EL DORADO – The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Southern Arkansas University, will host a series of free workshops this spring to help aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

The three-session series, sponsored by Southern Bancorp, aims to provide valuable insights and practical guidance for launching a business in Arkansas. Each session will take place at the Chamber of Commerce, 111 W. Main St., El Dorado, at 6 p.m.

Workshop Schedule:

• March 17: “Is Starting a Business Right for You?”
  Participants will explore what it takes to turn a passion into a viable business and determine if entrepreneurship is the right path for them.
• April 21: “Plan to Succeed: Writing Your Business Plan”
  This session will guide attendees in organizing their business ideas, clarifying their goals, and creating a comprehensive business plan.
• May 19: “Dreams to Open Doors: Registering Your Business in Arkansas”
  Attendees will learn the necessary steps to officially register and establish their businesses in the state.

All sessions are free to attend, but registration is required. To register, call Karen at 870-312-5106 or email karen@goeldorado.com.

For more information, visit the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Members of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation spent time this week on the House floor remembering one of their own.

Former Representative Beryl Anthony died last week in Florida, but current members of Congress took to the floor to talk about his exceptional record in public service.

Representatives Bruce Westerman, French Hill, Steve Womack, and Rick Crawford each were on hand to say a few words.

You can watch their talk by clicking on the video player above.

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EL DORADO – The El Dorado Wins Committee is inviting residents to participate in a series of upcoming town hall meetings designed to gather community input and discuss local priorities. These meetings provide an opportunity for open dialogue and collaboration on topics that impact the future of El Dorado.

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday, February 18, at 6:00 p.m.
  Location: El Dorado Municipal Auditorium
• Wednesday, February 26, at 6:00 p.m.
  Location: El Dorado Conference Center
• Thursday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m.
  Location: Murmil Educational Center

Hosted by the El Dorado Wins Committee, these meetings are open to the public, and no reservations are required to attend. Residents are encouraged to join and share their thoughts to help shape the future of the community.

For more information, contact the El Dorado Wins Committee or visit their social media pages.

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LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester has announced the launch of a comprehensive review of election security procedures. The directive, issued today, calls for a thorough top-to-bottom evaluation of the state’s election systems, focusing on identifying potential vulnerabilities, strengths, and threats.

The review, spearheaded by the Secretary of State’s Chief Legal Counsel, will prioritize maintaining accessibility for citizens while ensuring the findings remain concise and transparent. Secretary Jester emphasized the importance of leveraging all available resources to complete the review efficiently and effectively.

“Elections are the single most critical responsibility we have in this office. When elections are safe and secure, the people’s voice is heard,” Jester stated in the directive. “We have a strong legacy to build on, and we will continue to build each and every day.”

The directive highlights the importance of election security amid growing concerns about safeguarding democratic processes nationwide. Jester’s office has pledged to uphold the state’s legacy of fair and secure elections while reinforcing public trust.

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Further details regarding the review process or its timeline have not yet been disclosed. The Secretary’s office has committed to making the results available to the public once the review is completed.

MINDEN – A routine traffic stop on Interstate 20 escalated into multiple charges for an Arkansas man, Minden Police Chief Jared McIver reported.

According to the Webster Parish Journal, Santario Rumeal Carson, 32, of El Dorado, is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on charges including simple possession of marijuana, injuring public records, failure to identify, and being a fugitive from Union County, Arkansas. Carson’s bond is set at $3,000.

The arrest occurred Friday afternoon when Minden Officer Branthony Brown stopped Carson’s vehicle for traveling 93 mph in a 70 mph zone near Exit 44 on I-20. During the stop, Officer Brown reportedly noticed a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

According to the incident report, Carson initially provided a false name and claimed he did not have identification. After discovering the false identification, Officer Brown obtained permission to search the vehicle.

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The search reportedly uncovered 28.67 ounces of marijuana inside the car’s center console. Carson later admitted to providing a false name to avoid arrest due to outstanding warrants in Arkansas.