STRONG, AR – On November 7th of 2023, Jace Meshell cried the happiest tears of his life as he called his mom, Brittney, from the woods to tell her he had dropped the biggest deer he had ever seen. “It’s the big one, I got the big one!” Jace said through tears and heaving for breath as his dad, Justin recorded him. 

Fast forward to April of this year and Jace called his mom and dad again, in tears. However, this time he told them had been in an accident on his four wheeler. While riding on family property Jace’s ATV flipped and rolled on top of him. The accident fractured his skull, broke his nose and his arm. Pinned under the ATV, Jace mustered the strength to push it off of him and somehow dig in his pocket for his cell phone. Injured and knowing he needed help, he tried to call his parents. But, as is often the case in the rural parts of Union County, he had no signal. 

With pure determination, strength, grit and possibly even some divine intervention, Jace somehow walked until he was able to get a signal on his phone and made that call. Jace’s parents made it to his location in minutes and called an ambulance. Paramedics arrived and called for a helicopter. 

Life flighted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Jace immediately underwent surgery. “They did the surgery as soon as we got there, they said everything went great and he should make a 100% recovery. I have never prayed so much before in my life! God has a plan for him and I told him that. Children’s (Hospital) was amazing, I have never met so many incredible people that work so hard to perfect their job!” Justin said. 

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Jace’s dad, Justin Meshell, is a technician for CARSTAR Laneys Collision Center in El Dorado, where he has worked his way up through the ranks for more than 10 years. The employees of Laneys are holding a benefit car wash to help Justin and Brittney with medical expenses that are a result of Jace’s accident. “It was all them, it was the team.” Lane Griffin, co-owner of Laneys Collision said, talking about the employees of Laneys. “They are the ones who came up with the idea.”

The car wash will be Saturday, April 26th from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. and donations will be accepted for the service of washing the car. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the family and donations of any size help.

LITTLE ROCK – With the federal deadline for REAL ID compliance quickly approaching, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) will open select Revenue Offices across the state this Saturday, April 26, including locations in Little Rock, Monticello, and Texarkana.

Starting May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require travelers to present a REAL ID to board commercial flights or enter certain federal buildings and nuclear power plants. To help Arkansans meet this requirement, DFA is expanding availability at key locations ahead of the deadline.

Revenue Offices in Little Rock (Ragland Building – 1900 West 7th Street), Monticello (506 West Gaines), and Texarkana (801 East 4th Street) will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday exclusively for REAL ID services.

Appointments are encouraged but not required and can be made online at the DFA’s appointment scheduling portal. Only REAL ID services will be available on Saturday—other services will remain limited to normal weekday hours.

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“DFA has streamlined the process of obtaining a REAL ID, which can be completed in a matter of a few minutes,” said DFA Secretary Jim Hudson. “Our offices are prepared for the large number of Arkansans that will be visiting between now and May 7. From eliminating wait times with our new appointment system to offering Saturday service, we are committed to making this as easy as possible.”

In March alone, DFA issued 52,000 REAL IDs, bringing the statewide total to nearly 800,000.

To obtain a REAL ID, Arkansans must provide:

• A U.S. passport or birth certificate

• Two documents proving residency (such as a utility bill or bank statement dated within the last six months)

• Proof of identity (such as a driver’s license or work/school ID)

• A Social Security card

• Any documentation for legal name changes (e.g., marriage certificate, court order)

More information about required documents is available at www.ar.gov/REALID. The cost to convert an existing license to a REAL ID is $10, while a new eight-year REAL ID costs $40.

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For background on the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, visit www.dhs.gov/real-id.

EL DORADO – The El Dorado Downtown Business Association (DBA) has introduced a brand-new community event, the Masterpiece Picnic, set to take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in the Murphy Arts District in downtown El Dorado. Described as a, “one-of-a-kind outdoor gathering” that promises to bring together, “delicious food, artistic expression, live entertainment, and a strong sense of community.”

Per the press release, attendees will enjoy a gourmet picnic dinner prepared by some of downtown El Dorado’s finest eateries, offering a curated taste of the city’s vibrant culinary scene. The evening will also feature a live auction of custom-painted picnic tables, designed by local artists, showcasing their unique talent and creativity. Each table is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, offering attendees the rare chance to take home a functional work of art while supporting the revitalization of downtown El Dorado.

Proceeds from the event will support the Downtown Business Association’s mission to enhance and promote a thriving downtown district for both residents and visitors.

Adding to the evening’s lively atmosphere, The Boomer Hill Band will provide live music, setting the perfect tone for this special night under the stars.

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Sponsorships and tickets for the Masterpiece Picnic are available now. Seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged. Sponsorships are offered at multiple levels, providing businesses and individuals with a great opportunity to support downtown El Dorado.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact DBA President Brandy Kyle at eldodbapresident@gmail.com or reach out to The Diamond Agency at (870) 862-1010.

EL DORADO – LifeShare Blood Center is teaming up with Entergy Arkansas to host a community blood drive on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Entergy’s El Dorado location, 2415 N. West Ave.

With the slogan “Give the Spice of Life,” the drive aims to energize the community and encourage blood donation during a critical time. LifeShare organizers hope the event will draw strong participation from local residents and Entergy employees alike.

Donors who give at the event will receive a limited-edition LifeShare T-shirt, featuring the theme “Let’s Get Crackin’ on Saving Lives,” while supplies last. The shirt design includes a playful lobster claw graphic to match the event’s fun, food-inspired message.

LifeShare serves hospitals and patients throughout the region and regularly hosts mobile blood drives to meet ongoing needs. The organization reminds the public that blood donations are vital for emergency care, surgeries, and treatment of chronic illnesses.

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Organizers encourage eligible donors to make plans to attend and remind participants to bring a photo ID and eat a healthy meal before donating. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can help minimize wait times.

For more information about donation eligibility or to schedule an appointment, visit lifeshare.org.

This event is part of LifeShare’s ongoing mission to build stronger, healthier communities—one donation at a time.

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EL DORADO – Women across South Arkansas are invited to come together for a morning of self-care and empowerment at the Murphy Arts District Amphitheater on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The “Women’s Wellness at the AMP!” event kicks off at 9 a.m. and promises a dynamic mix of wellness education and physical activity.

Hosted in partnership with HealthWorks Fitness Center, the Murphy Arts District, and UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation, the event will focus on key aspects of women’s health including self-care, diet, exercise, and mental wellness. Organizers say the event is open to all women and aims to foster a sense of community while promoting healthy living.

Following the wellness discussions, attendees can take part in a free yoga session led by instructors from HealthWorks Fitness Center. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable workout attire and bring a yoga mat or towel for the session.

“We want to empower women to take charge of their health in every aspect—physical, mental, and emotional,” said a spokesperson from UAMS. “This event is a celebration of strength, support, and self-care.”

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Admission to the event is free, and no pre-registration is required. All ages are welcome to attend.

For more information, follow the Murphy Arts District or HealthWorks Fitness Center on social media for updates and details leading up to the event.