding meaningful significance to the recognition. The Arkansas Rural Education Association’s Teacher of the Year program highlights outstanding teachers who make a lasting impact in rural communities through innovative instruction, leadership, and dedication to students.

El Dorado School District officials praised Antoon-Newton for her commitment to academic excellence and for being a role model both in and out of the classroom. Her recognition reflects not only her personal accomplishments but also the strength of rural education in South Arkansas.

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The July ceremony will bring together honorees from across the state to celebrate the role of educators in shaping the future of Arkansas’s rural communities.

EL DORADO – The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) invites the community to an evening of spontaneous laughter and good-hearted fun at the Gimme A Second Improv Comedy Show, set for Friday, May 9, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Presented by the Senseless Improv Group, this “pay what you can” event will feature high-energy, short-form improv games in the style of Whose Line is it Anyway? Audience participation is encouraged, making for an unpredictable and hilarious night of live entertainment.

The show is more than just a night of laughs—it also serves as a fundraiser to support SAAC’s summer camp programs, which offer creative opportunities for local youth in theatre, art, and performance. Donations will be accepted at the door, and every dollar goes directly toward enriching children’s arts education in South Arkansas.

The evening is hosted by a dedicated group of volunteers: Bill Meyers, Mike Means, Charlie Hankins, Chris Stone, Brooke Burger, Cherie Bright, and Luke Ramsey—all lending their time and talent to support a cause they believe in.

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Attendees are encouraged to give what they can—but most importantly, to show up ready to laugh and support a good cause.

For more information on SAAC’s summer camps or upcoming events, visit saac-arts.org.

EL DORADO – A strong line of storms swept across South Arkansas on Tuesday afternoon, bringing large hail and intense wind to parts of Union County, though the area was spared from any tornadic activity.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Union County at approximately 3:15 p.m., as the leading edge of a storm system that had already impacted East Texas and Louisiana moved into the region. In El Dorado, the storm delivered a burst of severe weather, prompting numerous reports of hail to the South Arkansas Now newsroom.

Among the most notable reports, South Arkansas Now’s Sandy Sanford captured video of ping-pong ball-sized hail falling near the El Dorado Racquet Club. Meanwhile, Storm Chaser Jax Sanford observed and reported quarter-sized hail as he tracked the storm through the city.

While Union County remained outside of the tornado warnings issued for the day, the storm system did trigger warnings just to the south in Monroe and Sterlington, Louisiana, as much of northern Louisiana was placed under a tornado watch for the afternoon.

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Following Tuesday’s round of severe weather, the forecast calls for a return to calm conditions. Meteorologists expect sunny skies and pleasant temperatures in the mid-80s as South Arkansas heads into the weekend, with no additional severe weather anticipated.

EL DORADO – The El Dorado School District (ESD) Orchestras will present their annual Spring Orchestra Concert on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the El Dorado High School Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

The evening will showcase a wide range of talent from across the district, with performances by:

• Washington Middle School Beginner Orchestra

• Washington Middle School Advanced Orchestra

• Barton Junior High Orchestra

• El Dorado High School String Orchestra

• The inaugural El Dorado High School Full Symphony Orchestra

An awards banquet will follow the concert, recognizing outstanding student musicians and celebrating the year’s accomplishments.

Families, friends, and community members are encouraged to attend and support these young performers in what promises to be a memorable night of music and recognition.

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CAMDEN – Small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to get a better handle on their finances are invited to attend a free workshop titled Business Money Management Made Easy on Tuesday, May 13, at noon.

The session will take place in person at 570 Ben Lane in Camden and will also be available online for remote participants. Hosted by business development experts, the event is designed to simplify financial concepts and provide actionable tools for managing money effectively.

The workshop will cover essential financial topics including:

• Recordkeeping and bookkeeping fundamentals

• Choosing the right bookkeeping software

• Understanding financial statements like balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports

• Quick tools to assess the financial health of your business

The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Participants can sign up at https://asbtdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/70372298.

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Whether attending in person or online, this workshop offers a valuable opportunity for business owners to gain clarity and confidence in managing their business finances.