CALION, Ark. — A growing Calion tradition will return this summer as residents rally around a beloved community member undergoing cancer treatment.

The second annual Boat Poker Run in Support of Debbie Hudson will take place Saturday, June 27, at the Calion Spillway. Organizers say all proceeds from the event will go directly to Hudson’s family to help with treatment and other related expenses.

Residents describe Hudson as a maternal figure within the Calion community and someone who has consistently encouraged others to pursue their goals. She is often regarded as one of the community’s biggest cheerleaders — or “hype girls” — because of her enthusiasm for Calion and her desire to see local residents succeed.

Assistant event coordinator Holly Hudson and event coordinator Katie Gibbons are helping organize the fundraiser and bring the community together in Debbie Hudson’s honor.

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Registration will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event at the Calion Spillway. The first boat will depart at 10 a.m., and the final boat must return by 3 p.m.

Stops will be positioned along the river before participants finish back at the spillway.

The entry fee is $20 per hand, with all payments due in cash on the morning of the event. Organizers emphasize that proceeds will be given directly to the family to assist with the financial costs associated with Hudson’s care.

The fundraiser will continue later that evening with a Baggo tournament beginning at 5 p.m. Registration for the tournament will cost $40 per team, with additional details about its location expected to be announced.

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Supporters may also purchase official poker run shirts. Profits from the shirt sales will also go directly to Hudson’s family.

Organizers hope the event will provide meaningful financial support while also showing Hudson how much she means to Calion and the surrounding community.

Additional updates are available through the event’s Facebook page. Questions may be directed to Katie Lyn Gibbons.

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EL DORADO, AR — The El Dorado Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Wilford Coddington, a 66-year-old man reported missing from El Dorado.

According to a missing-person flyer shared by the Morgan Nick Foundation, Coddington was last seen on foot on Thursday, May 28, 2026, after indicating that he was going fishing. He did not return home and has not made contact with family or friends.

Coddington is described as a white male, 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds. He has brown and gray hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Coddington’s whereabouts is asked to contact the El Dorado Police Department at 870-863-4141.

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The Morgan Nick Foundation is also listed on the flyer and may be reached at 479-632-6382.

EL DORADO, AR — Food truck operators doing business inside the El Dorado city limits could soon face a revised permit-fee structure, stricter enforcement and new restrictions on the use of city-owned property.

The El Dorado Food Truck Committee met to formulate procedures food truck owners would be expected to follow while operating within the city. The committee’s recommendations are expected to be presented to the El Dorado City Council on Thursday for consideration.

Under the proposal, food truck operators who live within the El Dorado city limits would pay $60 for the first day of operation without electricity or $80 with electricity.

For a second day of operation, city residents would pay $35 without electricity or $50 with electricity.

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Food truck operators who do not live within the city limits would pay higher rates. Non-resident operators would pay $75 for the first day without electricity or $100 with electricity.

For a second day, non-resident operators would pay $50 without electricity or $75 with electricity.

Food truck owners would be required to pay the applicable fees and secure their permits during regular city business hours. City officials said operators would not be permitted to arrive late on a Friday or during the weekend and begin operating without first paying the required fees.

Failure to follow the proposed permit requirements could result in a $300 fine.

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Committee Vice President Andre Rucks suggested developing an online system that would allow food truck operators to pay their fees and obtain permits electronically. Mayor Paul Choate said creating an online registration and payment system would be too costly, estimating that it could cost the city approximately $10,000 to establish.

Marty Rosson, owner of DP’s Food Truck Park, addressed the committee and said he believes some food trucks are coming into El Dorado, setting up and operating without paying the required fees.

Rosson said the situation concerns him as both a taxpayer and a local food truck operator. He argued that vendors who avoid the fees create an unfair business environment for operators who comply with the city’s rules and pay the required costs.

Rosson also said he had heard that the Boys and Girls Club had been allowing food trucks to operate on its property. During the discussion, the property was described as being owned by the city.

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Rosson said he would consider withdrawing his financial support and involvement with the Boys and Girls Club unless the city consistently enforces the food truck permit and fee system. He said the same rules should apply to every operator conducting business within El Dorado.

Councilman David Hurst suggested that El Dorado consider an enforcement procedure similar to the one used in Magnolia. Under that approach, police officers could ask a food truck operator to present a valid permit. An operator who could not produce one would be instructed to leave.

The committee also discussed whether food trucks should be allowed to operate on city-owned property. One recommendation expected to be brought before the City Council would prohibit food trucks from setting up on city property unless they are participating in an approved event.

Grease disposal was another issue raised during the meeting. Committee members questioned where mobile food vendors are dumping used cooking grease and whether operators have access to approved grease traps.

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Rosson said he would make a grease trap available at his privately owned food truck park, though operators would be required to pay a fee to use it.

The proposed permit rates, enforcement procedures, grease-disposal concerns and restrictions involving city property are all expected to be discussed when the recommendations are presented to the El Dorado City Council on Thursday.

The proposals will not become official city policy unless they are approved by the council.

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EL DORADO, Ark. — A single-vehicle accident was reported on South Bradley Street in front of Everybody’s Antiques.

Sgt. Walker, who was on the scene, said the driver appeared to have tried to avoid another vehicle before sliding into a ditch.

According to Sgt. Walker, there was no suspicion of DUI in connection with the accident.

The driver said they were glad to be okay and noted they were on their way to see a bed-ridden family member.

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South Arkansas Now is not identifying the driver in order to protect their privacy.

EL DORADO, Ark. — As lithium continues to play a growing role in America’s energy future, South Arkansas is positioned to become an important part of the nation’s domestic supply chain.

Smackover Lithium is working to help meet the increasing demand for lithium through its South West Arkansas Project, located in the Smackover Formation. The formation is known for its rich lithium brine resources and has drawn growing attention as companies look for domestic sources of lithium used in batteries, technology, transportation and other modern industries.

The project recently received a Finding of No Significant Impact from the U.S. Department of Energy, a step connected to the federal environmental review process. The decision marks an important milestone for the South West Arkansas Project as development continues.

Lithium is used in lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to drones, unmanned vehicles and advanced technology used in national defense.

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Jesse Edmondson, P.G., Director of Government Relations at Standard Lithium, noted the growing importance of lithium in modern technology, saying, “Drones and robots going forward, unmanned vehicles, and modern warfare — every single one of those has a lithium-ion battery.”

For South Arkansas, the project could mean more than mineral production. It also represents the potential for new jobs, workforce training, business growth and long-term economic development in the region.

Workforce training programs at South Arkansas College are already helping prepare students for careers connected to the emerging lithium industry. Through partnerships and training opportunities, local students and workers could gain the skills needed to take part in a growing field without having to leave the region.

Supporters say the development of lithium in South Arkansas could strengthen the area’s economy by creating opportunities in operations, technology, construction, transportation, maintenance and related industries.

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As demand for lithium continues to rise, South Arkansas could find itself at the center of an industry that connects local workers to national and global energy needs.