Politics

We’re past “on your mark” when it comes to potential lithium extraction in South Arkansas. Everyone knows that lithium can be extracted from the saltwater brine that has been produced as an oil and gas by-product for a century, and from which bromine has been pulled since the 1960s. Standard Lithium is satisfied with its pilot plant in Union County, looks to start selling lithium from it soon, has nailed down arrangements to build a commercial scale plant near El Dorado, and has its eyes set on Lafayette County for a much larger facility. Tetra Technologies also knows that its brine leases in Columbia and Lafayette counties have bromine and lithium. It hasn’t announced any production site plans but says it expects to start production in late 2025. Albemarle Corporation has known for a decade that it could produce lithium in Columbia County if it wanted. Expansion into lithium could easily become part of its ongoing bromine production expansion efforts, but not yet. Lastly, there’s ExxonMobil. It is drilling three potential lithium production wells in Columbia and Lafayette counties right now. But if you’re expecting Exxon to start building a massive lithium production plant tomorrow, don’t hold your breath. The only official word we have from Exxon is that it’s going to continue to drill wells through 2024. We expect that once its three current rigs have finished their work, that they will be moved to three new locations, then more sites through 2024. Then we may know where and how ExxonMobil will proceed with its plans to build a plant by 2027. So 2024 is the “get set year” with 2025 the “go” time for new plant construction through 2027 and 2028. ExxonMobil has created a new “Lithium” page on its website. CLICK HERE to see it.

EL DORADO, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — On December 7, 2023, the 2023 El Dorado Christmas Parade took place in Downtown El Dorado, Ark. After a night of residents seeing several floats, float winners were announced by officials. To see the float winners, view the table below. Category Winners Large Floats New Olive Branch (First Place)South Arkansas […]

EL DORADO, Ark. - It's Community Caravan week here at KTBS 3 and this week, we're headed to El Dorado, Arkansas. This morning, Rick Rowe headed north to see what he could find. By the way, the Caravan lunch will be held Thursday, Dec. 7 at noon at Barefoot Bistro....

El Dorado, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — Residents are upset about sky high water bills – saying they are being told that it is the fault of the new meter system and leaks at their home. The rise in prices have become a major concern for those who live in city limits with many heading to social media to make their outrageous bills public.

El Dorado, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — The Arkansas Bar Association (Ark-Bar) held a meeting today at the El Dorado Conference Center… South Arkansas is one of the four stops for the Ark-Bar group. Lawyers came in on Thursday and enjoyed a night out. This morning they met to share...

EL DORADO, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — Beginning on December 1, 2023, the City of El Dorado, Ark.’s Street Department will be working on street overlaying in the areas of West Oak, Milling, Holloway, and Crape Myrtle. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the areas if possible and to be aware of detours. Officials also announced that the […]

EL DORADO, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — On November 30, 2023, officials of the City of El Dorado, Ark. confirmed that the El Dorado Water Utilities will be repairing a line break at El Dorado Chemical and on 47th Street. Water service in the area will be disconnected until repairs are completed, according to officials.

Justin Nicolette and his neighbors have been unable to enjoy their property due to the pungent odor from the Aqua North Carolina wastewater treatment plant in the Country Woods East subdivision in Union County.

One new oil well in the Bert Creek Field of Union County is producing 40 barrels daily, according to the Arkansas Oil & Gas Commission’s weekly report. Quanico Oil and Gas of El Dorado drilled the Deltic No. 1-22 2,339 feet FSL and 2,336 feet FWL in Section 22-17S-17W to 7,305 feet in the Smackover Limestone, with perforations between 7,151 and 7,163 feet, to produce the 35-gravity oil. Work was finished on November 17.

Magnoliareporter.com often publishes news articles which, in the strict sense, have nothing to do directly with Columbia County or South Arkansas. Our usual motivation is because we regard the news as being something of which South Arkansas can take future advantage. Today’s example is the article headlined, “Blue & You Foundation issues $3 million in Arkansas awards.” CLICK HERE to see the story. None of the $3 million in grants will go toward South Arkansas entities except to the extent that programs based elsewhere, such as Central Arkansas, will serve all comers or perform outreach in our area. In its defense, the Blue & You Foundation has in the past made many grants to entities in Columbia County and South Arkansas – just not this cycle. We don’t know if that’s because local applicants were rejected, or simply because no local organizations applied for funding. If it’s the former, well, better luck next time. If it’s the latter, oh, come on, people. Certainly our local organizations can create or expand on some health-related matter that could be boosted by Blue & You Foundation funding. Our sense is that Blue & You would rather help programs that already exist. Funding for the current round, in the words of Blue & You’s Rebecca Pittillo, looked for innovative ways to “address behavioral health, maternal and pediatric health needs, and the social determinants of health.” The story link provides plenty of ideas for next year.

EL DORADO, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — The 2023 El Dorado Christmas Parade is taking place in El Dorado, Ark. The parade will begin at the corner of West 28th Avenue and North West Avenue, and the end of the parade will be on the corner of Jefferson and Elm in Downtown El Dorado. KTVE/KARD would like […]

EL DORADO, Ark. - Visit breathtaking El Dorado, Arkansas with the KTBS 3 Spirit of Christmas special. Downtown comes to life with music, lights, food, shopping, and events this Christmas. The sounds of the season invoke warm memories while strolling tree-lined streets and celebrating this festive time of the year.

EL DORADO, Ark. - Visit breathtaking El Dorado, Arkansas with the KTBS 3 Spirit of Christmas special. Downtown comes to life with music, lights, food, shopping, and events this Christmas. The sounds of the season invoke warm memories while strolling tree-lined streets and celebrating this festive time of the year.

Robin Roark of Smackover is running for the Arkansas House of Representatives in District 96, which includes portions of Union, Ouachita, Calhoun, Bradley, Dallas and Cleveland counties. Raised in Fordyce, Roark is an educator and pastor at First United Methodist Church in Smackover. “Being a native of Fordyce, I have...

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Commission approved $265,466,658 in financial assistance for 40 water and wastewater projects serving more than 233,547 Arkansans. South Arkansas projects receiving loans:. El Dorado Rural Public Water Authority, Union County. The proposed project will extend the system along Parnell Road, adding bypass...

EL DORADO, Ark. - The KTBS 3 Community Caravan crew is gearing up to hit the road again. This time, they're headed north to El Dorado, Arkansas the week of Dec. 4. Throughout the week, Rick Rowe will be featuring the great things the area has to offer. The actual...

EL DORADO, Ark. (KTVE/KARD)– On Thursday, November 16, 2023, El Dorado will host its downtown holiday lighting event from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. This event will take place at 101 North Washington in El Dorado, Ark.

El Dorado, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — KTVE has been partnering with the El Dorado Insider to show you some of the best kept secrets in South Arkansas. The magazine come out quarterly and the Holiday Edition is always a fan favorite. Now it’s time to meet the minds behind the...