EL DORADO – The El Dorado City Council met in regular session Wednesday morning inside the Council Chambers of City Hall. Although the agenda was light, there were moments of extended speeches, and a question/answer session.

The Council started with the preliminary actions of prayer, the pledge and approving of minutes. Ward Four Alderman, Buddy McAdams was absent and Ward One Alderman, Jill Weinischke attended by phone. Mayor Paul Choate welcomed everyone, and gave a special welcome to the Government Class of West Side Christian School and their teacher, Cindy Miller. According to the Mayor, the class was on hand to, “observe City Government in action.”

Announcements

Advertisement

Mayor Choate said TCW would have a ground breaking in mid May, as they begin their work of bringing fiber optic internet to the city. Earlier this year, TCW announced they are investing $12 Million in construction in El Dorado, bringing Internet with speeds up to 8GB to the city. The Mayor said TCW plans to begin their construction in the Northwest Quadrant of the City. 

The Council also heard reminders about the Prescription Drug Take Back event that is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. at Walmart in El Dorado. The event is designed to properly dispose of Over-The-Counter and Prescription medications that have expired or are no longer needed. 

Advertisement

Ward Two Alderman, Judy Ward, reminded the Council about the upcoming National Day of Prayer and the plans to host a parallel event inside City Hall. The National Day of Prayer is scheduled for the 1st Thursday of May every year and happens to fall on May 1st this year. Ward said there would be a very short program with local ministers and the community. She invited all of the Council as well as anyone who wishes to attend. 

The Mayor announced there are two meetings remaining for community input about the Master Parks Plan that is being worked on by local architect Michael Rogers and the El Dorado Parks and Playgrounds Commission. There will be a meeting Thursday April 24th at the Murmil Education Center and Tuesday April 29th at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium. Both meetings begin at 5:30 P.M. and the Mayor said, “The meeting I attended lasted about an hour.”

Advertisement

Before the Council went on with other business, Ward Three Alderman Willie McGhee once again voiced his desire for more community input to be accepted should the El Dorado Wins, one-cent sales tax meet with the approval of El Dorado voters. The tax would replace the El Dorado Forward sales tax that is set to expire later this year. Early voting for registered voters in the City begins May 6th, with the Election to be held May 13th. During his speech Alderman McGhee said he was shocked to hear reports of a person impersonating a police officer in El Dorado and asked El Dorado Chief of Police, Ken Hickman, what had been done about it. The Chief acknowledged they did receive one report of someone in a dark colored vehicle that attempted to pull over a motorist in the city. “The allegation came in about a month ago and we investigated it that day, we followed up again that night and went as far as the trail would allow but there was no evidence of it.”

Chick-Fil-A?

Advertisement

The Mayor moved the Council on in the agenda and said, “We, El Dorado, are getting a new national chain chicken restaurant. Their plan is to build it at North West Avenue and 19th Street right behind Larry’s Pizza. However, there is a storm drain on that site that would have to be moved.” The Mayor then pointed the Council to their meeting packets where a number of maps were available for their view. According to the Mayor, the City owns a piece of property right next to Larry’s Pizza and the storm drain could be moved there. “That piece of property is 25 feet wide and 345 feet deep and was originally intended to be a city street should the need ever arise. I spoke with Mr. Edmonds (City Public Works Director Robert Edmonds) and he and I agree that we don’t believe a street will ever be needed there. So moving the drain to that location makes perfect sense.” The Mayor said the storm drain relocation would be done by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Ward Two Alderman, Vance Williamson made the motion to approve and Ward Four Alderman, Dianne Hammond seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

After the meeting adjourned. An unnamed elected official was asked about the restaurant and was asked if it is Chick-Fil-A. That official said, “Well it’s the worst kept secret in South Arkansas but I still can’t say. But I can say this, Cows love this restaurant and encourage people to eat more chicken.” South Arkansas Now reached out to the media department of Chick-Fil-A but we have not received a reply by the time of publishing this article. 

XXX

Advertisement

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. 

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement