Local Digest
First Coffee with the Editor event set for
Wednesday
The managing editor of the El Dorado News-Times is inviting residents and readers to join her for a cup of coffee Wednesday.
In the News-Times’ first Coffee with the Editor event, Managing Editor Madeleine Leroux will be at The Spot, 106 E. Main St. between PJ’s Coffee and The Creamery, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The event is meant to provide a forum for area residents to discuss what they want to see in the local newspaper, ask questions of staff and offer suggestions on ways to improve the paper. Other NewsTimes staff members also will be in attendance, including reporters and representatives of other departments, including classified and advertising.
Free coffee will be provided, courtesy of PJ’s Coffee, and the News-Times will provide a coffee mug to anyone in attendance. Anyone is welcome to come anytime between 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Strong-Huttig School District to hold parent-teacher conferences
STRONG — The Strong-Huttig School District will hold parent/ teacher conferences from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Gardner Strong Elementary and Strong High school. Students will also receive first nine-week progress reports that day.
Junction City School Board to hear building
update JUNCTION CITY — The Junction City School Board will hear an update from ERC architect Michael Rogers regarding a proposed building that would house high school physical education, health and art classes at its meeting Tuesday.
The board will also schedule future meetings, consider child nutrition policy changes and hear an update on the gym parking lot project. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the district’s special programs meeting room.
Stop the Violence rally set for Sunday
A Stop the Violence/Celebration of Loved Ones gathering will be held from 3:30 until 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Mattocks Park, Detroit and Sharp streets.
Brothers Making Changes, a local nonprofit organization that mentors boys and young men, is presenting the event. The rally is free and open to the public. The day will include guest speakers, a bounce house and music/ live DJ.
Free food and water will also be available. A balloon release will be held. Attendees are asked to wear T-shirts bearing commemorative photos and messages of lost loved ones for video footage that will be shot of the rally.
For more information, call Michael Jackson at 870-866-7441.
El Dorado Planning and Zoning Commission has
two vacancies Applications are being taken for two vacancies on the El Dorado Planning and Zoning Commission.
Former chairman Michael Rogers resigned from the commission earlier this summer. The term for the position expires in August 2018.
Commissioner Vicky Dobson’s term expired on Aug. 25, and Dobson has said she will not seek another term.
Anyone who is interested in serving on the planning and zoning commission may request an application by calling Mayor Frank Hash’s office at 870-862-7911 or City Clerk Heather McVay at 870-881-4877.
Several applications have already been submitted. The commission will meet at noon on Sept. 19 to sift through applications.
Once commissioners vote on the candidates, they will forward their recommendations to Hash and the El Dorado City Council for appointment.
Portrait unveiling, hanging
planned for Van Hook The Union County Bar Association has announced an unveiling and portrait-hanging ceremony for George Van Hook Jr., former judge of 35th Judicial District Court, for 10 a.m. Tuesday in the district courtroom, 250 American Road.
Van Hook retired on Dec. 31, 2016, after a 33-year career as a judge in Union County — eight as a municipal magistrate and 25 is district court judge.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony.