COLBY WELLS CEO
Electrical safety starts at home Protecting
kids this summer
May is Electrical Safety Month, and as summer gets closer, it’s a great time to slow down for a minute and have some simple but important conversations with your kids.
Because here’s the reality … kids are curious. What looks like something fun to climb, fly near or explore can actually be dangerous when it comes to electricity.
That’s why taking a few minutes to point out things like power lines, poles and transformers — and explaining what they are — can make a big difference.
Remind your kids that trees near power lines aren’t safe to climb. Even if the lines don’t look close, they can shift or make contact. The same goes for kites, drones and model airplanes — those should always stay in wide-open spaces, far away from power lines and substations. And if something gets stuck? It’s never worth the risk to try and get it down.
Utility poles, towers and those green transformer boxes you see in yards may not look dangerous — but they carry high-voltage electricity and should always be off limits. Substations are another big one — if it’s fenced in, there’s a reason.
This time of year also means more time around water. Make sure kids understand that electricity and water don’t mix. Keep anything electrical well away from pools, hot tubs and wet areas, and head indoors as soon as thunder rolls in, before the first lightning strike.
For parents, small steps at home can add another layer of protection. Installing GFCIs in areas where water is present can help prevent shocks, and checking cords and outdoor equipment before use is always a good habit —
especially after storms or flooding.
And one of the most important lessons of all: If you ever see a downed power line, stay far away and treat it like it’s energized because it likely is. Call 911 and keep others clear.
At South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative, we believe safety starts with awareness. These conversations may seem small, but they help protect what matters most.
Because at the end of the day, our responsibility is your power — and your family’s safety is part of that promise.
South Central Arkansas Electric lineworkers teach children about electrical safety at school demonstrations throughout the year.
Delegates selected for educational Youth Tour
South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative has selected five delegates to represent the co-op on the 2026 Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Washington, D.C. The delegates are:
Josh Davis of Arkadelphia
Jace Rice of Amity
Haylee Trujillo of Amity
Annabelle Davis of Arkadelphia
Mia Epperhart of Hot Springs
The group will join approximately 2,000 students from across the United States in the nation’s capital. During the trip, they’ll learn about electric cooperatives, tour historic sites, monuments and museums and meet members of the Arkansas congressional delegation.
Four of the students participated in the cooperative’s POWERful Youth leadership program and earned the opportunity to be a Youth Tour delegate by their commitment to the program, volunteer hours and input from the community members who worked with the program.
“We are incredibly proud of these delegates. We are thrilled to provide this opportunity for them to engage with our nation’s history and represent our community in Washington, D.C.” Shelley Tucker, public relations coordinator, said.
To apply for next year’s POWERful Youth program, visit com/community
Nominations Committee meets, director nominations selected
On April 9, the Nominations Committee of South Central Arkansas Electric met at the cooperative's headquarters in Arkadelphia to select the slate of candidates for the 2026 board of directors’ elections. The committee was comprised of Fred Buzen, Johnny Conzel, Charles Ford and Randall Quillin.
Following their meeting, the committee officially announced the nomination of Danny Buck, Karen Kirkpatrick, TJ Nelson and Eddie White for the upcoming board positions.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the annual membership meeting of South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be held on Thursday, July 23, at the headquarters of the cooperative, located at 4818 Highway 8 West, Arkadelphia, in Clark County, beginning at 1:30 p.m. for the following purposes:
1. To pass on reports for the fiscal year
2. To elect three (3) directors for the cooperative to each serve three (3) year terms.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Our offices will be closed for Memorial Day on May 25.
Josh Davis
Haylee Trujillo
Jace Rice
Annabelle Davis
Mia Epperhart
Before You Build, Call Us First
If you’re planning new construction, adding a shop or making upgrades to your property, there’s one simple step that can save time, money and frustration down the road — call us first.
At South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative, we’re here to help make sure your electric service is set up safely and efficiently from the very beginning. Reaching out early in the process allows our team to work with you, your contractor and your timeline to avoid delays and unexpected changes later on.
Every project is a little different, and factors like location, load requirements and existing infrastructure can all impact how service is designed and installed. By getting us involved upfront, we can help determine the best approach and ensure everything is in place when you’re ready.
Waiting until later in the process can lead to setbacks — especially if adjustments are needed after construction has already started. A quick call early on helps keep your project moving smoothly.
Whether you’re building a new home, adding a shop or planning future improvements, our team is ready to help guide you through the process.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not just powering your project — we’re helping you plan for what’s ahead.
Contact the South Central engineering department at (870) 246-1842.
Keeping Power Reliable
As we head into storm season, our crews are working behind the scenes to help keep your power reliable.
One of the most important ways we do that is through right-of-way maintenance — clearing trees and vegetation away from power lines before they can cause outages. It may not always be noticeable day to day, but it plays a big role in preventing problems when severe weather moves in.
This proactive work helps reduce outages, improve restoration times and keep our system running safely and efficiently for the communities we serve.
Whether you’re building a new home, adding a shop or planning future improvements, South Central Arkansas Electric can help members through the process.
Vegetation management improves outage restoration times and keeps South Central Electric's system running safely and efficiently for the communities we serve.